Project: VanDutch 56

VanDutch present the project for a new 56 set to replace the 55. Outside very little has changed but the 56 might have a slightly longer windscreen.  The most visible changes will come in the cockpit deck, which now will feature a wet-bar to starboard, while the two L-shaped settees stay but are now independent and do not integrate with the forward settees.  Another difference will come in the helm station now featuring a glass station looking upright.  The lower deck layout will offer more flexibility now available in four different versions; Lounge and Daybed, Lounge and Master Cabin, Secondary Sleeper and Daybed, and Secondary Sleeper and Master Cabin.  These layouts vary from a very open area sleeping two, to a two cabin version which sleeps four.   All versions have one head, and a galley and dinette in between the cabins or between to the lounge areas.  The VanDutch 56 is to be powered by twin Volvo 900hp with shaft drives delivering top speeds up to 38 knots.  

www.vandutch.com

New Model: Absolute Navetta 68

Absolute continue to expand and with this new 68, the fifth model in the Navetta range which today expands from 48 to the 73 flagship model.  The Navetta 68 is also Absolute third in size model, and sees the North Italian brand make an important presence above the twenty meter size, filling the gap between the 62 and 73 models, and offering a slightly smaller alternative to the flagship in a similar four cabin layout.  There is a lot of things to like, but its four cabin layout seems really coming from a motor yacht about two meters larger.  But do not be mistaken the Abolsute Navetta 68 is also a revolution of space and size on the main deck, and the flybridge. The 68 Navetta is also one of the few models in this class and size that has stayed true to an astern galley layout.  Performance wise the Absolute Navetta 68 is powered from twin Volvo 900hp or optional 1000hp engines.  Hull one was equipped with the smaller 900hp units and delivered an interesting top speed of 25 knots and a cruise of 20.  A long range speed of ten knots gives about 600 nautical miles of autonomy, which is good but not spectacular when you have a name and the looks of an explorer yacht.         

Technical Data:

LOA - 20.52 m (67.4ft)

Beam - 5.62 m

Draft - 1.72 m

Displacement - 53 t 

Fuel Capacity - 3500 l

Water Capacity - 910 l   

Max Persons - 16

Accommodation - eight guest berths in four cabins, four crew in two cabins

Engines - 2 x Volvo D13 900hp, or D13 1000hp

Propulsion - Volvo forward looking IPS1200 or IPS1350 dual propeller pod drives

Speed - 25 knots max 20 knots cruise 10 knots economic long range with Volvo 900hp engines

Range - 600 nm at ten knots

Project - Absolute research lab

Certification - CE B

www.absoluteyachts.com

Two Injured as Boat Crashes in Garda Lake Italy

A man and woman where injured as a seven meter sport boat collided into a rocky beach near the Tower of Benaco, in the Pozzolo area of the Garda Lake, Verona at about 08:00 morning time of Wednesday fourth September.  Italian Carabinieri, Guardia Costiera, and Vigili dell Fuoco attended to the scene, as they where followed by a helicopter from the 118 squad, and two ambulance vehicles.  The 27 year old woman in yellow code was taken to a clinic in Pederazoli, while the thirty year old man was helicopter transported to a hospital in Trento.  Ultimately the cuddy cabin sport cruiser was transported to a nearby boat yard.  The cause of the accident is under investigation.

The boat in this collision is an A. Mostes Venere 23.4 as produced in the late nineties.  The Venere 23.4 was a replacement to the 24 Venere, and was replaced by the 25 Venere.

Hurricane Dorian

Hurricane season has arrived and it seems to have started with a blast.  Dorian was the first major hurricane of 2019, and started to form in August 24 first as Tropical storm, and then moving to Lesser Antilles in August 28 and developing as a hurricane.  On August 31 Dorian became category four, and the day after it reached category five, reaching sustained winds of 185 mph, and a low pressure of 910 millibars.  After reaching category five Dorian slowed down not little remaining nearly stationery on Abaco Islands and the Grand Bahamas island from September 1 to 3, causing extensive damage to the islands, with the high sustained winds, storm surge, and heavy rain fall.  At least thirty people are reported to be death by the havoc of Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas, with thousands of homes destroyed.  Reports are also saying that every single marina in the Grand Bahamas has been destroyed.  Dorian is now directed to Florida though the hurricane has decreased to a Category two.

Propulsion: Volvo DPI

Volvo introduces the new DPI stern drive a replacement to the DPH stern drive in powering the D4 and D6 engines.  The new DPI stern drive is designed around joystick maneuverability with enhanced hydraulic clutch which enables slipping at slow speeds, and full electronic steering.  Servicing has also been improved with seals now being designed for a longer life and interval change of every two years up from a year. 

www.volvopenta.com

New Model: Prestige 420 Flybridge

Prestige present its second generation 420 Flybridge model.  The new Prestige 420 features some important changes outside with a different line; fuller bow and larger hull side windows.  But the changes do not stop and also go technical, as it sees this mid size motor cruiser returning to traditional line shaft propulsion, from the previous Volvo IPS pod drive set up.  The Prestige 420 Flybridge features a two cabin layout two head layout, with the main deck presenting an astern galley layout. A single head version is also available replacing the second head with an utility room featuring a washing machine, while various wood choices are available for the interior fittings from Moabi, to Grey Oak, or Wenge.  The flybridge features a stair case to port side with an L-shaped dinette, sun-lounger and wet-bar to starboard, and helm station to port side.  An optional hard-top is available though personally I see it taking away not little from the lines of the 420.  Power for the Prestige 420 will come from twin reliable Cummins 6.7 liter block in 380hp and or optional 420hp engines.  As usual to Prestige an S version with hard top for Coupe lovers is also being produced, watch this spot to have more information on this new model.

Technical Data:  

LOA - 13.06 m (42.9ft)

Hull Length - 11.3 m

Beam - 4.1 m

Draft - 1.1 m

Displacement - 10400 kg light, 14937 kg loaded

Fuel Capacity - 1170 l

Water Capacity - 330 + 95 l optional

Max Persons - ten

Accommodation - four berths in two cabins

Engines - 2 x Cummins QSB 6.7 380hp, 6.7 420hp

Propulsion - line shaft

Speed -30 knots max 22 knots cruise with Cummins 380hp

Project - Garroni, Prestige engineering

Certification - CE B10, C12

www.prestige-yachts.com

Project: Sunreef Power 70

After introducing the new generation 80 Sunreef Power, the Polish catamaran specialist adds another model to its power yacht range. Following the design guidelines of the 80, Sunreef introduces a new 70 Power project. This Power Catamaran yacht will blend generous living spaces, powerful propulsion and extreme seaworthiness for long cruises in ultimate comfort. The yachts dynamic hull and superstructure design stretch the living spaces to the maximum, offering infinite options for a bespoke layout and decor.  The Sunreef Power 70 replaces the long standing 70/75 model which has been a breath of fresh air in the industry for its customization and available options; inside, and in its hull shape, propulsion.

www.sunreef-yachts.com

Out-News is Back with a Change

So in July, PowerYacht refreshed the Out-News section.  The original idea of Out-News was to put more basis to marina talking.  Problems from manufacturers which happen during construction and show during the first uses of the boat, an engine, and or propulsion.  Unfortunately this was hard to come by, while manufacturers mishap do still happen, possibly even more nowadays then yesterday, finding the proof and evidence is another matter.  Especially when a guarantee fix needs to come from those same manufacturers.  Meaning that posting photos on the internet usually does not help your cause.    

Now from July 2019 this has changed and Out-News has become the bringer of news.  And what a bringer it turned out to be with the month of July and August being particular hot in the happenings around the Mediterranean sea.  Couple of accidents happening every week I guess some even being more surprising to others.  

The top news was boats on fire most of which have been old units, but we had a couple sad surprises of news concerning very new craft.  One was the second hull of Dreamline DL30 sinking in its first cruise from Malta to Sardinia.  The accident according to reports was very unfortunate and has nothing to do with the construction of the vessel.  

Interesting to note that this was the second news in a year that a new construction goes total loss, after the Tecnomar Evo 120 caught fire in May at the builders shipyard in Massa Carrara during final fit out.  In past years we had similar accidents, I remember recently that of a  Lurssen in September 2018, and a Benetti in July of 2018 both being super yachts in phase of construction.

So that is some more Out-News for you!

Ferretti Super Yacht in the Rocks

So I cannot say I know much about this accident involving a Ferretti 24 meter super yacht with titled m/y Aldenis and registered under Panamanian flag which crashed into a reef.  This photo appeared in my social media feed on Saturday 31 August, in early afternoon, and beyond that I do not know more.  This is the second accident of this type in 2019 after we had a Princess 23 meter which had a similar but worse damage in Sifnos, Aegean Greek Islands in early July.  By the picture I would say the Ferretti was going at slow displacement speeds.  The location appears Eastern med; Croatia, Greece, or Turkey.  If anyone knows more please advise by leaving a comment in this post section.

The yacht in this collision is a Ferretti 810 RPH as designed by Zuccon and produced from 2003 to 2005 in four units.  The Ferretti 810 RPH was a replacement and soft evolution of the 80 RPH recognizable by the large windows serving the midships owners stateroom and a bit larger extended bathing platform aft, with the model replaced by the 830.

Regal Sport Cruiser Goes Ablaze in Knoxville

A twelve meter Regal sport cruiser titled m/y Chances R with five persons and a dog onboard, caught fire at 06:30 early morning time of Saturday 31 August, on the Tennessee River near Neyland Stadium, in Knoxville.  Knoxville Fire Department responded to the call, with all occupants managing to get off the sport cruiser unharmed, before the sport cruiser was wrecked down by the fire.  The occupants said that early in the morning they smelled smoke fire, which appeared coming off the boat's generator, seeing this they got off-board only for them to see her burn some minutes later.  Knoxville Fire Department later reported that the cause of the fire was indeed the generator.

The boat in this fire is a Regal 4160 Commodore, as produced from 2000 to 01.  The 4160 Commodore came out as a replacement to the 1995 to 99 402 Commodore, and evolved into the 4260 Commodore with a forward looking radar arch and mini T-top in 2002.