Project: Sanlorenzo 50Steel

Sanlorenzo present the 50Steel project, a new entry level in its Steel super yacht range which today offers five models and expands up to a 73 meter project currently inbuild and scheduled to launch in 2025.  The 50Steel comes from a design of Zuccon, the designer of all Sanlorenzo yachts since 2018, what will be an innovative super yacht, especially to what regards sustainable technology, but also a new way of seeing space.  For a first the Sanlorenzo 50Steel is to be equipped with a fuel cell technology which generates onboard yacht electricity with both generators and engines switched off. Another new never seen feature in the 50Steel is a new patented design called HER acronym for Hidden Engine Room, which gives extra space to the owner and his guests.  With HER the 50Steel gains unseen space in the lower deck which goes for the Ocean Lounge which offers over 120 square meters just above the water aft.  This Ocean Lounge will feature three unfolding terraces on three sides; aft, port and starboard, and will lead to a gym-spa area which with a split level design that takes guests to the cabin area forward or the living and lounging of the main deck.  The Sanlorenzo 50Steel has a volume of 499 gross tonnage what will feature five guest suites for ten guests, with crew accommodation for nine in five cabins, and three entertainment areas on each floor.  Power for the 50Steel will come from twin Man 1450hp engines for a top speed of sixteen knots.  The first 50Steel is scheduled for a mid 2024 launch and is reportedly being build for Sanlorenzo boss Massimo Perotti.  

www.sanlorenzoyacht.com

Record Snowfall in Juneau Alaska Sinks Eight Boats

Record snowfall in between thirteen to 25 January in Juneau, Alaska has sunk about eight boats, and damage partly sank some more.  The first heavy snow storm arrived on the thirteen January and that did over half a meter of snowfall in one night.  Since then and for twelve days the storms did not stop, with January 2024 reaching over a meter and half of snow fall, sixteen centimetres less to the record set in January 2009, when 191 centimetres of snowfall was recorded for a whole month.  Of the eight boats that sunk two are pleasure boats, with the rest being mostly commercial fisher-craft.  Some pleasure boats suffered a partial sinking, also because most of these are kept in covered slips as the above picture shows. 

Juneau is located to the South-East of Alaska, in the Gulf of Alaska, bordering to the North with the Bering Sea and to the Pacific Ocean in the South.  Juneau has a population of just over thirty thousand with temperatures that reach twenty degrees Celsius plus in Summer and going to below zero in the Winter months.

New Model: Bolide Yachts 80

The niche market of the super fast sport yacht beyond 24 meters has seen a new interesting player emerge in 2023, with Bolide Yachts first 80 model, what the Italian yacht builder calls the first Hyper Muscle Yacht.  Saying Bolide Yachts is new, is actually an understatement as the man behind the Italian yacht builder, is none other then fast planning hull specialist designer Brunello Acampora, who with his Victory design firm has designed and consulted an endless list of some of the best hulls in the last four decades.  With Bolide Yachts firsty eighty model, Brunello goes a step further creating the fastest yacht above 24 meters in size, which reaches an impressive 73 knots of top speed. For reaching this speed Acampora took four years to design and fine tune the Bolide 80 two stepped deep-Vee hull to match this performance, and going into pain staking detail for a light weight and stiff full carbon fibre construction, and a triple Man 2000hp power designed around a custom surface drives combination.  The Bolide 80 though does not stop with the performance and offers an interesting mix of luxury thrown in, with a design element which is both unique and futuristic in both the exterior and interiors, with the lower deck offering a two double cabins accommodation sleeping five.  The lower deck also offers a separate galley to port side with adjacent crew cabin, and saloon entertainment area which uses the full five meters plus of beam of the hyper muscle yacht.  Interested?  Bolide Yachts 80 is limited to ten builds of one or two hulls a year, with each build being semi-custom, and a price which starts at nine million euros.  Bolide Yachts is planned to have five models in the future with Brunello Acampora having preliminary details drawn in for both a smaller 70 and a larger 170 model nearly finalized.

Technical Data:

LOA - 24.87 m (81.8ft)

Waterline Length - 18.1 m

Beam - 5.40 m

Draft - 0.90 m without running gear, 1.50 m with running gear down 

Displacement - 32.5 t unloaded

Fuel Capacity - 6000 l

Water Capacity - 600 l

Accommodation - four/five guests in two cabins, one crew cabin berth

Engines - 3 x Man V12 2000hp

Propulsion - custom T-drive Flexitab surface drives

Speed - 73 knots max, fifty knots cruise

Range - 500 nautical miles at best cruise

Construction - Mircotex carbon fibre, and special structural Diab cores 

Project - Brunello Acampora Victory design for hull shape, naval architecture and design, Loro Piana interior decor

Certification - CE B

www.bolideyachts.com

PowerYachtBlog Best of 2024 Nominated

Project: Swan Arrow 23.20 m

Swan's motor yacht division was launched in 2021 after a careful study of the market. Leonardo Ferragamo, Chairman of Nautor Group, had been thinking of entering Swan in the power segment for a long time, but he wanted to début with a product able to make a difference, in an already crowded segment.  Ferragamo already entered the motor boating sector with the Camper and Nicholson brand which he bought in 2001 and launched two Ray Hunt designed traditional looking down-East inspired line producing two models a 42 in 2004 and a 50 footer in 2013, with three other projects which went up to a 42 meter super yacht.  The first Swan powerboat was the Shadow which arrived in 2021, followed by the inboard OverShadow 42 in mid 2023. The passion for this adventure, together with the market request have asked for a bigger motorboat leading us to this Swan Arrow project, a 23 meters sport yacht, designed according to the Swan iconic DNA.  Swan Arrow is a sporty and elegant yacht, designed by Jarkko Jamsén, the motor division resident designer, who also penned the two smaller models. With elegant and contemporary design, refined lines and voluminous interior, Swan Arrow is a sport “open” yacht well suited to extended cruising.  To be build in resin infusion with a mix of glass and carbon fibre matrixes the Swan Arrow is a full walk around design, with a fully enclosed hard-top and a spacious walkaround deck plan. The protected cockpit characterized by an opening roof and sliding and pivoting glass door system allows a full panoramic view and an “al fresco” feeling when opened, while remaining cosy, protected and private when closed, perfectly conceived for a yacht designed to enjoy the very best while cruising and at anchor.  Another innovation of the Swan Arrow is the opening platform which becomes a beach area of about fifty squared meters, not floating directly on the water but taken to a higher level thanks to the use of the side openings, altogether creating a real terrace on the sea.  The interior of Swan Arrow displays all the typical details that made Swan yachts iconic, but also introduces new elements and materials.  The space has been maximized offering a “home like” feeling for this 23 meters sport yacht conceived with a two configuration choices of two or three guest cabins.  In the three double cabins layout Arrow accommodates six guests in a captivating space: port side is a dedicated galley, midships full beam master stateroom with a walk-in closet and en-suite; a VIP suite forward, and a twin cabin, both with their own head to create separate and private areas.  The crew quarters for two people is further forward, allowing great privacy for the owners and their guests.  The alternative layout offers two spacious double cabins with a lounge area amidships in between the owners stateroom and forward VIP suite, with a starboard side  saloon with a dedicated dining area and L-shaped sofa taking the spot of the third cabin.  The Swan Arrow is to be powered by standard twin Volvo 1000hp with IPS pod drives for a speed up to thirty knots, with an optional triple set up of the same engine and propulsion which should add an extra ten knots of top speed.

www.nautorswan.com

Sunseeker Yacht Partly Sinks in Haulover

A 22 meter Sunseeker motor yacht partly sank while berthed in a Marina at Haulover, Miami on the late morning of 24th January.  According to reports on social media, the Sunseeker yacht had a sea-cock failure in the forward part of the hull, leading to it partly sinking, with a short video snap showing as rescue operations are underway by Fast Response Marine Towing and Salvage on the Instagram channel Oldhatfishing.  A day later to the accident, on the 25th January the Sunseeker yacht is filmed again, this time by Wavy Boats YouTube channel as its being towed out of Haulover Inlet and into the Atlantic Channel again by Fast Reponse, probably taking her to a yacht yard for repair.

The Sunseeker yacht in this sinking is a 74 Manhattan as designed by Don Shead and produced from 1999 up to 2001.  The 74 Manhattan, was a new entry into Sunseeker's line up as a filler between the 84 and upcoming 64 Manhattan.  In 2002 Sunseeker updated the 74 Manhattan with the Mk.2 version, additional side profile window, and three vertical hull side windows added to serve the midships master stateroom, with the model replaced by the first generation 75 Yacht in the fall of 2003.

The Wandering Hillybilly Aquila Power Cat Ends Aground

A sixteen meter Aquila power catamaran of the YouTube vlog The Wandering Hillybilly and titled with the same name, ended beached in Mountain Trunk Bay, to the West of Virgin Gorda Island on the afternoon of 23 January.  A Vlog on the The Wandering Hillybilly documented the incident, which happened because the yacht broke from its swing mooring, while the owner, i.e. Alan and five guests just swam to shore for a meal at the Sugarcane Restaurant.  As Alan arrived to the beach, who was the last of the group to make the ten minute swim to shore, the guests advised him that the yacht was following him. Seeing this Alan jumped back to save the Aquila catamaran, which at this time was just about ten meters from the beach.  With high risk Alan managed to get onboard, and as soon as he was on his way to the flybridge to save the Power Catamaran, disaster struck as the hull hit the seabed.  Alan still tried the last hope, firing her up and with the starboard engine tried to move her away from the beach, but all was too late, as the yacht was already grounded and beached.  A great moment came after all this with Alan and his guests managing to tie The Wandering Hillybilly in order to avoid her from hitting the rocks located just a meter to aft.  The day later Alan with help from Aquila dealer MarineMax salvaged the power catamaran, taking her to a boat yard in Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda, some three nautical miles South from the beaching accident.  Unfortunately the damage to the Aquila Power cat was more extensive then anticipated, a few holes in the hull, both P-brackets punctured in the hull, severely bent rudders and propellers, and engine room filled with sand and sea-water.

The Wandering Hillybilly is a 2022 Aquila 54 Yacht power catamaran as designed by the Jacep and Jernei Jakopin brothers and produced since 2021.

New Model: Sacs Rebel 50G

In the fall of 2023 Sacs debuted its new Rebel 50G model.  Designed by Christian Grande the Rebel 50G is one of the most complete maxi-ribs ever made, which escapes the narrative of a day boat with over-night accommodation, not because it cannot do that part of use, but also because can also be used as a yacht.  A fully enclosed fifteen meter hard-top the Rebel 50G offers a main enclosed living area with dinette and galley with its lower deck offering two double cabins; master cabin forward, and a twin berth cabin at midships.  An option exists to have the forward cabin replaced by an open entertainment area with J-shaped lounge to port side.  The options on the Sacs Rebel 50G do not stop here, with four options also available for the aft cockpit deck; garage/sun-pad, stern lounge, forward lounge, and free standing.  The Sacs Rebel 50G is powered by twin Volvo 725hp engines with IPS pod drives for top speeds up to 36 knots and a cruise of 28.

Technical Data:

LOA - 15.30 m (50.2ft)

Beam - 5.05 m

Draft - 0.83 m, 1.30 m with propellers

Displacement - 23 t

Fuel Capacity - 2 x 940 l

Water Capacity - 450 l

Max Persons - eighteen

Accommodation - four berths in two cabins, one cabin with convertible open lounge

Engines - 2 x Volvo D11 725hp

Propulsion - Volvo IPS forward looking dual propeller pod drives

Speed - 36 knots max 28 cruise

Range - 260 nautical miles at cruise

Hull Shape - V-shape

Construction - fiberglass with D-shape foam filled tubes

Project - Christian Grande

Certification - CE B

www.sacsmarine.com

PowerYachtBlog Best of 2024 Nominated

Project: Tornado 43 WA

Tornado present the project for the 43 WA, a walk-around sport cruiser designed by Michele Frese.  In this size the Italian builders seem have taken the bug for offering walk-around centre console sport cruiser, with Tornado being the most recent to enter this segment. A walk around centre console has the ability to use all fore to aft deck with easy usage, but also having a decent lower deck accommodation sleeping four.  The Tornado 43 WA will offer a deck with a central sun-pad layout which is followed by an L-shaped dinette, and then the helm station located central offset to starboard.  The fore deck will feature a forward V-shaped sun-pad, while another interesting feature will be the drop down bathing platform aft, which goes down in a three steps movement, making it easier and more comfortable to go down in the water.  The Tornado 43 WA will also be flexible for its power and propulsion choices, offered in four options, which start from twin Volvo 440hp on stern drives, and go to twin FPT 550hp on shafts, and then to 600hp with surface drives or same power gas power Mercury outboards.

www.tornadoyachts.it

New Model: Manda Yachts s05

Manda Yachts arrived in the scene in 2023 first with the s07 model in May at the Venice boat show, and then it followed it four months later with this new s05 which debuted during the Genoa boat show.  A project of Ceccarelli, Manda is an interesting new offer in the market, with a particular design which is difficult to categorize, feeling an explorer with a sport attitude.  Depends how you want to see it, probably Manda is both these things, although this new s05 probably is a bit more sporty, especially if spec'd with the bigger engines which give her a 32 knots top speed.  But forgetting speed aside Manda Yachts is a particular living yacht, with both the exterior and interior feeling spacious and liveable like a high end loft by the sea in just fifteen meters of length.  Manda Yachts s05 also comes as the bigger sister with the free aft deck which joins with the interior lower deck saloon, and while this is not something new; Sanlorenzo SX, BlueGame BGX, and Evo Yachts V-line have all been there before Manda, the s05 takes the credit for offering this in just fifteen meters of size.  The s05 offers a main deck covered with a T-top for the living part, this offering an L-shaped dinette to port side with wet-bar exterior galley and helm opposite to starboard, which is followed by a sun-pad aft and to fore deck and a forepeak forward looking settee.  The s05 lower deck uses about 70% of the space and is offered in three lower deck layout choices, with the standard plan featuring a two cabins two head layout with master cabin forward, and twin L-shaped bunk guest cabin to port side.  A single cabin option also exists, with the option of having a dinette area for four in replacement to the second cabin, and smaller L-shaped sofa.  The Manda s05 is offered with IPS propulsion only and powered by standard twin Volvo 480hp for up to 24 knots speeds, and larger 550 to 600hp engines option.  

Technical Data:

LOA - 15 m (49.2ft)

Beam - 4.82 m

Draft - 1.50 m

Displacement - 16,000 kg dry (approx.)

Fuel Capacity - 1800 l

Water Capacity - 550 l

Accommodation - four berths in two cabins, or two berths in one cabin

Max Passengers - fourteen

Engines - 2 x Volvo D6 480hp, D8 550hp, D8 600hp

Propulsion - Volvo forward looking dual propeller IPS pod drives

Speed - 24 knots with 480hp, 32 knots max with Volvo 600hp

Construction - fiberglass with monolithic bottom, sandwich for hull sides.  Upper structure in infusion and carbon/glass hybrid

Project - Ceccarelli

Certification - CE B-14/A

www.mandayachts.it 

Ferretti Yacht Destroyed by Fire in Angra dos Reis Brazil

A seventeen meter Brazilian made Ferretti yacht titled m/y Nannaj 1 went ablaze in Ilha da Jipoia, Ilha Grande Bay, Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janiero, Brazil at 14:45 of Saturday twenty January.  Soldiers from the Angra barracks responded to the blaze which was extinguished just after 1700 hours.  No one was injured in the fire, with the amount of persons onboard the yacht and what caused the blaze not being reported.  The yacht was wrecked in the fire but it did not sink.

Nannaj 1 is a South American made Ferretti as designed by Zuccon and based on the 550 model as produced in Italy from 2004 till 2007.  The South American Ferretti's are distinct for having a larger and different aft deck stern layout.