New Model: Viking 92 Enclosed Bridge Convertible

It was definitely one of the most awaited new models to come for the year 2014, from the USA. The new Viking 92 flagship, is an important moment in production sport-fish yachts history as in recent years these seem to have got on the size, bigger is better bug. The new Viking 92 increases the New Jersey located boat builder size by ten feet, but these three meters make an important statement and now the knocking on the door is for the one hundred feet barrier. Like most of all new Vikings the 92 is a completely new model, with hull number one being a more all year user friendly Enclosed Bridge version.  As any Viking the 92 Enclosed Bridge boast full sport-fisherman friendly features, from a super large aft cockpit, to a raised optional tower.  The accommodation plan will features five double guest cabins; with an owners stateroom located midships, and a VIP room forward and three other guest cabins in between. A crew cabins area with a single or twin rooms will be located astern behind the central located engine room.  Power is twin Cat 1900 or MTU 2600hp engines.

Technical Data:

LOA - 28.45 m (93.4ft)

Beam - 7.03 m

Draft - 1.77 m

Displacement - 88450 kg loaded

Fuel Capacity - 15141 l

Water Capacity - 1703 l

Accommodation - 10 guests in five cabins, 1 or 2 crew cabins sleeping 2 to 4 members

Engines - 2 x Cat C32A 1900hp, MTU 16V2000 CR 2600hp

Propulsion - line shafts

www.vikingyachts.com

Project: Cheoy Lee 150 Explorer

Pushed by the signing of new designer Jon Overing and following the popularity of the Cheoy Lee long-range explorer yachts, a new generation redesign could further enhance the noteworthy efficiency of the displacement steel hull. A powerful single engine Caterpillar 1911hp, with a diesel propulsion engine forward as backup, combined with the large rudder and hydrodynamic bulbous hull, deliver 35% lower fuel consumption. This efficiency is strategic, giving better efficiency and an intent to add a "green" factor to its Explorer series.  While the Explorer yacht's heritage lies in Cheoy Lee's tradition of building durable, long-range commercial ships, the luxury consumer amenities of the model are unsurpassed by other such vessels in its class. The 150 Explorer can travel self-sustained for long distances without sacrificing a single creature comfort. The increased fuel capacity now enables travel from seven to nine thousand nautical miles, enabling exploration of multiple destinations in one cruise. The new 150 Explorer also has increased living space, in keeping with the design philosophies of Cheoy Lee. Utilizing the full capacity of the vessel's depth, piping and wiring are all conveniently located beneath the sole, easily accessible for maintenance, leaving more efficient use of space above for spacious cabins, salon and galley areas.  The Cheoy Lee 150 Explorer's three and a half deck layout provides for great interior volume and versatility. 

www.cheoylee.com

New Model: Absolute 60 Fly

Absolute continues to be a name on the rise, and this new 60 Fly model proves what a solid boat building reality the North Italian builder is nowadays.  For the 60 Fly the Absolute Research Lab follows the looks of the larger 64 and 72 models of the same line. Still the Absolute 60 Fly has one of the most interesting upper profiles in its size and still feeling very much a bigger yacht thanks to its deep side decks and overall looks.  The 60 Fly is a three double guest cabin motor yacht with the standard nowadays layout of full beam owners room, forward VIP, and twin guest cabin to starboard. A two berth crew cabin with private shower head is located aft. The Absolute 60 Fly as all models from the Piacenza builder is IPS pod drive propelled, and will have Volvo 626 or 725hp engine choices. Hull one of the 60 Fly featured the larger 725hp option which gave interesting 34 knots wide open throttle speeds and 28 cruise.  

Technical Data:

LOA - 18.4 m (60.4ft)

Beam - 5.05 m

Displacement - 28 t

Fuel Capacity - 2400 l

Water Capacity - 600 l

Accommodation - 6 berths in 3 cabins, 2 crew in 1 cabin

Engines - 2 x Volvo D11 626hp, D11 725hp

Propulsion - forward looking dual propeller IPS pod drive

Speed - 28 knots cruise, 34 knots max with Volvo 725hp

Project - Absolute Research Lab

Certification - CE B

www.absoluteyachts.com 

Project: Sargo 31

The brand Sargo stands for an all-season boat made in Finland. It’s a premium sport utility boat that is made to last, provide excellent performance and give great value for the money. These qualities are especially true for the renewed Sargo 31, a mid-range model that is precisely as quick, gracious and comfortable as its predecessor while offering interesting novelties. The current Sargo 31 has two double cabins sleeping four persons below, and can reach speeds up to 42 knots, with the largest engine choice being twin 300hp on stern-drive.   Now it for January Dusseldorf boat show to see how Sargo will improve this.

www.sargoboats.fi

New Model: Ferretti Custom Line 28 Navetta

Ferretti presents its latest Custom Line model with the new 28 Navetta. Unlike the previous Navetta, designer Zuccon took a more explorer yacht look in the new 28, this enhanced by a rising shear-line which sets the bow looking higher, and the raised deck on top.  Launched in Cannes 2014, the 28 Navetta main selling feature is its innovative stern dual mode transom; this offering a wet dock launch system and space for a four meters plus tender, and the expansion of the bathing platform into a beach area which measures fifteen square meters.  Inside the 28 Navetta offers a four double guest rooms below deck, and an owners stateroom on the main floor forward. Crew space is for six persons in three cabins located in the bow tip below deck.  Ferretti also offers an additional layout for the main deck with an option of an astern bar serving the aft cockpit, taking space from the lounging sofa.

Technical Data:

LOA - 28.31 m (92.9ft)

Hull Length - 23.9 m

Waterline Length - 23.8 m

Beam - 7 m

Draft - 2.21 m

Displacement - 89500 kg unladen, 106000 kg loaded

Fuel Capacity - 12400 l

Water Capacity - 2000 l

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

Max Persons - 20

Engines - 2 x Man 1200hp

Propulsion - line shaft 

Speed - 16 knots max, 13 knots cruise

Range - 640 nm at 13 knots

Project - Zuccon Internation lines and interior, Ferretti AYT Engineering

www.ferretti.com

Project: F&S 75 Converitble Hull 23

Custom sportfish boat builder FandS is currently building its largest yacht to date.  Numbered hull 23, this is the 75 Convertible, and as all FandS is to be built in jig method, cold molded wood and epoxy plus fiberglass construction.  So far Jim Floyd and his team are very sparse about the details of the new FandS flagship, but we can be sure that it will be fast, have a sea worthy variable Vee shape hull, and be as its other smaller sister of high finishing standard.

www.fsyachts.com

New Model: Cobalt A40

With the new A40, Cobalt is trying again to enter a bigger size market. One of the known high quality builders in the smaller sizes, Cobalt has gained respect in its five decades plus of building boats as a very high profile boat builder thanks to its sea worthy hulls, well engineered and good quality builds. Surprisingly the entrance into the big sizes has always been a bit hard for them, and the 37 and 46 models both had a mild success. Now the new A40 is another try to change all that, and is a very interesting sport cruiser with a super exterior and well made interior offering overnight accommodation or a cruise with sleeping capacity for four persons. But surely what will stand out in the A40 is the exterior with its big central sun-pad, large L-shaped exterior wet-bar, and two L-shape settees.  Cobalt A40 can be powered by petrol or diesel, with hp range starting at 330hp up to a 430hp.
Technical Data:

LOA - 12 m (39.6ft)

Beam - 3.66 m

Draft - 1.01 m

Displacement - 9038 kg dry

Fuel Capacity - 939 l (diesel), 852 l (petrol)

Water Capacity - 189 l

Accommodation - 2+ 2 berths

Engines - Petrol Gas - 2 x Mercruiser 8.2 Mag HO Ect 430hp, Volvo V8 CE 430hp

Diesel - Mercruiser TDI 4.2 l 370hp, Volvo D6 330hp, D6 370hp, D6 400hp

Propulsion - Mercruiser of Volvo dual propeller stern drive

Hull Shape - deep Vee with 20 degrees dead-rise aft

www.cobaltboats.com

Web: Dreamline Yachts New Web Site

Dreamline Yachts is a new brand coming from Italy which presents its World wide web virtual showroom.  As many recent new brands Dreamline has behind it, the experience of individuals from Peter Zuber to CEO Paolo Bencivenni.  Design of the new Dreamline yachts of line of super yachts is trusted to Enrico Gobbi Team4Design firm for the lines and Giovanni Arrabito who presented an innovative Lama Chineless Wave hull. This hull shape is interesting since it can cruise very efficient at 12 knots, and still reach 30 knots of max speed.  Dreamline offers a range of six super yachts from 26 to 49 meters; 26, 30, 34, 40, 46, and 49. So far the 26 has been launched with a 34 being in advanced construction stages and launching to come in 2015.  Dreamline Yachts new website takes you around with the following buttons; DL Yachts, Fleet, Sales and Aftersales, News and Events, Press Area, and Contacts.

www.dlyachtsdreamline.com 

Project: Storm S-100

Derived from the S-78 in the looks department, the S-100 is instantly recognizable as a distinctive Storm yacht but with even more graceful looks thanks to her additional length. She is intended for owners looking to cruise in comfort with an accommodation layout able to sleep a party of eight guests in four distinctive cabins.  Crew accommodation will be four persons in two seperate cabins forward, The S-100 is to be Storm entry into super yacht size and will meet MCA charter requirements and the engineering and calculation work has been completed to meet all upcoming regulations on weight and stability.  Top speed is estimated at 24 knots with the larger engine option.

www.stormyachts.com

blogger - Confusion

With the new building market looking quite healthy for the most part of 2014 it was interesting to see what happen just after the big fall European boat shows ended. In fact some of the most popular motor yacht brands from Europe announced redundancies to there staff. 

The question to this comes automatic, has the market performed below the expectations of these top European brands, or the competition of smaller more custom brands is gaining ground. It is interesting times, with totally new or revamped classic brands entering the larger sizes, with a different vision and a bigger ear to client demands.

In recent years it has been an evolutionary market and the scissors thanks to today various type of media is also faster in spreading latest design, and technology ideas. In the eighties and nineties it used to take about five to ten years for the latest feature to hit the market to arrive into other boats. 

For example when in 1986 Italcraft presented the first tender garage on its C51 Classic, it took a year for the first to be seen on another Italian boat. If I remember well the second user for a garage was the Ferretti 35 Porto Rotondo, and after that in 1991 came the Sunseeker 60 Renegade. Still up until the mid nineties only a handful of boats offered a tender garage.  Same goes for the integrated windshield by Pershing with the first example the 40, appearing in 1988. It will take five for the Italian competition to catch the bug and about six for the others.  

Today unfortunately for the strike of genius of a designer, naval architect or engineer an edge in design does not last much and patents are still a bit unheard for in the most part of the nautical industry.