Project: Viking 70 Convertible

The computer-operated five-axis profiles have been busy at Viking cutting new plugs from which molds are made. Most recently, the profilers have begun producing parts for the latest Viking, the 70 Convertible, which launches in summer 2010. The new 70 enjoys a familial resemblance to its siblings the flagship 82 and just presented 76. The aggressively raked stem featuring better than eight feet of free board forward is designed to make small work out of those big head seas typically encountered offshore when hunting marlin. Likewise, the free board is a subtle indication of the significant headroom beneath the flush foredeck. The sheer line is pure sweetness that tapers aft to three-feet of free board in the cockpit for ease of releasing and tagging bill fish and tuna. A black metallic mask wraps around the front of the deck house seamlessly transitioning into the darkly tinted windows that terminate in teardrop fashion. The distinguished profile is further honed with molded in feature lines intercepting the curvy smoothness of the flying bridge and deck house. Curves also highlight and accentuate the 208 square-foot cockpit with its observation mezzanine that provides ample stowage, multiple freezers, an insulated refrigerated drink box in the salon entrance step, plenty of drawers, and engine room access. The lower cockpit provides a well sized fish box, a stowage compartment and an available live well beneath the molded nonslip sole. A transom fish box live well also is available. The tournament proven center console helm on the flying bridge delivers acute visibility to each point of the compass. Three adjustable Murray Products helm seats with teak ladder backs are standard. Additional seating is provided with port and starboard lounges each with rod stowage below and aft facing jump seats. Ahead of the command console is a third lounge, as well as a sink, freezer and drink box cooler. Entered through an electrically operated sliding fiberglass door, you are greeted with an immense salon that is both inviting and elaborately appointed with designer furnishings, window treatments and custom valances. Overhead LED lighting sets the mood while natural light streams in from the salon sides and aft bulkhead windows. A day head is strategically located for convenience. Fishing rods and other gear stows handily and are readily accessible beneath the L-shape sofa to starboard. The sofa faces the entertainment center to port with a fifty inch flat screen television and Bose Lifestyle 48 system with custom surround sound. A Moritz OctoPlex screen monitor manages electrical needs at the touch of a finger. The galley island features a granite counter, under counter refrigeration, three bar stools and is adjacent to the dinette that seats four. Forward, the galley offers the convenience of world class appliances, a walk-in pantry, plus multiple drawer and locker stowage. Below, the four-stateroom, four-head layout utilizes space for maximum comfort and privacy, including a most spacious master suite and private access to the crew quarters via the engine room and cockpit. Like the most recent Vikings, the new 70 shares a refined running surface with a convex deadrise shape with sharpened waterline sections to showcase stability and sea keeping ability. The convex deadrise adds curvature and form to the hull bottom and the wide beam, which carries well aft. In addition to supplying considerable buoyancy and lift, re-entry at flank speeds will be soft enhancing a comfortable dry ride. The 70 Convertible will have chilled water air conditioning, a Delta-T engine room ventilation system and utilize Viking’s proprietary VIPER (Viking Independent Programmable Electro-hydraulic Rudder) steering, which also is used aboard the 82 and 76 Convertibles. The VIPER system eliminates the tie-bar for independent rudder operation to optimize response and reduce rudder drag at all throttle settings for remarkable maneuverability. The 70 Convertible will be offered with Caterpillar, MAN, and MTU power.

www.vikingyachts.com

New Model: Absolute 42

Listening to the voice of its clients Italian boat builder Absolute presents the 42, what is a fully enclosed and extended version of the 40 launched last year. The 42 also follows the theme of a full enclosure: hard top and patio door as seen on the bigger 52, 70 and the new 64 Absolute models. The demand for this model came from Northern European clients and from Mediterranean owners who wanted what was seen in the 40 but with the ability to be used 365 days a year. Absolute replied quickly to the demands and modified the 40 aft deck, and extended its bathing platform to present the 42. The new second in size Absolute makes quite a revolution of the 40 having two saloons sitting areas inside: one on the main deck, and an another below, plus an extra C-shaped settee aft for dining Al fresco this replacing the sun pad garage aft as used on the 40. Another important change comes also from the power and propulsion options of the 42, which unlike the 40 only available with stern drive, is also available with two IPS pod choices. IPS now powers seven out of eight Absolutes, which if my memory serves me correct, makes the Italian builder the major user of Volvo's pod propulsion since its introduction in 2006.
Technical Data:
LOA - 13.30 m (43.6ft)
Hull Length - 12.95 m with bathing platform
Hull Length - 11.98 m without platform
Beam - 3.95 m
Fuel Capacity - 2 x 475 l IPS, 2 x 420 l DP stern drive
Water Capacity - 230 l
Accommodation - 4 + 2 berths
Max Persons - 12
Engines - 2 x Volvo IPS500 D6 370hp, IPS600 D6 435hp, D6 330hp
Propulsion - Volvo IPS pod, DP stern drives
Project - Absolute Research Lab
Certification - CE B

www.absoluteyachts.com

Project: Grand Banks 46 Eastbay SX

Grand Banks present the project for the 46 Eastbay SX bringing all the acclaimed performance, grace and reliability of her predecessors, and then goes one great leap further, adding the revolutionary ZF Zeus propulsion system. With joystick docking, pod-drive power and a range of intelligent innovations, the 46 Eastbay SX offers an unrivaled combination. The 46 Eastbay SX standard main deck plan features a galley-down layout. In the salon, a U-settee sits to port surrounding a teak high-low table. Opposite is a straight settee, just aft of the Stidd helm seat. Also in the standard arrangement, a bench seat is located opposite the helm chair, fronted by a built-in chart table. The aft salon door opens to a large cockpit with aft-facing padded seating. Standard lower deck in this plan include a down galley to port that is open to light and air from above, across from a starboard-side guest stateroom with two twin berths and single-door entry. Farthest forward is the master stateroom with queen island berth and private en-suite head with enclosed shower. The guest head opens off the starboard side of the companionway. Remarkable for a boat of this size, an amazing storage and utility room sits amidships for added storage, tool room, fishing gear, pantry, laundry with optional washer/dryer or any other purpose that suits your cruising needs. In the optional layout, the galley moves up to the aft end of the salon, with pass-through access to the cockpit through a retractable salon window. To starboard is refrigeration and galley counter top. Between this and the helm seat is more storage and an entertainment center; to port, the main settee and table move forward and sit on a platform for great visibility. The optional layout below is similar to the galley-down version above, except that the guest stateroom layout changes. The berth is replaced by an outboard convertible settee, which can easily pull out to create a berth for sleeping. A fold-up desk is included along the forward bulkhead, and the single cabin door is replaced by sliding pocket doors. Keeping the doors open creates a wonderfully spacious landing, making below-deck accommodations seem even larger. Note that with the convertible office option a second guest head is not available; instead, access to the port-side master head is gained though a second guest entrance off the companionway. Selecting the galley-up main deck option makes room below for a third stateroom and an amazing amount of accommodations for a 46 feet Traditional Cruiser. This three-cabin, two-head layout still maintains the mid-ship storage/utility space as on the standard lower deck. The Grand Banks 46 Eastbay SX will launch early next year.

www.grandbanks.com

Improve-it = Silverton 36 Convertible

Since introduced in 2006 pod drives have been in huge demand in recent years, with many boat builders presenting new models, and updates to the current line up by adding the ZF Zeus or the Volvo IPS units as optional. US boat builder Silverton presents the option of the Volvo IPS on its successful two cabin 36 Convertible Sportfish Cruiser the fall of this year. While on the update of the propulsion drive, Silverton also presented officially the 36 Convertible with the more luxurious owner cabin to fore, now featuring a central island berth. For the remaining the interior accommodation plan remains unchanged with a twin settee saloon, L-shaped galley, double bunk guest cabin, head, and a separate shower room. So along the diesel powered twin Yanmar 315hp propelled with in line shafts, the 36 Convertible is now available with twin Volvo IPS400 D4 300hp. The IPS option while increasing efficiency and performance also makes marina maneuvering very easy, thanks to the centimeter precise joystick control. While this propulsion choice is very interesting for the 36 Convertible, Silverton also with the new IPS option now moved the engines more aft, to better use the mid ship space especially to what regards the second guest cabin.

www.silverton.com

New Model: Morgan 33 Dinghy

Taken over by the Aicon Group in 2007, Morgan Yachts presents the 33 Dinghy, first new model completely designed and built by the new owners. Designed by Italian Alfredo Magazzu together with the yards Style Center, the 33 Dinghy is also the smaller boat on offer from Morgan and in all the Aicon Group. The small Morgan was presented officially in the end of October in Rome, where the small Traditional Cruiser received a lot of consensus and compliments. Traditional in looks the 33 Dinghy can be categorized as a big center console with over night comfort for two. Its uses can be a stylish runabout, a tender for a villa or super yacht, and as a fishing machine thanks to the Sportfish Kit. This last optional adds trawl beam, fishing rod holder on the roll bar, live bait tub, lines stowage, artificial bait compartment, and fishing rods stowage. The 33 Dinghy is also versatile in its looks outside offering the ten distinctive Morgan colors for the hull. Inside the 33 Dinghy offers a double berth for two adults, and a complete shower head. Power is two options of a twin diesel Yanmar 260hp propelled with stern drive, or outboard petrol gas Yamahas 250hp. Both options giving speeds of 45 knots max, and a 35 knots cruise.
Technical Data:
LOA - 9.87 m (32.3ft)
Hull Length - 9.04 m
Beam - 2.90 m
Draft - 0.49 m with propellers
Displacement - 3.5 t
Fuel Capacity - 900 l
Water Capacity - 280 l
Accommodation - 2 berths in 1 cabin
Engines - 2 x Yanmar 6BY 260hp, Yamaha 250hp gas petrol
Propulsion - outboard, stern drive
Speed - 45 knots max, 35 knots cruise
Construction - fiberglass
Hull Shape - vee design
Project - Morgan Style Center, Alfredo Magazzu
Certification - CE B

www.morganyachts.it

Class 1 - Dubai U.A.E. Preview

After five Grands Prix and eight races, the fight for the coveted Class 1 World title has come down to the wire and will be decided next weekend, 10 -12 December, in the final two races of the season in the Emirates/Dubai Duty Free Dubai Grand Prix. With the Victory Team having already secured a remarkable ninth Class 1 World title, the only unanswered question is which of the Dubai-based team’s two thoroughbreds will emerge victorious on their home waters and in front of a partisan crowd and lift the trophy - Fazza or Victory 1?

Just eight points separate Fazza and Victory 1 in what has been a titanic struggle for supremacy all season, with the Championship lead changing hands race-by-race.

Championship leaders, Fazza will start as marginal favourites and hold the bragging rights for race wins this year with six, but Victory 1 with two wins under their belts, put one over their team-mates in Italy to take the European Championship.

Each outfit knows it can beat the other and that each is capable of lifting the crown, and with Victory Team general manager, Gianfranco Venturelli, stating that there are no team orders, Fazza and Victory 1 are set for one last throw of the dice and the stage is set for a winner-takes-all scenario.

With the title and the runners-up slot out of reach, Norwegian Welmax look poised to take third place in the overall Championship standings. A fourth and a third place, their fourth podium of the year, last time out in Abu Dhabi saw them leapfrog Maritimo into third spot, and they now have the luxury of a twenty-point advantage over their young Australian-Norwegian rivals.

Maritimo who finished third overall in the European Championship standings, on the back of three podium finishes, will be hoping to get their season back on track, and that the technical issues that have blighted their last three outings will not be repeated in Dubai and allow Foresti & Suardi Roscioli Hotels to sneak into fourth place.

The target for Giampaolo Montavoci will be to maintain his remarkable run of consistency and points-scoring finishes, a run that began back in 2007 and extends to 23 races as he targets his highest-ever placing and points-finish in the Championship. Montavoci will race with fellow-Italian, Marco Pennesi, and what would bring a smile to his face is the prospect of rough conditions on the leg outside the Palm, which would give the Italian throttleman and rough water specialist a chance to drag the best out of Foresti & Suardi Roscioli Hotels.

Giovanni Carpitella will be joined in the cockpit of Sea Dubai - C.A.M. by Giorgio Manuzzi - making a welcome return to racing after crashing out in Romania when driving Maritimo 12 as the Spanish Team, Duemme Broker, continue their march up the leaderboard. After finishing fourth in the season-opener, then missing the next two Grands Prix, Carpitella returned to take two top-five finishes in Italy, his first Class 1 podium in race 1 in Abu Dhabi followed by a fourth place, to catapult him into sixth place in the overall standings and third in the Middle East Championship.

Giorgioffshore will line up in Dubai looking to at least repeat their third place finish in the Mina Seyahi Grand Prix in Dubai last year. Nicola Giorgi, partnered by the experienced Christian Zaborowski, has already enjoyed a solid season and a string of good results, and will be confident that the team can improve further and build on their best ever qualifying performance in Abu Dhabi, where they finished on the podium after a scintillating lap put them third quickest.

Outgoing double World Champion, Mohammed Al Marri, who stepped down from racing at the end of 2008, but returned to renew race duties alongside Abdullah Al Mehairbi in Victory 7, will be looking to end their eight-race campaign with a flourish and to add to two fourth place finishes and a podium in Italy.

First official practice takes place on Thursday afternoon (10 December), with a one-and-a-half hour session on Friday morning for practice and qualifying in the Edox Pole Position, followed by race 1 in the afternoon, 54.91Nm - 12 laps, including one long lap.A third and final practice session on Saturday morning is followed by race 2 in the afternoon - with the starting line-up determined by the results of race 1 - 68.96Nm, run over 15 laps, including two long laps - with both races counting for full Championship points.

CLASS 1 WORLD POWERBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP - after round 5 of 6

1. Fazza - 133pts

2. Victory 1 - 125pts

3. Welmax - 76pts

4. Maritimo 11 - 56pts

5. Foresti & Suardi-Roscioli Hotels - 53pts

6. Sea Dubai - C.A.M - 44pts

7. Giorgioffshore - 43pts

8. Victory 7 - 38pts

9. Qatar 96 - 15pts

10. Maritimo 12 - 12pts

11. Qatar 95 - 4pts

(World Championship points include bonus points allocated to teams for running engines for two consecutive races - one point, per engine, per race)

CLASS 1 MIDDLE EAST CHAMPIONSHIP - after round 2 of 3

1. Fazza - 60pts

2. Victory 1 - 42pts

3. Sea Dubai - C.A.M. - 30pts

4. Welmax - 21pts

5. Foresti & Suardi-Roscioli Hotels - 17pts

6. Qatar 96 - 15pts 7. Giorgioffshore - 14pts

8. Victory 7 - 4pts

9= Maritimo 11 0pts

9= Maritimo 12 - 0pts

9= Qatar 95 - 0pts.

EDOX POLE POSITION CHAMPIONSHIP - after round 5 of 6

1. Fazza - 84pts

2. Victory 1 - 65pts

3. Maritimo 11 - 43pts

4. Welmax - 41pts

5. Qatar 95 - 35pts

6. Giorgioffshore - 29pts

7. Qatar 96 - 24pts

8. Victory 7 - 19pts

9. Foresti & Suardi - Roscioli Hotels - 14pts

10. Sea Dubai - C.A.M. - 13pts

11. Maritimo 12 – 11pts

www.class-1.com

Projects: Beneteau 42 Monte Carlo Hard Top, Beneteau 34 Swift Trawler S, Beneteau 30 Antares S

Beneteau go into the market with three projects, one is completely new, and two are a further development or different versions of recently released models. The completely new model is the 42 Monte Carlo Hard Top shown in rendering above. Sitting in between the 47 launched exactly a year ago in Paris, and the 37, the new 42 fills the gap between these models and is also the eighth member in the Sport Cruiser style Monte Carlo range. With lines designed as all the Monte Carlo range by Italian designer Andreani, the 42 is targeted to combine the fantastic technology of Beneteau's unique patented Air-Step hull with an intelligent comfortable layout. What surprises in the 42 Monte Carlo Hard Top project is how it uses elements from both the 47 and 37. For example the central cockpit and helm station are a good reminder of the smaller 37, while the lower deck takes a lot from the 47 with full beam mid ship owners suite, and VIP cabin to fore. Power for the 42 Monte Carlo Hard Top will be from twin Volvo D6 370hp which combined with the Air Step designed by Beneteau Powerboat team of Patrick Tableau, Maud Tronquez, and Remi Laval from Jeantet and an extended plane underwater should provide a good performance. For easy marina manoeuvring the 42 Monte Carlo Hard Top is also available with the new Volvo stern drive joystick system which makes the difficult moves to the inexperienced owner much easier. The second project presented by Beneteau is the 34 Swift Trawler S what is a new version of the 34 Swift Trawler without a driving position on the flybridge. This new S for Sedan version retains all the characteristics of the Swift Trawler 34 and brings a very different functionality to the flybridge level providing stowage for the tender or any other space consuming objects such as bicycles, windsurfers, etc. This space can also be converted into a magnificent king size sunbathing area. Taking away this change the new 34 Swift Trawler S keeps all the other distinct characteristics of a single engine semi planning Explorer Cruiser with two cabins below, an extra convertible saloon berth, separate shower head, and a galley on the main deck. The third project follows the launch of the Beneteau 30 Antares presented in flybridge version at the autumn boat shows. Now Beneteau attention to clients requests prompts its designers to the project of the 30 Antares S, which will be launched in Düsseldorf on January 2010. Designed for cruising, the boat retains all the advantages of the twin cabin 30 Antares, but gets more lively looks thanks to a sleeker super structure without a flybridge. Sarrazin design group have given the Beneteau 30 Antares S modern, sporty lines, and worked with precision to provide this version with a new roof, including two sliding opening panels. This gives the boat a dynamic look, which endows it with a sporty character.

www.beneteau.com

New Model: Airon Marine 4800 T-Top

Paolo Molinari Airon Marine present the 4800 T-Top, first and smaller model of the two big boat projects presented at the start of this year 2009. The new 4800 T-Top replaces the A47, and is also the new current flagship of the Airon Marine line of 14 models. Designed in house and in the family by Paolo Molinari responsible for the hull, and son Tommaso who did the super structure, the 4800 T-Top has a family feeling with the latest introduced models from the Como boat builder as the 4300 T-Top first of the new generation hard top models, and 400 T-Top introduced last year. As the smaller Airon boats flexibility and variations of the internal layouts is key to this project, which can be offered with a two, three or four cabins, one or two galleys, and one or two saloon interior plans. The standard plan is a three cabin layout with full beam owners stateroom, VIP suite to fore, double bunk guest cabin, two galleys, and a C-shaped saloon on the main deck. The two cabin version replaces the third bunk cabin with a second lower deck C-shaped saloon. Needless to say this is impressive and here the Molinari designers are surely taking the full benefits of the IPS propulsion as never seen before. Speeds are also in line with similar sized models with the IPS600 forward looking dual propeller Volvo pods at 435hp each, propelling the 4800 T-Top to top speeds of 35 knots.

Technical Data:

LOA - 14.70 m (48.2ft)

Beam - 4.26 m

Dispalcement - 14.5 t

Fuel Capacity - 1100 l

Water Capacity - 450 l

Max Persons - 12

Accommodation - 4, 6 berths in 2, 3 cabins

Engines - 2 x Volvo IPS600 435hp

Propulsion - Volvo IPS forward looking duo prop pods

Speed - 35 knots max

Design - Paolo Molinari hull, Tommaso Molinari

Certification - CE B

www.aironmarine.it

Project: Kha Shing MFS 112

Renowned Taiwan Yacht builder Kha Shing Enterprise Co. Ltd. has been working with US based Setzer Design Group on a nineteen and 34 metres design for the new Monte Fino S range. Monte Fino S is a new range of Kha Shing existing Monte line targeting clients who are looking for luxurious Sport Yachts. The all-new MFS 112 addresses traditional yachting needs with new and refined style. With plenty of volume to accommodate large fuel and water storage, as well as generous cabins for owners and guests on the multiple levels. This new design offers up a fresh look complete with all the expected amenities. There are three guest staterooms and one master suite below while the crew cabins and lounge are placed aft of the engine room. A galley and open lounge are forward on the main deck and a generous salon and dining area aft of the pilothouse central zone. An over sized main aft deck is an important feature of the design with its large dining area, bar and sun lounge. The flybridge is multi level and includes seating, bar, grill and hot tub amenities. The interior can also be customized based on owner’s needs. With a beam of close to seven metres and a draft of less then two metres, the MFS 112 hull form will hold ample fuel for extended cruising and yield top speeds from 16 to 26 knots depending on selected engine options.

www.khashing.com.tw

New Model: Sunseeker 88 Yacht

Sunseeker new 88 Yacht is a further development of the 86 Yacht presented in 2008. The new 88 Yacht increases crew accommodation aft, and offers more options in the four cabins below. For example you can choose to have two VIP cabins instead of the usual one, or an owner suite located to mid ships but in the fore part, or more to aft. Also recognizable by the cabin windows which are now integrated and more modern in there design, the 88 Yacht will be co-produced with the 86 for the coming 2010 season, before I think replacing it totally for 2011. Performance for the 88 Yacht with twin 1925hp diesel engines is a 30 knots top speed, and 23 knots cruise, this later giving a 350 nautical miles range.
Technical Data:
LOA - 26.88 m (88.2ft)
Waterline Length - 21.37 m
Beam - 6.41 m
Draft - 1.78 m
Displacement - 71.3 t full load
Fuel Capacity - 7500 l
Water Capacity - 1500 l
Accommodation - 8/10 berths in 4 cabins, 4 crew in 2 cabins
Engines - 2 x 1925hp
Propulsion - in line shafts in semi tunnels
Speed - 30 knots max, 23 knots cruise
Range - 350 nautical miles at cruise
Construction - hand laid GRP vinilester skin with powder mat, balsa core sides, PVC deck
Design - Sunseeker Design, Design Unlimited
Certification - CE

www.sunseeker.com