Boat Review: Grand Banks 41 Heritage EU

Presentation
Grand Banks launched the 41 Heritage EU in 2008 after presenting the project a year earlier in 2007. While looking on the outside as a real Grand Banks Heritage with similar distinctive trawler like lines still echoing the 1962 built Spray which was the fore runner of the 36 launched in 1964, the new 41 Heritage EU was a challenge of innovation from its builders by being the first explorer cruiser to be powered by pods. A follower of traditional in line shaft drives since the founding of the company in 1956 the change of new propulsion units to one of its boats was taken with huge surprise and enthusiasm by the brand aficionados, and the press. Out of the available pod units in the market Grand Banks choice went to the ZF Zeus aft looking dual propeller pods. The benefits of the two so far presented pods are known to everyone since 2006, but in case you missed a beat in the last years will repeat them: better efficiency, easier handling, and more speed. If you are looking at a Grand Banks I am sure your interest is greatly revolved around efficiency at a comfortable cruising speed, and it is also this improvement the main reason behind the US Asian boat builder pod transition.
Accommodation
As good as it looks the 41 Heritage EU offers real Grand Banks live aboard space in its main deck, a large flybridge, and a twin cabin lower deck. The open aft deck space typical of the EU for Europe models, ideally suited for stern too mooring, welcomes you on board the 41. Here a central patio door takes you inside the flushed decked interior saloon welcoming you with an L-shaped settee to port, a three person bench sofa opposite, large size comfortable galley, and lower main helm station to port. The bench sofa can be changed with two movable chairs as in the optional layout for the main deck.
A central stair case leads from the living to the below accommodation deck featuring two spacious cabins, and a large head. The owners cabin with double queen sized berth is located to fore. Guest second cabin with two single berths, which can transform to a double becoming a VIP is located to starboard mid ship. The shower head room which is quite large takes as much space as that of a small cabin, and features a very spacious shower room separated by a sliding door from the head and sink. Below is also space for a big storage room located to mid ship before the cabins, with a hatch entrance located on the main deck saloon. The storage room of the 41 Heritage EU has the space if you want of a cabin and here is also the two fuel tanks located to both sides, and the water tank which stands by the aft looking bulk head.
For going from the inside to the outside of the 41 Heritage EU are two ways. Unusual for a fourteen metre but not for a Grand Banks which has a side door by the helm station taking you to the walk around deep wide ship like deck to starboard, and the traditional aft patio door to the cockpit. From the aft deck and up the integrated staircase is the way point to the open air living area that is the flybridge which features a free space suited for tender stowage, a wet bar, L-shaped settee, bench sofa to port, and a single seat central second helm station. Performance
Many think of Grand Banks as slow boats, but the real fact of the matter is that the traditional trawler looking explorer cruisers and yachts have always had a hybrid designed semi displacement planning hull with keel capable of twenty plus knots, which for the 41 Heritage EU also has a medium vee seventeen degrees dead rise aft, and deep twenty two at midships. This hull while reminiscent of trawler yachts puts in use the advantages of faster hulls, giving a stuck to the water feel safe approach typical of a displacement hull but at the same time when necessary also sporting an agile handling similar to a planning design. The 41 Heritage EU further improves and consolidates the planning notion by offering a fast propulsion set up with the ZF Zeus aft looking dual propeller pods, and twin medium power Cummins 425hp each. Top speed is of 25 knots, not bad for an explorer cruiser with an all time cruise of 17 knots. Range always an important theme in an explorer cruiser is a shy for an explorer boat 276 nm at 17 knots, but a reassuring 743 nm at the most economic seven knots speed.
Positive
Zeus pods performance handling
main deck
utility room space
Negative
no second head
Competition
Grand Bank's 41 Heritage EU is a bit of a unique boat offering speeds close to those of a flybridge motor cruiser type boat, and at the same time having a slow medium cruising range similar to that of heavier full displacement explorer type yachts. That's not to say the 41 is not an explorer medium range cruiser, it is also this, but it also offers benefits of the other way of going on the water while still being in its own unique explorer world. Closest competitors to the Grand Banks concept are all shaft powered and are the down under build Clipper 45 Cordova, Mainship 45 Trawler, and the bit bigger Italian Estensi 480 Maine. Criteria was for Explorer Cruisers with twin medium range or single engine longer transatlantic set up, thirteen to fourteen metres of length, and an open Europe style aft main deck.
Adagio 48 Europa - three cabin two head option, double dinette
American Tug 41 - twin large cabin with heads, main deck with split floor
Clipper 45 Cordova - similar interior plan, but more modern looks
Estensi 480 Maine - Italian build, 3 cabins, similar speed
Kadey-Krogen 44 - displacement long range, single engine, separate pilot house
Ruby 43 Sedan Trawler - slower single engine, similar interior to GB
Mainship 45 Trawler - 2 heads, similar speeds, lower deck galley
Mirage N47 Great Harbour - twin small engines, living galley below
Nordhavn 47 - 2 en-suited cabins, single engine slow displacement, long range
Jet Tern Selene 44 - displacement single engine long range, separate helm, two heads
WILD CARD: Menorquin MY145 Flybridge - traditional looks, similar range
Conclusion
With its traditional line and looks, the Grand Banks 41 Heritage EU pays big tribute to its name, hiding it's revolution in the engine room, propulsion and hull all this representing the brand in the past, present, and future. The 41 was launched in 2008 as the new entry level to the explorer cruiser Heritage line, breaking new technical ground, thanks to the innovation presented by the pod drives. This also stepped up the 41 Heritage to make a revolution to the range, which only the future will tell if this is big as the 36 which marked the change to fiberglass construction at Grand Banks in 1973. This new propulsion set up give the 41 Heritage EU also a big efficiency advantage: that of good medium speeds with less powerful engines, and a better range when going slow. Thinking that pods started there life for use on ships in 1998 it is also surprising how this system is as today ignored on semi planning, displacement medium sized yachts! Apart from the pod drives, the 41 Heritage EU follows the famed Grand Banks selling points, that of superb attention to detail with a living aboard comfort in a luxury wooden finished interior. A successful theme proposed by the US Singapore builder since its inception in 1956, which I doubt will it ever consider to change.
Technical Data
LOA. 14.05 metres (46.2ft) max includes pulpit and platform
Hull Length. 12.59 metres
Waterline Length. 11.56 metres
Beam. 4.77 metres
Draft. 1.12 metres
Displacement. 18,235 kg
Fuel Capacity. 1893 litres
Water Capacity. 738 litres
Accommodation. 4 berths in 2 cabins
Engines. 2 x Cummins QSB5.9 425hp
Propulsion. ZF Zeus aft looking dual propeller pods
Speed. 25 knots max, 17 knots cruise
Range. 276 nm at 17 knots cruise, 743 nm at 7 knots
Hull Shape. semi displacement planning hull with keel 17 degrees aft, 22.7 mid ship

Project. Grand Banks
Design Team, Earl Alfaro hull, Toni Profitt interior.
Construction. solid bottom hull, vacuum bagged foam core sides and deck, clear gel coat with epoxy resin below waterline
Certification. CE B

www.grandbanks.com
Picture Copyright Grand Banks. Data Grand Banks.

New Model: Nor-Tech 427 Super Vee

Nor-Tech presents the new 427, a further development of the 3900 Super Vee. More style and features combine to bring you a vee bottom from Nor-Tech with exceptional features. Starting with the helm, here utilizing the same platform from the 4000 Roadster. This gives you the option for steering from either side with controls between the seats. The GPS is mounted in the center, convenient for either position and you can opt for a screen as large as fifteen inch. For those hot days Nor-Tech also installed large fans at waist level to keep you cool. To the starboard side there is an aft facing jump seat with a built in cooler below the cushion. The back rest opens to reveal a large fender storage closet for easy docking needs. The center position of the helm seats provides for a larger cockpit to move around to either side of the boat. A new recessed sun lounge leads to another new feature, the stern trunk. Slide the lock from the large swim platform and a large lid opens to reveal the molded trunk space. Storage for the dive ladder, running light, dock lines, etc is both convenient and stylish. The new larger swim platform extends beyond the drives and props for safe water access. Below decks there is a much larger head compartment with plenty of headroom, flushing toilet, sink and a pull out shower. On the performance side the hull bottom has been refined to deliver a better ride and performance. With twin Mercury 700hp and performance NXT stern drives test results have yielded top speeds in the mid 100mph range.
Technical Data:
LOA - 12.97 m (42.7ft)
Beam - 2.59 m
Draft - 0.76 m
Displacement - 4762 kg
Fuel Capacity - 757 l
Water Capacity - 56 l
Accommodation - 2 berths
Engines - 2 x Mercruiser 700hp Petrol
Propulsion - Mercruiser NXT stern drive
Speed - 87 knots (100mph) max

www.nor-techboats.com

Improve-it = Riviera 41 Flybridge

IPS propulsion has been announced as a new option for the popular Riviera 41 Flybridge, giving with this superior handling, improved engine access, fuel efficiency, and increased accommodation. The Riviera 41 Flybridge with twin IPS600 has a main amidships fuel tank capacity of 1800 litres with an additional 300 litre tank underneath the bunk in the aft cabin. Although about 400 litres less in fuel than the shaft drive 41, fitted with an optional tank, the range is nearly the same and the maximum speed is higher with the IPS drives. The 41 IPS has a cruising range of 340 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 28 knots. Maximum speed for the boat at a half load condition of 16.5 tonnes is 32 knots. The new 41 Flybridge IPS model will feature a new cockpit floor with electronic lift system enabling quick and easy access to the engine room and drive pods. Riviera’s New product development design manager Alan Dowd said the Volvo IPS system had proved popular with Riviera owners in the 4400 Sport Yacht, 43 Offshore Express, 5800 Sport Yacht and 51 Series II. The option of IPS in the Riviera 41 will no doubt be very attractive to many, especially those boat owners looking to move up in size from a Sport Cruiser to a Flybridge boat or people wanting a good mid-sized Sportfish Cruiser to start their boating lifestyle. Concept design manager at Riviera, Neil McCabe said there would be a day access hatch into the engine room and the option of a fish bin in the cockpit floor. The amidships fuel tank provided also benefits, like keeping weight central in the vessel and provided sound insulation between the accommodation area and the engine room. The forward cabin includes a queen size island berth and port side ensuite. To starboard is the second/day head, and the new aft cabin which now sleeps four in a double and two bunk berths. Introduction of large fixed port and starboard windows to the aft cabin provides greater visibility, while two opening portholes offer cross ventilation. The Riviera 41 Flybridge also includes a wrap-around tinted windscreen, low profile hard top, solid surface bench tops, Amtico timber look flooring in the bathrooms and a huge storage space under galley.

www.riviera.com.au

New Model: Nordhavn 68 FPH

With plenty of living room, a long list of comfort and convenience features and the range and size to cross oceans, the Nordhavn 64/68 series has proven a popular trawler size, bridging the gap between the 55 and the larger 76. Built on the same extended hull as the aft pilothouse Nordhavn 68, the new FPH forward pilothouse version retains the same interior layout as the similar looking but smaller 64, but adds four feet of length to the aft cockpit, increasing the outdoor living and playing space to 191 square feet. An additional benefit one that’s always appreciated, is also a larger lazarette. Compared to the Nordhavn 64, the 68 forward pilothouse enjoys the advantage of a slight increase in cruising efficiency because of its longer waterline. Compared with the 68 aft pilothouse sibling, the forward pilothouse version has a slightly larger fuel capacity of plus 99 litres to the original version.

Technical Data:

LOA - 20.73 m (68ft)

Waterline Length - 19.25 m

Beam - 6.20 m

Draft - 2.18 m Displacement - 104.3 t

Fuel Capacity - 11871 l

Water Capacity - 2548 l

Engine - 1 x Detroit Diesel Series60 14L 400hp

Range - 3000 nm at cruise

Construction - solid glass, cored klegcell tops, Isophtalic gelcoat and Vinilester resin

www.nordhavn.com

INBUILD ~ Galeon 340 Fly Part 1 of 4

INBUILD is a new PowerYachtBlog special section showing a boats construction phase from the project rendering we show you here, or presented by the builder in his website and brochures, to the real stuff you see, board and touch during the boat show New Model presentation. Our first Special INBUILD feature is for the Galeon 340 Fly, of which above you can see the hull form as it arrived to the Polish builder Strasyn factory a couple of weeks ago. Galeon informed that the moulding process which takes about a day has been done on hull number one. In a couple of weeks we will show further works related to the 340 Fly showing you a sort of puzzle for this flybridge motor cruiser being completed in a step by step phase.

www.galeon.pl

New Model: Mulder 77 Werner Classic

Shipyard Mulder in the Netherlands has launched Eleonore, a classic motor yacht built for a Dutch client. This custom one off build Mulder 77 Werner Classic is equipped with the very latest technologies and endowed with stunning retro lines from the boards of Theo Werner. Werner is a classic lined round-bilge traditional yacht of over 23 metres constructed of steel. Power is by twin Caterpillar C7 250hp, which give the new Mulder a top speed of 12 and a cruise of 11 knots. Two generators ensure that the various systems can be used at all times. The tender garage aft is accessible via a hydraulic door. The 77 Werner Classic has a large owners stateroom forward and two guest cabins aft, each sleeping two persons. All cabins have their own bathroom with marble floors and the yacht also features a separate day head. The interior is created in premium cherry wood with panels and curved doors. Mulder Shipyard’s own designs have achieved international fame and with the construction of this 77 Werner Classic reinforcing its ability to build top quality one off custom yachts from other independent designers. Other examples include a ‘kotter’ built to a design by Willem de Vries Lentsch. With the ‘Made by Mulder’ label Eleonore serves as another superb addition to the yard’s fleet. She also underlines the fact that clients can come to Mulder with their own designs if these are sufficiently innovative and unique and meet the high quality standards for which the yard is renowned.
Technical Data:
LOA - 23.70 m (77.7ft)
Beam - 5.80 m
Draft - 1.75 m
Accommodation - 6 berths in 3 cabins
Engines - 2 x Cats C7 187hp
Speed - 12 knots max, 11 knots cruise
Design - Theo Werner
Hull Shape - round bilge
Material - steel
Certification - CE A

www.muldershipyard.com

Class 1 - Abu Dhabi U.A.E. Preview

Maximum points from this weekend’s first-ever Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, round five of the UIM-WPPA Class 1 World Powerboat Championship, for Victory 1 or Fazza, would secure a remarkable ninth World title for Dubai’s Victory Team. However, should either hit major problems, they will leave the door slightly ajar for Maritimo and Welmax, their main title challengers, to reduce the gap at the top of the World Championship standings.

Victory Team has won all six races this season: Victory 1 two and Fazza four, but it is Victory 1 who currently leads the title race from Fazza by just four points, with the experienced Jean-Marc Sanchez once again guiding a Class 1 ‘rookie’ to a title in his first season, winning the European Championship in Stresa alongside Mohammad Al Mehairi. But Victory 1 knows it will be a daunting task to stave off the challenge they will face from team-mates and rivals, Fazza, who on their day are the outfit to beat. Fazza lead the Middle East and Edox Pole Position Championships, and will be eager to regain the top spot in the overall Championship standings, which they have held twice this season, as they close in on a possible hat-trick of titles.

Maritimo’s Tom Barry-Cotter and Pal Virik Nilsen will be driven men in Abu Dhabi as they look to continue their march to the top step of the podium, and are still likely to be smarting after seeing their maiden Grand Prix win in Stresa dissolve into second place after being handed a late, post-race long-lap time penalty.

While a win or podium-finish and closing the points-gap to Victory 1 and Fazza is their target, at the same time the young Australian-Norwegian pairing will have to ward off the attentions of two other hard-charging Norwegians, Kolbjorn Selmer and Jorn Tandberg in Welmax, who are enjoying a rich vein of form and gelling as a partnership. Both outfits have traded podium places - three apiece - and race positions this season, with Maritimo currently holding the upper hand, with a three-point advantage in third place.

Outside of the top four but looking to take advantage of any slip-ups, eighteen points separate Foresti & Suardi-Roscioli Hotels, Giorgioffshore, Victory 77 and C.A.M.

Giampaolo Montavoci will run an unchanged line-up in Foresti & Suardi-Roscioli Hotels with fellow Italian, Roberto Lo Piano, taking the wheel for only his second Grand Prix. Currently fifth in the overall Championship standings, Forest & Suardi Roscioli Hotels will make his 90th race start in Abu Dhabi and will be looking to maintain his run of reliability and finishing in the points in every race in 2009 and to defend the position as leading Italian Team and Pilot.

With Kurt Olsen unavailable to race for the remainder of the season, Giorgioffshore throttleman, Nicola Giorgi, will swap one Norwegian driver for another and rekindles his partnership with Christian Zaborowski for the remaining two Grands Prix and four races of 2009. Giorgi and Zaborowski teamed up for the first time in the BMW Norwegian Grand Prix in Arendal earlier this year, posting credible top-six times in practice and qualifying, but were forced to retire from the race on lap 5 whilst running in sixth place. Giorgioffshore target in Abu Dhabi will be to build on an already solid season, which has seen the Italian take one fourth and three fifth-place finishes.

After joining the Championship in Romania, Victory 77 will look to add to their impressive podium and two fourth-place finishes, with Abdullah Al Mehairbi and Mohammed Al Marri knowing that they can play a valuable role and assist their team-mates in securing the title by finishing ahead and taking points away from their nearest rivals.

Spanish Team, Duemme Broker, has confirmed that Ahmad Al Hameli will make his Class 1 debut in Abu Dhabi. Al Hameli, 30, who was born and lives in Abu Dhabi, has competed in wooden powerboat racing, Class 3, 6 Litre, the F2000 President’s Cup and now races for the Abu Dhabi F1 Powerboat Team; he will partner the experienced Italian throttleman, Giovanni Carpitella, in the V8 Mercury-powered C.A.M. Carpitella, who finished fourth in the season opener in Qatar and fifth in both races in the Italian Grand Prix, his only starts this season, will draw on his vast powerboat experience to guide Al Hameli on his debut in front of the U.A.E. national’s home crowd.

First official practice takes place on Thursday afternoon (19 November), with a one-and-a-half hour session on Friday morning for official practice and qualifying in the Edox Pole Position, followed by race 1 in the afternoon, 53.63Nm - 11 laps, including two long laps. A third official practice session on Saturday morning will be followed by race 2 in the afternoon - with the starting line-up determined by the results of race 1 - 72.28Nm, run over 15 laps, including three long laps - with both races counting for full Championship points.

CLASS 1 WORLD POWERBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP - after round 4 of 6

1. 1 Victory - 95pts

2. 3 Fazza - 91pts

3. 11 Maritimo - 55pts

4. 90 Welmax - 52pts

5. 8 Foresti & Suardi-Roscioli Hotels - 41pts

6. 18 Giorgioffshore - 36pts

7. 77 Victory - 34pts

8. 10 C.A.M. - 23pts

9. 96 Qatar - 15pts

10. 12 Maritimo - 12pts

11. 95 Qatar - 4pts

MIDDLE EAST CHAMPIONSHIP - after round 1 of 3

1. 3 Fazza - 20pts

2. 96 Qatar - 15 pts

3. 1 Victory - 12pts

4. 10 C.A.M. - 9pts

5. 18 Giorgioffshore - 7pts

6. 8 Foresti & Suardi-Roscioli Hotels - 5pts

7= 95 Qatar - 0pts

11 Maritimo - 0pts

90 Welmax - 0pts

12 Maritimo - 0pts

77 Victory - 0pts

EDOX POLE POSITION CHAMPIONSHIP - after round 4 of 6

1. 3 Fazza - 64pts

2. 1 Victory - 56pts

3. 95 Qatar - 35pts

4. 90 Welmax - 34pts

5. 11 Maritimo - 28pts

6. 96 Qatar - 24pts

7. 18 Giorgioffshore - 17pts

8. 77 Victory - 14pts

9= 12 Maritimo - 11pts

9= 8 Foresti & Suardi-Roscioli Hotels - 11pts

11. 10 C.A.M. - 9pts

www.class-1.com

New Model: WallyPower 55

WallyPower launches the new 55 completing and filling the range gap between the 47 and the 64 introduced last year. This model introduces the full-open concept: the boat is super sporty and aggressive featuring a huge windscreen that replaces the hard top, and surrounds the entire cockpit area. Propulsion is made of four engines Volvo D6 of 435 Hp each, coupled with the IPS600 to offer great manoeuvrability, and 30% increased performance together with 20% increased range. The yacht runs smoothly at 40 knots with no vibrations, exceptional stability and reduced noise. The cockpit features two comfortable and symmetrical seating and relaxing areas, one on each side, completely sheltered by the windscreen. The entire cockpit can be covered by a bimini or by a hard top as an optional, sheltering the open areas from the sun. The vast aft bathing beach platform has a size of approx ten squared metres offers a terrace on the sea feeling. Another innovation is the immense hydraulic retractable aft passerelle, that serves as boarding platform and swimming ladder depending on the position, like the one of the 118 Wallypower. The passerelle serves also to handle and lift on board a jet ski from the water. Interior the 55 is available in three different versions and features a salon, two or three cabins with en-suites depending on the option, a galley, and a crew cabin with head.

Technical Data:
LOA - 17.40 m (57.1ft)
Beam - 5.40 m
Draft - 1.10 m
Displacement - 24 t
Fuel Capacity - 2600 l
Water Capacity - 400 l
Accommodation - 4, 6 guest berths + 2 crew
Engines - 4 x Volvo IPS600 D6 435hp
Propulsion - Volvo forward looking pods
Speed - 42 knots max
Range - 350 nm at cruise
Design - Stefano Pastrovich, Allseas, Wally

www.wally.com

New Model: Azimut 88

Azimut launched eight new models in the last five months, a parade which started with the 53 in the groups yachting gala in June, and finished with three models: 74 Magellano, 78, and this 88 in October, at Genoa. A further development of the great looker that was the 85, the 88 from the Flybridge range adds full view opening windows in all guest cabins below, and an extended high low bathing platform aft to the previous model it replaces. Thanks to the bathing platform further space for entertainment is available on the flybridge deck, or with the option of a crane davit the possibility to store two large personal water craft. Below it is the same concept with four spacious suites for the owner and his guests. Attention to the owner is the private separate entrance for his full beam mid ship master stateroom, also featuring a walk in wardrobe and a breakfast table standing by the four large vertical opening windows. Crew lobby is aft with sleeping accommodation for three or four members, and a small L-shaped saloon for relaxing time. The last months have been busy business for the Italian builder, which seems does not want to stop challenging the market with rumours following that more is to come with a new S range in around fifty feet plus size, and a smaller Magellano in line to be presented for 2010.
Technical Data:
LOA - 26.80 m (87.9ft)
Hull Length - 23.98 m
Beam - 6.40 m
Draft - 1.80 m
Displacement - 85 t
Fuel Capacity - 9000 l
Water Capacity - 1300 l
Accommodation - 8 guest berths in 4 cabins
Engines - 2 x Cats C32 Acert V12 1325hp
Propulsion - direct in line shaft drive
Speed - 30 knots max, 27 knots cruise
Hull Shape - vee keep with 10.1 degrees deadrise aft
Design - Stefano Righini exterior, Azimut interior
Certification - UNI ISO 8666
www.azimutyachts.com

Project: Lazzara LSX120

US builder Lazzara continue to upgrade its product portfolio with the introduction of what will be its biggest build to date, the project of its LSX120. Presented on what is becoming a trend from US companies on its own blog. The LSX120 continue the evolutionary design started with the LSX75 in 2006, and followed by the LSX92 as a year ago, that is a sport yacht powered with three or more pod drives, which allow more spaces and ultra modern transforming concepts within. The LSX120 offers transforming places in the bathing platform which becomes a beach lounge aft, and the starboard opening balcony to water located in the owners suite. As the LSX92 the 120 will also have a sport bridge without disturbing the sleek lines. Its lower deck offers five guest cabins, with a full beam owners cabin which you can call an apartment cause of its size, and two identical in size VIP suites. Crew area is located aft with a lobby which has an L-shaped saloon, a galley, and three cabins complete with head which sleep from four to six members. Entertainment lounging for the guests is on three decks including the flybridge, and in six separate areas: aft deck, flybridge, fore deck, bathing platform for the exterior, and main saloon, and lower saloon for the interior. Propulsion on the LSX120 continues the US builder use of pods now propelling five out of seven Lazzara Yachts, with the new flagship being the first to use ZF latest large 4000 series drives handling engines up to 1200hp, here in a triple set up. Success is big for the sporty LSX series since its introduction in 2006, and this trend seems to continue as last August someone put his signature on the dots for the 120. A big injection of trust to the innovative US builder that is Lazzara, when a buyer purchases a production Super Sport Yacht in its initial project stage.

www.lazzarayachts.com