November 20, 2007

Project: Jeanneau 38 Prestige S

Whilst it will only be launched officially at the beginning of 2008, Jeanneau have unveiled the unpublished designs for the new Prestige 38 S. Although announced as far back as September 2007, no information had been made available about the new Prestige, which slots in between the Prestige 34 S and the completely new Prestige 42 S. The real novelty comes from the dual cockpit on board, a feature up until now reserved for open models over 40 feet long. The first cockpit, structured around a table, is traditionally located forward beneath the sport top, while the second, the real innovation on this boat, is located on the after deck, and can be converted to a sun pad or a comfortable settee around a second table. Another decided advantage for an open of under 40 feet is the tender garage, hidden beneath the cockpit. Fitted with a galley and extended by a huge bathing platform, the Sport Top with it's electric roof dully open becomes a particular outside/inside space. In particular, information on the interior layout reveals 2 cabins, a very large saloon and a spacious dressing room. Designed by the Italian office of Garroni Designers, the Prestige 38 S benefits from a hull developed by the well-known American designer, Michael Peters, who has already designed the hulls of the Prestige 42 and the recent Prestige 42 S for Jeanneau. The twin engines are the new Cummins QSD 4.2-320HP with stern-drive transmission. The yard is actively working on the launch of this Prestige 38 S, for which the stakes are high, since of course its arrival completes a 30 to 50 feet range of new Prestige Fly and Open power boats.

November 19, 2007

New Model: Raffaelli 47 Calima

Introduced to fill the range between the bigger Compass Rose and smaller Levante models is the new Raffaelli Calima. The Calima is a very spacious flybridge cruiser featuring a 3 double cabins, 2 heads accommodation finished in very warm light colored oak finish with chromed grey and silver metals additions. Based on the variable Deep Vee hull of Raffaelli, it offers a very good performance level of 30 knots with only twin 400hp Iveco Aifo engines on shaft drives, a comfortable speed considering the 18 tons of loaded weight for this cruiser. This horsepower speed configure should give superior fuel consumption levels. The new Calima continues the Raffaelli guarantee of a superior CE A Category standard, something not found much in this size of craft plus a 6 year Osmosis and structural warranty.
Technical Data:
LOA - 13.99 m (45.8ft)
Waterline Length - 11.99 m
Beam - 4.30 m
Draft - 1.20 m
Weight - 18.45 t loaded, 13.40 t empty
Max Persons - 12, safeties for 10
Accommodation - 6 berths in 3 cabins, 2 heads
Max Weight - 1200 kg
Fuel Capacity - 1450 l
Water Capacity - 400 l
Engines - 2 x 400 HP Iveco Aifo
Speed - 30 knots Max
Certification - CE A

November 18, 2007

Class 1 - Victory 77 wins in Doha

Victory 77 took a giant step towards the coveted Class 1 world title after producing a championship winning performance to take their fourth win of the season in today’s Qatar Grand Prix, round 6 of the WPPA Class1 World Powerboat Championship, and now lead the title race by 22 points, with the final two rounds in Dubai in two weeks. Qatar 96 keep the title hopes alive, bringing home a second place, taking their sixth podium of the season, with Negotiator 50 producing the best performance of the year to grab it's first podium, taking a well deserved third place. But for the defending World Champions, Spirit of Norway, who started today’s race from pole position, there was bitter disappointment, retiring on lap 15 with a broken engine, and their title aspirations in tatters and the hopes of a sixth world title now beyond their reach.
The race was all but decided on the opening lap, with Victory 77 producing a spectacular lap to move from fourth place on the start line to lead at the end of lap one, with Spirit of Norway second, followed by Qatar 96 and Negotiator. With the three title rivals holding station and opening up a lead, Negotiator came under increasing pressure from a hard charging Jotun, who grabbed fourth place on lap four, but Negotiator responded immediately to regain the position a lap later and two laps later a technical problem ended Jotun’s race. Negotiator then held of a challenge from Qatar 95, who in turn had Victory 7, who dropped from second at the start to eighth after hooking the boat at the first corner, breathing down their necks. Over the course of the next six laps the leading trio exchanged long laps. Qatar 96 went first, followed by Spirit of Norway and the race leaders. By lap 13, with both long laps taken, Spirit of Norway had reduced the gap to Victory 77 from 12 to four seconds, but two laps later the defending champions were out, a broken engine destroying their title bid. Now in an unassailable position Victory 77 were able to cruise home and take the chequered flag and the win, with Qatar 96 crossing the line over a minute behind them. For Chris Parsonage and Bard Eker, the first podium of the year for Negotiator was a rich reward for the team. Qatar 95 were able to stave of the persistent challenge of Victory 7, with Spirit of Norway 20 taking their third top six finish of the season with Foresti & Suardi finishing in the points in Seventh, with SeveneleveN retiring early in the race. Class 1 now heads to Dubai for the Mina Seyahi Grand Prix on Saturday, 1 December, the first of two races in a week. The title race is now between two – Victory 77 and Qatar 96.
QATAR GRAND PRIX, DOHA - RESULTS
1. Victory 77 – A Al Zafeen (UAE)/JM Sanchez (FR)
2. Qatar 96 – H Al Thani (QAT)/M Nicolini (ITA) + 01.17,73
3. Negotiator 50 – B Eker (NOR)/C Parsonage (GB) + 01.57,97
4. Qatar 95 – A Al Sulaiti (QAT)/L Nicolini (ITA) + 02.19,67
5. Victory 7 – T Al Sayed (UAE)/N B Hendi (UAE) + 2.29,41
6. Spirit of Norway 20 – T Barry-Cotter (AUS)/P Nilsen (NOR) + 1 lap
7. Foresti & Suardi 8 – K Selmer (NOR)/G Montavoci (ITA) + 2 laps
8. Spirit of Norway 10 – B Gjelsten (NOR)/S Curtis (GB) + 5 laps
Jotun 90 – C Zaborowski (NOR)/J Tandberg (NOR) dnf
SeveneleveN 18 – T Polli (ITA)/N Giorgi (ITA) dnf
WPPA CLASS 1 WORLD POWERBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP – after round 6 of 8
1. Victory 77 – A Al Zafeen (UAE)/JM Sanchez (FR) – 116pts
2. Qatar 96 – H Al Thani (QAT)/M Nicolini (ITA) – 94pts
3. Spirit of Norway 10 – B Gjelsten (NOR)/S Curtis (GB) – 76pts
4. Victory 7 – T Al Sayed (UAE)/N B Hendi (UAE) – 53pts
5. Qatar 95 – A Al Sulaiti (QAT)/L Nicolini (ITA) – 49pts
6. Negotiator 50 – B Eker (NOR)/C Parsonage (GB) – 37pts
7. Foresti & Suardi 8 – M Pennesi (ITA)/G Montavoci (ITA) – 35pts
8. Spirit of Norway 20 – T Barry-Cotter (AUS)/P Nilsen (NOR) – 29pts
9. SeveneleveN 18 – T Polli (ITA)/N Giorgi (ITA) – 14pts
10. Jotun 90 – C Zaborowski (NOR)/J Tandberg (NOR) - 12pts
11. Fainplast 2 – K Selmer (NOR)/M Esperto (ITA) – 5pts

November 17, 2007

Project: Couach 5000 Fly

The project of the new Couach 5000 Fly represents the biggest Yacht to be ever built by the prestigious French builder. With a lot of important ideas which will capture exclusive clients in this very competitive market segment, Couach is promising an innovative Super Yacht which stands out for it's 30 knots top speed performance, something very rare in a 50 metre Motor Yacht but of most importance this performance does not effect the range with a capability of Trans-Atlantis crossing in 10 days. Constructed in strong Kevlar resins the new 5000 Fly as all Couach Yachts is a fully custom project. Other important design notes for the new French builder flagship are the superior private upper deck arrangement and the garage which when opened becomes a really live beach front. Interior accommodation is for 5 or a 6 cabins layout.

November 16, 2007

New Model: Uniesse 65 Sport

The Uniesse 65 Sport is the new model for the modern Sport range from this prestigious Italian builder. Continuing the evolution of a modern futuristic hard top design, Uniesse offers a splendid coupe Sport Yacht of classic contemporary Italian lines that always stands out, whether berthed at the marina or sailing off at sea. The new 65 Sport has the Uniesse family feeling outside but also down below, thanks to a superior hull design from American Fred Hudson which gives this North Italian builder the rightful fame for a superior comfortable ride in the tough weather situations. The accommodation for this new model is also equally spacious offering 3 separate spacious double cabins all with there own heads and that includes the large full beam owners cabin and the L-shaped galley down below. Crew accommodation is for 1 person with a complete cabin located aft. As it is expected from Uniesse the performance for this new model is also very good considering the not so big 900hp MAN engines giving a top speed of 34 knots, when making the sums of a 65 feet Yacht weighing at 30 Tons plus it is very impressive indeed.
Technical Data:
LOA - 20.98 m (68.6ft)
Length - 18.78 m
Beam - 5.00 m
Draft - 1.49 m
Displacement - 27.000 kg unloaded, 32.500 kg loaded
Fuel Capacity - 3800 l
Water Capacity - 800 l
Max Persons - 16
Engines - 2 x MAN 900hp
Speed - 34 knots max estimated
Certification - CE A

November 15, 2007

Class 1 - Doha Qatar Preview

Home team Qatar 96 second in the charts will try to win the all important home GP

With three races remaining in the 2007 WPPA Class 1 World Powerboat Championship, the race for the title is reaching fever pitch. Fuelled by an intense rivalry, the sports three heavyweights, Victory 77, Qatar 96 and Spirit of Norway 10, remain locked in an unforgiving three-way battle for championship honours, with no quarter asked and none given. The fast and flowing circuit around Palm Tree Island on Doha Bay has seen some spectacular racing action and dramatic incidents in recent years, and this year’s Qatar Grand Prix, round 6 of the WPPA Class 1 World Powerboat Championship, could well prove pivotal in the outcome of title race. Victory 77 led the championship standings from round one in Athens, and with the luxury of an 18 points advantage, hold the whip-hand in the title race, and although they would clearly like to try and wrap things up sooner than later, with points in hand do not need to take risks or push for the race win in Doha. But they are being stalked with a ferocious intent by Qatar 96 and the defending World Champions in Spirit of Norway, both outfits posting notice last time out at the Egyptian Grand Prix in Porto Marina, that neither is in any mood to concede the title without a monumental fight, and both finishing ahead of the current leaders after a memorable race – Spirit grabbing their second win of the season, with Qatar 96 second and Victory 77, third. The title battle is intriguing – Qatar 96 and Spirit of Norway must win - at least finish ahead of Victory 77 in Doha and in the remaining races – but that still may not be enough, so will be looking to team-mates, Qatar 95 or in Spirit of Norway’s case, the likes of Jotun and Negotiator, to join the fight for podium places and points and shut out the leaders, whilst Victory 77 will look to their team-mates in Victory 7 to get ahead of or between them and their championship rivals. After impressive performances in Egypt, where both challenged strongly for podium finishes before technical problems ended their hopes, Qatar 95 and Jotun – both running the Mercury V8s - look likely challengers to cause the top three problems, and will be hoping for trouble free runs to give themselves the chance to capitalise on their pace. Negotiator could also be up there in the mix, now that they have found reliability with the Sterling V8s and will be looking to improve on their fourth place in Egypt. The first action takes place today, with the first official practice session, giving the teams the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the revised course around Palm Tree Island on Doha Bay. Second practice on Friday is followed by the fifth Edox Pole Position of the season in the afternoon, with the final practice session and the 20 lap, 92.88Nm Qatar Grand Prix on Saturday, 17 November. Of the leading protagonists, Spirit of Norway has by far the best record in Doha winning five times since the first Qatar Grand Prix was held in 2002. Victory 77 grabbed their only win here in 2005 and last year the Qatar Camp took their first win on home waters, with Qatar 95 stealing the headlines from Qatar 96 – but this weekend it just might be their turn to take the race win.

November 14, 2007

New Model: Arno Leopard 31

The new Cantiere Navale Arno Leopard 31 is a design evolution of the legendary Leopard 27, one the first hard top super yachts introduced in the early nineties but still part of the production from this famous builder. The new Leopard 31 does in fact captures the timeless Paolo Caliari design of the Leopard 27 super structure but adds new meaning thanks to the extra 4 metres in length which makes the new 31 a very important model for the Arno Leopard range of sport yachts. The new Leopard 31 has one of the most spacious interior saloons for a Hard Top Sports Yacht of 31 metres. Interior accommodation consists of 4 spacious cabins for 8 guest berths and 4 crew berths. Performance which is very important for people choosing a Sport Super Yacht of this size and looks is a 40 knot top speed with Water Jet Propulsion and MAN engines.
Technical Data:
LOA - 30.98 m (101.6ft)
Length - 30.50 m
Beam - 6.95 m
Draft - 1.22 m
Weight - 95 T loaded
Fuel Capacity - 10.000 l
Water Capacity - 2.000 l
Engines - 3 x MTU 12V2000 M93 1800hp
Propulsion - 2 x KaMeWa Type 63 SII + 1 KaMeWa Booster 50BII
Speed - 40 knots top

November 13, 2007

Project: Cantieri di Pisa 135 Akhir

Taken over by the Camuzzi Group in 2004, the new Cantieri Di Pisa 135 Akhir is the first project by the new management in order to put the World famous yacht builder and its range of motor and super yachts back on track. Showing up in the market 30 years ago, the Akhir range of motor yachts was instantly a success, thanks to the innovative design of Pierluigi Spadolini who created an all time classic modern line for this spectacular series of yachts. The new 135 Akhir is designed by Carlo Galeazzi who takes the difficult task of continuing the Cantieri di Pisa traditional value, but with the desire to renew this project and the rendering picture clearly shows this new cultural revision of a line that has made history in the nautical world. With an overall length of 41 metres the new 135 Akhir will boast an interior guest accommodation for 8 or 10 person and a crew service of 7 or 8 members as the owner would desire. Performance estimates show a 29 knots top speed performance, with a cruising speed of 25 knots giving a range of 600 nautical miles. A superior 2740 nautical mile range can be obtained by cruising at an economical 12 knots. The new 135 Akhir will be the first of the Cantieri Di Pisa generation of flybridge motor and super yachts which will be comprised of 5 models from 86 up to 153 feet in length.

November 12, 2007

New Model: Beneteau 52 Swift Trawler

Beneteau continues to upgrade its Swift Trawler range with the introduction of the new 52 model, forming the perfect link between the joy of sailing and the comfort and performance of a powerboat. The new 52 Swift Trawler, flagship of the Beneteau Power range is fully fitted out for offshore cruising inviting you and your guests to sail away in absolute comfort with a few interesting bonuses over current trawler live aboard style yachts like a high end cruising speed of 18 knots, a very spacious interior accommodation and a saloon which looks like coming from a much bigger yacht.
Technical Data:
LOA - 17.00 m (55.7ft)
Length - 15.24 m
Beam - 4.92 m
Draft - 1.30 m
Displacement - 20.000 kg empty, 28.000 kg loaded
Accommodation - 6 cabin berths + 4 additional convertible berths, 3 + 1 cabins
Fuel Capacity - 4.000 l
Water Capacity - 800 l
Engines - 2 x Volvo D9 575hp
Speed - 23 knots maximum, 18 knots cruising
Design - Joubert, Nivelt & Beneteau exterior, Pierre Frutshi interior
Category - CE B12, C16

November 10, 2007

Project: Rodman 44 Muse

The new Rodman Muse 44 is based on two principles, powerful performance and elegant modern lines. Each item of this new model from the famous Spanish constructor responds to a need, and noting is left to chance on board. The new Rodman is optimized for the best use of space and designer Fulvio De Simoni did the best in providing a superior spacious thirteen metre flybridge cruiser with an incredibly spacious 3 double cabin accommodation. This incredible interior space is the result of the use of Volvo's innovative IPS propulsion, which the new 44 Muse can be credited as being one of the very first few flybridge cruisers build and projected around this system. Apart from the extra accommodation the new IPS will give the new Rodman a superior performance and economy, which should make it as the top choice for those looking for a medium to large flybridge cruiser.