Neptunus 750 Flybridge
Downtown elegance anywhere you choose to go
By Andy Adams and John Armstrong
This February 2020 Boat Show issue of Canadian Yachting magazine actually mails before Christmas, so hopefully, we have given you sufficient time to let Santa know that what you want, is a new Neptunus 750 Flybridge. We realize that you haven’t even read the review yet, but we know how you are going to feel.
The lower helm is finished like a fine piece of furniture.
This is the Neptunus Yachts’ flagship and it is a design by Canadian Gregory C. Marshall, that marries timeless elegance with stellar performance in a 75 foot long yacht, with an 18’11” beam, three deck levels, four staterooms, three heads (plus crew quarters and another head), all powered by twin Caterpillar C32 ACERT engines producing 1,600 hp each, delivering a 26 knot cruise and a top speed of 34.1 knots. That’s almost 40 mph! Pretty amazing for 120,000 lbs of yacht!
And, the Neptunus 750 Flybridge is far more than just those topline features. It can make dreams into reality, transporting you, your family and guests to distant or remote places to vacation in downtown elegance and with every convenience. Compare the Neptunus 750 Flybridge to a Muskoka cottage, or a Vancouver penthouse and the roughly four-million-dollar price tag will seem more than justified.
Come aboard
You can board the Neptunus 750 Flybridge from the generous swim platform, or the wide and secure side decks. There are pantographic cabin side doors port and starboard, but generally you will come through the spacious cockpit and enter by the curved glass salon doors. The stainless-steel frames and hardware are very substantial, a hint of things to come.
Salon
The styling theme reflects the fluid curves of the waves as the symmetrical and flowing layout of the salon invites you in. Gorgeous curving couches on the port and starboard sides make the most of this almost formal living area. A dramatic, oval shaped coffee table in the centre, with a high gloss finish is a focal point. Centred and well forward is a bar with three stools. Also in the centre, is a large screen television on an electric lift, equipped with Bose 5.1 surround sound. This will be easily enjoyed from any point in the salon and in the up position, the TV also serves as a subtle room divider.
Two views of the galley; looking aft (top) and looking forward (lower) to show off the finish and features.
Lower the TV and you reveal the galley. The formal living area becomes a family room. The bar stools are perfect for sitting and talking while cooking and the social flow of the 750s layout is perhaps its most appealing feature. It’s all about entertaining after all, and the galley features huge, home size Elkay sinks with Grohe faucets that are high-end and elegant. The galley has lots of counter space and cupboards over the sink. All appliances are fabulous home-sized equipment with JennAir double door refrigerator, four JennAir drawer refrigerators / freezers, Fisher Paykel drawer dishwasher, JennAir convection microwave and a four-burner ceramic stove plus oven.
As you proceed forward past the galley, there’s a built-in wine cooler on starboard and the port side is a matching cabinet for the crystal. Don’t forget, there are ice-makers and other refrigerators onboard as well.
No problem running all this equipment – the Neptunus 750 Flybridge includes two Northern Lights generators; a 12 kW and a 24 kW.
Unifying the interior design is high gloss cherry wood cabinetry throughout the yacht and all of the surfaces, even the door edges, are polished to an amazing high gloss. Many of the doors and carcases are curved. These feel strong yet light and we learned that Neptunus makes their cabinets and finishes them in coat after coat of varnish, so they can be touched up, or repaired if need be. The wood working on the 750 makes a real statement about the craftsmanship that you’ll find throughout the boat.
Lower helm
Lying ahead of the galley, concealed by the cabinets is the lower helm station. This has an absolutely magnificent sweeping dashboard finished in the high gloss cherry wood and with burl Mappa on the dashboard face. The helm seat itself is wide enough for three people and it has a flip seat back. Face forward when running and flip it to face aft to convert to a dining area. The seats look right over the helm and through the windshield. The glorious high gloss dining table will be a great place for family and friends to dine or enjoy the ride. It’s a clever use of space but not compromised in any way.
The lower helm will be ideal in inclement weather or high heat and the outward vision is great. This has two Raymarine MFDs as well as the Caterpillar screen for the twin C-32 engines and Raymarine screens for depth and autopilot.
Guest accommodations on the flying bridge include this U-shaped dining area, the three seats at the upper helm and abundant storage.
Companionway to the cabins
On the starboard side of the lower helm is the companionway to the cabins and just a couple of steps down, still on the main deck level is the Master stateroom.
This is a major feature for a 75-footer. The Master stateroom is full beam with a big dresser on the starboard side, generous cabin side windows, a big hanging locker lined with aromatic Cedar and a beautiful shaped Queen berth that is angled slightly to maximise the floor space so there are no steps in the Masters cabin. You do go down one step to reach the second hanging locker and the en suite head however, and the head is more than home sized! This features a Raritan MSD, a vessel sink in an expanse of counter and storage lockers, plus there is a very nice side seat for dressing and a spacious stand up shower stall. The head is most impressive! The deck hatches bring in more light and we loved the abundant storage space. You could live aboard for long periods of time in complete comfort.
The companionway stairs are under the huge windshield and get lots of daylight.
Continuing down the curving companionway stairs you come to a foyer which includes a Bosch Axxis washer and separate dryer. Then there is the day head which includes an MSD, private shower stall, designer sink and beautiful, classic ceramic tiles plus a mirrored ceiling for added light and portholes as well. There is another cabin here that would be ideal for adults but it’s not so grand as the other cabins so likely kids or grandkids will get this one.
Down another step are port and starboard double cabins and while the portside has access to the day head, the starboard cabin has another private head with shower stall. Both include Cedar lined hanging lockers plus big storage drawers under the berths, mirrored headboards and storage in the sides as well.
Throughout the Neptunus 750 Flybridge you find furniture quality wood work, mirrored ceilings in the heads, real granite counters and marble finishes. What you don’t find is any kind of odour – the yacht has a bilge ventilation system that we could not hear running, but it moves air through the underfloor areas 24/7 to carry away any scent. Delightful!
The flying bridge helm was fully equipped and a pleasure to use.
Cockpit
The cockpit or more accurately, the aft deck is semi-circular design with a large bench seat and a beautiful table on 2 stainless steel stanchions. This table includes inlaid trim and the same quality of super high gloss finish that we found throughout the boat. With an 18’ 11” beam every part of the boat is spacious and open.
On the flying bridge
Stairs up to the flying bridge are easy to negotiate and the carbon fiber hardtop is secured by triple stanchions at the back and a stainless-steel brace at the front which offers great handholds if it’s rough and you’re standing. The flying bridge is a simply vast area of real teak flooring in fact, the test boat had gorgeous teak all the way from the swim platform to the flying bridge helm and throughout the mail deck level.
This is one pf the three guest cabins on board the Neptunus 750 Flybridge, in addition to the master suite.
The test boat was not yet fitted with davits or a dinghy, but the flying bridge has ample space for that.
Other amenities include a refreshment area with a Dometic refrigerator, Raritan ice maker, sink and storage on the starboard side. On port is a U-shaped lounge offering vast storage for covers and canvas under the seating. Neptunus even includes a ladder up to the top of the hardtop for service on your radar and other accessories.
Crew and engine room
Centred on the transom is a very serious-looking pantagraphic door leading to the crew’s quarters. This has two single berths, a galley with refrigerator, microwave, and sink plus separate head and shower compartments that are full size and private. The crew also gets a good TV and an L-shaped eating area. Through the next door is the engine room which has more than 6 feet of head room throughout and is beautifully rigged. The company is celebrating their 30th Anniversary this year so they certainly have a wealth of experience rigging ocean-going power yachts and in fact, all Neptunus yachts are built to CE Category A – Ocean certification. It really shows in the engine room!
Showing the curving furniture and spacious layout, the salon is very bright and open.
Swim platform
Four large-diameter stainless-steel stern rails are included on the swim platform for safety and the hydraulic lift platform has an elegant teak grate surface for drainage. Making the swim platform more enjoyable to use, there are graceful curved staircases on port and starboard leading up to the aft deck.
This level continues all the way forward with recessed decking and a very high rail all around form safety and security. At the bow you will discover a Maxwell 3500 windlass, three big fender lockers and a huge anchor.
Performance
The twin Caterpillar C32 ACERT diesels are like a big deep heartbeat – never loud, always there. Out on Lake Ontario the Neptunus 750 was absolutely serene; you could just go forever. The top speed of 34.1 knots (39.3 mph) was smooth and easy, even running through two and half or three foot waves. Crossing our own wake was almost not noticeable. The Neptunus 750 was equipped with a Naiad stabilizer system which makes a solid contribution to keeping the boat level and stable. Obviously, the running surface and rudders are beautifully dialed in and at full speed the 750 just carved a tight turn without drama and the wheel was light and responsive. Bennett trim tabs also help to keep her level.
Another great feature is the Yacht Controller system. This integrates the engines with the proportional bow and stern thrusters. Watching Jan Willem de Jong, Neptunus’ Managing Director handling the boat alone, even from the pier as he tied up, was an impressive demonstration. Imagine single-handing a 75-footer!
Overall, the Neptuns 750 Flybridge is an amazing running boat and a real testimony to the Gregory C. Marshall design as well as the world class craftsmanship from the team at Neptunus. But, talk to Santa soon – it takes a year to build a Neptunus 750 Flybridge.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engines: Twin Caterpillar C32 ACERT diesels, 1,600 hp each, 32.1 litre V12 diesel, 5-blade Nibral propelers
RPM SPEED IN KNOTS
650 8.3
1,000 10.8
1,200 12.0
1,400 14.7
1,600 21.1
1,800 24.9
2,000 28.1
2,200 31.2
2,355 34.1 max
SPECIFICATIONS
Length OA: 23 m / 75’6”
Beam: 5.77 m / 18’11”
Displacement: 115,000 lbs
Fuel capacity: 5,488 L / 1,450 gal
Water capacity: 1,325 L / 350 gal
Waste capacity: 757 L / 200 gal
Price: Approximately $4,000,000 USD depending on equipment
Boat and price supplied by Neptunus Yachts, neptunusyachts.com
