THE SURFACE BELOW THE SURFACE

As you well know, the geometry beneath any planing powerboat is crucial to performance. Belize was never going to make do with some off-the-shelf version, nor even settle for creating their own in the absence of propulsion data.

First prize, really, is to design in conjunction with the particular drive setup a boat will have. Because Cummins Zeus pod drives had been agreed upon for the 54, the boat’s running surface was primarily penned on that specific basis. First, by Ocean Yacht Designs, then reviewed by Cummins’s own inhouse naval architects.

With all their approvals in hand, the hull was then taken to the Australian Maritime College (AMC) in Tasmania, for two rounds of tank testing.

Further shape tweaks were made during AMC’s testing; all the time improving efficiency, (a reduction in running trim angle, for instance, as well as a nice bonus of ‘less effective power required’) and resulting in a shape beautifully mated to her power source.

Essentially, it’s a warped-plane hull with a very fine entry, and strong flare decreasing to a fairly flat run aft — a deadrise of 12 degrees.

Further aiding efficiency are pod tunnels scooped into the aft section, protecting props and allowing a proper keel to assist tracking, with a very substantial turn-down chine in the bow to deflect spray and deliver a more dry and silky ride offshore.

The boat simply proceeds in a stately fashion, in keeping with her exterior style.

In more traditional times, the actual profile of the bow itself might’ve been dead plumb. But at the speeds we’re able to drive our boats today we need buoyancy forward; we don’t need a bow that will dig into a wave (this is not an ocean race) but lift over it. Hence the slight spoon arc of the bow, at any sort of speed slicing a glassy sheet of water that turns into spray further down the flanks.

Following this wake along, almost halfway down the hull we start to detect the gradual compound curve of the hull’s tumblehome, becoming quite pronounced at the transom.

This reverse curve is more than sensual, it’s also practical; placing less weight up high in the hull and offering protection from slamming— against a jetty, or rafted companions.

SUBTLE SIGNS

The superstructure shape on the Belize is also somewhat less bluff than traditional predecessors. The coach roof is angled just enough to shed headwinds and shrug off spray, but upright enough to provide good volume in passenger spaces.

Note too the way the roofline swoops down, ever so gradually, almost to mid-cockpit.

Elsewhere, visual cues recall art deco influenced boats of the 20’s and 30’s (when they were referred to as ‘gentlemen’s launches’).

You can sense this style in the round port lights; the triangle of circular deck hatches up forward; the chunky, sculpted communications mast, that can be painted to key with the distinctive selection of hull colours; as well as the sleek, fluted gills of the engine air intakes that visually continue the taper of the side windows.

At the rear of the deckhouse there’s another clever feature: the rear, toughened-glass openable bulkhead is curved outward, top to bottom.

The effect of this, from the inside looking out, is that of an even more roomy and glowing saloon.

A MORE GRACIOUS TIME AND PLACE

As the cradle of our civilisation, Europe still— quite deservedly— influences our design sensibility. Even so, we tend to take it with a grain of salt.

We try to cherry-pick and adapt ideas to suit different cruising distances, light levels and lifestyles, in many locations.

The Belize designers have struck a keen-eyed balance between European panache and Australian practicality.

Throughout any Belize yacht, fabric panel walls, leather, weatherproof leatherette and passages of woodgrain are used in a contemporary palette to create a warm and inviting ambiance, and to contribute to excellent acoustics.

Two pack polyurethane finishes accent and protect key surfaces in the galley, on door panels and other key joinery interludes.

High lustre is not, by any means, the answer to every décor decision; a number of Belize interior surfaces are quite muted. Satin varnish, for instance, is evident throughout the saloon, galley, helm, companionway and forward cabin threshold.

Galley bench tops offer a choice of natural solid surface materials.

The Miele name badges the induction cooktop, combination oven, and microwave.

The AC/DC Vitrifrigo system provides two capacious chiller drawers and a separate freezer drawer.

The dual bowl sink is served by award-winning German Grohe tapware.

Right across from the galley, on the starboard side is the true heart of the saloon; a large L-shaped seating area that does double duty as lounge and dinette. (Or triple duty, with its clever purpose-built storage for crockery, glassware and charts tucked under.)

The saloon’s opening side windows allow for natural ventilation, but when the temperature calls for it, you can waft a good 24,000 BTU’s of air conditioning through saloon, galley and helm areas.

Speaking of which: let’s take a closer look at the helm station.

Certainly no stock-standard ‘dash’; this seems like something from a Geneva Motor Show prototype— almost more automotive than maritime.

Centre stage is a joystick control, two 15-inch Raymarine multifunction glass screens flanked by a pair of Smartcraft digital tachometers, Wema fuel and water gauges, a chain counter for precision anchoring,

electronic engine controls, automatic trim tabs (with manual override), electric steering with adjustable wheel, standard auto-pilot, and cockpit video cameras keeping you in the picture on boat extremities.

All this can be controlled from the Treben Italian electric leather helm seat, with a matching passenger seat that has a fore-and-aft chaise lounge lying alongside.

BELOW DECKS, ABOVE STANDARD

But it is full-sized beds and roomy staterooms that fill the Belize down below.

Rarely seen on a motoryacht of this style and size, the master stateroom extends the full beam of the boat.

Its large queen-size mattress a very cosseting eight inches thick, with storage under its baseboard.

Rising at your command is a 24-inch TV/DVD.

Either side of this cabin space are twin cedar-lined hanging and drawer spaces and, on each side, opening port lights for cross ventilation, backed up by 16,000 BTU’s of air conditioning— split with the ensuite head.

In there, teak floors are satin varnished, with non-slip finish in the large frameless glass shower stall, with elegant Grohe fittings again providing the tapware and shower fittings.

The same high specification is shared by the VIP ensuite/day head forward: including semi-recessed porcelain sink, opening portlight and insect screen, round deck hatch overhead, plus cedar-lined timber storage lockers.

Every bit as opulent as the master, the VIP stateroom itself occupies the entire forward V-section: carpet to your choice, portlights to port and starboard, round hatch overhead, makeup drawer with folding seat and mirror, its own 24-inch TV/DVD and dedicated 12,000 BTU air conditioning.

The third, guest suite, is slightly less grand but no less highly specified.

Here there are twin upper and lower berths, hanging locker, bedside table and drawers, its own 4,000 BTU air conditioning and the benefit of an opening portlight, circular deck hatch above and plush carpeting below, fleecy between your toes.

This cabin is a great example of the Belize belief in “no second-class accommodation”.