Monthly News - July 2016

-pic of the month- Bertram Aquires New Facility in Tampa

Bavaria New Head of Sales and Aftersales

Stefan Klaassen new Head of Sales and After Sales at Bavaria Yachtbau Stefan Klaassen has taken over the role as new Head of Sales and After Sales at Bavaria Yachtbau with effect 1st July 2016. Mr. Klaassen takes the lead of Bavaria's sales team and will be responsible for the entire sales of sail, power boats and catamarans.  Stefan Klaassen previously worked as International Sales Manager EMEA at Navico and was successfully leading the boat builder segment, where he also developed the international dealer and distributor network. The 37-year-old gathered many years of experience in the marine industry and in different companies at management level.  With this recruit Bavaria Yachtbau completes its management team for further growth and is well positioned for its future sales targets.

Bertram Aquires New Facility in Tampa

Iconic American boat builder Bertram is delighted to announce it has acquired a waterfront facility on Florida’s Gulf Coast where it not only can build new Bertram yachts, but also fulfill its customers  service and refit needs throughout the life cycle of their vessels. The new Bertram World headquarters is an existing 120,000-sq.ft. shipyard and marine service facility located at 5250 W. Tyson Avenue in Tampa, immediately south of the Gandy Bridge on Tampa Bay.  “This plant, which already has been operating as a full-service marine facility for decades, is perfect for Bertram in so many ways,” said Peter Truslow, Bertram Yachts CEO. “It will allow us to create a complete Bertram manufacturing and service center in one of America’s most popular year-round boating destinations. The facility has a great layout, with 40-foot-high buildings and high-tech fiberglass construction equipment already in place that we can utilize to build our new Bertram 35’ and larger models. In fact, production of Bertram 35’ Hull No. 3 already is under way in Tampa, and the first Bertram 60 will start construction here later this year.”  By investing in the Tampa facility, Italian industrial corporation Gavio Group delivered on a strategic vision it has held for the builder since acquiring the Bertram brand in 2015.  “From the beginning, my idea was to start in Maine and then move Bertram to Florida.  My first choice was Florida,” said Beniamino Gavio, who leads the Group’s yacht brands, including  Baglietto, Bertram and Cantieri Cerri. “We believe that Bertram belongs to this country. The Bertram team is an American team, and they know the market very well. Bertram started in Miami, and we want to keep Bertram in Florida in order to preserve the connection with its history.”

Bertram’s new World Headquarters fronts directly on Tampa Bay, with a depth of 14 feet at the dock, allowing the builder to sea-trial and deliver new Bertrams to customers 365 days a year. Its footprint encompasses a service center capable of hauling, servicing, painting, re-powering, and refitting a wide variety of vessels from small sport-fishing boats to super-yachts. “We have two Travelifts, including one that is capable of hauling yachts up to 120 feet in length. The service operation already has jobs booked for boats from 35 to 100 feet,” said Truslow, who added: “This area also has a world-class marine infrastructure. So many of our key suppliers are nearby, including Michael Peters, designer of the new Bertram 35’ and 60’. There are many talented boat builders and service technicians on the Gulf Coast as well.” While Bertram Yachts already has filled some key positions on its manufacturing and service teams, Truslow said, “We’re here and we’re hiring.”  Gavio, Truslow, Vice President Earl Blackwell, and CFO Francesco Reisoli are developing a business plan for Bertram that will include continuing investment to keep the plant on the cutting edge of boat-building technology and the service facility in line with the needs of Bertram’s customers. “Today, the company is a new company,” Gavio said. “We are working on a five- to six-year plan and we must see every day what the customers want.”

CRN Latest Advertising Campaign

Bespoke products, reflecting the preferences and the personality of their owner, offered with an innovative approach. These are the messages conveyed by the new advertising campaign by CRN, Ferretti Group’s Italian brand and shipyard specialising in the construction of 45 to 100 metre, steel and aluminium mega yachts.  The campaign centres on the claim “We reinvented the idea of Bespoke”, expressing the brand’s focus on craftsmanship and style and representing the true added value of products designed & made in Italy. The claim highlights the essence of the shipyard’s role: taking the wishes of its well-informed and demanding customers, and giving them a tangible form with no limits.  Like a genuine atelier, where customers come to get a suit made to measure, CRN has re-invented a new way of building tailor-made yachts with the same approach as a master tailor. Each customer has their own specific measurements and needs, and no “suit” should ever be the same as another, even if they are made by the same hand. The superyachts built by CRN reflect the vision of their owners, matching their personal taste and style while fulfilling specific needs and desires.  The yachts are the true protagonists in the new campaign designed by Milan’s Savile Row agency with creative director Lorenzo Cascino, seen to be fully-customised icons for people who expect to stand out from the crowd with a fully-customized pleasure vessel, a unique example designed by CRN’s Bespoke Atelier. Each of the shipyard’s yacht is a unique work of art, expressing the vision described by the owner, before being a recognisable member of the CRN fleet.  All the yachts in the fleet are a combination of a flexible approach and a sense of passion. The 55 metre M/Y Atlante, the latest to be built by CRN, is the perfect example of this. It’s strong style and personality embodies the Bespoke model of the brand to perfection.  CRN’s ‘We Reinvented the Idea of Bespoke’ campaign will feature in selected off line media and in the brand’s social media channels starting in July 2016.

Hatteras Breaks Record Breaking Tuna

Hatteras Hatterascal flagship GT70, boated a 182.4-pound yellowfin tuna that broke the species record for the Blue Marlin Grand Championship of the Gulf, hosted by The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama, on July 12-17. Team Hatterascal, with angler J.P. Arceneaux on the rod, won first place in the tournament's tuna division, earning a check for $53,550.

ISA Yachts Finalization of Entrance Into Palumbo Group

Palumbo Group S.p.A. has learned, with great satisfaction, that the Court of Ancona, after the conclusion of bidding procedures, has authorized the transfer of the ISA organization via the acceptance of the irrevocable offer on the part of Palumbo Group.  While awaiting the finalization of the transfer, Palumbo Group is preparing all that is necessary for the reopening of the Shipyard in Ancona and the go-ahead for all production and collateral activities at the aforementioned site.

Jarrett Bay on Tournament Trail

There were 18 Jarrett Bay custom builds fishing the recent Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. No matter where you are this tournament season in the Mid-Atlantic or on the Gulf Coast, chances are you will see a Jarrett Bay out there! The one-day Keli Wagner Lady Angler Tournament saw 125 boats fishing, and through all of the gamefish weighed at the end of the tournament, the women aboard the 55′ Jarrett Bay Inspiration clinched the top dolphin prize with a 31.2 pound fish reeled in by Jeannie Fischler. This catch helped land them a nice check for $49,725 during the evening’s award banquet.  The 58th Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament saw an impressive 174 boats fishing throughout the 6 days of the tournament. The action was non-stop each day with multiple blue marlin being brought to the scale causing several shake-ups in the leader board throughout the week. However, one catch stood strong throughout the week-long tournament: on Day 2 Inspiration‘s Trent Ragland reeled in a 49.3 pound mahi mahi to clinch first place in the winner-take-all dolphin category and earn a sweet $130,050 payout.

Jarrett Bay at Barta Boys and Girls Billfish Tournament

Congratulations to all the Captains, crews and anglers that make the Barta Boys and& Girls Club Billfish Tournament such a special event. Of the Jarrett Bay boats participating, Bill Collector took third overall, Marlin Fever took second place tuna and junior anglers from Inspiration, Builder's Choice, Sensation and Reel Easy were all recognized for their accomplishments!

Viking and Ocean Final Showdown

After 27 years of family fun, competition, celebration and bragging rights the scales have now been closed for the last time to end an era, Viking Ocean's Final Showdown. This very special tournament grew out of these two manufacturers whose close proximity to each other in Southern New Jersey has literally defined Mid-Atlantic sportfishing. And what a party it was! Both Team Viking and Team Ocean had a ball and enjoyed fishing, fabulous food, live music and dancing and of course, the famous Canyon Club Resort Marina pool party barbecue with management working the feast behind the grills. Although fishing was slow on the first day, the bite picked up and bills were snapping. Dave Anderson and the Viking 70 Krazy Salt's team released seven whites to take Most Points Overall as well as Most Points White Marlin. Captain Brian Komer and the crew on the Viking 62 hit a grand slam by 10:30 am. Angler John Leek, IV hooked up a blue, awarding the team Most Points Blue Marlin. The team also added another sailfish and white marlin to the day. Judge, Marty Judge's Viking 64, rose to the top spot for Most Points Tuna as well as Judge angler Mike Lawrence weighing the heaviest tuna of the tournament, a 52 pounder. When the dust settled, Team Viking took the perpetual trophy home for the final time but it wasn't about the win, it was about two amazing companies and the best owners and vendors coming together and celebrating the last hurrah.

Viking Gulf Coast Triple Crown

Breathe Easy is the 2016 Gulf Coast Triple Crown Champion! The Viking 68 is owned by Matt McDonald and Captained by Patrick Ivie with mate Nick Knoepflein plus Shane Tool and Ryan Fields as additional crew. The Triple Crown consists of five events in the central Gulf of Mexico and has a hybrid scoring system that includes both weigh and release points for the top three finishes in the blue marlin division.  Breathe Easy placed second in the Orange Beach Billfish Classic, third in the Cajun Canyons Billfish Classic and second in the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic with an 835 pound blue less than three pounds shy of first place.  Sherry and Buell Polk, owners of Share-E, a brand new Viking 72 run by Captain Mike Roberto made a late charge at the Crown by weighing a 652.8 blue at the Blue Marlin Grand Championship. This fish solidified their Second Place standings.

Last year's runner up, Rise Up came in Third Place this year. The Viking 54 is owned by Rusty Skalla and captained by Jason Hallmark.

Viking at Blue Marlin Grand Championship

Amongst a field of 61 boats, Pour Intentions, a Viking 56 was named the Second Place Tournament Boat at the Blue Marlin Grand Championship. Pour Intentions released two blue marlin early in the tournament and decided to take their third blue to the scales which weighed it in at 455.6 pounds. In addition, Pour Intentions Captain Hunter Forbes (the youngest captain in the fleet at 23 years old) received the Top Captain title.  This tournament is the fifth and final leg of the Gulf Coast Triple Crown Championship series and is an invitation only event. Sherry Polk, guided by Captain Mike Roberto on the brand new Viking 72 Share-E captured a 652.8 pound blue that was good for Third Place Tournament Boat and Top Lady Angler. Sherry and her husband Buell took delivery of the boat a week prior to the event and ran several hundred miles to the tournament to christen the boat in with a big fish!  Conundrum, Daniel Haeuser's Viking 61, was the Top Release Boat with three blue and one white marlin. All three of Conundrum's blues exceeded the minimum length but Captain Jimmy Crochet and the crew opted to release them.  Angler Doyle Jefcoat, fishing on Southern Miss, a Viking 61 run by Adam Ladnier boated the top wahoo of the week with a 74.6 pounder. Wes Mincin on the Viking 92 A Work of Art claimed Third Place Wahoo with a 59 pound fish. Laurie Jones fishing the Viking 56 Reel Addiction took Second Place Tuna with a 180.2 pound yellowfin.

Viking at Annual Lone Star Shootout

The beautiful battlewagons made their way out of the small jetties at this year's edition of the Lone Star Shootout. When the boats headed back in the final day it was Viking that led the fleet. Travis and Jackie Hunter's Viking 65 Backlash had a field day claiming five spots on the leaderboard. Four blues, a white and one sailfish clinched the Top Release Boat for Backlash. Backlash angler Hunter Oglesby had the biggest wahoo weighing in at 54.5 pounds while teammate Michael Oglesby had the Second Place Tuna. Captain Travis accepted the Top Captain Award and Michael Oglesby took the Top Mate.  The biggest blue marlin of the event was boated by Perry Forrester fishing on his Viking 66 Slight Edge. Captain Bret Hawes took the fish to the scales at 442.5 pounds. Second Place Blue Marlin went to Derek Elzner fishing his Viking 61 Over The Limit.  Top tuna went to Jeff Pachaceh with a 162.5 pound fish. Jeff fished on Bobby Walters Viking 61 Down Time. Third Place Tuna was awarded to Richard Wright on Martin Clemont's Viking 55 Vamanos.Vamanos angler Kolby Scott was named Top Junior Angler. Third Place Wahoo was a 46 pound fish caught by Kade Miller on Wade Miller's Viking 52 Leveled Up.

Viking Grand Champion

The Viking 68, Marquesa, took top honors in the first ever Gamefish Grande Championship in Varadero, Cuba, the end of June. Marquesa, based in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, released five blue marlin during the three day tournament to claim first Place Overall. Captain Charles Harris, along with mates Lawrence Morejon and Mikey Bethel also claimed Top Captain and Top Mate.  Congratulations to angler and owner Steve Bolick, and anglers Stephen Bolick, Street Jones and Skip Jones.

Viking at Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic

Viking are burning up the tournament trail this summer! At the recent Emerald Coast Vlue Marlin Classic they filled 12 of the 18 spots on the leader board and claimed $1.269 million of the $1.952 million prize money up for grabs. The big story of the event was the blue marlin category. Breathe Easy, Matt McDonald's Viking 68, was coming off a win at the Cajun Canyons Billfish Classic but Rusty Skalla and his team on the Viking 54 Rise Up had their eyes on the prize.  Breathe Easy angler Chad Postle weighed a 835.8 pound blue marlin to earn the top spot on the board but Rise Up bumped them into second place by a mere 2.4 pounds. Captain Jason Hallmark put Rise Up angler Scott Poppell on a 838.2 pound blue that after a six hour fight went on to win the category. Kenny Tamm, fishing Mark Mathys' Viking 70 Marlin Darlin, set a new tournament record after boating a monster 190.6 yellowfin tuna with captain Matt Condon at the helm.