neptunus yachts reviews

YACHT TEST: Neptunus Yachts 650 Express

A true custom boat-building experience at an affordable price, right here at home in Canada.

Celebrating the Past

Jan Willem De Jong came over from the Netherlands in 1989 along with his partner Martin.  They had formed a partnership with CNC Yachts to build a few boats for them, and things started to go south.  Three boats were finished, two were not when the Canadian dollar strengthened and the luxury tax in the USA was brought in.  CNC went under, and Jan and Martin had a decision to make: do they pull out or dive in?

Beam:  16’ 7” / 4.07 m

Draft:  4’ 8” / 1.4 m

Displacement  77,000 lbs / 35,000 kgs

Fuel:  1,130 gals / 4,292 L

Water: 3 00 gals / 1,140 L

Waste:  130 gals / 494 L

Engines:  Twin CAT C-18 ACERT @  1,000 HP each

Generator:  21.5 kW

Max Speed:  31 knots

Cruising Speed:  26 knots

For more information Neptunus Yachts 8 Keefer Road, St. Catherines, OntarioL2M 7N9 www.neptunusyachts.com 

In 1991, they rented the old Hinterhoeller Sailboat plant from the bank, hired about a dozen of the former CNC Yachts employees and began developing new models.  Business was slow in the first year or two.  By 1994 Neptunus was the only builder making yachts of any significant size in Canada.  Their decision to dive in had started to pay off and they had seven boats in production. By 1999, the all-new 54 Express introduced a complete new concept.  The design featured a full-height sliding glass door in the aft under a fully enclosed hard-top.  “Back then, it was an industry leader – now everybody has one – perhaps we should have patented it,” Jan laughed as he recounted the story to me. Between 1995 and 1999, Neptunus came out with a 65 and a 70 foot express motor yacht, with everything from the mold to the finished product built right there at the factory from start to finish.  “By 2000, we had grown to 60 employees and in 2001 the company was sold to an investor out of Oakville.  I was running production from 2001 to 2004, and in 2004 I was promoted to the VP of Sales and Marketing,” Jan shared proudly as he recounted the history. “By 2007, our workforce had grown to 110 employees.  Then everything changed seemingly overnight – more like in four to five months – but it felt like overnight.  The economic crash of 2008 hit the entire boat-building industry hard.  Banks weren’t lending money, you couldn’t sell your product all because of the collapse of the housing market in the USA, the Canadian dollar got really strong, and oil hit an all-time high.” Neptunus Yachts, unlike many boat manufacturers, survived mostly through great management, no inventory to carry (the two boats in production were both sold by the end of 2008), cutting staff to less than ten employees, and a second investor (who bought the company in 2008) “…who was able to keep the doors open and the lights on,” Jan said.

Better Times

Looking Forward

Highest Industry Standard Possible

There are a few world-wide standards under which boat and yachts are classified.  The North American traditional standard that most boaters would be familiar with is ABYC (American Boat and Yacht Council) .  The European standard is the CE certification which has four levels – “A” thru “D”.  Neptunus Yachts builds every one of their boats to the CE “A” classification which basically means ‘unlimited offshore’ – capable of running in 4 metre or 12 foot seas.  It’s the highest standard in the entire industry.  It requires a complete re-design of the vessel from the thickness of the fiberglass, to the fire-suppression system, to the entire electrical harness and systems, to the noise suppression, and every on-board safety measure.  The result is a yacht that is self-sufficient in hostile seas.

The Yacht Itself:  The 650 Express

The delivery difference.

At present, there are 38 production staff plus 5 more office staff that are the heart of Neptunus Yachts.  Of their past six new boat orders, four came from previous Neptunus owners and two are new customers.  “We’ve just received an order for a 2017 delivery that will take us eight months to build.  That customer, like most, will come to the plant about five to six times to see their new boat in production and take photos so they have a full story on their boat,” Jan said. “At Neptunus, we are a small custom boat builder who builds to the highest standards in the industry at a competitive price.”        

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The Canadian-Made Neptunus 650F Raises the Bar on Cruising Yacht Luxury

Built for discovery..

• Writer Craig Ritchie

Any discussion about luxury yachts requires a basic command of Italian, with fabled marques like Ferretti, Benetti, Baglietto, Filippetti, Azimut, Sanlorenzo, Rossinavi and Riva dominating the conversation. Yet Canadians needn’t feel left out, as our home and native land is also known for its share of luxury yacht nameplates, including globally acclaimed builders like Crescent Custom Yachts and West Bay Sonship in B.C. and Neptunus Yachts in Ontario.

Located in St. Catherines on the southern shore of Lake Ontario, Neptunus Yachts has been quietly creating yachts for more than 30 years. It has launched more than 180 to date, including a growing number of CE Category A ocean-certified vessels, including the acclaimed Neptunus 650F .

The mid-sized 650F is a three-stateroom, three-head flybridge yacht with a performance hull design and magnificent interiors featuring leather seating, natural walnut joinery, and designer-inspired accents. For 2022 the 650F gains an all-new layout that delivers the company’s most spacious, open, and bright interior yet. Let’s take a closer look.

The Neptunus 650F rides on a resin-infused hull that incorporates two layers of Kevlar for an optimal balance of strength and rigidity. Stretching 20.2 metres, the 650F also measures a full five metres wide–a beefy beam that contributes both to its seakeeping ability and its generous interior space. With twin Caterpillar C18 engines churning out a hefty 1,136 horsepower apiece, that performance hull will clip along quite comfortably at 26 knots and reach 31 knots at full throttle. That’s impressive performance for a 35,380-kilogram yacht and demonstrates the efficiency of the 650F’s innovative hull design.

With its 3,785-litre fuel capacity, 1,204-litre freshwater capacity, and 582-litre waste capacity, the 650F is clearly built for serious, extended cruising. Look below the floorboards, and you’ll find that supported by a 20-kilowatt Northern Lights generator, 15-horsepower proportional thrusters at the bow and stern, a Seakeeper stabilizer system, a Yacht Controller joystick remote control for one-handed docking, and more.

Yacht builders normally brag about the length of their options list, but Neptunus includes all the goodies as standard equipment because, let’s face it, we all want them anyway. So why play around?

The 650F has a time-tested layout, with a large settee facing an elegant rectangular table in the cockpit for al fresco drinks or meals while under the protection of the full hardtop. Hand-laid teak decking provides a luxurious yet hard-wearing finish to this high-traffic outdoor space.

A portside staircase leads up to the flybridge deck, where guests can lounge in comfort on a huge wraparound settee that surrounds a pedestal-mount table. A raised quartz table with four chairs faces a small galley area, while the helm station, with its three Pompanette helm chairs with flip-up bolsters, provides a commanding view of the helm, complete with its twin Raymarine 16-inch Axiom touch-screen displays and room to add a third. Dual 16,000 BTU air conditioning units ensure the flybridge stays comfortable on even the hottest summer days.

Back on the main deck, stepping inside through the full-beam glass door reveals an aft-galley complete with a centre island, quartz countertops, and stainless steel appliances. To the port side of the galley lies a beverage centre, complete with a Jura coffeemaker with one-touch cappuccino function, and a JennAir beverage unit.

Forward of the galley and two steps up is an inviting salon and a raised L-shaped dinette offering 360-degree views through the 650F’s oversized windows. A 49-inch QLED TV with a Sony sound system provides evening entertainment in front of the oversized white-leather settees.

When it’s time to tuck in at the end of the day, guests enjoy a choice of two luxurious staterooms below. A comfortable starboard-side double cabin offers direct access to the day head, while the larger bow VIP suite offers a queen bed, side windows, an overhead vent hatch, and greater overall space.

The owners enjoy a full-beam, midship master suite with every luxury, including a king bed, large his-and-hers closets, and an expansive ensuite with shower. Large side windows with opening port holes flood the space with fresh air and natural light.

There are also discreet crew quarters far aft, accessed through a transom hatch off the swim platform. For those self-crewing the yacht, this private space will prove a real hit with the kids. Or spec the yacht as a self-crewed vessel to start with and enjoy the bonus storage space for supplies.

For more than 30 years, Neptunus has earned an international reputation as a boater’s boat–a yacht designed and built by yachters who know what does and doesn’t work on the water. If there were ever a vessel made for serious cruising in demanding Canadian waters–or around the world—then the 650F is it.

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Neptunus 56 Sedan Bridge

• By George Sass, Jr.
• Updated: October 4, 2007

Perhaps our Canadian brothers lack fine cuisine and elegant cars, but they certainly do not lack when it comes to boatbuilding. The strong U.S. dollar is one reason buying a Canadian-built boat is appealing, but it’s the country’s fine craftsmen and designers who make buying Canadian so smart. This point was driven home for me in St. Catharines, Ontario, where I tested the new Neptunus 56 Sedan Bridge.

When was the last time you sat around with your family and said, “Hey, let’s send out for some Canadian food?” When you bought that new car in the driveway, did you decide to really treat yourself and buy Canadian?

She is definitely one hell of a value, at $1,024,000 fully equipped. I heard the figure and asked for the price again, thinking the first response had been blurred by one too many Canadian beers (OK, they’ve got us beat on beer). You could pay several hundred thousand more for boats in this category, but the 56’s design and quality outshine that from other builders.

I’m at a loss for the proper terminology to describe her exterior styling, except to say that on some levels, it is quite appealing. I’ll admit I tend to gravitate toward more traditional styling, and the Neptunus is certainly a contemporary design. However, she is a little more stout and a little less frilly than other yachts in her class. She is a little more, shall we say, “yacht,” although Bermuda reds may still be inappropriate. As she raced toward us at flank speed, someone blurted out, “Now that is a good-looking boat.”

The 56 is fun to drive. She’s equipped with a pair of 800 hp Caterpillar 3406 diesels and cruises in the middle 20-knot range. She tops out at just over 30 knots with full tanks. Other Caterpillar and Detroit packages are optional, but she accelerated easily with the twin 800s and poked her nose out of the hole around 1650 rpm.

We sprinted onto a plane with no trim applied. Noise was minimal, registering only 78 decibels on the bridge and 75 in the master stateroom, which shares a bulkhead with the engineroom. She turned tight within a boat length and a half, and she kept the decks dry as we sliced through our own chop, a benefit of her deep-V.

The line of sight forward was clear, but it was slightly obstructed aft, especially with a tender installed on the overhang. I’m a big fan of placing the deck access directly behind the helmsman, to let him judge distance when backing into a slip.

The line of sight is very good from the lower station, a great option during long trips. It’s always a pleasure to arrive in air-conditioned comfort, absent salt scales on your skin. The 56’s lower helm has ample room for electronics, including the longer plotters that are popular today. I would suggest adding a foot recess of some sort, so taller captains can stretch and sit at a more natural incline.

Engineroom access is from the cockpit, and the space is well laid out. Mechanics expecting the cramped, knuckle-scraping holes found on similar-size boats will breathe a sigh of relief. Outboard access is good, and routine maintenance is well addressed. Wiring is properly labeled, and runs are neat, almost artlike.

The interior reflects the company’s willingness to work with each owner’s taste. “We’re a semi-custom builder,” said Ray Thompson, marketing manager for Neptunus. “They choose their own wood, fabrics, carpet.”

Our test boat’s owner was a perfect example, someone who had owned a Neptunus and traded up the line. Thompson knew how this owner had used his previous yacht, and the main saloon on the 56 was designed to accommodate his healthy entertainment schedule. A bar is opposite a plush circular settee, with two levels of side windows providing good views for a party atmosphere.

The galley is a refreshing change of pace. Its U shape surrounds the cook, makes preparation easy and keeps things safe. The galley’s location, between the forward settee and main saloon, is an added bonus. Appliances and hardware are top shelf. Our test boat had a double sink, a dishwasher, a three-burner ceramic-top Princess stove, a Panasonic microwave/convection oven and a Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer. Despite all the appliances, stowage was plentiful, including overhead cabinets, a pantry and enough space to bring the daily dishware and the good china.

Headroom decreases forward, in the dinette. At first I thought this was a nuisance, but later decided it works just fine. Anyone in the dinette or helm station areas is likely to be sitting, so 6-feet-plus of headroom is an unnecessary design element that would compromise the yacht’s exterior profile.

A stack washer and dryer is at the foot of the steps to the lower deck. It’s nice to see a real stack unit for a change. Having used the combo units a number of times, I’ve concluded I would be better off blow-drying my shorts.

Forward, the passageway’s headroom seems cathedral-like. The master stateroom is amidships, a guest stateroom with twin berths is to starboard, and a VIP is forward. Again, stowage is abundant and the builder’s touches are nice. Innerspring mattresses, entertainment centers and marble heads define a high level of luxury.

The slightly narrow side decks pay the price for all the interior volume, so I would add grab rails above the side windows to aid in walking forward. Nonslip would also be a good idea on the forward portion of the raised cabin. Hardware is stout and functional and includes large cleats, a low-profile Lewmar windlass and a deep anchor locker. A sunpad is also forward.

Thompson expects to build about 15 boats this year at the Canadian factory and another 70 or so at the company’s Holland affiliate.

Contact: Neptunus, (905) 937-3737; fax (905) 937-9144; www.neptunusyachts.com .

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Driving this stylish pace-setter, below, are twin CAT C-15 diesels @ 1800 hp, with bronze struts and bronze rudders, driving 4-blade propellers on stainless steel shafts with maintenance-free water lubricated rubber bearings. Reached from the aft deck hatch, the engines are fitted with thermostatically-controlled cooling systems with heat exchangers; water cooled exhaust with silencers, and mounted on anti-vibration pads. Other systems include a 10hp electric bowthruster and 17.5kW generator, as well as air conditioning systems. On the foredeck a stainless steel pulpit with a built-in bow roller tends the 55-lb. stainless steel Delta anchor and 150' of galvanized chain, on its electric windlass.

Hull, decks and other structures are fiberglass reinforced polyester. Longitudinal and cross stringers reinforce the entire hull. Engine stringers run from stern to bow with steel top plates for engine mounting. The deep Vee hull is engineered to produce a vessel with excellent sea-faring qualities -- balanced power, speed, and fuel consumption. Stored on the aft deck but quickly accessible is an integrated Valise Life raft.

N-56's all new flybridge layout for 2006 makes room for everybody. The top deck features not only twin, adjustable helm seats for captain and co-pilot, but also a well padded lounge area forward of the helm. Just aft, the nicely laid out entertainment realm centers on the BBQ grill, fridge and sink, plus a semi-circular lounge and table for half a dozen more party-goers. Stainless steel railings all around add to safety and comfort.

The fully equipped and integrated flybridge helm, sporting its race-champion wheel, bolster-style seating and a swept-back dash visor, includes single lever electronic controls, as well as power-assisted hydraulic steering gear. One of the 56’s most notable flybridge features is a beam-wide, padded & elevated sun lounge immediately forward of the helm. Protected by a full wrap around windscreen, it puts guests first… and gives the captain a better vantage point for sunbathing beauties. Covers are provided for all instruments and seating.

Five steps down the lighted, molded-in staircase, portside, is the main deck and cockpit, flaunting a great deal of room and seating for the whole crowd. The view astern shows the design planning of the aft deck/cockpit. Ultraleather upholstery welcomes a good-sized party. Strip teak decking echoes the nautical flair and provides sure footing. Also shown are the stainless steel gates that open for access to the integrated swim platform. A hot/cold shower there awaits gleeful swimmers.

Entering from the cockpit, astern, through the curved, tinted, stainless steel framed security glass doors, the salon offers full carpeting, and two free standing settees. An oval cocktail table is inlaid with two different shades of wood. To port is an L-shaped couch, facing a curving couch opposite on the starboard side. The 16' beam allows each of these conversation areas to be separate but equal in tone and comfort. A 22" LCD flat screen TV provides entertainment, along with a DVD/CD/w/sub-woofer. Halogen lights in the ceiling are controlled by a dimmer-switch. With a heaping portion of modernist-decor, the salon truly sparkles. Fine woods -- cherry and teak -- are molded, cornerless, to enclose the components of comfort and utility in this striking layout. So well integrated, the space seems much larger than it actually is. Also color-coordinated, it makes use of splendid Ultraleather on paneling, ceiling, and walls, in a vanilla and ginger theme, instilling its most relaxing element of livability. Each separate area adds to the organic unity of the whole, blending into a harmonious display. A handy accouterment is the built-in central vacuum system.

Cherrywood cupboards in the galley, both up and down, feature molded-rounded edges in sculpted patterns, abetting the ultra-modern flair. Countertop surfaces and working areas are black Corian faux granite. In the center island are situated twin stainless steel sinks with chrome faucets, while the flooring is hardwood cherry parquet, and ceiling trims present white, molded contours. Drawers are cherrywood. A three-burner countertop stove and a convection/microwave oven complete the cooking arrangements. A Sub-Zero refrigerator and ice-maker freezer also contribute their talents.

Forward of the galley the decor theme is continued in the dinette with a large, curving Ultraleather C-shaped couch and an ovoid dining table w/ black Corian top. Situated just at the forward windshields, the area is not only a lovely dining area, but also an observation station through days when the skipper prefers to drive from inside.

Just opposite the dining area is the wheelhouse, also forward of the galley, where the ergonomically designed inside helm faces the massive windshields, stationed overlooking the bow. Teak and mahogany decorative woods enfold the main instruments and Ritchie compass, with all switches and monitors set up for constant and immediate monitoring. It features bench seating for two, plus power-assisted hydraulic steering gear, with a glossy cherrywood wheel. All gauges and monitors are included directly ahead, as well as various push-button switches. Trim tab controls are here, as are CAT gauge packages, and bow-thruster controls.

Down a molded-in staircase, five steps, the evening quarters are ready. Centered both fore/aft and abeam, canted slightly forward, the master suite's generous expanse offers a raised, queen-size island berth with an inner-spring mattress and drawer storage beneath. Appearing even larger with the full-width mirror at its headboard, the room's dimensions are agreeably commodious. Vanilla/ginger, the color scheme, is also followed here as well. A full size hanging locker, to starboard, allows for adequate clothes packing, plus there is a vanity w/mirror and stool. The entertainment system includes a 14" flat screen TV/DVD, two Bose 191 speakers and remote control.

A polished cherrywood vanity is featured in the master head, with a solid surface black Corian faux marble countertop, and small mirror. Plenty of storage room is beneath the single sink in its large cabinet, while more storage space is above, behind sliding doors. Over marble tile flooring, the shower easily affords room for two. The ceiling is also mirrored, adding visual space and an added dimension. Fixtures are chrome.

At the forepeak, the VIP suite sports a queen size berth, as well as a full size cedar hanging locker to starboard. A built-in 14" LCD flat screen TV boasts twin Bose speakers and a remote control, plus a link to Lifestyle 48. Fixed portlights on either side add daylight and starlight. Halogen lights overhead are controlled with dimmers. Also overhead is a screened, opening escape hatch at the bow. The VIP head presents a cherrywood vanity and solid surface Corian countertop with a single sink. Marble flooring is accented by the mirrored ceiling. The shower is glass-enclosed and sports chrome faucets.

Outfitted with twin berths and nightstands, the guest room berths can be readily converted to queen size with a bridge. There are drawers beneath both singles, and a cedar-lined hanging locker as well for storage. The head/shower is shared by separate doors with the VIP stateroom.

The Neptunus 56' Flybridge sports fine design and high quality engineering, with a background and name to back it up. If you're looking at mid-size flybridge yachts by builders with more branding, do yourself a favor and take close look at Neptunus. There's a good reason why more of these boats are beginning to propogate the waterways. <end>​ Review by Capt. Chuck Gnaegy. Specifications... LOA: 58'0" Beam: 16'2" Draft: 5'0" Disp: 55,000 lbs. Fuel: 820 gals. Water: 180 gals. Power: 2x CAT C15 @ 800 hp Max Speed: 31 knots Cruise: 26 knots For more information, contact: Neptunus Yachts 8 Keefer Road St. Catherines, Ontario L2M 7N9 905-937-3737 www.******************

Deck Plans: Top to Bottom... 1. Flybridge 2. Main Deck 3. Accommodations

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