Powerboat OGP - 2011 Championship Cancelled

Event organiser of the Ocean Grand Prix series International Sea Racing Limited, has announced that the remaining rounds of the 2011 UIM Ocean Grand Prix Powerboat World Endurance Championship will be cancelled.  Joseph Azzopardi, Event Director, Ocean Grand Prix explained that this was a very hard decision to take. He said that the key issues where venues who did not meet the obligations in terms of permissions and in some cases finances.  Another issue which in PowerYachts opinion was also very much present is also the lack of competitors with seven boats taking part in both the classes; three in the production Supersport, and four in the Evolution.  PowerYachtBlog sincerely hopes for better luck to the highly potential Powerboat Endurance Championship in 2012, who ever is the organizer.

www.oceangrandprix.org

New Model: Riva 75 Venere Super

Riva present the new 75 Venere Super.  The heir to the successful 75 Venere which adds a bigger, may be a bit too big view windows to center ship, hard top, and additional changes inside.  The first model of this new series featured a distinctive luxury evoking bronze color.  The change inside represent the removal of the internal staircase from the saloon to the flybridge, which increase the space of the sun pad on top, and the galley below.  The now larger view window also servers the guest cabins.  The galley has also been improved with an opening partition to the dining area, in order to make serving of food easier.  The interior lower deck plan should remain the same with a standard four cabins all with en-suite plan, plus two or three cabin plan.  Alternatively a layout of three cabins this adding space to the owners head, and an utility or office room is available. Power is from standard twin MTU 1524hp, to optional 1623hp, this last giving a top speed of 32 knots and a cruise of 29 knots.

Technical Data:

LOA - 23 m (75ft)

Hull Length - 22.7 m

Waterline Length - 19.10 m

Beam - 5.72 m

Draft - 1.86 m loaded

Displacement - 50.9 t unloaded, 58.2 t loaded

Fuel Capacity - 5500 l

Water Capacity - 1000 l

Accommodation - 8 guest berths in 4 cabins, 2/3 berths for crew

Max Persons - 16

Engines - 2 x MTU 10v2000 M93 1524hp, MTU 10v2000 M94 1623hp

Propulsion - line shafts

Speed - 31 knots max 28 cruse with 1524hp, 32 knots max 29 cruise with 1623hp

Range - 330 nm

Hull Type - 12 degrees deadrise aft modified Vee monohedron hull with spray rails

Project- Mauro de Micheli Officina Italiana, Ferretti AYT and CentroStile

Certification - CE 2003/44 A,  modules B + F + Aa sound emissions RINA Spa 

www.riva-yacht.com

Project: Rodman 42 Spirit Flybridge

After presenting the Rodman Spirit range with the 31 a year ago, the Spanish builder shows up the second model of the range with the 42 Spirit Flybridge project.  The Spirit is a design from Italian designer Fulvio De Simoni, who with the 42 followed what was shown in the 31 of a hybrid modern classic looks, but in larger sizes and adding a flybridge on top. This is De Simoni second collaboration with Rodman, having created so far all the four models of the 2006 presented more luxury modern looking Muse range for them. The interior of the Rodman 42 Spirit Flybridge offers a two cabins with two shower heads, one of which en suite for the owners room to fore, and a saloon living on the main deck.  The C-shaped galley is located below, by the three steps stairs which lead from the main deck.  Power is from twin Volvo 300hp with IPS pods propulsion which give a top speed of 30 knots and a cruise of 26.

www.rodman.es   

New Model: Fiart 58 Epica

Fiart have been announcing a flagship of over 55 feet for quite some time now, and finally this model has arrived with the 58 Epica.  The new big Fiart takes style from the latest model of the range most notably the 4Seven, and 4TFour Genius, with modern concepts which mix traditional looking lines.  A distinct feature of the 58 Epica is also the very straight bow, which reminds me a bit of an Americas Cup class 4 sailing boat.  The 58 Epica continues Fiart believe of a very open, free layout both inside and outside. The cockpit surely surprises for its size, with a U-shaped settee to aft, L-shaped wetbar galley, C-shaped lounger to port side, and two seat helm station leaving much free space in between.  The accommodation layout below is a spacious affair with three double cabins layout all offering a private shower head, C-shaped dinette, and L-shaped galley. With the 58 Epica, Fiart continue to believe for an owners room located forward, this looking to aft, with the head to the fore peak, and also making use of all the beam thanks to this arrangement.  A couple of builders have recently followed this trend in boats over fifty feet, which puts less effort on free-board height.  A crew cabin with separate entrance from the cockpit deck is located to port side and also features a shower head.   Power is from twin Volvo 700hp with IPS, the 58 Epica being the third Fiart to use the Swedish engine propulsion maker forward looking propeller pods.   

Technical Data:

LOA - 17.9 m (59.7ft)

Hull Length - 17.35 m

Beam - 5.16 m

Displacement - 24 t loaded

Fuel Capacity - 1960 l

Water Capacity - 680 l

Accommodation - 6 berths in 3 cabins, 1 crew cabin berth

Max Persons - 16

Engines - 2 x Volvo D9 700hp

Propulsion - Volvo IPS900 forward dual propeller pods

Construction - infusion process, with Carbon hardtop

Certification - CE B

www.fiart.com

New Model: Wayachts 40 Wake

After launching its third model last year with the 66, Wayachts presents its new 40 Wake.  The new small Wayachts is to be the entry level of the range before the Naples boat builder sets work on a new large Super Sport Yacht 86 feet flagship. With the 40 Wake, Wayachts continues the philosophy of a large modern looking walk around sport boat, but at the same time offering a lot of cruiser commodities in a comfortable two cabins interior layout usable for a cruise.  Hull one pictured above featured also a hard top.  Unlike the first of the the range the 46 which featured single level side decks, the Wake 40 walk around forward part gets up by two steps in order to arrive to the bow sun worshippers area, made to make better use of interior space. Considering the outside spaces, inside is a rather spacious layout with a forward owners room with island double berth, C-shaped saloon, galley, second guest cabin with two single berths, and a shower head.  Power is from twin Volvo standard 300hp or optional 370, with propulsion being in both cases trusted to IPS forward looking pods.

Technical Data:

LOA - 12.50 m (41.1ft)

Waterline Length - 9.90 m

Beam - 4.20 m

Draft - 1.00 m

Displacement - 8.10 t dry, 11.5 t loaded

Fuel Capacity - 800 l

Water Capacity - 300 l

Accommodation - 4 + 2 berths

Max Persons - 14

Engines - 2 x Volvo D4 300hp, D6 370hp

Propulsion - IPS 400 or 500 forward looking dual propeller pods

Speed - 31 knots max 28 cruise with Volvo 300hp, 34 knots max 30 cruise with Volvo 370hp

Range - 200 nm at cruise speed

Hull Type - Vee shape variable angle keel with 2 longitudinal spray rails

Construction - vinylester resin, multi-directional glass fibre; PVC closed cell core for deck and bulkheads
Certification - RINA CE

www.wayachts.it

Project: Clipper 65 Cordova

Clipper has announced a new flagship for its expanding fleet the 65 Cordova, a three cabin luxury explorer yacht designed to carry owners and guests on long voyages in style.  The 65 Cordova while spacious inside features a well though exterior with a cockpit shaded by the flybridge overhang, wide covered walk around side decks, and options of a hard top or fully enclosed flybridge.  Other important options are that of a day head located to aft by the cockpit.  The saloon features a long U-shape leather lounge with opposite twin tub chairs around an entertainment unit to port. A door in the aft port corner of the saloon conceals an internal staircase to the massive engine room.  Forward, the galley is two steps up from the saloon and fully equipped with Miele appliances including convection microwave oven, four-burner cook top and drawer dishwasher as well as a large double-door refrigerator with freezer compartment. Forward of the galley is the pilothouse equipped with an L-shape lounge and table on the port side, a central helm position and staircase to the accommodation suite to starboard.  Stairs in the cockpit lead to the extended flybridge and a second internal staircase opposite the galley provides a heavy-weather option to this upper level as well as an avenue for warm drinks delivery to the skipper and guests. The accommodation suite forward includes three cabins and two bathrooms. The master stateroom amidships is bathed in natural light and features a queen double bed with large wardrobes and a vanity to starboard. An elegant bathroom with long granite bench top, electric toilet and separate shower stall is set along the entire port side of this space.  Forward of the master stateroom on the port side is a twin cabin with hanging locker. The second stateroom is forward with queen double walk-around bed, hanging lockers on either side and storage cabinets beside the bed. A second head, shared by the guest cabins is on the starboard side. An optional crew quarters is available aft, with access from the swim platform via a water-tight door in the transom.  This features a double bed and enclosed wet head.  The Clipper 65 Cordova is powered by Cats 700hp or optional Cummins 715hp which give a cruise speed in between the 8 to 18 knots to the semi displacement hull.

www.clipppermotoryachts.com.au

Project: Sessa 27 Key Largo Inboard

Sessa presents the project for a 27 Key Largo Inboard, which follows the foot steps of the 34 model.  Designed as all the Sessa's by Christian Grand the Key Largo is a modern looking walk around which offers decent cabin space inside for an overnight stay of two.  The cabin also features a separate shower head.  Outside is a full space for entertaining from the forward sun lounger, to the center helm with wet bar and small galley located behind, and L-shaped dinette.  The stern is the real change from the Inboard to the standard version and this features a sun pad, which extends by taking space from the L-shaped settee, and a medium sized bathing platform.  Power for the 27 Key Largo Inboard is a single Volvo engine in 300hp gas petrol, or 230 in diesel choice.

www.sessamarine.com

New Model: Galeon 420 Fly

After launching its most important model in Summer with the flagship 780 Crystal, Galeon continues to push the envelope of design and comfort in its medium sized offer and presents the new 420 Fly.  This model is again a work of the Galeon technical team and British designer Tony Castro, since 2004 the architect of the Polish Strazyn builder.  The 420 Fly should replace the long standing and successful 390 Fly offering modern lines, large view windows in all areas, and a three cabins lower deck.  Speaking frankly this is very hard to find in this size, more so if you consider that the three cabins of the 420 Fly are no bunks.  The three cabins are found because the 420 Fly living and galley area are all but located on the main deck in a split level saloon.  The well sized C-shaped galley is located in the raised fore part of the interior, side to the helm station to starboard.  The flybridge is also spacious offering an L-shaped settee, hob with washbasin, and two sets of settees looking forward which seat a total of four persons including the helm.  Again space is the theme for the aft deck, with easy access to the side walks, and the bathing platform.  The platform can also be ordered with an extension of over one meter in order to carry a larger tender, and having more bathing space.  Seven engine choices power the Galeon 420 Fly which start at 260 up to 400hp from Volvo, Cummins, and Volkswagen, with also a varied type of propulsion being on offer from the more economic to run stern drive, reliable maintenance free shafts, and IPS pods. 

Technical Data:

LOA - 13.25 m (43.4ft) with optional extended bathing platform

LOA - 12.20 m without ext bathing platform

Hull Length - 11.79 m

Beam - 4.16 m

Draft - 0.80 m ex props

Displacement - 12000 kg light

Fuel Capacity - 2 x 600 l

Water Capacity - 450 l

Accommodation - 6 berths in 3 cabins, 4 berths in 2 cabins

Max Persons - 12

Engines - 2 x Volvo D4 260hp, D4 300hp, D6 370hp, D6 400hp, Cummins QSD 4.2 350hp, QSB5.9 380hp, Volkswagen TDI 265hp

Propulsion - line shaft, Volvo forward looking IPS 500 pods, Volvo DPH Stern drive, Cummins

Speed - 31 knots with Cummins 380hp and shafts

Project - Tony Castro

Certification - CE B

www.galeon.pl

Project: Bayliss 84 B16

Founded in 2002 custom sportfish boat builder Bayliss is at the moment building its largest ever construction with the 84 feet B16, to be named by her owner Orion.  Work for this new project, which is again a design collaboration with Robert Ullberg started in April 2011. Orion shares the hull shape featuring identical draft and beam with the four feet smaller B15 currently also in construction and scheduled for launch in 2012. Construction is in cold molded way of wood, epoxy and glass fiber in the more modern jig method. The specifications of B16 will include many firsts custom features for Bayliss, from a five stateroom with five head layout, full beam owners cabin, and a navy blue colored hull. The owners stateroom will also feature a six feet walk in closet, office desk, L­‐shaped sofa, and king sized double berth.  The aft deck layout will be a modern mezzanine style with fish box, fridge, freezer, and drink box, while the flybridge is the much appreciated open center console style having a wrap around seat and dining table to fore. Engines are the powerful but lightweight 2600hp MTU which will give a top speed of 40 knots.

www.baylissboatworks.com

End of Summer

Sadly, the end of Summer 2011 has arrived.  Definitely a negative period for many boaters especially if memories of a nice season are abound in your camera, films, and most importantly in your soul.  But the end of Summer always bring with interest to us European and North American boaters the boat show season.  We start with what is the glamours Cannes show, followed by the Super yacht cat walk at Monaco, with Southampton in the South Coast of Britain making its way in between, continuing to Genoa, and ending in Fort Lauderdale, and Barcelona come mid Autumn Season.

Apart these famous World class shows, where most known famous brands usually launch the new models, there is also a couple dozens of more local or specialized shows all over Europe, and the States which always want to bring the interest to an upgrade to what one currently owns.

It is interesting to see the market response from the builders to the economy slow down in the last years with more caution in new releases and also upgrading and improving current successful models to more client demands.  Model changes have also come slower since 2009, but those who could read the market better are obviously showing higher enthusiasm at the shows.  

Some builders have shown a positive trend in recent months at Cannes; with both Ferretti Group and Absolute stating a successful 2011 and cautious important challenges coming ahead.  Hopefully some other builders will follow, but a key to survival I think in the current market situation is also a caution approach in investments, and new model releases and may be that is why the two above had better results.