The Vicem 65 Classic is the perfect oxymoron. “New classic” is as contradictory as “jumbo shrimp.” But that’s also an apt description of the Vicem 65, which also might be called a “big 65-footer.” And the hull construction is another oxymoron: wooden fiberglass.
The Turkey-based builder has carved its reputation since 1991 on several pillars. First, Vicem offers fully customized production yachts, yet another oxymoron. Owners start with a blank sheet of paper—more staterooms or less, galley up or down, 10 choices of wood and a choice of power plants.
Second, Vicem’s proprietary construction combines traditional wood with the latest e-glass and carbon fiber. The starting point is a cold-molded mahogany and epoxy laminate, reinforced at stress points with modern synthetic materials and fully encapsulated in and out. The result is a strong, resilient hull that muffles sound. It also keeps things cool in summer and warm in winter.
The 65 Classic also has traditional good looks, from the sweetly curved sheer to the reverse transom that sweeps down into a hydraulic swim platform. At a glance, she exudes Down East lobster boat writ large, but then there’s the incredible handcrafted joinery.
Not new on this “Classic” Vicem 65 are the twin MAN V-12 common-rail turbocharged diesels punching out 1,400 hp each through direct drives for a top speed of 27 knots and a comfortable 23-knot cruise. With 1,050 gallons of diesel on board, that equates to a 350-nautical-mile range at cruise. You can extend that at 10 knots to more than 1,000 nm.
The cockpit seems to be the first (and perhaps only) place where owners agree on layout, with an L-shaped settee aft around a high-low cocktail and dining table. There’s also a corner settee that seems perfect for curling up with a trashy spy novel under the hardtop overhang. A grill, sink and fridge are in the starboard corner.
Sliding doors to the salon are built with gloss-varnished teak. The salon is owner’s choice, with most American buyers opting for an L-shaped dining area to starboard facing a pop-up TV with two loose chairs in niches. Tongue-and-groove overhead planking is a pleasant break from the usual vinyl swathing.
Forward to port is a wraparound J-shaped galley with all the modern conveniences, including a dishwasher and wine chiller. This location keeps the chef in the salon conversation, and the oversize windows provide a 360-degree vista.
Opposite the galley (which can also be located down or aft) is the helm. It has a double-wide seat and, of course, an impeccably crafted wood dash with enough space for three 16-inch Garmin monitors. A door next to the helm opens to the side deck, making short-handed cruising easy. Vicem included a gate in the rail so a skipper can step directly to a dock.
The woodwork throughout the 65 Classic is simply spectacular, with inlaid designs, impossibly flawless joints and book-matched grain. Glossy or matte finish, the varnish is syrupy smooth and invites guests to drag fingers along it.
Owners can express themselves on the accommodations level, too. They might choose a full-beam suite amidships and another stateroom forward with an island berth. Frankly, I don’t know which I’d label as the owner’s space. Both can have walkaround king berths that allow you to depart and return with dignity from a midnight pit stop. In between, some owners with families have chosen two staterooms with twin berths or bunks, while other layouts have a lower salon with couches.
Headroom throughout this boat averages 7 feet. The midship stateroom has 7 feet, 5 inches of headroom, making it feel like a loft apartment.
Because the Vicem 65 Classic is designed to appeal to knowledgeable skippers, the spacious engine room should be an early stop. The cockpit hatch and gentle ladder make entry easy and, while the MANs are bulky with 12 cylinders, the use of straight shafts not only leaves ample space for a 15-kW Cummins genset, but also a crew cabin aft (single berth with head) plus a transom garage for the tender.
I hate to use another oxymoron for the “new Classic” Vicem 65, but this is an “awfully great” yacht. My apologies.
Vicem 65 Classic Specifications:
LOA: 69ft. 5in.
Beam: 18ft.
Draft: 4ft. 9in.
Displacement: 77,072 lbs.
Fuel: 1,050 gal.
Water: 220 gal.
Engines: 2x 1,400-hp MAN V-12
Info: vicemyachts.com
