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Outback Yachts Backgrounder

BACKGROUNDER

Outback’s Mission

As dedicated boaters and seasoned marine industry professionals, we formed Outback Yachts with a mission to revolutionize recreational yachting.

Target Market

Outback Yachts developed its Outback 50 for younger, more active boaters who appreciate the space and economy of a large trawler, but want more speed, more flexible deck space, and comfortable, no-frills interiors that keep the focus on casual, on deck living.

History of Outback Yachts

Founder Andrew Cilla and his family cruised aboard their large power yacht through the Florida Keys and the Bahamas for years with their smaller fishing skiff in tow. Diving, fishing, gunkholing, or dinner ashore always involved the small boat.

Andrew soon realized that his family spent more time on the little boat and in the cockpit of the “mothership” than they ever did below. So, he began dreaming of the perfect functional motor yacht

Based on his 50 years of boating experience, Andrew established outdoor living, modest interior accommodations, and simple, essential design as his priorities.

When he shared his vision with Michael Peters Yacht Design, Andrew was surprised to see the firm developing a similar concept based on efficiency, simplicity, and performance. The resulting design was the long, relatively narrow, and light weight yacht with expansive deck space that ultimately became the Outback 50.

In 2017, after three years working to refine the Outback 50’s design and engineering elements, they sought out John Olson of Offshore West, Inc. to serve as the U.S. Distributor for Outback.

Having supervised the construction and delivery of over 100 new Offshore Yachts from the award-winning Kha Shing yard in Taiwan, John Olson will oversee the construction of Outback Yachts at Kha Shing as well.

Hull #1, Andrew Cilla’s boat, will launch in September 2019, and make its debut at the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show October 30-November 3, 2019. Hull #2 is under construction and will launch in January 2020, Hull #3 is available and is scheduled for completion in April 2020

The Outback Difference – Key Features and Benefits

  • Modern interiors: Practical and elegant, the interior of the Outback 50 uses modern materials combined with traditional teak finishes and clever design elements to minimize maintenance, maximize comfort, and provide a warm, welcoming atmosphere that perfectly complements on-deck living.
  • Extraordinary deck space: The Outback 50 features more deck space than most 70-foot yachts, and accommodates both comfortable outdoor living and convenient on-deck storage for all your gear. An open transom and standard removable security railing along with an optional roll on feature allows yachters to bring a dinghy or flats boat, RIB, or jet skis safely on board and stow them securely while underway.
  • Shallow draft: The unique hull design and modern tunnel technology results in a keel that helps protect her running gear in shallow waters as well as offshore. The particular prop/tunnel configuration of the Outback 50 contributes to an astonishing degree of efficiency and comfort, and allows her to access cruising locations inaccessible to more conventional yachts with deeper drafts.
  • Twin engine propulsion: The Outback 50 features twin engine propulsion for three important reasons: performance, draft, and safety. Redundancy in engines, running gear, and rudders, offers increased security. It also allowed Michael Peters Yacht Designs to reduce the draft of the Outback 50 by more than a foot, making the keel the lowest point on the boat and thereby protecting the running gear.
  • Aft engine placement: Housing all primary mechanical systems under the aft deck away from the accommodations means a quieter ride, reduced vibration and odors, and no need to rearrange the interior or bother anyone onboard while servicing the equipment.
  • Efficient, economical performance: The Outback’s unique hull shape and proportion create a smooth, stable, and level ride – at cruising speeds twice that of 56-foot motor yachts with comparable horsepower. Michael Peters designed the Outback 50 hull to produce an almost perfect hull resistance curve, minimal trim angle, improved fuel efficiency, and extended cruising range. It takes less than 500 HP to push the Outback to 20 knots, and operate comfortably throughout its desired speed range without using excessive power or fuel

The Outback Team

Andrew P. Cilla, Founder

Andrew Cilla began his career in the marine industry in 1972, joining Luke Brown Yachts in 1977, acquiring it in 1978, and leading it to profitability every year since.

 

With over forty-five years as a yacht broker and forty years as the owner of a major brokerage, he has more experience than most active brokers in the industry today.

 

The International Yacht Brokers Association presented Andrew with its Broker of the Year Award in 2014, recognizing him for his dedication, professionalism, and community service. He also received the Golden Anchor Award from the Marine Industries Association in 2018 for his lifetime of contribution and achievement.

 

Andrew founded Outback Yachts in 2014, working with John Olson and Michael Peters to realize his vision to create a yacht that perfectly captures the spirit of “living on deck.” He is the contracted owner of Hull #1, scheduled to launch in October 2019.

 

He also serves as the President of Freedom Waters Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides boating opportunities and related experiences for children with life threatening illnesses or disabilities, youth at risk, and military veterans.

 

His company, Luke Brown Yachts, is the East Coast and European distributor of Outback Yachts.

 

John Olson, President

President and CEO of California-based Offshore West, Inc., John Olson was named as the Exclusive U.S. Distributor of Outback Yachts in 2017.

 

John began his career in 1992, when he joined Offshore Yachts at the invitation of company founders, Richard and Robert Hunt. Working all aspects of the business from the ground up, John learned the business under the direct mentorship of the brothers, eventually moving to the Newport Beach sales office to pursue his passion for selling.

 

Offshore Yachts directed John to locate an East Coast  dealer to service the growing national demand for its yachts, creating a challenge as brand recognition grew, requiring the Newport office to manage both the wholesale and retail aspects of Offshore’ s business.

 

In 1996 John accepted responsibility as exclusive West Coast dealer for Offshore Yachts, marking the beginning of Offshore West, Inc. In 2009, Offshore West became the exclusive dealer for Offshore Yachts in North America, and opened a new office in the Ft. Lauderdale area. With the strategic partnership of Luke Brown Yachts, the Offshore brand expanded its sales and marketing reach throughout the U.S. East Coast and Europe.

 

In 2017, John Olson partnered with Andrew Cilla to serve as the Exclusive U.S. Distributor of Outback Yachts. His company, Offshore West, Inc., is the exclusive West Coast dealer for Outback Yachts.

 

Michael Peters Yacht Design

When he designed his first boat — the 8-foot sailing dinghy Miss Take – at the age of 14, Michael Peters launched a career that would establish him as a legend in yacht design.

He got his professional start at Halter Marine in New Orleans, where his projects ranged from custom yachts and patrol boats to surface effect ships with Bell Aerospace.

In 1980, Michael earned  a U.S. patent for a “hydroplane boat” with a continuous chine and ventilated transverse step, which led directly to establishing Michael Peters Yacht Design in Sarasota, Florida, in 1981.

Originally a one-man shop, Michael specialized in designing high-speed boats and quickly developed a reputation for style, performance, and quality. His designs have won 17 UIM Offshore World Championships, and over 200 more worldwide wins, including a sweep of 13 consecutive world championships from 2000 through 2012. In 2002, the former Jolly Motor 43′ Tencara catamaran became the first offshore boat in history to break 200 MPH.

Over the years, Michael has expanded his focus to include the complete design and engineering of motor yachts and production boats. Since 1981, his firm has produced over 400 designs which have led to the building of more than 30,000 custom and production boats.

One of the only firms in the world with expertise in metal, composite, and wood construction, Michael Peters Yacht Design continues to set high standards for performance, style, and quality. The firm has won numerous awards, including the 1995 and 1996 Showboats International Awards, the 2005 Superyacht Award and the 2012 World Yachts Best Design trophy.

At Outback Yachts, we share Michael Peters’ fundamental belief that all design should exemplify the fusion of art and science, blending advanced technology and engineering with clean, efficient design.