Co-founded by CEO John Lu, alongside partners Gong Shan Chiai, and Mr. Cheng Shun Hui, Horizon Yachts was built with one goal in mind: to build the ultimate luxury yachts for clients.
With a background as a naval architect, Lu had an unrivalled passion for yachting, and used this to fuel Horizon’s success. With the increasing demand for superyachts, in 1993 Horizon began building yachts over 80 feet, quickly proving themselves as visionaries within the industry. In fact, since its inception the shipyard has emerged as the leading Asian yacht brand in the luxury yacht market, and has been honoured as ‘Best Asian Motor Yacht Builder’ for 13 years in a row.
From 2000 to 2005, Lu focused on dissecting Horizon into four separate sub-companies: Horizon Yachts, which focuses on a comprehensive range of yachts; Atech Composites, which specialises in composite engineering; Vision Yachts, which builds yachts ranging from 52 to 80 feet; and Premier Yacht, which provides yacht maintenance and refit and repair services for yachts over 100 feet. Each of these companies sits under the wider umbrella that is Horizon Group.
Today, Horizon contributes to one third of Taiwan’s total yacht exports, and continues to shape the industry with its innovative design and expert craftsmanship.
Horizon in the Americas
Horizon Yachts has long held a strong following among American owners, and it is easy to understand why. The shipyard’s fast displacement hulls are built for precisely the kind of passage-making that defines east coast yachting: quick overnights from Florida to the Bahamas, extended Caribbean loops from the Virgin Islands down through the Windwards, and long-range cruising that asks as much of a vessel’s seakeeping as it does its interior.
The FD Series in particular suits American waters exceptionally well. Efficient hull forms deliver genuine ocean range without sacrificing volume, while generous beam and full-beam master staterooms meet the expectations of owners accustomed to entertaining. The relatively shallow draught found across several Horizon models also opens up anchorages throughout the Florida Keys and the Bahamas that deeper-draughted vessels simply cannot reach.
For owners based in the Pacific northwest or planning extended Pacific passages, the explorer-influenced EP Series provides the endurance and structural robustness that long-range blue-water cruising demands. It is a range designed around going further, staying longer, and returning safely.
Key Statistics
- Average yacht length: 28m
- Largest yacht: Horizon EP150 (45m)
- Over 940 yachts built to date
Types of Yachts
Horizon specialises in the production of luxury motor yachts, ranging from 50 to over 100 feet. With various high-calibre yacht series, the shipyard is recognised worldwide for its industry-leading designs and cutting-edge innovation.
From luxury motor yachts to power catamarans, explorer yachts, fast displacement yachts and even custom vessels, Horizon builds yachts for every need.
Horizon Series Guide
Horizon’s portfolio spans six principal series, each engineered around a distinct ownership profile and cruising style. Below is an overview to help prospective owners identify the range most suited to their requirements.
FD Series: Fast Displacement Motor Yacht
Horizon’s flagship range, the FD Series is built around efficient hull forms that deliver genuine long range at semi-displacement speeds without compromising interior volume or comfort. It is the natural choice for owners planning extended passages, liveaboard programmes, or regular east coast and Caribbean crossings.
RP Series: Raised Pilothouse Motor Yacht
An elevated helm station and panoramic sightlines define the RP Series: a traditional raised pilothouse layout reimagined with contemporary detailing and generous guest accommodation. It suits Owners who value visibility and prefer the reassurance of a classic motor yacht profile.
E Series: Contemporary Motor Yacht
The E Series offers clean, modern exterior lines paired with flexible interior configurations. Well suited to shorter-range Mediterranean and coastal cruising, it appeals to style-led owners and charter operators looking for a vessel that is as comfortable at anchor as it is underway.
PC Series: Power Catamaran
Twin-hull stability, shallow draught and expansive deck space make the PC Series particularly popular in warm-water destinations. It is a range built for family ownership and entertaining.
EP Series: Explorer Yacht
The EP Series is designed for owners who want to go further. Robust construction and extended range capability put destinations beyond the reach of conventional motor yachts firmly within range, making it the preferred choice for expedition-focused cruising and long-range ocean passages.
CC Series: Customisable Catamaran
The CC Series offers a semi-custom catamaran platform with significant Owner input across layout, specification and finish. It combines the inherent stability of a twin hull with Horizon’s in-house engineering, and is well suited to Owners who want a bespoke catamaran without committing to a full custom build programme.
P Series: Tri-Deck Motor Yacht
The P Series represents Horizon’s largest FRP production platform, built to RINA classification and designed for Owners who require serious volume alongside superyacht-grade specification. The flagship P140 spans just over 41 metres and features six guest staterooms including an on-deck master stateroom, formal dining for 10 guests, a sky lounge salon, and multiple outdoor entertaining spaces, all on a 8.5-metre beam that makes the most of every deck level.
V Series: Versatile Motor Yacht
A modern take on classic motor yacht design, the V Series combines fluid exterior lines with a flexible brief: models can be configured with an open or enclosed bridge, and an optional fishing cockpit broadens the series’ appeal beyond the purely cruising market. Spacious beams and an owner-operator layout make the V Series as practical as it is handsome, with the option to accommodate crew when required.
Features
The finest materials, handcrafted details, customised design and advanced technology are all key characteristics of a Horizon yacht. In 1999, the shipyard became the first authorised yacht builder in Asia to use SCRIMP (Seemann’s Composites Resin Infusion Molding Process), a construction method developed by the US Navy as a means to increase a vessel’s strength and durability without adding weight or affecting performance. Today, the resin-infused structures have become an iconic feature of their superyachts.
With eight model series, each offering a unique design, performance and style, the Taiwanese shipyard works with industry-leading naval architects to drive innovation and keep its yachts at the forefront of the luxury market.
Shipyard Facilities
The Horizon Group operates one of the most vertically integrated production facilities in the global superyacht industry. Manufacturing takes place across a dedicated campus in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, where design, engineering, construction and finishing are handled under a single roof, a model that affords the shipyard a level of quality control rarely achievable through outsourced supply chains.
Composite Construction
Horizon’s use of SCRIMP resin infusion technology was adopted more than two decades ago and remains central to the structural integrity of every vessel it produces. The process draws resin evenly through a dry fibre lay-up under vacuum, eliminating voids and reducing weight while improving tensile strength. The result is a hull and superstructure that is lighter, stiffer, and more durable than equivalent hand-laminated construction.
In-House Production
The Horizon Group encompasses Atech Composites, a dedicated composites engineering subsidiary, alongside cabinetry, upholstery, and systems integration workshops within the main facility. Bringing these disciplines in-house allows the shipyard to maintain tighter tolerances, shorter lead times, and direct accountability for every stage of the build.
Engineering and Design
Horizon works in close collaboration with a roster of internationally recognised naval architects and interior designers, including the firms CorD. Rover and Art Line, to develop series models and respond to semi-custom briefs. The shipyard’s own engineering team manages structural calculations, systems design, and class certification for each project.
Quality Control and Testing
All Horizon vessels are built to internationally recognised classification standards and undergo comprehensive sea trials prior to delivery. The shipyard’s quality assurance programme spans incoming materials inspection through to final commissioning, with independent class surveyors present at key stages throughout the build.
Why Horizon?
Horizon Yachts occupies a distinctive position in the mid-range superyacht market: a shipyard large enough to sustain genuine engineering depth and in-house manufacturing, yet structured to accommodate the semi-custom briefs that serious owners expect. The combination hasproduced one of the most loyal Owner bases in the industry.
Semi-Custom Flexibility
Owners can modify layout, specification, exterior styling and interior design within each series framework, without committing to the cost and timeline of a full custom build. The degree of flexibility varies by series, and our team of experts can advise on the realistic scope at enquiry stage.
Composite Engineering
SCRIMP resin infusion technology, originally developed for the US Navy, has been at the heart of Horizon’s construction process for more than two decades. It delivers structural weight savings and hull stiffness that translate directly into performance, range, and fuel efficiency.
Vertical Integration
Design, composites, cabinetry, upholstery and systems work are handled within the Horizon Group, reducing the number of third-party interfaces and improving quality accountability at every stage of the build.
Global Track Record
The shipyard has delivered well over 800 yachts to Owners across every major cruising region. That depth of experience informs every new design decision and supports a robust global network of service centres.
Resale Performance
Horizon yachts retain value well relative to comparable semi-production builders, supported by consistent build quality, strong brand recognition, and an active secondhand market.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HORIZON YACHTS
Where are Horizon yachts built?
All Horizon vessels are built at the shipyard’s facility in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The campus houses the Horizon Group’s full production operation, including Atech Composites, cabinetry workshops, and systems integration.
Are Horizon yachts semi-custom?
Yes. Each series provides a proven hull and structural platform, within which owners can make meaningful changes to layout, materials, systems specification, and interior design. The degree of flexibility varies by series and model, and our Team can advise on the realistic scope for customisation within a given programme.
How long does a build take?
Build timelines depend on the series, the extent of custom specification, and production scheduling at the time of order. As a general guide, owners should plan for 12 to 24 months from contract signing to delivery for most series models. Heavily customised builds or larger vessels within the range may require longer.
What is the typical price range for a Horizon yacht?
Pricing varies considerably depending on the series, size, age, and specification of the vessel. Asking prices for the Horizon yachts currently available for sale through our team can be found in the listings below. For new-build enquiries, our team of experts can provide guidance on current market positioning and build costs based on your requirements.
Does Horizon build power catamarans?
Yes. The PC Series and CC Series both offer twin-hull platforms. The PC Series is a production power catamaran range, while the CC Series provides greater scope for customisation. Both are particularly well suited to warm-water destinations where stability, shallow draught, and deck volume are priorities.
