Founded in 2002, the Turkish shipyard Numarine returns to center stage with the launch of a 70-foot hard top with an edgy design and quality construction on par with its European rivals
The Numarine 70 HT is easily recognisable by the specific cut of its bulwarks: she is a boat wearing a grey blue hull like an evening gown that blends perfectly with the sporty shape of the superstructure.
Numarine 70 Hardtop design
Without going overboard, the 70 HT features large windows amidships with a succession of perfectly juxtaposed smaller portholes in the bow. The glazing in the superstructure on the other hand, reflects the hull windows amidships – nice and large to let in plenty of natural light. The windshield is a one-piece affair for further perfect visibility.
In this way, the 70 HT seems to have borrowed some of the exterior design features of her major rivals, such as the Sessa C68 or MCY range of yachts. It is for these reasons that we feel the Numarine 70 HT has taken the very best of Europe’s leisure marine design offerings and distilled their best features into a model of which this Turkish shipyard can be proud. Access to the wheelhouse, as is custom aboard yachts this size, is provided via the port companionway and a seadoor.
Stepping into the wheelhouse, it’s hard to believe one is aboard a Turkish yacht as the interior decor is very similar, and in fact commensurate with that of Italian yachts in terms of feel and quality. Limed oak parquet flooring contrasts with brightly coloured soft furnishings and furniture itself that is discreet in the way it blends into the surrounding interior, with curved edges that are always appreciated aboard a yacht that may roll and pitch at sea.
Numarine’s oriental touch
Some might say that the interior of the Numarine 70 HT displayed in Cannes was too plain or standard, but we found it suitably judged for a boat show where many tastes must be courted. Indeed, the only ‘oriental’ touch aboard the 70 HT is in the tables of the salon and dining room, which are plateaus of Travertine marble.
This is a feature that was popular not just with our magazine, but many of the visitors to the show, proving that this Turkish yard, with a production capacity of around 20 yachts per year, knows how to pre-empt the desires of its customers.
It would be an exaggeration to claim the Numarine 70 HT is a semi-custom build, but several adjustments can be made to her exterior and interior in terms of colours and fit and finish. In addition to these small details, the owner can even choose between a three or four cabin layout, while the garage area is also optional, being a small beach club if the owner wishes.
Inside the 70 Hardtop
If the owner chooses the Numarine 70 HT with threecabin layout, he then has a further choice between having the galley located on deck forward of the salon or at the foot of the stairs below decks to port. The owner’s suite and VIP are very similar in terms of decoration, with the VIP naturally located in the bow and the owner’s cabin amidships, taking full advantage of the yacht’s beam.
Both are luxurious without being ostentatious, with carefully chosen fabrics and finish that are classy, but without the fragility prone to most luxury items. Both cabins boast large wardrobe areas and generous en-suites.
While it is difficult to find criticism down below aboard the Numarine 70 HT, it is important to point out that this yacht does not feature the same abundance of natural light in her accommodation areas as is common aboard the Galeon or Absolute ranges. Moving back up to the main deck and aft to the cockpit, we find an extremely well-designed outdoor lounge, with a dining table able to accommodate ten people and a retractable sunshade for lunchtime dining when the sun is at its height.
The only criticism here is that, because of the peculiar shape of the cockpit settee, access of the starboard side stairs leading to the bathing platform is not direct – but it is a minor detail with which the owner can easily live. A refrigerator and ice maker complete the facilities here for lazy days lounging at anchor.
Numarine 70 HT speed and range
If the tender garage is not specified, the RIB can be secured on the hydraulic high-low bathing platform for easy launch and recovery. Down in the engine room, we find the yacht’s two 1,150hp Caterpillar C18 engines installed with a V-drive transmission.
The Numarine 70 HT is also available, however, with MAN engines. The electrical system does not deserve any criticism and everything is easily accessible. At the risk of upsetting some critics, we have to say the engineering level is exactly the same or even higher than some European models. Moored in the beautiful port of Göcek, we could not wait to try the Numarine and discover the many islands along the coast.
Taking the Numarine 70 HT through a marine reserve of immense beauty, the conditions were calm with a gentle wind and very little swell, requiring us to cross our own wake to test the boat’s response to short, choppy swells. The result? No slamming or vibration whatsoever, a reflection of the excellent quality that has gone into her design and actual construction.
With its twin 1150hp engines, the Numarine yacht reaches planning speed in less than 15 seconds and even at top speed the ride is perfect. Loaded with 15 journalists and with the fuel and water tanks 80% fill, we easily reached 32-knots. The cruising speed is 25-knots and at this speed both Caterpillars consume around 350 liters per hour, enough to provide a range of about 330 nautical miles. At 20-knots, it manages a range of 473 miles.
If soundproofing in the cockpit is not a problem, it is regrettable the location of the ventilation of the engine room, which is a little too close to the passengers seated comfortably outside. The shipyard, however, is well aware of this slight nuisance and will bring an improvement within the next model.
This Numarine 70 HT then has all the capabilities to confront its serious European competition.
