Neptunus 625 MotorYacht
By Andy Adams
Gracious accommodations with surprising performance
I am actually laughing at myself as I sit down to write this review of the Neptunus 625 MotorYacht because what I want to tell you first, is how much I like this boat!
Are you surprised? You are allowed to laugh at me. For the “as tested” price of approximately US$2.6 million, you get a handsome three stateroom MotorYacht with separate crew quarters, comfortable cockpit, sliding glass doors into a main saloon that includes home size seating, a dining area that seats six and a galley that deserves to be called a kitchen. And, let’s not forget the flying bridge!
Of course I like this boat! But there is something more. It’s a feeling I got when I was onboard. Yes, it’s a magnificent big boat with every imaginable feature and yet it seems warmly welcoming, even friendly.
This feels like your home away from home. You could take this yacht almost anywhere, entertain an enormous group of people, let the crew handle it, or run it yourself with just your sweetie on board – the Neptunus 625 MotorYacht feels like it can do it all.
Before we really get into the details, we have to mention that Neptunus is really a custom boatbuilder and their craftsmen work with every customer to ensure that the layout is what the owner really wants, that the colours, fabrics and furniture serve their every need and that it becomes a yacht that is distinctively their own.
The 625 MotorYacht that we reviewed had been commissioned by an owner in South Florida who was obviously an experienced yachtsman and probably has a private captain. This boat was designed for fun in the sun with an enormous aft swim platform trimmed in real teak decking. The flying bridge overhangs the aft cockpit for shady outdoor relaxing and the forward deck has a big sun lounge area accessed by wide side decks with high handrails all the way. So, that’s three separate living areas already.
The flying bridge is another space and it is really something on this boat! Proper stairs lead up the starboard side of the boat and massive handrails make it easy for almost anyone. An enormous hardtop provides protection from the sun and the weather and most of the time, this is where your guests will want to be. A refrigerator and icemaker are important parts of the entertainment centre and all of the tabletops are granite finished.
The aft end features wraparound seating for easily six or eight people around a table. Just ahead of that is what I would call a bistro style high table with four permanently mounted bar stools and teak footrests. This will be a great place for relaxing at dockside but it also allows you a great forward-facing view when underway.
This boat was designed for entertaining a large group of family or business associates, and the centre-mounted helm seat is flanked by port and starboard companion seats that adjust in several directions to accommodate standing or seated positions and all three have foot rests.
The white leather, custom-made steering wheel is an elegant touch and the helm was equipped with twin Raymarine screens, a big centre-mounted compass, display screens for the twin Caterpillar C 18 engines and all the additional equipment like the VHF radio, autopilot and the main switches are all in plain view.
Ahead of the helm is another seat for two, or three people to ride facing forward, protected from the winds by the venturi type windscreen. One great detail to mention on the flying bridge, was that the owner had specified both port and starboard wing controls for the ultimate in docking ease. These positions allow you to see the full side of the boat very easily and controls for the engines and the big bow and stern thrusters make docking a graceful operation.
On the main deck, the saloon is bright and spacious with wraparound seating to starboard, more seating to port, a 46 inch flatscreen with Bose surround sound and elegant ceiling lighting. The test boat had satellite TV installed. If you want to get in out of the weather, or just cool off in the air-conditioned comfort, (this boat has an enormous chiller system and a 21.5 kW generator) there are lots of places to relax.
The galley is up two steps and runs full beam with an expanse of granite countertop up the port side and cabinets that include rollout bins for storage of larger items, a separate wine cooler, a series of pull-out drawers that are custom fitted for dishes and cutlery and then above, are glass door cabinets for your glasses and crystal. Another flat screen television there, positioned for the chef and for those sitting at the dining table.
Our granite-topped centre island included a pull-out dishwasher drawer while expanding the food preparation space nicely. Another expanse of granite counter just aft of the island includes a deep stainless steel sink suitable for washing even the largest pots and pans. Then there is a four burner cooktop, a separate oven plus a microwave. You could prepare almost any kind of meal here.
The test boat had home-sized Fisher-Paykel refrigerator and freezer combination and there is also a spice locker and abundant storage space for dry goods.
Moving to the staterooms, you head down an elegant curving companionway which passes an alcove with a porthole beside the ships electrical panel.
At the bottom of the stairs is the day head, conveniently located for your guests. Also in the companionway are a built-in washer and a dryer so you can handle laundry while cruising.
Continuing aft, you enter the full beam master stateroom. With generous headroom, big hull side windows and a king-size berth, this is a most impressive master stateroom. Two Cedar-lined hanging lockers ensure that you have space for all the clothes you need to bring and port and starboard side dressers with soft close drawers mean you can bring enough personal belongings for very long cruises.
The test boat also had a built-in safe to protect valuables.
The master head is absolutely beautiful with curved cabinet doors, ceramic countertops and matching vessel sink, tiled floor and private shower stall. You’d feel like you were in an elegant hotel room, not on a boat.
Our Neptunus 625 test boat also had a midship stateroom that accommodates a double bed, big hanging locker, a flatscreen television and entertainment system and has big porthole for natural daylight. This has excellent headroom and although it’s the smallest cabin, it’s still very comfortable.
In the bow of the Neptunus 625 is the forward stateroom with Queen size island berth, two cedar-lined hanging lockers, generous clothes storage and an elegant makeup table. There is a separate flatscreen TV and entertainment system in this stateroom and an ensuite head.
This includes a mirrored ceiling which adds to the bright and spacious feeling. Again, granite countertops, vessel sink with elegant faucets, thoughtfully positioned mirrors, medicine cabinet and a private separate shower stall makes this a very spacious and usable head.
European style doors allow access from the midship stateroom as well.
With so much equipment and such generous accommodations, you really don’t expect much in the way of performance but the Neptunus 625 MotorYacht has a surprising turn of speed. With twin Caterpillar C18 diesels producing 1000 hp each the Neptunus 625 accelerates with authority, cruises at 24 knots (28 mph) and tops out at 30! That is over 34 mph, so this boat flies right along. It responds to the helm smartly healing over and carving a tight turn with a sporty and surefooted feel that you just don’t expect.
In the light rolling seas of test day, the boat was smooth, level and very confortable, as well as quiet! You could really cover some distance in a short space of time in the Neptunus 625 and that may have been a big part of the attraction for this buyer.
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINES: Twin CAT C-18 ACERT diesels, 1000 hp each.
ENGINE RPM SPEED KNOTS / MPH
600 6.3 / 7.2
1200 11.2 / 12.8
1700 18.1 / 20.8
2000 24.3 / 27.9
2200 28.3 / 32.6
2330 30.3 / 34.9
LENGTH OVERALL: 65’4” / 19.8 m
BEAM: 16’7” / 4.9 m
WEIGHT: 69,000 lbs dry, 82,518 as tested full fuel and water
FUEL CAPACITY: 1,000 gals / 3785 L
WATER CAPACITY: 230 gals / 870 L
WASTE CAPACITY: 110 gals / 416 L
PRICE: (approximate as tested) $2.6 million USD
Test Boat Supplied by: Neptunus Yachts, www.neptunusyachts.com
Photo Captions
Photo 1 – The handsome lines make the Neptunus 625 MotorYacht stand out in any setting.
Photo 2 – Just imagine the party you could throw on this flying bridge! A complete refreshment centre and abundant seating under the protection of the hardtop will make the flying bridge the sunny day centre of attention.
Photo 3 – What a nice layout! The forward dining area can accommodate six for dinner. Impressive granite-topped counter space, dishwasher and home quality appliances make meal preparation a pleasure.
Photo 4 – The drawers, night stands and cedar lined hanging lockers in the master stateroom let you dress for any occasion while cruising.
Photo 5 – Features in the forward guest stateroom include spacious hanging lockers, lots of drawer space, an elegant makeup table and an ensuite head.
Photo 6 – In the main saloon the 625 can seat the whole gang for cocktails or a movie. The elegant furniture is what the Neptunus craftsmen are best known for. Owners can choose their own materials, colours and finishes.
Photo 7 – From the custom steering wheel and triple helm seats to the very orderly array of controls, the Neptunus 625 MY helm on the flying bridge enjoys a commanding view in all directions.
