Project: Gamma 20

It is surprising that in these difficult times new brands keep coming challenging over a decade old brand or makers with a new line of yachts. The Italians have been fluent in this stream of new builders cropping up, but seeing them born in this slowing economy time is always impressive. Gamma Yachts was founded in 2008 and the Gamma 20 is the first of its projects of a four model line up which will start from a sixteen metre and go up to a one hundred feet plus Super Yacht. The Gamma 20 looks a bit like the Ken Freivokh and Bill Dixon designed Azimut 74 Magellano presented on the fall of 2009, but unlike the other Italian this project which is currently under construction will be built of steel. Design is by the Dutch Vripack who also introduce to this new model a unique more production orientated method of steel assembly called Smart Constructions which should reduce building times. Accommodation for the Gamma 20 is for a three guest cabin with aft owner suite and VIP cabin to fore, and a two berth crew quarters. Standard power is from twin Yanmar 650hp, with three other options available going up to a max of 900hp, which should give a max speed of 18 knots.

www.gamma-yachts.it

New Model: Galeon 700 Raptor Skydeck

Skydeck is the new sport flybridge version for the Galeon 700 Raptor introduced a year ago. A must request accessory which follows what designer Nuvolari Lenard offered first on the Palmer Johnson in 2002. So far the British Tony Castro designed Galeon 700 Raptor Skydeck is one of the smallest Sports Yachts which offer the combination of a second helm and a hard top. Only Sunseeker do in fact offer this option on a smaller model with the 64 Predator introduced in the fall of 2008. Clever in the design thanks to Polish genius the ladder to go for the Skydeck retracts in the extended flybridge aft becoming invisible to the eye and freeing the main deck. The 700 Raptor Skydeck offers a central helm with two J-shaped loungers sunpads to both sides. While in the project of the 700 Raptor Skydeck Castro and Galeon engineers also tweaked the original lower deck plan, now offering also a two person crew cabin with head aft, an option also offered on the standard 700 Raptor version.

Technical Data:

LOA - 21.7 m (71.3ft) Length Hull - 19.7 m

Length Waterline - 17.2 m Beam - 5.25 m

Draft - 1.16 m

Displacement - 37 t light

Fuel Capacity - 2 x 1750 l

Water Capacity - 1000 l
Max Persons - 16
Accommodation - 6 berths in 3 cabins, 8 berths in 4 cabins, 2 crew berths opt

Engines - 2 x MAN 1224hp, 1550hp optional

Speed - 34 knots max with 2 x 1224hp MAN

Design - Tony Castro
Certification - CE B

www.galeon.pl

Project: Riva 33ft Aquariva by Marc Newson

In a unique collaboration, Marc Newson has partnered with Riva and their official designers, Officina Italiana Design, to reinterpret the Aquariva speed boat. 'Aquariva by Marc Newson' will be launched as a limited edition of 22 units in September 2010, available worldwide through Gagosian Gallery. Newson's design for the Aquariva vessel is unique in its conception, as well as the materials chosen. A wood-like, textile-based laminate (phenolic composite) was used for the deck area and instrument panel. This material was developed in the first half of the 20th century, and was a precursor to fibreglass. While having an ostensibly organic feel and aesthetic, it is significantly more durable than wood. To give the exterior a more high tech look, Newson utilized anodized aluminium, a material not generally associated with boats; this lightweight material is used in lieu of stainless steel and chrome brass, yet remains contextual among Riva’s glamour and classical design. Respecting the DNA of the original project created by Officina Italiana Design was paramount to Newson's design for Aquariva. With this in mind, some of the changes he makes are truly innovative: the re-imagining of the transom, the wrap-around, laminated glass windscreen, the split cabin door entry, the functionality of the lounge and dining area, and the re-introduction of separate driver and passenger seats. Aquariva by Marc Newson's simplicity and functionality are what make the boat truly extraordinary. The end product of Newson's design is an uprated Riva complete with a bow thruster and state-of-the-art electronic transmission.
www.riva-yacht.com

News: Menorquin June 2010

SLOW YACHTING CHARTER

Travel light because almost everything you could need will be on board, forget about time, or rather allow yourself a decent amount of time to fully enjoy the sea, to sail from cove to cove without any rush, to be captivated by a magnificent sunrise, to relish the first swim of the day before enjoying a lazy breakfast, to feel the sea breeze and salt on your skin. Just some of the infinite sensations Menorquin proposes for your next holiday, sailing the Menorquin way: Slow Yachting. The main ingredients needed to make this sailing holiday plan a reality start with the boat. Chartering is an ideal formula, it is important to choose the right boat for the true Slow Yachting experience; it must be comfortable, safe, and have everything to make your voyage unforgettable. Menorquin, an emblematic company with international presence and headquarters in Menorca, whose boats are distinguished by their exclusive personality, classic style and their seafaring designs inspired by the traditional Menorquin Llaüt. The shipyard offers a wide range of boats for charter from its Menorquin Yachts range, with models of between 10 and 18 metres in length, each with different capacities for both the number of people able to sail on board and the number of berths. Spaces designed for sea living and equipped with everything necessary to make life on board complete. Menorquin Charter service, which has its base in the port of Mahón, Menorca, from where you will set off to navigate the segment of Balearic coast you choose. All you have to do is describe your requirements to the Menorquin staff: how many people want to sail, whether you will be sleeping on board, how much time you will have available, and the company will take care of everything. Menorquin has its own highly qualified professional skippers at their customer’s disposal. Menorquin will also organize transport for the customer, if he wishes, and those accompanying him on this sailing adventure from Menorca airport to the port of Mahón.

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www.menorquin.com

New Model: Maxi Dolphin MD53 Power

Maxi Dolphin launches a new Sport yacht the MD53 Power, what is a further evolution of the MD51, the first power yacht produced by the Italian shipyard and designed by Roberto Starkel. The high level of customization, allowed by the sophisticated construction skills of the boatyard, allowed to make significant changes to the basic MD51 Power model. The transom in the MD53 has a round shape, with a consequent two feet extension of the hull, the carbon fiber hard top features a new design, with side sliding windows, and the cockpit has a pantograph opening door. The interior layout reflects the day cruiser concept of the MD 53: one cabin, two heads and a dinette with galley. The MD 53 is a high tech Sport Yacht with a large tender feel use which stands out for the level of comfort offered in navigation and for the refined design details.
Technical Data:
LOA - 16.02 m (52.5ft)
Beam - 4.26 m
Displacement - 10,500kg
Fuel Capacity - 1250 l
Water Capacity - 300 l
Accommodation - 2 + 2 berths
Engines - 2 x Volvo Penta D6 435hp
Propulsion - Volvo IPS600 forward looking dual propeller pods
Construction - sandwich prepreg vacuum bagging with Corecell core
Design - Roberto Starkel
Certification - CE B
www.maxidolphin.it

Project: Marex 320 Holiday Cruiser

After the acclaim that Marex received with the 370 Aft Cabin Cruiser launched in Dusseldorf 2009, this famed Norwegian builder follows it with a smaller similar 32 feet project set to launch at the end of this year. This new project will fit in Marex current model line up between the 350 Scandinavian and 300 Sun Cruiser. Named as the 320 Holiday Cruiser this Marex Sport Cruiser will offer the intelligent ideas as featured on the 370 but in a lightly smaller package. Just as the 370 the 320 Holiday Cruiser will give you the galley social area on the main deck under the hard top, a spacious aft cabin with two berths, and a forward owners room. A single Volvo 300hp engine with in line shaft using the Seatorque system will power the new Marex 320 Holiday Cruiser to estimated top speeds of 30 knots.

www.marex.no

New Model: Arcadia 85

A new Italian yacht builder Arcadia attacks the market with a totally modern concept where innovation is featured in every aspect of the design for this Super Sport Yacht which also gets to confusion where to categorize it. You can call it sports for its lack of flybridge and large open spaces, or explorer for its green attitude and semi planning hull, or may be the Arcadia 85 which is the first of a three model line up is just a way of expressing modern design and cross over styles taking it much further then the others do. The Arcadia 85 will also offer more spaces then conventional similar sized yachts: it can be configured in a five or four cabin layout below, and if desired can also have a day head on the main deck. The galley, dining area are all on the main deck, while the innovative helm is located to the fore peak of the living area. Not to forget that the aft deck of the Arcadia 85 is as spacious as ever and may be not even a yacht double its size offers as much space in this area. Power for the Arcadia 85 is from twin MAN 720hp engines, and other smart intelligent ideas are a good number of solar panels which recharge the batteries, and zero speed stabilization by Rodriguez Marine.

Technical Data:
LOA - 25.90 m (84.9ft)
Hull Length - 23.97 m
Beam - 7.15 m
Draft - 1.65 m
Displacement - 55 t
Fuel Capacity - 8000 l
Water Capacity - 1600 l
Engines - 2 x MAN R6 720hp
Hull - NPL Series semi planning hull
Project - Guida Engineering, 3f Technologies
www.arcadiayachts.com

PowerYachtBlog Best of the Year 2010

Hunton New Web Site

British Hunton Powerboats presents its new virtual showroom following its ownership change by Arkle Partners LLP as January of this year. Hunton Powerboats was founded by Jeff Hunton in 1979 trough passion and dedication on the race course. A boat enthusiast Jeff Hunton started his work experience as an engineering apprentice, and moved on to head of systems and design with Hi-Flex International in the 1960s. In 1975 he enters boat racing, and in his first full season he becomes UK Offshore Boating Association Champion in Class II with a Levi designed hull, which he stripped, re-decked, and completely refitted himself. With this success comes confidence and following this in 1979 Jeff starts Hunton Powerboats with the first model the 23 Gazelle, which a year later takes the crown as Cruiser Class A champion in the 1980 British Offshore Powerboat Championship. The success on the race course is followed in the eighties decade with various races win, till the sports decline in the nineties which forces Hunton for a switch of strategy but none the less a prideful one taking contracts for Royal Gibraltar Police, and the Abu Dhabi Defence Force. Today the new Hunton ownership keeps Jeff Hunton as Head of Design, Martin Paye as Head of Sales, and new recruitment Michael Moriarty as Managing director. The current Hunton line up has three models the 43 XRS flagship, 37 XRS, and the new model 1005 Rib scheduled for launch in this year fall. The company has also two further concepts at work the 38 XRS, and the Project Barracuda. Hunton's new website takes you around with the following buttons: Home, The Boats, Heritage, Press, Boat Shows, Brokerage, Agents and Distributors.
www.hunton.co.uk

Project: Sessa C35 Sport Coupe

Sessa present the project of the Sessa C35 Sport Coupe. This is Sessa third announced project out of five promised new models for the 2010 fall. A hard top sport cruiser which follows on the exterior looks of the fall 2009 introduced 38 footer with the same designation, the C35 Sport Coupe will also be the replacement for the C35 from the Cruiser Line, Sessa most successful model delivered in over five hundred units. Designer Christian Grande follows striking hard top looks as shown on the C38, in a one metre smaller size. The C35 will also have a modular interior allowing the owner to decide on the spot if desiring two separate cabins fore and aft, or one aft cabin. Great attention has also been given to the head, which should deliver more space similar to that of the C38 and will feature a separate cubicle shower. Sessa will also offer a designer version for the galley, with this option finished by renowned kitchen specialist Boffi. This galley will have a steel working top, and ivory lacquered cabinets. Power for this seven tons and a half hard top sport cruiser will be from twin Volvo 220hp up to 260hp engines propelled with economic stern drive propulsion, and easier to manoeuvre in harbour joystick control.

www.sessamarine.com

New Model: Princess V52

Thanks to one of our dedicated readers we feature first shots of Princess new V52. A waited model which continues the French management over haul of this renowned British marque. The new V52 is so far the smallest in the V series range to be available with today's most wanted enclosed patio door and hard top system combo on a Sports Yacht. Considering that some of the Southern Europe and Scandinavian builders offer this on ten metres boats may be the British builder is a bit late here. A bonus of the V52 is that thanks to the patio door it features three dedicated socializing saloons; aft, inside, and below. This last will be lost if one decides to go with the optional three cabins version. Hull number one pictured above was a two stateroom format, and our friend also thinks that the third cabin replacing the lower deck L-shaped sofa will be a smallish affair. Nothing new here as many sub sixteen metres full beam cabin boats do in fact have small third cabins. The other cabins are the full beam midship being the owners suite, and a VIP double to fore with a scissor function which makes it a two single berths in a beat. Below you also get a good sized nicely planned L-shaped galley. For tender stowage the V52 has a high low bathing platform aft. Power will be from twin Volvo 670hp engines which give top speeds of 35 knots. The new V52 is also proof that Princess don't wanna mess with pod propulsion, as this model was suited to the use of latest generation drives. Construction is not announced in the site although Princess have been tooling all latest new models to vacuum bagging infusion method. Considering a not so heavy thirteen tons weight this just might be the case for the new V52.

Technical Data:

LOA - 16.61 m (54.6ft)
Beam - 4.45 m
Draft - 1.14 m
Displacement - 13.2 t
Fuel Capacity - 2000 l
Water Capacity - 364 l
Accommodation - 4 berths in 2 cabins, 6 berths in 3 cabins
Engines - 2 x Volvo D11 670hp
Propulsion - line shaft with integrated U-drive shaft
Speed - 35 knots max
Project - Bernard Olensnki, Princess

www.princessyachts.com