New Model: Grand Banks 60

The new Grand Banks 60 features a beautiful design with an innovative hull shape that puts one of the best in class rides available at this size on the water today. This completely new yacht pays homage to classic Grand Banks styling, with a special renewed focus on performance and fuel consumption, wide-open entertaining areas, and supremely comfortable furnishings. The 60 is Grand Banks first foray into a new standard of fully infused carbon fiber construction, resulting in a low center of gravity, inherent form stability at all speeds, and multiple advantages in strength, rigidity, weight and performance.  The Grand Banks 60 can reach speeds up to 36 knots, has a range of over two thousand nautical miles at nine knots, and uses an unbelievably efficient fuel consumption at twenty knots. With the new 60 Grand Banks has created a stable innovative mono-hull platform, which performs confidently in even the roughest seas, has speed, and long range.  The Grand Banks 60 also offers options to the discerning buyer for the main deck with four layout versions available with the most distinctive choice here being that for an astern or central galley arrangement. 

Technical Data:

LOA - 20.38 m (66.9ft)

Hull Length - 19.8 m

Beam - 5.85 m

Draft - 1.4 m with shafts, 1.2 m with IPS

Displacement - 29000 kg dry

Fuel Capacity - 5800 l

Water Capacity - 1100 l

Accommodation - six berths in three cabins, one crew cabin

Engines - 2 x Volvo D11 725hp

Propulsion - line shaft, or Volvo forward looking IPS pod drives

Speed - 27 knots max 24 knots cruise

Construction - resin infused carbon fiber

www.grandbanks.com

Propulsion: Volvo IPS30

Volvo Penta has augmented its Inboard Performance System IPS pod design, to match the class-leading performance of its latest and most powerful diesel engine the new D13-1000.  The remodeled IPS pod drive by Volvo Penta named IPS30 sees new and upgraded features to complement the company’s latest 13-liter 1000hp engine, to provide world-class performance. The redesigned pod is part of the company’s exciting breakthrough into a higher power category for its marine leisure segment, enabling yachts of up to 120ft to benefit from its excellent capabilities. The IPS30 pod has been updated to ensure it is a perfect match for the new design of the D13 engine. Overall, these enhancements make the pod cleaner, tougher, able to handle a wide speed range, while retaining the compact dimensions of existing IPS drives.  The IPS30 pod and its co-ordination with the 13-liter engine sees the production of the D13-IPS1350 integrated package; the 1350 refers to the equivalent amount of horsepower produced from the unit, when compared to a traditional inboard shaft engine installation. The package is a complete system from helm to prop, with a technologically advanced design that has twin counter-rotating forward-facing propellers that sit below the hull for enhanced grip. The unique design, with individually steerable pods that are linked to the on-board Joystick Docking function, creates precision maneuverability.  The IPS package provides up to 30 per cent lower fuel consumption compared to inboard shaft installations up to 15 per cent faster acceleration and 20 per cent higher top speed; noise and vibration levels are reduced by up to 50 per cent. An IPS package can be installed in twin, triple or quadruple configuration, and of the latter, the power produced is equivalent to 5400hp. 

www.volvopenta.com

Project: Terranova T74

Terranova Italian Yachts looks to the future with a postive attitude, and just one year later to the presentation of the T115 presents two new projects.  Here at PowerYacht we are presenting the smallest of these new projects the T74.  Not much details have been given yet of this new Terranova with the exception of the rendering above.  The T74 will feature a semi displacement round chine with keel hull, and is to be powered by reliable traditional line shaft propulsion.  Unlike the bigger T85 and 115 models the T74 will be a single deck plus flybridge explorer yacht, with a classic traditional line with a hint of modern times given by the sloop stern with extended bathing platform.

www.terranovaitalianyachts.com

New Model: Grandezza 34 OC

Grandezza presents the new 34 OC a new sport cruiser based on the platform of the 2012 launched 33 OC.  The 34 OC replaces the 33 what was a popular model to the Finnish boat builder in a production run lasting four years. The visible changes in the new Grandezza 34 OC versus the 33 are the fixed sunbed in rear, a larger more generous swim platform, larger hull window and portholes with opening sections, and new interior colors.  In general Grandezza says that the 34 OC has been designed to improve and perfect a previous success.

Technical Data:

LOA - 10.03 m (32.9ft)

Beam - 3.23 m

Draft - 1.2 m

Displacement - 4800 kg dry

Fuel Capacity - 490 l

Water Capacity - 120 l

Max Persons - 8

Accommodation - four berths 

Engines - 1 x Volvo D6 370hp, 2 x Volvo D3 170hp

Propulsion - single or twin dual propeller stern drive

Speed -  35 knots max, 28 knots cruse

Construction - sandwich build with Divinycell core

Certification - CE B

www.grandezza.fi

Project: Hunt 54 Ocean Series

Hunt is presenting a project for a new 54 model in what is calling now its Ocean series range of yachts above fifteen meters.  The Hunt 54 Ocean Series is a replacement to the success that was the  2009 launched 52 model, and like the previous two feet smaller sister will be build in Taiwan.  The Hunt 54 will have a planning Vee hull solely dedicated to Volvo IPS pods propulsion.

www.huntyachts.com

New Model: Solemar 35 Steel

Solemar continues to present rib cruisers with generous accommodation and the safety of the rib.  This new Solemar 35 Steel is the next chapter in what the rib calls the Oceanic line of cabin ribs which starts from 26 and go up to 44 feet.  This new Solemar 35 Steel distinguishes itself for a manual operated opening hardtop suited for hot climates thanks also to the not closed sides.  The main deck plan of the 33 Steel offers an L-shaped dinette, lounger to port side and helm station with wet bar behind it to starboard.  The interior accommodation two double, a shower head, and a convertible dinette.  Power for the Solemar 35 Steel is from twin Volvo 300hp diesel with stern drive propulsion which give a top speed of 38 knots.

Technical Data:

LOA - 11.4 m (37.4ft)

Hull Length - 9.9 m

Beam - 3.75 m (3 m without tubes)

Displacement - 5800 kg dry and unloaded 

Fuel Capacity - 2 x 290 l

Water Capacity - 240 l

Accommodation - four berths in two cabins plus two berths

Max Persons - 14

Engines - 2 x Volvo D4 300hp (max up to 700hp possible)

Propulsion - Volvo duo prop stern drives

Speed - 38 knots max 30 knots cruise with Volvo 300hp

Certification - CE B

www.solemaritalia.it

Project: Raffaelli 159 Babylon

Following the launch of the new 50 Compass Rose Evo in Summer 2017, Raffaelli continues to look forward and presents the project for a new 159 Babylon.  A project by long time Raffaelli collaborating designer Antonello Lucio Pontevolpe and his Classtudio Yacht Design firm, the 159 Babylon sees Raffaelli interest in entering the explorer yacht segment with what should be called the new Criador Line.  Giampiero Raffaelli boss of the company which gives his name to the boat building firm has given some information of this project. Interior accommodation will be of four double cabins all with private shower heads.  Fourth crew cabin is to be located at midships in between the owners cabin and the aft engine room. Power options are for engines from 400 to 550hp with line shaft or IPS pod propulsion.  For the 159 Babylon Raffaelli choice a semi displacement hull shape with a central protecting keel.  

www.raffaelliyacht.com

New Model: Steeler NG 52 S Offshore

Steeler launches the new NG 52 S Offshore, an aluminum build down East lobster boat inspired traditional cruiser. The Steeler NG 52 S Offshore is thoughtfully designed for both inland river and open sea use.  Even tough it is a model of the Offshore line, Steeler was also thinking for its traditional core inland river market when it designed the NG 52 S, see keel extension to protect propellers, and a low vertical clearance of just 3.15 meters.  The Steeler NG 52 S Offshore offers an interior with two double cabins; forward large owners suite, twin double berth at midships, a guest shower head, galley below with a six person dinette opposite.  An L-shaped relaxing sofa is on the main deck behind the pilot station, while the aft deck offers another exterior J-shape dinette.  Standard power of the Steeler NG 52 S Offshore is from twin Cummins 480hp with line shaft propulsion, but Zeus and IPS pod drives engine options are also available.   

Technical Data:

LOA - 15.7 m (51.5ft)

Waterline Length - 14.9 m

Beam - 4.7 m

Draft - 1.2 m

Fuel Capacity - 2500 l

Water Capacity - 750 l

Accommodaiton - four berths in two cabins

Engines - 2 x Cummins QSB6.7 480hp

Propulsion - line shaft, or ZF Zeus aft looking dual prop pod drives, or IPS forward looking dual prop pod drives

Construction - aluminium

Certification - CE A

www.steeleryachts.com

Project: Tuccoli T440 HT

Tuccoli is back and fortunately it restarts where it left, by building sport-fisherman with a cruising vocation.  Tuccoli first new steps are a redevelopment of the 2005 launched T410 in this new T440 HT.  The project for the T440 improves important elements of the 410, we see the must have for the sport-fisherman aft mezzanine settee, new stylish hull side windows, and a redesigned interior now offering a four plus one sleeping accommodation in two cabins and an open cabin.  Power for the T440 HT will come from standard 480 up to 670hp optional twin engines with an on line shaft propulsion.  As usual Tuccoli speaks a lot of the sea keeping qualities of its boats with a dry and seaworthy T440 HT being an important element of the project.  As this is out the Tuccoli T440 HT hull one is undergoing its first sea trials after presentation at the Genoa boat show.  We await the first official pictures.

www.nuovatuccoli.it 

blogger - History Lessons

I am pretty keen on historic data about some design firsts from yacht builders.  I came into this seeing some of the popular magazines changing and thwarting facts in order to aid the other name which possibly is paying a big chunk of there bills.  But during a recent brokerage visit I had to unlearn what I have learned.

The visit concerned a Versilcraft 15ml Mystere build in 1977 which to my surprise featured a full beam owners cabin in just fifteen meters of length.  For those that don't know the Versilcraft 15ml Mystere was a mid seventies build wooden motor yacht in the full renaissance of the Italian Viareggio boating era of the period. 

For its size the Versilcraft Mystere with an overall length of sixteen meters was an absolute pioneer, and was ahead of the Azimut that pioneered the same design in the nineties and the start of the new millennium in a similar size.

Now the obligatory question comes automatic. How did this design feature which has become a must for motor yachts of around the Versilcraft sixteen meter size from around 2002 vanish from the seventies till about 1994. It seems by my research so far that no one offered this solution for the exception of the larger fiberglass build Canados 58 launched in 1987 and which measured an overall length of nineteen meters, and featured an option two layout with a full beam midships cabin.

It can be a lot of answers to my question.  But I think it comes to this. In the eighties the desire of speed increased not by little from new clients in Italy and the Med, who wanted to go above the magical thirties max and a cruise in the mid twenty knots.  This request was also followed by good sea keeping and a deep-Vee hull.  A performing deep-Vee hull is also followed by important weight distribution especially to what concerns the heavy engines of the time and minimal shaft angle.  
So the answer is simply more then one; speed, sea-keeping, and a good weight distribution to allow easy planing in rough seas, that is why the