Review: Palm Beach GT50

Has Mark Richards created his best Palm Beach sportsyacht yet in the new GT50? Just ask him.

“The GT50 represents a culmination of the best of Palm Beach, and there’s really nothing out there like it today,” said Richards, CEO and founder of Palm Beach Motor Yachts.

The design philosophy behind the GT50 Open and Express models, we're told, was to create a visually elegant cruiser capable of 40-plus-knots, with an economic cruise speed in the mid-30-knot range, and all in a sportsyacht that was simple to operate and easy to own.  

Initial sea trials of the GT50 hit the company’s precise target top-speed projection of 42kts, and a cruising speed of 35kts with a pair 600hp Volvo Penta IPS800s where fuel consumption is said to be 151lt/h. At 25kts, fuel burn dropped to 90lt/h, with the builder claiming the GT50 AS one of the most efficient yachts available. 

PBMY said the efficiency achieved by the GT series was due to a unique hull design that results in less resistance to achieve plane while keeping the bow in the water, the hull slicing through the water avoiding wasted energy getting up on the plane, as well as a hyper-focus on lightweight, strong construction.

Both the Open and Express variants share similar layouts, including two cabins, a galley and head with shower below decks, and opposing lounges in the helm/saloon deck aft of the twin two-seat helm chairs.

As mentioned, another goal of the GT50 concept is to embrace simplicity and ensure owners can spend more time on the water. 

“We designed the systems and built the yacht to be turnkey,” Richards said. “We want you to step onboard, turn on the engines and go out and enjoy the water. That’s what yachting is all about.”

SPECS:

Palm Beach GT50

PRICE From $1.9 million Open; from $2.02 million Express

LENGTH (overall) 

54ft (16.4m)

BEAM 4.5m

WEIGHT 13,000kg

FUEL 1500lt

WATER 500lt

ENGINE 2 × 600hp Volvo Penta IPS800

WEB www.palmbeachmotoryachts.com.