New Model: Rio 34 Espera

Rio Yachts celebrating its fifty years launch the 34 Espera model, which was only shown as a project a couple of weeks ago.  The 34 Espera represents not only Rio's own gift to itself but also a new range for the Italian boat builder which is a tribute to the first wooden craft it build in its early days.  The 34 Espera as said in project review is Rio's vision of an open walk around boat with cabin features.  Of all the models so far presented by other builders the 34 Espera is the more aggressive looking.  Open spaces, center console, and four berth interior are all part of the 34 Espera functions.  Inside the interior also offers a two plus two interior; separate cabin to midships, convertible Vee shaped settee to fore, and a shower head.  The galley is located outside behind the center console.  Convenient side decks lead to fore peak raised deck.  But transformations and hidden tables, passarelle are all part of the exterior functions of the new Rio. Other options for the 34 Espera will be a center light material hard top, and an outboard version with twin Mercury 300hp engines called the Espera TA.  Power of the normal 34 Espera is optional twin Volkswagen 265hp diesel or standard Mercury 305hp petrol gas choice.

Technical Data:

Length - 9.99 m (32.7ft)

Beam - 3.36 m

Draft - 0.55 m excluding props and drives

Displacement - 4000 kg

Fuel Capacity - 700 l

Water Capacity 220 l

Max Persons - 12

Accommodation - 4 berths

Engines - 2 x Mercury Mag 350MPI 305hp, Volkswagen TDI 3.0 265hp

Propulsion - Mercruiser Bravo III dual propeller stern drive

Certification - CE B

www.rioyachts.net 

Project: Abati 60 Keyport

Abati presents a project for its second large model with this new 60 Keyport.  This new project follows the launch of the new Abati flagship 64 Freeport Fly as launched in the fall of 2010.  The 60 Keyport shows a nice design which follows a good balance of modern traditional as is one of the best looking models from the line the small 46.  The 60 Keyport is a hardtop traditional yacht with a lot of modern thinking going into the looks and function which blend well with the the lobster down East influenced lines.  A three cabin lower deck plan is to be found having an owners suite to fore.  A crew cabin or utility room is to be located at midships.  Power is from twin 800hp MAN which should give a nice top speed of 32 knots max and 26 of cruise.

www.abatiyachts.com

New Model: Mano 37 Gran Sport

Mano presents the 37 Gran Sport an innovative new model which follows what has been coming from Italy in recent times by various builders.  Walk around functionality on top with cabin boat accommodation below.  Of all the offers so far presented the Mano 37 Gran Sport offers the most cabin area having an interior which is just a little bit smaller to what a European cabin boat of this size usually offers.  This comes only to the expense of a great exterior area which uses all the length of the 37 Gran Sport.  Well done to Mano and designers Cabes Yachts.  The outside of the 37 Gran Sport welcomes you aft with two C-shaped settees which can transform in various different forms from two dinettes, a single large dining area, or two sunpads.  To fore of this is also a nice second very large exterior galley, located behind the center console three person helm station.  The fore peak of the 37 Gran Sport is all dedicated to a large sun lounger easily reachable by the steps.  Down below is space for a separate cabin which is the owners to fore and guest double berth located to midships.  A medium sized galley and a small sofa with table complete the lower deck cabin area.  Power is from various twin engine choices from Mercruiser, Volvo, and Yanmar from twin 220 up to 320hp.   Propulsion choice is stern drive or Volvo IPS pods. 

Technical Data:

LOA - 11.63 m (38.1ft)

Registry Length - 9.99 m

Beam - 3.50 m

Displacement - 5000 kg

Fuel Capacity - 2 x 240 l

Water Capacity - 2 x 400 l

Max Persons - 10

Accommodation - 5 berths

Engines - 2 x Mercruiser 5.0 220hp, Mercruiser 6.2 320hp Petrol Gas, Mercruiser TD 220hp, Mercruiser TD 270hp, Mercruiser TD 320hp, Volvo D3 220hp, D4 260hp, D4 300hp, Yanmar 260hp, Yanmar 310hp 

Propulsion - Mercruiser Bravo III, Volvo, or Yanmar stern drives, Volvo IPS forward looking dual prop pods

Project - Studio Cabes Yacht

Certification - CE B

www.manomarine.com

Project: Horizon PC58

Horizon from Taiwan seems to be one of the few builders who is putting a lot of projects and models with catamaran, i.e. dual hull shape.  The PC58 project is indeed the fourth power catamaran coming from Horizon of which two are innovative solar powered models.  Currently under construction with the Scrimp infusion method and set to launch by the fall the PC58 is a design by Winchester from Florida for lines and interior, and Lavranos from New Zealand to what concerns the under water shape.  So far Horizon has not given any details but the flybridge and aft deck do look large in the renderings for a boat measuring seventeen meters in length.  Power is to be from twin 600hp Cummins to what is an asymmetrical displacement shape.

www.horizonyacht.com

Improve-it = Maritimo 440 Offshore Convertible

Maritimo presents a new engine propulsion choice to its 440 Offshore Convertible now offer with the choices of traditional shaft drive propulsion.  The Maritimo 440 Offshore Convertible was launched last year 2010, breaking new ground for a 44 feet flybridge sportfish cruiser thanks to its three-sided enclosed flybridge and internal staircase and an aft galley with bi-fold doors to the cockpit.  The 440 Offshore Convertible was also the first flybridge boat from Maritimo to utilise the Volvo Penta IPS pod drive system. Now the company has introduced more choices to its customers offering the option of shaft drive propulsion, who can select between Volvo Penta IPS600 forward looking dual propellers pod drive with 435hp turbo diesel engines, or Cummins QSB 5.9 480hp with shafts.  In both choices everything remains the same above the waterline of the 440 Offshore Convertible from the three separate cabins sleeping five to the storage space.  In both engines the Maritimo 440 Offshore Convertible can cruise close to 350 nautical miles at around 22 knots and well over 1,000 nm at trolling speed.

www.maritimo.com.au

New Model: Cutwater 26

What an innovative project is this, thanks to big boat thinking in a small package. Cutwater 26 comes from the Fluid Motion LLC Group who already produce the Ranger Tugs line, and here with this new brand challenge the market thanks to a clever design above but also below the water line featuring an unedited hull shape which should offer good economy and sea handling.  The comfort of the Cutwater 26 is impressive for its size, as is that of its standard equipment and price offering.  This boat is also trailer able thanks to its beam that is for the US limit of eight feet and a half.  Accommodation also is impressive and extremely comfortable offering a total of six berths.  Double convertible Vee shape bed below to fore, midships twin, and a convertible settee on the main deck.  The hull of the Cutwater 26 is an innovative stepped with keel semi displacement shape.  Power is from a single diesel Yanmar 180hp engine which delivers new meaning to term economic.

Technical Data:

LOA - 9.16 m (30.1ft) with bathing platform and pulpit

Hull Length - 7.80 m

Beam - 2.59 m

Draft - 0.71 m

Displacement - 2676 kg dry and unloaded

Fuel Capacity - 302 l

Water Capacity - 151 l

Accommodation - 4 + 2 berths

Engine - 1 x Yanmar 4BY2 180hp

Propulsion - line shaft

Hull - semi planning Cutwater Keel stepped hull, eleven degrees dead rise aft

Project - David and John Livingstone

www.cutwaterboats.com

PowerYachtBlog Best of 2011 Nominated

Class 1 - Norway Grand Prix 2011 Race 2

Heavy rains, strong winds and rough seas have forced the hands of race officials into canceling race 2 of the BMW Norwegian Grand Prix. “It is very disappointing for everyone involved but our absolute priority is the safety of competitors and everyone who is out on the water,” said UIM race director, Gordon Sutherland. “We had hoped the weather would lift but unfortunately it hasn’t.

“Course officials have been out in the safety boat twice during the afternoon to check the conditions and reported four meter seas and very strong gusting winds. It was clear that rescue boats would not be able to operate or in a position to respond to any incidents, leaving us no option but to cancel.”

UIM CLASS 1 WORLD POWERBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP - after race 3

1. 3 Victory - 55pts

2. 96 Spirit of Qatar - 50pts

3. 95 Spirit of Qatar - 31pts

4. 10 Fendi Racing - 23pts

5. 74 kim.com - 19pts

6. 5 Team Abu Dhabi - 18pts

7. 90 Welmax - 10pts

8. 50 Parsonage Racing - 8pts

9= 69 ferskfisken.no - 5 pts

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP - after race 1

1. 96 Spirit of Qatar - 20pts

2. 3 Victory - 15pts

3. 95 Spirit of Qatar - 12pts

4. 74 kim.com - 9pts

5. 90 Welmax - 7pts

6. 69 ferskfisken.no - 5pts

7. 10 Fendi Racing - 4 pts

8. 91 Relekta - 3pts

9= 5 Team Abu Dhabi - 0 pts

9= 50 Parsonage Racing - 0pts

www.class-1.com

Nordhavn New Web Site

Nordhavn famous for its line of explorer yachts and cruisers presents its new virtual web show room.  Nordhavn was actually founded in 1988, with its first model the 46 launching in 1989.  But the company history started in 1973 when Jim Leishman and Dan Streech meet in a brokerage firm and start building the foundations for what in time will become first the Pacific Asian Enterprises up to what will be the North Harbor what is English translation of Nordhavn.  Interesting stories come to the launch of the first Nordhavn 46 is that Cruising World magazine declined its advertisements, and builder Ta Shiing from Taiwan decline to build it.  In fact it will be Tsai Wan Sheu in Taiwan who will build it. For the second Nordhavn model the 62 the American Asian company will have to wait two years launched in the dark period of boating known as the American 10% Luxury Tax.  A 50 in 1995, and a 56MS a year later where the next Nordhavn models to come after the luxury tax was ended.  2007 marked an important year for Nordhavn with the company building its first super 24 meters plus yacht 86 model, and a year later to this opening its new building facility located in Xiamen China.  So far 2008 was the best annual result for Nordhavn with eighty boats sold during the recession ended year.  Nordhavn current line up offers seventeen models from the entry level 40 to the still in project 120 flagship.  The line also offers two alternative models, the 56 MS, and 75 EYF.  The latest Nordhavn model is the recently launched 63. The new Nordhavn web site takes you around with the following buttons; Models, Company, News, Brokerage, Community, Interactive, Resources, and Contacts.

www.nordhavn.com

Production History;

46 1989-2003 (82)

62 1991-2007 (35)

50 1995-2006

40 1999-2003 (45)

57 1999-2007

35CP 2001-05 (24)

47 2003-08 (60)

40II 2004-18 (69)

43 2004- (41

72 2004-19 

55 2005-09 

64 2006-19 

76 2006-

86 2007- (10

75EYF 2008-

52 2009- (80

60 2009- (84

68 2009- (41 *68FPH project

63 2011- (19

120 2013- (1

59 Coastal Pilot 2016-

96 2016- (9

Lanzarote 76 2016 

100 2018 (1) *96 Extended project

41 2020- (41

475 2020- (47

80 2021- (5

625 2023- (3

71 2023- (3

Class 1 - Norway Grand Prix 2011 Race 1

Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani celebrated his 50th race start and his first win in Class 1 alongside Steve Curtis with a superb flag-to-finish victory in race 1 of the BMW Norwegian Grand Prix.

Victory’s Arif Al Zafeen and Nadir Bin Hendi shrugged off the disadvantage of having to run an extra ‘penalty lap’ to finish in an impressive second place, with Ali Al Neama and Matteo Nicolini making it a double podium celebration for the Spirit of Qatar Team.

Today’s win finally ended Sheikh Hassan and Steve Curtis’ long wait for their first win together since teaming-up in 2008 and hinged on a spectacular start by the Spirit of Qatar pairing, who moved from third place on the start line to immediately challenge pole-sitters, Victory’s Arif Al Zafeen and Nadir Bin Hendi, for the lead at the first turn.

The run down the long straight saw the Victory and Qatar boats dicing side-by-side, with Sheikh Hassan and Steve Curtis holding their nerve to win the drag race and grab the advantage and go on to lead at the end of the first lap.

From the front they were able to control the race and go on to win the 8-lap, 52.45Nm race by over 8 seconds at an average speed of 186.61km/h.

Second place for the defending World Champions keeps them at the top of the points table, but sees their lead cut to five points.

Matteo Nicolini marked his 100th race start with his second podium in three races with newcomer Ali Al Neama, but was clearly unimpressed finishing in third place.
Guido Cappellini and Giampaolo Montavoci, also making his 100th start, produced an impressive showing in kim.com and enjoyed a race long duel with Team Abu Dhabi, passing the Emirati duo of Mansoori and Al Tayer on lap 3 and holding off their sustained challenge to finish fourth.

But Team Abu Dhabi’s fifth place was short lived following their post-race disqualification.

Welmax, Fendi Racing and ferskfisken.no enjoyed their own private battle in the lower order, swapping places throughout the race - Fendi Racing incurring a post race penalty lap dropping them to seventh, with Relekta having a frustrating outing, finishing eighth.

BMW NORWEGIAN GRAND PRIX, RACE 1 - results

1. 96 Spirit of Qatar - H Al Thani (QAT) / S Curtis (ENG) 00.31.13,89

2. 3 Victory - A Al Zafeen (UAE) / N Bin Hendi (UAE) + 00.07,90

3. 95 Spirit of Qatar - A Al Neama (QAT) / M Nicolini (ITA) + 00.21,46

4. 74 kim.com - G Cappellini (MON) / G Montavoci (ITA) + 00.34,00

5. 90 Welmax - K Selmer (NOR) / J Tandberg (NOR) + 02.16,70

6. 69 ferskfisken.no - F Sundsdal (NOR) / B Jacobsen (NOR) + 02.37,50

7. 10 Fendi Racing - L Formilli Fendi (ITA) / G Carpitella (ITA) + 02.34,76*

8. 91 Relekta - U Isik (TUR) / C Zaborowski (NOR) + 2 Laps

9. 5 Team Abu Dhabi - R Al Tayer (UAE) / M Al Mansoori (UAE) + 00.44,12**

- 50 Parsonage Racing - G Manuzzi (SMR) / P Virik Nilsen (NOR) dns

* N°10 1 Long Lap penalty applied

** N°5 disqualified - rule 29.07
www.class-1.com

Projects: Benetti Sail Division 115 RS Mediterranean Style, Benetti Sail Division 122

Benetti Sail Division continues with the presentation of its new projects, which apart the round stern models features some innovative designs like the Logica, and World Traveler series.  A fresh wind seems blowing in the company with sixteen new projects shown in the web site.  The two last projects are what Benetti Sail Division calls the Special Edition and features two yachts the above Mediterranean Style 115 RS, and 122.  The 115 RS Mediterranean Style is a redesign of the upper structure of the top second deck with his being also a bit larger.  The standard plan for examples puts the owners state room on the top deck here having the plan of an apartment, with the VIP suite located on the main deck. Two other guest cabins are located to aft.  The crew area with lobby saloon and galley is located to fore.  To midships is also a tender garage with space for three water craft; a tender and two jet bikes.  Power is from twin 1000hp MAN which should give a 13 knots max, and a 10 knots economic cruise giving 4800 nautical miles of range.

The Benetti Sail Division 122 project would have looked very revolutionary a few years ago in the line of the Viareggio, Italian boat builder but if you consider the new Logica and World Traveller lines today it looks a standard contemporary design.  The 122 is a modern actual looking super yacht with three decks.  A ten berths in five double cabins interior is offered with the owners stateroom located on the main deck.  The VIP suite is located unusually to aft.  Power is from twin 1319hp Cat engines which should give a top speed of 14 knots and a cruise of 13.

www.benettisaildivision-ss.com