New Model: Vicem 54 Bahama Bay

Vicem present a new range with the 54 Bahama Bay which unites Traditional Down East Yacht styling with latest Volvo IPS pod drive engines. Designed by Vicem's own design team with Volvo engineers who have worked closely together to produce a unique and seamless marriage of both form and function which allows safe and predictable manoeuvring, whether at harbour maneuvering speed or 30 knots. IPS revolutionary joystick controls, combined with a full height side helm door, which allows better visibility also makes docking easy. The interior design is remarkable with the use of IPS space saving providing a three cabin layout, with a full beam owners mid-ship stateroom. The owners room also features a king size walk around bed, and still leaving ample room for an en-suite head and separate shower. The other guest cabins are a VIP suite to fore, and a guest double bunk. The living of the 54 Bahama Bay is on the main deck, with an L-shaped sofa, and an opposite galley. Constructed to a mahogany cold molding epoxy built construction the Vicem 54 Bahama Bay unites tradition and modernity not only in propulsion but also in building method. Power is from twin Volvo 700hp with IPS pod propulsion which give a 30 knots max, and a 25 knots cruise.
Technical Data:
LOA - 18.15 m (59.6ft)
Hull Length - 16.63 m
Waterline Length - 15.54 m
Beam - 5.06 m
Draft - 1.30 m
Displacement - 27.5 t dry
Fuel Capacity - 2400 l
Water Capacity - 995 l
Accommodation - 6 berths in 3 cabins
Max Persons - 12
Engines - 2 x Volvo IPS900 700hp
Propulsion - Volvo IPS pods with forward looking dual propeller pods
Speed - 30 knots max, 25 knots cruise
Range - 270 nm at cruise
Hull Shape - hard chine Vee planning
Construction - cold molded mahogany with West System Epoxy
Project - Vicem Yacht Design Team
Certification - CE RINA
www.vicemyachts.com

Project: Azimut 48 Flybridge

A surprise presentation that of the new Azimut 48 project which is based on the Righini exterior, and Galeazzi interior designed five years produced 47. The changes which the 48 will have will be that of new windows for the the two midship located guest cabins, and an extended longer bathing platform aft with up and down hydraulic movement. Not that the 47 bathing platform was small but this last allows bigger tender stowage, and easier launching and recovery. The windows as this computer edited image of a 47 shows take also the latest Azimut style of its models with three verticals replacing the previous single peace. The norm for other Azimut models with these style windows is also for one of them usually the central to open. For the rest those 47 owners should not act so fast for a change, that is unless you want to stow a bigger tender, as the 48 keeps all the layout of the 47. Surprisingly without having a midship stateroom the 2005 launched 47 has one of the best layouts in this size, thanks to a clever three cabin lower accommodation plan, spacious galley below, and main deck with dining table. But then again being the innovative Azimut which has a usual history of leading in design, it was expected to give something more in this new 48, even tough based on a successful produced model.
www.azimutyachts.com

Powerboat GPS - Como Grand Prix

Although the World title of the Powerboat GPS series finished in Siracusa a couple weeks ago, for this year we also decided to follow the ending of the European and Italian championship which was to be made in Como. Apart this race, all the other Grand Prix where held together with the World Championship, so being at it why not give you the result for the European and Italian titles too. This years European and Italian titles closing was to be decided in Como's legendary Centomiglia del Lario; One-Hundred Miles of Lario race which has formed heroes in Power boating many times in its history. This years World and European Champions 60 Metamarine driver Pennesi won it a couple years ago, and in the past we had heroes at the time and boat builders today as Abbate and Molinari take this legendary race. This years sixtieth edition had a total of 21 competitors in the various categories, ten of which come from the famed top Classes of Evolution only three competitors here, and Supersport with a good seven boats running. The race was held in the last September weekend on Saturday 25th, and Sunday 26.

Evolution

Only three competitors in this class but it was double glory for 88 SNAV Kiton. With this OSG racing team won the last two races of the Evolution class season, and take an Italian title. Double second for 66 Cranefields who continue to show the improved pace they showed in this last part of the season. 55 Ukrainian Spirit and the new for 2010 43 feet Chaudron did not finish race one, and ended race two in a last third place out of three competitors in this class. 60 Metamarine Foresti&Sguardi took the European title in advance in Siracusa, and did not need to participate in this race, which was a bit disappointing for the fans.

Supersport

In this category we had a total of seven competitors all challenging for the Italian Championship and four for the European title. A double victory was made by the Fountain of 81 Karelpiu which made this one of the best ever rookie season for the Naples based RG87 Racing Team. This double win, which makes a total of four top spots for 81 Karelpiu declared this Naples team as Italian and European 2010 champions. Second overall in the Como Grand Prix but taking two third places for the improving also rookie Ukrainian team but experienced 2009 World Champion boat of 43 Seagull Chaudron. A third for 38 Baia Attolini which take a second place on Saturday, and a sixth on Sunday. This result make them loose the chance of a European title and a double by just three points. Retirement on race one, and a second place on day two for the fast SV40 Outerlimits 22 Big Sergio of Team Al&Al. Fifth overall for the stern drive powered Donzi of 59 Chrisden. A sixth place for the double 2007 and 2008 World Champion Chaudron 41 feet of Racing project, who takes two fifth places. Last place for this nice looking but still very under performing diesel Zeta Elle boat of Di Cesare Riscaldamenti who takes a best sixth on Saturday, and a last seventh on Sunday.

www.uimpowerboating.com

Improve-it = Lazzara LSX78

The latest launch at Lazzara was an LSX78 painted in platinum color which featured some important improvements on this model which made its debut just about a year ago in October 2009. As you might know the 78 is the natural evolution of the 2006 launched 75. These latest additions showed the improvements which will be visible on the 2011 model years and will include; a foredeck seating arrangement with two cocktail tables, increased size of the aft deck, and a transom beach similar to that of the bigger LSX92. The improved forward seating area will maintain a forward sunpad but in addition to that gains an expansive seating group. For the aft deck the seating moves aft to accommodate a U-shaped seating group while still maintaining a sunpad. This also increases the aft deck in overall size giving you more room for entertainment too. In addition you will notice a beautifully crafted polished stainless steel and teak stairway going up to the flybridge. Lastly the transom beach feature Lazzara yachts made popular with the 92, is now available on the LSX78. This feature allows you to launch the tender and then convert the transom space into a great gathering and entertaining area. In addition the LSX78 also benefited from an increase in tender storage capacity to now include a larger private water craft of up twelve feet and a half or 3.80 metres in length.
www.lazzarayachts.com

Class 1 - Italy Grand Prix

Race 1

Welmax post-race celebrations after their flag-to-finish win in race 1 of the Italian Grand Prix, ahead of Fazza and Primatist-GSG Ceramic Design, were sensationally cut short after being disqualified from the race and this morning’s Edox Pole Position, after the boat failed a post-race scrutinising inspection for an infringement relating to restrictive, blow off valve and air box specifications.

The result hands the win to the defending World Champions, Arif Al Zafeen and Nadir Bin Hendi, extending their lead in the World Championship standings, but crucially putting them into first place in the European Championship points table, one point ahead of Negotiator who finished fifth, with the final race tomorrow.

Guido Cappellini and Marcello Menegatto who improved on their performance in qualifying during the race, jumping Team Abu Dhabi on lap seven, to move from fourth up to third place and pushing Fazza all the way to the finish, to give Cappellini his third podium of the year and Menegatto a first, are elevated to second place.

After a strong start and running in third place for six laps, Team Abu Dhabi hopes of a podium finish on the American’s return to Class 1 began to fade, being passed first by Primatist on lap seven and then two laps later by Skydive Dubai, who are elevated to third place.

ITALIAN GRAND PRIX, RACE 1 - results

1. Welmax - K Selmer (NOR) / J Tandberg (NOR) DQ

2. Fazza - A Al Zafeen (UAE) / N Bin Hendi (UAE) + 00.23,38

3. Primatist - GSG Ceramic Design - G Cappellini (ITA) / M Menegatto (CHE) + 00.27,46

4. Skydive Dubai - A Al Mehairbi (UAE) / T Al Sayed (UAE) + 00.42,92

5. Team Abu Dhabi - R Al Tayer (UAE) / J Tomlinson (USA) + 00.52,10

6. Negotiator - C Parsonage (ENG) / G Carpitella (ITA) + 01.56,61

7. Relekta - P Gaiser (BRA) / C Zaborowski (NOR) + 1 lap

8. Giorgioffshore - T Polli (ITA) / N Giorgi (ITA) + 2 laps

Race 2

Fazza's Arif Al Zafeen and Nadir Bin Hendi produced a champions' drive to win race 2 of the Italian Grand Prix to become the 2010 UIM Class 1 European Champions, with Primatist-GSG Ceramic Design finishing second ahead of Skydive Dubai. It was a clinical performance by the World Champions who mastered the difficult conditions and poor visibility, to complete a flag to finish 18th career win for Al Zafeen and Bin Hendi, and secure an eighth European crown for the Victory Team, completing the 16 lap 64.60Nm course in 39mins 31.20secs at an average speed of 180.25kmh/112.03mph.

But it was the titanic three-way fight for the final podium places between Primatist-GSG Ceramic Design, Skydive Dubai and Welmax, running line-astern and separated by just seconds for over half the race distance, that produced a nail biting and dramatic finish-line incident at the end of the race. After moving up into second place on lap 8, Primatist-GSG Ceramic Design held off a sustained challenge from Skydive Dubai, themselves under severe pressure from a hard charging Welmax, who had moved from eighth on the start line to fourth place. On the penultimate lap, Welmax moved into third place and closed in on Primatist-GSG Ceramic Design when, with the finish line in sight, the Norwegian outfit suddenly slowed, veering off the course with Skydive Dubai crossing the line third place. Both Relekta and Giorgiofshore overcame the conditions to earn valuable points, finishing in fifth and sixth places. There was disappointment for Negotiator stopping on lap thirteen, but classified seventh picking up four points to secure second place in the European Championship for Giovanni Carpitella and Chris Parsonage, and frustration for Rashed Al Tayer and John Tomlinson, whose race ended on lap 9 after running in second place in Team Abu Dhabi.
ITALIAN GRAND PRIX, RACE 2 - results
1. Fazza - A Al Zafeen (UAE) / N Bin Hendi (UAE) 00.39.31,29

2. Primatist - GSG Ceramic Design - G Cappellini (ITA) / M Menegatto (CHE) + 00.15,28

3. Skydive Dubai - A Al Mehairbi (UAE) / T Al Sayed (UAE) + 00.17,52

4. Welmax - K Selmer (NOR) / J Tandberg (NOR) + 00.18,83

5. Relekta - P Gaiser (BRA) / C Zaborowski (NOR) + 1 lap

6. Giorgioffshore - T Polli (ITA) / N Giorgi (ITA) + 3 laps

7. Negotiator - C Parsonage (ENG) / G Carpitella (ITA) + 4 laps

8. Team Abu Dhabi - R Al Tayer (UAE) / J Tomlinson (USA) dnf
UIM CLASS 1 WORLD POWERBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP - after race 8 of 12

1. Fazza - 143pts

2. Skydive Dubai - 110pts

3. Negotiator - 82pts

4. Primatist - GSG Ceramic Design - 72pts

5. Welmax - 41pts

6. Giorgioffshore - 24pts

7. Relekta 20pts

8. Foresti & Suardi - SCAM - 11pts

9. Welmax Alianza - 10pts

10. Team Abu Dhabi - 9pts
EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP - after race 6 of 6

1. Fazza - 95pts

2. Negotiator - 78pts

3. Skydive Dubai - 72pts

4. Primatist - GSG Ceramic Design - 51pts

5. Welmax - 29pts

6. Relekta - 18pts

7. Team Abu Dhabi - 9pts

8. Giorgioffshore - 8pts

www.class-1.com

Project: Ferretti Custom Line 100

Ferretti Custom Line presents the project for a new 100 model set to launch in the middle of 2011. The 100 will flank the other planning models of the Custom Line range the 97, 112 Next, and the recently launched 124. Designed as tradition for all Ferretti models in the last two decades by Zuccon, with the help of Ferretti's Advanced Yacht Technology and Centro Stile departments the 100 project features some important novelties for the Custom Line range as a wide body fore area, and optional patio door to starboard side with opening balcony. For this project apart adding new features to the two deck and a half Custom Line 100 Zuccon also choose to present more clean younger lines versus the other models of the range. Huge glazed surfaces abound too, not only in the lower deck for the four guest cabins, but mostly in the main deck, creating unique ambiance of natural light. Another huge glassed area will be the wide body fore peak bow of the main deck, here taking light to the privileged owners stateroom located in this setting. Power for this five double guest cabin two deck and a half super yacht will be from twin MTU 2639hp engines which Ferretti estimates a top speed of 26 knots.
www.customline-yacht.com

New Model: Majesty 125

United Arab Emirates Majesty Yachts, which is part of the Gulf Craft Group has recently launched its new triple deck 125 flagship. This new big 125 Majesty adds the biggest offer by four feet, superseding the 121 model. After successful completion of sea trials and commissioning, the new model made its global debut at the Cannes Show in September, which will be followed with a participation in the main Mediterranean shows. The interior layout features a five state-rooms with fully marbled en-suites, accommodating ten guests. Crew accommodation is for seven persons. The yacht is equipped with zero-speed fin stabilizers, two Northern Lights generators, hydraulically operated garage housing a dingy and two jet skis, integrated alarm and control systems, power management system, and bespoke central audio-visual and ambiance management system. Power is from twin MTU 2400hp which give a top speed of 23 knots, and a range of 2000 nautical miles at 12 knots. Building on the successful launch of the first hull, Majesty has started production on the hull number two of the 125 which will be launched in 2011.
Technical Data:

LOA - 38.40 m (125ft)

Waterline Length - 32.56 m

Beam - 7.55 m

Draft - 2.00 m

Displacement - 205 t

Fuel Capacity - 28750 l

Water Capacity - 5678 l

Accommodation - 10 guest berths, 7 crew berths

Engines - 2 x MTU 16v2000 M93 2400hp

Propulsion - line shaft

Speed - 23 knots max, 12 knots cruise

Range - 2000 nm at 12 knots

Construction - FRP

www.majesty-yachts.com

Project: Horizon 80 AquaCat

Taiwan boat builder Horizon continues to present new range and style of boats which go out of the usual thinking like that of its successful Mediterranean looking Elegance series. This time is turn for a Power Catamaran with the 80 AquaCat which knocks a mini Super Yacht size, thanks to its overall length of eighty one feet. As expected the 80 AquaCat benefits of the usual catamaran advantages of better stability, and less water resistance especially at medium speeds. This last equals to better fuel economy. Horizon also says minimum draft but there data state 1.50 metres which seems a standard and similar to a planning mono hull of this size. Accommodation for this two deck and a half will be for three guest cabins with owners stateroom on the main deck, and two identical VIP suites on the lower deck. Two other twin bunk cabins what look to be for the crew or kids on plan are located to fore peak of the hulls. The two deck and a half 80 AquaCat was designed by Australian architect Mark Ellis who has quite a resume of power catamarans to his name and here presents a twin bulbous hull shape.
www.horizonyacht.com

New Model: Sunseeker 48 Portofino

Sharing an identical beam, and waterline lenght it is clear that the Sunseeker 48 Portofino is a derivation of the three years produced 47 model it replaces. This new Sunseeker hard top sport cruiser is also the first model from the Poole based British boat builder to be fully dedicated for Volvo IPS pods drives. I remind that the 47 had a choice of having shaft drive or Volvo pods. Would be interesting to know which sold the most of the two. This has given its benefits with the 48 Portofino having the much desired full beam owners stateroom with large side view windows. The guest cabin now moves to fore, and a clever scissor movement can also make this en-suited VIP develop into two single berths. The 48 Portofino has also an option to what regards its exterior main deck which also increases length by a foot in the optional version. The standard is a sun pad with garage underneath layout. But an optional replacement is a small sun lounger aft in replacement to the pad, high low bathing platform, and a longer C-shaped settee. This last main deck option increases overall length to over 52 feet. Power for the 48 Portofino is twin Volvo 435hp with IPS pod drives which gives a max speed of 32 knots.
Technical Data:
LOA - 16.09 m (52.7ft) lifting platform and pulpit included
LOA - 15.66 m (51.4ft) fixed platform with garage version
Waterline Length - 11.20 m
Beam - 4.30 m
Draft - 1.17 m
Displacement - 16566 kg full load
Fuel Capacity - 1320 l
Water Capacity - 328 l
Accommodation - 4 berths in 2 cabins
Engines - 2 x Volvo IPS600 D6 435hp
Propulsion - Volvo forward looking dual propeller pods
Speed - 32 knots max, 28 knots cruise
Construction - hand laid vinilester resin skin with powder pound mat, balsa cored top side
Project - Sunseeker Design
Certification - CE B
www.sunseeker.com

Two Schools

The recent closure and financial difficulties of the British boat company Broom, has got me thinking a lot how today's fleet of boats for a big majority just represent two schools of design. If you go to the boat shows in this period, being it Southampton, Cannes or the coming Genoa etc, you see for most part of ninety-per-cent plus a line of boats which are the modern Italian looks, or its other opposite of classic American flare, with really very little in between.

Yes some might say but British still has other big four builders who hold the flag for production boat building, and what was a maritime power back then in the twentieth century. While the remaining four British brands are very strong indeed with a good global presence in every market that matters, it is fair to say that their looks are just Italian. Just to mention some of the details, do you really need an extended flybridge to cover the cockpit in the UK, when seeing the sun in August is a bit of a miracle. Do the sport cruisers need a large sun lounger aft, when the big light hardly appears in the Solent, or any part of Britain in Summer.

In the last part of the previous decade in 1997 to 98 one of the big three builders i.e. Fairline made a return to a pure British cruiser, with the 43 Phantom Aft Cabin, which had to follow on the eighties success of the 36 Turbo. Surprisingly the boat was a real failure and rumours had it sold just ten units, and created quite a big hole in the accounts of Fairline. My questions about this failure of the 43 Phantom Aft Cabin still abound today. Was it actually a failure or was Fairline punished for abandoning this style of boats for over a decade, that clients looking for this kind of boat actually forgot it existed. If you ask a similar sized Broom buyer of the period he will just tell you a crazy price.

I am sad about Broom closure and I hope the management keeps its promises of restarting production in the end of the year, or early 2011. If they do not I hope someone buys those very worthy molds and restores this name of over fifty years of British boat building history. Yes Broom had some faults, but I think there product was still a very valid one on design, and with a little tweaking in some places they could still handle the new millennium pressure. They can look at Pearl for inspiration who are a British looking aft cruiser and yacht but with modern ideas and concepts going into them which sets the course into today's clients acceptance. Sadly Pearl's new 75 flagship escapes the British route, and looks again to Italy for inspiration. Could they not follow something along the Zuccon designed Ferretti Altura, which funnily comes from Italy but is very British inspired.