October 6, 2011

Project: Fleming 58

Fleming Yachts is pleased to announce the addition of a 58 project, to its line of 55, 65 and 78 foot models. Construction will begin this fall with the first boat scheduled  to complete in late 2012. Ordered with a number of interior arrangements including one with a full beam midships owner’s stateroom, the Fleming 58 provides an ideal intermediate size between the existing 55 and 65.  So far Fleming shows two interior plans for the 58 both of which three cabins, and two shower heads but option B features a more spacious full beam owners stateroom, with a beauty desk, and relaxing sofa. Compared to her smaller sister the 58 features increased headroom in the engine room, an extended waterline length and a more spacious interior due to her increased beam. The pilothouse has room for twin Stidd helm chairs. The cockpit is capacious, and the expanded flybridge will accept a larger tender, BBQ, and additional fridge/freezer space.  The 58 employs much of the same technology used in the Fleming 65 including the Boning ship monitoring system with two 15” color touchscreens, Hypro fly-by-wire precision power steering, and Sea Torque’s enclosed shaft system.  Power to her tank tested semi displacement hull will be from standard Cummins 500hp or optional MAN 800hp. 

October 5, 2011

Powerboat OGP - 2011 Championship Cancelled

Event organiser of the Ocean Grand Prix series International Sea Racing Limited, has announced that the remaining rounds of the 2011 UIM Ocean Grand Prix Powerboat World Endurance Championship will be cancelled.  Joseph Azzopardi, Event Director, Ocean Grand Prix explained that this was a very hard decision to take. He said that the key issues where venues who did not meet the obligations in terms of permissions and in some cases finances.  Another issue which in PowerYachts opinion was also very much present is also the lack of competitors with seven boats taking part in both the classes; three in the production Supersport, and four in the Evolution.  PowerYachtBlog sincerely hopes for better luck to the highly potential Powerboat Endurance Championship in 2012, who ever is the organizer.

New Model: Wayachts 40 Wake

After launching its third model last year with the 66, Wayachts presents its new 40 Wake.  The new small Wayachts is to be the entry level of the range before the Naples boat builder sets work on a new large Super Sport Yacht 86 feet flagship. With the 40 Wake, Wayachts continues the philosophy of a large modern looking walk around sport boat, but at the same time offering a lot of cruiser commodities in a comfortable two cabins interior layout usable for a cruise.  Hull one pictured above featured also a hard top.  Unlike the first of the the range the 46 which featured single level side decks, the Wake 40 walk around forward part gets up by two steps in order to arrive to the bow sun worshippers area, made to make better use of interior space. Considering the outside spaces, inside is a rather spacious layout with a forward owners room with island double berth, C-shaped saloon, galley, second guest cabin with two single berths, and a shower head.  Power is from twin Volvo standard 300hp or optional 370, with propulsion being in both cases trusted to IPS forward looking pods.
Technical Data:
LOA - 12.50 m (41.1ft)
Waterline Length - 9.90 m
Beam - 4.20 m
Draft - 1.00 m
Displacement - 8.10 t dry, 11.5 t loaded
Fuel Capacity - 800 l
Water Capacity - 300 l
Accommodation - 4 + 2 berths
Max Persons - 14
Engines - 2 x Volvo D4 300hp, D6 370hp
Propulsion - IPS 400 or 500 forward looking dual propeller pods
Speed - 31 knots max 28 cruise with Volvo 300hp, 34 knots max 30 cruise with Volvo 370hp
Range - 200 nm at cruise speed
Hull Type - Vee shape variable angle keel with 2 longitudinal spray rails
Construction - vinylester resin, multi-directional glass fibre; PVC closed cell core for deck and bulkheads
Certification - RINA CE

October 4, 2011

Project: Clipper 65 Cordova

Clipper has announced a new flagship for its expanding fleet the 65 Cordova, a three cabin luxury explorer yacht designed to carry owners and guests on long voyages in style.  The 65 Cordova while spacious inside features a well though exterior with a cockpit shaded by the flybridge overhang, wide covered walk around side decks, and options of a hard top or fully enclosed flybridge.  Other important options are that of a day head located to aft by the cockpit.  The saloon features a long U-shape leather lounge with opposite twin tub chairs around an entertainment unit to port. A door in the aft port corner of the saloon conceals an internal staircase to the massive engine room.  Forward, the galley is two steps up from the saloon and fully equipped with Miele appliances including convection microwave oven, four-burner cook top and drawer dishwasher as well as a large double-door refrigerator with freezer compartment. Forward of the galley is the pilothouse equipped with an L-shape lounge and table on the port side, a central helm position and staircase to the accommodation suite to starboard.  Stairs in the cockpit lead to the extended flybridge and a second internal staircase opposite the galley provides a heavy-weather option to this upper level as well as an avenue for warm drinks delivery to the skipper and guests. The accommodation suite forward includes three cabins and two bathrooms. The master stateroom amidships is bathed in natural light and features a queen double bed with large wardrobes and a vanity to starboard. An elegant bathroom with long granite bench top, electric toilet and separate shower stall is set along the entire port side of this space.  Forward of the master stateroom on the port side is a twin cabin with hanging locker. The second stateroom is forward with queen double walk-around bed, hanging lockers on either side and storage cabinets beside the bed. A second head, shared by the guest cabins is on the starboard side. An optional crew quarters is available aft, with access from the swim platform via a water-tight door in the transom.  This features a double bed and enclosed wet head.  The Clipper 65 Cordova is powered by Cats 700hp or optional Cummins 715hp which give a cruise speed in between the 8 to 18 knots to the semi displacement hull.

Engine: MTU 16V 2000 M94 2599hp

Tognum presented a new  MTU Series 2000 marine engine at the Cannes boat show.  The Series 2000 M94 marine engine boasts the highest performance values in its class and an improved power-to-weight ratio. An increase of up to 8 percent in power output has been achieved over the previous model. The 16-cylinder version,  has a power of 2599hp or 1,940 kW range at 2,450 rpm.  With respect to fuel consumption at cruising speed and generation of higher charge pressures at lower rpms, turbocharger performance has been enhanced, key to shortening acceleration time on seagoing vessels. On top of that, the unit meets all emissions standards applying to marine engines worldwide and comes automatically equipped with a SOLAS (Safety of Life At Sea) certificate. To ensure that the surface temperature of the engine never exceeds 220°C, the M94 also features double-walled fuel lines and triple-walled, water-cooled turbocharger and exhaust gas lines. That helps keep the temperature in the engine room relatively low, which in turn enhances comfort and safety. The M94 is also an exceptionally quiet engine, boasting extremely low sound pressure levels when idle or at low speeds.  The 2000 M94 is also to be available in 8, 10, and 12 cylinders versions with horsepower output starting from 1246hp.

New Model: Riva 75 Venere Super

Riva present the new 75 Venere Super.  The heir to the successful 75 Venere which adds a bigger, may be a bit too big view windows to center ship, hard top, and additional changes inside.  The first model of this new series featured a distinctive luxury evoking bronze color.  The change inside represent the removal of the internal staircase from the saloon to the flybridge, which increase the space of the sun pad on top, and the galley below.  The now larger view window also servers the guest cabins.  The galley has also been improved with an opening partition to the dining area, in order to make serving of food easier.  The interior lower deck plan should remain the same with a standard four cabins all with en-suite plan, plus two or three cabin plan.  Alternatively a layout of three cabins this adding space to the owners head, and an utility or office room is available. Power is from standard twin MTU 1524hp, to optional 1623hp, this last giving a top speed of 32 knots and a cruise of 29 knots.
Technical Data:
LOA - 23 m (75ft)
Hull Length - 22.7 m
Waterline Length - 19.10 m
Beam - 5.72 m
Draft - 1.86 m loaded
Displacement - 50.9 t unloaded, 58.2 t loaded
Fuel Capacity - 5500 l
Water Capacity - 1000 l
Accommodation - 8 guest berths in 4 cabins, 2/3 berths for crew
Max Persons - 16
Engines - 2 x MTU 10v2000 M93 1524hp, MTU 10v2000 M94 1623hp
Propulsion - line shafts
Speed - 31 knots max 28 cruse with 1524hp, 32 knots max 29 cruise with 1623hp
Range - 330 nm
Hull Type - 12 degrees deadrise aft modified Vee monohedron hull with spray rails
Project- Mauro de Micheli Officina Italiana, Ferretti AYT and CentroStile
Certification - CE 2003/44 A,  modules B + F + Aa sound emissions RINA Spa 

October 3, 2011

Project: Sessa 27 Key Largo Inboard

Sessa presents the project for a 27 Key Largo Inboard, which follows the foot steps of the 34 model.  Designed as all the Sessa's by Christian Grand the Key Largo is a modern looking walk around which offers decent cabin space inside for an overnight stay of two.  The cabin also features a separate shower head.  Outside is a full space for entertaining from the forward sun lounger, to the center helm with wet bar and small galley located behind, and L-shaped dinette.  The stern is the real change from the Inboard to the standard version and this features a sun pad, which extends by taking space from the L-shaped settee, and a medium sized bathing platform.  Power for the 27 Key Largo Inboard is a single Volvo engine in 300hp gas petrol, or 230 in diesel choice.

New Model: Galeon 420 Fly

After launching its most important model in Summer with the flagship 780 Crystal, Galeon continues to push the envelope of design and comfort in its medium sized offer and presents the new 420 Fly.  This model is again a work of the Galeon technical team and British designer Tony Castro, since 2004 the architect of the Polish Strazyn builder.  The 420 Fly should replace the long standing and successful 390 Fly offering modern lines, large view windows in all areas, and a three cabins lower deck.  Speaking frankly this is very hard to find in this size, more so if you consider that the three cabins of the 420 Fly are no bunks.  The three cabins are found because the 420 Fly living and galley area are all but located on the main deck in a split level saloon.  The well sized C-shaped galley is located in the raised fore part of the interior, side to the helm station to starboard.  The flybridge is also spacious offering an L-shaped settee, hob with washbasin, and two sets of settees looking forward which seat a total of four persons including the helm.  Again space is the theme for the aft deck, with easy access to the side walks, and the bathing platform.  The platform can also be ordered with an extension of over one meter in order to carry a larger tender, and having more bathing space.  Seven engine choices power the Galeon 420 Fly which start at 260 up to 400hp from Volvo, Cummins, and Volkswagen, with also a varied type of propulsion being on offer from the more economic to run stern drive, reliable maintenance free shafts, and IPS pods. 
Technical Data:
LOA - 13.25 m (43.4ft) with optional extended bathing platform
LOA - 12.20 m without ext bathing platform
Hull Length - 11.79 m
Beam - 4.16 m
Draft - 0.80 m ex props
Displacement - 12000 kg light
Fuel Capacity - 2 x 600 l
Water Capacity - 450 l
Accommodation - 6 berths in 3 cabins, 4 berths in 2 cabins
Max Persons - 12
Engines - 2 x Volvo D4 260hp, D4 300hp, D6 370hp, D6 400hp, Cummins QSD 4.2 350hp, QSB5.9 380hp, Volkswagen TDI 265hp
Propulsion - line shaft, Volvo forward looking IPS 500 pods, Volvo DPH Stern drive, Cummins
Speed - 31 knots with Cummins 380hp and shafts
Project - Tony Castro
Certification - CE B

October 2, 2011

Project: Overmarine Mangusta 130

Overmarine Group presents the project for a soon to launch new Mangusta 130 that, in this case, will replace the previous model. As the smaller and bigger sisters the new Mangusta 130 is designed by Stefano Righini.  Long time collaborator of this famous Italian status symbol big open super sport yacht builder founded in 1985.  The new Mangusta 130 main difference to the previous model is the adding of a sports flybridge that will offer an additional social area without influencing the aggressive exterior lines that characterize this model.  This change also presents a difference to the super structure and the radar arch.  Additional changes are also coming from the view windows with the new model having four extra vertical port holes on each side. In the past Overmarine build a Mangusta 130 S, launched in only one unit which featured a large spacious flybridge but did not look as sleek as the standard model.  This new second in size large Mangusta basically joins the concepts of both the 130's without loosing the sleek sports profile of the lines. 

October 1, 2011

End of Summer

Sadly, the end of Summer 2011 has arrived.  Definitely a negative period for many boaters especially if memories of a nice season are abound in your camera, films, and most importantly in your soul.  But the end of Summer always bring with interest to us European and North American boaters the boat show season.  We start with what is the glamours Cannes show, followed by the Super yacht cat walk at Monaco, with Southampton in the South Coast of Britain making its way in between, continuing to Genoa, and ending in Fort Lauderdale, and Barcelona come mid Autumn Season.
Apart these famous World class shows, where most known famous brands usually launch the new models, there is also a couple dozens of more local or specialized shows all over Europe, and the States which always want to bring the interest to an upgrade to what one currently owns.
It is interesting to see the market response from the builders to the economy slow down in the last years with more caution in new releases and also upgrading and improving current successful models to more client demands.  Model changes have also come slower since 2009, but those who could read the market better are obviously showing higher enthusiasm at the shows.  
Some builders have shown a positive trend in recent months at Cannes; with both Ferretti Group and Absolute stating a successful 2011 and cautious important challenges coming ahead.  Hopefully some other builders will follow, but a key to survival I think in the current market situation is also a caution approach in investments, and new model releases and may be that is why the two above had better results.