November 17, 2009

New Model: Bertram 511

Bertram 511 is the latest breakthrough sport-fish yacht from the US builder which captures the classic spirit of earlier Bertram models. Designed by Zuccon the new 511 exudes an edge and modern appeal from its previous predecessors, without compromising the traditional look of a Bertram boat. It offers a full wrap around windshield as seen on the great looker that is the 540 introduced last year. The windshield is designed and tested to withstand the roughest offshore conditions, and yet with careful planning the interior storage is not compromised. This unique Bertram feature, so far only available on this new 511 and the 540 makes also for an incredible 360 degree view of the surrounding water while out in the ocean, and is a great asset for capturing the wide open seas with a clear view of what lies ahead. If desired a second lower helm station is also available as an option. Going back to its Sportfish Yacht business the 511 is fully loaded with amenities vital to the dedicated angler, including generous storage integrated into the standard mezzanine deck in the cockpit, ample seating which allows one to relax while trolling the high seas waiting for the next bite, and a large fish box with removable tub in the cockpit sole which can be used to store the days catch along with a second fish box that is located in the transom. Accommodation includes three well-appointed staterooms, with the mid ship cabins featuring hull-side windows that are incorporated throughout to provide natural light to the guests below deck. Whether you are a longtime, dedicated angler or simply enjoy a relaxing day out at sea, it will be inviting and invigorating to experience the 511. Like all Bertram's, the 511 has extra wide walk around side decks, and available exclusive Ferretti Group Mitsubishi Anti-Roll gyro technology, both these offering major safety factors. Other advantages include the renowned legendary Bertram trademark deep-V hull which is a further development of the 50 model introduced in the nineties, full beam to the stern for maximum cockpit space, vibration isolating engine mounts, a single fuel tank amidships with no fuel pumps that can be filled from port or starboard, and U-shaped flybridge seating available with optional table for Al fresco dining up top. Power is from standard twin MAN of 1100hp or optional V12s 1360hp. A smaller Cat engines options at 1050hp each is also available. The large MAN option delivers 39 knots top speed, and a fast cruise of 35. Range is 490 nautical miles allowing in this for a ten per cent reserve of fuel, and with an economic 30 knots cruise speed.
Technical Data:
LOA - 16.7 m (54.9ft) with pulpit
Hull Length - 15.7 m
Beam - 4.93 m
Draft - 1.52 m
Displacement - 29.7 t
Fuel Capacity - 3920 l
Water Capacity - 700 l
Accommodation - 6 berths in 3 cabins
Engines - 2 x MAN V10CR 1100hp, V12CR 1360hp, Cats C19 1050hp
Propulsion - direct in line shafts with five bladed props
Speed - 39 knots, 35 knots cruise, 30 knots economic cruise with 1360hp MAN
Range - 490 nm at 30 knots cruise Design - Zuccon International, Ferretti AYT

INBUILD ~ Galeon 340 Fly Part 1 of 4

INBUILD is a new PowerYachtBlog special section showing a boats construction phase from the project rendering we show you here, or presented by the builder in his website and brochures, to the real stuff you see, board and touch during the boat show New Model presentation. Our first Special INBUILD feature is for the Galeon 340 Fly, of which above you can see the hull form as it arrived to the Polish builder Strasyn factory a couple of weeks ago. Galeon informed that the moulding process which takes about a day has been done on hull number one. In a couple of weeks we will show further works related to the 340 Fly showing you a sort of puzzle for this flybridge motor cruiser being completed in a step by step phase.

November 16, 2009

Class 1 - Abu Dhabi U.A.E. Preview

Maximum points from this weekend’s first-ever Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, round five of the UIM-WPPA Class 1 World Powerboat Championship, for Victory 1 or Fazza, would secure a remarkable ninth World title for Dubai’s Victory Team. However, should either hit major problems, they will leave the door slightly ajar for Maritimo and Welmax, their main title challengers, to reduce the gap at the top of the World Championship standings.
Victory Team has won all six races this season: Victory 1 two and Fazza four, but it is Victory 1 who currently leads the title race from Fazza by just four points, with the experienced Jean-Marc Sanchez once again guiding a Class 1 ‘rookie’ to a title in his first season, winning the European Championship in Stresa alongside Mohammad Al Mehairi. But Victory 1 knows it will be a daunting task to stave off the challenge they will face from team-mates and rivals, Fazza, who on their day are the outfit to beat. Fazza lead the Middle East and Edox Pole Position Championships, and will be eager to regain the top spot in the overall Championship standings, which they have held twice this season, as they close in on a possible hat-trick of titles.
Maritimo’s Tom Barry-Cotter and Pal Virik Nilsen will be driven men in Abu Dhabi as they look to continue their march to the top step of the podium, and are still likely to be smarting after seeing their maiden Grand Prix win in Stresa dissolve into second place after being handed a late, post-race long-lap time penalty.
While a win or podium-finish and closing the points-gap to Victory 1 and Fazza is their target, at the same time the young Australian-Norwegian pairing will have to ward off the attentions of two other hard-charging Norwegians, Kolbjorn Selmer and Jorn Tandberg in Welmax, who are enjoying a rich vein of form and gelling as a partnership. Both outfits have traded podium places - three apiece - and race positions this season, with Maritimo currently holding the upper hand, with a three-point advantage in third place.
Outside of the top four but looking to take advantage of any slip-ups, eighteen points separate Foresti & Suardi-Roscioli Hotels, Giorgioffshore, Victory 77 and C.A.M.
Giampaolo Montavoci will run an unchanged line-up in Foresti & Suardi-Roscioli Hotels with fellow Italian, Roberto Lo Piano, taking the wheel for only his second Grand Prix. Currently fifth in the overall Championship standings, Forest & Suardi Roscioli Hotels will make his 90th race start in Abu Dhabi and will be looking to maintain his run of reliability and finishing in the points in every race in 2009 and to defend the position as leading Italian Team and Pilot.
With Kurt Olsen unavailable to race for the remainder of the season, Giorgioffshore throttleman, Nicola Giorgi, will swap one Norwegian driver for another and rekindles his partnership with Christian Zaborowski for the remaining two Grands Prix and four races of 2009. Giorgi and Zaborowski teamed up for the first time in the BMW Norwegian Grand Prix in Arendal earlier this year, posting credible top-six times in practice and qualifying, but were forced to retire from the race on lap 5 whilst running in sixth place. Giorgioffshore target in Abu Dhabi will be to build on an already solid season, which has seen the Italian take one fourth and three fifth-place finishes.
After joining the Championship in Romania, Victory 77 will look to add to their impressive podium and two fourth-place finishes, with Abdullah Al Mehairbi and Mohammed Al Marri knowing that they can play a valuable role and assist their team-mates in securing the title by finishing ahead and taking points away from their nearest rivals.
Spanish Team, Duemme Broker, has confirmed that Ahmad Al Hameli will make his Class 1 debut in Abu Dhabi. Al Hameli, 30, who was born and lives in Abu Dhabi, has competed in wooden powerboat racing, Class 3, 6 Litre, the F2000 President’s Cup and now races for the Abu Dhabi F1 Powerboat Team; he will partner the experienced Italian throttleman, Giovanni Carpitella, in the V8 Mercury-powered C.A.M. Carpitella, who finished fourth in the season opener in Qatar and fifth in both races in the Italian Grand Prix, his only starts this season, will draw on his vast powerboat experience to guide Al Hameli on his debut in front of the U.A.E. national’s home crowd.
First official practice takes place on Thursday afternoon (19 November), with a one-and-a-half hour session on Friday morning for official practice and qualifying in the Edox Pole Position, followed by race 1 in the afternoon, 53.63Nm - 11 laps, including two long laps. A third official practice session on Saturday morning will be followed by race 2 in the afternoon - with the starting line-up determined by the results of race 1 - 72.28Nm, run over 15 laps, including three long laps - with both races counting for full Championship points.
CLASS 1 WORLD POWERBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP - after round 4 of 6
1. 1 Victory - 95pts
2. 3 Fazza - 91pts
3. 11 Maritimo - 55pts
4. 90 Welmax - 52pts
5. 8 Foresti & Suardi-Roscioli Hotels - 41pts
6. 18 Giorgioffshore - 36pts
7. 77 Victory - 34pts
8. 10 C.A.M. - 23pts
9. 96 Qatar - 15pts
10. 12 Maritimo - 12pts
11. 95 Qatar - 4pts
MIDDLE EAST CHAMPIONSHIP - after round 1 of 3
1. 3 Fazza - 20pts
2. 96 Qatar - 15 pts
3. 1 Victory - 12pts
4. 10 C.A.M. - 9pts
5. 18 Giorgioffshore - 7pts
6. 8 Foresti & Suardi-Roscioli Hotels - 5pts
7= 95 Qatar - 0pts
11 Maritimo - 0pts
90 Welmax - 0pts
12 Maritimo - 0pts
77 Victory - 0pts
EDOX POLE POSITION CHAMPIONSHIP - after round 4 of 6
1. 3 Fazza - 64pts
2. 1 Victory - 56pts
3. 95 Qatar - 35pts
4. 90 Welmax - 34pts
5. 11 Maritimo - 28pts
6. 96 Qatar - 24pts
7. 18 Giorgioffshore - 17pts
8. 77 Victory - 14pts
9= 12 Maritimo - 11pts
9= 8 Foresti & Suardi-Roscioli Hotels - 11pts
11. 10 C.A.M. - 9pts

New Model: Mulder 77 Werner Classic

Shipyard Mulder in the Netherlands has launched Eleonore, a classic motor yacht built for a Dutch client. This custom one off build Mulder 77 Werner Classic is equipped with the very latest technologies and endowed with stunning retro lines from the boards of Theo Werner. Werner is a classic lined round-bilge traditional yacht of over 23 metres constructed of steel. Power is by twin Caterpillar C7 250hp, which give the new Mulder a top speed of 12 and a cruise of 11 knots. Two generators ensure that the various systems can be used at all times. The tender garage aft is accessible via a hydraulic door. The 77 Werner Classic has a large owners stateroom forward and two guest cabins aft, each sleeping two persons. All cabins have their own bathroom with marble floors and the yacht also features a separate day head. The interior is created in premium cherry wood with panels and curved doors. Mulder Shipyard’s own designs have achieved international fame and with the construction of this 77 Werner Classic reinforcing its ability to build top quality one off custom yachts from other independent designers. Other examples include a ‘kotter’ built to a design by Willem de Vries Lentsch. With the ‘Made by Mulder’ label Eleonore serves as another superb addition to the yard’s fleet. She also underlines the fact that clients can come to Mulder with their own designs if these are sufficiently innovative and unique and meet the high quality standards for which the yard is renowned.
Technical Data:
LOA - 23.70 m (77.7ft)
Beam - 5.80 m
Draft - 1.75 m
Accommodation - 6 berths in 3 cabins
Engines - 2 x Cats C7 187hp
Speed - 12 knots max, 11 knots cruise
Design - Theo Werner
Hull Shape - round bilge
Material - steel
Certification - CE A

New Model: WallyPower 55

WallyPower launches the new 55 completing and filling the range gap between the 47 and the 64 introduced last year. This model introduces the full-open concept: the boat is super sporty and aggressive featuring a huge windscreen that replaces the hard top, and surrounds the entire cockpit area. Propulsion is made of four engines Volvo D6 of 435 Hp each, coupled with the IPS600 to offer great manoeuvrability, and 30% increased performance together with 20% increased range. The yacht runs smoothly at 40 knots with no vibrations, exceptional stability and reduced noise. The cockpit features two comfortable and symmetrical seating and relaxing areas, one on each side, completely sheltered by the windscreen. The entire cockpit can be covered by a bimini or by a hard top as an optional, sheltering the open areas from the sun. The vast aft bathing beach platform has a size of approx ten squared metres offers a terrace on the sea feeling. Another innovation is the immense hydraulic retractable aft passerelle, that serves as boarding platform and swimming ladder depending on the position, like the one of the 118 Wallypower. The passerelle serves also to handle and lift on board a jet ski from the water. Interior the 55 is available in three different versions and features a salon, two or three cabins with en-suites depending on the option, a galley, and a crew cabin with head.
Technical Data:
LOA - 17.40 m (57.1ft)
Beam - 5.40 m
Draft - 1.10 m
Displacement - 24 t
Fuel Capacity - 2600 l
Water Capacity - 400 l
Accommodation - 4, 6 guest berths + 2 crew
Engines - 4 x Volvo IPS600 D6 435hp
Propulsion - Volvo forward looking pods
Speed - 42 knots max
Range - 350 nm at cruise
Design - Stefano Pastrovich, Allseas, Wally

November 15, 2009

New Model: Azimut 88

Azimut launched eight new models in the last five months, a parade which started with the 53 in the groups yachting gala in June, and finished with three models: 74 Magellano, 78, and this 88 in October, at Genoa. A further development of the great looker that was the 85, the 88 from the Flybridge range adds full view opening windows in all guest cabins below, and an extended high low bathing platform aft to the previous model it replaces. Thanks to the bathing platform further space for entertainment is available on the flybridge deck, or with the option of a crane davit the possibility to store two large personal water craft. Below it is the same concept with four spacious suites for the owner and his guests. Attention to the owner is the private separate entrance for his full beam mid ship master stateroom, also featuring a walk in wardrobe and a breakfast table standing by the four large vertical opening windows. Crew lobby is aft with sleeping accommodation for three or four members, and a small L-shaped saloon for relaxing time. The last months have been busy business for the Italian builder, which seems does not want to stop challenging the market with rumours following that more is to come with a new S range in around fifty feet plus size, and a smaller Magellano in line to be presented for 2010.
Technical Data:
LOA - 26.80 m (87.9ft)
Hull Length - 23.98 m
Beam - 6.40 m
Draft - 1.80 m
Displacement - 85 t
Fuel Capacity - 9000 l
Water Capacity - 1300 l
Accommodation - 8 guest berths in 4 cabins
Engines - 2 x Cats C32 Acert V12 1325hp
Propulsion - direct in line shaft drive
Speed - 30 knots max, 27 knots cruise
Hull Shape - vee keep with 10.1 degrees deadrise aft
Design - Stefano Righini exterior, Azimut interior
Certification - UNI ISO 8666
www.azimutyachts.com

November 14, 2009

Project: Lazzara LSX120

US builder Lazzara continue to upgrade its product portfolio with the introduction of what will be its biggest build to date, the project of its LSX120. Presented on what is becoming a trend from US companies on its own blog. The LSX120 continue the evolutionary design started with the LSX75 in 2006, and followed by the LSX92 as a year ago, that is a sport yacht powered with three or more pod drives, which allow more spaces and ultra modern transforming concepts within. The LSX120 offers transforming places in the bathing platform which becomes a beach lounge aft, and the starboard opening balcony to water located in the owners suite. As the LSX92 the 120 will also have a sport bridge without disturbing the sleek lines. Its lower deck offers five guest cabins, with a full beam owners cabin which you can call an apartment cause of its size, and two identical in size VIP suites. Crew area is located aft with a lobby which has an L-shaped saloon, a galley, and three cabins complete with head which sleep from four to six members. Entertainment lounging for the guests is on three decks including the flybridge, and in six separate areas: aft deck, flybridge, fore deck, bathing platform for the exterior, and main saloon, and lower saloon for the interior. Propulsion on the LSX120 continues the US builder use of pods now propelling five out of seven Lazzara Yachts, with the new flagship being the first to use ZF latest large 4000 series drives handling engines up to 1200hp, here in a triple set up. Success is big for the sporty LSX series since its introduction in 2006, and this trend seems to continue as last August someone put his signature on the dots for the 120. A big injection of trust to the innovative US builder that is Lazzara, when a buyer purchases a production Super Sport Yacht in its initial project stage.

New Model: Vicem 92 Cruiser Series

Turkish Vicem yachts continues to present traditonal inspired yachts and launches the 92 Cruiser Series, second delivery in size and in this range to date. Build as all Vicem with the cross over traditional modern glass over wood cold molding technique the 92 Cruiser Series features an expansive teak cockpit, with wraparound seating designed for champagne breakfasts. Her teak and stainless circular staircase leads to a flybridge which is almost 35 feet long. With seating for fifteen, plus a sun deck, the flybridge is bound to be the center of outdoor life. A RIB and her dedicated crane are located aft of the radar mast. Inside the 92 Cruiser Series welcomes you with a 250 square foot salon featuring luxurious built-in seating, and an elegant wet bar surrounded by three stools. Just steps away is the dining area, with seating for eight, opposite a full length galley. The double seat helm offers state of the art electronics, opposite a mahogany navigation desk with seating for two. Below is reserved to the accommodation area with two guest cabins both with separate heads, and a VIP suite which also features it's own private office. A private entrance via circular staircase from the saloon takes you to the mid ship located master stateroom which has a king-size bed, full-sized desk, couch, and his her heads. Crew quarters are located aft and features four bunk berths, a private head, and a second dedicated galley. The 92 Cruiser Series is powered by twin MAN common rail engines reaching top speeds of 20 knots and a cruise of 17 knots.
Technical Data:
LOA - 28.04 m (91.9ft)
Waterline Length - 26.82 m
Beam - 6.55 m
Draft - 1.82 m
Displacement - 86182 kg
Fuel Capacity - 12920 l
Water Capacity - 3040 l
Accommodation - 8 guest berths in 4 cabins, 2 crew cabins
Engines - 2 x MAN CR 900hp
Speed - 20 knots max, 17 knots cruise

November 13, 2009

C.N. Ray 1925 - 2009

Cornelius Nathaniel Ray III, who founded Sea Ray Boats in 1959, died on November 12 after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 84 years old. Ray opened the first Sea Ray boat factory in Oxford, Michigan, in 1959. He grew the company into an icon, leading it through the industry's peaks and valleys, including the inflationary periods and oil embargoes of the 1970s. He sold it to Brunswick in 1986 for US$350m. The book, Commanding the Waterways: The Story of Sea Ray, describes how Ray was one of the early adopters of fiberglass, and instilled a culture of innovation into what has become the world's largest production boat builder. Sea Ray now builds boats from 17 to 60 feet. Besides building boats, Ray's other passion was racehorses. He began his first thoroughbred operation in 1983 after acquiring Evergreen Farm in Paris, Kentucky. He won his first stakes race in 1985 and other stakes winners soon followed. Ray was also a frequent participant in the Breeders' Cup program, and won the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) in 1996 and 1997. Ray is survived by five sons, a daughter, and his wife Carol. There will be a remembrance ceremony at the St Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, California, on Saturday.

Projects: Hunt 29 Surfhunter Coupe, Hunt 33 Surfhunter Coupe, Hunt 36 Harrier Coupe

In a market where boat builders have scaled back on new model introductions, Hunt Yachts greets 2010 with three new hardtop coupes, each built on an acclaimed and proven deep-V hull designed by C. Raymond Hunt Associates. This Coupe series is initially being introduced for three designated models: 29 Surfhunter, 33 Surfhunter, and the 36 Harrier. Adding the Coupe line at Hunt Yachts is a response to owners and admirers of the original, award-winning express line of Surfhunters and Harriers, requesting more all weather climate cruisers. The hardtop and side windows allow those at the helm and in the settee area to be more cosseted in air-conditioned or heated comfort, extending not only the Coupe’s cruising capability but also adding days to the boating season. The Coupe’s hardtops with twin open hatches as standard which can be changed to the optional sliding sunroof, provide complete weather protection, increase the privacy of the bridge deck areas, allow overhead interior lighting and provide rooftop stowage for water toys. In addition to the overhead openings, the side windows slide open too for natural ventilation. Handrails along the hardtop make passage on the side deck safe and secure. The interior of the Coupe’s enclosed bridge deck is richly and warmly finished in wood, with large tempered glass windshields bringing clean visibility for captain and passengers whether underway or in-port. The interior layout varies by model size with 29 Surfhunter Coupe above offering a vee shaped saloon which converts to a double berth, galley and a separate shower head. The cockpit keeps the concept as the open with an aft bench seat, and an L-shaped to port this in this case of the Coupe can become a second dinette covered by the hard top. Speeds is a 37 knots with the standard single 370hp petrol gas Volvo engine. Diesel options starting from a smaller 315hp Yamnar to 435hp Volvo are available. Hunt also offers a selection of propulsion choice for the 29 Surfhunter Coupe of three options: stern drive, shaft or jet. The 33 Surfhunter is the second in size Hunt to be offered in the new Coupe hardtop all weather version. The concept here is similar to the 29, with the 33 Surfhunter Coupe offering also a similar exterior, and interior plan but with the advantage of having extra dimensions in length and in beam. This extra length gives also some bonuses below offering a dining double bench seat to port, which adds with the vee berth, the galley and separate shower head. Power is from a standard single 380hp Yanmar which delivers 31 knots of top speed. Other engine choices are Volvo and Cummins from 370 up to 480hp, always propelled with a direct shaft line. According to Hunt Yachts the 33 Surfhunter Coupe should also be the last model to be put in the water of the three hard top projects. The 36 Harrier Coupe is the largest of the three new projects, but second of them to go in production just behind the 29 Surfunter Coupe. Being larger in size and also offering an outside second cockpit galley arrangement the all weather hardtop Coupe does also make a lot of sense to this all weather offering with the usage of a thirty six feet Traditional Cruiser full year round. The layout of the 36 Harrier is similar to the 33 Surfhunter, but in bigger dimensions and offering a bonus of a second galley or wet bar in the cockpit to starboard, behind the helm station. Engines are also the other difference to the smaller Hunt Yachts here with the 36 Harrier Coupe offered with twins and a standard 380hp Yanmars which give 36 knots in top speeds. Other choices are Volvo 300hp up to 435hp, with propulsion options being traditional in line shaft standard, and jet or Volvo IPS pods as optional.