In addition to the custom yachts it already builds, Burger Boat Company is looking to the future with a whole new family of superyachts, designed in collaboration with Gregory C Marshall Naval Architect.
Burger celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, and as the boatbuilder’s history has shown, the company has endured thanks to its ability to re-invent itself.
'Our new family of yachts will have a Burger look and feel with all the amenities people want today,' says Burger’s new commercial director, Thom Conboy. Burger has already revealed one new design in the 42m superyacht concept Liberty.
While Burger has the ability to build custom yachts up to 85m, the shipyard also will cater to owners who want to simplify.
'Operating big yachts is getting very restrictive and some owners don’t enjoy this aspect of it; they just want to go boating,' Conboy says. 'The new MLC is a real game changer,' he adds.
One of the first yachts in the new Burger family is the 35m raised pilothouse yacht, pictured at top. While it has five staterooms and generous crew quarters, it is below 200 gross tons, an important strategic decision. 'An American-built yacht under 200 gross tons avoids many if not all of today’s restrictions, including the requirements for pilots in many cruising areas,' Conboy says.
In addition to this 35m, Burger will soon propose a 27m, 30.48m and a 38m raised pilothouse design. Greg Marshall and his team worked closely with Burger to develop a style that gently takes the company into the future. They’ve added a contemporary touch to the classic raised pilothouse design, both stylistically and in terms of amenities.
The new Burger yachts will put people close to the water with features, such as beach clubs, swim platforms and balconies. Skylights and large windows will bring in light and views. The designs seek to merge indoor and outdoor spaces. The dining salon, for instance, will be located aft, providing direct access to the outer deck, rather than being located deep inside the main deck where it is seldom used.
The yachts will be engineered to be user friendly. 'We are using today’s technology to make it easier to build and operate yachts,' Marshall says. Conventional drives and diesel engines will be used, as well as more recently developed yet proven features designed to make life on board more comfortable and help conserve energy. Marshall, for instance, will seek to incorporate photochromatic glass, which adjusts to light intensity.
Comfort and all-around accessibility are other important goals. All the yachts from the 35m on up will have on-deck master suites. While easier to maintain and operate, the yachts will not be short on luxury. They will be built to the high standards that have established the Burger name over the years.