New Model: Gulf Craft 55 Nomad

Gulf Craft continue to expand its Nomad explorer yacht range with the introduction for a new 55 feet entry level model.  The new 55 Nomad impresses for the spaces it offers in all areas, for a yacht which measures just seventeen meters in over all length.  A prime example in this is its four cabin lower deck layout, an unusual feat for a yacht with this size.  But also other impressive best in size spacious areas like the flybridge and fore-deck area.  The 55 Nomad as the picture above shows also features opening side balconies to aft.  Power is twin 690hp or optional 800hp units.

Technical Data:

LOA - 17.6 m (57.9ft)

Beam - 5 m

Draft - 1.3 m

Displacement - 28 t

Fuel Capacity - 3100 l

Water Capacity - 570 l

Accommodation - 6/8 guests berths in 4 cabins, 2 crew in 1 berth

Engines - 2 x 690hp, 800hp

Propulsion - line shaft

Speed - 25 knots max with twin 690hp

Hull Shape - semi planning

Project - Andrew Wolstenholme

www.gulfcraftinc.com

Project: Princess S60

Princess presents the project for a new S60, smallest and third model to come for its sport bridge range.  Designed as all new Princess by the team of Bernard Olesinski the S60 will feature a three double cabins two head lower deck accommodation layout.  Main deck will be an all living affair with an astern galley design.  The sport bridge as is in all the Princess is of a visible design, and offers a C-shade dinette at the back, dual seat helm station, wet-bar, and L-shaped lounger looking forward.  Power options are twin Cats 1000hp or optional Man 1200hp engines giving max speeds up to 38 knots. 

www.princessyachts.com

New Model: Ferretti 450

With the new 450, Ferretti is marking a return to building a sub fifty feet entry level flybridge motor cruiser and possibly trying to follow the success of the 2004 till 2008 produced 460, which is its best sold model to date.  As is usual from Ferretti, the 450 is a top level model in its segment with the usual low profile flybridge design associated with the brand.  The 450 is offered in a two or three cabin layout.  The third bunk twin berth of the three cabins layout eats space from the VIP forward room, which loses its beauty desk to starboard and will feature a smaller shower head to port.  Power options are twin Cummins 425hp or optional 480hp units.   

Technical Data:

LOA - 14.2 m (46.7ft)

Hull Length - 13.2 m

Waterline Length - 11.3 m

Beam - 4.34 m

Draft - 1.25 m

Displacement - 14000 kg unloaded, 17300 kg loaded

Fuel Capacity - 1400 l

Water Capacity - 600 l

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

Max Persons - 12

Engines - 2 x Cummins QSB 6.7 425hp, 480hp

Propulsion - V-drive line shaft

Speed - 31 knots max 27 knots cruise with Cummins 480hp

Range - 250 nm at best fast cruise

Hull Shape - warped Vee with spray rails and 16.8 degrees deadrise aft 

Project - Zuccon exterior and interior layout, Ferretti Engineering for naval architecture

Certification - CE 2003/44 B, Rina documents B+F+Aa (sound emissions) 

www.ferretti-yachts.com

Project: Viking 37 Billfish

Here is the project for a new Viking 37 Billfish, which is in reality a new badge and a lightly modified Ocean Yachts with the same name launched in 2008 and proving itself as a popular model since.  The story goes like this, when the neighboring Ocean Yachts went bankrupt at the end of 2015,  and the subsequent sale to Dr.Troicki this year, Viking bought the molds of this model. The Viking 37 Billfish will be powered by twin 550hp Cummins on shafts, a big alternative to the five power options offered on the Ocean which also included the choice of IPS pod propulsion.  As the Ocean, the Viking 37 Billfish will also feature two option for the interior layout, with choice of an island double or three berths forward.  Design wise the difference I can note in the project is a new side window profile.  With the new Bertram 35 finalizing production and this rebooted challenge from Viking we might see a new niche in this size for classic looking sport-fish yachts at around eleven meters in size.

www.vikingyachts.com

New Model: Cruisers 54 Cantius

Since coming out with the Cantius range Cruisers have been upgrading its range to a more modern Euro design, and here after the good reviews of the 60 flagship, the US builder launches a smaller looking very similar 54 sister.  Designed as the 60 by Patrizio Facheris, the 54 Cantius impresses for its modern design, and its latest accommodation solutions.  Standard layout for the 54 Cantius is a three double cabin interior with full beam midships owners room, a forward VIP, and a bunk third cabin.  An option is to replace the third bunk cabin into a lounge with sofa and entertainment unit opposite. The living on the 54 Cantius is all located on the main deck, with an astern galley and exterior to interior merging into one large space.  Cruisers new 54 Cantius is powered by twin Volvo 725hp engines and IPS pod propulsion which give max speeds up to 37 knots.  

Technical Data:

LOA - 16.2 m (53.4ft)

Beam - 5.02 m

Draft - 1.32 m

Displacement - 19504 kg unloaded, 22226 kg loaded

Fuel Capacity - 1892 l

Water Capacity - 567 l

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

Engines - 2 x Volvo D11 725hp

Propulsion - Volvo forward looking dual propeller IPS pod drives

Speed - 37 knots max, 25 knots economic fast cruise

Range - 285 nm at cruise

Project - Facheris Yacht Design

www.cruisersyachts.com

Project: Bayliner 642

For 2017 Bayliner is presenting a new design to the 642. Part of Bayliner's Overnighter line up the 642 has been ongoing production since 2013, and for 2017 comes with a complete new design.  The new 642 features more classic looks, has a more integrated swim platform, and will also feature direct stern cockpit access instead of passing over your sun-pad.  For the remain the 642 should be based on the hull of 2015 model with similar dimensions.  

www.bayliner.com

Web: Karnic New Web Site

Karnic powerboats from Limassol Cyprus presents its new website.  Founded in 1993 Karnic has since its inception grown into an interesting motor boat builder, and receiving over the years a lot of acclaims.  For a company which started exporting in 1998, and has concentrated production on the smaller sub ten meter sizes Karnic had interesting growth pattern focused on efficiency rather then building bigger boats. In 2002 Karnic also received the Export Achievement Award, with its dealer presense growing a lot in the subsequent 2012 years.  Currently Karnic builds sixteen models divided into six line ups; Smart1, Bluewater, Open, SL, Storm, and Cruiser.  Karnic models starts from the fiftteen feet of the Smart1-48 to the 33 feet of the 2965 Cruiser. Karnic new website takes you around with the following buttons; Discover, Dealer Networks, News and Events, Downloads, Communication, and Karnic Owners.  

www.karnicboats.com

New Model: Sunseeker 95 Yacht

The just launched 95 Yacht is one of the most awaited models from Sunseeker in recent times, positioning itself as a direct competitor to the Ferretti 960, Azimut Grande 95 RPH, and Sanlorenzo SL96.  What do these yachts have in common to each other?  They are all about 28 meters in length, have a waterline of less then 24 allowing piloting with a standard yacht master licence, and all feature a raised pilot house design which gives an owners cabin on the main deck.  This is in short words the new 28 meter raised pilot house class.  Presented as a project last year the 95 Yacht was launched in mid Spring 2016, and is based on the 28 Meter Yacht hull.  Hull one was sold last July and delivered to its owner in August.   

Technical Data:

LOA - 28.06 m (92.1ft)

Beam - 6.55 m

Draft - 2.13 m

Displacement - 84700 kg half load

Fuel Capacity - 12000 l
Water Capacity - 1750 l

Accommodation - ten guests in five cabins, 4 crew in 2 cabins

Engines - 2 x 1950hp

Propulsion - line shaft in tunnels for propellers

Speed - 28 knots max, 24 knots cruise

Range - 1250 nautical miles at efficient cruise

Construction - hand laid fiberglass with Vinilester resin skin coat and powder pound mat, balsa cored hull topsides, PVC cored super structure

www.sunseeker.com

Improve-it = Fairline 65 Squadron

New spirit at Fairline means that the company is more attentive to the market, and so the Oundle based British boat builder heads to the Cannes boat show with the presentation for a new flybridge hard-top option for its current most popular best selling Squadron model the 65. It is an important option, which has worked well with Fairline's long standing 78 Squadron flagship, and should prove popular also on the 65.  The hard-top covers a large portion of the 65 Squadron flying bridge and will have a canvas sliding roof, and adjustable mood lighting. 

www.fairline.com

Sophisticated

With boats turning out to be always more sophisticated to previous years it is interesting to see if small and medium capacity boat builders can cope with such a more demanding market.  Are niche clients still existent to support such boat builders as in the past. The answer is a timely one, but we are surely entering challenging times for small capacity known brands with the market again slowly expanding and trying to find its feet again as it was more or less a decade ago.

Now that the market is again growing to acceptable levels some names will return, others will be producing more from a couple builds to double digits, and the strong international brands those who invested in Research and Design have for sure a step ahead.  

Few years back the big production builder had the perfection which number and repeated build brings.  The others usually got clients for respecting tradition, customization, hand building and a boat build for going at sea even though not spacious as the known by everyone production builder. Examples still following this come from the Sportfishing and Explorer Trawler style type, even though this last one is getting some of the strong European builders creating a new modern style.  
On the other side of the boating World, the European Mediterranean yacht has since the Dolce Vita time of the sixties, reinvented itself, and gaining more speed in the turn of the new millennium, with details as full beam owners cabin, pod propulsion, large endless windows, and higher hulls being a standard recipy nowadays to bring interest even at around or over the fifteen meters size.

So it will be interesting how small semi sized builders will react when the market that they knew past six-seven years ago has changed a lot