August 12, 2019

Classic Giorgi on Fire in Ancona

It was to be the first outing of the season, for this classic ten meter Giorgi flybridge cruiser titled m/y Maestrale with Italian Pesaro registration and owned for twenty years by the same ownership.  As Maestrale left the harbour of Marina Dorica in Ancona on twelfth August around noon direction South to Portonovo the alarm started to ring.  The owner took everything off, and tried to turn the fire off as m/y Maestrale with help from a breezy wind went full ablaze in a couple minutes, and was turned off around 1400 hours.  The passengers of five suffered nothing apart a shock, also thanks to a nearby boat which assisted and boarded the Maestrale passengers to safety.  The fire has been reported to have started in the engine room, with the owner asking a question that it might have been an engine component.  This fire seems to have also started a call from the fire fighting squad in Ancona who said they need better equipment for these type of accidents, especially to what regards water craft able to fire fight in open sea. 
This Giorgi is the X10 S model, a flybridge motor cruiser produced in Italy from 1979 till the mid late eighties. 37 units have been build with hull one the prototype as was usual at the time in Italy being all of wood, and then eventually moving to a fiberglass hull and wood super structure, and then to a complete fiberglass build.  The Giorgi X10 S has a cult following in South Italy, thanks to its deep-V seaworthy hull and strong solid fiberglass construction.  The late versions where powered by Iveco's or Cummins 270hp.  The boat was designed by Italian firm Yankee Delta of Massimo Gregori and Fulvio de Simoni.  

August 11, 2019

Riva lost to fire in Porto Cervo

A 21 meter Riva motor yacht was lost to fire in front of Porto Cervo on the evening of eleventh August, fortunately with no consequences to the eight passengers on-board.  The Riva Dolce Vita and the eight persons aboard; husband and wife, five kids and the yacht captain where having a day of relax in a bay located in close proximity to the famous Porto Cervo yacht marina.  The fire was noted when re-entry to harbor was being prepared and the main engines did not start.  A check in the engine room resulted in a fire already ablaze.  The eight passengers where saved by a nearby super yacht of thirty meters.  The fire could still be seen in the late evening around all the Orange Gulf area, that is until 2100 hours when the motor yacht then sank in fifty meters of deep sea water.
This Riva is a 21 Dolce Vita model, produced from 1997 till 2004, and comes from a design of Mauro Micheli of Officina Italiana design.  Over twenty units have been build of this motor yacht which usually stands out from other similar sized motor yachts, not only for it's Riva pedigree but for its sporty low profile flybridge.

Project: Dynamiq GTT 135

Dynamiq present the project for a the GTT 135, the second-generation model in it's range of fast sport yachts that was introduced with 39m Jetsetter in 2017. Built on an efficient and comfortable, round-bilge platform, the all-aluminium yacht can reach a top speed of 21 knots with a transatlantic range of 3000 nautical miles at 12 knots with a pair of 1650hp Man. The new GTT 135 is half a meter wider and more than a meter longer than the previous model, but has retained a shallow draft of under two meters, which is ideal for cruising the Caribbean, Mediterranean or Asian islands. With the largest sundeck in her class, exceptional ceiling heights and five voluminous cabin, along with engineering and hydrodynamic design by Dutch naval architects Van Ossanen, and exterior by Dobroserdov the new GTT 135 is the perfect realization of super yacht quality and comfort in a relatively compact package. 

August 10, 2019

Super Yacht Crashes into Wharf

On the Saturday evening of ten August, super yacht Moatize smashed into Cairns Marina, in Queensland, Australia while attempting to moor.  The super yacht crashed into the trawler converted floating restaurant Prawn Star Cairns, which at the time was at the full sixty person capacity.  No one of the persons got injured, but some small boats to port side of Moatize did suffer an early demise. The captain of Moatize later reported that in doing a tight turn in entering the marina the starboard engine gear engagement got stuck in a forward position.  The floating restaurant Prawn Star Cairns had to close its doors due to the damage to its berthing pontoon, but the restaurant manager said re-opening should happen in a very short time.
Moatize is 45.6 meter super yacht build by British Pendennis in 1999 in aluminium, to an exterior design of Dubois and interiors by Redman Whiteley.  Pendennis 45.6 meter can accommodate up to twelve guests and is powered by twin 960hp Cats engines, which give her a top speed of fifteen knots and a cruise of thirteen, with a maximum cruising range up to six thousand nautical miles.

August 9, 2019

New Model: Sirena 88

Turkish shipyard Sirena Yachts has launched its flagship, the 88, which is due to debut later this year at the Cannes boat show 2019. The 26 meter super yacht, is the largest yet ever built by the Turkish yard. The composite hull was fully vacuum infused, using E-glass and vinylester resin.  The hull naval architecture and exterior looks are by German Frers while the interior design is by Cor D. Rover. The Sirena 88 is a raised pilothouse design and will feature a five-stateroom layout with a main-deck master with panoramic views. The master suite will have a sitting area to port along with a foldout balcony. To starboard will be a combination desk and dressing table. Forward, the head features distinctive windows that curve into the overhead to serve as skylights along with a walk-in double shower and private toilet compartment. The comfortable layout below decks features an amidships VIP suite and forward luxury guest cabin with private head will have a pair of en suite double guest staterooms between. A full beam crew area insulates the guest accommodations from the engine room, and provides accommodation up to four crew with a private sitting room and two cabins. The main-deck social area will have a large formal dining table with seating for ten, served by a nearby galley.  Aft is a seating with facing U-shaped and straight settees for guests, and opens through wide doors on the sheltered aft deck, where another dining area stretches across the transom. Port and starboard stairs lead to the swim platform, served by an opening beach club built into the transom.  The flying bridge is a social space, where the upper helm is located forward to starboard. A bar will serve yet another formal dining table while aft groupings of settees surrounded by large cocktail tables, and a whirlpool spa tub.  The fore-deck social area will be protected from wind and ensure privacy with high bulwarks, while a dipping pool will be flanked by sun pad lounge areas to either side.  German Frers enhanced the use of resin infusion construction and generous use of carbon fiber to reduce weight and optimize the vertical and longitudinal centers of gravity. The Sirena 88 reaches speeds up to 25 knots with twin Man 1550hp engines, and the optional large fuel tank allows a range up to 2400 nautical miles at a 9 knots economic cruising speed.
Technical Data:
LOA - 26.81 m (87.9ft)
Hull Length - 23.95 m
Waterline Length - 23.94 m
Beam - 7.1 m
Draft - 1.80 m
Displacement - 82 t light
Fuel Capacity - 11000 l, 16500 l optional
Water Capacity - 2400 l
Accommodation - ten guests in five cabins, or eight guests in four cabins, three/ four crew in two cabins
Engines - 2 x Man V12 1400hp, V12 1550hp
Propulsion - line shaft with five blade nibral propellers
Speed - 25 knots with Man 1550hp, 9 knots economic cruise
Range - 2400 nm at 9 knots with optional large fuel tank
Construction - vacuum infused vinylester resin, cored hybrid carbon deck and super structure, gelcoat finish
Project - German Frers hull engineering and exterior design, Cor D.Rover Interior

August 7, 2019

Project: Solaris Power Open 48

Norberto Ferretti and his team has embraced the Solaris Power concept at full throttle, and the Open 48 should be the second model to be presented in 2019, target to launch at the fall by the boat builder.  The Solaris Power Open 48 will share hull with the upcoming Lobster 48, with the main difference that the main deck is a full on open entertainment space from fore to aft.   The interesting part is that while the Open 48 has the deck of a big open center console, inside it still offers amazing spaces for two cabins two heads plus crew cabin layout.  An other optional layout exists where one can replace the guest cabin to port side with an L-shaped dinette and storage space.  The Solaris Power Open 48 will be powered by Volvo 435hp as standard or the optional 480hp, with top speeds being estimated at thirty knots with the standard engine and an optimistic 35 for the extra total 90hp of the option.

August 5, 2019

New Model: Sea Ray Sundancer 520

Sea Ray's Sundancer 520 is an evolution of the 510 model blending style and practical design into a truly exceptional modern sport yacht.  The new 520 incorporates more open spaces and a cockpit encircled by unobstructed views. The Sundancer 520 is offered in two or three cabins layout, with a lounge room to starboard having the option to be replaced as a third cabin with two in line parallel births.  The Sea Ray Sundancer 520 is powered by twin Cummins 600hp engines with ZF Zeus aft looking pod drives.
Technical Data:
LOA - 16 m (52.6ft)
Beam - 4.62 m
Draft - 1.33 m
Displacement - 19482 kg dry
Fuel Capacity - 2354 l
Water Capacity - 492 l
Accommodation - four berths in two cabins, or six berths in three cabins
Engines - 2 x Cummins QSC 8.3 HQ 600hp
Propulsion - ZF Zeus aft looking dual propeller pod drives
Hull Shape - modified Vee nineteen degrees deadrise at midships and closing at fifteen aft
Construction - infused resin with composite structural grid and exterior gelcoat finish
Certification - CE B, NMMA, USCG, ABYC

August 3, 2019

Project: Ava Kando110

Ava Yachts is the latest super yacht builder to come from Turkey, which seems to be an always growing power house for yachts over thirty meters in length.  Ava Yachts has a four model Kando range from 90 to 130 feet all in project stages, with the exception of the 110 which is in it's final completion stage.  The Kando110 is 34 meter super yacht, constructed of high grade steel hull and aluminum superstructure. Kando110 is characterized by a huge volume of 340 gross tonnage and a possible range of up to 6400 nautical miles.  Kando110 is engineered and designed by in-house team of Ava Yachts and is a long-range explorer superyacht currently being built in it’s yard located at Antalya FreeZone.  Kando110 features four decks and offers six double guest cabins including full beam, 27 sqm Owner’s Master suite cabin with full-height windows located at the fore main deck as well as 48 sqm lounge at the main deck and 48 sqm lounge at the upper deck with full height window glasses. Both lounges are provided with curved, polished stainless steel framed automatic sliding doors.  The interior will be finished with high gloss finished American Walnut in combination with Wenge and dark leather furniture, and satin wenge flooring mixed with carpet and off-white upholstery. They bring interior harmonious and soft-contrast ambiance.  Ava Kando110 is offered with twin Volvo 650hp Commercial Marine Engines, which will allow for top speeds up to 14 knots and a ten knots cruise. Ava Yachts Kando 110 is to be classed with Bureau Veritas Pleasure class.

August 1, 2019

Super Yacht Fire in La Maddalena

A 34 meter super yacht has caught fire in North East Sardinia, in the archipelago of La Maddalena islands, near the island of Caprera on August 1 around 11:30 am.  The exact position of M/Y Princess Iluka was in the North of Caprera near the Punta Crocitta, and direction to Cala Napoletana.   The Coast Guard came immediately in the spot, led to safety the eleven passengers; six crew and five guests on-board and controlled the fire which resulted starting from the engine room due to a short circuit.  The passengers where taken to nearby Porto Massimo, with Princess Iluka later being towed in the same harbor.  The damage resulted limited due to the fast reaction of the crew and of the coast guard.
Princess Iluka is a 34.5 meter super yacht build of wood by Ray Kemp in 1979 and refitted to its current shape in 2010.  Another refit was made in 2018.  The current updated modern design comes from yacht designer Bernie Cohen and was applied in 2010.  This Ray Kemp 34.5 meter can accommodate ten guests in five cabins with six crew, and is powered by twin MTU which give top speeds up to 12 knots and a cruise of ten. 

To Charter or Not

July and August always mark the most busy time of the season, with everyone trying to find the time to enjoy a boat as much he can.  The owners who are paying bills all year round are trying to cash on the experience and cover some expenses, while those who got the boat bug in the Winter will try to charter it out, to feel the experience.  If the experience is right many times and after a few charters this ends up in a purchase.  
The charter offer has truly expanded in recent years what was up until a few years ago a market reserved for mostly twenty meter plus size and a charter time of about a week, now is a market offering all size and ranges and type of boats and daily charters in the hot cruising grounds has increased not by little.  While charter can be good to make return to some of the expenses a boat has, it is a catch to it.  
A charter boat will always has a stamp to it making it lose value in the used brokerage boat market, and the worst catch of it all is that many owners turn it fully into a business.  Meaning that the boat private use is finished and it becomes a full business venture.  Nothing wrong with this if it was one's plan all along, but if it was not think about it carefully before venturing into charter.