Where form meets function.
Appeared in the February 2019 Lakeland Boating
Boats allow us to have fun, but they also make a statement about who we are.
The elegant lines, quality craftsmanship and distinguished refinement found in the Palm Beach 50 Flybridge start to tell the story. The performance, driveability, comfort, and accommodations complete it.
Palm Beach Yachts was founded by Mark Richards, a famous Australian racing sailor with more Sydney to Hobart wins than any other skipper. Richards strives for perfection in everything he does, and the boats he builds are a testimony to this fastidiousness. Each Palm Beach is hand-built using high-quality materials and adorned with fine teak. Hulls are vacuum infused with vinylester resin, a bonded-in stringer system, and closed cell foam coring above the waterline in the deck and superstructure. What this means is an extremely strong yet lightweight boat originally designed to cruise the often foul waters of Australia, not too dissimilar to the Great Lakes.
In 2014 Grand Banks purchased Palm Beach and Richards became CEO of both entities. While Palm Beach continues to grow and thrive as a distinct brand, it is now part of the Grand Banks worldwide network, meaning global support and service.
The Palm Beach 50 Flybridge is a stunning example of the type of craftsmanship and performance these boats are known for. Teak soles, rich varnished teak railings and cabinets, and polished stainless fixtures are complemented by high-end fabrics, woven mats, and Silestone counters. Driven from either an inside steering station or on the flybridge — reached via a floating stairwell from the cockpit— she tops out at 32 knots and cruises at 27 with twin Volvo Penta IPS 600 (435 hp) engines. A large cockpit connects through on a single level to the salon. Below there is a master forward and head. The galley can be either up or down; a galley up allows for a second cabin below with either twins or a double and an optional second head.
“Palm Beach Yachts is dedicated to delivering boats for buyers who understand the value of quality,” says George Sass Jr., global marketing director of Palm Beach and Grand Banks Yachts. “The 2019 Palm Beach 50 Flybridge, currently in Florida, is a great example of the beauty and workmanship we are known for.”
The Palm Beach 50 Flybridge combines the design and sophisticated style people notice with the quality, comfort and performance that makes them easy to own.