Powerboat P1 - Malta GP Power Pole Metamarine Accident

The Powerboat P1 season get going with the first Power Pole in Malta with 43 Seagull claiming the SuperSport timing and 88 SNAV OSG taking Evolution honours, but the talking at the pits were all dedicated to the incident involving the 53 Metamarine Pignolo boat during sea test just half an hour before the official start.
Metamarine was involved according to testimonies in a 360 spin out while going out from Valletta's Grand Harbour, and later on at a slow speed went on to hit the harbours break water. Both drivers at the helm Marco Pennessi and Max Ferrari where taken to hospital, one suffering from slight and the other from grievous injuries, but both stable and comfortable after the accident. The powerboat according to Metamarine stuff suffered non mechanical damage with hull, propellers and rudders looking good, but the topsides mostly the engine hatch and closed cockpit wind shield showed all signs with the impact to the water.
In Supersport the domination of the Chaudrons seem to continue with both the new 43 Seagull and double title winner Racing Project 44 Ikocasa taking one and two. Third place for 38 Baia Attolini who are over eight seconds late from the 2008 title winning drivers and there new boat, sister to the 2008 and 2007 winning hull but powered with new Ilmor engines. 17 Mas Force with renowned and longer boat in the Supersport fleet 43 Nortech boat came fourth. Team Al&Al will feel a disappointment pinch with there new Blue Shaft placing sixth, and the old no.28 Big Sergio fifth. Lastly British Wreckless Team 26 did also a fine job placing initially fourth, but a miss to a pole put them in last place. We spoke to Kim Collins the team driver who told us after competing as a wild card in Vigo in 2008, wants to make all his best to win as much as he can for the first full season. Kim Collins also explained Team 26 important project racing in this season with a Donzi 38 ZR, but also a plan for a new boat in the future. Still Team 26 managed to compete just in time as two hoses where managed to be fixed before the start of the pole.
In Evolution team OSG seems to want a repeat of its previous successes in Malta, by taking the Powerpole for close to two seconds from the other new Outerlimits Lucas Oil boat. Worth to note that Team OSG won the 2007 and 2008 Malta Grand Prix. 47 Silverline making the step from Supersport to Evolution will be happy of there third place, and Cranefields Wine missed completely the buoy during the run up therefore losing time and placing last from the competing boats. Cigarette Smash Poker did not start after having trouble with one engine during the sea trials.
OFFICIAL TIMINGS:
SuperSport
1. #43 Seagull 03:27.92
2. #44 Ikocasa 03:31.00
3. #38 Baia-Attolini 03:36.64
4. #17 MasForce 03:42.14
5. #22 Big Sergio 03:51.55
6. #28 Blue Shaft 04:36.81
7. #26 Wreckless 03:42.14 *missed pole 
Evolution
1. #88 SNAV OSG 03:02.88
2. #77 Lucas Oil Budweiser 03:04.68
3. #47 Silverline 03:22.45
4. #66 Cranefields Wine 04:42.45
5. #10 Cigarette Smash Poker Did not start
6. #53 Metamarine Pignolo 53 Did not start

www.powerboatp1.com

New Model: Sea Ray 310 Sundancer

Sea Ray presents the 310 Sundancer, the new express cruiser from this renowned US builder. Like other Sundancers, the new 310 offers a raised helm design enhancing visibility but also creating more room below for overnight accommodations. The helm seat can also pivot to face aft, expanding cockpit entertaining space. The cockpit offers also lots of additional seating to go around on the L-shaped lounger to port, which is served by a removable teak cockpit table, and abaft the helm seat we find a solid-surface wet bar with sink, drink holders, handrail, storage and can also be added with optional refrigerator and built-in barbecue grill. Designing dual purpose seating has long been a Sea Ray talent, and in addition to the pivoting helm bench, the cockpit lounger on the 310 also folds down to make a sun pad. Clearly, the new 310 is a boat that is meant to provide comfortable cruising! A wide, deep stairway leads to the cabin accommodation below which offers six berths. Two in the forward V-berth, two in the mid-cabin and two on the convertible dinette sleeper. A well sized galley offers a solid-surface counter top, microwave, refrigerator and stove. Engine options are multiple petrol gas to diesel stern drives
Technical Data:

LOA - 9.45 m (31ft)
Beam - 3.05 m
Draft - 1.04 m
Weight - 5275 kg
Fuel Capacity - 573 l
Water Capacity - 106 l
Hull - Vee shape with 21 degrees dead rise

www.searay.com

Powerboat P1 - Malta, Valletta Preview

The Malta Grand Prix returns to be the opening round of the Powerboat P1 Season. This is the sixth season for the Malta race, having started to take place in 2004 and has to become one of the race legends in this series.

Malta has also an important footprint in this series having the honour of building the Supersport boat winner of the championship in both the 2007 and 2008 seasons the Chaudron 41. Maltese Arron Chiantar who is son of Charlie Chiantar, Chaudron founder and owner was also at the steering of the 2008 winning boat. This year the local Chaudron will have again two racing boats lined up for the season but both being a 41 footer with the difference in engines. The 44 Racing Project Chaudron winning boat of 2007 and 2008 will be driven by all females Audrien sister of Arron at the throttles and Shelley Jory taking the wheel. On the other hand the winning team of 2008 will move to a new sister hull to there unstoppable boat on the exterior but a new Ilmor engine package. It will be interesting to see how this develops.

In Supersport a total of seven teams will compete. Team Al & Al from Italy presents two running boats one of new construction no. 28 and the old and reliable Big Sergio no.22. Other interesting to see will be the no.17 US built Nortech with Russian Team of Flanders. Baia High Performance will continue with the 2008 package. A new team to watch is Team 26 with Wreckless which is the only UK running in this class.

The Evolution Class will also have seven boats taking part. With the teams eager to follow where they left in 2008 being the second placed Metamarine 53, and third place 88 SNAV OSG. Other to watch will be the Cigarette no.10 The Fantastic One, and Centurian Yachts join hands with the winning 2007 and 2008 Fountain Powerboats to follow a winning package. 47 Silverline from Team Bullet Racing will also make its step to this grand class after competing in the past in Supersport.

So far the schedule does not clarify if racing for both Classes is separated. Racing is far scheduled on 1400 hours on both Saturday and Sunday for the Round one and Round two race. We hope for this to still be the case as it makes for a better viewing and understanding of the race. The spectacular Powerpole is scheduled for Friday at 1530.

www.powerboatp1.com

New Model: Formula 290 Sun Sport

A waited debut from Formula is the new 290 Sun Sport emboding a heritage of proven performance while embracing evolution of design with the 22° deadrise deep vee remaining the standard bottom ensuring solid handling in difficult water conditions. Formula 290 Sun Sport wants to offer the maximum of family fun in the sun with a nine foot beam giving spacious spaces outside and inside. The outside cockpit spaces offers dual individual adjustable helm seat for secure comfort for the captain and first mate, while aft we have the L-shaped lounge aft or the port side lounge, and an aft-facing sun lounge cleverly converts to a double-wide sunpad. The dual-height cockpit table can be set in the up position for snacks or a card game, or lowered to expand the U-shaped lounge into a large sunpad with the filler cushions. There is also an integrated wetbar with countertop, sink, trash container and available stainless-front refrigerator. Down below accommodation is a friendly environment finished with luxurious cherry wood grain finish and offering a vee shaped berth with central table, an entertainment center, and a private head compartment. Formula 290 Sun Sport can be customized with an extensive variety of available options, Imron graphic, décor selections, and wide engine choices from MerCruiser and Volvo which offer a range of power and speed to suit every boater.
Technical Data:
LOA - 8.84 m (29ft)
Beam - 2.74 m
Draft - 1.02 m
Displacement - 4060 kg
Fuel Capacity - 416 l
Water Capacity - 76 l
Engines - 2 x Volvo 5.7 GI, 5.7 GXI, Mercruiser 350 Mag, 377 Mag
Propulsion - Volvo DP stern drive, Mercruiser Bravo Three
Hull Shape - deep vee 22 degrees dead rise aft

www.formulaboats.com

Project: Menorquin MY 120

Menorquin presents the project of the new MY 120 model which the shipyard is launching at the Palma Boat Show. The new Menorquin MY 120 offers unprecedented habitability in its size and style thanks to an interior design distribution which offer accommodation for up to seven guests. Interior wise the MY 120 has two cabins. A master cabin located in the bow fitted with a double berth, and a guest cabin in the stern starboard side which is very versatile, providing various options like two single berths or one single or a double berth. This all comes to fruit thanks to the lower berth extension which converts into a double. The dinette located at port side also converts into an extra double bed, further increasing sleeping accommodation. The lower deck layout continues with the fully equipped galley located to port side, and a double access washroom found to starboard. An interesting feature for the new medium sized Menorquin is the passages dividing the areas and allowing each separate space to function independently, whilst at the same time enhancing features to this new boat. For example, the wheelhouse and the galley are connected by an opening through which daylight enters, and likewise the wheelhouse and the lower deck are connected by steps. The wheelhouse is extremely functional in its design; with ergonomic seating for two with space at the back for storing chairs. Adjacent to the helm is a generous chart table for organizing navigation comfortably. Menorquin with the MY 120 also continues to use woods traditional quality, by using it generously outside and inside highlighting its classic taste. 

www.menorquin.com

New Model: Maritimo A55 Aegean Flybridge

Maritimo launches its second boat in the Aegean Flybridge range, the A55 sharing a lot in common with its 60ft bigger sibling as well as hull lines with the Sports Cabriolets range. The Aegean A55 welcomes you on the main deck spacious cockpit with a sliding door leading to the saloon via the galley. The galley features all modern conveniences of home including a dishwasher, fridge freezer, cook top with oven and plenty of storage space for food, drinks and utensils. The main saloon features a lounge dining area for six on the port side and a further L-shaped lounge to starboard just behind the main helm station. Accommodation continues the similarities with the A60! The owners cabin with its private en-suite head is a full beam stateroom with trademark view windows in the hull providing natural light and spectacular views. Forward is the VIP double cabin with en suite access to the second head which also is fully equipped. To port and starboard are two bunk cabins with the starboard cabin also housing a washer/dryer. Back on the aft deck we find the external staircase giving access to the flybridge which features a central helm station, a big L-Shaped lounge to port, and another lounge to starboard. Maritimo also points out to the A55 Aegean Flybridge great performance, but also how economical it is to run with not so big twin Caterpillar C12 715hp diesels, giving a economical 25 knots cruise. While all this might be true it would have been nice from Maritimo to give some consumption and range figures to base this declaration. Worth to note is also that like the non flybridge C55 Sports Cabriolet which the A55 is based on, here we also find the tender garage, making it the smallest flybridge to offer this on the market today.

Technical Data:

LOA - 17.3 m (56.9ft)

Beam - 5.2 m

Draft - 1.3 m

Displacement - 22.6 t

Fuel Capacity - 3600 l

Water Capacity - 800 l

Accommodation - 6 or 8 berths

Engines - 2 x Cats C12 715hp

Speed - 25 knots cruising

www.maritimo.com.au

Propulsion: FNM HPE 110 JD

Pleasure craft, professional fishing, speedboats for competitions and now also small tenders with waterjet. A demonstration to that effect is given by the HPE 110 JD, the new package with the jet drive, which derives from the experience that CMD has acquired in the tender application with waterjet, providing the information necessary for the study of a package that could meet the basic requirements of lightness, compactness and fuel efficiency required by this type of application. The engine HPE 110 JD is the first Common Rail diesel engine used in package with a model of waterjet that is extremely compact and lightweight, which makes this innovative product the ideal for the small tender application. This is a four-cylinder engine with a total displacement of 1248 c.c. that develops a maximum power of 110 hp with an extremely low fuel consumption. It offers a quiet and vibration-free running for excellent comfort on board. Coupled to the waterjet FNM/AUTORE, the HPE 110 JD is the ideal package for the tenders ranging from 3.80 to 5 meters in length. In that sense this is a world first, as the HPE 110 JD is the only diesel engine waterjet package able to fully meet the needs of the tender manufacturers. In that regard, the waterjet FNM/AUTORE used for this package is the smallest and the lightest and currently the only package available on the market capable of handling the high torque of a diesel engine.

www.fnm-marine.com

New Model: Sealine T60 Aura

Sealine renew there T60 with the new Aura model which starts a much talked about collaboration with renowned designer Conran. The noticeable difference outside for the T60 Aura, is the radar arch which now looks aft versus the previous one which look forward, This new radar arch setup also adds for sleeker and longer lines with a feeling of a bigger flybridge up top. Inside Conran uses his renowned creativity to unite distinctive modern looks with functional inventiveness, and a fresh design language focusing his attention on light and space. Both two an important pleasure for someone interested in an eighteen motor yacht. Sealine and Conran manage to create a new meaning for space for its revamped flagship model but also for boats of a similar 18 metre size. Conran focus in the interior of the T60 Aura creates an uplifting atmosphere with natural oak woods, followed by light finishes and furnishings throughout to create a bright freshness helping to bring the outside in. The experience is heightened by long clean lines and floating, linear forms redefining traditional spaces and blurring boundaries to create an open-plan interior that allows you to enjoy an airy, luxurious environment. Performance is a max of 31 knots with twin D12-800 Volvo's, and 33 knots max with Cat C15 at 865hp.
Technical Data:
LOA - 18.68 m (61.4ft)
Length with SECS - 19.27 m
Beam - 4.87 m
Draft - 1.40 m
Displacement - 25,800 kg dry
Fuel Capacity - 2 x 1570 l
Water Capacity - 862 l
Engines - 2 x Volvo D12-800 775hp, Cats C 15 865hp
Propulsion - conventional shaft
Speed - 33 knots max with Cats 865hp

Project - Conran interior

www.sealine.com

Powerboat P1 - 2009 Season Preview

Valletta’s Grand Harbour will be the impressive setting for the start of the 2009 Powerboat P1 World Championship the coming week end 8th to the 10th May as the monohull, offshore racing series returns to Malta for the sixth consecutive year. Powerboating has a long and prestigious history dating back over 100 years, with an established following in Malta. P1 is a relative newcomer as it enters its seventh season, but in that time it has established a reputation for delivering world class sport and entertainment in vibrant and distinctive host cities. The Powerboat P1 event schedule will begin on Thursday evening 7th May with the 2008 Championship Awards reception at the Corinthia Hotel St. George’s Bay, which will be home to the P1 staff and teams for the race weekend. Official testing for the Evolution and SuperSport class boats takes place the following day, with the two World Championship rounds being staged on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

This year’s P1 World Championship will feature a number of new teams and venues, with the series heading east to Istanbul in June for the very first Turkish Grand Prix of the Sea, then north to Gothenburg for the inaugural Scandinavian Grand Prix of the Sea in August, and last is the much waited Bahrain which will close the season.

www.powerboatp1.com

Improve-it = Riviera 51 Open Flybridge Series II

Riviera, has announced an exciting new propulsion option for its popular 51 Open Flybridge Series II model. Following extensive testing in the United States, the 51 Open Flybridge Series II is now available with triple Volvo Penta IPS drive systems. The same 51 Open Flybridge Series will continue to be offered with shaft drive. With more than 150 of Riviera 51 Flybridge delivered this classy three cabin Sportfish Yacht, now has the option of Volvo innovative front looking IPS pod drive option offering additional space amidships. Standard engine room area is now used for storage, stowing diving, fishing gear, and an optional crew’s quarters including bunk and a fully-equipped bathroom. Access to the space is via a door from the cockpit but there is also an option to provide a second access via a hatch in the saloon. This space also includes the boat’s gen set, air conditioning units and battery banks, offering very easy servicing. It is also used to access the front of the three Volvo Penta IPS engines. Main access to the engines is via the hinged cockpit floor that lifts on an electric actuator. The fuel tank is forward, immediately behind the accommodation bulkhead, offering low noise in the accommodation area. The IPS propelled option features an entirely new hull, developed by Riviera’s design team in consultation with Volvo Penta senior designers. Dead rise at the transom is now 15 degrees. The new propulsion option builds on the features of the Riviera 51 Open Flybridge Series II model launched at the 2008 Sydney International Boat Show.

www.riviera.com.au