March 31, 2007

32nd America's Cup - Valencia Spain

Today is the start of the 32nd Americas Cup with the unveiling ceremony for all 11 Challengers and the Defender team. The racing will begin the coming Tuesday with the final ACT no.13, which is a fleet race. These ACT's where held since September 2004 starting in Marseille ACT1, with a tour which continued in Valencia, Malmo, Trapani and retuned to Valencia again from ACT 10, May 2006 till the closing ACT which will start Tuesday. These ACT apart from being a promotional tour for the oldest ever competition give bonus points to the challengers for the final phase, the Luis Vuitton Cup which starts Monday, 16th April.
Declared boat's from Defender and Challengers:
Alinghi - SUI 100, SUI 91
BMW ORACLE Racing - USA 98, USA 87
Luna Rossa Challenge - ITA 94, ITA 86
Emirates Team New Zealand - NZL 92, NZL 84
Desafío Español 2007 - ESP 97, ESP 88
Victory Challenge - SWE 96, SWE 73
Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team - ITA 99, ITA 90
+39 Challenge - ITA 85
Team Shosholoza - RSA 83
Areva Challenge - FRA 93
United Internet Team Germany - GER 89
China Team - CHN 95
Racing Calendar: Valencia Luis Vuitton ACT 13
3 to 7 April 2007 Fleet races involving all 12 teams
Luis Vuitton Cup
Round Robins 16 April - 7 May 2007.
11 Teams battle for the four semi-final places.
Semi Final 14 - 25 May.
Final 1 - 12 June. Winner wins Luis Vuitton Cup and will face Defender in Americas Cup Final.
32nd America's Cup by Luis Vuitton
23 June - 7 July 2007. Defender vs Challenger.
Best of 9, first to five match races.
The 12 Teams
Defender
Alinghi, Societe Nautique De Geneve - Switzerland
Challenger of Records
BMW Oracle Racing, Golden Gate Yacht Club - USA
Challengers
+39 Challenge, Circolo Vela Gargnano - Italy
Team Shosholoza, Royal Cape Yacht Club - South Africa
Emirates Team New Zealand, Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron - New Zealand
Luna Rossa Challenge, Yacht Club Italiano - Italy
Areva Challenge, Cercle de la Voile de Paris - France
Victory Challenge, Gamla Stans Yacht Sallskap - Sweeden
Desafio Espanol 2007, Real Federación Española de Vela - Spain
Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team, Reale Yacht Club Canottieri Savoia - Italy
United Internet Team Germany, Deutscher Challenger Yacht Club - Germany
China Team, Qingdao International Yacht Club - China

Monthly News - March 2007

- Picture of the Month - Ferretti Group Convergence 

Bertram Yachts selected as Manufacturer of the year for 2006 by SFMA

Leading Miami-based manufacturer of sport-fishing yachts for over 45 years, Bertram Yacht, has been selected by the South Florida Manufacturers Association (SFMA) as the 2006 Manufacturer of the Year.  The prestigious award was presented to Bertram at the 28th Annual SFMA Recognition of Excellence Banquet, attended by over 300 leading South Florida manufacturers & local media. The Manufacturer of the Year is selected from the 160 member companies of the SFMA. The selection was made by a 13 member selection committee who visited Bertram along with other candidates and selected Bertram based on the following criteria: 1) Company growth, 2) Commitment to employees, 3) Commitment to Quality, 4) Commitment to Community, 5) Continuous Improvements in Manufacturing and 6) Product Innovations.  The committee particularly noted Bertram’s tripling of revenues and doubling of it’s workforce since 2003, continuing improvements in quality, overall plant improvements in the facility via 5S programs and significant employee training programs.  The SFMA also recognizes Bertram’s employees for their accomplishments in 2006, as Jonathan Gutierrez, Lamination Supervisor, was chosen as an SFMA Employee of the Year Finalist in the Production category.


Grand Banks Recognized Industry Excellence by Malaysian Trade Authority

Winning the 2006 Export Excellence Award for ongoing contributions to export economy, Grand Banks Yachts received the Award yesterday, recognized by the Ministry of International Trade & Industry in Malaysia for its ongoing success and performance in export sales.  The award was presented in Kuala Lumpur by Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz, part of the 2006 Industry Excellence Awards honouring Malaysian manufacturers and exporters for their business excellence and quality achievement. Grand Banks is proud of the important contribution this factory has made to export excellence, and to the overall boating industry. With more than 120,000 square feet of floor space on over 20 acres of land, it is the largest of Grand Banks' two factories - and where every Grand Banks yacht begins production. Even boats that complete assembly at Grand Banks Singapore start construction in Malaysia, where all hulls, deckhouses and large components are manufactured under the highest standards of quality control. The Malaysia factory is also home to many of the boat building industry's top experts in design, engineering, production and quality assurance. Together, along with nearly one thousand employees, they create boats that will last for generations - and play a vital role in the worldwide success and lasting reputation of Grand Banks Yachts.


Vision Yachts Horizon Group reporting full capacity for 2007

In the first quarter of 2007, Vision Yachts, a member of the Horizon Group dedicated to building Horizon and Vision series yachts from 50' - 70', has broken its production record since its establishment in 2001. Six years of continuous effort have resulted in a growing facility and accumulated customer orders. In the third month after moving to the current new facility, President, Austin Lin, proudly announced during the 6th anniversary party that Vision has reached full productivity for 2007, and will soon begin to tackle 2008. Over 200 guests joined to celebrate Vision Yachts’ 6th Anniversary and Grand Opening Party for the new facility. The party ended with an amazing and acrobatic lion dance as a traditional symbol to bring lasting luck and fortune to Vision Yachts.


Sunseeker agrees expansion plans at Osprey Quay, Portland UK

Sunseeker International Limited has agreed outline terms with US-based Luhrs Marine for the purchase of its Legend Yacht manufacturing facilities at Osprey Quay, Portland on the UK’s South Coast. The site will be acquired to accommodate Sunseeker International’s planned expansion with a licence to use the facilities immediately, and production starting as soon as the purchase is complete. With demand for Sunseeker motor yachts growing year on year, specifically for the larger models, the need for more waterside production space has been an important issue for Sunseeker. With further investments being made at the company’s shipyard headquarters in Poole these new facilities will allow Sunseeker to meet future demand. Sunseeker is expecting production to be underway in May this year and is planning to employ up to 500 skilled staff at the 11.5 acre site over the next four years. Luhrs Marine will be remaining in the UK with a European headquarters for sales and customer service.


Ferretti Group Convergence Fourth edition

After the success of the previous three editions, Convergence, the theoretical and practical training programme for captains for all Ferretti Group boats up to 24 metres, entered its fourth edition.  The master programme, which took place in Naples, saw over 100 captains from all over the world taking part. The programme included meetings and discussion sessions in the classroom aimed at in-depth examination of the principles and issues regarding the everyday handling of motoryachts by way of workshops, technical lectures by experts of on-board components and systems, and practical manoeuvres. Among the various activities the captains took part in, there was one where they had to design an ideal helm station; a team of judges, led by Andrea Frabetti, head of Advanced Yacht Technology department, and who also coordinated all the technical events over the three-day programme, chose the best project.The whole event was, as usual, the stage of a worthwhile exchange of ideas and discussion between the participants, all captains who were given the chance to meet together, discuss their experiences and examine the many complex aspects bound to the everyday handling of luxury motoryachts.

March 30, 2007

New Launch: ISA Yachts 136

Launched by ISA in the beginning of March TVTB is the name of the new mega-yacht. This marvellous 41,40 metres planning maxi yacht gracefully glided on the water under the yard staff’s eyes, with a simple but traditional ceremony. This fibreglass yacht ISA 136 is a further evolution of the ISA 133 series, the line built up to the third motor yacht. With a higher bulwark, which makes it more streamlined, TVTB is an interesting yacht where elegant lines are combine with high performances. The ISA 236 reaches a max speed of 32 knots, when boats of the same size are on the average of 26 knots. This project, fruit of the well-established team-work between ISA and the Cristiano Gatto Design Team, stands out for the live ability of the common areas, with three decks, three cabins, a gym, a private office and a spectacular 45 sq meter owner’s cabin, equipped with a Turkish bath. Her modern interiors with precious materials combination offer extremely innovative solutions such as the lighting-technique with spectacular effects like the curtain that changes colour and is converted into a séparé in the owner cabin. This new ISA gem is the latest demonstration of the ability to combine innovation with functionality, comfort with original solutions and design creativity with craft production abilities. In short: the ability to enhance the typical features of Made in Italy.
Technical Data:
LOA - 41.40 m (135.8 ft)
Beam - 7.80 m
Draft - 1.52 m
Displacement - 198 tons (full load)
Passengers - 17
Accommodation - 8 berths in 4 cabins, 7 crew berths
Engine model - 2 x MTU Diesel 16V 4000 M90
Propulsion - water jets Kamewa jet series 80 SII
Speed - 32 knots max, 28 knots cruise
Range at cruise speed - 750 nautical miles
Hull type - Planning
Project - ISA Yachts, Cristiano Gatto Design for interior
Construction Material - Fiberglass

March 28, 2007

Project: Doma 4

Astilleros de Alicante from Spain presents Doma 4, a new hard top sports cruiser model with a 13.50 metres overall lenght, and a 4.32 m beam. Developed with the latest technology the Doma 4 will be introduced in the next Barcelona Boat Show 2007. As all Astilleros Doma, manufacturing occurs with highly sophisticated milling technique of 5 axis, a new technology rarely used in the luxury yacht segment. With such characteristics, the benefits provided by Doma 4 are optimal navigation conditions, and pleasant sea journeys. Its interior provides two spacious cabins and two complete bathrooms. Power is from twin engines totalling 900hp. Electrical bathing platform, and extraordinary habitability are clear examples of the comprehensive standard equipment the Doma 4 represents. This new Spanish design offers clear contemporary lines, which clearly identify all Doma powerboats. As in all Alicante Doma, the Doma 4 will have a high degree of personalization, a quality of the materials used, and innovative solutions.

March 25, 2007

Project: Couach 2600 Fly

To be launched in 2008 this made to measure semi-custom yacht from the prestigious French builder will fit behind the latest models of 37, 33 and 30 metres respectively and will replace the old 2600 Fly. The main theme of this yacht is focusing on owner operator, that is with minimum crew need for a 26 metre motor yacht. Attention as usual from Couach is on an extreme range for a planning yacht, 900 miles with 20 knots cruising. Fuel capacity is at 12000 litres while top speed is calculated at 32 knots.

March 24, 2007

New Model: Azimut 103 SL

Azimut Yachts proudly presents its new flagship yacht from the Open S range. A masterpiece of yacht design that combines Italian style with the latest technology. The World premiere for the new Azimut 103SL took place at the Dubai Boat Show. This exciting new Super Sport Yacht was the creative concept of Stefano Righini, designer for all Azimut yachts for over a decade, and the in house Azimut Design Team, who have combined their talents to design a prestigious super sport yacht. The creative style of the interiors is the work of Carlo Galeazzi, who excels in the use of luxury materials to create a unique exclusive style. For the exterior Azimut's unique Bordeaux Red was chosen as the colour of the hull of the 103SL giving this model an exciting personality, complimenting the other smaller S range models.
Technical Data:
Length - 30.91 m (101.4 ft)
Beam - 7.10 m
Draft - 1.34 m incl props and full load
Displacement - 105 t
Fuel - 12,350 l
Water - 2500 l
Accommodation - 8 berths in 4 cabins, + crew
Engines - 2 x MTU V16 2000M93 2434hp
Propulsion - KaMeWa Rolls Royce water jets
Speed - 34 knots max, 30 knots cruising
Keel - V shape 18.8 degrees deadrise aft
Design - Stefano Righini exterior, Carlo Galeazzi interior
Construction - GRP

March 23, 2007

Project: Ferretti 881 RPH

After presenting this project at the 38Th Boot Dusseldorf in Germany, Ferretti Yachts present full details of the new RPH - raised pilot house version for there successful 881 model. This super yacht from the world famous Italian firm will also feature a renewed engine system to the standard Ferretti 881, with new twin 2211hp MTU common rail engines. The new engine choice should give speeds of 29 knots and 26 knots cruising. At cruising a range of approx 360 nautical miles is estimated, after that you will need to refuel her 9000 litres fuel tank.

March 21, 2007

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Welcome to Poweryacht blog! Poweryacht is an online magazine offering a unique global perspective of informing on the latest news from the various motor cruiser / yacht builders, presenting the latest new model, projects, news, and informing on the latest corporate web site updates offered from the famous and the unfamous companies. PowerYachtBlog will also give news regaring marine sports from the offshore powerboat racing circus of the Powerboat P1, and Offshore Class 1 catamaran categories. Keep visiting us for more to come, this is the begninning!