Monthly News - February 2014

-pic of the month- Maritimo Founder Receives Business Gong

Bavaria New Sales Record

Only a few days ago the boot in Dusseldorf finished and now the final result of the probably biggest boat fair of her kind in the world are on the table. Bavaria enjoyed a staggering result with 102 customers deciding at the exhibition to buy a Bavaria sailing yacht or motorboat. This is not only a new show sales record for Bavaria itself, but also among 1,600 exhibitors at the boat Dusseldorf from the 18th to the 26th of January, this result might be one of the largest experienced at shows. Bavaria continues with its successful strategy and can develop and extend its market share in the difficult markets around Europe still further. All yachts should be still delivered during this season which not only secures jobs in Giebelstadt but allows for further recruitment in the future. 

Bavaria Is Hiring

With Bavaria the signs are clearly pointing towards growth. In spite of a still difficult market situation in many countries of Europe the German shipyard continuously increases its market shares. The order book keeps filling up and now it requires more staff to supply and to enhance further markets. An ideal chance for the start of a career in the yacht construction sector. The list of opportunities on the Bavaria Yachtbau GmbH web page becomes almost daily longer. Not only does the production team seek to expand, the sales and the management teams want to, and must prepare for the new challenges ahead for an expanding market. China, Brazil, North America and Europe are all developing, the Sales team searches for a new Sales Manager for Northern Europe to be able to look after dealers and customers in the growing worldwide markets. More yachts, more work is the simple formula for the production of motor and sailing yachts in Giebelstadt next year. On the 200,000 square metre site and in 70,000 square metres of the production halls, traditional boatbuilding crafts combine with the most modern industrial manufacturing of yachts. “Made in Germany” and “Quality” are the biggest assets at Bavaria since 1978. Now certified skilled workers are searched for in skills ranging from engine installation up to the trainee in the area of Industrial Design. Young school graduates who are interested in boatbuilding are to be found and warmly invited in to the training program at BAVARIA. Bavaria Yachtbau GmbH students will find ideal conditions for learning key skills, for example, in the marketing department.

Benetti Announces Two New Agency Agreements

Benetti, part of the Azimut Benetti Group, is undertaking some important actions on the North and Central America markets appointing as new agents IBI - for Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Haiti - and Evermarine for Panama. Fabrizio Scerchi Benetti Country Manager Americas along with Tommaso Bilotta as Brand Manager Benetti Americas - have the tasks of managing processes as a whole: marketing, customer satisfaction and dealership networking. In addition - along with Fraser Yachts, Benetti has the pleasure to announce the sale of the Vision 45m Hull No 19 (BV019), a displacement vessel part of Class range, for delivery in June 2014. It is the latest construction of the very successful Benetti Vision model. Her beautiful interior has been designed by Zuretti Interiors Design.

CRN Receives Showboats Design Award 2014

CRN, part of the Ferretti Group and specialising in the construction of fully-customized displacement megayachts, made of steel and aluminium, ranging from 40 and 90 metres, with its flagship M/Y Chopi Chopi 80m, participated in and won an award at the “Showboats Design Awards 2014”, organized by the editorial group Boat International Media. Against the splendid backdrop of the Swarovski Crystal Worlds by Kiztbuel in Austria, on the evening of the 24th February, during an exclusive two day event dedicated to world excellence in international nautical design, M/Y Chopi Chopi was awarded a prize in the category “Interior Design Award” for the over 60 metres megayacht sector. The award was received by Lamberto Tacoli, Chairman and CEO of CRN, and the architect Laura Sessa, the interior designer of Chopi Chopi, in front of an international audience of Owners, designers and experts from the boating industry.

CRN Signs Two New Letters of Intent

Two weeks after the signing of the Letter of Intent for the construction of a 68 metres, the biggest megayacht ever sold in the Chinese market, CRN has signed two new LOI for the construction of two 44 metres megayachts, destined for the Middle-Eastern and European markets respectively. CRN, part of the Ferretti Group and specializing in the construction of fully-customized displacement megayachts, made of steel and aluminum, ranging from 40 and 90 metres, shows its vitality once again only a few months after the 50th anniversary of the shipyard, which was celebrated in 2013. For these two vessels CRN harks back to the great tradition and history of the brand, taking inspiration from SuperConero, the historic line of the seventies, in a project presented for the first time at the Monaco Yacht Show 2013. The project SuperConero 44 mt, a displacement megayacht with bulb, made of steel and aluminium, 44 metres long and 8.60 wide, within 500 GT, designed by Zuccon International Project and whose project design was developed by CRN Engineering, begins its concrete realization today for the first time with the signing of the two LOI.

Hatteras Cabo Yachts New Partner

Tom George Yacht Group announces they have formed a new strategic alliance and partnership with Hatteras/CABO Yachts. TGYG will be an authorized sales and service center on the West Coast of Florida for Hatteras and Cabo Yachts, ranging from 36 to 100 feet. TGYG is a Boutique Brokerage firm located at beautiful Marker One Marina in Dunedin, Florida, one of the largest marinas on Florida’s west coast. Marker One has 144 wet slips, over 250 high and dry slips, 24 hour fuel availability and is a full service marina located just inside Hurricane Pass on the Gulf of Mexico, the billfish capital of the world. Tom George has sold the Hatteras brand for over 16 years. He previously was named Top Salesman of the Year, Distinguished Salesman of the Year for 11 years straight and was presented with the Top Gun award. Tom has built many custom Hatteras Yachts and is an authority when it comes to new builds, new designs and assisting clients with purchasing and/or selling Motor Yacht and Sportfish Yachts of all brands. Tom has also been successful in custom building and reselling the 100MY Hatteras as well as numerous Sportfish from 50 to 86 feet throughout the years. Most recently, TGYG has sold three of the new design 60MY Hatteras in the open market to past clients and is one of the most active Hatteras brokerage facilities in the world today specializing in new and pre-owned. TGYG has worldwide representation with some of the finest yachts on the water and relationships with all-American companies built with USA pride. TGYG represents Hatteras Yachts 50 to 100 feet, CABO Yachts 36 to 52 feet, Cobalt Boats 20 to 40 feet and Christensen Mega Yachts 120 to 200 feet.

Heesen Expands Commercial Team

Heesen Yachts is pleased to announce the appointment of two new managers to their Sales and Marketing team. Mark Cavendish, Heesen’s Sales and Marketing Director will now be assisted by Robert Drontmann in Sales, while Marcel op het Broek will support him in Marketing. Robert boasts an impressive twenty years’ experience in the yachting industry, while Marcel has spent fifteen years as a Marketing Manager in the luxury field. Robert Drontmann comments that before starting his professional career as a licensed Yacht Broker he spent most of his childhood racing sailboats and represented the Netherlands at the 88 Olympics. In his new role he will give all the brokers worldwide full support to boost Sales and always wave the Dutch Flag to emphasize Heesen's heritage! 

Hinckley Chooses FPT

The Hinckley Company, a globally renowned boat builder and yacht service provider, will recommend powertrain supplier FPT Industrial as its preferred partner for repowering Hinckley powerboats. The new initiative will be debuted at the Miami Boat Show, Sea Isle Marina venue, on 13-17 February 2014. The yacht will be located in slip 417 and is available by appointment for sea trial. Both Hinckley and innovative engine manufacturer FPT Industrial are committed to providing the latest technological solutions of the highest quality. It’s this synergy that has led to FPT Industrial’s FPT N67 570 being the engine of choice as part of Hinckley’s refit service. In addition, FPT Industrial has also been selected by Hinckley to provide engines as a higher horsepower option for its latest offering, the Talaria 43, a new express yacht for 2014. FPT Industrial’s N67 570 is a leader in its category, offering excellent weight/power ratios (1.14kg/hp), power/displacement ratios (84.4 hp/litre) and volume/power ratios (1.31 dm3/hp). Developed to meet Tier 3 emission regulations in the U.S. market, the engine features: six cylinders with a displacement of 6.7 litres; distribution through four valves per cylinder; second generation, electronically-controlled Common Rail; turbocharger, a waste gate and intercooler. The monoblock and the ‘ladder frame’ (structural strengthening) have proven their reliability in the many speed and durability contests in which this engine has successfully participated. In addition to excellent speed and performance, the FPT N67 570 allows navigation with low fuel consumption, low noise and low emissions, which complements the class and sophistication of the Hinckley products. Hinckley’s east coast service yards offer FPT refits across a wide range of models by manufacturers other than Hinckley as well. The Hinckley Talaria 44 MKII, which will be displayed at Miami, has been refitted with two 570 hp FPT N67 570 engines. It is a 13.4-metre lobster-style yacht with a flying-bridge. It’s built with the Seemann Composites Resin Infusion Moulding Process (SCRIMP) vacuum method, using vinyl ester resins and ‘E’ glass fibres, has a cruising speed of 29 knots and a maximum speed of 34 knots.

Hodgdon Wins 2014 Showboats Award

Ed Roberts Director of Sales and Marketing refers, Hodgdon Yachts is proud to share the limelight with winner Andrew Winch Designs in receiving the coveted Showboats Design Award for the best Limo Tender. In addition: “the winning tender emulates the design of the mothership M/Y Sea Owl also designed by Andrew Winch Designs of London. In the case of the tenders for Sea Owl, the naval architecture and engineering was by Hodgdon's own in-house engineering team”. The boat was specially engineered and constructed using infused epoxy carbon fibre construction to meet the client's demanding weight requirements. The limousine tender features the exceptional craftsmanship and sophisticated systems engineering that Hodgdon is so well known for. Outside, a defining characteristic of the AWD design is a compound curve teak clad transom exceptionally executed. Inside, the full wood raised panel teak joinery interior features separate lavatory and wash basin lockers with luxury leather seating for up to 8 guests. Systems highlights include NEMA 2000 systems integrated iPad in the salon, electrically retracting glass moon roof, electrically retracting glass aft bulkhead, hydraulically lifting roof, lithium ion smart battery system and more.
This is a limo tender many of the ShowBoats Award judges said they would like to own as it makes a lovely day boat as well with air conditioning, heating and an enclosed stand-up head, but unlike a Venetian water taxi, it features an open stern deck for easier boarding. Fledgling, as she is named, is a perfect complement stylistically to her mothership, Sea Owl, and features the same level of finish detail and joinery style as the Feadship she serves. Just as Sea Owl is a fantasy, this tender would seem so as well as its half glass roof can slide away to create an indoor/outdoor atmosphere or the roof can lift vertically to provide an open air option. The charging and docking stations for phones and iPods are a nice touch, as is the 40-knots top speed.



Maritimo Breaks Record in Miami

Luxury cruiser manufacturer Maritimo says its results at the recent Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show indicate a renewed level of consumer confidence in the America's with the company securing record sales. Mr Haines, who attended the show along with company founder, Bill Barry-Cotter, said the purchasers came from across the Americas including north-east USA and Venezuela. Mr Haines said as part of the boat show Maritimo held a dealer conference with its network of existing dealers and also appointed a new dealership, Team Marine, in Caracas Venezuela.

Maritimo Company Founder Receives Another Buisness Gong

Australian boating industry icon, Bill Barry-Cotter, has received yet another business industry gong. On Saturday night at the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards Barry-Cotter was inducted into the Business Person Hall of Fame. Almost 700 people attended the awards ceremony. The award follows the Boating Industry of Australia Hall of Fame award he received in 2012. 

Maritimo New Operations General Manager

A marine industry business executive whose career spans more than 20 years has joined luxury cruiser manufacturer Maritimo as General Manager Operations. For Phil Candler the move to Maritimo sees him re-join his former boss of more than 15 years, Bill Barry-Cotter, founder of the Maritimo Company. Candler worked for Barry-Cotter at Riviera before moving on to the MTU Detroit Diesel shortly after Barry-Cotter sold out of the Riviera business. Maritimo CEO, Garth Corbitt, said the company was delighted to welcome Phil Candler aboard. Candler said since 2009 he has been responsible for all after sales and group operations nationally for MTU. 

Otam Appoints New Exclusive Dealer in USA

After 60 years of experience in powerboating, Otam is proud to announce that Denison Yacht Sales will be their representative in the United States. Antonio Caviglia, Otam's new Sales and Marketing Director, commented that North America has the highest concentration of ultra-high-net-worth-individuals in the world, about 70,000, not to mention the world’s biggest boating market. It is natural then, given both the recent economic upturn and market expansion involving Central and South America, that Otam must be well represented here. Otam products will certainly be appreciated by owners looking for high performance sport boats, with the additional value for a reputation dedicated to reliability and comfort, allowing longer passages at sea, commuting between the Bahamas and Miami, for example. The whole package is custom wrapped in the Otam style of unfailingly elegant and sporty lines Yacht Couture.

Pursuit Rides Miami 

Pursuit Boats’ display during the Miami International Boat Show featured Offshore, Sport Coupe, Center Console, Dual Console and Sport Tender models from 26 to 38 feet in length. The eight model display, represented by Pursuit’s top dealers worldwide, was immensely popular for the crowds visiting the Miami International Boat Show. So much so, that Pursuit exceeded its 2013 sales results by more than 30%. The most encouraging sign of the growth in sales was that the increase was felt across the entire product line, from 23 to 38 feet, resulting in sales of some models not even displayed during the show. Pursuit introduced the Patent Pending SC 365i during the Miami International Boat Show in 2013. Customers aspiring to own one will likely wait at least six months unless their dealer has one in stock. Pursuit teased the market with a new DC 325 set to debut in April of 2014 and based on the response to the Boating Best of Dual Consoles DC 265, the 325 will be a successful big sister. The DC 265 also just added twin Yamaha power options to her specification sheet and has felt a resurgence in retail sales especially during the boat show. 

Riviera Re-launches New School Based Apprenticeship Program

Riviera, Australia’s favourite and most awarded luxury boat builder has joined forces with the Gold Coast’s Helensvale State High School to rekindle the school-based apprentice program, which welcomed 11 new apprentices this month. Riviera and Helensvale State High School forged a strong partnership in 1997 when Riviera first began the school-based apprentice program. This multi-award winning training program has produced hundreds of highly skilled tradesmen with nationally recognized qualifications, many of whom have had the opportunity to travel and work overseas with Riviera. In 2014, Riviera is proud to relaunch its school-based apprentice program and commence training its future master craftsmen. Apprenticeship project mentor Tony Vaughan said the first year apprentices would undertake practical on-the-job training in all aspects, including boat building, lamination, upholstery, electrical and engineering. Boat building apprentice Mitchell Clarke, 16, said he had always been fascinated with boats and was pleased to have the opportunity to learn how to build Riviera’s luxury boats. Jarad Walker, 16, is also studying boat building and he said he enjoyed learning about the different stages of construction and how the boats were assembled. Helensvale State High School principal Mark Blackshaw said they were extremely excited to hear that Riviera had decided to re-launch its school-based apprentice program. Riviera’s CEO Wes Moxey began his career as a boat building apprentice and joined Riviera in 1982 as a shipwright, just two years after the company was founded in 1980, so he is extremely passionate about Riviera’s school-based apprentice program. Riviera will commence enrolments for the 2015 school-based apprentice program later in the year. 

Riviera Powers Ahead in 2014

Riviera, Australia’s favourite and most awarded luxury boat builder has made a positive start to the New Year, recruiting 30 new team members across all aspects of the business to meet the company’s growing global demand for luxury boats. With a forward order bank reaching well through 2014, an array of upcoming international boat shows, a very active new model development plan and the upcoming world premiere of several exciting new models this year, Riviera is in a very strong position heading into 2014. Riviera’s chairman and owner Rodney Longhurst said Riviera began a recruitment drive in late 2013 as the demand for the company’s Australian designed and built luxury cruisers increased. Riviera’s new team includes boat builders, production managers, aftermarket and service technicians, school-based apprentices, logistics, marketing professionals and finance experts. 

Storebro Yachts AB New Partner

Storebro announce the future cooperation between Gillholms Marina AB and Storebro Boats AB. Storebro Boats AB will take over the production of Nord West and Gillholms Marina will have the exclusive rights of the continued sale of Nord West powerboats. The 12th of January 2014, Storebro Boats AB acquired the powerboat brand Nord West. Storebro Boats AB has for about 70 years cared for and developed the Scandinavian boat building industry and still, they manage the heritage with warmth and pride. Similar to Nord West, the genuine craftsmanship runs like a thread through all model generations. The Nord West production will move from Orust to the facilities of Storebro in Småland and the laminating facility in Lysekil is working in full speed. Storebro Boats AB will produce the whole range of Nord West models, and Gillholms Marina AB will provide spare parts until further notice. 

Tiara Reaps Miami Rewards

Tiara Yachts’ most recent move to the Miami Beach Yacht and Brokerage Show delivered solid sales across their diverse model line and built on the excitement of the all new Coupe series of luxury yachts. Tiara Yachts represented all product series with its 10 models on display ranging in length from 31 to 58 feet, including Coronet, Open, Sovran, Convertible and the all-new 50 Coupe. Tiara also took the opportunity to tease the market with a preview of the new 44 Coupe, resulting in a confirmed sale during the show for the new model which has yet to be built. A total of 16 Tiara Yachts Factory Authorized dealers from the West Coast, Caribbean, Midwest, Northeast and Southeast manned the display along with several key International dealers. The Tiara dealers were unanimous in opinion that the move to Collins Avenue was a strategic decision and created a more conducive venue for displaying and selling new Tiara Yachts. The show attendance was down overall in sheer number of visitors due to travel disruptions caused by the winter storms, but the quality buyer was ever-present and very interested in the Tiara offerings. 

Viking Feels The Heat

A hot fleet of new Vikings certainly did its part to counter the frigid February temperatures endured at the Viking plant this month, as indicated by the contagious enthusiasm the New Jersey builder saw in its 16 boat display at the recently concluded Miami Yacht and Brokerage Show. Between February 13 and President's Day February 17, nearly 5,000 guests registered to see the world's most exciting collection of luxurious, high-performance convertible sportfishing yachts from 42 to 92 feet. By the end of the first day, four Vikings were sold and the momentum continued throughout the show as the company sealed contracts on 12 boats, including two 82 Convertibles, a 76 Convertible, two 70 Convertibles, three 62 Convertibles, a 50 Convertible, two 42 Convertibles, and a 42 Open. The month's activity actually began earlier with a 62 Convertible and a 76 Convertible sold during the Viking VIP Boat Show Preview at the Viking Yacht Service Center in Riviera Beach, Florida. Another 70 Convertible sold immediately after the Miami Show and several other deals are in progress.

Viking 200 Propellers

As Viking 50th Anniversary approaches on April 1, 2014, more milestones are in the offing as the 50th pair of Cummins QSC 600hp diesels and Zeus pod-drives await installation into this Viking 42 ST (Sport Tower) at our New Gretna, New Jersey facility. With this matched pair going into 42242, the numbers are impressive: 50 boats, 100 engines, 100 Zeus pod-drives and 200 counter-rotating propellers!

Viking Captain's of the Year

In The Bite the sportfishing magazine for the professional has announced two Viking skippers are among the nominees for this year's award, the winner to be chosen by the publications' past Captains of the Year. Captain Jason Buck and his team aboard the Viking 56 Done Deal had a fabulous year winning the Orange Beach Billfish Classic, the Cajun Canyons Billfish Classic, the Gulf Coast Triple Crown Championship, The Lone Star Shootout, as well as taking Top Boat categories in the Mobile Big Game Fishing Club, and New Orleans Big Game Fishing Club tournaments. Based in the home port of Houma, Louisiana, Jason will take the helm of the new Done Deal, a Viking 70 Convertible delivering in March. Captain Bill Wieteha skipper aboard the Viking 68 Convertible Blue Time, based in Coral Gables, Florida, also had a winning season taking the Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series, The Blue Water Fishing Classic and the Key West World Championship highlighted with 14 sailfish releases on the final day of the event.

Zeelandaer VIP Party

To celebrate the debut of the stunning Z68 in America we were proud to host an exclusive VIP party on Saturday the 15th of February. Pushing the event into overdrive was a well-known Miami DJ together with cocktail waiters and exquisite food at the two event bars. Among other VIP guests, Zeelander Z44 owner and super model Adriana Lima and her husband, NBA star Marko Jaric, attended the event which partied on well into the evening.