Two Injured Four Boats Destroyed in Gozo Marina Yacht Fire

A fire which broke out after 03:30 early morning time of Thursday, 25 June, at Mgarr Marina on the Island of Gozo, left two man injured one grievously and another in serious condition, and totalled four boats; three sailing boats and a fourteen meter size flybridge motor cruiser.  The fire is believed to have originated from the flybridge motor cruiser.  Firefighters worked throughout the early hours of the morning to put out the flames.  

Unfortunately the grievously injured 29 year old man did not make it and died to his injuries on eighteen August. 

The flybridge motor cruiser in this fire was a Princess 45, a model build from 1982 up until 1991 sold in over four hundred units.  At launch the 45 was Britain's largest production boat and for three years up until 1985 was also Princess flagship model, over taken by the 55 at the end of 1985.  The Princess 45 was replaced by the 455 model, which was later renamed as 470.

Improve-it = Rio Parana 38

For 2020 Rio starts the year with an update to one of its strongest models, the Parana 38.  The Marino Alfani designed Rio Parana 38 while keeping the same hull lines, gets a full update to its windscreen and hardtop, and a new stern design.  The hard top now is a fully integrated and extended design and follows similar line to those of the larger 44 and 56 models.  For the rest the new 2020 version of the Parana 38 keeps the great features of the first model, with two options for the midships cabin, standard in three berths or a master stateroom bed looking to aft layout.  Another great feature of the Rio Parana 38 is its 9.98 registry length to a thirteen meter plus overall length.  The Rio Parana 38 is standard powered by twin Volvo 300hp with stern drive propulsion.

www.rioyachts.net

Project: Fiart 52 Open

Fiart return to its roots and presents the 52 Open, a new version for the 52 which launched in 2017 as a fully enclosed with patio door coupe hard top model.  The main difference of the 52 Open will be that this will be a no hard top model, but Fiart also redesigned the cockpit with the double dinette; one inside and other outside, replaced by a large dinette and a chaise lounge to port side of the helm station.   For the below the 52 Open brings the features of the standard model as the three double cabins interior, with full beam midships owners stateroom.  The Fiart 52 is powered by twin Volvo 600hp with forward IPS pod drives.

www.fiart.com

Sea Ray Boat Fire on Tennessee River

A seven meter Sea Ray sport cruiser with two persons onboard went on fire in the Tennessee River, near Downtown Knoxville at about 15:30 hours of Sunday 21 June.  Knoxville Fire Department responded to the fire, saving the two persons onboard first, and then towing the boat to safety.  There were no injuries from the fire, and the causes of the blaze are under investigation.  The Sea Ray sport cruiser became a total wrecked loss from the fire as it fully burned down.

The Sea Ray boat in this fire looks to be a 230 Weekender model, as produced from 1985 up to 1988.  The Sea Ray 230 Weekender came out as a replacement to the 225 Express Cruiser, and was replaced by the 240 Sundancer in 1989.

Maiora New Web Site

Maiora from Italy updates its World wide web showroom to a new platform.  Located in what is known as the global Yacht building capital, in Viareggio Italy, Maiora was founded in 1971 a  model line name Intercantieri of Viareggio gives to its motor cruisers and yachts from eleven to 25 meters.  In 1988, Fipa which was founded in 1980 by still today owner Franceso Guidetti, acquired Intercantieri and the Maiora name.  Guildetti entered the boating business in 1970 building fibreglass hulls and parts for third parties.  Today Gruppo Fipa apart Maiora consists of three other brands; AB Yachts, CBI Navi, and Intermare, this last being a metal carpentry division.  All the Fipa brands are located in Italy, Tuscany in or close to Viareggio. Maiora had a lot of success in the nineties and early two thousand with the clean and modern design done in cooperating with Roberto del Re proving to be very successful, especially with the 1992 launched 20 model which was produced for over two decades and delivered in over eighty units with very minor changes. Today the Maiora range consists of eight models from a new upcoming 20 S model to a 46 Royale flagship, styled by Gruppo Fipa design department with Quartostile giving design consultations.  Quartostile took collaborative design duties with Maiora in 2016, taking over from Roberto del Re who assisted from the founding in 1971 up till 2015. The Maiora new web site is available in English and Italian language and takes you around with the following buttons; Company, Custom Concept, Yachts, Services, and Contacts.

www.maiora.it

Production History;

45 1975-78  Roberto del Re design/Intercantieri ownership

38 1875-78

53 1976-83

40 1979-83

50 1977-81

60 1980-85

53 S 1982-84 *53 project

Offshore 55 1986-89

57 1986-90

70 1986-90 *65 project 

85 1986-91

22 1991-92  Fipa ownership

23 1993-94

20 1993- (80) *includes S version

25 DP 1996-98 (2)

25 1997 (1)

31 DP 1998-2014 (18)

26 1998-2006 (11)

20 S 2000-15

24 2000-06 (6)

26 2001-12 (11)

28 DP 2001 (1)

29 DP 2001-06 (6)

24 S 2003-15 (12)

27 2004-14 (15)

43 2005 (1)

38 DP 2005-08

33 DP 2006-09 (5)

32 DP 2008 (1)

35 DP 2009-10

27 S 2010-13 (3)

29 Convertible 2012 (1) 

29 2012-16 (5)

33 FB 2016 (1)

36 FB 2017-19 (2)

36 X DP 2018 (2)

30 WA 2020- (9  Next Group ownership

35 Exuma 2020- (5

30 Convertible 2021-

Ten People Rescued from Sinking Sport Cruiser in Traverse Bay

Ten people where rescued from a nine meter Maxum sports cruiser which started sinking in North Michigan Grand Traverse Bay just before 14:30 hours of Friday nineteen June. The US Coast Guard turned to the scene with a helicopter and a rescue boat, with a Coast Guard man jumping to the water from the helicopter and helping the shocked boaters swim to a near good boater in a larger sport cruiser assisting and transporting the ten distressed crew before the Maxum cruiser sank in 76 meters of water.  The cause of the sinking is not reported, with the sank sport cruiser recovered by a hobby diver Dusty Kilfman in the first week of September.

The Maxum sport cruiser in this sinking is a 2800 SCR as produced from 1997 to 2000.  The 2800 SCR, replaced the bit larger and wider 2700 SCR, and was renamed as the 2900 SCR and then 2900 SE with minor cosmetic changes involving the radar arch, produced a total in all three versions for nine years.

The saving sport cruiser is a Cruisers 4270 Esprit as produced from 1997 to 2003.  The 4270 Esprit/Express came out as a flagship of Cruiser's Esprit sport cruiser line and as a replacement to the different 4285 Express Bridge, replaced in 2003 by the 440 Express.

Sport Cruiser Damaged in Malta Summer Storm

A six meter Bayliner cuddy cabin sport cruiser finished on the rocks in Malta in the North Western coast of the island an area called Bahar ic-Caghaq, snapping its swing mooring after strong North East winds reached the Mediterranean island on the early morning of twentieth June.   Swing mooring are popular in Malta during the Summer months, and all are made in protected bays, which are usually exposed to one or two winds which are not so frequent in Summer.  The particular area where this cuddy cruiser was located, is exposed to the North East winds which are not so frequent in Summer.

The Bayliner in this accident is a 2052 Capri LS build from 1996 till the late nineties.

Project: Horizon CC98

A loyal Horizon yacht owner has ordered his latest dream yacht, a special build from the Taiwan yacht builder Custom Collection, a CC98. This is fourth Horizon vessel for the experienced Australian owner, who requested specific and somewhat challenging details drawn from the best aspects of his previous vessels, including accommodations for a helicopter as well as a submarine.  An adventurous yachtsman who enjoys cruising to remote locations, the owner, having previously owned a CC80, an E84 and an E88, requested that his new yacht feature an exterior style similar to the Horizon E Series yachts. He also liked the interior space and natural light afforded by the FD Series and approached the yard with a request for a combination of both. Thus, this new CC98 will boast a unique exterior profile, with expansive windows and a spacious interior with seven meters beam.  To accommodate a touch-and-go helipad, the entire superstructure of this new vessel will be constructed of carbon fiber composite, which not only guarantees strength and structural integrity for the helipad but also considers hull performance and efficiency by significantly reducing the weight of the upper decks.  To accommodate either a submarine or a large inflatable up to seven meters of size on the deck, the enclosed sky lounge will be positioned forward an additional two meters. 4 tons and 1.5 ton lifting cranes will be incorporated to manage the launch and retrieval of such large pieces of equipment. This yacht also features a telescoping mast and radar arch to navigate the low bridges in Australia.  Within the spacious interior, guests will be accommodated in five staterooms including a full-beam, on-deck master suite. A large galley area is positioned aft on the main deck to facilitate dining either on the aft deck or at the interior dining table. Relaxation and entertaining areas are found throughout and the fore-deck has been designed to accommodate a jacuzzi and large sun-pad.  Great consideration was given to the engine selection so as to accommodate long-range and efficient cruising. With this in mind, commercial-grade MTU engines have been chosen. The ZF trailing gearboxes are designed for full redundancy and to enable the ability to run on one motor, which reduces fuel burn and engine hours. Lithium-ion battery packs will also be installed to offset the house functions such as air conditioning and general electricity. The fuel capacity has also substantially increased to 24600 liters.  Currently under construction and on schedule to deliver to her owner in early 2021, the new Horizon CC98 will easily provide the owner the opportunity to travel to the world’s most remote locations with his family, friends and favorite toys. This fourth Horizon is a dream super yacht for an owner who appreciates the exceptional quality, proven functionality, and opportunities for customization and innovation that Horizon offers with its Custom Collection platform.

www.horizonyacht.com

Howard Arneson 1921 - 2020

Howard Arneson has passed away at the age of 99, on June 16 at 2200 hours. His today world famous Arneson surface drives were first developed in offshore racing in 1980. The system allows the propeller to run partially above the the water line which in turn creates less drag.  Unlike previous invented surface drives the Arneson Surface Drive could also steer and trim, with previous similar inventions being fixed units and with rudders. After first testing the drives on an 18 Arena Craft, Arneson purchased a 38 wooden Cougar Cat to prove their worth.  Arneson driven by Tony Garcia, won nine races and two World Championships.  The system was also used on fast sport cruisers and yachts, with the first builders to commercial use the system being Italian builder Baia and American Magnum.  In 1992 Twin Disc acquired the rights to distribute and manufacture the Arneson Surface Drvies.  Arneson held eighteen patents for his various inventions, his most commercially successful was the Arneson Pool Sweep.  Legendary golfer Arnold Palmer promoted the product in the 1970’s.  Arneson was born May 25 1921 in Benicia, California, he died June 16 2020 in San Rafael, California.  Howard Arneson died of natural causes.

New Model: Hunt Ocean 63

Hunt present the new Ocean 63 a traditional inspired flybridge motor yacht offering speed and performance in many sea conditions, thanks to a tried and tested deep Vee hull.  The Hunt Ocean 63 comes with choices from the interior available in wood selections of cherry, teak or mahogany, to a number of versatile layouts with galley up or down, three or four cabins plus a crew cabin. The Hunt Ocean 63 is a warm extension of home that welcomes friends and family aboard allowing owners to experience a build process only seen at super yacht level.  The Hunt Ocean 63 is build to American Bureau of Shipping certification standards, and shares the same hull design and handling characteristics of military and North American pilot sister ships. The 20 degree transom dead rise on the deep-V hull form has been patented, popularized, and perfected by C. Raymond Hunt Design studio for ocean performance, sea kindliness and comfort.  Powered by twin Volvo 1000hp with IPS pod drives as propulsion the Hunt Ocean 53 reaches top speed up to 31 knots.

Technical Data:

LOA - 21.18 m (69.6ft)

Waterline Length - 17.44 m

Beam - 5.48 m

Draft - 1.27 m

Displacement - 35380 kg dry

Fuel Capacity - 3785 l

Water Capacity - 1135 l

Accommodation - six berths in three cabins, or eight berths in four cabins, or four berths in two cabins, one crew cabin berth

Engines - 2 x Volvo D13 1000hp

Propulsion Volvo forward looking IPS1350 dual propeller pod drives

Speed - 31 knots max 28 knots cruise

Hull Shape - deep Vee with twenty degrees dead rise aft

Project - C. Raymond Hunt and Associates

Certification - ABS

www.huntyachts.com