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68 ft. F&S Boatworks
When Puerto Rico resident Adrian Stella, a former Monterey Yacht owner, decided it was time to design and build his fifth sportfish to date, he knew the challenge lying ahead would be both an exciting, yet daunting task.
With speed, fishability and durability in mind, countless decisions would have to be made, starting of course, with the manufacturer. Paving the road, experienced angling friends and close acquaintances in the big-game sport-fishing industry recommended one builder, F&S Boatworks. After sea-trialing an associate’s recently launched F&S and visiting the Delaware plant and meeting the company’s proprietor, Jimmy Floyd, a lasting relationship was formed and initial plans were laid. Thanks to naval architect Applied Concepts Unleashed and Belkov Yacht Interiors, the futuristic looking Magic Touch was soon on the drawing board and destined to be one of the fastest 68s the world’s oceans have ever seen.
Powered by twin 2400 horsepower MTU 16V2000s, Magic Touch screams across the wildest seas at a mind-boggling 47.6 knots - nothing short of spectacular for a custom-built yacht displacing 95,000 pounds with a 19’7” beam. Coupled with five-bladed props and no prop-pockets, her cold-molded hull features a unique "stepped" design allowing for unparalleled cruise and top-speeds. Combined with a sheik Carolina-style flare and outstanding seafaring abilities in nearly any sea conditions, Magic Touch has clearly set a new standard amongst custom builders.
Today, only eight months after her christening, Magic Touch is already running a rigorous schedule. Her full-time captain, Juan Ramon Colon, stays busy keeping her on the marlin bite with regular visits to Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas. Long-range trips to and from the hottest action are a breeze when you consider that she is totally self-sufficient and carries a whopping 2,800 gallons of diesel fuel. At a super-fast, super-efficient cruising speed of 30-knots at 1600 rpm, burning just under 100 gallons per hour, the added fuel capacity provides her a safe and comfortable range of almost 900 miles – undeniably impressive for any custom yacht of this magnitude.
While weight was an issue during the design and manufacturing phases to insure maximum speed (the owner readily admits ‘speed’ was a major concern) as far as creature comforts are concerned, absolutely nothing was neglected. Step into the expansive salon through the automatic sliding door and you’ll find a spacious area encapsulating a large imported chocolate leather settee and authentic buffalo skin table. Notably, the entire man-style salon is adorned in rich teak with no square edges. White and cream color walls and ceiling give the expanse an even more open, airy feel.
The Aquos theater-like flat-screen and Denon/Bose surround-sound multi-media system start here in the salon but continue to entertain each room throughout. Speaking of which, along with the master/VIP stateroom situated at the front, two additional guest suites and double-berth crew-quarters complete the cozy sleeping accommodations. For the sake of privacy, crew can access their quarters to and from the cockpit so as not to disturb the owner and his guests. Four full baths strategically located throughout complete the interior and keep all of the amenities of home close by.
Below deck, her massive powerhouses are bordered by a pair of 21 kW Onan generators, 1800 gallon/day freshwater maker and CruisAir air-conditioning system. Her eat-off-the-floor engine room is laid out so even the tallest crew member can easily access essential engine components, filters and pumps. Thanks to an ingenious set of concealing panels, there are no visible wires or cables.
When it comes to fishing, make no mistake. Magic Touch means business. She is fully equipped with an arsenal of Shimano 20- to 80-pound class tackle. Her Blue Water fighting chair highlights her glistening teak battle station. The massive cockpit with overlooking air-conditioned mezzanine deck is where tournament competitors access the complete bait and tackle center with rigging station, Eskimo ice-maker and three refrigerated boxes. An aquarium-size livewell situated on the transom completes the fish-catching armament. Interestingly enough, looking up from below, Magic Touch’s white hull is painted with a silhouette of a whale. The captain claims the distinctive black shape helps raise billfish. Considering Magic Touch has already visited the winner’s circle at a Playa Grande Club event in Venezuela, he may just be on to something.
Towering over the action up on the bridge, the captain runs the show with four electric teaser reels and a pair of hydraulically-controlled 51 ft. triple-spreader outriggers. A complete multi-screen state-of-art Furuno Navnet navigation system complimented by a 25 kW 96-mile radar system capable of picking off a single frigate from miles away completes the command center. Reliable communications are made easy too, by a pair of high-powered VHFs and a global satellite telephone system. The area forward of the helm features a plush wrap-around settee for no less than ten guests.
When asked about the most memorable accomplishment aboard Magic Touch thus far, without a moment’s hesitation her owner replied, “When my son Alex - 12 at the time – successfully released a 500 blue off St. Thomas without any assistance on the rod. I will remember that day forever.”
In the near future, expect to see Magic Touch’s distinctive lemon-yellow hull racing across the cobalt blue seas outside of Long Island, Bahamas, before she returns to her usual tournament circuit throughout the Caribbean. With unprecedented speed for a yacht this size and sleek, modern lines, she has already proven that she is a serious threat to be reckoned with. Just ask anyone who has fished her and they’ll swear she has the magic touch!
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