Cheoy Lee Alpha 87 Express Sportbridge: Up-Sized Performance and Style
The second model in the Cheoy Lee Express line, the Alpha 87 debuts at the Fort Lauderdale boat show.
The prominent Chinese shipyard Cheoy Lee has been building boats for more than a century, yet never constructed an express-style yacht with a performance edge until just a few years ago when the Alpha 76 (see Cheoy Lee Alpha 76 Flybridge: Put the Sport in Sport Yacht) went into development. Because the response to that model has been so positive (it earned the prestigious 2012 World Yachts Trophy in Cannes) the yard spent the past year tooling up a brand-new addition to its express series. That model, the Alpha 87 Express Sportbridge, splashed this past summer and made its U.S. debut at the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show.
The Cheoy Lee Aplha 87 features all the performance and style of its smaller sibling, only on a grander scale.
The 87 boasts the handiwork of an expert team. Michael Peters Yacht Design did the exterior design and naval architecture. This award-winning firm with more than a few fast-paced luxury megayachts and sportboats in its portfolio also did the naval architecture for the 76. Interiors are by Luiz de Basto, the Miami-based designer who has worked with major yards and builders around the globe—Intermarine and Trinity among them. De Basto collaborated with Peters on the 76, too. On the 87, his expertise in luxury accommodations is evident.
The 87—a four-stateroom cruiser with formal and informal dining rooms, a salon and galley up—showcases de Basto’s preference for fine woods, leather, marble and glass, and also cements a reputation for the relatively new Alpha series. These are indeed upscale luxury yachts. Among the notable interior features are the galley, which is arrange more like a bar for a casually chic atmosphere, and the custom sliding glass doors at the aft end of the salon that open completely and create a seamless flow from the 87’s interior to the aft deck. Out on deck, settees are protected by an awning that retracts into the pilothouse roof. Aft of this social space is a hot tub for up to four adults that doubles as a sun bed when cushions are down. A nice cruising feature on the stern end of the 87 is a garage for a tender up to 10’.
From the aft deck, twin stairs lead up to the fly bridge, where there’s a helm station and plenty of seats for passengers who want to take in the views. Those guests will get their fair share of wind-in-the-hair thrills, too, as the 87 was engineered for performance. According to Cheoy Lee, the yacht runs at 30 knots or more with the standard twin 1,900-hp Caterpillar C32 ACERT engines.
When the hook is down or the lines are secured to a dock in some fabulous port, passengers can retire in the Cheoy Lee's beautiful interior.
Belowdecks, each of the four staterooms has an en suite head and shower. The full-beam master has a king-size berth, walk-in closet and vanity. A VIP stateroom forward has a queen berth, while another guest cabin with queen is to port. A twin cabin is to starboard. For crew, there are quarters that lead directly to the engine room.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Length | 87'1" |
| Beam | 21'7" |
| Draft | 5'5" |
| Deadrise | NA |
| Displacement | 159,800 lbs |
| Fuel capacity | 1,800 gal. |
| Water capacity | 330 gal. |
In all, the 87 touts the creature comforts that are de rigueur on a luxury yacht, along with sport-inspired lines and performance that are defining Cheoy Lee’s Alpha series as one to watch in the future.
See Cheoy Lee Alpha listings.
For more information, visit Cheoy Lee.
