Cheoy Lee’s (www.cheoylee.com) Alpha Series Express Yacht www.cl-alpha.com line adds a new 87 Express Sportbridge, debuting at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, October 31-November 4 at Face Dock 6, Bahia Mar.
The 87′ Express Sportbridge’s open cockpit resembles the sleek Alpha 76′ Express Flybridge Yacht, providing versatile options for navigation and passenger pleasure. The dual platform hull configuration, created by Michael Peters Yacht Design, melds Cheoy Lee’s history of building high-speed transports with Peters’ expertise in designing race boats and luxury yachts. The first aerodynamic and
powerful Alpha 76 Express earned the prestigious 2012 World Yachts Trophy in Cannes.
Peters compares yacht design to a beautiful woman. People may agree she is beautiful without pinpointing her qualities. “It is the designer’s job to know why a yacht is beautiful. The hull and deck lines must work together harmoniously–combining proportion, detail and form. Cheoy Lee gave us a free hand in design and did a beautiful job of execution.”
The exterior flows into the Luiz de Basto-designed interior, adding international, contemporary styling and clean, functional lines. De Basto’s megayacht work and preference for luxurious wood, leather, marble and glass, complement the building expertise of Cheoy Lee. “It is difficult to find workmanship of this caliber in yachts of this size,” he says, “We wanted to establish the Alpha brand in an upscale position and Cheoy Lee embraced the idea. The custom sliding glass doors open completely, offering seamless flow from the salon, bar and galley to the aft deck–even the floor pattern integrates the formal interior and open space.”
On the aft deck lounge, spacious facing settees offer socializing and sunning space; an awning retracts into the pilothouse roof, providing weather or sun protection. Twin stairs lead from the aft deck to the swim platform and garage that can house a 10′ tender; above is an optional hot tub–or with cushions, a sun pad. A port staircase flows up to the flybridge with an unobstructed view where pilot and passengers enjoy the sizable exterior lounge and forward settee.
Four state rooms with en suite heads and showers offer luxurious comfort and privacy. The full-beam master has a king size bed,
lounging space, walk-in closet, vanity, walk-in shower and double sinks. A queen VIP stateroom, also forward, complements a queen guest cabin to port and a twin cabin to starboard, all lushly furnished, providing unusual spaciousness and storage.
Easily accessible crew quarters boast the same luxurious appointments and lead directly to the engine room which houses impeccably rigged mechanical fixtures, all conveniently accessed for service. Performance is key to this yacht, powered with C-32 Caterpillar 1900 hp ACERTS; 30+ knots is expected given the powerful pedigree of the Alpha 87 hull.