New Greek yachtbuilder Omikron Yachts has been making ripples with its OT-60 debut model which, as we discover, combines sailing yacht design principles with motoryacht space to create a highly efficient long-range cruiser with high luxury.
You’d be forgiven for not immediately recognising the Omikron Yachts brand. That’s because the yachtbuilder – based in Lavrio, just south of Athens, Greece – has been born out of parent company Olympic Marine, and the OT-60 is the first model to launch from the yard.
The yacht has made a fast and hard impression, however – the OT-60 was presented at this year’s Düsseldorf boat show, where it was awarded European Power Boat of the Year in the long-range yacht category.
A sailor’s motoryacht
So, what makes the OT-60 so special? The clue is in Omikron’s ethos for the model – a motor yacht that feels like a sailboat and, equally, a yacht that emotes feelings of calmness, serenity and luxury.
Sailing-yacht hull forms make excellent bases when range is a factor due to their inherent hydrodynamic efficiency, so it’s no surprise to learn that for the hull, Omikron turned to highly experienced naval architect Juan Kouyoumdjian and his Juan Yacht Design studio team, whose portfolio includes Volvo Ocean Race winners, offshore speed record setters and America’s Cup work.
It’s also no surprise to learn that the Omikron yard, in a previous guise, built more than 2,000 sailing yachts over a 50-year period.
“Omikron had an interesting approach with the OT-60, developing its first boat with a challenging brief based on real efficiency,” says Philippe Oulhen, Project Coordinator at Juan Yacht Design. “Our task was to develop an optimised hull shape for between 8 and 14 knots of boat speed with very good seakeeping abilities. We also worked around the propeller design during the whole sea-trial process.
“We’re very pleased with the results,” he continues. “The yacht’s construction meets the weight and centre-of-gravity position as designed, and the fuel consumption is even better than our expectations.”
A gentle powerboat
The OT-60 was conceived with space, comfort and efficient navigation in mind. Alongside Kouyoumdjian’s hull optimisation, the team turned to Lorenzo Argento – another sailing specialist – for exterior and interior styling. “Sailing boats are typically quiet and respectful,” Argento explains. “When we were approached with this idea of a gentle powered vessel, we picked up the challenge believing that this is truly an innovative way to go at sea. You can sail for long hours, in comfort, protected and with long range.”
In this respect, he says, and following the indications of the yard, the team has carefully worked out the best layout to be easily used both at anchor and while underway. “We truly believe in this concept to move around at 8 to 9 knots, as you would on a similar-sized sailboat, with minimal wakes, reduced noise, high stability and low [fuel] consumption, all while enjoying onboard life,” he continues.
Luxury cruising
Stepping on board the yacht, it’s obvious everything centres on cruising in luxury, but that’s not all – there’s responsibly sourced wood and the use of recyclable materials, which combine with spaciousness and plenty of natural light to make the journey as enjoyable as the destination, an ethos straight out of the sailing handbook.
There are other benefits to borrowing from sailing yacht lines, too. The stern platform – which serves as the boarding platform, the beach club and tender stowage all in one – is amazingly large thanks to the vessel’s six-metre beam, carried all the way aft. Tender launch and recovery is easy, thanks to the passerelle above, which doubles as a hydraulic tender lift.
Two steps take you up to the aft deck, which has been conceived as the outdoor living area. Settees to port and starboard each have a dining table that can be lowered to convert them into large day beds or sunpads, although the aft cockpit can also be enclosed with soft clears. The cockpit also gets a remote helm to make stern-to mooring a breeze.
Wide side decks lead forward to the clean foredeck area, which features the now-obligatory bow cockpit in the form of two large sunlounges, as well as a ladder to take you to two further sunlounges located above the main saloon. The business end of the bow sports a bowsprit from which the anchor can be deployed, which keeps anchor and chain well clear of the yacht’s plumb bow.
Inside, to port, an extra-deep settee invites languorous lounging, while to starboard a small sink plus a fridge suggest imminent cocktail-making – the perfect accompaniment to settling into a movie on the pop-up TV.
Forward to starboard is the helm, offering twin seats. Two large MFDs show all that needs to be seen, and there are electronic controls, but with manual redundancy to allow safe passage home in the unlikely event of an electronics issue.
Vision from the helm is ideal thanks to the saloon’s 360o panorama, which makes not only for easy navigation but also engaged guests when underway or at anchor. Natural light pours in through the saloon’s big windows and hatches overhead.
Stepping down into the lower saloon, there’s a dining area to port with storage underneath the seating, and a very serviceable galley to starboard comprising a large sink, extendable tap and good benchtop space. A Miele oven and induction hob provide for cooking while an extractor fan helps mitigate steam and smells – important for a lower galley. A large upright fridge and freezer provide cold storage. Extra headroom in this lower level gives the space an atrium-like feel aided by generous amounts of natural light.
Light and air
Forward is the owner’s cabin with full double bed on the centreline plus side lounges, a writing desk, a head to starboard and a shower to port. Natural light is again a feature with good headroom throughout. The yacht also comes in a charter version where the owner’s cabin is split into two double cabins, each with an ensuite head and shower.
Aft there are two additional guest cabins. To port is the VIP, which features a double bed with great views to outside, along with generous headroom and plenty of light. The cabin features a spacious shower and separate head – the head also doubles as the day head.
To starboard is a twin cabin with separate wardrobes, as well as a separate shower and head at the aft end of the cabin. Once again, the cabin features plenty of natural light. All cabins feature coaming windows with opening portlights and deck hatches.
Range & efficiency
The technical space is located under the cockpit floor, which houses the main engines – the OT-60 offers up to 250hp Yanmar engines in a twin configuration linked to shafts, with a bow thruster. A stern thruster is offered as an option, as is joystick control. There’s also a 7kVA generator plus 460-amp-hours of 24V house batteries to run the yacht’s systems, galley appliances and air conditioning.
Fuel efficiency with this configuration and the super-sleek hull is incredible. Cruising at 8 knots promises a 1,000-nautical-mile range from the 1,200 litres of fuel the OT-60 carries, although if you’re in a bit more of a hurry or just want to blast from dock to beach, the yacht does offer a handy top speed of 16 knots.
Sustainable cruising
There’s also a hybrid propulsion system available with two 100kW motors mounted between the engine and gearbox. Also included is a 78.2kWh LFP fast-charge battery pack. This combination gives a cruise at 7 to 8 knots for three hours in pure electric/silent mode, while the battery pack can be recharged using the engines in less than an hour. The hybrid package also includes a 4.3kW solar array that also helps recharge the batteries. The battery pack can run all the house systems, including the air conditioning, for more than 24 hours on one charge for silent anchoring.
Worth shouting about
The idea of merging elements of sailing yachts and motor yachts to create an efficient motorboat platform may not be entirely new, but combining it all with sleek and contemporary styling, seaworthiness and spacious, light-filled interiors means the OT- 60 is entirely seductive for those who want to cruise long with little effort. And that’s something worth shouting about.
