Horizon was founded in 1987 in Taiwan by naval architect John Lu, who had a goal of creating the top shipyard in Asia and one of the top five builders of motoryachts worldwide. He gathered the best and most talented engineers, designers and craftsman in the region to form a strong team, which he now views as one big family. The company, which first began with about 30 employees, has now grown to over 600 employess.. The Horizon Company has built over 400 luxury motoryachts to satisfied customers all over the world. The main shipyard is a state-of-the-art, ISO 9001-certified facility located in Kaoshiung, Taiwan. This shipyard builds all Horizon yachts that exceed 70 feet in length. On-site massive water tanks are capable of pre-testing the yachts before they undergo rigorous sea trials.

John Lu
John Lu, Horizon's founder and CEO, was born and raised in Kaoshiung Taiwan and graduated from National Taiwan Ocean University with a degree in Naval Architecture. After completing his training he worked with a smaller yacht builder as an engineer, Chief of Research & Development and production manager. Even in the early days of his career he had ambitions to establish his own company. Lu believed in creating a company that not only focuses on production and manufacturing, but also places a strong importance on its relationship with his customers. Service is one of Lu's top priorities.

John Lu involves his customers in both the design and production process so that the end result is a boat that fits their lifestyle and dreams. The focus on customer service doesn't end when the boat is delivered. Horizon provides any necessary service work including warranty service, spare parts supply and technical consultation.

Atech Composite Company is Horizons fiberglass manufacturer, building superior strength hulls for Horizon yachts at our 300,000 square foot lamination facility. Horizon uses a special resin infusion process called SCRIMP, resulting in fiberglass hulls that are twice as strong and durable as those made by other processes. SCRIMP (Seaman Composites Resin Infusion Molding Process) was originally developed by the U.S. Navy seeking a new way to add strength and durability to a vessel's hull without adding weight or affecting its performance.

Since its establishment in 2000, Vision Yachts has expended its operation from 45 employees to 250 ones; it also relocated its facility to a bright, new, spacious and efficient purpose one in Nov. 2006. This triple-size facility (with a total area of 12,000-square meters) has doubled Vision's output to cope with the rapid growth demand.

Vision Yachts is led by interior designer and master craftsman Austin Lin. His talent in interior design helps naval architects, customers and his team create and build unique, quality vessels that express each customer's personal vision.

Building Horizon yachts from 50 feet to 73 feet in length, Vision is also devoted to continuous development of a brand new model line - the aptly named Vision Series. The latest Vision series - Vision 68' was first debut at Seattle in 2006

Officially formed in August 2005, Premier Yachts dedicated to manufacturing Horizons custom mega yachts of 105 feet and larger, this yard will develop a new model series-the aptly tilted "Premier Series".

Premier's facility occupies 24,000 square meters (nearly six acres), and with 200m (656 feet) of water frontage, this special location gives Premier logistical advantages for sea trials and loading completed yachts aboard ships for delivery to owners abroad.

James Fwu, a licensed marine architect who earned his Master's Degree in Naval Architecture engineering from National Taiwan University, is in charge of management and construction operations at Premier Yachts.

Why Horizon?

Design and Technology
The main shipyard is a state-of-the-art, ISO 9001-certified facility located in Kaoshiung, Taiwan. This shipyard builds all Horizon yachts that exceed 70 feet in length. On-site massive water tanks are capable of pre-testing the yachts before they undergo rigorous sea trials.

3D Design
The application of 3D CAD visualization and virtual reality in yacht design has gradually become popular amongst many yacht builders around the world.

The advantage of 3D CAD visualization is that through computer simulation design concepts can be reviewed for visual appearance and at the same time examined for possible flaws and workability. Furthermore, 3D visualization improves the overall understanding and communication between designers, shipyards and clients.

5 – axis CNC Milling System
CNC milling systems bring a new definition of precision to yacht manufacturing. A milling machine runs on 90' long tracks, the 5-axis router comes equipped with a high speed of 1800 inches per minute and can stop at any precise position within a 0.01-inch range. The MR-125 Gantry Milling System, which Horizon just purchased from PaR Systems is a yacht builder's dream machine.

Rapid, large-part manufacturing with the 5-axis router starts with rough milling of low-density foam blocks. Next, fiberglass-reinforced material is applied to provide strength and rigidity. Then a layer of higher-density foam is added and the entire piece is milled again to produce a perfect part.

Working at high speeds and with precise measurements, the milling system can create forms that are almost perfectly symmetrical and remarkably consistent. The end result will be vessels of exquisite lines achieved with the greatest efficiency, artistry and economy - all passed along to the yacht owner in beauty and value.

Classification
Horizon has a broad range of naval architectural skills as well as experience in building yachts, which comply with any major classification society, including Lloyd’s Register (LR), Det Norske Veritas (DNV), NK etc.

For the last 5 years Horizon has completed projects, which have been approved by the following classification: Eight DNV and two LR Projects.

Tank Test
The hull of a yacht is a very complicated hydrodynamic result. Unlike airplanes that involve only one element - air, yachts have to deal with water, air and their interface. The phenomenon is so complicated that no mathematical solution or computer simulation can analyze or predict it. The only realistic way to understand a yacht hull's performance is putting it in water and testing it.

A towing tank test, comparable to a wind tunnel for aerospace and automobile, is a downscaled test run of the designed yacht. A 1:8 to 1:12 scaled model is made and towed along a long tank (up to 300m.) A towing cart equipped with many sensors, processors and computers onboard is used to tow the model and collect/analyze the results on the fly. This is the most realistic and efficient way to fine-tune the hull.

Horizon has performed many tank tests cooperating with many famous international test tanks like SSPA, HSVA and many local academies like USDDC, NTU, NCKU, and NTOU. The recently performed test is an 85' hull with innovative concave bottom. The tank test was held in SSPA, Sweden. Besides regular resistance test, a wave-encountering test was also performed to prove good seakeeping of the hull.

Horizon details
Deck fittings
Horizon think of everything on the boat – even those things an owner wouldn’t think of!

Lighting
Lighting design for the exterior was designed for not only your night vision in dark but also in a way to assist you without any glare into your eyes.

The unique built-in furniture lighting is 100% hand made with clear acrylic bars in line to build up a screen for T5 fluorescent light inside, to bring soft & gentle ambient light as a complimentary light source.

Craftsmanship
Horizon's highly skilled craftsmen produce exceptional quality in their custom cabinetry, fine woods and finishes. The features on a Horizon yacht are comparable to those you'll see on far more expensive yachts.