Project: Azimut Fly 82

Azimut present the Fly 82, a project presented just a few days before the debut at the Cannes boat show. This new Fly range flagship came as a surprise announcement for the reason, that Azimut announced a Grande 25M project in the Summer. With the Fly 82 just being twenty centimetres short to 25 meters you can understand what I mean here.  The new flagship of the best-selling Fly Series features exteriors by since 2019 Azimut designer Alberto Mancini, with interiors by Fabio Fantolino, who is in his third project for Azimut, and here he combines the essence of Italian builder signature modern aesthetics with innovative layout solutions and a significant advancement in the brand’s vision of open-air living. The exterior lines are the finest expression of Mancini’s design approach for Azimut, similar to those present with Fly 62 last year: well-sculpted and sharply defined, shaped by the wind: something that appears to be in motion even when at rest. The Fly 82 is also the first in the Fly Series to incorporate the Deck2Deck™ system, originally developed by Azimut for the Grande 26M, to maximize social space at the stern. Designed with versatility at its core, the opening transom rises to align seamlessly with the aft edge of the main deck, extending the boundaries of space and transforming the cockpit terrace into the true heart of conviviality. Inside, the dialogue between Azimut and Fabio Fantolino unfolds in an atmosphere of refined, softly elegant style, a language that speaks of harmony and sophistication and that has become their shared signature for the Fly Series. The space revolves around its natural focal point, a generous round dining table that transforms the saloon into a stage for conviviality. To complete the scene, a bold new accent emerges in orange-brown, a contemporary hue that infuses the interiors with a fresh sense of character and distinction.  The Azimut Fly 82 is to be powered by triple Volvo 900hp and or optional 1000hp for top speeds up 32 knots and a cruise of 25 knots.

www.azimutyachts.com

Sea Ray Boat Sinks and Capsizes in Burlington, Vermont

A not attended Sea Ray sport cruiser of eight meters in length sunk as it was swing moored in Burlington, Vermont on Monday 25 August.  The story was shared by Red Cap Marine and Salvage Facebook page, who with assistance by Burlington Harbour Launch and Tow salvaged the boat.  The not attended Sea Ray sank not because of wind and waves, but from a slow leak from the bellows or thru-hull, which made the bilge pumps run until the batteries died, with the boat slowly sinking.

The Sea Ray in this sinking is a Sea Ray 260 Overnighter as produced from 1989 to 1991.  The 260 Overnighter was a replacement to the 268 Weekender, and was replaced by the 240 Overnighter.

New Model: Galeon 620 Fly

Galeon continues to upgrade its flybridge line and presents the new 620 Fly, an innovative flybridge yacht which gives a new meaning to space searching features.  Designed by Tony Castro the new 620 Fly adds more to the script which arrived with the 500 Fly in 2015, as it gives even more transformative and space expanding features.  From the asymmetric full body to port side main deck, to drop down bulkheads which expand the beach club to both sides, and an additional third folding terrace to starboard which also expands the cockpit size.  If more available square meters to the meter is your thing, the Galeon 620 Fly is it.  Galeon also says that the 620 Fly has the largest flybridge in the category delivering an incredible 55 square meters of size.  The Galeon also give new meaning to beach club expanding terrace with the port side drop down bulkhead also giving a separate direct master stateroom entrance.  The Galeon 620 Fly also re-invents the main deck with a galley located forward, a large dinette on entrance, and a two seat helm station to starboard.  The lower deck of the Galeon 620 Fly is available in three cabins three heads, or a four cabins three heads layout.  A single berth crew cabin is located aft.  The Galeon 620 Fly is standard powered by twin Volvo 900hp with optional 1000hp, and or twin Man 1200hp, with these giving top speeds up to 31 knots.  

Technical Data:

LOA - 19.68 m (64.5ft)

Beam - 5.04 m

Draft - 0.99 m ex propellers and rudders

Displacement - 40336 kg unloaded, 45856 kg loaded

Fuel Capacity - 3500 l

Water Capacity - 500 l

Max Persons - sixteen

Accommodation - six berths in three cabins, or eight berths in 4 cabins, one crew cabin berth

Engines - 2 x Volvo D13 900hp, optional D13 1000hp, Man V8 12000hp

Propulsion - line shaft

Speed - 31 knots max 23 cruise with Man 1200hp, 27 knots max 23 cruise with Volvo 1000hp

Project - Tony Castro

www.galeon.pl

Southampton 2025 Boat Show Preview

The Southampton boat show enters its 56th edition, currently British largest, this show is known to showcase the latest novelty coming from Britain.  Nearly fully held in water the 2025 edition of the Southampton boat show features a refreshed layout, with a new entrance at Mayflower Park which takes you to the eight locations; Watersports Zone, Dinghy Zone, Classic and Day Boat Zone, Mayflower Park and Ocean Hall, Showmarina, Shipyard, On the Water Stage, and Beachaven and Watersports Lake.  The 2024 Southampton boat show opens on Friday 19, and goes up to Sunday 28 September; ten days of boating days full of events and interesting stuff.  As is usual to Southampton, the famous trio of British builders will all be present, with World debuts coming from the Hardy 45 European, and Orkney Pilothouse 27.

www.southamptonboatshow.com

The Southampton boat show debuted in 1969 with the first edition held from September 29 to October fourth.  Organized by Norman Kemish and Arthur Gale the first edition was a modest affair with about fifty exhibitors, solely contained within Mayflower Park, with the army based on the other side of the river supplying the small pontoon to display the handful of boats showed.  In 1983 the Southampton boat show was sold to the Boat Builders National Federation today known as British Marine, with the sale becoming complete four years later as the Federation took hold of the event organization in 1988.  This switch resulted in the Southampton show expanding space for 254 boats afloat.  2019 was the Southampton boat show record year, with 103,000 visitors attending the event and the showcase of 600 plus of brands.  The Southampton boat show was cancelled in the 2020 Covid-19 year, while the last day of the 1981 event was remembered for gale-force-winds ripping into the event and flattening and ship wrecking everything on site.

1975 Southampton Boat Show

Project: Forte Yachts 47

Forte Yachts is a new name from La Spezia, which comes from solid bases as it is a brand of West Navaltech an aluminium sub-contractor who has been serving the yachting industry, and has also build vessels for commercial and pleasure on order, and now decides to enter the pleasure boating sector.  As an expert in aluminium Forte will build its made to order sport cruisers and yacht in this material, and will start with this 47, as designed by Paolo Giordano, and naval architecture by Umberto Tagliavini.  The first project debuting this fall, is set to be followed by larger 58 and 69 models.  The Forte Yachts 47 is to be available in two versions Gran Turismo version which will feature an open hard-top, and the Lounge Deck version which has a side enclosed hard-top.  Forte so far is saying the Gran Turismo is the outboard powered version, while the Lounge Deck is the inboard IPS propulsion option.  But considering that nothing changes I am sure one can order both versions with the propulsion he likes.  The Forte Yachts 47 will feature a living on the main deck, dinette and galley under the hard-top, with a lower deck offering two cabins.  A master cabin with private head to starboard forward, and three berth cabin;  double bed and a single at midships.  The Forte Yachts 47 is to be powered by twin Volvo 600hp with IPS pod propulsion, with the outboard version to be powered by triple Mercury 600hp.  

www.forteyachts.com

2 Injured as Sport Cruiser Collides In Steelworks Park Break Wall, Illinois

An eight meter sport cruiser with six persons onboard collided into the break wall in Steelworks Park, Illinois, Lake Michigan on the night of Saturday thirteen July 2024.  United States Coast Guard sector Chicago responded to the emergency and as they arrived on the accident scene found two boaters injured, and a partly sank boat.  Fire Crews from Chicago also came to the scene and helped in transferring the two injured boats to a hospital.  The cause of the collision was not reported. 

The sport cruiser in this accident is a Monterey 276 Sport Cruiser as produced from 1995 to 1999.  The 276 Sport Cruiser was a replacement and soft evolution of the Monterey 265 Sport Cruiser, with the model replaced by the 282 Cruiser.

New Model: Itama 54

It took time for the current Ferretti Group ownership to notice Itama, a small signal arrived in 2017 when the S update came for the 45, with this followed on the larger 62 in 2020, and the RS update in subsequent years.  Now after sixteen years and the not so lucky Fifty model, Itama is back with this totally new 54.  Officially announced as a project this Winter, the new 54 sees designer Tommaso de Luca take the legendary classic Itama name to a new third generation act, with some new details pushing along the classic ones.  Tommaso de Luca for the new Itama 54 adds new modern interesting features, some less subtle like the outward stern, the integrated sun-pads on the fore deck, and the hull glazing serving the cabin area to the less noticeable near wide body cockpit.  These new features are added to the classic Itama must have; the flush deck, the long windshield, and the aft sun-pad.  The lower deck accommodation for the Itama 54 offers two cabins; master forward and double guest berth to starboard served with two shower heads, an ensuite for the owner and a guest head.  A spacious galley on entry into the cabin area to port side, and a dinette lounge sofa.  The galley is definitely a plus, as it is not only spacious for a sixteen meter yacht, but one of the few to have a lower deck galley since the genre is mostly competed by walk-around type day yachts.  Outside the new 54 is all classic Itama; aft sun-pad, C-shaped dinette and C-shaped lounger to starboard, with a wet bar and helm station to port side.  The Itama 54 is standard powered by twin Man 730hp for speeds up to 33 knots and a cruise of 28, with optional 850hp pushing up to 37 knots.  A technical new feature for the 54 is that it is also the first Itama fitted with propeller tunnels. 

Technical Data:

LOA - 16.44 m (53.9ft)

Beam - 4.74 m

Draft - 1.42 m

Displacement - 19.5 t unloaded, 24.10 t loaded

Fuel Capacity - 2500 l

Water Capacity - 450 l

Max Persons - fourteen

Accommodation - four guests in two cabins

Engines - 2 x Man i6 730hp, i6 850hp

Propulsion - integrated U-drive shaft line

Speed - 37 knots with Man 850hp, 33 knots max 28 cruise with Man 730hp

Project - Tommaso de Luca exterior and interior, Ferretti Group engineering

www.itama-yacht.com

Regal Cruiser Saved from Sinking in Sarasota Bay, Florida

A twelve meter Regal hard-top sport cruiser with three persons onboard was saved from Sinking in Sarasota Bay, Florida at 15:30 of Sunday seventh September.  This story was shared on the Florida Gulf Coast Marine Services YouTube channel, as TowBoatU.S was called by US Coast Guard as the boat lost power.  When arriving on the scene Captain Ken of TowBoatU.S finds out that the boat not only lost power but is taking on water.  After inspection the water was looked to be coming from the stern starboard side, with the course of action being to add two bilge pumps and pump the water out, and tow the vessel to Longboat Key.  Ultimately the saving operation was a success.

The sport cruiser in this accident is a Regal 42 Sport Coupe as produced from 2011 to 2018.  The 42 Sport Coupe was a replacement to the Regal 4060 Commodore, and was replaced by the 42 Grand Coupe.

Genoa 2025 Boat Show Preview

Genoa opens its door for its 65th edition on Thursday 18 and closing on Tuesday 23 September.  Genoa is the largest boat show in the Mediterranean and Europe, with the 2025 edition offering over a thousand boats on display, 23 new shipyards taking part, and exhibitors flocking to Genoa from a total of 45 countries, the best of the industry will be showcased to the world, including 123 new products and 96 premieres.  The 2024 Genoa boat show had 120,864 visitors, an increase of 2.19% to the 2023 edition making it the most attended water boat show, and second in the World.  Along with most of the novelties from Cannes arriving a week later to Genoa, the 2025 boat show will feature the following World firsts; Manda Yachts S05.3, Mimi Libeccio 9.50 Walkaround and Libeccio 13.5 Cabin, and Rio Parana 40.
www.salonenautico.com

The Genoa boat show debuted in 1962, the first edition held in 27 January had over 300,000 visitors and featured a total of 430 exhibitors from eighteen countries; 247 Italian and the rest international. The Fiera had in its second year doubled its exhibiting space, a theme of the show over the years who always upgraded its spaces, and recent big expansions coming with the Marina in 2006 which quadrupled water spaces, and the new Pavilion B designed by Jean Nouvel in 2009. In 1964 Genoa boat show became a member of IFBSO, with UCINA the Italian association of boat builders managing the show from 1966. This UCINA move marked the end of the Milan show which debuted in 1960 and had its last fifth edition in 1965. The Genoa boat show had a double edition in 1972; 29 January to seven February and one to ten December, while the 1973 edition was when it moved to its today known fall of the year October dates, with the show reduced to a smaller five day format in 2014 added by a day a couple years later. The Genoa boat show was one of the few shows which managed to do its editions during the 2020 and 2021 Covid-19 pandemic years.

Genoa Boat Show First Edition

Projects: Princess C48, Princess C48 Open

In Summer Princess started to tease about this new C-class range, and in Cannes the announcement finally arrived, for the C48 available in two versions; the standard deck saloon, and the Open version, with this last set to debut at Fort Lauderdale boat show in the fall of 2026, and DS version in Dusseldorf on January 2027.  The C48 is exterior designed by Bernard Olesinki and the Princess design team led by Andy Lawrence, with hull design coming from Michael Peters who brings his patented Stepped Vee Ventilated hull.  Princess entering the center console market is big news, with the C48 also becoming the fastest boat to come from Plymouth to date, estimated to reach 54 knots with the top option of triple Mercury 600hp set up.  The other power options are standard triple Mercury 400hp outboard for speeds up to 44 knots, and inboard stern drive of twin 480hp estimated giving speeds up to 34 knots.  The Princess C48 will offer a lower deck sleeping four, with a lot of options for the forward area; standard is a U-shaped dinette, and this can be optioned a double berth in open or enclosed with door becoming a separate forward cabin.  To midships is also a second cabin with double berth.  A mini galley on entrance to port side, and a spacious head with enclosed shower completes the cabin accommodation.  For the main deck the C for center console C48 is a full walk around but dynamics and cockpit layout are very different in between the C48 Open or the Deck Saloon version.  The C48 Open is a Euro walk-around made for the American market; central sun-pad, opposite settee dinette, exterior galley, and triple seats center helm station off-set that bit to starboard, to allow passage to the cabin entrance.  In the Deck Saloon version; the sun-pad is replaced by opposite settee dinette, while inside the enclosed area is an L-shaped dinette to port side with a galley located opposite.  Other options also include full height drop down balconies, which extend the length of the standard balconies of both port and starboard to the bathing platform.  To be fair I see this a stupid useless option, which also disturbs production efficiency and costs.  A fair note is also to be made on the inboard-stern drive version which also features an up-down bathing platform option and also offers a larger bathing area.

www.princessyachts.com