VisionF 82 Yacht Review

Where do you even start with the VisionF 82? Size, performance, construction, opulence? I think it probably starts with a design brief along the lines of, “We want to throw the party to end all parties.”

Passagemaker Editor-in-Chief Jeff Moser and I toured VisionF’s new flagship during the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show last autumn, and as he pointed out features and asked useful questions, I trailed behind, somewhat overwhelmed by both her sheer size and opulence. The massive aluminum cat aims to impress with upscale styling throughout all her 79 feet. Covered with 160kW of solar panels, the model we saw was designed for the American market. She’s clearly conceived for entertaining with no fewer than five areas for seating or lounging and a galley big enough to service an Oscars after party.

A sense of vastness comes standard on the Turkish made boat, considering VisionF’s, well, vision. Founded in 2019, in Istanbul, by Coskun Bayraktar, former organizer of the Tuzla International Boat Show Land and Sea Fairs, VisionF was created with a lot of thought toward to the future of catamarans (the F in its name stands for future). The 82, which is also the company’s newest boat—they have three others in composite and aluminum variety: an 80, a 101, and a yet to be released 100-foot cat, intended to be a full family vessel with comfort in mind, meaning spaciousness is fully emphasized.

On the main deck was a more-than-spacious interior with an inline galley and massive seating area to port. The galley itself would be sizable compared to an average kitchen in a standard house, and a raised bar to one end and a drink fridge to the other make it an ideal spot to get cocktail hour started. However, if you prefer to have the galley more out of the way, there is an option to locate it on the lower deck as well. Underlighting on the cabinets, sofa, and other interior fixtures gave the design a warm glow, while remaining modern and clean.

Ultra-wide side decks or a door beside the nav desk lead forward onto a flush foredeck. Directly through the door, the owner has options for either recessed seating and a table or a simple step up onto the open deckspace, which will accommodate whatever modular furniture you like. Access to the substantial windlass is right in the middle of the foredeck, but with so much space to work with, it doesn’t interrupt the F’s feng shui. Alternatively, the space can be put to work storing a Williams jet tender and a SeaDoo water scooter, which can be launched and retrieved using a dedicated crane.

For all of the purpose-crafted luxury features, there was one thing that felt conspicuously missing throughout: rails and handholds. The party is obviously meant to take place dockside because even with a cat’s stability, any sea state would likely send drinks careening off the bar and counter. Those wide side decks could use a few grab points along the way too, especially since Jeff and I both felt the railings were flirting with being lower than an average person’s center of gravity.

Aft, a steep set of stairs takes you from yet another lux seating area up to a flybridge that would’ve been right at home as a roof deck at a posh night club, complete with a bar and seating around the perimeter, plus of course, another helm station. Forward, our model had three partitioned full-size sunpads facing the bow, but there is also an option for a bank of continuous reclining sunpads spanning the width of the flybridge.

Though we didn’t see it, I’m told there is a screen to provide privacy up top when dockside. During our visit, the space was equipped with a swinging egg chair, which was very fun but perhaps, again, best suited for when the boat isn’t moving.

The cabins in the hulls are spacious but understated, while the heads would be at home in any modern five-star hotel. The standard layout is three guest cabins and an owner’s suite to starboard. There are also two crew cabins that can accommodate up to two crew members each.

Engine access is convenient and well insulated with twin Volvo Penta IPS 1050 drives, churning out a maximum speed of 16 knots and an impressive range of 1,600 nautical miles. The solar/lithium setup is good for 20 hours of non-generator power, and staying true to its name, VisionF is already in the process of making electric-powered engine options. Considering this fleet’s impressive size and space, I’d say the envisioned future for VisionF does indeed look like one big party. And I hope I’m invited.

VisionF 82 Specifications:

LOA: 78’2”
Beam: 31’5”
Draft: 2’8”
Displ.: 138,891 lb.
Fuel: 2,020 gal.
Water: 49 gal.
Power: 2/600-hp Volvo Penta D8-IPS800
Cruise Speed: 10 knots
Top Speed: 16 knots
Price: $8.26 million

This article originally appeared in the May 2024 issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine.

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Source: https://www.powerandmotoryacht.com/boats/visionf-82-yacht-review