Lexus Sport Yacht 42

The just-unveiled Lexus Sport Yacht 42—a collaboration between Marquis Yachts and the auto manufacturer—combines one-of-a-kind styling and sexy curves that you won’t want to miss.

By Simon Murray

January 16, 2017

A luxury automaker designing a yacht isn’t such a far-fetched idea anymore. Fast on the heels of Aston Martin/Quintessence Yachts and Mercedes-Benz/ Silver Arrows Marine partnerships, Lexus has entered the fray with its one-of-a-kind, bespoke 42-foot open sport yacht.

Making its global debut on January 12, the prototype—an outcome of Marquis Yachts partnering with the luxury manufacturer—features a ruddy gold exterior that dazzles. Speaking of the hull, it’s made from carbon fiber reinforced plastic, similar to what you would find in a high-performance car. It’s because of the familiarity with this material that Marquis Yachts was contracted to build the 42.

This sport yacht can accommodate eight people and reach a top speed of 43 knots, according to Marquis. The captain utilizes a forward-thinking helm with 2 touchscreens, a small one in the wheel and a much larger one beside it. Down below, the forward cabin comes complete with air conditioning, a table, sofa seating for six, and leather and wood details—all a result of working with Diesel Center Frabetti Design of Italy and Toyota Marine engineers. The yacht’s galley has a sink, refrigerator, and stove.

“In building the Lexus Sport Yacht concept, we managed and administered a quality program to their exacting standards and expectations: we’ll apply what we’ve learned to all Marquis and Carver Yachts going forward,” says Paul Liss, Marquis’ vice president of operations and manufacturing. Liss added, “We worked with extreme tolerance levels to construct this boat: essentially these are aerospace-like tolerances and specifications. I am very proud to be a part of this as is our entire team. This will raise our own quality and construction standards to new levels.”

In other words, a rising tide of automobile-makers are making their way into the marine industry and shaking things up. And that can only be a good thing.

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