January 31, 2012

Monthly News - January 2012

-pic of the month - Azimut on the Mountains

Azimut Crowned Winner UIM Enviromental Awards


The success of the Azimut Yachts Magellano Collection continues: Azimut Magellano 50 is being crowned winner of the prestigious “2011 UIM Environmental Awards” for its technology and boat owner services and its high level of environmental friendliness by the “Union Internationale Motonautique”. The award's distinguished jury has recognized Magellano 50’s innovation and its extensive technology employed to benefit the environment and the boat owner. The UIM has been paying special attention to the environment over the years by promoting issues, activities, and competitions, all with an increasingly attentive eye to respecting the environment. UIM President, Dr. Raffaele Chiulli will hand over the honors at the official awards ceremony gala scheduled for the 11th of February in Monte Carlo, Principality of Monaco, at the magnificent Salle des Etoiles.

Azimut on the Mountains of Courchevel

The luxury of yachting at two Thousand metres. Azimut Yachts, together with Philippe Blattes Yachting and Ultramarine, Azimut Yachts Dealers for France and Russia, respectively, exhibited from 17 December to 8 January a magnificent yacht, the Azimut 40 Fly, in the arrival area of France’s acclaimed Courchevel 1850 ski resort. The luxury of Azimut in an unusual setting, at nearly 2,000 meters above sea level. January 17 to 18 in Courchevel will host the World Cup women's ski, after the similar event in 2008. The Azimut 40 is the boat that really opens this Azimut flybridge collection which is modelled after traditional flybridge motor-yachts: it is a great cruiser, with comfort levels that reflect years of refinement. This line has been the focus of the Avigliana boatyard since the very beginning, forming the basis for its considerable experience.

Azimut Nominated for Four Motorboats of the Year Awards

Four Azimut yachts has been nominated for the Motor Boat of the Year Awards 2012: Azimut 45 and Magellano 50 in the category "Flybridge Up to 55 ft.", Azimut 64 in the category "Flybridge Over 55 ft." and Azimut 88 in the "Custom Yacht's category".


Cigarette on Science Channel

Last year, the UK-based WAG TV crew visited Cigarette Racing Team to capture the essence of powerboat building for The Discovery Channel's popular show, "How They Do it." The production team surveyed the company's state of the art factory in Opa-Locka, Florida, examining the minute details involved in building the world's most iconic powerboat. The cameramen then took off for Biscayne Bay for a jaunt across Miami's waters with Cigarette's Miami dealer Phil Lipschutz of Lip-Ship Performance. The WAG TV-produced show will make its US debut on the Science Channel on Thursday, January 5th at 10pm (EST), with the first repeats on Friday, January 6th at 1am, Saturday, January 7th at 5am, Thursday, January 12th at 10.30pm, Friday, January 13th at 1.30am and Saturday, January 14th at 5.30am. The schedule provides for night owls as well as early AM risers, but the shows can also be seen online at The Science Channel online show archive after the first air date.


Estensi Looking Abroad

The Cantieri Estensi has built over 500 boats in sixteen years. Since 1995, the year of fundation, the shipyard has sold all his boats in Italy. Now the company is looking abroad in order to expand the business in the international market. The new website launched in the fall of 2011 is the fastest way to get in touch with the company and its products. The website contains many information about the philosophy, the projects, the processes of construction and the quality of the models. In the menus you can find the history, the value, the reasons of the success of a brand that does not know any crisis, as confirmed by the 2011 budget, stable on the value of the previous year with a reasonable profit. The fleet comprises 15 models in 3 ranges: Maine, Goldstar, Bluetime. In the pages of each model there are not only the photo gallery, the description, the technical information, but also the video of the navigation test. The pages "Used boats" and "Services" are dedicated to those are looking for a second hand boat and want to know the special offers of the shipyard as advantageous purchase formulas, maintenance and refitting programs, as well as proposals for extended warranty.


Fairline New CEO

Fairline Boats has announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer, Alistair Schofield, an MBA and graduate in Chemical Engineering. He will take the position from February 1st 2012. With a background in a variety of business development, technical and operational roles in the industrial and marine sectors, Alistair has worked for Doncaster Group Ltd, a large private equity backed industrial company, for the past 10 years. As Managing Director of its Turbocharger Components and Turbine Airfoil divisions he delivered substantial business improvement in both. The Fairline Board has also been strengthened by the appointment of Kevin Gaskell as a Non-Executive Director. As Managing Director of Porsche UK and BMW UK he gained significant experience in developing premium brands and is currently Chairman of Courland Automotive International and Achilles Ltd. With Fairline being one of the strongest brands in the marine industry Kevin will help to accelerate growth in its key markets.

Fairline Management Re-Organization

British luxury motor yacht manufacturer Fairline Boats today announces a Management Team re-organisation that will take place on 1st March 2012. Oliver Winbolt takes on the role of Head of Marketing following the departure of Miles Moorhouse on 28th February 2012. Oliver joined Fairline in 2005 as Chief Engineer and over the last six years has gained extensive knowledge of the product range, Fairline dealerships and the company’s global show and media activities. He speaks French, German and Italian.


Ferretti Group Taken Oven by China's Shandong Heavy Industry Group

Shandong Heavy Industry Group - Weichai Group announced that it has reached agreements with the major creditors of the world's largest luxury yacht maker, the Italian company Ferretti Group, to acquire a controlling interest in Ferretti by participating in Ferretti’s debt restructuring. Through a total investment of 374 million euros, including equity investment of 178 million euros and provision of debt financing of 196 million euros, SHIG-Weichai Group will acquire a 75% interest in the yacht maker after the completion of the debt restructuring procedures. Existing creditors will acquire the remaining 25% interest in Ferretti through a 25 million euros equity injection and debt to equity swap. Through the acquisition, Ferretti’s capital structure will be fully restructured with equity capital increase by 100 million euros and total debts reduce to a reasonable level at around 120 million euros. The business will enjoy a strong capital base which will help drive its long-term development plans.


Grand Banks Store Clearance Event

Grand Banks is extending and increasing special discount pricing on many items at it's ShipStore thanks to the popularity of last month's Holiday Sales Event. Here one will also find new dedicated Grand Banks items like wool Pendelton blanket and the durable stainless on-board grill set.


Hunts Expands US Sales Team

Hunt has appointed Barry Bailey as the latest addition to its International Sales Team. Based out of Queensland, Australia, Bailey will be the company’s Asia-Pacific regional representative, concentrating on new and brokerage sales across the company’s model lines – day cruisers, coastal cruisers, center consoles, inflatables, large express sedans and flybridge cruisers. Hunt currently has two regional offices - Portsmouth, RI and Annapolis, MD; 6 domestic agents and 3 overseas agents.


Kadey-Krogen Open House

Kadey-Krogen Yachts will host their annualspring Open House on March 3, 2012 at their headquarters in Stuart, Florida, offices locatedat 610 NW Dixie Highway. The Open House is for those who are looking to start their search for a cruising powerboat as well as cruisers who are interested in becoming more familiar with Kadey-Krogen’s range of Pure Full Displacement trawler yachts. The Open House follows the first boat shows of 2012 and is an ideal opportunity for interested customers to spend more time on board without the crowds of a boat show. At the Open House, Kadey-Krogen expects to feature a range of their models including the newest model, the Krogen 52’. Kadey-Krogen builds trawler yachts from 39’to 58’ and also operates a full service brokerage. Attendees are invited to spend time aboard each boat comparing features, exploring the engine room, and ask questions of the sales representatives. The Kadey-Krogen Open House will run from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. on Saturday. The event is free and open to the public and the media. Anyone interested in joining the cruising-under-power lifestyle will appreciate the chance to go aboard Kadey-Krogen yachts with the knowledgeable sales representatives from Kadey-Krogen.


Prestige Wins Motorboat of the Year Award

The annual Motor Boat of the Year Awards took place at The Savoy on Monday 9th January 2012, and lived up to its reputation as being one of the highlights of London Boat Show. Prestige is excited to announce that the Prestige 350, 500 and 500s were all nominated for awards during the evening. Even more exciting was that the Prestige 500 won the award for best Flybridge up to 55ft! This was the latest award for the outstanding Prestige 500 which also recently won the award for “Best Motor Yacht under 24m” at the prestigious Nautical Design Awards in Milan.


Princess Receives Special Accolade

Chairman and founder of Princess Yachts International, David King, received the judges special award at this years “Motor Boat of the Year” dinner which was held at the prestigious Savoy Hotel in London. The award was presented by Carl Richardson, Editor of Motor Boats Monthly, and Hugo Andreae, Editor of Motor Boats and Yachting, and was said to be in recognition of the incredible innovation, passion and dedication David has provided the British Marine Industry over the past 46 years. Princess has produced an incredible number of craft since they began building boats in 1965 and is responsible for some of the market’s most ground breaking and iconic models during this time. On receiving the award a typically humble Mr King praised the people at Princess for the success. This was not the only award Princess collected on the evening as the already highly acclaimed V52 picked up the coveted title of ‘Motor Boat of the Year’ for the Sports Cruisers category too, making it another very successful evening for the Company.


Riva Winner of Performance and Superboats Awards

Riva, a brand of the Ferretti Group, took part in the London Boat Show - held from the 6th to the 15th January 2012 – with Iseo, the new Icon of Made in Italy production, which was introduced to the English public for the first time ever during the Show. Following from the world premiere in September at the Festival International de la Plaisance in Cannes, Riva’s latest model has already been displayed at the most exclusive and important trade fairs across Europe. During the Boat Show, in the evening of Monday 9th January, the Motor Boat of the Year Award 2012 was held at London’s Savoy Hotel. During the ceremony, organised by the publisher IPC Media, Riva Iseo was awarded the prestigious Motor Boat of the Year 2012 in the category “Performance & Superboats”. The award was collected by Viola Ravano, Riva’s Sales Manager, and Mike Newton Woof, General Manager of Ventura UK, Riva’s exclusive dealer representing Riva in the UK. Iseo is destined to become a must-have for those who love cruising on both lakes and sea and for design enthusiasts. She is also perfect for anyone wishing to enhance their yacht with an exclusive tender that will never go unnoticed. Result of the working relationship between Officina Italiana Design, the exclusive designer of the entire Riva range, AYT – Advanced Yacht Technology – the Ferretti Group’s naval research and design centre, and the team of architects and designers at Centro Stile Ferrettigroup, the new runabout has been devised so owners can ‘live’ her wherever they wish: for this reason the standard version of Iseo has her own custom-made car-trailer, allowing easy transportation wherever the owner wishes to go. Iseo also effectively responds to the increasing demand for onboard infotainment: she is indeed the first boat in her class to be equipped with an entertainment system and GPS charting based on the Apple iPAD platform.


Riviera's Premiere at Miami

Riviera’s stunning new 53 Enclosed Flybridge will be on show for the first time at the Miami Yacht and Brokerage Show held from February 16 to 20. The 53 will be among several of the newest and most popular designs from Australia’s largest and most awarded luxury boat builder which are tipped to impress boating enthusiasts at the show. Riviera will exhibit four of its latest models at the Collins Avenue display including the new 43 Open Flybridge with IPS, new 53 Enclosed Flybridge with IPS or ZF 4000 pod drives, 5000 Sport Yacht with Zeus and the 5800 Sport Yacht with IPS or Zeus. As one of the world’s largest and most prestigious boating events, the Miami Yacht and Brokerage Show spans 1.2 million square feet in the heart of Miami Beach. Director of Riviera Yachts Chris McCafferty said the Miami Yacht and Brokerage show was regarded as one of the world’s leading boat shows.


Sea Ray Wins Best Boat Display

Sea Ray Boats, the world’s largest manufacturer of superior quality pleasure boats, is pleased to announce that it has won the Best Boat Display award at the 2012 Progressive Insurance New York Boat Show last weekend. The display was chosen from 60 boat exhibits and was judged based on use of space, appeal of display, promoting the boating lifestyle and enhancing the customer experience. This was the debut of the all-new display, which was created over a nine-month period by InterGlobal Exhibits of Denver with input from Sea Ray and its largest dealer, MarineMax Inc. The expandable exhibit measured over 12,000 square feet as configured in New York, and included in excess of 40 Sony® monitors that played videos and allowed visitors to use the custom Sea Ray app to see product images, specifications and more. A boardwalk from the show floor brought visitors up and into the display, placing them at the foot of an 8-foot compass rose featuring a backlit Sea Ray logo. Sea Ray’s new boat show display will make its next appearance at the 2012 Miami International Boat Show from February 16 to 20.


Sunseeker Charity Focus

Sunseeker International, manufacturer of the world's finest luxury motoryachts, hosted an evening of star studded entertainment in aid of three charities that are close to the heart of the Sunseeker family; Starlight, Sign it and The Autumn Trust on the late night. Starlight, one of the charities that was supported on the evening is a children's charity that has a massive impact on the lives of seriously and terminally ill children and their families. The evenings entertainment supported these worth while charities that work hard to bring happiness and opportunities to children and young adults each year.  Sunseeker were delighted to host the late night event that drew in a buzzy evening crowd and would like to thank the talented singers Libby Holden, Bianca Nichols, Iolla Grace, Austin Drage and the band Mode for putting on such a great performance.

Sunseeker Wins Motorboat of the Year 2012

Sunseeker International was delighted to pick up an award at the 2012 annual Motor Boat of the Year Awards, held in the prestigious Savoy Hotel. The Sunseeker Manhattan 63 took the award for 'Best Boat' in the Flybridge above 55ft category. The judges' panel, consisting of experts from both Motor Boat & Yachting and Motor Boats Monthly magazines, chose nine boats to receive one of the coveted trophies. The Manhattan 63 is a perfect example of a boat that packs innovation, luxury and performance into an exceptionally graceful frame. The hull form has been designed to take a more traditional shaft option but also includes the option of IPS drives - the latter produces fantastic results in performance, handling and economy. Interior options offer upper deck or lower deck galley, three or four staterooms with a midships full-beam master and very large hull-side windows. The saloon and entertainment space is fantastic and panoramic superstructure windows ensure a feeling of openness, a prefect boat for family and friends to enjoy. The awards were presented by Carl Richardson and Hugo Andreae.


Vicem New US Director of Sales

Vicem Yachts, the premier Turkish builders of luxury classic motor yachts and mega yachts, is bolstering its executive US team by naming a high-calibre professional key figure from the US yachting industry: Dave Mallach will now serve as the new Vicem Yachts USA Director of Sales. Dave Mallach replaces Dirk Boehmer. Vicem Yachts and its whole team takes this opportunity to sincerely thank Dirk once again for his strategic support, great competency and complete passion in every aspect of his time with Vicem.  Dave Mallach has worked in the marine industry since 1999. He is pleased and proud to have sold over $30 million in Vicem's over the last eight years. Dave's office moves with the seasons. During the North East's colder months he works in New York City. During the warmer months, he works out of Vicem's office in Newport, RI. He is ably assisted in Newport by his daughter Katie Mallach, serving as both Office Manager and Yacht broker in training. In his life before boats, Dave worked as New York City's Director of Drug Treatment Services in the jail system on Riker's Island. In his spare time, Dave and his wife Pat are involved in the building of a school for 500 children in the isolated village of Bodarie, Haiti.


Wider Partnership with Monaco Boat Service

Wider, an Italian yachting company founded by Tilli Antonelli in 2010, is pleased to announce the new sales agreement signed with Monaco Boat Service, a leading company on the nautical market founded in 1959 by Carlo Riva which has always been the reference distributor for the shipyard bearing the same name. The terms of the partnership provide for the distribution of Wider yachts – starting with the 42 footer day cruiser whose automatic patented system makes it possible to double the usable surface of the cockpit in just 12 seconds – being entrusted exclusively to Monaco Boat Service for France and Monte Carlo, which will promote the product and, more generally, the shipyard’s image throughout the reference territory. Moreover, Monaco Boat Service will represent Wider at boat shows and events held in France and Monte Carlo, most importantly the Formula 1 Gran Prix de Monaco and the Monaco Yacht Show, ensuring extensive brand visibility. The new dealership agreement is further consolidation of Wider’s sales network, which will now be able to count on a partner that is known internationally as Monaco Boat Service and already sells top of the range pleasure boating yachts. Based in the Principality of Monaco, it has partners with offices in the exclusive Port Pierre Canto in Cannes and in the port of Saint Tropez too.


Windy Motorboat of the Year 2012

Norwegian boat builder, Windy Boats, is celebrating the best possible start to 2012, as the winner of a prestigious ‘Motor Boat of the Year Award’ for the Windy 31 Zonda. The annual awards, chosen by a team of experts from Motor Boat & Yachting and its sister title, Motor Boats Monthly, celebrate the very best in boat design and construction. Presenting the award to Windy Boats CEO, Knut Heiberg-Andersen at the gala dinner on 9 January in London’s Savoy Hotel was judge and Motor Boats Monthly Editor Carl Richardson. The Zonda was also nominated for the 2012 ‘European Powerboat of the Year Awards’, to be announced at the 2012 Dusseldorf Boat International Boat Show

1 comment:

  1. Congratulations, with all the efforts and knowledge you have provided in creating wonderful and with quality boats, you deserved the honor.

    ReplyDelete