New Model: Viking 66 Convertible

Viking launched the new 66 Convertible at the 2011 Fort Lauderdale show.  This model is a replacement for the long standing 64 of the same range.  Designed in-house by the Viking team, the 66 follows latest design stints of the recently introduced 82 flagship later on followed with the 76, and 70.  The 66 Convertible will offer a four double cabins interior in standard layout, with an owners room located to midships, and two of the guest cabins being bunks. Three shower heads service the cabins below of which two en suite for owners and VIP rooms.  Living is on the main deck with a single level saloon offering an L-shaped relaxing sofa, C-shaped dining table, and a galley.  There will also be a day head by the entrance of the saloon, which is definitely unheard in this size for any type of yacht.  The center console flybridge and free aft cockpit with mezzanine are all for the fighting competitive fisherman.  The aft deck offers over sixteen square meters of size which features all neatly hidden all fisherman needs; refrigeration, freezer, tackle storage, bait and fish wells. Power is for six engine choices from twin MAN 1550 up to MTU 2030hp.  The last most powerful option gives max speeds up to 40 knots. 

Technical Data:

LOA - 20.3 m (66.7ft)

Beam - 5.8 m

Draft - 1.7 m

Displacement - 46663 kg

Fuel Capacity - 7628 l

Water Capacity - 1287 l

Accommodation - 8 berths in 4 cabins

Engines - 2 x MAN V12 CROM 1550hp, V12 CRM 1800hp, Cat C32A 1825hp, C32A 1925hp, MTU 2000 V12 M94 1920hp, 2000 V16 M91 2030hp

Propulsion - line shaft with S class propellers

Speed - 40 knots max with MTU 2030hp

Construction - vacuum bagged grain balsa core, knitted fiberglass

www.vikingyachts.com 

Project: Broom 300

After presenting two new models the past September at the Southampton show, this British builder since a year under new ownership presses more the accelerator and shows the project for a new 300 model.  The 300 is a sport cruiser design set to put entry level boaters into its range of cruisers. As far as I know Broom has never built a fully open sport cruiser as the 300, but I am not totally sure about this.  Whatever it was I cannot remember it, but I do know they build open speed boats during the sixties and seventies. This model although looking very Broom all the way will offer modern amenities as bonded side windows, and skylight serving all the lower deck.  The provisional plans show a spacious single level cockpit.  Inside in the lower deck will be an owners room to fore, shower head, galley, and L-shaped saloon.  Power or propulsion choices have not been yet advised but it does look to be a traditional line shafts by the layout of the interior especially since it does not feature a mid-ships berth. 

www.broomboats.com

New Model: Absolute 40 STY

Sharing hull with the Absolute 40 Fly is the 40 STY, also launched as the flybridge sister in the fall 2011 boat shows.  Designed by the Absolute Research and Development Lab, the 40 STY is a fully enclosed sport cruiser with patio door, and large window surfaces.  A very huge beam of over four meters allows for spacious interior accommodation, with two large cabins both served with en-suite head located below deck.  The owners room is located to fore, and in between the cabins is an L-shaped galley.  Two extra berths are also obtainable by transforming the C-shaped dinette located to port side on the main deck.  Huge view windows service all the cabins, and the interior areas.  Power is from twin Volvo 300 or 330hp engines, with more fuel saving stern drive or easier to handle IPS pods propulsion as choice. 

Technical Data:

LOA - 12.05 m (39.5ft)

Beam - 4.05 m

Draft - 1.21 m

Displacement -  

Fuel Capacity - 2 x 400 l

Water Capacity - 250 l

Accommodation - 4 + 2

Max Persons - 10

Engines - 2 x Volvo D4 300hp, D6 330hp

Propulsion - Volvo DPH stern drive, forward looking dual propeller IPS400 pod drives

Project - Absolute Research and Development Lab

Certification - CE B

www.absoluteyachts.com 

Class 1 - Dubai U.A.E. Grand Prix 2011

RACE 1

Arif Al Zafeen and Mohammed Al Marri produced a command performance to win race 1 of the Skydive Dubai and Dubai Duty Free Grand Prix and clinch the UIM Class 1 Middle East Championship.

The Victory 3 crew were simply in a class of their own and led the 12 lap, 56.20Nm race from start-to-finish to win by over a minute and put themselves right back into contention in the fight for the World title having wrapped up the Middle East title.

Ali Al Neama and Matteo Nicolini, who earlier in the day lifted the Edox Pole Position Championship, simply had no answer to the pace and performance of Victory 3 and could only watch as they disappeared into the distance, but today’s second place their fifth podium of the year has moved them into the lead in the overall standings.
Giorgio Manuzzi and Pal Virik Nilsen produced one of the best outings of the afternoon to finish on the podium in Victory 7, a boat they are competing in for the first time, and after qualifying in fifth place.

There was bitter disappointment and frustration for Sheikh Hassan and Steve Curtis who started the penultimate race of the year leading the World Championship by 12 points from their teammates, but an electrical problem on lap 7 ended their hopes of a podium finish, dropping them from third place with the Spirit of Qatar 96 pairing eventually limping across the finish line in tenth place to pick up a solitary point.

Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al Tayer and Majed Al Mansoori marked their return to racing together with a solid fourth place to finish ahead of Guido Cappellini and Giampaolo Montavoci in Poliform, who were unable to match their impressive fourth place in qualifying due to an electrical problem that temporarily shut down one engine.

An electrical problem also blighted Relekta’s race dropping Ugur Isik and Christian Zaborowski from fifth place to finish in eighth behind Welmax and Fendi Racing, with FA.RO ACCIAI finishing ninth.

Today’s result sets up a tantalising final race of the season for the coveted World title with just seven points separating the top three.

SKYDIVE DUBAI and DUBAI DUTY FREE GRAND PRIX, RACE 1 - results

1. 3 Victory - A Al Zafeen (UAE) / M Al Marri (UAE) 00.35.06,43

2. 95 Spirit of Qatar - A Al Neama (QAT) / M Nicolini (ITA) + 01.27,78

3. 7 Victory - G Manuzzi (SMR) / P V Nilsen (NOR) + 01.56,77

4. 5 Team Abu Dhabi - R Al Tayer (UAE) / M Al Mansoori (UAE) + 02.00,97

5. 74 Poliform - G Cappellini (MON) / G Montavoci (ITA) + 02.37,78

6. 90 Welmax (B) - B Jacobsen (NOR) / K Olsen (NOR) + 1 LAP

7. 10 Fendi Racing - L Formilli Fendi (ITA) / G Carpitella (ITA) + 1 LAP

8. 91 Relekta - U Isik (TUR) / C Zaborowski (NOR) + 3 LAPS

9. 23 FA.RO. ACCIAI - T Polli (ITA) / L Nicolini (ITA) + 3 LAPS

10. 96 Spirit of Qatar - H Al Thani (QAT) / S Curtis (ENG) + 3 LAPS

RACE 2
Arif Al Zafeen and Mohammed Al Marri produced another faultless display to win race 2 of the Skydive Dubai and Dubai Duty Free Grand Prix and clinch the 2011 UIM Class 1 World Powerboat Championship.
In what has been a difficult week for the Dubai team the scratch pairing of Al Zafeen and Al Marri, racing together for the first time, responded in the best way possible to complete a hat-trick of wins in their home Grand Prix, their double race win clinching an eleventh World title for Victory Team.
Today’s result also gave Al Zafeen the clean sweep in the Middle East Championship taking maximum points, winning twice in Abu Dhabi with the now suspended Nadir Bin Hendi, and twice with Al Marri.
The turn of events of the last two days had thrown up an unexpected winner-takes-all title showdown between Victory and the twin attack of Spirit of Qatar, but the hoped for fight on the water for the title never happened.
An engine problem for Spirit of Qatar 95 as they left the wet pits before the race, ended Ali Al Neama and Matteo Nicolini’s title hopes, joining the race three laps down and coming home in eighth place. A recurrence of yesterday’s steering problem hampered Spirit of Qatar 96’s drive up from tenth to third, eventually finishing in fourth, to cap a disappointing and frustrating day for the Qatar Team.
In what was almost a repeat of yesterday’s extraordinary drive, the Victory 3 duo again made their intentions clear at the start and led from the flag, extending their lead lap-by-lap and going on to complete the 16-lap, 75.40Nm in 45m 31.71s and win by over 55 seconds.
Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al Tayer and Majed Al Mansoori produced their best performance since teaming-up in Norway in July, and celebrated the return to racing of Al Tayer, after breaking his ankle in a Jet Ski competition, with an untroubled second place to give them the runners-up slot in the Middle East Championship and complete a very good day for the United Arab Emirates.
There were also celebrations in the Norwegian-Turkish camp with Ugur Isik and Christian Zaborowski producing an outstanding drive to take their first podium together.
Starting from the outside of the start line down in eighth place the Relketa crew adopted a smart long lap strategy and by lap seven were up to fifth place. They passed the ailing Spirit of Qatar 96 and yesterday’s podium finishers, Giorgio Manuzzi and Pal Virik Nilsen, in Victory 7 on lap 13 and held on to take a well-deserved third place, Zabo Racing’s first podium appearance since Abu Dhabi 2010.
Bjorge Jackobsen and Kurt Olsen gave another steady performance in Welmax, moving up from tenth place at the end of lap one to take their second top six finish of the weekend and finish ahead of Fendi Racing, in what has been a rather disappointing weekend for Italians Luca Fendi and Giovanni Carpitella.
A dramatic moment for Guido Cappellini and Giampaolo Montavoci, spinning out and all but turning over Poliform inside Palm Island, ended their race on lap three. FA.RO ACCIAI going out three laps later with technical problems.
SKYDIVE DUBAI and DUBAI DUTY FREE GRAND PRIX, RACE 2 - results
1. 3 Victory - A Al Zafeen (UAE) / M Al Marri (UAE) 00.45.31,71
2. 5 Team Abu Dhabi - R Al Tayer (UAE) / M Al Mansoori (UAE) + 00.56,47
3. 91 Relekta - U Isik (TUR) / C Zaborowski (NOR) + 02.29,21
4. 96 Spirit of Qatar - H Al Thani (QAT) / S Curtis (ENG) + 02.35,69
5. 7 Victory - G Manuzzi (SMR) / P V Nilsen (NOR) + 1 LAP
6. 90 Welmax (B) - B Jacobsen (NOR) / K Olsen (NOR) + 1 LAP
7. 10 Fendi Racing - L Formilli Fendi (ITA) / G Carpitella (ITA) + 1 LAP
8. 95 Spirit of Qatar - A Al Neama (QAT) / M Nicolini (ITA) + 3 LAPS
9. 23 FA.RO. ACCIAI - T Polli (ITA) / L Nicolini (ITA) DNF
10. 74 Poliform - G Cappellini (MON) / G Montavoci (ITA) DNF
UIM CLASS 1 WORLD POWERBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP - after race 7
1. 3 Victory - 103pts
2. 96 Spirit of Qatar - 93pts
3. 95 Spirit of Qatar - 89pts
4. 5 Team Abu Dhabi - 67pts
5. 74 Poliform - 56pts
6. 91 Relekta - 41pts
7. 10 Fendi Racing - 27pts
8. 23 FA.RO. ACCIAI - 24pts
9. 7 Victory - 19 pts
10. Welmax (B) - 17pts
11. 90 Welmax (A) - 14pts
12. 50 Parsonage Racing - 8pts
13. 69 ferskfisken.no - 5 pts
14. 18 MITI Tech Power - 4pts
MIDDLE EAST CHAMPIONSHIP - after race 4
1. 3 Victory - 80pts
2. 5 Team Abu Dhabi - 42pts
3. 96 Spirit of Qatar - 40pts
4. 95 Spirit of Qatar - 37pts
5.10 Fendi Racing - 27pts
6. 7 Victory - 19pts
7= 74 Poliform - 17pts
7= 91 Relekta - 17pts
9. 90 Welmax (B) - 10pts
10. 50 Parsonage Racing - 8pts
11. 18 GiorgiOffshore - 4pts
12. 90 Welmax (A) - 3pts
13. 23 FA.RO. ACCIAI - 2pts
www.class-1.com

New Model: Tecnomar 30 Nadara

Named M/Y Aurora the Tecnomar 30 Nadara was launched middle of the past Summer.  This recent new Tecnomar of the flybridge Nadara series continues the successful period this Viareggio builder has gained in recent years.  She is also based on the 92 Nadara hull lines launched in 2008.  Designed by Tecnomar in-house team, the 30 Nadara has very Italian lines, which hits to modernity and still looking subtle and classic.  It features five double guest cabins which use the widest part of the hull from the engine room till the curve of the bow starts developing, although only the owners stateroom located to forward make use of the full beam.  A crew cabin with three cabins and lobby and separate entrance is located forward.  The main deck is all devoted to relaxing activities, accept for the forward part featuring the galley and pilot house.  Power is from twin not so big 1825hp Cat engines which give top speeds of 27 knots, and a cruise of 22.

Technical Data:

LOA - 30.60 m (100.3ft)

Beam - 6.50 m

Draft - 1.25 m

Displacement - 95 t full load

Fuel Capacity - 8000 l

Water Capacity - 3000 l

Accommodation - 10 guests in 5 cabins, 6 crew berths in 3 cabins

Engines - 2 x Cats C32 ACERT 1825hp

Propulsion - line shafts

Speed - 27 knots max, 22 knots cruse

Range - 720 nm at 10 knots

Project - Tecnomar Centro Stile

Certification - C cross of Malta hull, MACH Y unrestricted navigation

www.tecnomar.com

Project: Bavaria 40 Flybridge

Bavaria presents a project for a new 40 Flybridge model that is due to launch in early 2012. This will be the first flybridge motorboat ever built by Bavaria, although the company has showed project renderings for the 46 Deep Blue Fly a couple years ago.  The project of this new model was done by Italian Rome designer Marco Casali of Too Design, who made a good name for himself since 2005 when he redesigned the new Itama range as owned by Ferretti Group.  Features of the 40 Flybridge include: a generous flybridge with wet bar, lounger and corner seating area. Below deck, there is plenty of space in the three cabins. In addition to the 40 Flybridge, there are two further models already in production with the range having six different models in total. A coupé version of the 40 should be shown later on, and apparently for all the other flybridge models.  Power for the Bavaria 40 Flybridge will from twin Volvo 330hp up 435, in stern drive or IPS pod propulsion.

www.bavaria-yachtbau.com

New Model: Storebro 435 Suntop

Storebro launched the Storebro 435 Suntop in late Spring 2011.  This model is based on the successful 435 Commander, but with a lower headroom, and a half sundeck, the rest sunroof and opening hatches replacing the flybridge area.  A fold away masts is also a part of the package, this being made to pass under bridges, and make inland waterways cruising easily.  Inside is finished with the well known Storebro Mahogany wood.  A spacious split level saloon which feels to that of a much bigger boat welcomes you inside.  Below is space for two double cabins with owners room to fore, and an innovative second guest cabin.  The layout of the guest cabin offers flexibility, basically this is a miniature suite of two comfortable berths, sofa and ensuite head. But if required the sofa can convert into a two meter berth, and the two single beds can also transform to another double sleeping four people comfortably.  Power is from twin Volvo 370hp giving max speeds of 30 knots.

Technical Data:

LOA - 13.2 m (43.2ft)

Beam - 3.9 m

Draft - 1.00 m

Displacement - 9.5 tons dry ex water and fuel

Fuel Capacity - 2 x 500 l

Water Capacity - 400 l

Accommodation - 6 berths

Engines - 2 x Volvo D6 370hp

Propulsion - line shaft

Speed  - 30 knots max, canal cruise 7 knots

Certification - CE B

www.storebro.se

Project: Horizon E54

Horizon presents the project for the E54 a flybridge motor yacht which use the Volvo IPS propulsion, this giving more an eco-friendly design and a greater interior volume for a comfortable and efficient ride. Styling for this new entry level is by US designer JC Espinosa who created a streamlined profile, accentuated by large E-glass windows and an oversize windshield for enhanced natural light, increased visibility, and panoramic views. Inside the E54 will offer a three stateroom, two head layout comparable to a much larger yacht, with thoughtfully-designed accommodations that maximize space while retaining an open feel. The IPS drive’s aft location provides increased interior volume, allowing a full-beam master with a walk-in closet, master head and room to spare for either a desk or seating. A guest stateroom with twin bunks is forward and to starboard, with a shared head to port and the highly spacious VIP cabin completely forward. For entertaining with a view, the E54 flybridge features sun pads and alfresco dining for eight, and a newly designed helm station with dynamic positioning system made to make docking easier. The aft deck seating area contains dining for six, with the option for an aft galley location that provides easy access to the aft deck, and a hydraulic hi/lo swim platform and transom trunk storage proves ideal for a multitude of water sport activities.  Twin Volvo IPS900 with 700hp should give a top speed of 34 knots and a cruise of 28.

www.horizonyacht.com

New Model: Sasga 42

Sasga Yachts presents it first model with the 42 designed by Inigo Toledo of Barracuda Yachts, launched in Summer and presented in the fall season boat shows.  Architect Toledo has focused on an exterior which tributes the classic Spanish fishing boat in its lines and yet giving unique interior room so as to make a better use of space, in a length of over twelve meters and a max beam of four.  The bow cabin is very spacious and has an en suite head with separate shower. The bed is two metres long by one and a half wide and can be reached from both sides, with space below it to store household items. The guest cabin has two berths, spacious wardrobes and a second en-suite head for use by the guests. Below is also the fully equipped U-shaped galley.  On the main deck there is a dinette, with a living area attached to the bridge. Power is from four engines choices; Yanmar or Volvo from twin 260 up to 315hp.  Top speeds are 23 knots, and a cruise of 19 is possible with twin 315hp Yanmar's.

Technical Data:

LOA - 13.2 m (43.3ft)

Hull Length - 11.98 m

Beam - 4.0 m

Draft - 1.1 m

Displacement - 11.25 t

Fuel Capacity - 1200 l

Water Capacity - 500 l

Accommodation - four berths in two cabins, plus three berths in saloon

Engines - 2 x Volvo D4 EVC 260hp, D4 EVC 300hp, Yanmar 6BY 260hp, 6LA-STP2 315hp

Propulsion - line shaft

Speed - 23 knots max, 19 cruise, 12 knots economic with 2 x Yanmar 315hp

Construction - Infusion, bi-axial and qaudri-axial glass. Polyester resin inner coat, Vinilester resin for exterior

Project - Inigo Toledo from Baracuda Yachts

Certification - CE A

www.sasgayachts.com

PowerYachtBlog Best of 2011 Nominated

Project: Sunseeker 53 Predator

Sunseeker presents the project for a 53 Predator.  This project model is a fully enclosed sports yacht with patio door, and when launched will replace the 52 Predator of the same concept.  The 53 Predator will also be part of Sunseeker's Performance Motoryacht range.  In my understanding this model shares hull and concept with the just launched 53 Manhattan, that means that all the benefits of better use of height which the 53 offers versus the 52 should be found.  Meaning larger owners full beam midships stateroom, more headroom in the VIP suite, and no bunks third cabin.  Better use of space in the saloon should also be found and the galley, and also larger shower heads.  Power is up to 800hp with a choice of straight shaft or the more economic to run Volvo IPS pods.  Wide open throttle speed is 32 knots.

www.sunseeker.com