A New Era of Yachting: ECLIPSE is One to Watch
As a fast-cruising motor yacht, the express cruiser brings an element of exhilaration to the yachting world. While these vessels have long been adored by boating enthusiasts across the world, it’s been quite some time since the segment has seen any state-of-the-art developments.
All that’s about to change with the launch of ECLIPSE, a new generation of express cruisers. With the first 505 models expected to arrive this December, the line has brought together talent from the yachting world’s most powerful players. ECLIPSE stuns in both design and performance, truly reimagining and modernizing the express cruisers of yesterday through the addition of innovative features today’s yacht owners crave.
Brought to life by Two Oceans Marine Manufacturing and HMY Yachts Sales, the ECLIPSE lineup features two distinctive models: the 50-foot 505 and 60-foot 605, with premium SHADOW Performance Package upgrades available for each. And, with a unique hull design, exceptional efficiency, and unrivaled speed, each model is well-equipped to handle the often-unpredictable conditions of the Great Lakes. Let us explore what sets ECLIPSE apart.
A Collaboration of Icons
With the goal of bringing something entirely new to the yachting world, the vision for ECLIPSE was built on nothing less than perfection. To execute their visualization of a sleek, modernized express cruiser, Two Oceans Marine Manufacturing called in world-class talent for the yacht’s design and performance elements.
First, there’s the award-winning “Stepped ‘V’ Ventilated Tunnel” (SVVT)® hull and overall boat design by Michael Peters Yacht Design, a world-renowned firm known for their adept fusing of science and art. UK-based superyacht interior design and exterior styling firm Design Unlimited was also involved, adding intuitive elements for noise reduction and overseeing all technical aspects of the interior decoration and furnishings. Silver Arrows Design, known for their prowess in automotive interior design, lent their expertise to incorporate automotive-inspired features rarely seen in the boating world, including surface materials, surround view cameras, ergonomics, and instrumentation, all of which blend together to cultivate a revolutionary experience. Finally, Du Toit Yacht Design, experts in both seaworthiness and aesthetics, were also involved in ECLIPSE’s back-of-house engineering.
Unrivaled Performance
Boasting the ultimate levels of engineering and design, the ECLIPSE is primed for performance. All models feature Mercury 600hp V12 outboard engines: The 505 is equipped with twins, while the 505 SHADOW features triple engines. The 605 sports triple 600s, while the 605 SHADOW edition offers quad power. The additional horsepower achieves the absolute pinnacle of performance within this breed of motor yachts. Indeed, the 605 SHADOW is set to become the largest and fastest outboard-powered express cruiser in the world, making it a must-have for anyone seeking an incomparable yachting experience.
Mated to a two-speed transmission, the Mercury 600’s are exceptionally quiet engines due to the plentiful low-end torque a V12 block affords, which translates to much lower operating RPMs, lower fuel burn, better economy, and incredible overall efficiency seen nowhere else in the express cruiser segment.
Built for Greatness
Any boating enthusiast familiar with the Great Lakes knows her waters should never be underestimated. The weather is often fickle; it’s not uncommon to set out on glass-like waters in the morning only to be met with four-foot waves by the afternoon. Fortunately, turbulent seas are no match for the ECLIPSE. Her performance hull will cut through choppy waters with ease, all the while ensuring optimal comfort for passengers.
Offering supreme versatility, the yacht boasts the ability to have an open or closed boat, making it easy to retreat inside when the winds pick up or head out on deck when it’s smooth and sunny. Everything is easy to open and close; no need to fuss with canvas while being pelted with driving rains.
Boaters who frequent the Great Lakes also know the compelling advantage of having a freshwater vessel: without any corrosive saltwater to worry about, the yachts will remain in optimal condition for years to come. When maintenance is needed, however, yacht owners can expect concierge level service from HMY Willoughby Creek, a highly specialized service location acquired to exclusively maintain and service ECLIPSE models. It’s there that the yachts will be received from the factory in Cape Town, South Africa, and prepped before departing for their new homes.
A Like-Home Experience
Speaking of being at home, in an effort to cultivate the most relaxed experience on the water, ECLIPSE has been thoughtfully designed with features that provide the comfort and convenience of the home environment. Leveraging CZone®’s intuitive digital switching and monitoring network, everything onboard is connected via networked hub/switching modules, eliminating the need for cumbersome wiring harnesses (while also significantly reducing weight). SHADOW models are equipped with high-speed Starlink internet connectivity standard (no need for satellite domes).
The ECLIPSE series is also well-appointed for entertaining. With flush deck entertaining spaces typically only seen on larger yachts, her layout features only the finest materials for supreme luxury. The 505 and 505 SHADOW offer a true two-stateroom, two-head layout, while the 605 models add an extra stateroom and head. In addition to her quiet engines, ECLIPSE has been equipped with Northern Lights Marine Diesel Generators, known for their whisper-soft operation, for a smooth and soundless experience below deck.
While we have yet to see precisely what the ECLIPSE’s interior will look like, with the involvement of elite automobile designers, we can expect an imaginative, avant-garde interior styling featuring lavish appointments and state-of-the-art technology. The state-of-the-art influence will especially come to life on the ECLIPSE SHADOW Performance Package models, creating not just a luxury yacht, but an entirely revolutionary experience for owners, captains and passengers alike.
The first ECLIPSE 505 models are anticipated to arrive by the end of 2023, with the 605 models expected to arrive towards the end of the first quarter of 2024. Although the ECLIPSE lineup was only first announced at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in late 2022, there has already been tremendous interest in both models. Orders are currently open for all ECLIPSE models through HMY Yachts, the exclusive dealer for ECLIPSE. To learn more about these new express cruisers, visit www.hmy.com/ECLIPSE, or call an ECLIPSE specialist at 561-448-8500. Get on the waitlist now; contact HMY Yachts today!
