It’s always a thrill to visit the creative crucible, the place where new boats are brought to life, and there’s an even brighter buzz around this particular Horizon FD80 Skyline, which has been designed entirely by the Australian dealership team and built to survey as the complete charter package. Stepping aboard at the 2024 Horizon Open House in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, we were privileged to have John Lu and FD Series designer Cor D. Rover on hand for a personal tour.

Key to Horizon’s boatbuilding prowess and popularity is its state-of-the-art facilities, which include the largest 5-axis CNC machine in Taiwan, a 3D printer and massive test tanks, as well as patented 6D-infusion process and Atech composites.

In the past 36 years, Horizon has built 920 yachts spanning eight yacht series. The highest-selling Horizon line is the FD (Fast Displacement) Series, which since 2016 has sold over 75 boats. It’s based on a proven hull, offering owners customisation in both layout and interiors. As John Lu explains, “While every single one is different, in most cases, 90 percent we have done before and the other 10 percent is unique.”