Project: Sunreef 44 Ultima

During the fall 2022 Sunreef presented its new Ultima range, first with a 55 and now with this smaller 44, which was first announced as a 45. The Sunreef Ultima range presents itself as a fast power catamaran range, designed with hybrid propulsion showing Francis Lapp leadership in offering forward thinking catamarans of all types.  The Sunreef 44 Ultima will offer a large aft deck with openable side bulk heads extending size by about fifty per cent in this area.  Living is to be under the hard-top on the main deck, with a dinette to port side and galley opposite, with dual seat central console helm station forward.  Accommodation is located below with the two hull offering identical double berths with a private shower head layout.  Sunreef has not announced any engine data or performance numbers for its Ultima range, although the photos show them going fast and press releases call them as eco-speedsters, so imagine speed above thirty knots for this 44 Ultima.   

www.sunreef.com

Flybridge Cruiser Sinks in Manfredonia

A fourteen meter flybridge cruiser titled m/y Antonella under Italian flag partially sank while moored and unattended at the yacht marina in Manfredonia, on Italy's eastern Adriatic coast on the early morning of July tenth.  The flybridge cruiser was later in the day recovered, by the Mandredonia marina yacht yard.  Some unconfirmed reports are saying the flybridge cruiser sank from a failing generator raw water inlet.

The flybridge cruiser in this sinking is an Ars Mare Advantage 140 as designed by Fulvio de Simoni and produced from 1994 till about 2004.  The Ars Mare Advantage 140 was updated with a sleeker radar arch and other modifications in the year 2000.  Unfortunately Ars Mare stopped producing in around 2007 which is a pity cause it build solid and nice cruisers.

New Model: Vicem 65 Classic Flybridge

Turkish boatbuilder Vicem Yachts has a new addition to its strong fleet of cruisers and yachts with the new 65 Classic Flybridge going into the water. The Vicem 65 Classic Flybridge prides itself on a timeless design inspired to DownEast lobster boats, total customization from construction in fiberglass or cold moulding and shafts or IPS pod propulsion, and excellence in craftsmanship. Those three characteristics run throughout its fleet, but perhaps nowhere are they more evident than aboard this new 65 Classic Flybridge.  This twenty meter Vicem offers an accommodation with two plus one stateroom layout, with an owners amidships master stateroom anda VIP suite forward.  In between the two suites is a galley and a dining/lounge room, with this dinette converting into an enclosed third cabin complete with sliding doors for privacy.  The Vicem 65 Classic Flybridge main deck has a massive, full-teak cockpit with an L-shaped settee and a second dining table for alfresco dinners. The salon has another L-shaped settee, plus additional seating, and excellent natural light thanks to large windows. The two spaces are connected via a door with a frameless, electric window that creates a feeling of openness and continuity. An aft galley in the salon has a small bar area with a sink, icebox, and icemaker that services two alfresco Besenzoni bar stools. Throughout all of these areas, Vicem’s trademark woodwork is on display. The builder relies on years of Turkish craftsmanship to produce beautifully appointed woods which are hard to find in the industry.  As for the boat’s namesake flybridge, there is a wetbar and barbecue, a third L-shaped settee, which can convert into a sunpad and the second outdoor helm.  The first Vicem 65 Classic Flybridge was powered by twin Volvo 725hp with line shaft propulsion which give a twenty knots top speed, though bigger 1000hp engines fitted IPS pod drives will take wide open throttle speeds to 32 knots.  Another feature of this hull #one is a Lithium battery set up which can operate the boat for fifteen hours with the use of generator.

Technical Data:

LOA - 20.10 m (65.9ft)

Hull Length - 18.45 m

Beam - 5.50 m

Draft - 1.70 m

Displacement - 40,000 kg half load

Fuel Capacity - 4000 l

Water Capacity - 830 l

Max Persons - thirteen

Accommodation - six berths in three cabins, optional crew cabin berth

Engines - 2 x Volvo D11 725hp, D13 1000hp optional

Propulsion - line shaft V-drives, Volvo IPS forward looking dual propeller pod drives

Speed - 20 knots max 14 cruise Volvo 725hp line shafts, up to 32 knots max 26 cruise with Volvo 1000hp and IPS pod drives

Range - 300 nm at fourteen knots with Volvo's 725hp

Construction - fiberglass E-glass  Vinilester polyester resins, hull bottom in monolithic and sides in PVC foamcore and vaccum bagged same to top sides, optional cold moulding wood with fiberglass available

Project - Vicem

Certification - ABYC, CE B

www.vicemyachts.com

Eight meter Sport Cruiser Burns in Rocchette Tuscany

A eight meter sports cruiser titled m/y Madimar under Italian flag with two persons on board burned down and eventually sank in front of the bay of Rocchette, in Castiglione dell Pescaia, Tuscany, Italy just after 10:00 hours of Sunday ninth July.  No injuries where sustained to the two persons onboard, assisted by two military personnel who where patrolling the whereabouts in that moment. The Guardia Costiera has later interviewed the two persons about the fire sinister, and requesting to recover the sunk wreck being it is a pollutant with fuel and resin.

The boat in this is fire is a Mano Marine 25 Sport as build in the noughties. Founded in 1990 by Rosario Colella in Naples, Mano Marine will close its doors in 2013.

Colombo New Web Site

Colombo presents its new website.  Founded by Giacomo Colombo in 1956, he signs the yard as custom in Italy in those times with his surname.  Born 1931 and passionate about boats Giacomo starts to work in ship building as an apprentice, moving to work with Abbate and then with Cranchi, up until 1956 when he decides to go on his own.  He starts with a boat service centre Colombo Menaggio which in 1962 becomes the Riva Boat Service of Mennagio, assisting and servicing the famous runabouts from Sarnico. In 1969 along with long time friend Antonio Ornelli, Giacomo starts series production first in wood, then offering models in both wood and fibreglass, to switch totally to the new material of the time by the end seventies. Colombo was acquired by the Sarnico Group in Summer 2007. The current Colombo range offers eleven models and starts from the 25 Super Indios and goes up to the 40 Bellagio. Colombo was also a pioneer for fitting out its sports cruisers with mahogany finish outside but structurally build of fiberglass. The models offered in this finish are the 32 Romance, the first built in this technique introduced in the mid nineties and the 25 Super Indios. Colombo new website takes you around with the following buttons: Philosophy, Models, Dealers, and Store. Colombo is also on social media with links at the bottom of the page taking you to its Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages.   

www.colomboboats.it

Production History:

Super Rocket 6,15 m 1963 (4)

18 Super Indios 1971-

22 Super Indios 1972-

Super Indios 19 1979-86

29 Racing 1979-

27 Antibes 1981-93

31 Super Indios 1982-

Blue Shore 41 Sport 1982-

Blue Shore 41 Yacht 1983-

36 1984-

33 1986-96

25 Vantage

21 Super Indios

32 Aliante 1989-

41 Blue Shore Special 1989-

38 1991-

48 Miami 1992-96 (4)

26 Vantage 1994-

34 Virage 1997-

Verve 43 1998-

37 Alldays 2009-11 Sarnico ownership starts/Nuvolari Lenard design

26 Bellagio 2010-

36 Bellagio 2011-22

39 Alldays 2012-

32 Tender 2012-

40 Bellagio 2023-

Flybridge Cruiser Goes Ablaze in Gozo Marina

A fourteen meter flybridge cruiser titled m/y Tiffany went ablaze in Mgarr marina Gozo, at around 18:30 hours of Saturday eight July.  The owners had just boarded the fourteen meter flybridge cruiser when it went on fire.  Malta Civil Protection from a boat and the marina pontoon controlled and then contained the fire onboard the vessel and with the help from Mgarr Marina personnel also stopped it from spreading to other vessels, with the only Gozo island yacht harbour being particularly busy in Summer weekends, and a Saturday evening in July.   One of the fire fighters fighting the blaze was treated for injuries.  The cause of the fire are not reported, though an investigation is underway. The same Mgarr Marina had a big fire involving four boats in the early morning of June 25 2020 which unfortunately left one person dead.

The flybridge cruiser in this fire is an Enterprise Marine EM46, as produced since 1998.  Enterprise Marine was founded by Nevio Forcellini Mazzoni in 1984. 

Rybovich Yacht Collision South to Martha's Vineyard Island

A sixteen meter custom Rybovich sportfish yacht collided with a twelve meter express sportfish cruiser titled m/y Salty Seas, south of Martha's Vineyard island to the North of New York on the morning of Saturday eight July.  According to reports the Rybovish yacht was fast cruising at about twenty knots in poor visibility, while the smaller express sportfish cruiser was fighting a tuna.  Luckily no one was injured in this collision, with the above Rybovich suffering the worst outcome, with important hull breach of about eight meters to its starboard side.  Salty Seas the other boat in the collision suffered a disintegrated pulpit, outrigger damage, and some minor fiberglass dings.  The sixteen meter Rybovich was later towed and taken to a yard for an evaluation of the damage.  A couple months later Michael Rybovich reported on his monthly newsletter that the yacht was destined for scrap even though he offered to save her, with the insurance not getting it that she could be saved.

The Rybovich in this collision is the 54 hull #123 from 2007 and launched as Lizzy Bee.  Build for a repeat Rybovich customer, this was his fourth, and is currently in his fifth with the 64 Walkaround hull #1 of the Micheal Rybovich and Sons era which replaced this 54.  Founded in 1919 and building its first boat in 1947 Rybovich from Florida is considered as one of the most exclusive and prestigious custom sportfish builders.

The other express in the collision m/y Salty Seas is an Albermarle 410 Express as produced since 2002, currently renamed as 41 Custom Carolina Edition.

Sea Ray Sport Cruiser Ends Aground in Lake Ozarks

A twelve meter Sea Ray sport cruiser ended aground in Lake of the Ozarks 8mm West side on the morning of Saturday eight July.  This freak accident is not fully reported but by the way the Sea Ray cruiser ended aground, with most of the hull out of the water it probably was under way at a bit of speed.  The released anchor was made there for safety.  The Sea Ray cruiser was not removed up until two days after the accident, which probably looks like the damage is worse then it looks.  Lake of the Ozarks is in the Missouri region, in the centre of the United States of America.

The Sea Ray in this accident is a second generation 420 Sundancer model produced from 2003 till 2006, from 2004 with the hard-top as this unit.  The 420 Sundancer evolved into the 44 Sundancer in the fall of 2006 with the visible difference being the addition of three vertical port holes in the hull sides.

One Man Injured in Boat Fire at Edgar Evins Marina

One man was treated for severe smoke and heat inhalation injuries after a boat fire which developed on his ten meter sport cruiser in Edgar Evins Marina, DeKalb County, Tennessee at around 21:30 hours of Friday seven July.  DeKalb County Fire Department and Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad responded to the fire, with the boat first burning away from other boats, but then unfortunately after burning its mooring lines drifted to pier C, and minor damaged four other boats until the fire fighting crew attached a tow line and towed her away to a safe area near the shore.  The injured man aboard the boat was first treated by Edgar Evins State Park rangers and DeKalb County Emergency Medical Services before being transported by air medical helicopter for advanced care.  An investigation on the fire is ongoing by the US Army Corps of Engineers, with some unofficial reports stating the fire started from a short in the air-conditioning unit.

The boat in this fire is a Wellcraft 3400 Express as produced from 1985 till 1992.  The 3400 Express was initially launched as the 3400 Gran Sport in the second half of 1983, with the main difference coming for sloop styled bathing platform.  The Wellcraft 3400 Gran Sport was replaced by the 3500 Corsair in 1992.

Project: Astondoa AX8

Since April Astondoa has started a campaign for the launch of its next upcoming model the AX8.  The AX8 apart being a new model will also be a fresh range and style for Astondoa, and what looks in these initial renderings as an explorer inspired motor yacht with huge exterior stern spaces.  The Astondoa AX series looks set to challenge the likes of Sanlorenzo SX series, ISA Extra, and Sunseeker Ocean line.  So far Astondoa is very quiet on details on a yacht which might do its official debut in the fall 2023 boat shows.

www.astondoa.com