May 13, 2022

Project: Vanquish VQ115 Veloce

Ordered by and developed in tandem with a repeat client, the first VQ115 Veloce will roar along at a blistering fifty plus knots and break records in the process.  Having had huge fun on his current Vanquish, the client was fully aware of Vanquish  capacity for customization. He also loves sparring with Vanquish founder Tom Steentjes, who is famed for his no-nonsense, non-traditional approach.  This first hull for the VQ115 Veloce line is therefore the result of some serious brainstorming sessions about a super sport yacht  that will allow large groups of people to be entertained, enjoy extended stays onboard and tap into a wide range of watersports. While the initial discussions were based on design concepts for a VQ90, the talks soon evolved as the owner added an extra cabin, a dedicated dining area on the lower deck and two garages. The resulting 35-metre super sport yacht has more of everything that makes Vanquish unique in the market while staying totally in tune with the brand DNA.  That also means no compromises in terms of speed, with the installation of the largest engines possible, triple  MTU 2650hp, surface drives propulsion, which will power theVQ115 Veloce to an exceptional speed of fifty plus knots.  She will also quite possibly be the fastest aluminums yacht over thirty meters with normal diesel engines, i.e. non-turbine-driven–built to date.  While all VQs are famously fast, this combination of length and knots posed a challenge that the entire design trajectory revolved around this issue.  Studio Delta in the Netherlands was called in for the naval architecture of a hull that features deflectors in the bottom shell to direct the spray aft. The result is optimal comfort and performance levels and a significant efficiency increase at top speeds.  Exterior designer Guido de Groot and his team had a relatively narrow hull on which to base their design. The engines will be placed in a trapezium shape with the middle engine forward.  Two gyro stabilizers will enable the retention of another typical Vanquish characteristic, genuine comfort at all speeds on this smart synthesis of a race boat and luxury yacht. An impressive range of up to 600 nm will be possible when running on one or two engines, with an extra fuel tank available for cruising at lower speed.  Despite the phenomenal propulsion package, lots of space remains aft for a large tender bay that will house a VQ16. This mighty craft will be launched by a dedicated tender system, while a multifunctional hydraulic platform will ensure easy access to and from the water via a passerelle and swimming ladder. Another tender in the form of a VQ11 water scooter will be housed in a second garage on the starboard side. This area will double as a leisure playground with a live bait tank, paddleboards, sea bobs and other toys. A hydraulic ladder will make diving a breeze.  Outdoor entertainment is a major factor in all areas of the yacht; while this is the norm on every Vanquish, the theme is being literally and figuratively taken to new lengths on the VQ115. The expansive foredeck, for instance, has a large seating area for lounging and dining, plus the option to lift up the sun beds and create a salt water jacuzzi. There is a wealth of relaxation options on the aft deck too while the fly-sport-bridge has a dedicated sunbathing area as well as its own helm station.  The flybridge has been superbly integrated with in a distinctive exterior profile, part of a pure design with clean lines and that sexy, elegant, instantly recognizable Vanquish look. Those sharing space on the water with this powerhouse will certainly be glad of the advance visual notice as the negative bowheads their way.  The interior features a futuristic style to match the exterior design, with a casual groove, emblematic Vanquish details and 45-degree treatments. A smart layout makes optimum use of the enlargeds pace available. The main deck saloon will be fully tailored to the owner’s wishes with movable furniture to allow flexibility of occasion and time of day. Office space is included for when work calls, there is a neat pantry with its own cocktail bar, plus a day-head to keep the lower deck private. Stairs rise to the sport-flybridge above while the aft door opens fully to create a unified space with th eaft deck: matching floors will ensure continuity between the outdoor and indoor spaces.  The lower deck features a more extensive galley and a U-shaped seating/dining area in a country kitchen style. Accommodations include a full-beam master suite, a VIP and a guest cabin, all with their own bathrooms. A dedicated media room includes a large television, a high-end sound system plu stwo Pullmans that bring the potential sleeping capacity to eight. There are also berths for four crew members.  The Vanquish VQ115 Veloce is scheduled for delivery in the fall of 2022 direction the Hamptons.

May 11, 2022

Abandoned and Sunk in Rosslyn Bay

Some stories are beyond understanding and this is one of them for this 23 meter Azimut motor yacht titled M/Y Hey Mon which sank in Rosslyn Bay Marina, East of Rockhampton, in Queensland Australia on the eleven of May after hitting its bottom.  Hey Mon was anchored for over a week in Rosslyn bay, but the Azimut motor yacht lost its anchor hold with winds on the day reaching thirty knots and beaching the yacht at Lammeroor Beach.  Mostly because in all photos the main deck was always above the water.  A few days later the yacht ended beached, with parts from the yacht and it's toys, ended up scattered on the beach.
Hey Mon has had a colorful history in recent times, first being kicked out of a marina and ending up blocked on the Sundale bridge and damaging the radar arch in the process, then ending up beached in Bums Bay boat ramp.  Unfortunately this last event at Rosslyn Bay might be this yacht final nail in the coffin, with the yacht gutted in several pieces for removal on the 24th May.  
This Azimut motor yacht titled Hey Mon registered under Jamaican flag is a 78 Ultra model built in 1995. Released in 1993 and produced till 2000 the 78 Ultra was Stefano Righini first design for Azimut, a relationship which will last till 2017 and the Italian designer retirement from his duties.  For being Righini's first the 78 Ultra is an important milestone in Azimut history and success.  The 78 Ultra features an interior of four double guest, plus two crew cabins, and was powered by twin MTU 1150hp or Cats 1250hp which made her reach top speed up to about 28 knots.  The Azimut 78 Ultra evolved into the 85 Ultimate in 2000. 

New Model: Aicon 66 Vivere

Aicon is officially back and on the thirtieth April it launched the 66 Vivere, the first model of the new era from the North American ownership of Marc-Udo Broich and John Venners who took over the brand in 2019.  Designed by Sergio Cutolo the Aicon 66 Vivere, started the initial project as an evolution of the popular 2005-12 produced 64, with the model coming as one of its own and more distinctive due to the important changes made in every area, including but not limited to the hull shape.  The Aicon 66 Vivere is offered in three or four double cabins lower deck layout, with the fourth cabin taking space from a walk-in wardrobe beauty room located to port side serving the master stateroom in the standard three double cabins layout.  The Aicon 66 Vivere is standard powered by Man 1200hp or optional 1300hp engines.  Aicon was saying as having sold fourteen hulls of these on plan in the fall of 2021, with two 72 Vivere also reported being sold, and a 76 Vivere project being on the works.  The price of the Aicon 66 Vivere is just under three million US dollars, excluding taxes and delivery.
Technical Data:
LOA - 21.74 m (71.4ft)
Beam - 5.33 m
Draft - 1.60 m
Displacement - 48827 kg dry
Fuel Capacity - 4000 l
Water Capacity - 1150 l
Accommodation - six berths in three cabins, or eights berths in four cabins, one or two crew in one cabin
Engines - 2 x Man 1200hp, or 1300hp
Propulsion - line shaft
Speed - 30 knots max 26 cruise with Man 1200hp, 31 knots max 27 cruise with Man 1300hp
Project - Sergio Cutolo Hydrotec
Certification - CE A

May 10, 2022

Project: Patrone 100 Inboard

Patrone presents its new generation with this project 100 designed by Tommaso Spadolini.  Innovative, modern and yet classic, the Patrone 100 is a traditional Ligurian Gozzo inspired cruiser of ten meters in length. The Patrone 100 will come with choices as its main feature offering two lower deck layouts; Deluxe single cabin with a forward island double berth, and Family having two cabins with the forward becoming a smaller double Vee berth and second guest cabin with twin bunk berths to starboard. The main deck revolve around the central helm station and its T-top, behind this is a dinette with opposite settees, and two side benches. On the technical side the Patrone 100 will have a hull length just under ten meters,  to enter into small boat Italian legislation, and is to be powered by twin 246hp engines with line shafts propulsion which give her a top speed up to 31 knots and a cruise of 24. The Patrone 100 will also be offered in an Outboard version of which no technical or performance details is yet given beside the rendering showing two outboards at the stern.  Hull one to be powered by twin diesel engines with shafts and is set to launch in Summer 2022, with World wide presentation at the Cannes boat show in September.    

May 8, 2022

Benetti Super Yacht Saved by US Coast Guard

A 44 meter Benetti super yacht was saved from sinking by the US Coast Guard while it was 45 nautical miles to the North West of Grays Harbor, Washington on the morning of seventh May.  The Benetti super yacht had problems in the closing of its transom door, leaving its garage beach club open and filling with sea water from rough seas, this resulting in the evacuation and safety of the seven persons onboard.  The super yacht was a day later on the eight May towed to safety by the 210 foot USCG Cutter Active further North to the entrance of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  None of the persons onboard and of the safety operation team suffered any injuries.
This Benetti is a 145 Vision titled M/Y Domani was launched in 2004 to a design of Stefano Righini exterior, and Francois Zuretti doing the interior.  The Benetti 44 meter Vision semi-custom series was produced from 2002 till 2014 with seventeen units sold.  The Vision 145 was usually powered by twin Cat 1300hp engines which give her top speeds up to fifteen knots and cruise of fourteen, and a range of up to four thousand nautical miles.   The interior of the 145 Vision offered accommodation for ten guests in five suites, and crew accommodation for nine persons in five cabins.

New Model: Sunseeker 100 Yacht

Sunseeker have launched the anticipated 100 Yacht at Poole Harbour, with this 29 meter super yacht seeing daylight for the very first time in the end of April. Preparing for her maiden sea trial, the 100 Yacht stands poised at the home of Sunseeker before her delivery into the Mediterranean this summer. Aggressive styling remains true to Sunseeker lineage but with a new, three-dimensional aesthetic.  The 100 Yacht is set to revolutionize the Sunseeker Yacht range, earmarking the start of a new era in design and functionality with the introduction for a semi-wide body under thirty meters of size, and also being somehow Asymmetric with the wide body being 30% to port side, and about 40% to starboard. With new entertainment features at the fore, the 100 Yacht offers great versatility with a truly global appeal. The sweeping flybridge, with complete access from bow to stern, is one of the exceptional entertainment areas that defines the 100 Yacht. The vast space on the flybridge is cleverly zoned to offer seamless entertainment. The foredeck has two separate seating arrangements with cinema screen capability, while the central flybridge has L-shaped seating, a fully equipped wet bar and space aft for free-standing furniture or a spa bath.  The near to seven meter beam adds significant interior volume feeling much larger than a thirty, matched by interior features typically found in bespoke superyachts. The full-beam master suite situated on the main deck benefits from floor to ceiling windows port and starboard as well as an exceptional glass atrium door forward, leading to an owner’s private bow terrace.  Powered by MTU 1974hp as stanard or optional 2600hp, the 100 Yacht reaches speeds of up to 29 knots with the large engine option and has a range of 1,300 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 12 knots. 
Technical Data:
LOA - 29.85 m (97.9ft)
Beam - 6.90 m
Draft - 2.10 m full load
Displacement - 94119 kg (medium load)
Fuel Capacity - 12800 l
Water Capacity - 1800 l
Accommodation - ten guests in five cabins, five crew in three cabins
Engines - 2 x MTU 12V2000 M96X 1974hp, 16V2000 M96L 2600hp
Propulsion - line shaft
Speed - 29 knots max 12 knots economic cruise
Range - 1800 nm at 12 knots
Certification - CE A Ocean

May 6, 2022

Project: Vittoria Veloce 32 RPH

Vittoria is a ship builder from the Veneto region in Italy more known for building working craft makes the move into super yachting with the start construction for the Veloce 32 RPH. The noble and ancient plate ceremony was performed at the Adria headquarters of Vittoria Yachts, during the laying of the keel of the Veloce 32 RPH on end March 2022. This marks the official start of construction of the 32m custom superyacht designed entirely by the naval architectural and marine engineering design studio Hydro Tec, with completion scheduled for January in 2024. The on-spec Veloce 32 RPH is designed for owners that want a yacht built with signature Made in Italy care and craftsmanship. As Veloce’s name suggests, there will be great focus on delivering superb performance underway. With this new craft, Vittoria Yachts in continuing the century-long shipbuilding career of Cantiere Navale Vittoria which has built nine hundred vessels. This astonishing track record guarantees reliability to owners who will also have the opportunity to build a close relationship with both the yard’s management and the Duò Family, owners of the company since 1927.  Captivatingly modern in design, the Veloce 32 RPH is a 32m with a beam of 7.2 and three decks. Her semi-displacement hull means she can safely negotiate all the world’s seas at her maximum speed of twenty knots, delivered by twin 1900 hp Man engines.  Although she delivers on performance, she is also designed for long passage making. The Veloce 32 RPH is a brilliant distillation of comfort, efficiency and timeless design. Her unusual Hydro Tec-designed lines are characterized by a plumb bow and raised gunwale that lend her bow and sides a more imposing, masculine stance whilst simultaneously offering greater protection and privacy to the exterior areas. Those lines also, of course, hint that the yacht has a strong vocation for safe, secure navigation. The pilothouse has a low profile with a reverse windscreen, giving it a uniquely modern look.  Veloce’s elegant, contemporary interiors are designed to be totally connected to the outside. Sliding doors and windows create unique, airy interiors with unfettered, panoramic views. They also guarantee that the spaces themselves can used with complete freedom. The headroom is also superb. The interiors are modern and refined in style with every single detail meticulously thought-out and executed. Poltrona Frau leathers and furnishings combine with luxe wood elements to create wonderfully sophisticated ambiences.

May 4, 2022

New Model: ltalyure 38

Allure Yachts is a new boat builder coming from Naples in Italy, and has introduced itself in the market with this new 38 sport cruiser designed by Maurizio Marzocca. A new boat builder from Naples the Allure project started to take shape in 2017 from a company which is since decades a services and refit specialist to larger yachts and super yachts.  The Allure 38 is a big success and a year after the launch of hull one, eight Allure 38 has been sold, with number eight set to be delivered in July 2022.  The Allure 38 presents itself as a semi-custom cabined center console which in standard layout offers an accommodation for four persons in two cabins below deck, and space from to fore to aft outside.  Down below the accommodation offers a forward double berth, and a twin berth cabin at midships.  Outside the Allure 38 offers two dinettes one forward, and another aft.  The Allure 38 can be powered with three propulsions; line shaft called Classic, stern drives called Comfort, and Sport with outboards.  
Technical Data:
LOA - 11.65 m (38.2ft)
Hull Length - 9.95 m
Beam - 3.59 m
Displacement - 7.5 t
Fuel Capacity - 700 l
Water Capacity - 300 l
Accommodation - four guests 
Engines -  2 x VM 300hp. FNM 300hp line shafts, Volvo D4 270hp or D4 300hp stern drive, twin petrol gas outboards from 300hp to 350hp 
Propulsion - line shaft, stern drive, or outboards
Construction - resin infusion with carbon fibre T-top
Project - Marzocca Maurizio

May 2, 2022

Project: Tiara EX 60

Tiara announces the project for its largest build to date with the project of the new EX 60. Previous to this the largest Tiara ever build was the 5800 Sovran model launched in 2007 and produced till 2015.  The Tiara EX 60 is a fully enclosed hard-top sport yacht of eighteen meters in length.  This is a cruising sport yacht and the split level aft deck is an innovative design available in four different practical and user friendly options, in both the raised and lower levels.  For example you can aim for a bar area up top or a settee, and a dinette or an open space fishing adventure are to stern. Another detail is the opening bulwarks which extend the space for the aft deck area. Inside the EX60 offers a living with galley and dinette opposite and two forward facing settees on the main deck.  The lower deck is all dedicated to the sleeping accommodation with three double cabins including an owners stateroom at midships.  The Tiara EX 60 will be powered by twin Volvo 900hp as standard and optional 1000hp engine with IPS pod propulsion.  Speed estimates are for 36 knots with the standard engines and 38 with the optional larger units.

May 1, 2022

New Launch Label

As we often hear people say the devil is in the details so in April I introduced a new label titled New Launch, this label replaces New Model tag for custom one off build yachts.  It is important to show a distinction between a one off custom made yacht and a production series.

A production yacht is usually made of fiberglass, but there is aluminum, steel, and wood constructions made in serial builds.  Steel and wood production build are mostly semi-custom, sometimes even to near a full custom.  Meaning that the outside and the platform used will be offered from the builder, but the rest is decided by the owner.   

Last but not least we have custom platforms, which can be changed in various details to suit owners tastes and preferred configurations.  This custom platform is mostly used in super yachts of aluminum and steel in between thirty to fifty meters in size. So in these situations the builder has the fifty meter hull, with options coming to bow design, stern type choice, and also to the decks one would want and how to spread them.  With this system more often then not a builder can also speculate build, laying the keel of the hull, and in this process of building start selling the project and choices coming with it.

Over fifty meters in size we usually enter in most cases full custom projects, when the owner starts from a blank paper and builds a yacht to his vision with his designer and builder of choice.  Although semi-custom platforms have been increasing also above this size from builders as Benetti, Codecasa, Heesen, but also Amels who for example with the 60 Limited Edition platform have sold five units, this followed by an 80 Limited Edition so far sold in one yacht.