Class One - Vee One - Mediterranean Grand Prix Race One

Thirteen boats lined up for the first race in over two decades with Class 1 catamarans and V1 mono-hulls running side-by-side, with Arif Al Zaffain and Nadir Bin Hendi carrying on from where they left off and last raced together in 2011, cruising to an easy victory in race 1 of the Mediterranean Grand Prix to win by a massive 49 second margin.

The Victory duo who earlier in the day shared the pole position spoils with LFF10, led from the start and were never challenged, going on to complete the 13 laps in 35:41.85s.

Despite matching the winners in qualifying Luca Fendi and Giovanni Carpitella could not match the sustained pace of the leader’s, but looked comfortable in second spot when they suddenly hit trouble on lap 9 and stopped.

From third place at the end of lap 1 Guido Cappellini and C1 rookie Mikhail Kitashev held off an initial challenge from Ugur Isik and Christian Zaborowski in Relekta-Zabo-Isiklar before opening out a comfortable advantage to move into and take second spot following the exit of LFF10.

The Relekta-Zabo-Isiklar crew in turn faced a race long challenge from Faleh Al Mansoori and Rashed Al Tayer in Team Abu Dhabi’s new MTI, who passed them on the final lap to take the chequered flag in third, only to be hit with a 25-second post-race penalty for destroying a turn buoy, handing the podium spot back to Isiklar and Zaborowski, the Abu Dhabi duo dropping to fifth behind LFF8-Polimersan.

The performance of the day came in V1 from the Tommy One crew of Maurizio Schepici and Stefano Bonanno who powered their way through the field from a long way back in fourth spot, first passing Bernico-New Star, then the early race leader’s Chaudron before setting their sights on and overhauling the pole sitters Antonio and Giuseppe Schiano in Karelpiu, to take the win in 36:33.39s.

www.class-1.com

Magnum Marine New Web Site

It is always a pleasure to speak about Magnum Marine, and now the World famed very exclusive US builder presents a new web showroom taking you into its unique universe. Magnum started up in 1966 Miami, Florida and was one of the half a dozen fast boat builders founded in the sixties and seventies by Don Aronow. For the record Donald Aronow was the creator of the famed Thunderboat Row in Miami where Magnum is still located, and his other founded companies are Formula in 1961, Donzi in 1964, Cigarette in 1970, and Aronow Powerboats in the eighties and all his companies revolved around the deep vee underwater shaped hull for the most part designed by Jim Wynne and Walt Walters. The Aronow Hull Jim Wynne design was similar in concept to the Ray Hunt 1958 deep-Vee, but was revolved towards more high performance. In 1968 Don sold to Apeco, and eight years later in 1976 Marchese Filippo Theodoli took over Magnum from the US firm to transform its legacy into a status symbol sport yacht builder. Filippo Theodoli idea was to keep with the super fast sea worthy deep vee 24 degrees hull, but add to it a bullet proof construction, and the luxurious comfort associated of a yacht fifteen meters or more in size. The Italian vision was complete a year later presenting the first and largest open Sport Yacht over fifteen meter of the period the Magnum 53 Maltese in 1977, which subsequently was delivered in over fifty examples in a production run lasting till 1995. Following the 53, Magnum continued to present other cruisers; the 45 and 40 and in 1984 it continued to push the sport yacht size limit presenting the 63 Sports with lines by Pininfarina, in 1989 the 70 also by Pininfarina, and the 80 again at the hands of the Italian firm in 2000. Driven by Filippo Theodoli the 63 went on to do the impossible by winning the Miami Nassau Miami for three times in a row with a diesel powered sport yacht, reaching speeds over eighty mph, and beating smaller faster boats thanks to its consistent speed in rough waters. Filippo died in 1990, and today Magnum is managed by wife Katrin, and son Giovanni who produce a limited customized two boats a year of the current six models from 44 to 100 feet. The flagship of the range the 100 is currently in advanced planning stages, with the current largest Magnum still being the 80, which was delivered in two units so far. The new Magnum web site takes you around with the following buttons: Home, Models, History, Brokerage, Technology, News, Store, and Contact Us.

www.magnummarine.com

Production History

35 1966-74

27 1968-91 (443) includes racers, patrolling, Starfire, and Sedan

16 Marauder 1967-69

16 Missile 1967-69

27 Sedan 1970-88 (443) *includes racers, patrolling, Starfire, and Sport Apeco ownership

Sport 25 1972-75 (36)

28 Maltese 1973-79 (98)

27 Starfire 1975-91 (443) *includes racers, patrolling, Sport, and Sedan

38 1974-1982

53 Maltese 1977-95 (55)  Theodoli ownership

45 1980-1992 (22)

40 1981-98 (72)

63 Pininfarina 1983-2000 (20+-)

70 Pininfarina 1987- (10

50 Bestia 1993-2007 (15) Katrin Theodoli ownership

56 1995-2008

44 Banzai 1999-2020

60 Furia 2001- 

80 2001- (2

51 Bestia 2009- (3

27 2021-

47.5 2022- 

New Model: Overmarine Mangusta 165 E

The latest Overmarine Mangusta 165 hull no. 9 is the very latest example of evolution and the perfect combination of comfort and speed.  There are a number of important technological innovations on this yacht as well as improvements in performance, including a new propulsion system with quadruple MTU 2600hp engines, 4 Rolls Royce Kamewa NP waterjets and 4 Seakeeper stabilisers. This driving system has an excellent weight/power ratio, as the engines are lighter than the previous ones and so there is less weight in movement when the yacht is at sea. These last generation engines are also more efficient and have a modular functionality. The waterjets are also stronger as the design has been renewed in order to offer a better performance at lower consumption. The result is that this yacht can reach similar speeds as in the past but consumes less: 35% less at 20 and 30 knots.The optimised layout in the engine room has provided the space to install 4 stabilizers for improving stabilization when the yacht is both at anchor and under way: 50% less rolling with half metre waves. Efficiency has also been improved meaning sailing is very comfortable at low speeds, too. Each and every owner can really decide whether to sail at high speeds or 20/30 knots with good drive efficiency and greater efficiency of consumption, without however, ever having to renounce to being comfortable on-board. This yacht is proof of the shipyard’s continuous evolution, but also of its ability to understand the market and anticipate client demand. Greater opportunities for this successful model, which can now also be proposed in the E evolution version with a number of external aesthetic features, most meaningful and recognizable being the window profile design of the deck house.

Technical Data:

LOA - 49.9 m (163.7ft)

Beam - 9.2 m

Draft - 2 m

Displacement - 300 t full load

Fuel Capacity - 40000 l

Water Capacity - 4000 l

Accommodation - 10 guest berths in 5 cabins, 6 crew cabins sleeping up to 12

Engines - 4 x MTU 16V 2000 M94 2600hp

Propulsion - 2 x KaMeWa 71S3NP + 2 x KaMeWa 63B3NP (booster)

Speed - 33 knots max

Range - 800 nautical miles at cruise

Project - Stefano Righini  

www.mangustayachts.com

Project: Ferretti Custom Line 28 Navetta

Ferretti presents the project for a new Custom Line 28 Navetta, a model which will replace the 26 as entry level of the semi displacement line. Designed as all Ferretti Custom Line by the usual Zuccon and the Group's Advanced Yacht Technology department cooperation the 28 Navetta will make its debut in the coming Cannes 2014 boat show.  For this model Giovanni Zuccon gave the 28 Navetta a more explorer yacht look, thanks to the higher bow, mid-ship reverse sheer line, a triple-deck design which makes fuller use of the upper floor, and the sun bridge up top.  The 28 Navetta also comes with two important innovations; patented dual mode transom, and the innovative RINA Italian registry certified 1.4 square meters view windows in the lower deck for the cabins produced with Amaregroup. The patented dual mode transom made in collaboration with Besenzoni makes the 28 Navetta stand out for two important items; largest bathing platform beach space of nine square meters in its size and tender garage for up to 4.45 meters.  Goes without saying that easy hauling is the word for the tender launch and recovery and there is no need for any davit in doing this operation thanks to the mechanism of the flood-able garage.  Accommodation wise the 28 Navetta will offer five guest cabins with an owners room on the main deck. Three similar sized VIP rooms; two at midships and one to port side characterize the standard layout. The 28 Navetta also has two options for the main deck; with the main difference of the plans being the astern bar to starboard in plan B. Engine wise the Ferretti Custom Line 28 Navetta will be powered by twin MAN 1200hp engines, which give a top speed of 16 knots, 13 of cruise and long range of 1250 nautical miles at an economic 10 knots.  The 28 Navetta is also a step ahead in the construction and will be fully infusion built, use special sun resistant materials for the final paint finish, and has a high attention for the sound proofing of the vessel to guarantee maximum silence during navigation.       

www.ferretti.com

New Model: Viking 75 Motor Yacht

It was an important Summer in New Jersey at the Viking factory first for celebrating its first important half a century, second for presenting a new model line up for this fall which will feature four new models and include a new 92 feet flagship and the re-entry into the yacht segment. The most prolific of all the medium sized builders has finally decided to return to the yacht market since 1995, but in reality the new 75 is a completely new breed and unlike its previous nineteen year ancestors challenges European design to the max. The new 75 Motor Yacht features all latest coming from Europe; as the fore deck settee, up and down bathing platform, and one of the best layouts for a 23 meter motor yacht, both above and below deck. It is just a pity that hull one will feature a more US enclosed bridge, as I am sure an open flybridge version would have enticed a few European buyers in Fort Lauderdale coming this fall. The Viking 75 Motor Yacht surprises for space, layout, and technical sides, on paper it looks to have a lot going for it. The main deck has abundance of space; saloon, dining table, standard open plan galley, passenger dinette forward and a day head. Below will be four double guest cabins, with an owners stateroom located amidships. Aft is space for two crew cabins which sleep four and share a head. On the technical side Viking points out that the new 75 Motor Yacht will feature a totally new hull shape which will be performing and in line with the very high standards sport fish yachts usually require. Hull one pictured above will be powered by the largest of the options of twin 1925hp Cat engines which Viking estimates will give top speeds in the medium thirties.    

Technical Data:

LOA - 23.92 m (78.6ft)

Beam - 6.01 m

Draft - 1.65 m

Displacement - 56,789 kg

Fuel Capacity - 5299 l

Water Capacity - 1143 l

Accommodation - 8 guest berths in 4 cabins, 4 crew beds in 2 cabins

Engines - 2 x Man V12 CRM 1550hp, V12 1800hp, Cat C32A 1825hp, C32A 1925hp

Propulsion - line shaft

Speed - 35 knots max, 30 knots cruise estimated with Cat 1925hp

Hull Shape - warped planning Vee-shape with deep entrance and low dead rise aft

www.vikingyachts.com 

PowerYachtBlog Best of the Year 2014

Project: Jeanneau 36 Leader

Jeanneau presents the project for a new 36 Leader, which follows the exterior looks and much boasted hull shape of the larger 40.  Indeed like the 40 the new 36 Leader features a superb V-shaped hull designed by renowned American naval architect Micheal Peters, and a sporty design by the Garroni Designers. The exterior of the 36 Leader features a sofa, a double sundeck, a spacious saloon, while for the interior Jeanneau decided to innovate boasting a layout, with an  unexpected two-and-a-half volumes.  By day, the interior saloon is a spacious, entirely open living area with impressive sea views, while by night, the owner's cabin converts into a magnificent suite with bar and sofa.  In an effort to bring you a unique level of comfort at sea, Jeanneau has incorporated a separate shower stall, as well as three berths, in the aft cabin. These are just some of the clever features that make the 36 Leader unique in this size of sport cruiser. The 36 Leader will be powered by a three engine choice; two Volvo diesel 260 and 300hp, and petrol gas from Mercury of 300hp.

www.jeanneau.com

New Model: Hinckley T43

It is a totally new Hinckley, the T43 represents the way forward for the down East Rhode Island located highly estimated boat builder. The designers at Hinckley with the new T43 where thinking to increase space and designed a wider boat compared to the three inches longer T44, thanks to an extra foot of beam. She is a two cabin, one en-suite one guest shower head below traditional cruiser, with the focus being on the entertainment area of the main deck. The galley on the T43 is located on the forward port side of the main deck, adjacent to the helm station opposite. An important detail of the T43 will be the touch of a button disappearing enclosure which splits the outside from the inside when closed, and unites them when open. In the new T43 we see Hinckley continue its support to water jet propulsion, but also its recent added choice of Volvo IPS pods.  Engine is a standard 550hp Cummins with Hamilton water jet, and optional Volvo 435hp with IPS pod drives. Speed estimates are for a max of 34 knots.

Technical Data:

LOA - 13.33 (43.9ft)

Beam - 4.41 m

Draft - 0.71 m (no drives)

Displacement - 12,700 kg light

Fuel Capacity - 1892 l

Water Capacity - 378 l

Accommodation - 4 berths in 2 cabins

Engines - 2 x Cummins QSB 6.7 550hp, Volvo D6 435hp

Propulsion - Hamilton HJ364 waterjet, Volvo IPS600 forward looking dual propeller pod drives

Speed - 34 knots max, 28 knots cruise

Construction - Hinckley dual guard, Scrimp Infusion composite moulding with Aramid fiber E-glass outer skin, Corecell foam core, carbon-fiber inner skin, Vinilester resin

www.hinckleyyachts.com   

Project: Hatteras 45 Express

This project announcement from Hatteras came as a big surprise to me and brand fans alike. Hatteras has not gone sub fifty feet for quite some time, and its last model produced shorter to this size was the 43 Convertible Series II which ended production in March 1998. The Hatteras 45 Express will change this, and sees the legendary Carolina brand return sub fifty after sixteen years, with an express which outside seems to be based a lot on the Cabo 44 to what regards the looks.  The interior has a different layout and will be available with two options; single or two cabin layouts. The single cabin version features a large double size C-shaped settee.  Outside Hatteras is also offering two options; fully tournament sportfish rigged with tower, as will be hull one, or a more cruiser friendly version.  Hatteras also announced that they are already working on a 52 Express. The Hatteras 45 Express will launch and be presented in end October during the Fort Lauderdale boat show.

www.hatterasyachts.com    

Class One - Vee One - 2014 Season Preview

The Spanish Island of Ibiza is all set to host the heavyweights of world powerboat racing when they take to the waters off Playa D’en Bossa for the Mediterranean Grand Prix on 5-7 September.

For the first time in over two decades catamarans and monohulls will race alongside each other in the UIM Class 1 and V1 World Powerboat Championships, with an anticipated 14-boats lining up as the revised new-look Championships format debuts in Ibiza and Class 1 returns to Spanish waters for the first time since 2006.

CLASS-ONE

Defending and six-time Class 1 World Champion Arif Al Zaffain reignites his formidable partnership with Nadir Bin Hendi as the Victory duo start their title campaign and go in search of the Dubai-based teams 14th crown and look to extend its seven-year Championship winning streak.

Back together in Class 1 for the first time in two years, Al Zaffain and Bin Hendi will be intent on a winning start and adding to their impressive strike-rate, winning 20 times from 28 outings to clinch three World and Middle East titles and a European and Pole Position Championship in three years.

Looking to unseat them will be last year’s Championship runners-up Ugur Isik and Christian Zaborowski in Relekta-Zabo-Isiklar. After considerable modifications to the boat and further work on the Mercury engines the team is confident that it can challenge for the title as the Turkish-Norwegian pairing goes in search of that elusive first win together that they so narrowly missed out on in Italy last year, to complement their multiple podium finishes.

Also looking for their first win together is the all Italian pairing of Luca Formilli Fendi and Giovanni Carpitella in Fendi Racing’s number one boat LFF10. Throttleman Carpitella strongly believes that with the problems they faced last year now fully resolved they too can challenge unhindered as front runners and improve on last season’s five podiums.

A revised line up in the second Fendi outfit LFF8-Polimersan sees defending European Champion Miles Jennings switching seats to take the throttles with Tarik Oktem coming in to drive, both Fendi boats running SCAM V12s.

Team Abu Dhabi retains the same line up that ended last year with a double podium at their home Grand Prix, with Faleh Al Mansoori and three time race-winner Rashed Al Tayer launching their challenge in a new Randy Scism designed and built MTI and switching from V12 to Mercury V8 power-plants.

Making a welcome return to frontline racing after opting not to compete in 2013 but to manage his team from the side lines is ten-time F1H2O World Champion Guido Cappellini, whose collaboration with entrepreneur Andrey Kitashev marks the debut of Russia into the Championship, with Mikhail Kitashev stepping up and in to take the throttles beside Cappellini in the DAC 40 Mercury powered Newstar-Poliform.

FA.RO. ACCIAI is expected to complete the Class 1 line-up but the team is yet to reveal who will race.

VEE-ONE

The news of the combined Championships drew an immediate and positive response with seven teams from across Europe signing up to race in V1.

Two entries from Italy sees Evolution and Super Sport Champions Maurizio Schepici and Marco Pennesi teaming-up in the Metamarine, Seatek-powered Tommy One, with father-son pairing of Antonio and Giuseppe Schiano, who lifted the Super Sport European and Italian Championships in 2010, returning to racing after a three year absence in the Mercury-powered Fountain 42, Karelpiu RG-87, which will carry the colours and flag of the Circolo Canottieri Napoli (Naples Rowing Club) which this year celebrates its centenary.

Team owner-driver Siegfried Greve who finished second and third overall in the Endurance Championship in 2011 and 2010 heads up German outfit Searex Racing’s challenge alongside countryman Udo Gross in the Searex built, Searex-engined Hercules Sagemann.

Aaron Ciantar will again put the Chaudron powerboat brand firmly in the international spotlight when he lines up alongside 2011 French Champion Dominique Martini in the 13-metre Chaudron Canopy 41.

Ciantar, 34 from Malta, will be targeting a fourth world title to add to the two he won in Super Sport in 2008 and 2009, and the title he won in the Key West Championship in America in 2011 in the same boat he will race in Ibiza.

The UK challenge is led by Bullet Racing’s hugely experienced Drew Langdon racing with fellow-brit Ian Blacker in the Fountain 42, Express Marine powered Silverline. A former European and British Endurance Champion, Langdon kicks off his campaign and will be aiming to break his World title near misses, finishing second in the Endurance Championship in 2009 and second in Super Sport in 2007, 2005 and 2004.

Two entries from Belgium sees Aquasport’s Nico Huybens teaming-up with Briton Daniel Cramphorn and Bernico-Newstar yet to finalise who will race alongside Nico Bertels.

The teams take to the water for first practice on Friday [5 September] morning followed by official qualifying at 14.45hrs [local]. Saturday morning practice is followed by race 1 at 15.30hrs, with a final morning practice session and qualifying for race 2 at 15.30hrs on Sunday.

www.class-1.com

Project: Storm S-65

Storm Yachts from the Netherlands continues to fill its line up with interesting distinctive models. The S-65 is the third in a line-up which starts and with the just launched X-53 and expands up to one hundred feet. The X-65 model which is currently in construction in Holland features a fast displacement hull and is to be available in two different versions; wheelhouse and fly-bridge option.  The flybridge version adds an extra open air lounge up top plus a second helm station. Interior wise the S-65 will have a three double cabins with one of the largest owners midships stateroom in this size. She will be built of aluminum and features the patented FDFH hull. Top speeds will be a max of 22 knots and standard engines are twin Cats 715hp engines with ZF pod drive propulsion.

www.stormyachts.com