Haute Yachts: Tricon Marine Signs New Argos Gulfstream 70

When Tricon Marine premiered its first yacht, the Argos Gulfstream 92, in 2009, it garnered a good deal of publicity. The China-based boatbuilder, under Euro-American management, believed there was room in the marketplace for an intrepid expedition yacht that blended softer lines with the rugged looks that typically hallmark these launches. It also believed that yacht buyers should have a handful of sizes from which to choose under the 100-foot mark.

Well, that belief is being validated, as a European yachtsman recently signed a contract for an Argos Gulfstream 70. As the illustration here shows, the yacht has a nicely flared bow and higher bulwarks forward. The G70, as Tricon Marine also calls it, further features a low center of gravity for better stability and should resist roll better than other yachts. That’s due to the proprietary hull design that Tricon Marine and naval architect Howard Apollonio devised for its Argos series (which also includes 78-, 84-, 92-, and 100-foot models, all semi-custom). The design was extensively tank tested to ensure it would be fuel-efficient, especially for long-range and transoceanic travel. A good turn of speed was also a requirement. The G70 is expected to cruise at 17 knots and top out at 20 knots, powered by twin 715-hp Caterpillar C-12 diesel engines. At speeds slightly lower than the cruise speed, the yacht should also enjoy a 2,000-nautical-mile range. Tricon Marine adds that other engine packages may permit speeds upwards of 30 knots or better.

Inside, the G70 will accommodate six people in three staterooms plus two crewmembers. As you’d expect of a luxury yacht, each stateroom will have an en suite head. Guests will also get to enjoy traditional features like a saloon — which should benefit from the large windows seen in the illustration — and dining area. A particularly nice layout twist is the split-level sundeck. Depending on how the owner decides to outfit it, toys like PWCs or a RIB can be stowed fully aft, freeing up the front of the sundeck for entertaining and relaxing. If there’s just one watertoy, there will probably be room both fore and aft for socializing.

The Argos Gulfstream 70 is expected to be delivered in late 2011. Like the rest of the Argos models, it’s being built under a limited-production guarantee. Specifically, Tricon Marine permits only three hulls to be commissioned across its entire series each year. This means that the owner will have a somewhat exclusive product. No other yacht builder restricts its production the way that Tricon Marine does.