Riviera Sport Yacht Goes Ablaze Near Pittwater, Australia

A seventeen meter Riviera sport yacht with five persons and a dog onboard was wrecked by fire to the north of West Head, near Patonga, Pittwater Australia at 13:40 of Monday sixteen March.  The five boaters who jumped in the water were rescued first by a fisherman with a small boat who was returning from a fishing trip, and then transferred to an eleven meter vessel with the authorities coming first with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, this followed by NorthSouthWest Rural Fire Service, and NorthSouthWest Police.  The yacht was ultimately wrecked and mostly sunk by the fire, with this extinguished in three hours.   The boaters were not injured even tough they jumped in the water without life jackets, as these were located at the back of the yacht were the fire started.  A notice to mariners for navigational hazard has been issued on the partly sank wreck.

The yacht in this fire is a Riviera 5800 Sport Yacht as produced from 2009 to 2015 in 33 units.  The 5800 was released as new flagship of the Sport Yacht line which debuted with the 3600 Sport Yacht in 2005, with the model replaced by the Riviera 6000 Sport Yacht.

Intrepid Powerboats New Web Site

Intrepid Powerboats presents its new web site.  Intrepid was founded in 1983 by John Michel in Opa-Locka, Florida, and in the fall of that first year will debut its first 30 Console Cuddy model, this is followed by the smaller 26 Center Console in 1986.  In 1990 Intrepid will move its facilities and production to a larger premises in St. Petersburg in Florida.  In 1992 Intrepid presents the 38 Evolution, its first inboard powered and largest produced boat of the time, and debuting its first stepped hull shape, then used for all following models.  The inboard power will be a short-lived choice for Intrepid, nonetheless the Florida boat builder will produce two that bit larger line shaft boats, the 395 Walkaround in 1997, and 405 from 1998, both based on the 38 Evolution platform.  In 2006 Intrepid will launch the largest production outboard powered boat of the time as it debuts the 475 Sport Yacht, it's flagship for seventeen years up till the arrival of the 51 Panacea in 2023.  John Michel will sell Intrepid in 2009 to Fulham and Co from Boston, who will sell to JDG Undaunted LLC led by David Gillikin in the fall of 2016.  Intrepid is sold again in 2021 to current owner MarineMax, the World's largest boat and yacht dealership.  Today Intrepid produces eight models from ten to fifteen meters in a three range offer; Center Console, Cabin, Center Console Cabin, and start with the 345 Nomad SE and go up to the 51 Panacea, with its latest model being the 2026 debuted 35 Panacea and 35 Valor.  Intrepid new website takes you around with the following buttons; Models, Dealerships, Intrepid Difference, News, and Request Info.  Intrepid is also on social media with bottom right buttons taking you to its Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Linkedin pages.

www.intrepidpowerboats.com 

Production History (cabin boats only showed); 

30 Console Cuddy 1984-93

23/246 Walk Around 1989/94-97

38 Evolution 1992-93

26 Walk Around 1992-95

33 Cuddy 1993-95

356 Cuddy 1994-2002

339 Walkaround 1995-2002 (100+)

322 Console Cuddy 1996-2004

395 Walkaround 1997-2000

289 Walkaround 1997-2003

405 Ex 1998-2000

366 Cuddy 1999-2003

323 Cuddy 2000-10

377 Walkaround 2000-10

348 Walkaround 2001-05

370 Cuddy 2003-11

310 Walkaround 2004-12

350 Walkaround 2005-11

475 Sport Yacht 2006-21

390 Sport Yacht 2007-15

2009 Fulham and Co ownership

430 Sport Yacht 2009-18

400 Cuddy 2010-16

327 Cuddy 2012-17

375 Walkaround 2013-20

475 Panacea 2014-20

2016 JDG Undaunted LLLC ownership

410 Evolution 2016-20

407 Cuddy 2017-20

407 Panacea 2018-23

409 Valor 2020-23

345 Valor 2020-25

2021 MarineMax ownership

41 Valor 2023-

51 Panacea 2023-

41 Panacea 2024-

43 Nomad 2024-

50 Evolution 2025-

35 Panacea 2026-

35 Valor 2026-

The 30 Console Cuddy, Intrepid's first model

Just Sold Super Yacht Crashes Into Bridge in Nassau, Bahamas

The 49 meter super yacht Vibrance was filmed as it collided into a pillar of the Paradise Island Bridge in Nassau, Bahamas on the morning of Friday 27 March.  The cause of the incident is not reported, though it looks like the yacht had a mechanical problem and or lost its power for a short time and ended to the mercy of the current, and then its bow port side colliding in the pillar.  Following the collision AIS data shows the yacht berthing at the Hurricane Hole Marina in Nassau.  No injuries are reported from the collision.  Yacht Vibrance was reported as sold just the previous day. 

The super yacht in this collision is the 2004 custom build Amels 49.3 meter hull number 445 as designed by Donald Starkey for both exterior and interior, with naval architecture developed inhouse.  Vibrance was launched as Larissa and was the second Starkey design for Amels.

New Launch: Van der Valk 39.92 M Hull no WV0145

Dutch boutique custom shipyard Van der Valk has launched its largest yacht to date, the 39.92-metre Hull number WV0145, at its facilities in Waalwijk, the Netherlands. Titled Project Evo during construction WV0145 has been christened as Shine during a launch ceremony attended by her owners, the craftsmen who brought the project to life, representatives from the design and engineering teams, owner’s representative, who introduced the owners to Van der Valk, and other members of the project team. Exterior styling for WV0145 was developed by Cristiano Gatto Design, based on an original concept by Franco Gianni of SFG Design that initially captured the owners’ attention. Cristiano Gatto Design was appointed to develop the general arrangement and interior design, later refining deck areas and contributing to the evolution of the exterior lines to ensure a cohesive overall aesthetic. A central part of the brief was to keep the yacht within an owner-friendly size, as the owner prefers to drive his own vessels, while achieving the level of finish expected on much larger yachts. The result is an interior defined by craftsmanship and material richness, featuring approximately 78 different materials, including ebony wood and fine leather finishes. Custom furniture pieces that helped inspire the project are integrated throughout the yacht. Performance was another key priority. Van der Valk WV0145 features a round-bilge, fast displacement hull refined by Ginton Naval Architects, Diana Yacht Design doing the structural analysis. Combined with lightweight aluminium construction and twin MTU 2600hp engines this custom 39 meter Van der Valk reaches top speeds up to 24 knots and a cruise of nineteen.

Technical Data:

LOA - 39.92 m (127.9ft)

Waterline Length - 36.4 m

Beam - 8.52 m

Draft - 2.30 m

Displacement - 300 t

Fuel Capacity - 26790 l

Water Capacity - 6420 l

Accommodation - ten guests in five cabins

Engines - 2 x MTU 16V2000M97L 2600hp

Propulsion - line shaft with five bladed nibral propeller

Speed - 24 knots max, nineteen cruise

Hull Shape - round bilge fast displacement

Construction - aluminium 4.5mn H321 hull, H111 super structure

Project - Christian Gatto and Franco Gianni SFG exterior, Ginton and Diana naval architect, Christian Gatto interior

Certification - ABS ✠A1 Commercial Yachting Service AMS, Red Ensign Yacht code Part A

www.vandervalkshipyard.com

Project: Baglietto DOM155

Baglietto's DOM range as designed by Stefano Vafiadis and debuting with the DOM133 in 2022 has been a tremendous success, with twelve units sold thus far for the first forty meter model and five of the smaller DOM115 which arrived last year.  Now Baglietto announces the project for the DOM155 largest and third model of the range.  The DOM155 is to be a 46 meter super yacht, with three decks, modern lines, and the must have today aft beach club.  Like its smaller sister the DOM155 is to be built in aluminium, and is to be a sub five hundred gross tonnage of volume super yacht.  Power is to be from twin Cat engines for top speeds up to sixteen knots.

www.baglietto.com

Hans Mellstrom 1942 - 2020

Hans Mellström died on on the Sunday nineteen April 2020 due to the Covid-19 disease. Before entering boating 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 ten thousand 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 purchase of the 1946 founded Swedish boat builder.  When Elsebeth Gustafsson-Furthmair wanted to sell her shares in 1995, Hans stepped in as buyer and 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.  The most revolutionary act under Hans ownership was the 62ft Grand Series No. 1 model, 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 difficulty in managing the business, giving the duties to Nimbus founders Hans and Lars Wiklund.  In 2004 Hans Mellström then sold 51% of his shares in the Viamare Group, this resulting in Storebro 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

Aiata 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.