Showing posts with label Alfamarine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alfamarine. Show all posts

August 16, 2018

Alfamarine New Web Site

Alfamarine from Fiumicino the West sea side of the Italian capital city Rome presents its new World wide web showroom.  Alfamarine and Fazioli make a great part of the Italian story of pleasure boating from the mid seventies onward with some record breaking models in the making.  Alfamarine started its course in 1955 when Marcello Fazioli enters boat racing not only as a racer but also by building outboard powered speed boats for himself and on commission.  But the story of Alfamarine as a boat builder starts in 1975 when the yard in Fiumicino is founded and Marcello Fazioli launches the 40 Bronte model designed by Renato Sonny Levi and Franco Harrauer, two of the most innovative naval architects of the time specialized in fast deep Vee bottoms, who the lessons and innovations they introduced are still very much valid then as today.  Build of fiberglass the Alfamarine 40 Bronte is a huge success becoming the yard all time best seller with 146 units sold over its production run, and offered with two propulsion choices; Levi's Step surface drive and the standard line shaft, and available in three versions S for the open, Motoryacht for the flybridge, and the Fisherman with a lowered stern.  Alfamarine moves forward and after the success of the first model launches the bigger Alfamarine 60 Delta, and then the 16,50 Motoryacht.  A 35 is presented in 1985 the fourth and smallest ever produced model by Alfamarine, what is a chopped smaller 40 Bronte sport cruiser designed again by Franco Harrauer.  In the eighties Alfamarine competes with neighboring central and South Italian builders for making fast seaworthy large yachts; and Harrauer again designs the company first super yacht, the 83 Cronos a deep 25 degrees Vee deadrise hulled with a wide body upper structure design which will sell in six units.  The Cronos will reach 32 knots speeds with standard twin 1400hp engines, and will also be offered as the 83 Super Cronos with triple engines totalling 5000hp and Arneson surface drives project who in theory should have arrived up to fifty knots but unfortunately no unit sold with this power.  An Alfamarine 90 is later launched in 1993, what is an extended 83 Cronos with a totally re-invented more traditional not wide body upper structure.  After the 83 Cronos, Harrauer will design the Alfamarine 65 launched in 1991 and based on the 55 hull but with a triple Man 1000hp set up reaching speeds of sixty knots, 61.5 to be exact as recorded during its sea trials.  Always precise and technical in the details Alfamarine will launch other models over the years, the 55 in 1990 sees the yard go into a more conservative style and will sell in ten units.  Launched first as the 47 in 1991 and in 1995 becoming the 50 this model sees Alfamarine go into more modern nineties styling featuring a sloop stern design and later 1995 and newer versions also featuring an integrated windshield radar arch design and extended bathing platform.  The Alftamarine 50 will also embrace the Italian aft cabin sport cruiser yacht which was so popular in the eighty and nineties by many sport cruiser and yacht biulders of the shoe shaped peninsula.  The 50 is followed by the similar styled and smaller Alfamarine 43 designed by Fabio Buzzi and launched in 1994 and becoming the 47 in 1997, what is a model just as the 50 still offered in the production catalogue.  The Alfamarine 60 is launched in 1998 and is followed in 2002 with the 58, a modern version of the 1990 launched 55.  In 2003 Alfamarine launched the custom full displacement, steel construction and its largest build to date 140 triple deck to a design of Andrea Bacigalupo, who is then again used in the much admired 78 launched in 2004 and its smaller 72 sister in 2007.   Alfarmaine has won various prizes over the years with the most important being the Golden Keel awarded in 1985 for the 83 Cronos, and 2005 European Prize for the 78.  Today Alfamarine is managed by founder Marcello Fazioli and his son Andrea, and together apart offering a full refit service in Fiumicino offer seven build to order semi custom sport cruiser and yachts which start with the 47, and go up to the one off build 140.  Alfamarine latest model is the the hard-top updated 60 presented in 2009.  Alfamarine new website takes you around with the following buttons; Our Story, Building Site, Services, Achievements, and Contacts. Alfamarine is also on social media with button links to its Facebook and Youtube pages at the right top corner of the page.
Production History;
40 Bronte Fly 1975-90 (146) *includes S
40 Bronte S 1978-90 (146) includes Fly
60 Delta 1978 (1)
16.50 1981-90
83 Cronos 1982-92 (6)
35 1985-90
55 1990-93 (5)
47 1991-94
65 1991 (1)
90 1993 (1)
43 1994-96
50 1995-
47 1997-
60 1998-
58 2002-
47 m 2003 (1)
78 2004-15 (10)
72 2007-12 (6)
60 HT 2009-

July 10, 2016

Franco Harrauer 1927 - 2016

Franco Harrauer born Milan in 1927 has left the World to a better place on 9 July 2016.  Franco was a character from another time, one of those that leave you a sign, a smile. Even just thinking of him as a man, cartoonist, aerodynamics expert and an endless passion for the sea applying his expertise for hydrodynamic design into motor pleasure craft, and sailing.  An expert all arounded, architect and eclectic narrator, has delighted over the years his attentive readers with lots of stories and even fictional anecdotes of the onslaught in the First and Second World War.  Interesting are the materials applications used for his hulls, special care for trawler catamarans, the meeting with his friend and designer Renato "Sonny" Levi has led to some unique achievements in hull design. These include a unique and exciting World first sailing boat with planing hull: Exocetus Volants. Franco Harrauer holds numerous awards such as the Gold Keel and also patents that even today are a reference point.  His most known collaboration with a still an existent shipyard was with Alfamarine where he designed among other models its still to date best seller 40 Bronte launched in 1975 and in collaboration with Renato Sonny Levi, and then all alone the one off 83 launched in 1986 and then 90 model launched in 1990.  Both of which where flagships for the Fiumicino, Rome boat builder at the time of launch.  Franco Harrauer has in recent years published some interesting articles on the classic motor boat specialist blog Altromareblu of which I suggest anyone with interest in hull design and boat projects to read. 

October 28, 2009

New Model: Alfamarine 60 Hard Top

Basing itself on the long standing Alfamarine 60 hull lines which was presented in 1997, the Fazioli family Fiumicino builder launched the Hard Top version for the same model. Announced as a project in the beginning of this year, the new 60 Hard Top is designed by renowned marine architect Andrea Bacigalupo. Alframarine in its fifty year history has a list of whose who on the designers list for there boats starting with the first cooperation with Renato Sonny Levi, to Franco Harrauer, and going on to Fabio Buzzi. The Alfamarine 60 Hard Top does not only add a new Bacigalupo design integrated all weather enclosure to the upper structure of this Sport Yacht, but will also have a new cockpit layout which is now more spacious, as well as a redesigned interior plan. The interior keeps the 60 three cabins with three en-suite shower heads plan, with designer Michela Reverberi changing the furniture and colors now in modern minimal light colored fittings with dark wood accents. The aft mid double guest cabins have also been modified now offering two single berths each and to the length of the boat, instead of the previous which where to the beam. Tender garage aft has also been made more spacious with the ability to accommodate a jet powered tender. Speed always part of the heritage of Alfamarine is a max of 45 knots, with twin MAN 1360hp engines with surface drives propulsion.
Technical Data:
LOA - 18.96 m (62.2ft)
Beam - 4.60 m
Draft - 1.40 m
Displacement - 28 t
Fuel Capacity - 3500 l
Water Capacity - 1000 l
Accommodation - 6 berths in 3 cabins. 1 crew cabin
Engines - 2 x MAN 1360hp
Propulsion - surface drives
Speed - 45 knots max
Design - Andrea Bacigalupo exterior. Michela Reverberi interior

March 19, 2009

Project: Alfamarine 60 HT

Italian builder Alfamarine presents the project for the 60 HT. Already under construction this new model is expected to be presented in the fall of this year. The new 60 HT is a modernization of the 60 Alfamarine launched in 1997, and before this version flagship of the open range. With this new interpretation the 60 gets the addition of a hardtop, a new cockpit layout, modified stern, and wide view port hole windows. For this new improved version Alfamarine Fazioli family used designers Andrea and Maria Bacigalupo exterior, and Michela Riverberi who retouched the 3 cabin interior to a modern flavour with echoes of ancient Rome. For the propulsion the 60 HT stays true to its hull shape, with twin MAN 1360hp engines propelled with surface drives giving a 45 knots top speed.

August 17, 2007

New Model: Alfamarine 72

Presented as a project two years ago, the new Alfamarine 72 is the smaller sister for the successful 78, which won Best Boat between eighteen and 24 meters in the 2005 World Yachts Trophies in Cannes. Architect Andrea Bacigalupo projected this boat as an easy to use fast Sport Yacht with minimum crew needs. Interior layout calls for an innovative and functional approach for this type of yacht, for this reason the galley, in a separate area with connected dinette lunch area is situated below deck at mid-ship. Main saloon is at the main deck level and can be completely closed off with the stern door. The guest and master cabin are adjacent to the dinette while the VIP guest cabin, in order to assure privacy has a a separate entrance directly from the main saloon. Crew quarters entrance is from the external cockpit or from the engine room and a second berth is available on request. Power is from twin 1550hp Man with Arneson Surface Drives which allows a maximum speed of 43 knots. In the meantime other versions are being studied with KaMeWa water jets and more powerful engines for speeds up to 50 knots, keeping the renowned Alfamarine name for high performance yachts.
Technical Data:
Length - 22.30 m (73.1 ft)
Beam - 5.44 m
Draft - 1.20 m
Displacement - 31.946 kg dry
Fuel Capacity - 4.790 l
Water Capacity - 1.000 l
Engines - 2 x Man 1550hp
Propulsion - Arneson Surface Drives ASD14
Speed - max 42 knots, cruise 34 knots
Project - Arch. Andrea Bacigalupo, interiors Consuelo Izzo
Certifcation - CE A

July 27, 2007

Boat Review: Alfamarine 58

Presentation
Presented in the 2002 season, the Alfamarine 58 is an eighteen metre classic styled fully open sports yacht much loved by the Central and South Italian customer. But not only as classic open yachts are lately getting higher market rating. Classic in lines and design, the Alfamarine 58 is an evolution of the 55 launched in 1990 with a completely renewed stern and deck, and changed radar arch windscreen design. Performing to the limits for a sport yacht, the Alfamarine 58 is full of modern design solutions, based on one of the best deep Vee hulls in its size.
Accommodation
The exterior of this yacht speaks for the inside, as we have what is a classic interior layout with three cabins all with there own separate head. Master cabin is forward and two identical guest cabins feature mid ships with twin in line parallel berths each. Interior dining area is a comfortable C-shaped settee to starboard. Galley is to port and is hidden by clean wooden top, becoming invisible when the cooking is over. A crew cabin with shower head is located aft.
Outside cockpit space is one of the winners for the 58, featuring a C-shaped settee to starboard, one of the most spacious in this size dimensions. An exterior wet bar and galley is located to port, just behind the comfortable dark blue finished helm station. A four person sunbed is located aft. While another sunbed is located forward on deck. Tender stowage is on the bathing platform.
Performance
The Alfamarine hull and 58 in particular is designed around the highly rated Renato Sonny Levi and Franco Harrauer deep V-design. If you want head turning performance I suggest you take the optional surface drive and big 1360hp engine option, which allow for a 48 knots max speed.  But the standard Caterpillar 1000hp engines and shafts set up still give a nice 36 knots of top speed with thirty knots cruising. Sea keeping in both versions is excellent with shaft drives handling big heads seas easier thanks to the lower starting planning speed these deliver. Still the Arneson surface drives would handle most solutions in the best of manners and also provide for better fuel economy at fast cruise which equals to an extended range.
Positive
superb performing hull
cockpit space and comfort
Negative
railing as optional
Competition
Competition in the open sport yacht seventeen to eighteen meter segment is ever increasing, but when you want something looking timeless and classic the result comes down to a few builders.  Criteria here is for open style no hard sport yacht, and three cabins.  
Baia 54 Aqua - similar layout but more modern, flush deck, only with surface drives
Dalla Pieta DP 58 - modern design, only shaft drives, spacious crew or 4th guest cabin aft
Gianetti 55 Sport - extra 4th double cabin aft, very comfortable inside
Italcraft X 54 - 3rd cabin aft, nice cockpit layout, good hull and performance
Itama 55 FiftyFive - real classic yacht, similar layout with spacious galley
Sarnico 58 - aft third cabin, spacious interior saloon
Uniesse 57 Open - American sportfish style with Italian flair, comfortable cockpit
WILD CARD: Magnum 60 Furio - two cabins + crew, surface drives performance
Conclusion
The Alfamarine is a classic sports yacht for those who don't like to have a fashion boat, but something which is timeless and always good looking without forgetting modern design solutions as adapted in most of today's boats in this size dimension. If this is what you want I suggest you have a good look at the Alfamarine 58.
Technical Data
LOA. 18.46 meters (60.5ft)
Beam. 4.60 metres
Displacement. 22.000 kg dry
Fuel Capacity. 3200 litres
Water Capacity. 800 litres
Berths. six berths in three cabins, one crew cabin berth
Engines. 2 x Cat C18 1000hp, 2 x MAN V12 1360hp
Propulsion. Shaft Line, Arneson Surface Drives ASD 12, ASD 12L
Speed. 36 knots max 36 cruise Cats 1000hp, 48 knots max 40 knots with surface drives MAN 1360hp
Hull Shape.  Mono hedron deep Vee
Certification. CE A RINA
Picture Copyright Alfamarine. Data Alfamarine.