GC Marine Expo - Clipper’s new-generation Cordova 60 world premiere

by Emma Milne on 2 Mar 2015 Clipper Motor Yachts has just announced the world premiere of its new-generation Cordova 60 exclusively at the 2015 Gold Coast International Marine Expo (21-24 May 2015).

The new flagship model manifests the elegant lines of Clipper’s classic semi-displacement motor cruiser and is now complemented with chic, contemporary styling and state-of-the-art custom cruising features.

Clipper’s Managing Director Brett Thurley said the Cordova 60 is designed by renowned Canadian marine architect Trevor Bolt and represents the Clipper experience at its finest.

Inside and out, the Cordova 60 impresses with its timeless style, classic design and luxurious interiors. A skipper can pilot from the lower helm and enjoy sweeping visibility, or from the fly bridge where panoramic views and luxurious seating create an irresistible setting for family and friends.

The long list of standard features highlights the value onboard and includes hydraulic stabilisers; hydraulic bow and stern-thrusters, a large aft cockpit, fly bridge hardtop, a built-in fly bridge wet bar, a full Raymarine Electronics package and much, much more.

'There is no doubt this has been our most ambitious project so far, being a complete custom layout and fit-out,' said Mr Thurley.

'We effectively started with a blank 60 interior and moved the one step in the saloon further aft to give the pilothouse dinette more room.'

The galley was also moved aft and combined with an opening hopper window to the cockpit for bringing the outdoors in. A dream galley ensued, incorporating Miele appliances, dishwasher, in-counter exhaust fans and even a Zip tap system with sparkling, filtered and boiling water applications available over the double square recessed sinks. Refrigeration is upgraded with Italian-made Vitrifrigo double drawer fridges with freezer draws below.

The hero of the layout is a custom-designed, superyacht stainless staircase, made expressly for this layout by Aritex in Taiwan and incorporating stainless LED lights at each step.

The upper level has an enormous ultra-leather L-shaped dinette with folding dining table that drops to coffee table height if desired, all facing a custom 48-inch HD TV linked to a surround-sound Fusion iPod and DVD system that runs throughout the saloon, galley, cockpit and fly bridge. Extra refrigeration is added with a stainless, large capacity drinks fridge under the staircase with in-built blue LED lights and locking door.

The sleek lower helm encompasses a leather-clad custom wheel and state-of-the-art dual Simrad 16-inch screens, twin 19-inch glass screens upstairs, VHF, autopilot and twin radars covering long and short range. This vessel is also equipped with twin disc gearboxes to allow for the Express Hydraulic Joystick docking system. This allows for hydraulic bow and stern thrusters to be electronically coordinated with the engines and controlled by the joystick, located at both helms and concealed in the cockpit bulkhead.

'This system is truly amazing and allows the 60-foot vessel to be controlled like a 30-foot vessel, with the option to lock on to a GPS location point of where you are and automatically hold that position indefinitely in tide and wind – a great feature to allow you to set up fenders and rope or wait for berth location,' said Mr Thurley.

The lower helm is also finished with cutting-edge, elliptical pod dash designs and stainless push-button LED switching for a clean, contemporary look.

'There were some raised eyebrows along the way,' said Mr Thurley. 'Especially from Mark Campion and the team at the factory however we have completed what is a whole new style of layout and interior look for Clipper.'

The vessel has a top speed of 23 knots with twin Cummins 715HP diesel engines and cruises at 16 knots.

The new look will certainly appeal to European motor yacht owners and traditional Australian brand owners who want the walk around decks, offshore blue-water capability and fuel efficiency for which the Clipper hull design and layout is well known.

Other unique features include a hydraulic platform extending the outdoor area and full crew cabin fit-out to mirror the rest of the cabin finish.

Expo Event and Marketing Manager Emma Milne welcomed the addition of the latest and greatest Clipper cruisers to the growing list of new boat and product premieres at the 2015 Expo.

'As a founding partner of the Gold Coast International Marine Expo, Clipper has from Day 1 supported our commitment to fostering growth throughout the wider marine industry and to creating the boat show with so much more.