With the excellent visibility from the flybridge, it was all in a day’s work. If I had wanted, I could have moved to an optional third station on the starboard side of the aft deck, with the help of the Teleflex hydraulic steering, a wonderful feature that helps simplify backing in.

The standard bow and stern thrusters simplify maneuvering and I found steering was light but positive. It took a combination of heavy-handed throttle and head seas to get spray onto the bridge enclosure. We topped out just shy of 21 knots, and settled into a comfortable 16.5-knot cruise speed at 2000 rpm, using about 52 gallons per hour. I like the Altima 61’ very much. She’s comfortable, well planned, and the builder has the flexibility to create a personalized yacht at a very competitive price.
 

(Altima 56' Pilothouse) Altima’s build philosophy is helpful. First, the company does not build stock boats. It really doesn’t need to because the yard is so efficient, it can deliver all in nine months or less from the date of signing. The 68’ takes a year. Second, Altima is a semi-custom builder. Although it offers standard versions of each model, it’s happy to modify them to suit individual tastes – basically it will do anything short of move bulkheads.

The first Altima to hit North American waters was the Altima 55’. I was a fan of this boat and impressed by its overall running characteristics. In fact, an editor that I sent out to test a late model 55’ called me afterwards raving about how the boat shrugged off some sloppy conditions, and was a solid performer

The first Altima to hit North American waters was the Altima 55’. I was a fan of this boat and impressed by its overall running characteristics. In fact, an editor that I sent out to test a late model 55’ called me afterwards raving about how the boat shrugged off some sloppy conditions, and was a solid performer

By any standard, the Altima 55’ is a lot of boat when you consider her base price and the flexibility of her builder. Good looking, well constructed and thoughtfully designed, this yacht is going to put the Altima name on the American map.