New Cigarette Yacht Sinks Before Fort Lauderdale Boat Show Opens

A fifteen meter in length Cigarette performance center console partly sank to its port side just before the opening of the 2024 Fort Lauderdale boat show, on the early hours of Wednesday thirty October 2024.  The Cigarette was reported to have sunk because someone forgot to secure a drain plug.  Heavy rain on the night might have also played a part in the sinking.  The boat was floated again and cleaned for the boat show.  On some social media pages it was advised but not confirmed that this Cigarette was a customer boat, which was borrowed for use on the boat show.

The Cigarette in this part-sinking is a 52 Thunder as produced since 2023.  The 52 Thunder is the second large Cigarette boat build, which today offers nine models from 39 to 59 foot.

Santasevera Yacht New Web Site

Santasevera Yacht presents its new web site.  Located in Monte Porzio in the province of Pesaro and Urbino, Santasevera was founded in December 2023, announcing a line of modern sport cruisers and yachts inspired to a down East lobster boat from the future as designed by Francesco Guida.  In Spring 2024 it announced its three projects, and in January 2025 it debuted its first 52 model.  Currently Santasevera offers eight models offered into the three; 36, 42, and 52 platforms.  Santasevera new website takes you around with the following tabs; Heritage, Shipyard, Fleet, Dealer, Press, and Contact.  Santasevera is also on social media with bottom links taking you to its Instagram, Facebook, and Linkedin pages.

www.santaseverayacht.it

Project History:

52 2025- (4

42 2026- (3

Project: Amer 42 Custom Explorer

Announced a year or so ago Amer finally present more detailed information of the 42 Custom Explorer.  A one off 42 meter explorer work-boat inspired super yacht as designed by Luiz de Basto for both interior and exterior with naval architecture by Optima and currently in construction in Italy, the 42 Custom Explorer sees also Amer enter into steel and aluminium builds, having been a specialized composite fiberglass yacht builder till today.  The 42 Custom Explorer is a triple deck yacht plus bridge deck, with an unusual fore deck dedicated for water toys, able to store what look like two eight meter ribs or private water craft.  Guest accommodation is all on the lower deck, with five guest suites, including a master stateroom at midships.  Crew cabins are four cabins located forward, with this entered by the cabin area located forward and a lobby with saloon and galley for the crew.  The Amer 42 Custom Explorer is to be powered by twin Volvo 1000hp per IPS pod propulsion, that means it will feature four 1000hp engines coupled to the two new IPS drives.

www.ameryachts.it

Fairline Yacht Ends Beached in Isla Mujeres, Cancun

A seventeen meter Fairline sport yacht with two persons onboard ended beached and aground at Playa Norte to the North-West of Isla Mujeres, Cancun, Mexico on the New Years eve afternoon of 31st December.  According to news the yacht ended aground due to an error by its helmsman.  The yacht was reported to have been bare-boat charter, meaning without a captain, with the charterer helming the yacht.  Following the accident it was found that this charterer did not posses a valid yacht master licence.  An operation to remove the yacht is ongoing.

The yacht in this accident is a Fairline 58 Targa GT as designed by Bernard Olesinski and produced from 2010 to 2012.  The Targa 58 GT was a replacement to the Targa 64 Gran Turismo, with the model evolving and replaced by the Fairline Targa 62 GT.

New Model: Azimut Fly 82

At the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival Azimut debuted the Fly 82, new flagship of its best-selling Fly Series; with exteriors by Alberto Mancini, and interiors by Fabio Fantolino who is now in his third Azimut project.  For the Fly 82 Fantolino combined the essence of Azimut’s signature aesthetics with innovative layout solutions and a significant advancement in the brand’s vision of open-air living.  The exterior lines are the expression of Mancini’s design approach for Azimut, who follows the looks he introduced with the Fly 62 in 2024: sculpted sharp and shaped by the wind, appearing in motion even when at rest.  The Fly 82 is also the first model in the Fly Series to incorporate the Deck2Deck™ system, originally developed by Azimut for the Grande 26M to maximize social space at the stern, and then introduced on larger models. Designed with versatility at its core, the opening transom rises to align seamlessly with the aft edge of the main deck, extending the boundaries of space and transforming the cockpit terrace into the true heart of conviviality.  Inside the dialogue between Azimut and Fabio Fantolino unfolds in an atmosphere of refined, softly elegant style, a language that speaks of harmony and sophistication and that has become the shared signature for the Fly Series. The space revolves around its natural focal point, a generous round dining table that transforms the saloon into a stage for conviviality. To complete the scene, a bold new accent emerges in orange-brown, a contemporary hue that infuses the interiors with a fresh sense of character and distinction.  The Azimut Fly 82 is standard powered by triple Volvo 900hp or optional 1000hp with IPS pod propulsion for speeds up to 32 knots. 

Technical Data:

LOA - 24.79 m (81.4ft)

Beam - 5.87 m

Draft - 1.70 m

Displacement - 63.2 t loaded

Fuel Capacity - 5700 l

Water Capacity - 1100 l

Accommodation - eight berths in four cabins, two cabins in two cabins

Engines - 3 x Volvo D13 900hp, D13 1000hp

Propulsion - Volvo forward looking IPS40 dual propeller pod drives

Speed - 32 knots max 25 cruise

Hull Shape - planning modified medium-Vee with 16.3 degrees deadrise aft

Construction - resin infused fiberglass with carbon fibre in specific areas

Project - Alberto Mancini exterior, Pierluigi Ausonio naval architect, Fabio Fantolino interior

Certification - CE A, NMMA, UNI ISO 8666 for data

www.azimutyachts.com

competition = Ferretti 800 (ii)

Flybridge Cruiser Ends Aground in Apple Tree Bay, Hawkesbury Australia

A ten meter flybridge cruiser ended aground at Apple Tree Bay, in Hawkesbury to the North of Sydney in Australia, for a story shared on the Sydney Boating Group on Facebook, Saturday sixteen January 2021.  According to reports the flybridge cruiser ended aground as it snapped its mooring on high tide, and ending aground. With the tide going low the above grounding was the end result.  An operation to float the boat is ongoing.

The boat in this accident is a Mariner 31 Flybridge as produced in the eighties.  Mariner Cruisers was founded in Australia in 1966 by Bill Barry-Cotter, his first company of three, the other two being Riviera and Maritimo.  Barry-Cotter will sell Mariner in 1978.

Project: Saxdor 460 GTC

Saxdor Yachts, one the fastest-growing brand in the global boating industry, is thrilled to announce the world premiere of the 460 GTC at boot Düsseldorf 2026, taking place from seventeen to 25 January. The launch of the new flagship model stands as a defining milestone in the Finnish brand’s development, supporting its official entry into larger sport cruisers and yachts up to fifteen meters segment. Building on experience gained across its fleet and from valuable owner and market feedback, Saxdor has developed the new 460 GTC as a natural evolution of the successful 400 series by elevating the brand’s signature strengths and introducing new features and solutions that create a level of comfort and refinement usually found on larger yachts.  At the heart of this evolution is the 460 GTC closed-open concept: the enclosed, all-season wheelhouse opens seamlessly to the exterior, ensuring uninterrupted circulation from the bow lounge to the aft deck. Dual-opening side doors allow the wheelhouse to merge naturally with the outdoors, while a large galley enhances the onboard experience with ample facilities for cooking and entertaining. Forward of the galley, an innovative two-part door solution provides access to the large convertible foredeck lounge through an upper section that lifts and slides into the roof enabling the lower section to hinge open. Aft, a half-height window paired with a port-side door opens the saloon to the expansive open-air cockpit, enhancing the sense of space and connection with the water. This seamless connection between interiors and exteriors is reinforced by the yacht’s outdoor living areas, designed to complement the interiors and offer new ways to relax and gather on board. Saxdor’s signature “private island” feeling is enhanced through the largest fold-down terraces in this class, which create a generous open platform directly above the water. New elements across the terraces introduce fresh ways to enjoy the outdoors, bringing added versatility and comfort to life on board. The aft deck has also been refined with new configurable options, opening up additional space for relaxing, gathering, and entertaining. Scaling up in size without compromising performance, the 460 GTC remains unmistakably Saxdor. A wide range of Mercury power options, from triple V8-300 engines up to twin V12-600s, allows owners to tailor the 460 GTC’s performance to their needs, with top configurations also offering the advanced Fathom® e-power system from Navico. Saxdor was in fact the first boatbuilder outside the U.S. to adopt this integrated lithium-ion auxiliary power management solution, which sets a new benchmark in onboard energy efficiency. The new 460 GTC has been thoughtfully designed to appeal to today’s varied boating lifestyles: from boaters looking to upgrade, experienced owners seeking a more agile and owner-operated yacht, to those who value social, comfortable time on the water, the 460 GTC delivers the space, refinement, and effortless usability that define the next generation of Saxdor range.

www.saxdoryachts.com

2 Injured in Maxum Cruiser Fire on Intercoastal, Fort Lauderdale

Two people suffered minor injuries as a nine meter Maxum sport cruiser went ablaze at the Intracoastal Waterway near the Commercial Boulevard bridge in Fort Lauderdale, just before 17:00 of Sunday twelfth October.  Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue responded to the blaze, saved the two people onboard and tended to there injuries.  The two people refused to be transported to a hospital.  The fire was controlled in relatively fast, with it's cause being under investigation.

The boat in this fire is Maxum 2800 SCR as produced from 1997 to 2000.  The 2800 SCR was a replacement to the 2700 SCR, and was replaced by the Maxum 2900 SCR.

New Model: Grady-White Express 340

After 24 years and over 2,200 units sold Grady-White decided its time to replace its second longest standing model the Express 330, as at the 2025 Fort Lauderdale boat show it introduced the new Express 340.  Few boat builders can afford a model produced for so long, but Grady-White proves it is the exception to the rule considering also that its longest produced model the Marlin 300 has been made since 1989, with the North Carolina Grady-White having an average of models produced for about ten years.  The Express Cabin series of cruising fisherman able boats actually debuted in 2001 with the Express 330, with this new Express 340 being the fifth model of the line excluding the two updated versions of the 330 which arrived in 2008 and 2015.  Based on the same hull of the outgoing 330 the Express 340 comes out as a more luxurious offer to its long standing replacement; sportier hard-top, more luxurious amenities, and power increase for up to triple 350hp outboards.  A layout difference in the cockpit is the helm station now positioned to starboard versus the central of its predecessor, and with this we have an L-shaped lounge settee with mini dinette to port.  An aft facing mezzanine settee has also been added to port side, while the aft patio door has been removed for a larger fish box, with the boat now served with two port and starboard side doors.  Inside the layout has also been modified and now features a larger forward Vee-shaped dinette which transforms to large double berth, a galley on entry to port, a shower head to starboard and a more open second double berth at midships.  The Grady-White Express 340 is standard powered by twin Yamaha 450hp which give speeds up to 45 knots, with triple Yamaha 350hp giving an extra four knots of top speed.

Technical Data:

LOA - 10.21 m (33.6ft) ex outboards

Beam - 3.53 m

Draft - 0.67 m ex outboards

Displacement - 5838 kg ex engines, 7935 kg half load and with twin Yamaha 450hp

Fuel Capacity - 1287 l

Water Capacity - 170 l

Accommodation - four berths

Engines - 2 x Yamaha XTO Offshore 450hp, 3 x Yamaha Four Stroke 350hp

Propulsion - Yamaha twin or triple outboards

Speed - 45 knots max 25 cruise 2x450hp, 49 knots max 26 cruise 3x350hp

Hull Shape - SeaV2 progression deep Vee with twenty degrees deadrise aft

Certification - CE available

www.gradywhite.com

competitor = Pursuit OS 355 Offshore

Project: Aiata Sunfinder 38

Aiata a brand founded by the Anadolu Group from Turkey follow its debut at the 2025 Dusseldorf boat show of the Wayfinder 38, with the more open Sunfinder 38.  Again a design from Jarkko Jämsén and his Navia Design Studio the Sunfinder 38 is an open version of the Wayfinder 38 replacing the fully enclosed hard-top with a central T-Top .  While many may think this is Wayfinder 38 Suntop version, in many cases it is correct with the exception that the hard-top has been extended giving extra sun cover to the aft part of the cockpit.  With this change the exterior main deck of the Aiata Sunfinder 38 offers a more open and sport layout.  A triple seat centre console helm now replaces the offset dual seat, with a galley located behind versus the one to side and L-shape of the Wayfinder 38, and an astern dinette with opposite settees.  Saying all, what I just said can change as the Aiata 38 comes with a modular construction, and specified during build.  For example the settee behind the helm station can be specified as an L-shape, and the fore deck layout is also available in four different versions; Camper, Sofa, U Sofa, and Sunbed.  The cabin layout with entrance to port of the helm, features a double berth, and shower head to starboard.  The Aiata Sunfinder 38 is powered by twin outboard engines from 300hp up to 400hp, with top speeds up to 46 knots from twin 350hp Mercury outboards.

www.aiataboats.com