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Review: Burger's WOW!

Discussion in 'Burger Yacht' started by YachtForums, Mar 7, 2005.

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  1. Burger's New 106' ACS Series Motoryacht
    WOW!

    by Capt. Chuck Gnaegy

    If there is one word most often used as an expression when beholding today’s yachts… it is WOW! But a simple exclamation alone cannot begin to describe Burger’s latest launch.

    There is fine line between creating a traditional yacht and a modern yacht, a line that Burger has blended brilliantly through the years. A delicate disbursement of today’s technology and yesterday’s grace are among the many reasons that Burger’s boats have always been the preferred choice of true yachtsmen, who hold the Burger name in the greatest of esteem. This is the same reason that Burger’s command one of the highest resale values in the used boat market. Lineage and pedigree become sublime factors when you board a Burger, as a masterful mosaic of engineering and understated elegance factor in to fill the psyche with a sense of awe… and a sense of WOW!
  2. The clean, contemporary and classic lines of Burger’s new ACS yachts are driving more orders than the yard has ever enjoyed, with contracts extending out to 2009. The new ACS, or Advanced Construction Series, is Burger’s first foray into semi-production motor yachts. After decades of building true custom yachts, Burger believed they had a pinnacle design with the ACS series and moved forward with production, building both hulls on spec. There is always and inherent risk when designing and building speculative projects, but when Burger designs and builds two boats that have both sold before reaching the market, that’s a remarkable accomplishment.

    Just weeks before the 2004 Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show, hull 499C, Burger’s second Advanced Construction Series (ACS) project, sold to the first Burger owner who saw her. This very same statement held true with the first ACS project, hull 494C-“WIMIL”, which was completed in 2002. Repeat customers are a hallmark at Burger, who enjoy life-long relationship’s with their customers.
  3. WOW is clearly a thoroughbred, upholding subliminal design attributes that are unmistakably… Burger. A clean, modern superstructure tops a graceful, high freeboard, semi-displacement hull. In addition, large contemporary windows that compliment the lines of the boat are a Burger signature. If the ACS series looks familiar, it should. It is the evolution of a timeless and aesthetic appeal. But beyond the appearance of the ACS series are the elements of function. For instance, complete walk-around main decks, a fully covered aft deck, an abundant flybridge and unobstructed access to each. If one word could capture the essence of the new ACS series, that word would be… clean.
  4. The clean-theme is carried to the highest level… the flybridge. Here exists a study in space utilization. The full-service bar runs longitudinally along the starboard side of the deck with a crescent-shaped settee opposite, leaving an unobstructed path between. Both counters are a jumble of beige granite that accent WOW’s teak decks and matching upholstery. The settee table features fiber optic under-lighting, providing illumination for moving about, without the interrogation of overhead lighting.

    In addition to the bar, a commercial grade gas grill is supplied for flybridge cook outs, as well as cold storage, sinks and a preparation area. For guests and lazy stowaways alike, Four (4) Crown bar-stools with back and foot rests compliment the bar.
  5. Forward of the entertainment area is the flybridge helm with passenger pavilions flanking each side. Should the captain need a better line of sight when docking, controls are integrated to the port and starboard side of the helm, just forward of the passenger’s seats.

    The helm itself, is reduced replica of the wheelhouse below, but incorporates electronics and controls that are resistant to the elements. The raised-helm, perfect for standing or seated operation, is angled at 45 degrees and encompassed by a brow, which recesses the instruments for reduced glare.
  6. Directly above the entertainment area is a multi-tiered radar arch. The balance and symmetry of this platform is indicative of Burger’s ACS series… clean. The spotlight is located in the highest point possible, thus extending its beam to the furthest point possible. Furuno radar completes the equilibrium of navigation hardware. Moving to the rear, the non-slip surface of the aft deck is home to a 17’ raised bench, center console Novurania with a four-stroke Yamaha outboard. Deployment and retrieval is by the strong arm of a Nautical Structures Davit.
  7. The aft deck consists of traditional teak soles that give rise to a 54’ round granite settee, supported by a cylindrical stainless support and surrounded by bronze Klismos dining chairs. The granite chosen for the table closely emulates the colors carried throughout the boat. To keep an accent on heritage with due consideration for the future, the only varnished wood to garnish the exterior of the boat is the handrail… much to the accolades of the crew.
  8. The pilothouse appears as if it were carved out of a giant block of English brown oak. It houses a complete suite of displays with the latest generation of navigation electronics. A Stidd helm chair in brown leather provides the central command post. Just aft, a sizeable settee in antiqued leather surrounds a marble table, where passengers can participate in navigation duties… or not. Continuing the flavor of the ancient theme carried throughout WOW, an antique rail adorns the staircase leading to the bridge.
  9. The protocol for WOW’s interior was to creatively unify an ancient ambiance with contemporary notions. By using historic backdrops and rusticated finishes, coupled with modern features, an “old-world” look with a novel charm was brought to life by Douglas Richey, who heads up Burger’s in-house design team.

    Among the multitude of decisions in building WOW was the wood chosen to meet the challenge. An unusual wood species was identified, one that had rarely been used on a yacht before; a quartered English brown oak… all cut from the same tree. This would become the basis from which Burger’s craftsmen would begin an arduous journey of carving, fitting and joining together a medley of accenting materials.

    In the main salon looking aft, there are full-length, curved glass windows with motorized traversed sheer draperies that operate along a curved track. The sofas are covered in crème chenille, accompanied by symmetrical chairs in patterned velvet. The coffee table is framed in bronze with a glass top and the game table and end table have custom reverse diamond inlays, a deliberate match to the pattern in the floors and the doors. With radiussed end panels and speakers built discretely into the toe kick, the entertainment center is the focal point, made of burled English brown oak.
  10. The burled theme is carried into the adjoining room with the dining table and the elaborately paneled, coffered ceiling accented with a suspended grid of fiber optic lighting, a bronze finish and carved moldings.
  11. The galley is a showcase unto itself. If you haven't said WOW yet... this would be a good time! Featuring a grand cooking station on the forward bulkhead with an open amalgamation of materials, including bronze ceramic tile, white bronze inlays, intricately carved woodwork and stainless counters. All of the cabinetry surrounding the oven is simple and clean with stainless fronts and hardware.
  12. The curved center island has diagonal stainless inlays mimicking the same pattern that is tastefully implemented throughout the yacht’s floors and doors. Notice the placement of the sink, looking directly out the port windows. WOW!
  13. WOW’s balance of materials is most evident in the day-head, with a ceiling of metallic mosaic tiles, a bronze vessel sink set into an inverted triangular vanity cabinet and a bronze glass mosaic counter top.
  14. The staircase leading from the main deck to the lower deck is graced by antique rails and illuminated step-lights. While one might scoff at the use of carpet on high traffic areas, such as staircases, it is a much better way to assure safe footing and it is easily replaced. Because storage is a valuable commodity onboard a boat, every nook and cranny must be considered for the same. In this case, the well underneath the stairs houses a locker.
  15. As you arrive on the lower deck foyer, you are greeted by accents of patterned dark mocha wenge’ flooring used to create a contrasting effect. The foyer is rich in detail including a triangular shaped burl wood sculpture niche, lit from within and an upholstered chenille background panel.
  16. The master suite is accessed via the main stairway/foyer and features spectacular double arched doors. It is bright and elegant using pale gold and cream colors. The entire headboard wall is a study in sketch-face burl wood patterns within a stile & rail grid work of quartered English brown oak. Hidden in the beam ceiling is a drop panel housing a 36” flat screen TV.
  17. Simple and clean were the protocols set forth for the master head, until you glance over at the shower! The master baths (his & hers) combine antiqued “torn” wall covering and rustic tumbled marble to further the ancient expression.
  18. Burger’s craftsmanship is showcased with the patterns and textured tiles that are used to create the entire shower, from floor to ceiling. It features faucet handles that are coco-brown onyx with bronze fixtures.
  19. The twin room has upholstered berths with a copper colored velvet panel behind the bed and a copper metallic fabric on the adjacent walls.
  20. The guest bath features wall covering that ties in the copper and taupe colors carried throughout the yacht.
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