November 28, 2009

New Launch: Feadship 75.75m Hull. 1001

Netherland's Feadship continue to launch bigger Super Yachts in its line, with this new hull number 1001, a 75.75 m being its second largest build to date, standing only behind the renowned 2004 launched 86 metre Ecstasea. Named Ocean Victory, hull. 1001 started construction in 2007 at Papendrecht, Feadship dedicated hull building facility. A few months later in Makkum, Feadship also fitted the alloy superstructure. Inside this new big Feadship has a twelve guests accommodation, with crew spaces for 21, in ten crew and one captain's cabin. Power is trusted to twin Cats of 2682hp each which take the displacement hull up to a 16 knots top speed.
Technical Data:
LOA - 75.75 m (248.6ft)
Beam - 13.60 m
Draft - 4.10 m
Displacement - 2000 t
Fuel Capacity - 190000 l
Water Capacity - 50440 l
Engines - 2 x Cats 3516B DI-TA 2682hp
Speed - 16 knots max
Design - De Voogt, Alberto Pinto interior
Construction - steel hull, aluminium super structure
Certification - Lloyds Register, MCA

Project: Magnum 100

This new Magnum 100 model project, presented by this status symbol yacht and cruiser builder will be it's largest size to date, and second in a Super plus eighty foot size. It is expected to be delivered by 2012, with the styling designed by a talented young, Italian designer, Alberto Mancini, who presented echoing lines to the Pininfarina penciled 80 but offers a completely new concept of outdoor cockpit livability. The Magnum 100 has different seating, dining and viewing areas, with an expandable top providing various and movable shaded areas. Technologically designed by Magnum to be eco friendly, with a lot of emphasizes going on weight saving through the use of stronger and lighter materials. The vessel is built in advanced composite foams and carbon fiber, allowing critical HP to weight ratios to be met with lower power, thus saving more than 20% in weight compared to similar models; also making the vessel structure more rigid and more efficient. For less drag and therefore improved fuel consumption, Magnum also installs surface drives one of the first users of this system back in the eighties, which not only reduce consumption but also increase top speed. For slow speed operation, the new Magnum flagship will have an electric harbor drive: an electric wing engine for slow speed operation, which runs virtually silent and smoke free. No noise and no more exhaust fumes. Magnum also designed an interior LED and fluorescent lighting set up which will increase efficiency and decrease interior heat load. Interiors as like any Magnum will be custom designed for her owner and include in standard form a four double cabins, heads, reception and salon areas and of course comfortable crew cabins. Power will be twin Cats or MTU of 2600hp each which should give estimated top speeds of 55 knots. The 100 has been designed to be the most environmentally friendly, comfortable, seaworthy and fast Super Sport Yacht in the world, and with the fame this builder has who can doubt this.

November 27, 2009

Project: Wayachts 48 Wake

Based on the hull lines of the 46 Wake, Wayachts present the project of the 48 Wake a further development of its first model. The 48 Wake is distinguished from the first presented model of this Italian builder by an integrated carbon hard top covering the central helm station and C-shaped settee, and an aft bathing platform which adds the extra two foot of length from the 46. Apart from these two design accessories which further validate the Wayachts comfort, the 48 Wake offers the same big day boat center console feel of the 46, with its full walk around deck, which makes all the exterior a one place for entertainment. Down below the same twin cabin head interior with galley and saloon as for the 46 is kept. Power choices have not been announced but imagine Volvo IPS500 and IPS600 choices as for the 46.

November 26, 2009

New Model: Sunseeker 60 Predator

Sunseeker launched the 60 Predator at the Southampton boat show, where British largest production powerboat builder presented itself with five new models, three of which super yachts over eighty feet in length, and including with them also the current 130 Predator flagship. The new 60 Predator finds me in a friendly complain with Sunseeker as so far the British builder has always been clever in its history to differentiate its models with names and numbers from previous ones. The 60 Predator is the same name as given to a Sunseeker model from 1999 to 2001. Spaces are key to the new 60 Predator, which also goes back to the basics of the open Mediterranean Sport Yacht outside capturing an attention for big open areas, like the large cockpit which feels that of a much bulkier boat, and a spacious three cabin lower deck. Its main deck is pure entertainment having a sun pad aft under which is a tender garage, two opposite looking L-shaped settees, L-shaped wet bar, and a front row dedicated to the helmsman in his three person settee to port, and two person passenger seats to starboard. Below are the three cabins, galley and C-shaped settee. The owners suite as the big view hull windows suggest is a full beam mid ship affair. The other two cabins are the VIP suite located to fore, and a double singles to port. Power is for twin engines up to 1267hp each which should give top speeds of 37 knots. Choice is also a virtue of the 60 Predator with a no hard top open alternative, an option I think we want see much of it around, and propulsion of traditional in line shafts standard or extra cost surface drives.
Technical Data:
LOA - 19.92 m (65.4ft) includes pulpit
Length - 19.37 m
Waterline Length - 14.67 m
Beam - 4.95 m
Draft - 1.49 m
Displacement - 33500kg full load
Fuel Capacity - 3000 l
Water Capacity - 700 l
Accommodation - 6 berths in 3 cabins
Engines - 2 x 1267hp
Propulsion - in line shaft, surface drives
Speed - 37 knots max, 28 knots cruise
Construction - hand laid GRP vinlester powder mat, balsa core sides, PVC core top
Project - Sunseeker Design, Design Unlimited interior
Certification - CE B

Project: BlueGame BG40

Italian builder BlueGame continue to present new projects based on its concept of large center consoles, but have much more within and are suited for various uses like cruising, fishing, launch boat, or big tender for a super yacht or a sea side villa. The BG40 is the smallest project so far to come from BlueGame and designer Lou Codega, and company owner Luca Santanella, present a forty footer which represents a similar layout outside and inside to the BG47 but all in smaller spaces. Example of this can be found in the interior which has a similar layout to the bigger sister with two cabins located mid ship, and living area with separate head and C-shaped salon located to the fore part. The cockpit also follows the unique deck layout as seen on the large BlueGame's with full deep wide walk around decks, sun pad aft, and a protected C-shaped settee just behind the helm station. BlueGame has so far presented no options for the outside and inside with only one T-Top version for the exterior fittings, one for the deck, and one for the inside. Codega for the new small Blue Game choose a deeper medium vee of seventeen degrees, versus the twelve of the bigger 47 and 60 models. The novelty for the BG40 is the use of pod drives here the Italian builder choosing ZF Zeus system with Cummins engines. Power is for a standard twin Cummins QSB 380hp or optional 425hp from the same maker. Speed is a max of 32 knots with the standard power, and of 34 knots with the bigger choice.

New Model: Absolute 64

Absolute continue to follow its wave thinking always offering more innovative sport cruisers and yachts. This new 64 from the Italian builder also uses Volvo forward looking IPS pod propulsion, offered on seven out of eight Absolute models. As expected the new 64 has design stints that follow what the 70 flagship presented last year, with only size and spaces making the difference to a similar three cabin, galley below layout. Externally the 64 is also more aggressive looking sport yacht then to the flagship with elegant minimal squarish touches. Taking away the size difference of about a metre and a half in length and one foot at beam, there is not much dividing the two big Absolutes on the lower deck, with all three cabins having there personal en suite heads on the 64, and an L-shaped galley below. You also get a single crew cabin with shower head located at mid ship. The saloon main deck on the 64 is but conservative on layout, offering a C-shaped settee to starboard upon entrance inside and followed by a two person helm station. For the aft deck Absolute also went for a more Mediterranean layout with big sun pad aft, and an integrated L-shaped settee, while to fore for those looking for more privacy in a marina is a five person settee with table. Propulsion continues Absolute use of three or more engine pods, with the Italian builder being the first to experiment with a triple IPS propulsion set up back in 2005 as on its at the time 56 flagship. Just as the bigger 70 the new 64 is powered by quadruple IPS600 D6 435hp, and so far Absolute seems to not offer alternative to this set up, which I am a bit surprised considering Volvo new bigger engine pod series release.
Technical Data:
LOA - 20.40 m (66.9ft)
Length - 19.80 m
Beam - 5.15 m
Fuel Capacity - 3000 l
Water Capacity - 650 l
Accommodation - 6 berths, 1 crew berth
Max Persons - 16
Engine - 4 x Volvo IPS600 D6 435hp
Propulsion - Volvo IPS forward looking dual propeller pods
Design - Absolute Research and Development Lab
Certification - CE B

November 25, 2009

Project: Galeon 780 Crystal


Just coming from the launching of its new current flagship the 700 Raptor, Galeon continues to upgrade its range to bigger dimensions with the introduction of the 780 Crystal project. Another eight feet plus in size for the Polish Strazyn builder, and only two feet away of what is often referred to as a pocket super yacht. This expansion to bigger sizes has been impressive for Galeon in the last two years with the 640 Fly launched in 2008, followed by the 700 Raptor for this year. So far Galeon is very tight lipped on details for its future flagship, although we can say that the hull mould is in a near to a completed construction phase. If all goes well I give a maximum of two years for this project to be presented for reality. Watch this spot for more.

November 24, 2009

New Model: Ocean Alexander 68 Pilothouse Motoryacht Series

Ocean Alexander continue to expand its Motoryacht series line by launching the new 68 Pilothouse, which offers a design echoing modernity with a classic touch. Coming from two important novelties in recent times that of launching its important Megayacht Series on the upside scale, and also presenting its entry level Trawler Series explorer yachts range which challenges other famous builders in this new challenging and growing segment. The 68 is a mid range motor yacht which feels like a small ship, and has a semi planning hull which should give medium speeds in the twenty knots region. Inside the 68 Pilothouse Motoryacht layout is a three cabin, with an owner suite located mid ship featuring a separate entrance stair case, and full view circular windows on both sides. A VIP suite is located to fore, and another double guest cabin also with its own bathroom is located to port side. A single crew cabin with single berth is located aft. The saloon is a split level offering an entertaining saloon on the lower level welcoming area, and an open galley, a dining table for six and central located pilot house in the raised area. Worth to note that everything on the 68 feels like coming from bigger sized yachts from the mooring cleats to the feeling large flybridge area which is covered for half of its space by a fiberglass hard top. Power is from twin standard MTU 825hp, up to a more powerful optional choice of 1200hp also by the German engine producer.
Technical Data:
LOA - 21.81 m (71.7ft)
Waterline Length - 18.16 m
Beam - 5.64 m
Draft - 1.52 m
Displacement - 46000 kg
Fuel Capacity - 5300 l
Water Capacity - 1134 l
Accommodation - 6 berths in 3 cabins, 1 crew cabin
Engines - 2 x MTU 825hp, 1200hp
Propulsion - in line shaft
Construction - hand laid fiberglass with solid bottom, and Airex PVC core on side

Propulsion: Steyr Motors EDS System

This sophisticated mechanical device gives the boat owners the opportunity to engage a mechanical rack mover by a shifting cable in case of emergency. This can be for example a complete breakdown of the board electric system including engine, and engine control panel. Finally the Steyr engine will run the boat home on a safety mode. For the time being there is no other electronically controlled marine engine besides a Steyr Diesel on the market which offers this feature. The EDS guarantees the highest safety standard and makes you independent from any other complicated additional propulsion system. This Steyr option has been developed specifically to satisfy the highest requirements of life and rescue boat builders for their SOLAS related products. There is also a high demand and many inquiries from leisure boat builders and blue water sailboat owner who want to offer the maximum safety available on the market. EDS Mechanical Energy Drive System is worldwide unique and available for the whole range of Steyr Marine Diesel 4 and 6 cylinder engines, based on Mono block and High Pressure Unit Injectors fully developed its own engineering department. It is representing the most innovative and professional backup solution for all kind of applications for commercial and leisure boat operation.

New Model: Fountaine Pajot 40 Summerland

French Catamaran specialist Fountaine Pajot presents the 40 Summerland, its third power model to go into production. Designed for cruising by Joubert-Nivelt also the designers for the previous two power catamaran models to come from the French builder, the new 40 Summerland offers great comfort in terms of navigation and life on board, featuring open spaces, a sheltered cockpit, and direct safe access areas which make for easy relaxing trips. The flybridge of the 40 Summerland offers a full relaxation area equipped with a sundeck, wide seats and helm station to starboard. Entrance to the interior is through a patio door, here all being flush level with the exterior, making for easy communications with the aft deck outside, and the inside living area. The saloon in the 40 Summerland has well defined areas where you will find the light and comfort of bigger boats, and features a dinette to port which can accommodate six persons, a fully fitted galley opposite to starboard, and the central located main lower helm station. Privacy is a key element for the lower deck of the new medium sized power catamaran Fountaine Pajot. The owners suite located to starboard has a fully independent entrance with its double berth positioned to the beam, a beauty desk, and a private shower head. To port side are two separate guest cabins which share a shower head located in between. The two cabins are a twin single to fore, and a double VIP to mid ship. Standard power for the 40 Summerland is twin Volvo D3 150hp engines, with a higher rated D6 260hp available as optionals. The standard engines give a top speed of 18 knots and a cruise of 13 knots. Fountaine Pajot has also some super numbers for its new medium sized Power Catamaran, which at its best economic 7 knots cruise consumes only 10.6 litres per hour and totals 1000 nautical miles on a tank.
Technical Data:
LOA - 12.19 m (40ft)
Beam - 5.35 m
Draft - 1.04 m
Displacement - 12 t unloaded
Fuel Capacity - 2 x 700 l
Water Capacity - 598
Accommodation - 6 berths in 3 cabins
Engines - 2 x Volvo D3 150hp, D4 260hp
Propulsion - in line shaft
Speed - 18 knots max, 13 knots cruise with D3s 150hp
Range - 500 nm @ 13 knots, 1000 nm @ 7 knots
Design - Joubert-Nivelt, Coste Design & Partners