New Model: Azimut Atlantis 43

After re-inventing all the line of Atlantis in 2009, Neo Design head to phase two and continue a project of renovation and updating in this important entry level line of the Azimut-Benetti Group. After smooth touching a 50 model from the 48, now Atlantis present a new 43. While looking different from the 44, this new 43 is in hull shape based on the model it replaces. But from waterline up the 43 is a totally new model. Interestingly both Neo Design and Azimut Atlantis take a more traditional outlook in the 43, indeed in many respects the 44 was most daring. For example to give a short summary of this, the midships cabin of the 43 is a three single berths layout versus the full beam midships of the 44. The aft deck cockpit is also a more traditional cozy deep layout, versus the more daring and open of the 44.  These subtle changes are an interesting move from Atlantis, who look at a more international market for the 43, versus the more Mediterranean flare featured in the other smaller and bigger sisters.    

Technical Data:

LOA - 13.86 m (45.5ft)

Hull Length - 13.1 m

Beam - 4.25 m

Draft - 0.9 m

Displacement - 13 t full load

Fuel Capacity - 900 l

Water Capacity - 350 l

Accommodation - 4 + 2 berths

Engines - 2 x Volvo D6 400hp

Propulsion - Volvo dual propeller stern drive

Speed - 33 knots max

Hull Shape - planning Vee with 15 degrees deadrise aft

Project - Neo Design

Certification - Uni ISO 8666

www.azimutyachts.com 

Project: Storm X-59 Fly

Following consultations with interested and involved parties, Storm decided to further develop the first draft of the X-59. Meanwhile, it has also become clear over recent months that there is serious interest in an X-53 with more space on the aft deck and an additional stateroom for guests. Storm is now delighted to inform you that all this has resulted in the first order for a Storm X-59 Flybridge during the HISWA Amsterdam in-water Boat Show. The yacht will comprise the same innovative Fast Displacement Hull Form underwater section, high build quality and efficient handling properties that characterize all Storm boats. The X-59 Fly is to start construction of hull number one in the first quarter of 2015.

www.stormyachts.com

New Model: Galeon 305 HTS

The Galeon 300 series grows into a more complete range, and now the Strazyn builder presents the new 305 HTS version model. The HTS initials stand for hard top sport, and this latest Galeon third generation showcases an aggressive exterior coupled with the accommodation of a cruiser once entering inside. Below the 305 HTS is full of surprises and offers a two plus two layout plan; double Vee berth forward, and a separate cabins at midships. In between the cabins is a galley to port side, and a shower head to starboard. But one of the most interesting features of the 305 HTS is also its main deck layout, this offering an aft sun-pad, L-shaped layout, double helmsman chair, relaxing settee to port side, and a well sized wet-bar.

Technical Data:

LOA - 10.4 m (34.1ft) with optional bathing platform

LOA - 9.6 m

Beam - 2.99 m

Draft - 0.72 m ex props

Displacement - 5500 kg light, 7835 kg loaded

Fuel Capacity - 415 l or 600 l

Water Capacity - 200 l

Accommodation - 4 berths

Max Persons - 9 or 7 in Cat B

Engines - 1 x Volvo D4 260hp, 2 x Volvo D3 190hp, D4 225hp, D4 260hp

Propulsion - Volvo Duoprop stern drive

Project - Roberto Curto Certification - CE B, CE C

www.galeon.pl

Class One - Vee One - Abu Dhabi Race Two

Arif Al Zaffain and Nadir Bin Hendi delivered another racing master class to win race 2 of the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi and claim Victory Team’s 14th World title.

Race 2 honours in V1 went to Bernico-New Star’s Belgium duo, Nico Bertels and Frank Hemelaer, with fourth place for race 1 winners Aaron Ciantar and Dominique Martini in Chaudron good enough to seal the V1 World Championship.

Starting from pole, Victory’s newly crowned Champions’ only challenge came at the start in a drag race to the first turn with Luca Fendi and Giovanni Carpitella in LFF10, before they grabbed the advantage and disappeared off into the distance.

Today’s win, the duo’s fifth of the season, was another demonstration of their absolute superiority, going on to take the chequered flag and complete the 10 laps by a winning margin of 54.42seconds.

In a repeat of race 1 the pace of the leaders was simply too much for Team Abu Dhabi and LFF10, the only other boats to go the distance, LFF8 stopping on lap 1 followed a lap later by Relekta-Zabo-Isiklar, with New Star-Poliform failing to make the start.

After a processional seven laps the race and the fight for the second and third steps of the podium between LFF10 and Team Abu Dhabi’s Gary Ballough and John Tomlinson ignited.

LFF10 led until lap 8 but could not shake of their pursuers and were slowly and surely hauled in by the American’s with the time split down three seconds.

At the end lap 9 and going into the final turn Team Abu Dhabi came alongside LFF10, both outfits going into the turn side-by-side and both hooking, with Team Abu Dhabi emerging in front and running out the final lap to claim second spot.

Despite the disappointment of today’s retirement Ugur Isik and Cristian Zaborowski’s season-haul of five podiums was enough to give them the runners-up slot in the World Championship, with Luca Fendi and Giovanni Carpitella in third.

Not for the first time this season the V1 teams produced some great racing, with the lead changing hands and the race for the podium places hotly contested.

After yesterday’s somewhat fraught day for Bernico-New Star’s four man squad, DQ’d from both qualifying and race 1, Nico Bertels and Frank Hemelaer came back in style to take a well-deserved win.

Champions elect Chaudron got the jump on pole-sitters Aquasport and led from the start with Bernico-New Star giving chase and keeping the gap too under eight seconds. On Lap 5 Bernico-New Star hit the front and pulled away from a struggling Chaudron to take their second win of the year.

Behind the leaders Aquasport, Karelpiu and Tommy One enjoyed and produced the best fight of the race; first Aquasport held the upper hand, then Karelpiu grabbed the advantage until lap 5 the two trading places again before Daniel Cramphorn and Nico Huybens hit trouble and dropped back, eventually finishing in fifth.

With Chaudron slowing to a crawl and limping home in fourth, the remaining podium positions went to Karelpiu’s Antonio Schiano and Federico Montanari and Tommy One’s Stefano Bonanno and Maurizio Schepici.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Hercules Sagemann’s Andreas Podolsky and Udo Gross who struggled with technical problems, completing just five laps, Silverline's Ian Blacker and Drew Langdon sidelined before the start with broken engine.

www.class-1.com

Project: Monte Carlo Yachts MCY105

In the last four years Monte Carlo Yachts was always present at Cannes with a new model, but for 2014, the company showcased a flagship project which takes its size up by nineteen feet and is set to launch in 2015.  Set to upgrade a more super yachts awareness of this Beneteau Group brand, which is currently built in Italy the MCY 105 is designed as the other Monte Carlo's by Nuvolari Lenard, and follows a family feeling to its smaller 86, 76, 70, and 65 sisters.  A few important industry novelties characterize the 105 in its size; separate semi raised pilot house, owners room in between the main and lower deck as seen on an another smaller 23 meters Beneteau Group model, and the Portuguese bridge, this last being a characteristic of all Monte Carlo Yachts.  As the other MCY the 105 will also be full of high tech building components, from the use of aluminium beam, to eight tons of carbon fiber and Kevlar usage in the construction.

www.montecarloyachts.it

Class One - Vee One - Abu Dhabi Race One

Arif Al Zaffain and Nadir Bin Hendi moved to within one point of a 14th World title for Dubai's Victory Team following an emphatic win in race 1 of the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi.

Their superiority was mirrored in V1 by Malta's Team Chaudron whose win moved them 12 points clear in the overall standings and one step closer to the World title.

Starting from pole after clinching the Pole Position Championship in the morning the Victory pairing stormed into the lead and go 12 seconds clear of New Star-Poliform at the end of lap 1, with Miles Jennings and Alfredo Amato in LFF8-Silverline in third. But their race ended two laps later when the escape hatch in the hull blew out.

By mid-race Victory had opened up a 35 second margin and went on unchallenged to close out the eight lap race and take their fourth chequered flag of the year to win by 79 seconds. 

Behind them New Star-Poliform led the processional chase ahead of Relekta-Zabo-Isiklar and Team Abu Dhabi but neither outfit had any answer to the pace of the leaders and the podium places looked to settled. But on lap 6 New Star-Poliform slowed, a broken water pump belt ending Mikhail Kitashev and Guido Cappellini’s challenge.

With New Star-Poliform out, Ugur Isik and Christian Zaborowski went on to take their fourth podium of the year and keep their title hopes flickering, with American’s Gary Ballough and John Tomlinson finishing in third for Team Abu Dhabi.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Luca Fendi and Giovanni Carpitella in LFF10 whose hopes of any challenge for a podium finish ended almost immediately when an engine stopped, forcing them to shut down the other engine to reboot the system.

From lying in 10th place overall at the end of lap 1 the Italians recovered to force their way up through the pack to take fourth and move into third overall in the Championship standings.

In an equally processional afternoon for the V1’s, Aaron Ciantar and Dominique Martini staked their claim on the Championship, cruising home untroubled and unchallenged in Chaudron with a lap to spare. "It was quite rough on the outside for the start but our boat is good in these conditions," said Aaron Ciantar. "For most ofthe race we were able to keep up a good speed and take the turns at full throttle. Now we will try to win the title."

After a late disqualification from third place in qualifying and forced to start from the back, Nico Bertels and Frank Hemelaer recovered well to finish second in Bernico-New Star, with Stefano Bonanno and Maurizio Schepici bringing Tommy One home in third.

Fourth place for Aquasport’s Daniel Camphorn and Nico Huybens keeps them in the hunt for the title, with Hercules Sagemanns’ Andreas Podolsky and Udo Gross finishing in fifth ahead of Ian Blacker and Drew Langdon who limped home in an ailing Silverline to take points in sixth.

Giuseppe and Antonio Schiano's hopes of carrying their challenge for the title into the final day ended when Karelpiu failed to make the start of race 1 after damaging an engine after a spinout in qualifying.

Only a calamity can stop Victory from lifting the C1 crown, with the fight for the title in V1 between Chaudron, Aquasport and Tommy One.

www.class-1.com

New Model: Invictus 280 GT

Invictus was born from a challenge to offer a new reference to the world yachting market. Invictus features three different lines, the GT, FX and TT models, all conceived and built according to the qualities that have made Italian shipyards appreciated in the world: aesthetics, dependability, flexibility and a long lifespan.  Thanks to the collaboration with the famous Christian Grande DesignWorks office, Invictus has incorporated a remarkable technology component and a careful attention to details into the design of this new 280GT model. The new 280 GT strikes for its reverse bow, appearing both sharp and massive at the same time, merging into the sides of the hull without frippery, and crafted using uniform transitions between full and empty shapes, while the cabin windows and the air intakes for the engines are shaped like simple lines that emphasize the monolithic characters that Christian Grande desired. The choice of this particular bow structure also allows for a longer waterline length for length, which gives better stability and interior space, with a substantial increase in below-deck livability. Surfaces are designed as if they were carved shapes, and impart a sensation of sturdiness. When aboard the 280GT we find an ample stern bathing platform, with the engine housing covered with a sunbathing cushion that enlarges by rotating the rear backrest. The central zone hosts a comfortable L-shaped settee that faces the steering area, the latter with a solid double ergonomic seat and a midships position equipped with a galley module, complete with a refrigerator and lockers.The bridge, which also includes access to the interior, is protected by a wide sweep-around windscreen and equipped with the latest digital instrumentation, and includes a video monitor. The left side bulwarks is optimized for on-board movements and equipped with a spacious stowage space that can also be customized by the owner in several versions, including housing for a set of matching accessories. The bow zone, suited for sunbathing, is quite large and designed for total ease of use and covers the forward portion of the ample cabin, which is a small suite. The Invictus 280GT comes equipped with a Volvo 320hp stern-drive petrol engine, capable of 38 knots top speeds. The 280GT can carry up to eight passengers and comes with a large cabin and separate bath and external galley module, with all the extras. At present four color schemes are available: the delicate “Vanilla Sea”, the more aggressive “Attack Grey”, the elegant “Dark Wood”, and the classic “Personal White”. The 280GT, like all the vessels of this series, can be customized both with accessories and equipment.

Technical Data:

LOA - 8.9 m (29.1ft)

Waterline Length - 6.8 m

Beam - 2.84 m

Draft - 0.9 m

Fuel Capacity - 450 l

Water Capacity - 70 l

Accommodation - 2 berths

Max Persons - 8

Engines - Volvo 5.7 320hp

Propulsion- Volvo stern drive with dual propeller

Speed - 38 knots max, 21 knots cruise

Hull Shape - medium Vee with 16 degrees deadrise aft

Construction - fiberglass with Vinilester resins

Project - Christian Grande, Aschenez Andrea Carni

Certification - CE B

www.invictusyacht.com

Class One - Vee One - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Preview

Fourteen boats will line up for the final two races of the season at this week’s Grand Prix of the U.A.E in Abu Dhabi, 3-5 December

The climax to the highly successful and competitive first season of the ‘new look’ ClassOne World Powerboat Championship combining C1 catamarans and V1 monohulls will decide the outcome of World titles in both categories.

In C1 Victory’s Arif Al Zaffain and Nadir Bin Hendi hold a 14 point advantage over a trio of outfits who on paper have a shot at lifting the title, whilst in V1 the outcome of the title race is too close to call, Team Chaudron topping the table on 46 points, a tenuous one point cushion over Aquasport with a mere 15 points separating the top five.

Al Zaffain and Bin Hendi will be looking to celebrate their 2014 racing reunion as they go in search of a fourth World title together and a 14thfor Victory Team. The Dubai duo will start as firm favourites and after dominating qualifying, a win in race 1 to add to their three victories in Ibiza and Terracina would all but seal the Championship.

Fifteen points separates Victory’s three potential title protagonists with Ugur Isik and Christian Zaborowski in Relekta-Zabo-Isiklar leading the challenge from Mikhail Kitashev and Guido Cappellini in New Star-Poliform both outfits grabbing three podium finishes and Luca Fendi and Giovanni Carpitella in LFF10, race winners’ last time out in race 2 in Terraccina.

Hoping for home success and a repeat of the team’s win in 2010 are Team Abu Dhabi’s American duo, Gary Ballough and 1997 Wold Champion John Tomlinson, who were impressive on their first outing together in Terracina, posting third best times in qualifying and taking third spot in race 1.

The competition and rivalry in V1 is as intense as it gets, four different outfits taking the chequered flag and climbing the top step of the podium and five grabbing podium finishes.

Of the top three each has a race win under their belts but a DNF apiece for Chaudron’s Aaron Chiantar and Dominique Martini and Tommy One’s Maurizio Schepici and Stefano Bonanno last time out could well prove costly, their misfortune allowing Daniel Camphorn and Nico Huybens to capitalise and stake their title claim, the Aquasport pairing splitting their rivals and sitting menacingly in second place.

Karelpiu’s Giuseppe and Antonio Schiano match Tommy One on 39 points in third spot and line-up in Abu Dhabi looking for their first win of the year, as do Ian Blacker and Drew Langdon in Silverline – both outfits finishing in podium spots twice.

Nico Bertels and Frank Hemelaer, race winner’s in Terracina, have it all to do with an 18 points margin to overturn, their strategy to run different crews for race 1 and 2 resulting in their points having to be allocated accordingly, whilst Siegfried Greve and Udo Gross will be hoping for a trouble free run in Hercules Sagemann after a frustrating double DNF last time out.

Teams will get their first impressions in tomorrow’s two practice sessions of what looks set to be a challenging course around Lulu Island, with a potentially rough offshore leg and a flat fast leg on the inside in front of the Abu Dhabi Corniche.

Official qualifying takes place on Thursday at 10.30hrs [local] followed by race 1 at 15.30hrs, a second qualifying and race 2 closing out the year on Friday.

www.class-1.com

New Model: Lagoon 630 Motor Yacht

Lagoon has come up with the 630 Motor Yacht, and this Power Catamaran was one of the most talked models during its World wide premier in Cannes. It had to be as the 630 Motor Yacht offers a package of long range, good performance, and incredible fuel economy in total comfort and serenity. Just think of the engines of the 630 which are twin 260 or optional 300hp units. Power usually found in ten meters size sport cruisers.  The 630 is a further development of the Lagoon 620, and is also the work result of talented VPLP architects and Nauta Design and Lagoon’s own engineers. The Lagoon 630 Motor Yacht will be also offered in five different internal layout options. The choice is vast from a standard four cabins, to five or six double cabins. One has also the option of a central or lateral galley in the main deck living area of the 630 Motor Yacht.

Technical Data:

LOA - 19.5 m (63.9ft)

Waterline Length - 18.6 m

Beam - 10 m

Fuel Capacity - 3000 l

Water Capacity - 960 l

Accommodation - standard 8 berths in 4 cabins, optional 10 berths in 5 cabins, 12 berths in 6 cabins

Engines - 2 x Volvo D4 260hp, D4 300hp

Propulsion - line shafr

Project - VPLP, Nauta Design

www.catamarans-lagoon.com

Reputation

Every year during the fall boat show season, a crop of new boat builders seem to enter the challenging yacht market.  Each of these new builders have a different profile, with two usually standing out; you can have the boat owner who turns builder with financing, or an experienced craftsman who after years on a yard floor takes matters into his hands.  Surprisingly even in recent difficult times new boat brands have not stopped coming up, with the Dutch taking first place from the Italians.    

Sometimes the biggest challenge that some of these new brands will face is image, and a reputation of being a solid company. Unlike a decade ago we live in an age where marketing and communication are very important.  In the eighties and nineties companies where growing up with the owners, for both size and production numbers.  At that time much was about reputation, with a balanced growth.  Many of today's famous brands grew up like this, it was a hand to hand owner builder build up, which started in a village, took a regional direction, national, and then international recognition.   

Today on the other hand you rarely see this growth. You can have the super yacht builder starting up with eighty plus footers, or a builder of smaller sub fifteen meters cruisers. That is why sometimes a brand name, even if closed for a few years, sometimes even decades always hold its values, and will have fans turning around and supporting it, even if the product has not yet been released yet.