Captain Grounds to Save Sportfish Yacht in Peanut Island, Florida

A captain saved an eighteen meter sportfish yacht as it was taking on water and in risk of sinking, as he grounded it at Peanut Island at the mouth of Lake Worth Inlet in Palm Beach County, Florida on the afternoon of Monday 29 December.  The captain who was aboard with six other boaters called for help on channel sixteen, and was assisted by US Coast Guard station Lake Worth.  A dewatering floating and removal operation is being organized.  No one was injured in the accident.

The sportfish yacht in this accident is a Buddy Davis 61 Convertible as designed by Donald Blount and Davis himself and produced from 1987 up till the mid noughties in fiberglass and some earlier models build in cold moulding.  The 61 Convertible was replaced by the Buddy Davis 58 Convertible.

Viking New Web Site

Viking yachts from New Gretna, New Jersey presents its new web site.  It started as a combination of events and part of a destiny when in 1961 the two Healey brothers, Bill an ironworker at his father’s steel company, and Bob the attorney with real estate expertise will build a marina on the Bass River.  The two brothers notice that for the marina to make money it will need to sell boats, equipment, provide repairs, and dry docking.  For the boat building part the Healey brothers struck a deal with Carl Peterson, owner of Peterson-Viking who builds a dozen boats a year of good looking and seaworthy sportfish cruisers made of wood.  Amidst financial difficulty at Peterson-Viking in 1963, the Healey brothers are approached by the bank to buy the struggling boat-building business.  On first April 1964 the two brothers are the new owners of Peterson-Viking and soon after drop the Peterson and rename the company to Viking, and start building boats in an unheated shed in a peace of land behind the marina they just sold.  The operation is simple, Bill is the boat builder and Bob is the money man.  Seven years pass and the Healey brothers move forward by presenting Viking first fiberglass boat with the 33 Convertible in 1971. A year later to this Viking presents the 40 Convertible which in a ten year production run will sell over four hundred units, setting the record as the company best seller. In 1987 Viking will purchase Gulfstar yachts factory, a St. Petersburg of Florida yacht builder from the Lazzara family, but will close the premises in 1992 on the aftermath of the luxury tax introduced in 1991 and ship equipment to New Gretna, Florida.  The Viking constant stable growth stops in 1990 Gulf War Recession, with the dull recession period hitting the US economy on that year and the disastrous 10% luxury tax on yachts introduced in 1991. The 10% luxury tax on yachts lasted till 1993 and had a disastrous effect seeing many boat and yacht builders close the doors and Viking reduce its workforce from 1500 to 64 personnel. It is said that the only reason Viking did not close was thanks to the resolute of the Healey brothers who risked there own capital to keep going on; selling personal resources, real-estate investment, and convincing it's banks to give a line of credit to keep ongoing.  The Healey's were also a key player for removing the yacht luxury-tax, which was removed by Bill Clinton on tenth August 1993.  After the storm comes shine and following the luxury tax Viking gains the upper hand to become a leader in the production Sportfish yacht segment, and in just two years on 1995 launches it's largest sportfish yacht build to that date with the 72 Convertible, and will present more newer to fifty foot and bigger models. In 2000 Viking will expand and modernize its plant at New Gretna, and opens a service facility in Riviera Beach Florida on 2002.  The New Gretna plant is expanded again in 2012 added with solar-panels for energy, tri-generation power plant using natural gas to power six microturbines, and waste-water treatment.  In October 2013 Pat Healey, following his father Bill retirement becomes the president and CEO of the Viking Yacht Company.  In 2014 Viking also adds another yard a few blocks north to the Florida located Viking Service Center, named the Viking Yachting Center and is home to it's Atlantic Marine Electronics and Palm Beach Towers subsidiaries.  In 2016 Viking will purchase the ten miles distanced Ocean Yachts plant at the Mullica River New Jersey, and transforms it to build smaller Viking's under fifty foot, and from 2019 is the home to the that year launched Valhalla Boatworks center console line up, which today features nine models from 28 to 54 feet.  Bigger Viking yachts keep also on coming over the years; 74 Convertible and Enclosed Bridge in 2004 selling over fifty units in a five year production run, 82 Convertible and Enclosed Bridge in 2009 entering Viking in the super 24 meters plus size, 92 Convertible and Enclosed Bridge produced from 2014 to 2021 in 21 units, and the 93 Motor Yacht produced in 2017 and 2019 in just two units.  Today Viking builds around one hundred cruisers and yachts a year, in a twenty six model line up which start from the 46 Billfish and goes up to the 90 Sky Bridge. Viking currently offers six ranges: Convertible, Enclosed Bridge, Sky Bridge, Open Express, Sport Coupe, Sport Tower, with its latest model being the fall 2025 debut of its third generation 50 Convertible. Viking new website takes you around with the following buttons: Models, About Viking, Explore, Locate a Dealer, and Contact Viking. Viking is also on social media with buttons on the bottom right side of the page taking you to its Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Vimeo pages. 

www.vikingyachts.com

Production History:

37 Express 1967-68

38 Double Cabin 1970

38 Flybridge Double Cabin1970-72

53 Motor Yacht 1971-72

33 Convertible 1971-74 *fiberglass production starts

33 Sport Sedan 1972-76

40 Convertible 1972-82 (400+-)

43 Double 1975-83

35 Sedan Fisherman / Flybridge Sport Fisher 1974-84

46 Convertible Sport Fisher 1981-85

44 Motor Yacht 1982-90

41 Convertible 1983-89 (200+-) 

50 Cockpit Motor Yacht 1983-89

35 Sportfisherman 1984-86 (32)

35 Convertible 1985-92 

48 Convertible Sport Fisher 1985-90

48 Motor Yacht 1986-88

55 Motor Yacht 1987-90

63 Cockpit Motor Yacht 1987-91

63 Widebody Motor Yacht 1987-91

45 Convertible 1987-93 (250+-)

55 Cockpit MY 1988

57 Convertible Sport Fisher 1988-91 (29)

70 Motor Yacht 1989-94

50 Motor Yacht 1990-92

57 Motor Yacht 1990-95

72 Cockpit Motor Yacht 1990-94

38 Convertible 1990-95

53 Convertible 1990-98 (100+)

43 Convertible 1990-2002

65 Cockpit Motor Yacht 1991-94

65 Motor Yacht 1991-95 

50 Convertible 1991-2001 (142)

58 Convertible 1991-2001 (110)

54 Sports Yacht 1994-2001

43 Open 1994-2002

47 Convertible 1994-2002 

60 Cockpit Sport Yacht 1994-2001 

72 Convertible 1995-2002 *68 Convertible project

55 Convertible 1997-2003 (115)

65 Convertible 1998-2005 (80+-) includes 80 EC

50 Open 1999-2003

61 Convertible 1999-2006 (100+)

65 Enclosed Bridge 2000-04 (80+) includes 80 Conv

52 Convertible 2001-06

48 Convertible 2002-09

45 Convertible 2003-08

45 Open 2003-09

56 Convertible 2003-10 

74 Convertible 2004-09 (50-) includes 70EB

74 Enclosed Bridge 2005-09 (50-) includes 70C

68 Convertible 2005-09

68 Enclosed Bridge Convertible 2006-09

52 Open 2006-

56 Enclosed Bridge 2006-10

64 Convertible 2006-10

52 Sport Yacht 2006-12

64 Enclosed Bridge 2006-10

52 Open 2007-12

54 Convertible 2007-11

60 Convertible 2008-12 

60 Enclosed Bridge Convertible 2008-13

50 Convertible (ii) 2008-13 (42)

54 Convertible 2008-12

82 Convertible 2009-14 (15)

57 Convertible 2009-12

46 Convertible 2009-15

46 Open 2009-

76 Convertible 2009-19

82 Enclosed Bridge Convertible 2009-14 (15)

70 Convertible 2010-16

76 Enclosed Bridge Convertible 2010-19

42 Convertible 2010-17

70 Enclosed Bridge Convertible 2011-16

42 Open 2011-16

55 Convertible 2012-18

66 Convertible 2012-18

66 Enclosed Bridge 2012-18

62 Convertible 2013-20 (70)

92 Enclosed Bridge Convertible 2014-22 (21) *all three versions

75 MY 2014-19 *72 MY project

52 Convertible 2014-19

52 Open 2014-20

52 Sport Coupe 2014-20

52 Sport Tower 2014-20

80 Convertible 2015-23 (39/54)

92 Convertible 2016-22 (21) includes Enclosed and Skybridge models

80 Enclosed Bridge Convertible 2016-23 (15/54)

72 Convertible 2016-24 (75) *includes EB

72 Enclosed Bridge 2016-24 (75) *includes Convertible

48 Convertible 2016-24 (55)

48 Open 2016-24 (25) *includes Open and ST

37 Billfish 2016-17

82 Cockpit Motor Yacht 2017-19 (3)

93 Motor Yacht 2017-19 (2)

48 ST 2017-24 (25) *includes Open and SC

44 Open 2017-25

38 Billfish 2018-25

68 Convertible 2018- (52 *includes 68EB

68 Enclosed Bridge 2018- (52 *includes 68C

44 Convertible 2018-

38 Open Billfish 2018-

46 Billfish 2018-

58 Convertible (ii) 2019- (50

54 Convertible 2020-

54 Open 2021-

54 Sport Coupe 2021-

54 Sport Tower 2021-

64 Convertible 2021-

90 Skybridge 2023- (18 *includes Convertible and Enclosed Bridge versions

90 Convertible 2023- (18 *includes Enclosed Bridge and Skybridge versions

82 Convertible 2024-

74 Convertible (ii) 2024- 

50 Convertible (iii) 2025-

50 Billfish 2026-

Viking first fiberglass boat is the 33 Convertible introduced in 1971

Three Yachts Wrecked by Fire at Spit Bridge Marina, Sydney

Three yachts from 22 to 26 meters in length were wrecked by fire, with a fourth yacht also sustaining important damage at Spit Bridge Marina, Mosman, a suburb located to the North of Sydney with the blaze starting on the first yacht before 03:30 morning time of Friday ninth January.   Fire and Rescue NSW responded to the blaze with forty fire fighters, fighting the fire from both land and sea including the fire fighting vessel Girawaa, and taking near three hours to control, and were followed by NSW Police and NW Ambulance.  Four people escaped the fire unharmed, while a woman was treated for smoke inhalation and is under observation.  By the videos running online the fire started in a Princess yacht which then jumped to two Sunseeker yachts located to its port and starboard sides.  All the three yachts ended sunk and wrecked, with the fire also damaging a Princess yacht to its port side, this berthed one boat away and to starboard from the starting fire yacht.  The cause of the fire is not reported, with an investigation being opened to determine the cause.  Pollution from the fire is reported controlled and to a minimum, with salvage efforts taken over by the marina operator.  

The yachts wrecked by this fire look to be a Princess 22m the yacht which started the fire, and a Sunseeker 80 Yacht and a first generation 86 Yacht.  The yacht which sustained damage to its port side is a Princess 85 MY.

New Launch: Feadship 100.00m Hull.824

In September 2025 Feadship launched the one hundred meter Hull number 824, titled motor yacht Pi. A 100-metre pure custom Feadship Hull.824, this latest giga yacht advances the boundaries of technical refinement and architectural expression. Designed by Jamsen, she features a diesel-electric propulsion system with ABB pod drives, delivering efficient performance with exceptionally low vibration. As the second largest yacht built at the Kaag facility, following the 101.50-metre Hull.808 in 2015, Pi stands out through a unique combination of scale, innovation and meticulous detail. Every element reflects Feadship’s dedication to craftsmanship and pioneering design, confirming her place as one of the most remarkable creations in the fleet.

Technical Data:

LOA - 100 m (328.1ft)

Beam - 13.60 m

Draft - 4.10 m

Displacement - 2985 gt *volume

Fuel Capacity - 262,723 l

Water Capacity - 59,047 l

Accommodation - fourteen guests in seven cabins

Engines - 3 x Cats C32B 1928hp powering twin ABB DO980P 2682hp electric motors

Propulsion - ABB electric pod drives

Speed - eighteen knots max, sixteen cruise

Range - 5500 nautical miles 

Construction - steel hull aluminium super structure

Project - Jamsen exterior, De Voogt naval architect, Liaigre interior

Certification - Lloyds 100A1 SSC Yacht, Mono, G6 LMC, UMS, DP(AM), Hybrid Power

www.feadship.nl

Azimut Sport Yacht Partly Sinks Near Porgee Rocks, Bahamas

A 23 meter Azimut sport yacht partly sank near Porgee Rocks, Providence Island, to the North East of Nassau in the Bahamas on the after noon of Friday 26 December as reported on the Bahamas, Land and Sea Facebook Group.  According to reports the Azimut yacht partly sank due to a mechanical failure, and decided to leave ship.  The type of mechanical failure which led to the sinking was not reported, but others on social media had suspect of this declaration also for the proximity to the coral reefs of Porgee Rocks.  A salvage operation is being organized, though a notice to mariners was issued as the yacht was a partly sank, moving and floating navigational hazard.  No one was injured in the accident. 

The Azimut sport yacht in this accidents is a 77S as designed by Stefano Righini and produced from 2014 to 2020 in seventeen units.  The 77S was a replacement to the 72S, with the model replaced by the Azimut S8.

Dusseldorf 2026 Boat Show Preview

Its that important time of January when the Dusseldorf's boat show, what is the largest fully enclosed and internal featured exhibition sets the stage.  The 2026 edition of the Boot starts on Saturday seventeen and will end on Sunday 25 January what is nine days of boating paradise for an international community.  Debuting new models to be presented in Dusseldorf 2026 are the following; Aiata Sunfinder 38 and Sunfinder 50, Astondoa 577 Coupe, Axopar 38 XC Cross Cabin, BlueGame BGX83, Elling E4, Ferretti 720, Greenline 42, Marco Polo MP10 and MP12, Mulder Favorite 2000, Nimbus C12 and T12 and W12, SantaSevera 42, Say Carbon 42 Sport, Saxdor 460 GTC, Solaris Power 70 Long Range, and Sunseeker Manhattan 56.

www.boot.com

The Boot which is the short name the Dusseldorf boat show made it's signature over the years debuted in November 1969 in Fisherstrabe, Dusseldorf.  An idea of Kurt Schoop the first Boot edition was called NOWEA acronym for Nordwestdeutsche Ausstellungsgesellschaft which translates to North-West-German Exhibiting Company had 34,000 visitors, with 116 exhibitors from seven nations showing boats and yachts and related products.  For it's second edition the following year, the Boot name starts to be used with exhibitors expanding to 183 from 25 nations.  In 1972 the Boot moved to its current location to the North of Dusseldorf and in close proximity to the airport, in an area with 50,000 square metres of space and also changed to its current January dates. This move will put the Boot in the World Boat show map and in the following year sets a new record of 307 exhibitors from 41 countries which will welcome a total of 85,751 visitors.  The visitors record will keep going up with 207,000 in 1977, and then 247,000 in 2016 its current record.  Another area of expansion has been that of the always expanding size of the Boot with the largest ever featured yacht coming in 2006 from the German build Kaiserwerft 40.5 Baron forty meter of length super yacht.  Dusseldorf only cancellation came in the 2021 and 22 Covid pandemic years, with a risk cancellation coming in 2003 and the Rhine floods of that Winter.

Project: Bluegame BGX83

Bluegame proudly announces the global debut of its new flagship, the BGX83 the next anticipated evolution of the BGX range which debuted in 2019 with the BGX70 model. Bigger, bolder, extra functional and more luxurious than ever, BGX83 represents the pinnacle of a design journey that has redefined contemporary yachting, and is tol be unveiled at the upcoming 2026 Dusseldorf boat show which opens on the second week of January.  BGX83 embodies the pinnacle of owner-centric design, combining unprecedented volumes with uncompromising functionality. The architecture of BGX83 gains significant space and volume compared to its predecessors, particularly in the stern. The signature beach area evolves into a bigger open-air lounge: in addition to the hydraulic up-and-down platform, the yacht now features a starboard side opening, expanding the width and completing the area’s connection to the sea. This connection extends inward. The aft salon, located at water level, links directly to the beach area, creating a seamless flow between exterior and interior. This layout allows the aft salon to serve as a private extension of the owner’s suite. The full-beam master cabin, spanning an impressive 6.3 meters in width, connects directly to this salon, offering the owner a superyacht-level apartment where one feels already outdoors. On the same level, two or three VIP cabins, depending on the chosen layout, offer generous dimensions that top their category competitors. Well-designed, discreet crew quarters ensure impeccable service and onboard efficiency. Moving to the main deck, Bluegame leverages an asymmetric design, featuring a single staircase on the starboard side, to maximize the dining area. This creates space for a customizable outdoor bar and kitchen unit, adding a further layer of personalization for the owner. Inside, the upper salon impresses with 360-degree glazing and two large opposing sofas, a layout choice that immediately conveys the perception of a superior class yacht. The new Bluegame BGX flagship stands as a testament to a powerful creative synergy between four defining figures in the industry; Luca Santella the Bluegame founder and concept creator, Louis T. Codega taking care of hull design and naval architecture, Zuccon responsible for exterior design, and Piero Lussoni who designed the interiors. Bluegame BGX83 first hull is powered by triple Volvo 900hp engines with forward looking IPS pod drives, driving the yacht to a max speed of thirty knots and a cruise of 28.

www.bluegame.it

Sport Cruiser Goes Ablaze at Luken Marina, Ontario

A nine meter sport cruiser went ablaze as it was berthed in Luken Marina, Lighthouse Cove, Ontario, Canada, just off the Thames River at the mouth of Lake St. Clair at 12:40 of Sunday 25 June 2023.  The sport cruiser was reported not attended at the time of the fire, and was then wrecked by the fire.   An investigation at the cause of the fire is ongoing.

The sport cruiser in this fire is a Cruisers 2860 Rogue as produced from 1987 to 1988.  The 2860 Rogue was a replacement to the 266 Vee Sport, with the model evolving with minor changes into the Cruisers 3000 Rogue and produced for another year.

New Model: Sargo 45 Fly

Sargo present the new 45 Fly, a flybridge version with second helm of its award-winning 45-foot which arrived in 2023. The 45 Fly builds on the original 45’s acclaimed capability, all-season safety, and intelligent design, taking it to a whole new level. On the flybridge, the captain sits at the centre of a perfectly balanced helm. Two forward-facing passenger seats provide excellent visibility, and two can join in the forward part of starboard located U-shaped lounge to create a social dinette for up to seven guests to enjoy the open-air experience. Standard equipment includes a chart-plotter, a cool box, and a sink with hot and cold water, while an optional ice-maker adds a touch of luxury. Below the Sargo 45 Fly continues the award-winning legacy of the original 45: spacious layouts with standard two cabins or options three cabins version, innovative functionality, and a bright, welcoming wheelhouse. Despite the added flybridge, the interior remains filled with natural light thanks to a glass roof panel and two opening hatches.  The Sargo 45 Fly is powered by twin Volvo 480hp in both stern drives and IPS pod propulsion, which give thirty knots cruising speeds.

Technical Data:

LOA - 14.60 m (47.9ft)

Beam - 4.25 m

Draft - 1.20 m

Displacement - 12,400 kg dry and unloaded

Fuel Capacity - 2000 l

Water Capacity - 500 l

Accommodation - four berths in two cabins, or six berths in three cabins

Engines - 2 x Volvo D6 480hp

Propulsion - Volvo DPI stern drives, IPS650 forward looking dual propeller pod drives

Speed - thirty knots cruise

Certification - CE A Ocean, B Offshore

www.sargoboats.fi

competitor = Botnia Targa 46

Project: Galeon 520 Fly

Galeon have announced the new 520 Fly project.  A replacement to the 500 Fly after a decade in production, very little is known of this new 520 Fly project, except that it is designed by long standing Galeon designer Tony Castro.  The 500 Fly debuted Galeon today signature drop down terraces in 2015, and while not new at the time, the Polish yacht maker was the first to introduce this on cruisers rather then sports boats or mega yachts. The idea proved a winner, as the drop down balconies are now featured on nearly all Galeon's above thirteen meters.  The 520 Fly features more of everything, so except bigger transforming terraces, and as the above rendering shows more glazed surfaces, and a larger flybridge hard-top supported by an aft looking spoiler.

www.galeon.yachts