Hans Mellstrom 1942 - 2020

Hans Mellström died on on the Sunday nineteen April 2020 due to the Covid-19 disease. Hans Mellström started the company WM-data together with Thord Wilkne in the late 1960s, in 1985 the company is listed on the A2 list of the Stockholm Stock Exchange, and in 2006 is sold to Logica. At its peak WM-data had around 10,000 employees. Hans passion with boats starts in 1979 when he purchases his first Storebro boat, an SRC 31. His passion to boats will lead to five other Storebro purchased and eventually the company, when Elsebeth Gustafsson-Furthmair wanted to sell her shares in 1995, Hans stepped in as buyer. Shortly afterwards, he also acquired the shares of Roy and Lennart Ivarsson in 1997 and thus became the sole owner of Storebro Bruks AB and AB Storebro Royal Cruiser. The Viamare Group was created as a holding company for the acquired shipyard.  Under Mellström's leadership, Storebro made a number of changes to the product portfolio; some negative and positives.  The most revolutionary under his ownership was the 62ft Grand Series No. 1, Storebro second largest vessel with this flybridge yacht entering the Argentinean German Frers as designer, to the usual Wilke. Hans Mellstrom will in 1999 also acquire Nimbus. Due to cancer, Hans Mellström was at times only with difficulty able to manage the business. These were then managed by the Nimbus founders Hans and Lars Wiklund, who used the time to strengthen the role of Nimbus in the group accordingly. In 2004, Hans Mellström then sold 51% of his shares in the Viamare Group. In the resulting shipyard alliance, Storebro was to be responsible for boats over thirteen meters, Nimbus for those below.

Fountain Powerboat Ends Aground in Avalon, New Jersey

A nine meter Fountain powerboat ended aground in the marches of Avalon, New Jersey on the afternoon of Tuesday fifteen July.  The boat was assisted by Sea Tow Cape May, who shared the story on its Facebook page.  Sea Tow Cape May waited for a higher tide, and then towed the powerboat back to deep water.  The specifics of the accident and collision are not advised, nor is the damage sustained by the boat. 

The boat in this accident is a second generation Fountain 29 Fever as produced from 1993 to 2010.  The second generation Fountain 29 Fever was a replacement to the first generation 29 Fever.

New Model: Aquila 46 Yacht

Aquila has in the fall of 2025 debuted its new 46 Yacht power catamaran. Made for long-range escapes, effortless entertaining, and those rare moments when comfort, capability, and beauty converge, the Aquila 46 Yacht features the same explorer aesthetic as the 50 Yacht which arrived last year‚ designed for those who want larger yacht innovation in a more intimate package. An impressive seven meters beam creates interior volume that feels remarkably spacious, while thoughtful design maximizes every inch for privacy and connection. CE category A ocean certification means confident open-water exploration with serious offshore capability. The 46 Yacht also comes with expansive outdoor areas offering stylish lounges and integrated gathering zones perfect for entertaining. The open-concept interior features panoramic windows that flood the salon with natural light and ocean views, creating a spacious living area with full galley accompanied with household sized refrigeration and induction cooktop. The rear salon window and sliding main entrance door opens to create seamless indoor/outdoor entertainment space that enhances every gathering. The Aquila 46 Yacht is available with multiple cabin configurations; standard three cabins and or optional four and five cabin layouts, plus options like the Aquila Hydro Glide® foil system and interior helm. The Aquila 46 Yacht is powered by twin Volvo 320hp as standard, with optional engines choices for twin 480hp, and or Yanmar 550hp.

Technical Data:

LOA - 14.36 m (47.2ft)

Beam - 7.1 m

Draft - 1.24 m

Displacement - 20,739 kg dry, 26,287 kg loaded

Fuel Capacity - 1800 l, plus optional 800 l

Water Capacity - 800 l

Max Persons - twelve

Accommodation - six berths in 3 cabins, optional 8 berths in 4 cabins or 10 berths in 5 cabins

Engines - 2 x Volvo D4 320hp, optional D6 480hp, Yanmar 550hp

Propulsion - direct line shaft with propeller tunnels

Speed - twenty knots max, seventeen fast cruise, nine knots long range with Volvo 320hp

Range - 214 nautical miles at fast cruise, 430 at nine knots

Hull Shape - bulbous bow catamaran, optional Hydro Glide foil

Construction - resin infused Vinylester resin and PVC core 

Certification - CE A8 Ocean/B12 Offshore/C16 Coastal/D24 Inland

www.aquilaboats.com

Project: Aiata Sunfinder 50

Aaita presents the Sunfinder 50 project, representing the natural evolution and all-rounder philosophy as introduced with the Wayfinder 38 in 2025. Again a design of Finnish designer Jarkko Jämsén of Navia Design the Sunfinder 50 is conceived as a fast and spacious family yacht, offering extendable deck areas; thanks to drop down bulk-heads, a larger aft platform and a distinctive, robust design that stands out among today’s more homogeneous market offerings. The use of refined materials and enhanced finishes elevates the onboard atmosphere.  The Sunfinder 50 also being a generous cabin offers a two plus two accommodation with head with separate shower stall to starboard complimented by a galley to port side.  Want more privacy?  The Aiata Sunfinder 50 is also available with two cabins Two Bathrooms version, this offering a separate enclosed forward owners suite with a shower head to port side.  A large Summer galley and wet-bar positioned under the roof for shaded cooking and entertaining. Signature Aiata elements remain central to the design, including the uniquely shaped front deck with its expansive sunbed, and the clever use of space over the engines through a tiltable sunbed, transforming previously unused areas into premium relaxation zones.  The Aiata Sunfinder 50 is standard powered by triple Honda 350hp as standard, and or optional Mercury 350hp or 400hp.

www.aiataboats.com

Regal Sport Cruiser Saved from Sinking at Unity Island, Great Lakes

A Regal sport cruiser of eleven meters in length with two persons onboard was saved from sinking near Unity Island, Eastern Great Lakes on the night of Saturday twelfth October, 2024.  The sport cruiser was assisted by United States Coast Guard Great Lakes sector Buffalo and Erie Fire, who provided water pumps for dewatering.  The boat was then towed to Clearwater Marina.  The sport cruiser is reported to have breached its hull following the hitting of an object.  No injuries are reported from the accident.

The boat in this accident is a Regal 360 Commodore as produced from 1985 to 1990.  The 360 Commodore was Regal largest boat when debuting in 1985, with the model replaced by the 380 Commodore. 

New Model: Beneteau Gran Turismo 35

Sub twelve meters sport cruisers have really changed in recent years as center consoles have dominated the market, seeing this Beneteau decides in 2025 to fully revamp its Gran Turismo sport cruiser range.  Out of the new Gran Turismo's this new 35 really shows what the market is asking, showing a total new design direction from Andreani to Beneteau's sport cruiser range.  Replacing the Gran Turismo 36, the Gran Turismo 35 comes as a completely different offer, an asymmetric center-console walk around sport cruiser, side-deck to starboard with a reverse shaped bow, and drop down bulkheads aft which extend cockpit space by over four and a half meters from three.  Still with all this exterior space the Gran Turismo 35 comes with a decent cabin, offering a U-shaped saloon which transforms to a double berth, twin berths at midships, and a shower head to starboard.  The galley is located outside behind the three seat helm station, though in the cabin you do have a microwave and a fridge.  The Beneteau Gran Turismo 35 is standard powered with twin 300hp Mercury outboards, with options going to the larger 350hp, and the 400hp available for the exclusive Alpine version.  The Alpine version also comes with a visual upgrade from the Signal Grey hull complemented by sleek black accents on the engine covers, light fittings, door handles, cleats, rails, screen mounts, helm console, while inside you get Navy Blue highlights enhancing the furniture, upholstery, and embroidery.

Technical Data:

LOA - 11.2 m (36.9ft)

Hull Length - 9.78 m

Beam - 3.24 m

Draft - 1.09 m

Displacement - 5336 kg light

Fuel Capacity - 2 x 370 l

Water Capacity - 160 l

Max Persons - eight

Accommodation - two plus two berths

Engines - 2 x Mercury Verado V8 440hp, Verado V10 350hp, V10 400hp *Alpine version

Propulsion - twin outboards

Speed - 41 knots top speed

Project - Andreani exterior, Michael Peters naval architect hull design

Certification - CE B8/C10

www.beneteau.com

competition = Regal 34 SAV

Project: Tuccoli T235 SF

During the fisherman Pescare Show Tuccoli announced the project for the T235 SF, the baby sister of the T295 SF which arrived at the same show last year.  The Tuccoli T235 SF is similar looking to its two meter larger sister, both outside and inside bringing the same open hard-top design and comfortable yet unimaginable cabin spaces sleeping two and a separate shower head in seven meters of length.  Nonetheless the T235 SF comes as a medium core sportfish cruiser offering a free aft deck space for fishing, with the center of the cockpit offering more cruising amenities as a galley behind the helm station, and lounger seat to port side.  The Tuccoli T235 SF is to be powered by single or twin outboard engines up to 300hp for speeds up to 42 knots.

www.tuccolitechnologyboats.com

Azimut Yacht Partly Sinks in Cetraro, Italy

Three crew were saved as a 21 meter Azimut flybridge yacht with Panamanian flag partly sank in the marina of Cetraro, in the province of Cosenza, Italy on the night of sixteen March.  The yacht was assisted by the Vigili del Fuoco fire fighters of Scalea and the Cetraro Italian Guardia Costiera coast guard who saved the captain and the two crew.  According to a first reconstruction of the event the yacht entered in the harbour to escape the gale force winds and rough seas it encountered during navigation, only for it to end in a difficult situation and tangle its propellers and then partly sinking.  No one was injured in the part sinking, with the yacht lifted out in a boat yard the following morning.

The yacht in this accident is an Azimut Fly 72 as designed by Alberto Mancini and produced since 2023.  The Fly 72 was a replacement to the Azimut 72 Flybridge.

Maritimo New Web Site

Maritimo presents its new web site.  Maritimo was founded by Bill Barry-Cotter in 2003, the third boat building company created by Bill from scratch, from one of Australia's most influential and important boat building figures since the sixties.  Bill was raised by a farmer father and a school teacher mother and will be intrigued by boating during a trip to Pittwater in Sydney. At sixteen years old Bill will take a boat-building apprentice course, building his own boat at nineteen, which will lead to him for a three year working apprenticeship with Cedric Williams Snr.  On his retirement the former employer will gift Bill the jigs which will lead to the founding of Mariner Cruisers in 1966 who Bill will sell in 1978 for three million Australian Dollars.  Following this in 1980 Bill will found Riviera which he will sell in 2002 for a reported 180 million Australian dollars.  Maritimo is founded in 2003, debuting the following year with the 60 Offshore, this is followed by the 52 and 48 models in the subsequent two years.  In 2009 Maritimo debuts the 73 Cruising Motor Yacht flagship, it's largest yacht till the arrival of the S75 and M75 in 2023.  In 2010 Maritimo acquires Mustang with the brand ceasing production in 2019.  Today Maritimo produces ten models in a three range series; M-Series Flybridge Motor Yachts, S-Series Sedan Motor Yachts, and Offshore Series Motor Yacht, which start with the upcoming S50 and go up to the M75.  Maritimo's new web-site takes you around with the following buttons; Our World, Models, Owners, News, Local Representative, Careers, and Enquiry.  Maritimo is also on social media with bottom links taking you to its Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, and YouTube pages.

www.maritimo.com.au 

Production History:

60 Offshore 2004-08

52 2005-09 (72)

48 2006-09 (108)

C60 Sports Cabriolet 2006-10

A60 Aegean Flybridge 2008-

C55 Sports Cabriolet 2008-

A55 Aegean Flybridge 2009-

C50 Sports Cabriolet 2009-11

56 Cruising Motor Yacht 2009-11

A60 Aegean Enclosed 2009-

73 Cruising Motor Yacht 2009-14

A50 Aegean Enclosed 2009-11

A50 Aegean Flybridge 2009-11

C47 Sports Cabriolet 2010-

470 Offshore Convertible 2010-12

440 Offshore Convertible 2010-12

M53 Cruising Motoryacht 2010-15

C53 Sports Cabriolet 2011-13

M48 Cruising Motoryacht Series II 2011-

A53 Aegean Flybridge 2011-13

M58 2012-15

M45 2013-

M50 2013-15

S50 2013-15 *S48 project

S48 2014-17

C43 2014-21

M65 2014-17

M70 2015-20

M54 Flybridge Motor Yacht 2016-21

M51 2016-

S51 2016-

M64 2016-

M61 2016-

M59 2017-19

S59 2017-20

S70 2017-20

X60 2018-22

M59 (ii) 2019-21

X50 2019-22 

M70 (ii) 2021-22

S70 (ii) 2021-22

S55 2021-

M55 2021-

M600 Offshore 2022-

S600 Flybridge 2022-

M60 Flybridge 2023-

S75 Sedan Motor Yacht 2023-

M75 Flybridge Motor Yacht 2023-

S60 Sedan Motor Yacht 2025-

M50 Flybridge Motor Yacht 2025-

S50 Sedan Motor Yacht 2026-

The Offshore 60, Maritimo's fist model

Seven Yachts Wrecked One Damaged at Yalikavak Marina, Bodrum

Seven motor yachts between sixteen and thirty meters in length were wrecked by fire, while a 26 meter yacht sustained some fire damage at Yalikavak Marina, in Bodrum, Turkey on the night of twentieth March.  The fire started on a motor yacht of twenty meters, reported with an explosion, and then jumped to the yachts on its starboard side because of the winds.  Fire fighters, police, and 112 Emergency Health teams were dispatched to the scene from land; and Coast Guard and Coastal Safety teams fought the fire from the sea.  The fire was controlled on the following morning.  No injuries were reported from the fire, with the seven yachts ending wrecked and sunk, and one yacht receiving fire damage, with the amount of damage reported to be over twenty million EUROS.

Of the yachts wrecked in this fire we can spot an Azimut 77s, Pershing 65 Limited, Prestige 550 Flybridge, with the damage yacht being an Azimut Grande 26 metri.