May 6, 2010

Project: Island Pilot 535

Island Pilot, builder of the 435 and the award winning DSe Hybrid 12m, is adding a new 53 foot model to its performance yacht series, the 535. The concept for the 535 began percolating almost as soon as the original Island Pilots were hitting the waterways in 2005 and the design has evolved over the years, incorporating both customer feedback and the latest available technology. The 535 was designed by the company’s president, Reuben Trane, and naval architect, George Petrie. Their driving goal is to maintain equivalent performance and efficiency to that of the 435 while offering more luxury and roomier accommodations. New molds for the 535 have been built at the company’s yard in Zhuhai City, China. At this time, Island Pilot has two firm orders for the 535, one of which is from a current Island Pilot owner moving up. The 535 gets her performance capabilities from the latest drive train from Volvo Penta, the IPS II 900. In addition to three Joystick docking stations, the 535 will be fitted with Volvo Penta’s new “Dynamic Positioning System” (DPS), which holds heading and position automatically using a GPS array mounted on the radar arch. Extensive tank testing plus computer simulations predict a top speed of 33 knots with economical fast-cruising speeds between 18 and 28 knots. At slower speeds, the 535 will have similar economy to single screw displacement trawlers and mid-speed, semi-displacement cruisers. The pair of 700hp, D11 diesels is aft in a walk-in, stand up, uncluttered engine room accessed through a weather tight door in the cockpit. The spacious engine room allows easy access to all sides of the engines and generator with room left over for a work bench and tool storage. Other systems normally crowded around the motors are located in an easily-accessed “basement” under the galley sole. The 535 high-end performance is complimented by her inviting and accommodating cockpit layout, spacious flybridge arrangement, and interior appointments. A nine foot U-shaped settee is the focal point of the cockpit and with its own canopy the space is perfectly laid out for outdoor entertaining. Owners can select to have a full summer kitchen including grill and wet bar either in the cockpit, on the flybridge, or in both locations. The flybridge has space for three helm chairs or a pair of twins and is outfitted with a pair 15-inch Garmin touchscreens, the same found at the lower helm. A signature feature of all Island Pilot yachts is the bright, open feeling of the deck house, with plenty of glass and 360-degree vistas. The 535 continues this tradition with even more space, the U-shaped settee is 11x6 feet, and room remains for a pair of barrel easy chairs and the raised helm chairs. At 12x14 feet, the deck house is highly customizable. Forward of the deck house, under the great expanse of windscreen, is the fully equipped galley overlooking the dinette. Forward is an island-queen VIP stateroom and aft, under the deck house, is the full width, mid-ship, master stateroom. Measuring 11x16 feet, this space can be configured to an owner’s preference and be fitted with an island queen, either angled or squared off, or a pair of twin berths. With her unique layout, the 535 affords the privacy found in an aft-cabin yacht with the advantages of the sedan-styling. The Island Pilot 535 will debut at the 2011 Miami Boat Show.

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