April 30, 2007

Monthly News - April 2007

- Picture of the Month - Bruna Abbate Primatist Loris Capirossi Moto GP 

Alicante Doma International recognition

The prestigious international magazine Yacht Design has recognized the innovative design of the DOMA 7. This publication, with a long lived prestige internationally, has always been characterized by showing the most innovative designs of the world. There is no doubt, that this recognition for the DOMA 7 is a great starting point for this project, which continues with a solid progress towards its world premier next year.


Bruno Abbate Primatist Sponsors Capirossi and Capellini

United to win, Loris Capirossi and Guido Capellini will carry the Primatist logo in the MotoGP and Powerboat F1 Inshore championships respectively. Loris Capirossi and his Ducati will challenge the MotoGP around the world with the Primatist logo on the upper part of his gloves. Guido Capellini on his side will try to conquer his 10th Championship with his DAC Catamaran that peeks 230 km/h. The Primatist logo will be present on the helmet and the Catamaran. This partnership goes over the commercial agreement that both these world famous sportsman have, as both of them are friends of the Abbate family and both of them soon owners of a G 46 and G 53 Aerotop Pininfarina. Capirossi and Capellini will contribute to spread the Bruno Abbate Primatist brand in the world, thanks to sport values, what is the development of the constructor in a precise market segment of a range of high quality crafted sports cruisers and yachts.


Ferretti Yachts, Ferretti Custom Line, Mochi Craft Privilege Days 2007

Ferretti Yachts organises the fifth edition of the most exclusive event for Ferretti owners. During the last weekend in March, Cannes hosted the Privilege Days, the exclusive worldly event bringing together Ferretti ship-owners from all over the world. With this fifth edition, Privilege Days renewed the success of the previous editions, consolidating an awaited opening rendezvous of the summer season. Privilege Days represent an exclusive meeting opportunity for the Ferretti Yachts, Mochi Craft and Custom Line aficionados. Since the very first edition, Ferretti Yachts has been able to attract the attention and the appreciation of its loyal ship-owners. The components underlying the success of the event are in keeping with the characteristics embodied in every Ferretti, Mochi Craft and Custom Line yacht: refined simplicity, extreme care for the details and excellent building capacity. Norberto Ferretti, President of the Ferretti Group, and Fulvio Dodich, Managing Director of Ferretti Yachts, perfect examples of the Group's capacity to conquer and retain customers' trust, welcomed invites from all over the world to Port Canto. A portion of the well-equipped marina was reserved for the fleet of FERRETTI YACHTS, flanked by MOCHI CRAFT and CUSTOM LINE fleets. The colourful Dolphins, that launched the Italian lobster boat style, and the splendid yachts by Custom Line, a leader in the production of 29 to 34 m long maxi yachts, all lined up along the dock at the disposal of ship-owners and their friends. Guests were hosted at Martinez Hotel, and Saturday evening they attended to a gala dinner in the suggestive hall of the Palais du Festival. The evening was enlivened by a performance by Kataklò, the first Italian dance company staffed by Olympic class athletes, who staged a series of acts especially designed to express the essence of the values upheld by the brands. Thanks to the complete fleet on display and Ferretti's proverbial hospitality, Privilege Days 2007 gave all participants a chance to feel part of the Being Ferretti philosophy.


CRN - Historic Success Registered by Sales Office

CRN sold 31 megayachts between September 2004 and the present. Semi-custom maxi-yachts ranging in length from 29 to 43 metres accounted for 23 of the sales, while the 8 other vessels were fully customised steel ships at lengths of from 46 to 72 metres. These sales results were unprecedented for the Ancona shipyard, and probably for the entire nautical industry as well. During the last year, a total of 18 vessels were sold under the Custom Line brand, managed by CRN, in addition to 5 three-deck ships that are now part of the CRN composite fleet: 2 CRN 128’ vessels and no fewer than 3 of the CRN 43, a new displacement project whose first hull, sold during the previous year, shall be launched by the end of Spring. The eight steel boats sold are a 46-metre ship of the “Magnifica” line(#118), plus a 54-metre ship (#121), a 57-metre model (#122), a 60-metre yacht (#123), two 56-metre vessels, a 59-metre ship (#126) and a 72-metre mega-yacht (#124), this last the largest vessel ever built at the shipyard, and one of the longest ever constructed in Italy. Specialised in building steel and aluminium mega-yachts that can reach lengths of up to 80 metres, plus 40 and 43-metre composite maxi-yachts, CRN can point to a stellar sales record over the last three years. The shipyard is also looking to increment sales in the United States and North America, a zone to which a new Area Manager was recently assigned: Paul Madden, whose many years of experience selling mega-yachts have been added to the shipyard’s sales team, guaranteeing a skilled, highly trained presence in American territory. The constant attention paid to the shipowner before the sale of the vessel - and, even more importantly, afterwards - is one of the keys to the shipyard’s sales success, as demonstrated by the large number of repeated clients.


Fairline Hosts World First 100% Renewable Biofuel Demonstration in Mallorca

With an audience made up of the world’s media, Mallorcan VIPs, Politicians and boat owners, Fairline North Mallorca hosted the world’s first comparison demonstration of 100% renewable BioFuel-powered and Fossil diesel-powered boats on behalf of fuel technology company, Revego Ltd. The event took place on Wednesday 18th April at Real Club Nautico, Puerto de Pollensa, where two identical Fairline Phantom 46s, the first Phantom powered by Revego 100% renewable and Carbondioxide Neutral Bio Fuel and the second Phantom by conventional fossil-based Diesel fuel, were trialled alongside each other. Guests were able to assess first hand the potential opportunities offered by this alternative energy source and examine the technology system installations. Throughout the demonstration the BioFuel-powered boat performed without compromise, holding its own alongside the fossil diesel-powered Phantom on both speed and performance. Our guests today heard about the technology, saw its potential first hand and have gone away from the demonstration knowing that a choice of fuel for their boats does exist.


Grand Banks Yachts Announces Changes in Top Management

Grand Banks Yachts Ltd. today announced several promotions and changes within its executive management team. The reorganization is designed to better align key roles and responsibilities as the 50-year-old Company builds on two years of record sales. The changes, effective immediately, include the appointment of Rob Livingston to the role of Company President. Mr. Livingston will assume the leadership of daily operations for Grand Banks. He most recently served as Executive Vice President and has been with the Company for almost eight years. Grand Banks also announced that Peter Poli, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, will assume the additional title of Executive Vice President. Mr. Poli joined Grand Banks Yachts in 2004 and will now be responsible for the human resources and technology functions in addition to finance. Other management changes announced include naming Y.P. Wong, General Manager of Singapore Operations since , to the additional role of Chief Engineer. Engineering groups at Grand Banks factories in both Singapore and Malaysia will now report to Mr. Wong. Brent Perry, Vice President of Quality Assurance and After Sales Service, will now also lead the Company’s Development Group. Mr. Perry came to Grand Banks in 2006 with many years of design and manufacturing experience at several top boatbuilders, and effective immediately will serve as Vice President of Development, Quality Assurance and Service.


Horizon Group Wins

The Horizon Group proudly announces winning the “2007 Taiwan Superior Brand” contest on March 28, 2007. Horizon Yacht’s Chairman, James Cheng, accepted the award on behalf of the Horizon Group at the “2007 Taiwan Superior Brand Award Banquet”. The Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT) has commissioned a Branding Taiwan campaign executed by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) in cooperation with the international brand consulting firm, Interbrand. Since 2003 the Taiwan Superior Brand Contest has been organized as part of the campaign with the goal of reinforcing and strengthening Taiwan's international competitiveness by encouraging industries to develop quality and innovative brand products. This year, the award has been assigned to two business sectors, one domestic brand and one global brand. The Horizon Group was one of the 15 global brand award-winning companies for its outstanding performance in research and development, product quality, branding strategy, and branding achievement. The Horizon Group appreciates the value of its brand and achievement in the international yachting industry today. Winning the award not only affirms but encourages our continuous efforts on the “Horizon” brand worldwide. Not complacent of current achievements, the Horizon Group will continuously reinforce global recognition by providing superior quality and high performance “Horizon” yachts with outstanding customer service.

Horizon Yachts have US Congress Members Visit

Vision Yachts was happy to host a visit for US Congress delegates representing both Republican and Democratic parties. The purpose of the visit was to get a better understanding of Taiwan's economic environment and majoy industries. The United States are a very important market for Taiwanese yachts. With the Horizon Group being a leader of Taiwan yacht builders, the delegation came to visit the Horizon Group to learn about the industry. The visit was arranged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Marketing Center of the Horizon Group. After the visitors' arrival at Vision Yachts, the Marketing Center gave a brief introduction of the Horizon Group describing the history, organizations and facilities of the shipyard. Vision Yachts showed videos about the construction process and current advertising plan. The highlight was a factory tour during which representatives of Vision Yachts guided the delegation through the yard and on board different vessels to view the building process. The visitors were impressed by the professionalism and organization of the yard as well as the state-of-the-art designs. This visit truly succeeded in enhancing the business relationship between the US and Taiwan


Pershing Yacht win Croatia Boat Show Trophy

Lights over water in Split for Pershing, a Croatia Boat Show Trophy winner. On April 22, the ninth edition of the Croatia Boat Show came to an end, celebrating a significant increase in terms of visitors, press representatives and the quality of exhibitors.This is an event that is becoming more and more well known in the Mediterranean, thanks to its spectacular setting in the unspoilt beauty of the Croatian coast and the growing synergy between the Show and the city of Split. Pershing took part in the show, displaying a series of models from its fleet, namely the Pershing 90’, 62’, 56’ and 46’. These craft were immediately welcomed by the public as four of the most prestigious craft on display, a response that was later made official when the Pershing 90’ was awarded the "Croatia Boat Show Trophy", a prize offered by the Yachts Adriatic magazine. This was yet another award for a model that continues to bring visibility to the top segment of the Pershing range, thanks to its highly unconventional personality and captivating design. As happened with the Pershing 90’ that once again, succeeded in making its mark and winning yet another international award.

Pershing 72 Sea Show

The Pershing 72, Sea Show four-leg tour, opened in Split, Croatia on April 20, organized by Pershing to present its latest gem. On April 28 and 29 - coinciding with the Palma International Boat Show – Pershing will unveil its revolutionary new craft, the Pershing 72’ to dealers, customers and brand aficionados with a series of events including sea trials, meetings and an exclusive gala dinner..The star of the Sea Show, to be held at the Real Club Nautico in Palma, is naturally the Pershing 72’, a craft characterised by the innovative design of its exteriors and the luxurious elegance of its “Poltrona Frau” interiors. After Palma de Mallorca, the Sea Show will move onto Italy where it will stop in Venice from June 14 to 17 and then continue to Athens from June 28 to 30 to complete the tour.


Sunseeker International honoured by Queen´s Award

Sunseeker’s flag will be flying high following the announcement today that the company has been honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise, the UK’s most prestigious awards for business performance. Presented in recognition of substantial growth in overseas earnings and commercial success, the Queen’s Award is an independent and prominent endorsement of the company’s sustained achievement in international trade to levels that are considered outstanding for the size of Sunseeker’s operation. Winning the Queen’s Award for the fifth time, Sunseeker increased its exports by over £50 million in three years from 2003 to 2006. Practically all of the company’s production is exported and it now sells to over 40 countries worldwide. Main markets are in Europe, the Far East, the USA and Australia. In the three years 2003 to 2006, its exports have totaled over £510 million and the company has created 291 additional jobs.

Sunseeker employee stashed parts for his dream boat

After four years as a Sunseeker employee, heling to build luxury powerboats in Poole, Dorset, James Light began collecting items to build his own dream boat. Seven years later he got caught and lost his job. Yesterday he pleaded guilty at Bournemouth Crown court and was given a suspended sentence plus 200 hours' community service. Police, who raided his lock-up garage found some 700 boat parts worth £55,000 - mostly electronics. Detectives were at a loss to explain how Light had sneaked all the parts - including a four-foot radar pole and a widescreen TV - through security at the firm's premises.

April 29, 2007

America's Cup - Louis Vuitton Cup Round Robin 2

Updated schedule for Round Robin 2. Wind permitting should start today. 1 Flight per day is scheduled. Each flight is about 1 mile longer then Round Robin.1. 4 sides - 2 upwind and 2 downwind legs. 3.3 miles for 1st and 4Th leg. 3 miles for 2ND and 3rd leg.
Louis Vuitton Cup Round Robin 2
Sunday 29th April Flight→ Flight 1 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 BMW ORACLE Racing - United Internet Team Germany
2 Victory Challenge - Team Shosholoza
3 Luna Rossa Challenge - China Team
Bye Desafío Español 2007
4 Emirates Team New Zealand - Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
5 Areva Challenge - +39 Challenge
6
Monday 30th April Flight→ Flight 2 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 Team Shosholoza - United Internet Team Germany
2 BMW ORACLE Racing - China Team
3 Luna Rossa Challenge - Victory Challenge
Bye Emirates Team New Zealand
4 +39 Challenge - Desafío Español 2007
5 Areva Challenge - Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
6
Tuesday 1st May Flight→ Flight 3 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 Desafío Español 2007 - Areva Challenge
2 +39 Challenge - Emirates Team New Zealand
3 Bye Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
4 United Internet Team Germany - Luna Rossa Challenge
5 China Team - Victory Challenge
6 Team Shosholoza - BMW ORACLE Racing
Wednesday 2nd May Flight→ Flight 4 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 Emirates Team New Zealand - Areva Challenge
2 Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - Desafío Español 2007
3 Bye +39 Challenge
4 China Team - United Internet Team Germany
5 Luna Rossa Challenge - Team Shosholoza
6 BMW ORACLE Racing - Victory Challenge
Thursday 3rd May Flight→ Flight 5 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 United Internet Team Germany - Victory Challenge
2 BMW ORACLE Racing - Luna Rossa Challenge
3 Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - +39 Challenge
Bye Areva Challenge
4 Team Shosholoza - China Team
5 Desafío Español 2007 - Emirates Team New Zealand
6
Friday 4th May Flight→ Flight 6 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 Luna Rossa Challenge - Areva Challenge
2 Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - United Internet Team Germany
3 Victory Challenge - +39 Challenge
Bye BMW ORACLE Racing
4 Desafío Español 2007 - China Team
5 Emirates Team New Zealand - Team Shosholoza
6
Saturday 5th May Flight→ Flight 7 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 Emirates Team New Zealand - United Internet Team Germany
2 China Team - Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
3 Team Shosholoza - Desafío Español 2007
Bye Victory Challenge
4 Areva Challenge - BMW ORACLE Racing
5 +39 Challenge - Luna Rossa Challenge
6
Sunday 6th May Flight→ Flight 8 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 United Internet Team Germany - Desafío Español 2007
2 Team Shosholoza - Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
3 Emirates Team New Zealand - China Team
Bye Luna Rossa Challenge
4 Areva Challenge - Victory Challenge
5 +39 Challenge - BMW ORACLE Racing
6
Monday 7th May Flight→ Flight 9 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 +39 Challenge - Team Shosholoza
2 China Team - Areva Challenge
3 Bye United Internet Team Germany
4 Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - BMW ORACLE Racing
5 Victory Challenge - Desafío Español 2007
6 Luna Rossa Challenge - Emirates Team New Zealand
Tuesday 8th May Flight→ Flight 10 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 China Team - +39 Challenge
2 United Internet Team Germany - Areva Challenge
3 Bye Team Shosholoza
4 Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - Luna Rossa Challenge
5 Victory Challenge - Emirates Team New Zealand
6 Desafío Español 2007 - BMW ORACLE Racing
Wednesday 9th May Flight→ Flight 11 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 Victory Challenge - Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
2 Desafío Español 2007 - Luna Rossa Challenge
3 BMW ORACLE Racing - Emirates Team New Zealand Bye China Team
4 United Internet Team Germany - +39 Challenge
5 Areva Challenge - Team Shosholoza
Disclaimer: above racing schedule is subject to change and racing may be postponed or re scheduled as the Americas Cup jury seems fit.

April 28, 2007

America's Cup - Louis Vuitton Cup Round Robin 1. Finally concludes


After 13 days of racing and postponements, Round Robin 1 finally concludes. With a slow start to racing in the 1st week and 6 days out of the 7 cancelled due to lack of wind, the second week of the cup proved to be more reliable in terms of enough breeze and only one day, Monday was without racing. With wind range for the cup rated at a minimum 7 up to 25 knots max, the breeze was always in the most part in the lower slower range. Flights where held in an average of a 9 knots breeze, with only a very few of the match races going over the 10 knots range. This slow wind range in the start of the cup allowed for a few surprises like the victory of Shosholoza RSA83 over Luna Rossa ITA94 and showed a tighter competition between the big rich Top Teams and small New Teams, with every race being a full action affair no matter who is racing who.
 Comments after Round Robin1:
BMW Oracle Racing defeated only by Desafio in flight 10, fast boat and aggressive team nearly unbeatable
Luna Rossa Challenge surprise defeat with Shosholoza, lose only 6 seconds to Oracle, but never impress suffering challenge
Emirates Team New Zealand lose the direct matches with the top teams and Mascalzone 2 places down
Desafio Espanol 2007 show defeat to Oracle, damaged spinnaker pole with Areva costing match keep 4Th place
Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team start well by beating New Zealand, suffer important matches with direct competitors more concentration
Victory Challenge important victory with Mascalzone on the last flight a threat
Team Shosholoza give a blow to Luna Rossa and a tight match to most challengers including Oracle competitive
Areva Challenge get a win over Desafio, do a penalty error with Shosholoza average
+39 Challenge race Flight 1 & 2 with Version.4 mast, important win with Team Germany regain confidence
United Internet Team Germany had closer matches then the results actually show deserve more
China Team still no win and the skills seem to be at a standstill damage boat in last part of RR.1
Round Robin 1 - Final Results and Ranking

Photo Copyright BMW Oracle Racing.

April 25, 2007

Project: WallyPower 60

The new WallyPower 60 represents the transition between the WallyPower 47 and the larger 70.4 which is the updated version of the 70 for 2007 . She fully exploits the WallyPower line concept to integrate design and function, and combines large interior volumes with high performance, sea keeping, and wide open air areas. On deck, the area forward the superstructure is slightly recessed allowing to safely enjoy this sunbathing and social area. The cockpit features the navigation and driving control station to starboard, while the deck galley is to port with gas burners, fridge, sink, and plenty of storage for cooking tools, china and glassware. The central social area features to starboard a 6-8 people dining table and to port a lounge with a coffee table that can be converted into a second large dining table. Aft is the sunbathing pad with cushions. The top of the glass superstructure can be lifted to increase the ventilation of the cockpit during navigation and at anchor. Three different interior layout options are available, that differ for number and type of cabins offered. All the cabins of the three versions have en-suites, with the main layout being a spacious 3 cabin offer. The propulsion system consists of two MTU diesel engines generating 2,500 Hp driving KaMeWa water-jets, and providing 43 knots of max speed with a range of 300 miles. The first 60 is built at WallyEurope facility in Fano, Italy and the delivery is scheduled for April 2008.

April 23, 2007

New Model: Pershing 72

As advised in our boat show review, Croatia was the location chosen to host the unveiling for the new Pershing 72. On April 20 and 21, coinciding with the 9Th Croatia Boat Show, Pershing unveiled this revolutionary new Pershing 72 to dealers, customers and brand aficionados with a series of events including sea trials, meetings and an exclusive gala dinner. The star of the Sea Show, which was held in the private marina at Le Meridien Hotel in Lav, Split, was the new Pershing 72, a craft with an innovative exterior design and luxurious elegant “Poltrona Frau” interiors. The 72 takes the renowned Italian builder to a new design concept for the top sides, but also innovative solutions offering a fully opening main deck. Performance are usuall Pershing, which thanks to Arneson surface drives and twin MTU 1823hp power, can reach a top speed of 45 knots, and a cruising of 40 knots, which will give a range of 300 nautical miles.
Technical Data:
LOA - 22.26 m (73 ft)
Hull Length - 21.67 m
LWL - 16.65 m
Beam - 5.50 m
Draft - 1.45 m
Displacement - 51.4 tons loaded
Fuel Capacity - 4500 l
Water Capacity - 990 l
Max no of Persons - 16
Engines - 2 x MTU 12V 2000 M93 1823 HP
Propulsion - Arneson Surface Drives ASD 14L
Speed - max 45 knots (1/3 load), cruising 40 knots
Range - 300 nautical miles at cruising speed
Hull Shape - monohedron 20 degrees deep vee with sprayrails
Design - Fulvio De Simoni
Certification - CE A

April 21, 2007

America's Cup - Louis Vuitton Cup Round Robin 1 Week 1. Reschedule & Reschedule....

Everyone present for the Challenger Selection of the 32Nd America's Cup, the Louis Vuitton Cup but Wind God Aeolus apparently had taken a week off from the Valencia Coast. 5 racing days where cancelled since Monday, with only one racing day out of six being held. Teams and fans alike are frustrated but this is also part of sailing, a sport which is made of humans, machines and most of all the power of mother nature, the wind. The only enough wind day was yesterday Friday, when a wind breeze of just over 8 knots from the East permitted racing. Opening the races was the South Juliet course with BMW Oracle USA98 versus Internet Team Germany GER89. North course Romeo followed with the most expected match race of the day, Mascalzone Latino Capitalia ITA99 against Emirates Team New Zealand NZL92. And what a show this was with ITA99 stealing the start and leading a race from start to finish but with NZL92 always on it's tails. ITA99, fifth in the challenger ranking won by only 15 seconds, in what was a really tight match and provided one of the first surprises for the beginning in Round Robin One.
Comments about Teams on Racing Schedule 1 Week 1:
BMW Oracle Racing - 2 Wins 2 easy win races with bottom table challengers, Dickson does a big sweep of both
Luna Rossa Challenge - 2 Wins easy versus China, convince with Victory who where only 3 places behind in ranking
Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - 2 Wins confirms ACT.13 by beating top team NZ, do a sweep of Areva in 2Nd match. A crescendo
Desafio Espanol 2007 - 1 Win only 1 race against +39 but dominate from start to finish
Emirates Team New Zealand - 1 defeat tight match with Mascalzone which looses, still a force! but are they top team?
Victory Challenge - 1 win 1 defeat convince with Shosholoza, worry a bit LR in 1st upwind leg but after get left behind
Team Shosholoza - 1 defeat 1 win loose a close match with Victory and win against Germany, they improved but not enough
Areva Challenge - 1 win 1 defeat beat +39, they look better then the Act's ranking chart
+39 Challenge - 2 defeats 2 defeats, with Areva I hoped for more, may be they still suffer the mast
United Internet Team Germany - 2 defeats pen-ultimate in rankings and it shows, although they show signs of improving
China Team - 2 defeats they are last since the Act's started since 2004
Round Robin 1 - Chart Table after Flight 2

April 17, 2007

Boat Review: Bruno Abbate Primatist G46 Aerotop Pininfarina

Presentation
Presented last Summer during the Bruno Abbate Summer event The Primatist trophy, the new G46 is the offer for the mid size market from this famous builder coming out of Lake Como, Italy. After the G70 Aerotop Pininfarina, the Turin design house continues the work with the new high end G Aerotop line for Bruno Abbate. With the G46, Pininfarina continues the trend shown on the larger sister, reinterpreting the idea for a 46 feet sports cruiser with hardtop in an elegant and streamline design, calling speed and performance with class.
Accommodation
This has to be one of the best offers in a fourteen metre sports cruiser for what is interior accommodation. She offers comfortable accommodation for six in three separate cabins, in what has to be one of the most smart, intelligent and alternative layouts in the hard top sports cruiser category today. The layout is spacious and intelligent, featuring a full beam mid ship master cabin complete with en-suite head, a VIP guest cabin forward and a very intelligent third cabin with 2 bunk beds. This wise third cabin if desired can be converted to a part of the saloon, thanks to a large sliding door and convertible settee adjustment. Calling it genius is the least you can do here. Galley which is the weak point of the G46 is located outside in the cockpit and is of adequate dimensions.
Performance
The hull of the G 46 is a variable geometry deep V-hull with a 50 degrees angle forward and closing at 22 degrees aft. Top speed as declared by the manufacture is 36 knots with the 2 x 435hp Volvo IPS600 at 3500 rpm. Cruising is 31 knots at 3200 rpm and economical cruising is 26 knots at 3000 rpm. Range is over 9 hours with economical cruising speed. She is also one of the few boat's today to have been fully constructed and projected around the IPS system. While many boats are using this efficient propulsion system, there are very few hulls projected around this concept.
Positive
Interior layout
3rd cabin transform feature
Negative
Galley only on main deck
Competition
Many offers in the 13-14 metres hardtop sports cruisers. If you include all hardtop coupe models available you will have a list of about 20 marques, seeing the growing trend and demand for this type of craft in this size. Start adding the plus of the G46, 3 cabins and IPS drive system and the list is reduced for 2 other boats only, and surprising both from Italy and from the Lake Como area as Bruno Abbate. Talk about liking the hard top design, innovative propulsion system and plenty of berths inside.
The Airon Marine 4300 T-Top and Blu Martin 1390 Seatop are as close the competition can get with the G46. Both these models are available with the Volvo IPS, but can also be fitted in alternative with stern drives or shaft driven propulsion, unlike the G46 which is only offered with Volvo's Inboard Propulsion System. They also have the option of a two or a three cabin interior layout, but this in the G46 is standard thanks to a very smart third cabin.
Conclusion
Bruno Abbate Primatist G 46 Aerotop Pininfarina is a step ahead of the competition. She is one of the few fourteen metres hard top sports cruiser in the market featuring 3 cabins without giving up a full beam owners cabin. Then it features the innovative power from the IPS System by Volvo, which saves you about 40% in fuel bills, compared to a conventional shaft driven system. How about saving the environment and your pockets. The G46 also rewrites the way of planning boats for a 13/14 metre dimension and has made good mind of Volvo's highly praised system to the better use of more interior space. In fact to find a real competitor for the G 46 one has to look at bigger boats of over fifteen metres in length.
Technical Data
L.O.A. 14.10 metres (46.2 ft)
Waterline Length. 11.03 metres
Beam. 4.50 metres
Draft. 1.16 metres (including propellers)
Displacement. 14000 kg
Cabin Height. 2.00 metres
Fuel Capacity. 1200 litres
Water Capacity. 450 litres.
Berths. 6 + 2
Maximum Number of Passengers. 12
Engines - Volvo Penta 2 x IPS600 435hp
Propulsion - Volvo IPS Pod Drive
Speed - 36 knots max with IPS600
Hull Shape - deep Vee with with 50 degrees entry and 22 degrees closing deadrise aft
Design. Pininfarina
Category. CE B RINA Approved.
Picture Copyright Bruno Abbate. Data Bruno Abbate.

April 14, 2007

America's Cup - Challengers declare yachts for Round Robin 1, Great Gala this evening 2130 CET in Valencia

In a press conference this afternoon in Valencia, the 11 challenger's declared the racing yacht's they will use in Round Robin 1, starting next Monday. The team's with 2 racing yacht's i.e Oracle, Emirates Team New Zealand, LunaRossa, Desafio Espanol and Mascalzone Latino, all declared there latest Version 5 construction. That means maiden official racing for USA98 and NZL92. Luna Rossa, Desafio Espanol and Mascalzione Latino all confirmed there latest racing boat's that where also used for ACT 13.
Challenger's boat's for Round Robin 1:
BMW Oracle Racing - USA 98
Luna Rossa Challenge - ITA 94
Emirates Team New Zealand - NZL 92
Desafío Español 2007 - ESP 97
Victory Challenge - SWE 96
Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - ITA 99
+39 Challenge - ITA 85
Team Shosholoza - RSA 83
Areva Challenge - FRA 93
United Internet Team Germany - GER 89
China Team - CHN 95
Note: Challenger's are permitted to change racing yacht, but each change will cost the relevant team a victory match point which is 2 points
Tonight 2130 Boat Parade
The official opening ceremony for the 32nd America's Cup tonight at 2130 CET.

April 10, 2007

America's Cup - Louis Vuitton Round Robin 1 & 2 Racing Schedule

Louis Vuitton Cup Round Robin One
Monday 16th April
Flight→ Flight 1 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - Emirates Team New Zealand
2 +39 Challenge - Areva Challenge
3 Bye Desafío Español 2007
4 United Internet Team Germany - BMW ORACLE Racing
5 Team Shosholoza - Victory Challenge
6 China Team - Luna Rossa Challenge
Flight→ Flight 2 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 Desafío Español 2007 - +39 Challenge
2 Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - Areva Challenge
3 Bye Emirates Team New Zealand
4 United Internet Team Germany - Team Shosholoza
5 China Team - BMW ORACLE Racing
6 Victory Challenge - Luna Rossa Challenge
Tuesday 17th April
Flight→ Flight 3 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 Luna Rossa Challenge - United Internet Team Germany
2 Victory Challenge - China Team
3 BMW ORACLE Racing - Team Shosholoza
Bye Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
4 Areva Challenge - Desafío Español 2007
5 Emirates Team New Zealand - +39 Challenge
6
Flight→ Flight 4 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 United Internet Team Germany - China Team
2 Team Shosholoza - Luna Rossa Challenge
3 Victory Challenge - BMW ORACLE Racing
Bye +39 Challenge
4 Areva Challenge - Emirates Team New Zealand
5 Desafío Español 2007 - Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
6
Wednesday 18th April
Flight→ Flight 5 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 China Team - Team Shosholoza
2 Emirates Team New Zealand - Desafío Español 2007
3 Bye Areva Challenge
4 Victory Challenge - United Internet Team Germany
5 Luna Rossa Challenge - BMW ORACLE Racing
6 +39 Challenge - Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
Flight→ Flight 6 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 China Team - Desafío Español 2007
2 Team Shosholoza - Emirates Team New Zealand
3 Bye BMW ORACLE Racing
4 Areva Challenge - Luna Rossa Challenge
5 United Internet Team Germany - Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
6 +39 Challenge - Victory Challenge
Thursday 19th April
Flight→ Flight 7 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 BMW ORACLE Racing - Areva Challenge
2 Luna Rossa Challenge - +39 Challenge
3 Bye Victory Challenge
4 United Internet Team Germany - Emirates Team New Zealand
5 Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - China Team
6 Desafío Español 2007 - Team Shosholoza
Flight→ Flight 8 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 Victory Challenge - Areva Challenge
2 BMW ORACLE Racing - +39 Challenge
3 Bye Luna Rossa Challenge
4 Desafío Español 2007 - United Internet Team Germany
5 Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - Team Shosholoza
6 China Team - Emirates Team New Zealand
Saturday 21st April
Flight→ Flight 9 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 BMW ORACLE Racing - Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
2 Desafío Español 2007 - Victory Challenge
3 Emirates Team New Zealand - Luna Rossa Challenge
Bye United Internet Team Germany
4 Team Shosholoza - +39 Challenge
5 Areva Challenge - China Team
6
Flight→ Flight 10 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 Luna Rossa Challenge - Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
2 Emirates Team New Zealand - Victory Challenge
3 BMW ORACLE Racing - Desafío Español 2007
Bye Team Shosholoza
4 +39 Challenge - China Team
5 Areva Challenge - United Internet Team Germany
6
Sunday 22nd April
Flight→ Flight 11 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 +39 Challenge - United Internet Team Germany
2 Team Shosholoza - Areva Challenge
3 Bye China Team
4 Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - Victory Challenge
5 Luna Rossa Challenge - Desafío Español 2007
 6 Emirates Team New Zealand - BMW ORACLE Racing
Louis Vuitton Cup Round Robin 2
Wednesday 25th April
Flight→ Flight 1 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 BMW ORACLE Racing - United Internet Team Germany
2 Victory Challenge - Team Shosholoza
3 Luna Rossa Challenge - China Team
Bye Desafío Español 2007
4 Emirates Team New Zealand - Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
5 Areva Challenge - +39 Challenge
6
Thursday 26th April
Flight→ Flight 2 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 Team Shosholoza - United Internet Team Germany
2 BMW ORACLE Racing - China Team
3 Luna Rossa Challenge - Victory Challenge
Bye Emirates Team New Zealand
4 +39 Challenge - Desafío Español 2007
5 Areva Challenge - Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
6
Friday 27th April
Flight→ Flight 3 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 Desafío Español 2007 - Areva Challenge
2 +39 Challenge - Emirates Team New Zealand
3 Bye Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
4 United Internet Team Germany - Luna Rossa Challenge
5 China Team - Victory Challenge
6 Team Shosholoza - BMW ORACLE Racing
Saturday 28th April
Flight→ Flight 4 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 Emirates Team New Zealand - Areva Challenge
2 Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - Desafío Español 2007
3 Bye +39 Challenge
4 China Team - United Internet Team Germany
5 Luna Rossa Challenge - Team Shosholoza
6 BMW ORACLE Racing - Victory Challenge
Sunday 29th April
Flight→ Flight 5 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 United Internet Team Germany - Victory Challenge
2 BMW ORACLE Racing - Luna Rossa Challenge
3 Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - +39 Challenge
Bye Areva Challenge
4 Team Shosholoza - China Team
5 Desafío Español 2007 - Emirates Team New Zealand
6
Tuesday 1st May
Flight→ Flight 6 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 Luna Rossa Challenge - Areva Challenge
2 Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - United Internet Team Germany
3 Victory Challenge - +39 Challenge
Bye BMW ORACLE Racing
4 Desafío Español 2007 - China Team
5 Emirates Team New Zealand - Team Shosholoza
6
Wednesday 2nd May
Flight→ Flight 7 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 Emirates Team New Zealand - United Internet Team Germany
2 China Team - Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
3 Team Shosholoza - Desafío Español 2007
Bye Victory Challenge
4 Areva Challenge - BMW ORACLE Racing
5 +39 Challenge - Luna Rossa Challenge
6
Thursday 3rd May
Flight→ Flight 8 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 United Internet Team Germany - Desafío Español 2007
2 Team Shosholoza - Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
3 Emirates Team New Zealand - China Team
Bye Luna Rossa Challenge
4 Areva Challenge - Victory Challenge
5 +39 Challenge - BMW ORACLE Racing
6
Friday 4th May
Flight→ Flight 9 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 +39 Challenge - Team Shosholoza
2 China Team - Areva Challenge
3 Bye United Internet Team Germany
4 Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - BMW ORACLE Racing
5 Victory Challenge - Desafío Español 2007
6 Luna Rossa Challenge - Emirates Team New Zealand
Saturday 5th May
Flight→ Flight 10 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 China Team - +39 Challenge
2 United Internet Team Germany - Areva Challenge
3 Bye Team Shosholoza
4 Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - Luna Rossa Challenge
5 Victory Challenge - Emirates Team New Zealand
6 Desafío Español 2007 - BMW ORACLE Racing
Sunday 6th May
Flight→ Flight 11 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 Victory Challenge - Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
2 Desafío Español 2007 - Luna Rossa Challenge
3 BMW ORACLE Racing - Emirates Team New Zealand
Bye China Team
4 United Internet Team Germany - +39 Challenge
5 Areva Challenge - Team Shosholoza
Disclaimer: above racing schedule is subject to change and racing may be postponed or re scheduled as the Americas Cup jury seems fit.

April 9, 2007

America's Cup - Final Act 13 concludes, Alinghi unstoppable, Shosholoza gains bonus point, +39 mast broken in collision

The Final Act 13 which was a fleet race, was concluded last Saturday. 7 races where scheduled in what was an unpredictable weather week in Valencia.
Alinghi demonstrated it's full defender status by winning 4 of the 7 races held. The remaining races where won by 3 different challenger's. Challenger of records BMW Oracle won the 1st race, when the last downwind leg proved to be a real challenge to the competitors, with unpredictable wind patterns and turning to be an upwind leg in the final stages. Before that +39 held the command of the race from the begining. Emirates Team New Zealand won race 5 in a very exciting head to head finish with Luna Rossa Challenge from Italy. Home team Desafio Espanol won race 6 in a dominant race from start to finish, managing to control second placed the Defender Alinghi. Other important results came from Team Shosholoza which managed to win an extra bonus point at the expense of French Team Areva Challenge while Italian team Mascalzone Latino claimed 3rd Spot and became top Italian challenger in this Act, ahead of highly rated challenger Luna Rossa which came in 4th place. Negative notes for +39 challenge which suffered a dismasting by Team Internet Germany during the 3rd Race. The challenger did not race after that, but was still awarded the 2 bonus points as Team Internet Germany was found guilty of the accident. Team Internet Germany was ordered to pay for the damage occurred to the Italian team.
Valencia Louis Vuitton Act. 13
1. Alinghi - SUI91. Points: 78
2. Emirates Team New Zealand - NZL84. Points: 64
3. Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - ITA99. Points: 63
4. Luna Rossa Challenge - ITA94. Points: 60
5. BMW Oracle Racing - USA87. Points: 57
6. Desafio Espanol 2007 - ESP97. Points: 55
7. Team Shosholoza - RSA83. Points: 43
8. Victory Challenge - SWE96. Points: 35
9. Areva Challenge - FRA93. Points: 31
10. United Internet Team Germany - GER89. Points: 29
11. +39 Challenge - ITA85. Points: 17 (*awarded redress)
12. China Team - CHN95. Points: 15
Louis Vuitton Challengers Ranking
1. Emirates Team New Zealand. Points: 158. Bonus: 4
2. BMW Oracle Racing. Points: 147. Bonus: 3
3. Luna Rossa Challenge. Points: 143. Bonus: 3
4. Desafio Espanol 2007. Points: 106. Bonus: 3
5. Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team. Points: 103. Bonus: 2
6. Victory Challenge. Points: 83. Bonus: 2
7. Team Shosholoza. Points: 73. Bonus: 2
8. Areva Challenge. Points: 72. Bonus: 1
9. +39 Challenge. Points: 66. Bonus: 2 (*awarded redress)
10. United Internet Team Germany. Points: 42. Bonus: 1
11. China Team. Points: 18. Bonus:1

April 1, 2007

America's Cup - 32nd Edition 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