The New Lazzara LSX 92

Already one is sold and the first hull is two months from completion. The company plans on building only five of them
in 2009, and like the LSX 75 launched two years ago, the LSX 92 promises to literally
be a show-stopper. The first show it will stop is Ft. Lauderdale, this fall. For
the last 30 days upscale yacht brokers have been quietly flying clients into Tampa,
Florida to see #1 under construction – and to speak with the maestro, Dick Lazzara,
the American visionary who has been showing the Italians a thing or two about how
to create romance and excitement afloat. The 92’s predecessor has been bought by
yachtsmen all over the world (for about $4 million each) and the 16th LSX 75 is
due to be commissioned next week. With the 92 Lazzara has gone much farther, incorporating
concepts that most traditional yacht builders haven’t even considered, and already
the buzz is starting.

The LSX 92 has a 20’10” beam, draws less than 5’, weighs 136,000-lbs., has a 12-degree deadrise at the transom and is powered by Quad IPS II 850 Volvo Penta diesels.

The first LSX, the 92 is long, low and sleek. It is intended not for old rich fuddy-duddies
and portly poobahs, but rather for younger, more active yachtsmen, men who have
made their mark on the world earlier in life, and are more interested in a sexy, sophisticated,
and nimble watersports platform, rather than an unwieldy, deep draft, birthday layer
cake that is more like a floating WPA project than a yacht.

The LSX 92 has four ample staterooms and everything about the boat is close to the
water. In fact, the boat itself is all about being close to the water, reveling
in it, and enjoying the environment around the boat, rather then creating one’s
own hermetically sealed pile of walnut, marble, and Meissen china. 

Creating the Sizzle



Two unusual aspects of the boat stand out – the teak beach in the stern and the
fold out terrace deck off the master stateroom.

Once the toys are out of the garage the stern becomes a teak beach complete with large screen TV in case you get bored with paradise.

The transom rises up revealing the teak beach. This is 160-sq. ft. of space that
when the water toys are deployed makes into a seaside cabana, complete with large,
flat screen that folds down from garage overhead. Here you can roll out the deck
chairs and the cocktails. Here you can take a cool, refreshing dip and return to
your own private St. Tropez.

A private terrace off the master stateroom.

Then, off the optional Jacuzzi workout room of the master stateroom is another feature
that is sure to have your neighbors buzzing – a terrace just above water level for
your own private breakfast and swim. Perhaps in the evening you’ll linger here before
bedtime enjoying the stars, moon and the fish darting in and out of the streams
of light emanating from ports under the boat.

If the water is too cold for the fairer member of your party, perhaps a long soak
in the Jacuzzi just inside the large floor-to-overhead glass window will be more
appealing, with Shady on the stereo and champagne in a bucket brought below for
the occasion. Lazzara says that perhaps this boat might be not only the boat of
your dreams, but also a yacht that will give you some new dreams.



The master stateroom is full beam (20’10” OD) and is made distinctive from other
boats in its class by the workout room with optional Jacuzzi. This area could also
be an office, or most anything you want as Lazzara is far more flexible in customization
than it once was.

Forward are two guest staterooms with a passageway between them. The port cabin
has twin beds and the starboard has a queen, and both have ensuite heads. Given
the beam of 20’10” these cabins may be a little tighter athwartships than they appear
in the drawing. Be sure to check this out at the boat show.



Forward, in the bow, is the VIP stateroom with what appears to be a double, pedestal
bed and ensuite head.



What sets this boat apart from conventional flush deck motoryachts is the galley
down arrangement. This was successfully done on the LSX 75 and has proven its utility
with discerning buyers. Light spills down from the “loft” main deck above and communication
is easy from the helm. A side-by-side washer dryer is forward between the portside
dinette and VIP cabin.


Main Salon-- As You Like It



Topside, Lazzara offers two layouts, one with a formal dining table and another,
more open arrangement. The helm area is large with room for three to sit there and
talk to the skipper. Abaft the salon a retractable sun roof extends aft over the
dining table on the aft deck for lunch in the shade.

Option designs for the salon deck, Model A (top) and Model B.

Speed is Still Important



Richard Lazzara, son of Dick, tells us that the boat is designed to go slightly
over 30 knots and to cruise at 26. She is powered by four IPS 850s – the first to
be installed anywhere. The Lazzara design team has been working closely with Volvo
Penta engineers to set up this beefy mechanical system. New IPS pods with forward
facing propellers have been manufactured which are twice as large as the first set
of pods introduced several years ago by Volvo Penta. The set-up is basically the
same as on the LSX 75, with the four engines side-by-side and a catwalk forward
overlooking the engine room.



“Our customers are becoming more interested in fuel consumption these days," Richard
told us, “so we are glad to be offering the IPS system, which on the 75 was very
fuel efficient.”

Is Lazzara looking at other systems? “We’re looking at a lot of propulsion systems
these days,” Lazzara said, “including the Siemens electric system and others.” He
went on to say that most of the new energy saving systems would push the boat only
14 to 16 knots and that their customers still want to go faster, despite the new
fuel pricing. “Other pod drives are coming from other companies and we are looking
at all of them,” Lazzara said.

Unlike the 75, the 92 has a flying bridge with a large entertaining area, yet the boat still manages to keep its low, sleek lines, setting it apart from both boats this size without the bridge and those with it.

 
Special Construction



But there is more that sets the LSX 92 apart from other boats in its class besides
its styling, Quad IPS II propulsion and fold out hull sides. This boat is built
in only two huge molded fiberglass parts. Part #1 is the hull and part #2 is the
deck and flying bridge in one piece. Lazzara says that’s the first time it has ever
been done. They are applying for a patent on the system which uses a number of removable
molds that permit the setbacks and curves.



The interior is built completely outside the hull in one huge module then placed
inside the hull by four overhead cranes. Boat builders have long built interior
modules outside the hull, and then placed them inside, but we cannot remember ever
hearing of a company building a boat this big with the entire interior outside then
dropping it in. Building this way creates efficiencies and better quality because the
craftsmen can work at floor level rather than on their backs upside-down and backwards
in a boat. One only hopes that critical joints in plumbing and wiring can be easily
reached when needed after the boat is operational.


Lightest Motoryacht in Class



Like all of Lazzara’s hulls and decks, the 92 is made of vinylester resin and E-glass
with balsa core. The E-glass (and carbon fiber in the deck) makes the hull strong,
the balsa makes it very light, and the vinylester resin keeps water from migrating
into the balsa. At 136,000 pounds, this is the lightest 92-footer that we know of.
Light weight together with its 12-degree deadrise and the eight forward–facing, counter-rotating
props driven by four Volvo Penta diesel engines will make this boat fuel efficient
– and as Rich said, they are hoping it will go over 30 knots.


The Grand Tour



The LSX 92 will debut at the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show at the end of October, 2008.
It or hull #2 will undoubtedly be at the Miami show in February, 2009, then it is
off on Dockwise to the UK where it will be unloaded in June and make its way to
Gothenburg for Volvo Penta’s annual world-wide conference. From the Baltic the 92 will
make its way out to the English Channel and down the French coast, around Portugal
and Spain, stopping at Marina Marbella, the Lazzara dealership in Spain. From there
the boat will go to Arie de Boom’s establishment in Port La Rague in the Bay of
Cannes. De Boom is oldest Sea Ray dealer in Europe and sells Fairline and Apreamare
in France. We’re told the boat will be on display there until the Cannes Boat Show
in September of 2009.



Europe is a big market for Lazzara and it has a number of dealers there as well
as a presence in the Persian Gulf states, Australia and the Far East. “The LSX 92
is designed to be at home anywhere in the world,” Lazzara said. “The company has
just sold a 116’ and an 84’ in the Persian Gulf.”


A Collectors Item?



With only five production slots open for 2009, one wonders how many will be left,
if any, when the Lauderdale boat show rolls around. How much does she cost? $8-9
million US. Richard told us that anyone interested in a private showing of the 92
(work in progress) before the show should contact him at 813-835-5300; [email protected].



Oh, yes, the secret pass code to the LSX 92’s hidden website: Psssst, don’t tell
anyone, but to visit Dick Lazzara’s inner sanctum just (click here).  Go do the door shown below, click on
the security keypad at the right. Your pass code is 0092.

It’s like falling down the rabbit’s hole in Alice in Wonderland. You’ll be amazed.