Class 1 - Porto Marina Egypt Preview

Qatar 96 in Romania, second on the charts chase Victory 77 for 2007 title

The Class 1 fleet returns to competitive action this last October weekend, and will line up on the aquamarine waters of the Mediterranean, as Porto Marina, one of the most fashionable resorts in the Middle East, hosts the Egyptian Grand Prix, round five of the WPPA Class 1 World Powerboat Championship and the first round of the WPPA Class 1 Middle East Championship.

The Egyptian Grand Prix is the start of an intensive period of racing for the teams, with four races in the Middle East in six weeks. And with 80 points on offer (excluding bonus points), the world title is still very much up for grabs, but the chasing pack must start taking points away from the championship leaders if they are to stay in the title race, and they must start doing it in Porto Marina.

The first half of the season has been dominated by the Middle East teams, who have kept their European rivals off the podium at all but one race, with Victory 77’ blazing a trail of supremacy and consistency, taking three wins out of four and a second place to clinch the European Championship and give themselves a healthy, but not unassailable 19 point lead in the overall title race. If they can maintain their imperious form, the title is enticingly within sight. Whilst the teammates in Victory 7, are currently lying in fourth place, and in a strong position to play a key supporting role if Victory are to regain the world crown. Qatar 96, with four podium finishes so far lead the chase, and is the only outfit who can grab the title without relying on Victory 77 to break or falter, assuming that is, that they win the next four races, a Herculean task. But Qatar 96 have the reliability and if they can find some extra pace, can pile pressure on the leaders. For the defending World Champions Spirit of Norway 10, the title appears to be slipping from their grasp. A frustrating season so far and with technical hitches restricting them to just one win, sees them 30 points off the lead. But Spirit of Norway has proved to be the fastest boat out there, but will have to hope the leaders break or drop considerable points and that they return to winning ways, if they are to successfully defend their title. Qatar 95, are the pick of the teams running V8 power-plants, and after a season of ongoing development with the Mercury and a podium last time out, appear to have hit form at a crucial time and look likely to be podium challengers from here on in. Spirit of Norway 20, the youngster of the Norwegian team also with the Mercury, will be looking to build on a solid first season together and try to find some extra pace to move them into a top six ranking. For Negotiator, bedding in Sterling V8s and Jotun, running the Mercury, a lack of reliability and some misfortune has dogged their seasons. But both teams can start to turn their fortunes around by realising their obvious pace and potential and produce strong showings in Porto Marina with a focus on grabbing some silverware in the Middle East Championship. SeveneleveN will be hoping to start the second half of the season, as they started the season, with a top six finish in Porto Marina, but with Tomaso Polli unavailable to race, Nicola Giorgi will be joined in the cockpit by Class 1 newcomer and fellow Italian, Giorgio Manuzzi. Veneta Marina-Duemme Brokers’s season has been dominated by driver changes, but Foresti & Suardi will be looking to improve on the solid performances that sees them lying in a very credible sixth place. Boat number 2, carrying the colours of new sponsor Fainplast, formerly VM Foresti & Suardi.

The race weekend starts officially on Friday 26 with the EDOX pole position, with a final practice session and the teams lining up for the 21 lap, 97.36Nm Egyptian Grand Prix in Porto Marina on Saturday, 27 October.

www.class-1.com

New Model: Uniesse 65 MY

The new Uniesse 65 MY continues the philosophy from the North Italian builder of offering top quality sea keeping vessels, with underwater hull design by renowned American Fred Hudson. This new offer in the now famous MY range, standing for Motor Yacht with an Italian Mediterranean modern interpretation of a flybridge and clean no frills design. The interior continues the external philosophy offering accommodation in 4 spacious cabins with 3 heads including the very spacious full beam owners cabin. Worth noting also unlike most yachts this size, is the spacious 2 berth crew cabin located aft. Performance is a very good 32 knots top speed with not so big 1015hp engines and 31 tons of net weight.

Technical Data:

LOA - 20.35 m (66.9ft)

Length - 19.52 m

Beam - 5.35 m

Draft - 1.54 m

Weight - 31.000 kg empty, 37.000 kg loaded

Fuel Capacity - 4200 l

Water Capacity - 1200 l

Max Persons - 18

Engines - 2 x Cat 1015hp

Speed - 32 knots max

Catertification - CE A

www.uniesse.com

Project: Portofino 11

The new 11 metre for the fabulous Portofino motor boats will be designed by architect Zagano and will be available in three different versions: Spider, Hardtop and Fly. Different to previous and other Portofino Marine models, it will use Volvo's IPS driving system instead of traditional in line shaft drives. Innovative in it's propulsion and contemporary classic modern lines the new Portofino will follow a classic Vee shape for the hull with an eighteen degrees deadrise aft. A 32 knots top speed is being estimated for the Portofino 11.

www.portofinomarine.com

New Model: Rodman 74 Muse

Biggest Motor Yacht build by Rodman, the new Muse 74 continues the challenge for the Spanish builder to offer modern med style motor yachts, designed by World renowned Italian naval architect Fulvio De Simoni. The Italian designer continues the philosophy shown for the first Muse 54, offering a Motor Yacht with characteristics side windows and a sweeping flybridge design. Inside the new Rodman flagship offers a contemporary minimal design featuring light colored woods, with white and dark color contradictions. Accommodation layout for the 74 Muse offers four suite's with a spacious VIP cabin to fore. Crew accommodation is for two aft and one forward.

Technical Data:

LOA - 23.14 m (75.9ft)

Length - 22.90 m

Beam - 5.70 m

Weight - 45.5 t

Fuel Capacity - 5500 l

Water Capacity - 1225 l

Engines - 2 x Man 1360hp, 1550hp

www.rodman.es

New Model: AB Yachts 140

The new AB Yachts 140 is the biggest yacht ever produced by the Viareggio builder and continues the call for Jet Power only produced Sport Yachts. This relatively young builder founded in 1992 started as water jet powered craft specialist and this pays up in hulls which are designed and built around this propulsion showing up unbeatable handling and seakeeping characteristics. The water jet power and high performance hull is the only untouchable issue when choosing an AB Yachts, the rest is for the owner to decide. The 140, new flagship for AB Yachts offers what the smaller high performance models do and more! When one thinks of 40 plus metres 130 plus Tons with a top speed of 53 knots thanks to the big triple water jet MTU power engine option it has a WOW factor to it. Interior space in hull one is a four cabin offer with a spectacular ultra spacious mid-ship full beam owners cabin. A separate crew area with galley and 6 berths and 3 shower head is located forward.

Technical Data:

LOA - 41.60 m (136.4ft)

Beam - 8.00 m

Draft - 1.30 m

Weight - 130 t (empty)

Fuel Capacity - 19.000 l

Water Capacity - 3.000 l

Max People - 20

Engines - 3 x MTU 16v2000 M93 CR 2400hp, MTU 16v4000 3700hp

Propulsion - three by MJP650 waterjets

Speed - 53 knots max, 46 knots cruising (3 x MTU 3700hp option)

www.abyachts.com

Boat Review: Menorquin MY 160 Hardtop

Presentation
Founded in 1978, Menorquin offers a line of semi-displacement cruisers and yachts from 10 to 18 metres based on the traditional Spanish fishing boat available in the various open, hardtop and flybridge versions. PowerYacht presents you the second largest model off the range the MY 160 Hardtop, which is also available in flybridge and standard form which differs from the hardtop by not having a rigid extended cover for the cockpit.
Accommodation

Finished in classic all wooden style interior the Menorquin MY 160 unlike outside, is available in only one version with 3 cabins offering a 6 berth sleeping accommodation. A spacious master cabin with en-suite shower head is located forward. Two guest cabins of moderate dimensions are located to port mid ship of the lower deck and are a VIP cabin located aft of the accommodation deck and the third cabin with 2 single L-shaped guest berths. Guest head is located fore to starboard. A small L-shaped settee and a spacious L-shaped galley located to port of the accommodation deck entrance complete the sleeping area. An optional small crew cabin is available on request forward.

The enclosed upper deck divided by a sliding patio door from the cockpit offers a spacious L-shaped saloon settee to port with the pilot house to starboard. Outside is the other living part of any Menorquin model, showing its Mediterranean boating heritage by offering spacious all around deck. The 160 with its important dimensions continues this philosophy with high bulwark covered side decks and spacious cockpit. In this hardtop version the aft cockpit also enjoys a rigid cover offering good protection from the sun and bad weather.

Performance

The MY 160 Hardtop offers a very stable semi-displacement hull particularly studied to plane when cruising at 10 knots plus of speed. The high vertical bow shows sign of a solid seaboat and the impression is confirmed when navigating in the tough. The Menorquin also offers a fabulous 15 knot cruising speed which is just fast enough for comfortable crossings. Is this not the speed that one uses in many of the rough tough head seas!

Positive

deck cockpit area

comfortable semi-planning 15 knots cruising speed

spacious saloon

Negative moderate sized guest cabins

low bathing platfrom

Competition Typical as it is finding the right competition for the Menorquin is not easy business, it is either you like or you don't! The classic Spanish fishing boat lines have something special which are very difficult to understand. This is what to look for, but consider each of the mentioned alternative as a wild card selection if the Menorquin is to you tastes:

Apreamare 54 - fast 30 knot hull, fishing boat based but from Naples

Grandbanks 52 Heritage EU - US style trawler, flybridge, similar speed

Nordhavn 50 - full displacement, US trawler, flybridge, super 2800 NM range

Sciallino 15.95mt Gemy - low speed planning hull, Liguria fishing boat heritage

WILD CARD: Estensi 530 Maine - modern classic, super comfort, low speed planning

Conclusion

The Mernorquin MY 160 Fly has something particular thanks to the Spanish Gozzo design which has the affect "look at me I am different". But the Menorquin is not only about this and it offers a very impressive package like the comfortable slow fast 15 knots cruising speed, spacious interior accommodation and superb deck space confirming its Mediterranean heritage would all make for an interesting choice. The other bonus is the competitive price and its optimum navigation and reduced maintenance costs which is lower fuel bills for a boat of this size. The last thing which does hold a high important factor when one purchases a boat of this size and value is the presence, and the Menorquin MY 160 Hardtop has loads of it!

Technical Data

LOA. 15.95 metres (52.3 ft)

Length. 15.30 metres

Beam. 5.00 metres

Draft. 1.40 metre (half load)

Displacement. 25.60 T

Fuel Capacity. 2 x 475 + 1 x 975 litres

Water Capacity. 640 litres

Person Capacity. 16 persons

Berths. 6 + 2 and 1 crew in bow (optional)

Engines: 2 x 370HP Volvo D6-370 EVC, Yanmar 6 LYA-STP

Speed. 19 knots max, 15 knots cruising.

Construction. GRP

Certification. CE A

www.menorquin.com

Picture Copyright Menorquin. Data Menorquin.

New Model: Fairline 64 Targa Gran Turismo

The new Fairline 64 Targa Gran Turismo challenges the high standards of her illustrious predecessors. Certainly it is fitting that such an advanced and eye catching model should be introduced to lead the impressive Targa range in Fairline’s fortieth Anniversary year. Building upon the success of the Targa 62, this brand new model incorporates yet more exciting developments, including an innovative patented design for the retractable roof. A particular highlight is the wide, atrium-style access to the lower saloon, creating an impressive entrance towards the opulent interior. Another is the magnificent, full-beam master stateroom amidships, with electro-chromatic partition to the en-suite shower room. This high-tech system changes the glass from opaque to transparent at the flick of a switch, allowing light to flood through the feature windows into the cabin. The sophisticated ‘Continental’ galley arrangement is designed to perfectly match your lifestyle when below decks, whilst the Al fresco galley in the cockpit offers an appealing blend of luxury and practicality. The new Targa 64 is one of Fairline larger yachts and clients can rely on the specialist advice, experience and exclusive services of the Yacht Division throughout the order and commissioning process.
Technical Data:

LOA - 19.60 m (64.4ft) including gunnel

Length - 19.35 m

Beam - 4.75 m

Draft - 1.37 m unloaded

Weight - 25.68 tons

Fuel Capacity - 2966 l

Water Capacity - 553 l

Berths - 6-7

Engines - 2 x Caterpillar C18 1015hp, MAN CRM 1100hp

Speed - 35 knots top estimated

www.fairline.com

Projects: Windy 48 Triton, Windy 44 Chinook

Stylish sports looking hardtops are becoming a must for 12 metres plus sports cruisers and famous Norwegian builder Windy continue to update it's range in this direction, offering aggressive looking rigid protection cockpit models. The new Windy 48 Triton is a spacious 3 cabin, 2 heads, 14 metre hard top sports cruiser project, designed as the recently presented Windy's by Hans Jergen Johnsen. This new Windy is constructed with Volvo IPS in mind but is also offered with a shaft driven alternative for traditional propulsion lovers. A 34 knots top and 28 knots cruising speed are being estimated with 2 x !PS 600 Volvo diesel engines. The new Windy 44 Chinook is a 13.5 metre, 3 cabin sports cruiser project. As Windy's tradition of building family orientated craft, this project shows all this offering a 6 berths with 2 head comfortable interior accommodation. Designed by Windy Boats own design team, this new model is a high contender for the top spot in this size style craft, especially when one thinks that most of the sports cruisers available in this size offer 2 spacious cabins. Developed with Volvo's IPS in mind but also offered with tradition shaft drives, the 44 Chinook has an estimated top speed of 38 knots.

www.windy.no

New Model: Ferretti 510

The new Ferretti 510, defines the renewal of the entry segment of the Ferretti Yachts fleet. Designed with the ambitious objective of raising reference standards for the 50-60 foot category, offering on board spaces unprecedented in yachts of this class. In its 16 metre length and almost 5 metre beam contain three revolutionary innovations, the full-beam owners cabin with chaise-lounge and large open view windows, an open-space living area that creates an uninterrupted sweep of salon, cockpit, galley/bar and dining area, and a sky lounge without roll bar creating sporty yet formally elegant lines.

Technical Data:
LOA - 16.02 m (52.7 ft)
Length - 15.67 m
LWL - 13.51 m
Beam - 4.94 m
Displacement - 25.8 t (loaded), 21 t (unloaded)
Fuel Tank - 2040 l
Water Tank - 710 l
Max Persons - 14
Accommodation - 6 berths in 3 cabins
Hull - warped hull with 14.5 deg deadrise and sprayrails
Engines - 2 x MAN R6 CR 730hp, 800hp
Speed - 32 knots max, 28 knots cruising woth 800hp
Range - 270 nm
Design - Zuccon International Project

Certification - CE A
www.ferretti-yachts.com

PowerYachtBlog Best of 2007 Nominated

Project: Doma 3 Avante

Astilleros de Alicante presents its new motorboat the Doma 3 Avante. The new model enlarges the Doma 3 range, which now is made of two versions, the open version and the new Doma 3 Avante, characterized by its superb cockpit hard top cover providing this motorboat with an exclusive personality. The exterior is a combination of the most innovative sport spirit but with a retro touch. The new Doma sports cruiser offers the finest materials like noble wood and natural leather, but the customer can select his alternatives to tailor his Avante. Technology and quality is in constant evolution and this new Doma improves the construction as the internal bulkheads with isoftalic resins and vinilester with Airex core of double contour, provide an increase in the rigidity and stability of the structure but reducing the weight to about 10%. These are just a few examples of the technological improvements that Doma 3 Avante introduces.
www.astillerosdealicante.com