September 6, 2007

Projects: Beneteau 52 Swift Trawler, Beneteau 37 Monte Carlo Hard Top, Beneteau 32 Monte Carlo

The Beneteau 52 Swift Trawler will be the flagship for the power motor boat range of the famous French builder. This classic live aboard style motor yacht is a nice cross over offering the comfort of power and joy of sailing lovers alike, as Beneteau has come up with the right link from both worlds. Superior interior volumes and maximum use of space, spacious saloon with galley, 3 cabin 2 heads interior, full beam owners cabin, crew cabin aft, well sized flybridge, tender stowage on fly, walk around deck and separate forward deck. Exterior design are for a classic trawler looks as compared to the already introduced 42 in the range. Engine power is for 2 x 575 HP, which estimates similar cruising speeds to the younger Swift Trawler of 18 knots. The 37 Monte Carlo Hard Top is the semi covered cockpit version for this successful sports cruiser model. Italian designer Pierangelo Andreani designed a stylish hard top on the lines of this model creating an alternative offer of what is becoming the rule for open Mediterranean motor boats. The weight increase for this design feature is 400 kg bringing the total weight for 7470 kg. Power comes from Volvo Stern drive D4 2 x 260 HP or the optional 2 x 300 HP. New addition to Beneteau range of Mediterranean style Monte Carlo sports cruiser is the new 32. Designed as the bigger 37 by Pierangelo Andreani, he follows the trend shown for the bigger sister and uses design themes like integrated wind shield, low profile radar arch, classic round side port holes and the red hull color. Cockpit space is very generous for a boat this size and the interior offers 4 berth accommodation with a separate cabin mid ship, separate shower head and a galley. Standard power are 2 x Volvo 270 HP DPS D5.7 Petrol, optional for a more cruiser friendly Diesel 2 x Volvo's D3 190 HP is available.

September 5, 2007

New Model: Uniesse 70 Sport

During my recent trip in Sicily I encountered the exclusive preview of the Uniesse 70 Sport, a model which has yet to be unveiled to the general public. Presented as a project about 2 years ago, finally we can see this hard top sports yacht, flagship of the Sport range from Uniesse in its' real form. The design is the usuall from the Italian builder and what I call a modern classic European style sports yacht. This builder has a fame for building solid sea going motor yachts and cruisers thanks to the help of American hull designer Fred Hudson. Uniesse strong construction is also recognized by the toughest classification rules for category and size of boats produced. Power is provided by twin 1360hp MAN engines which are estimating to push this sports yacht at around 38 knots of top speed.
Technical Data:
LOA - 22.16 m (72.7 ft)
Length - 19.96 m
Beam - 5.35 m
Draft - 1.55 m
Weight - 32.000 kg empty, 38.000 kg loaded
Fuel Capacity - 4.200 l
Water Capacity - 1.220 l
Max People - 18
Engines - 2 x MAN CR 1360hp
Speed - 38 knots max estimated

September 4, 2007

Projects: Dominator 92, Dominator 105, Dominator 115

The new Domintor 92 will be the new flagship for the Italian boat builder founded in 1999. Expected to be unveiled the fall of this year, this new model continues the revolution in form function design and has huge panoramic windows views for the cabins. T4 Team designed a sleek and aggressive profile. Interior layout is a spacious four double cabins for guests and a separate crew accommodation for 3. Length over all is 29.1 metres which extends to 30 once the private beach style bathing platform is lowered. Power comes from MTU V16s 2 x 2.210 hp or the optional 2 x 2.434 HP.
Expected to be launched next year the Dominator 105, continues the philosophy of the Fano shipyard to launch aggressive styled motoryachts with plenty of innovations. The rendering design is already teasing on innovative features like the skyroom on the flybridge, the forward dining area and the side opening bathing platform which will be a first for yacht of this size. I think at this stage we just have to wait for the launch of this project. The Dominator 115 is the future flagship for the shipyard and is an evolution of the 105 model with the extra 10 feet of length. Construction is expected for 2008. As the is the case for the 105, little information is available for this project, accept for the rendering design which shows innovative futures as mentioned for it's smaller sister.

September 3, 2007

Class 1 - Victory 77 wins Romanian Grand Prix and 2007 European Title

Victory 77 turns the first corner of the season by taking European title
Victory 77 took the third win of the season in an incident filled Romanian Grand Prix, round four of the WPPA Class 1 World Powerboat Championship, to clinch the 2007 WPPA Class 1 European Championship. Second place went to Qatar 96, with sister boat Qatar 95 completing the podium in third.
Following a chaotic start, with two boats appearing to go early, and despite starting from second place on the start line, Victory 77 was lying in third place at the end of lap 1, behind Negotiator, with Victory 7, out in front. They overhauled Negotiator a lap later and fought back to grab the lead on lap 6. For the next three laps, Victory 77 fought off a strong challenge from rivals Qatar 96, who had moved up through the field from fifth place on the first lap, to be challenging for the lead. On lap 10, Victory 77 took their first long-lap, but as they came off the lap, had to swerve violently to avoid Qatar 96, coming out of the turn. For the next 10 laps, Victory 77 kept a narrow advantage over Qatar 96, going on to take the win and extend their world championship lead to 19 points.
Second place for Qatar 96, the fourth consecutive podium of the season, was not enough for the duo to regain the European crown they won in 2005, but keeps them in the hunt for the overall title. Qatar 95’s first podium of the season was well deserved and hard fought for, with Al-Sulaiti and Luca Nicolini, moving from fifth place into third on lap 9.
Fourth place for Spirit of Norway was not the result they were looking for in a race that went wrong for them at the start, finding themselves down in eighth place at the end of lap 1 after starting from pole position. Having clawed their way back into fourth place, Gjelsten and Curtis then spun out on lap 7 while trying to pass Victory 7, dropping them back down the running order to sixth. And a penalty long-lap incurred several laps later for hitting a turn-buoy ended their hopes of a podium, and despite moving into third place in the title race, are now 30 points off the lead. But both Gjelsten and Curtis were clearly unimpressed and angered by the tactics used by some of their rivals. After a frustrating season so far and a difficult weekend, Negotiator produced easily it's best showing, bringing home a fifth place. Forseti & Sguardi 8, won their on-going battle with Spirit of Norway 20, finishing in sixth ahead of the Norwegian duo, with Jotun salvaging three points in eighth after breaking a propeller, with SeveneleveN and VM Foresti & Suardi picking up points in ninth and tenth. Victory 7 was the only retirement of the race, after breaking a propeller and damaging the boat.
ROMANIAN GRAND PRIX
1. Victory 77 – A Al Zafeen(UAE)/JM Sanchez (FR)
2. Qatar 96 – H Al Thani (QAT)/M Nicolini (ITA) + 00.12,12
3. Qatar 95 – A Al Sulaiti (QAT)/L Nicolini (ITA) + 01.33,87
4. Spirit of Norway 10 – B Gjelsten (NOR)/S Curtis (GB) + 02.10,83
5. Negotiator 50 – B Eker (NOR)/C Parsonage (GB) + 02.34,11
6. Foresti & Suardi 8 – M Pennesi (ITA)/G Montavoci (ITA) + 2 laps
7. Spirit of Norway 20 – T Barry-Cotter (AUS)/P Nilsen (NOR) + 2 laps
8. Jotun 90 – C Zaborowski (NOR)/J Tandberg (NOR) + 4 laps
9. SeveneleveN 18 – T Polli (ITA)/N Giorgi (ITA) +4 laps
10. VM Foresti & Suardi 2 – D Cirilli (ESP)/K Selmer (NOR) + 4 laps
Victory 7 – T Al Sayed (UAE)/N B Hendi (UAE) - dnf
WPPA CLASS 1 WORLD POWERBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP – after round 4 of 8
1. Victory 77 – A Al Zafeen(UAE)/JM Sanchez (FR) – 79pts
2. Qatar 96 – H Al Thani (QAT)/M Nicolini (ITA) – 60pts
3. Spirit of Norway 10 – B Gjelsten (NOR)/S Curtis (GB) – 49pts
4. Victory 7 – T Al Sayed (UAE)/N B Hendi (UAE) – 44pts
5. Qatar 95 – A Al Sulaiti (QAT)/L Nicolini (ITA) – 36pts
6. Foresti & Suardi 8 – M Pennesi (ITA)/G Montavoci (ITA) – 22pts
7. Spirit of Norway 20 – T Barry-Cotter (AUS)/P Nilsen (NOR) – 20pts
8. Negotiator 50 – B Eker (NOR)/C Parsonage (GB) – 12pts
9. SeveneleveN 18 – T Polli (ITA)/N Giorgi (ITA) – 10pts
10. VM Foresti & Suardi 2 – D Cirilli (ESP)/K Selmer (NOR) – 5pts
11. Jotun 90 – C Zaborowski (NOR)/J Tandberg (NOR) - 3pts
WPPA CLASS 1 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP – after round 4 of 4
1. Victory 77 – A Al Zafeen(UAE)/JM Sanchez (FR) – 75pts
2. Qatar 96 – H Al Thani (QAT)/M Nicolini (ITA) – 54pts
3. Spirit of Norway 10 – B Gjelsten (NOR)/S Curtis (GB) – 41pts
4. Victory 7 – T Al Sayed (UAE)/N B Hendi (UAE) – 36pts
5. Qatar 95 – A Al Sulaiti (QAT)/L Nicolini (ITA) – 28pts
6. Foresti & Suardi 8 – M Pennesi (ITA)/G Montavoci (ITA) – 18pts
7. Spirit of Norway 20 – T Barry-Cotter (AUS)/P Nilsen (NOR) – 16pts
8= SeveneleveN 18 – T Polli (ITA)/N Giorgi (ITA) – 7pts
8= Negotiator 50 – B Eker (NOR)/C Parsonage (GB) – 7pts
10. Jotun 90 – C Zaborowski (NOR)/J Tandberg (NOR) - 3pts
11. VM Foresti & Suardi 2 – D Cirilli (ESP)/K Olsen (NOR) – 1pt
(world championship points include bonus points allocated to teams running engines for two consecutive races - one point, per engine, per race)

September 2, 2007

New Model: Ferretti 881 RPH

The new 881 RPH was presented as a project in January and launched during the Ferretti Privilege Days in the end of March and maintains the building excellence of the original yacht, to whom it has been added an upper deck or as the title says a Raised Pilot House dominating the sea. Apart for the better view and more comfortable position to the pilot, this adds additional space to the yacht as the main deck is used as part of the saloon, dining area and galley which is now moved forward instead of the lower helm for the standard 881. Ferretti offers the usual striking wide spacious interior with light colored fabrics and furniture in matt elm and fabrics which gives is a very natural luminous area. The living room area which is where the gains are to the standard 881, has a symmetrical layout, with a double sofa on opposite sides in the saloon. A separate dining room area forward is featured with a centre positioned wide table apt to accommodate 8 people. In the lower deck, two large open-view windows on both sides turn the master cabin into an incomparable suite in terms of space and luminosity. Two twin beds cabins with private bathrooms and a very wide VIP bow cabin complete the night accommodation for the owner and his guests. Concerning performance, the Ferretti 881 RPH renews the engines in comparison to the original version with two 2211hp MTU engines, pushing the yacht to a 29 knots top speed, and a 26 knots cruise speed.
Technical Data:
LOA - 27.03 m (88.6 ft)
Length - 26.94 m
Length Waterline - 22.15 m
Beam - 6.72 m
Displacement - 93600kg loaded, 81000kg unloaded
Fuel Capacity - 9.000 l
Water Capacity - 1.320 l
Max People - 20
Engines - 2 x MTU 16V2000M92 2211hp
Speed - 30 knots max, 26 knots cruising
Range - 325 nm at cruising
Project - Zuccon

September 1, 2007

Project: Riviera 4400 Sport Yacht

Latest of its European-style Sport Yacht series, the project for the soon to come Riviera 4400 Sport Yacht takes the renowned luxury boat builder to new levels with its light weight yet robust hull construction and revolutionary Volvo Penta Inboard Performance System (IPS) propulsion that includes a joystick docking system, making this boat very simple to control and manoeuvre. The 4400 Sport Yacht continues the indoor-outdoor character and sense of light and space introduced on the first award-winning Riviera 3600 Sport Yacht and carried on with the 4700 SY. Exterior lines have been further refined to create even more visual appeal. Bonded glass windows each side of the boat are a striking feature that, together with an opening porthole each side, add natural light and ventilation into the aft cabin of the boat. The interior is a two cabin two bathroom cruiser packed with all the modern conveniences. Power is provided by twin Volvo IPS 500 diesel engines rated at 370hp each. Twin Volvo IPS 600 rated at 435hp each are optional. The Volvo IPS system is an integrated system of marine diesel engines, steerable drive units mounted under the hull with twin counter rotating, forward facing, propellers. This system offers easy handling and manoeuvring even in tight situations and a joystick for easy docking. Volvo IPS also offers up to 30 percent better fuel consumption than traditional shaft drive systems. Cutting-edge technology, contemporary design principals and the quality, value and reliability for which Riviera is famous promising of what should be an outstanding vessel as is the fame of the Australian builder.

August 31, 2007

Monthly News - August 2007

- picture of the month - Itama 55 Fiftyfive following the Copa Del Rey

Abacus R.I.N.A. contract

Abacus Marine S.p.A. has agreed with RINA for the release of certificate F no.25 for the yachts Abacus 62 and 70. This certificate consists for supervision inspection by the Italian classification society on a selection of the constructed yachts, from the start of construction till completion and delivery to the proud owner, in order to give a higher safety value to the yacht.


Bruno Abbate Primatist Trophy 17th Edition

The 17th edition of the Primatist Trophy, took part from the 30th July to the 3 rd August of what was a new racing formula compared to the previous editions. In fact this year’s edition want be based on a single race, but a series of rounds that will take the crews doing many miles North and South of Sardegna. This will be a lot more difficult competition, compared to the previous ones with the most difficult round, Porto Ottiolu to Arbatax a 60 mile non stop race. Arbatax will also be the protagonist of the event, as is the place of the new Bruno Abbate Primatist factory, and where most of the new models will be built and designed. Other events in this trophy will be a race on the Bixy bicycles as well as a photographic “I Love 17” competition, an idea of Marco Abbate. In this edition visitors could also admire the new offshore powerboat "Terribile", a laboratory boat realized with cooperation from Isotta Fraschini which looks at the competition world thanks to the experience of Bruno Abbate and his Class 1 Offshore racing in the past.


Burger lays off 44 workers

Burger Boat Company has laid off 21 staff employees and 23 contract workers, according to the Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter. Burger Boat Company's co-president told the paper that the Wisconsin-based shipyard is awaiting decisions from owners of two 42.7m (140ft) yachts it is building regarding modifications. The majority of laid-off workers are metal ship fitters. The layoffs will reduce Burger's staff workforce to 375. The yard currently has six yachts under construction, with ongoing sales efforts to acquire additional clients. Two launches are scheduled for this fall.


Fiart Mare sponsors Uto Ughi concert in Capri

Fiart Mare participated as a sponsor to the event organized by the Tourism and Culture Authority of the city of Capri. Uto Ughi in concert with the philharmonic orchestra of Rome – The Four Season of Vivaldi. The event of absolute prestige for the presence of the violinist, considered among the best of our times, happened in the magic surroundongs of San Giacomo in Capri.


Intermare school with Carlo Conti

The TV Presenter Carlo Conti, could easily be observed while teaching his female colleagues of famous Italian national TV show L’ Eredita as part of signed photo shoot for TV Sorrisi E Canzoni magazine on board an Intermare. The famous TV presenter showed great professionalism also by answering to questions to curious passers by. The magazine was out in the second week of July and was realized in Rosignano.


Itama participates in Copa Del Rey

Itama, had the honor to participate, with the unmistakable white and blue yachts, in the prestigious Copa del Rey at Palma de Mallorca from July 29 until August 6. Itama FiftyFive, the last vessel of the new Itama range, was the support yacht for the press.


Pershing Cup 3rd Edition

The 2007 Pershing Gold Cup Tournament, took place over two days (Saturday 28 July dedicated to the 2nd and 3rd Stableford categories and Sunday 29 July for golfers of the 1st Medal play category) and saw 105 golfers competing. Medal play, which is adding up all the strokes played for each hole, was used for the first category. The Stableford formula, which awards 2 points for every hole completed in the correct number of strokes, was used for the second and third category. The weekend was rounded off with the awards ceremony with the President of Riviera sport, Giampietro Ticchi, and the Pershing communications manager, Virginia De Carlo.

August 30, 2007

Class 1 - Constanta Romania Preview

Class 1 leader Victory 77 has an easy task taking Euopean championship in Romania
Mamaia, Romania’s largest Black Sea resort, is the setting for this weekend’s Romanian Grand Prix, round 4 of the WPPA Class 1 World Powerboat Championship. The third new venue on the calendar this season, the outcome of the 2007 European title race will be settled in Romanian waters.
Spirit of Norway’s much needed win in Oslo has reignited the battle in the world championship title race, which at one point looked like becoming a runaway fight between the might of the Middle East, Victory and Qatar. But Bjorn Gjelsten and Steve Curtis proved in the last race, that when they are dialled-in, they are still the team to beat, and have no intention of conceding their world title without a supreme fight. But they are resigned to the fact that their European reign is over, with Victory the odds on favourites to regain the crown they have held four times and was last won for them by Ali Nasser and Ali Al Qama in 2004. For Spirit of Norway the focus now is setting about reducing the 22-point deficit between them and the championship leader’s. But it is Victory 77, the overall championship leader’s, who head into the race weekend poised to lift the first silverware of the season, and whilst both Qatar 96 and Victory 7 are still in with a mathematical chance, needing the win with Victory 77 to finish outside the points a scenario which seems unlikely but not impossible.
The rivalry amongst the top four, all running V12 power-plants, is fierce, with little separating them in terms of performance. Qatar 96 is enjoying their strongest start to a season since joining the championship back in 2003, looking to be real title contenders, currently lying in second place. Just off the pace of the front-runners Qatar 95, the strongest of those outfits running V8’s, and after making steady improvement to performance over the last couple of races, the team feels it is now all about optimising set-ups, before they too join the battle at the front.
The middle-order battle is intriguing, and once again likely be a dog-fight between Foresti & Suardi’s Giampaolo Montavoci and Marco Penessi and Class 1 rookies, Spirit of Norway 20 the youngsters losing out in Arendal but winning the duel in Oslo.
Further down the order, VM Foresti & Suardi and Giorgi and SeveneleveN have struggled with reliability and they will be looking to at least finish and grab points in Mamaia. Jotun and Negotiator have had agonising starts to their seasons, both failing to post points. However have shown on occasion, that when they have trouble free runs, they are very quick, especially Jotun in Oslo, who came from the second row start line to be up with front runners at the first corner before crashing out.
The European title may well be heading to Dubai, but the outcome of the first WPPA Class 1 World Powerboat Grand Prix to be staged in Romania is wide open, and for the teams, a third different type of course and conditions to come to terms with this season, the 97.76Nm, 21-lap race being run on the usually calm waters of Mamaia’s Lake Siutghiol.

August 29, 2007

New Model: Tecnomar 92 Nadara

The 92 Nadara from the Tuscany yard is a redesigned and enlarged 28 metre flybridge motor yacht which follows and updates the 26 Nadara model. The new yacht features an unusual arrangement of the environment with a very original style following the design of its younger sister. Apart from the dimensions of plus 2 metres the new Nadara has some significant changes like a new and additional access to the crew area directly from the bridge, two flybridge access areas from the inside and outside and lastly an entirely redesigned stern area which is more rounded and wider. The hull of the new Nadara has also been extended, and gives among the best performance to power levels for a yacht this size.
Technical Data:
LOA - 28.20 m (92.5 ft)
Beam - 6.50 m
Displacement - 75 T
Accommodation - 8 berths in 4 cabins, 2 crew cabins with 4 berths
Fuel Capacity - 8000 l
Water Capacity - 3000 l
Engines - CAT C 32 ACERT 2 x 1825 HP
Speed - max 30 knots, cruising 28 knots (half load)

August 28, 2007

Boat Review: Fiart 34 Genius

 
Presentation
The Fiart 34 Genius is the latest new model from the famous Naples, Bay of Baia boat builder who is credited for building the first GRP boat in Europe. This new model was presented in October 2006 during the Genova boat show and replaces the 32 previously 30 Genius, after 15 years of production. The lines of this new model continue the evolution of the latest Fiart style which started in 1998 with the 40 Genius and include the usual design which is a bit unique compared to competing brands, thanks to the flush deck, huge cockpit and spacious bathing platform. The 34 follows many themes shown on the Genius models and is a very spacious boat with a sportive low profile hull line for what is a 10 metres sports cruiser, hence the title Genius for Genie.
Accommodation
The interior for the 34 Genius is a comfortable offer featuring 2 separate double cabins, separate shower head, convertible settee dinette and well sized galley. Both cabin berths are in longitude position to the hull of the boat, offering better accommodation especially when the boat is anchored and going with the direction of the wind and waves. The interior finish is light colored wood furniture which give a greater sense of space to the already spacious volumes.
Cockpit space offers a dual 2 helm seat, a complete wet bar to port and a big C-shaped settee aft. Which if desired can convert to an 8 person + dining area or a huge sunbed. What is nice about the outside cockpit is the airy environment which feels a lot spacious then what actually is.
Performance
Fiart boats are renowned for there comfort in all senses, and the performance handling area is no exception. The variable deep vee hull with a very generous deep forward entry calls for a very solid boat in demanding conditions. Performance levels are also very good with the average sized Volvo D4 2 x 225 HP engines giving 37 knots of maximum speed. Cruising speeds stands at 30 knots with 3000 RPM but a superb economic cruising speed of 21 knots is available at only 2500 RPM. The boat gets on the plane at 2000 RPM doing 13 knots of speed.
Positive
interior layout
spacious cockpit
Negative
cockpit
bathing platform transom connection
Competition
If you are looking for a 10 metres sport cruiser the market has plenty to offer. The ever going American builders offer over 10 models on there own. Cut the list for a 2 separate cabin interior request and the list reduces itself to only European builders, showing the different mentality of boating across the ocean in the size type of craft.
Airon Marine 345 - spacious 3 berth cabin aft, comfortable cockpit, well refined
Arturo Stabile 33 Stama - well sized cockpit and platform, refined interior
Bruno Abbate Primatist G 36 - fast hull, cockpit with separate sunbed
Elan Power 35 - hard top, good bathing platform but small cockpit
Atlantis Gobbi 35 - nice modern light oak interior, practical cockpit, electric bimini
Ilver 34 Thesi - in production for 10 years +, well refined especially exterior fittings
Innovazioni Progetti 34 Mira - wide beam, spacious cockpit and interior
Jeanneau 34 Prestige Open - good deck cockpit platform connection
Rio 35 Cruiser - huge platform, good cockpit and interior, also available with shafts
Sealine S 34 - spacious interior, will be replaced by new SC 35 coming fall
WILD CARD: Portofino 10 Spider - classic lines with modern deck, alternative but timeless
Conclusion Choosing a Fiart? If you ask this question to a Neapolitan the answer would be a so easy yes. And it is very easily understood that if you boat in the med, it is hard beating a so much good overall sports cruiser as the Genius. The 34 in fact is spacious but most of all feels so thanks to its extreme airy and spacious environment. Something which is so missing in today's boats especially the medium or small sized entry level offers. The Genie has it all, good performance from not so big engines and space in every part weather it is inside, outside or the engine room, makes sure it is a winner in its class.
Technical Data
L.O.A. 10.89 metres (35.7 ft)
Length. 10.58 metres
Beam. 3.50 metres
Displacement. 5700 kg
Fuel Capacity. 625 litres
Water Capacity. 330 litres
Person Capacity. 10 persons
Accommodation. 4 + 2 berths in 2 cabins + convertible saloon
Engines: 2 x Volvo D4EVC 225hp, D4EVC 260hp
Speed. 37 knots max, 30 knots cruise with D4 225hp
Propulsion. Volvo DP Sterndrive
Certification. CE B
Picture Copyright Fiart. Data Fiart.