February 25, 2024

Boat Fire in Civitanova Marche Italy

A ten meter sport cruiser went ablaze while resting in a boat yard in the harbor area of Civitanova Marche, Italy just after 07:00 hours of the morning of Sunday 25 February.  Immediate the response of the Vigili dell Fuoco, who responded with two fire engines and were later assisted by the Police agents, Guardia Costiera military section, and the municipal police.  The fire took about two hours to extinguish.  Because of the fire the Leonardo da Vinci street near the boat yard was closed.  No one was injured in the fire with the causes of the blaze being investigated.
The sport cruiser in this fire is a Trojan 10.8 Meter Express designed by Harry Schoell and produced from 1991 to 92, sporty without flybridge version of the 10.8 Meter Sedan which debuted in 1986.  Based on the 10 meter but extended in length, the 10.8 Meter was the last new Trojan with the company sold in 1992 to Miramar and this hull used for the 370 Express which debuted in 1993.

Heaven Gommoni New Web Site

Heaven Gommoni presents its new web site.  Founded in 2001 by Ettore Garofolo, a powerboat offshore racer from Anzio, who makes a name in the nineties and wins the Endurance European title in 1999, and World Champion in 2000.  From the start Heaven offers a semi-custom, custom approach to its rib construction.  A feature which is still part of Heaven, and makes a full circle when in 2008 it launches its H80 model, which even sixteen years after its debut, still is the largest maxi rib ever made.  Today Heaven offers eight rib models which start from the H24, and go up to the record breaking H80 model.  Heaven website is available in Italian and English language, and takes you around with the following buttons; Home. About Us, Models, and Contact Us.  Heaven is also on social media with bottom link taking you to its Facebook page.

February 24, 2024

Project: Ferretti InFynito 80

Ferretti expand the InFynito range presenting the second 80 model project of the line up, following the InFynito 90 which in the second half of 2023. Set to debut in the fall of this year the InFynito 80 builds on the range’s typical characteristics: environmental friendliness, unprecedented flexibility and innovative layouts, as magnificently embodied in the iconic All-Season Terrace. Other strengths include the yacht’s versatility, with a sundeck that can be open or semi-closed, and the sheer size, above average for the segment, of the exterior surface area covered and protected by the hard top or superstructure. Built at the recently purchased new Marina di Ravenna shipyard, Ferretti Yachts’ InFynito 80 is the result of collaboration between the Strategic Product Committee chaired by Piero Ferrari and the Ferretti Group Engineering Department, with exterior design by Filippo Salvetti and interiors by design firm Ideaeitalia. InFynito 80 willl have an overall length of over 23 meters, and a maximum beam of six meters plus and is designed to offer lovers of the sea a new and gratifying experience in highly customisable spaces where interiors and exteriors blend into one another. Ferretti's new InFynito 80 also features the Group’s F.S.E.A. technology, a package of environmentally friendly cruising solutions. They include an integrated system that stores the solar energy collected by the photovoltaic panels installed on the hard top in an Energy Bank, which consists of fourteen high-density lithium batteries that deliver more energy at the same time as guaranteeing a favourable weight-power ratio. The battery pack is in the engine room, in watertight steel containers fitted with temperature monitoring sensors. There was also a special focus on the use of green materials, such as natural and bamboo fabrics, regenerated leather and recyclable materials, ecological water-based paints and lamellar teak with FSC 5 certification, used throughout the exteriors. An overview of the various decks highlights the main deck astern, with a generous eighteen square metres dedicated to a beach area that features a sea-view couch incorporating a generous storage unit. There is also a stern platform with a linear lift for launching and hauling up the tender. The nineteen squared meters cockpit has a living area with free-standing furniture for greater flexibility in terms of layout and use. In the 29 squared meters interior saloon, the dining room of the standard version can be replaced by a show kitchen with a bar counter and stools. The yacht’s main galley is at the forward end of the main deck, with an electrically operated sliding glass door providing direct access to the All-Season Terrace. The hallmark of the range is its iconic covered terrace, sheltered by an extension to the superstructure for protection in all weather conditions and total privacy. On INFynito 80, the thirteen squared meters terrace can be configured as a dinette, with seating and an extending table, or as a bar counter. The raised helm station provides excellent visibility and is accessed by a staircase in the centre of the main deck. The upper deck, which is closed on bigger 90 sister, will be a totally open sundeck in the standard version, and a semi-closed one with glass panels as an option on this InFynito 80. The hard top provides shade for the entire dining area and foredeck. The stern section of the upper deck is a sunbathing area with free-standing furniture and an outdoor galley. The 43 squared meters lower deck has a master stateroom at the midships, a VIP suite forward, and two guest cabins. The crew quarters contain two cabins sleeping a total of three people. Ferertti InFynito 80 is to be powered by twin Man 1200hp or optional 1400hp engines for speeds up to 23 knots and a cruise of eighteen, and a range of up to one thousand nautical miles at twelve knots.

February 23, 2024

Improve-it = Heesen 55m FDHF

Heesen is delighted to announce the delivery of the first yacht of the restyled 55m FDHF series following intensive tests in the North Sea. Titled m/y Iris Blue Heesen yard number 20255 met all the required specifications, and the tests were conducted smoothly and according to plans. During the second day of trials, the super yacht was tested in rough sea conditions, with waves up to 1.7 metres from north to northwest and westerly to north-westerly winds with gusts up to 28 knots. Just like her foresisters, YN 20255 proved to be highly responsive, accepting steering commands immediately. The use of large rudders in conjunction with a powerful steering unit makes for a very quick reaction, as does the high pitch of the propellers. The overall effect instils great confidence in the captain when manoeuvring in strong wind conditions. Frank Laupman of Omega Architects, the original designer of this series, carried out the restyle of the exterior lines. The design restyling lends the super yacht a more assertive stance on the water. The owner's quarters now feature a veranda on the starboard side, which is a truly transformative innovation. This feature is something truly unique that fundamentally changes the space experience in the 78 sqm stateroom, which now also includes new walk-in wardrobes. The possibility to access an outdoor area in complete privacy is a wonderful addition to this space. The layout has also been reconsidered and now features a larger sundeck with a bar around the whirlpool forward. On the main deck, the central atrium has been modernised, with a wider and revised main staircase, while there is an additional companionway from the wheelhouse deck up to the sun deck to ease crew access.

February 22, 2024

Five Rescued After Boat Ends Aground at Marina del Rej

Five persons were rescued after an eight meter sport cruiser ended aground next to the breakwater outside Marina del Rej, Los Angeles on the night of Wednesday 21 February.  L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Marina del Rey marine team responded to the call to rescue the five persons, with one of these also falling overboard in the water.  With the quick response of the marine team all persons were not injured.  The boat is reported to have ended in this situation after one its propellers got tangled in a lobster pot and becoming powerless.  The sport cruiser sustained some damage but her hull was not reported breached and was later recovered.
The sport cruiser in this sinking is a Chaparral 29 Signature as produced from 1991 to 2000.  The Chaparral 29 Signature came out as a replacement to the 27 Signature and was replaced by the 280 Signature in 2001.

Project: Prestige F5

During the Beneteau Group press conference at the 2024 Dusseldorf boat show, Prestige vice President Erwin Bumps announced the project for an upcoming F5 model.  Very few details have been given apart the above rendering and that the F5 is set to debut during the Cannes 2024 boat show, although expect the model to show up during the Beneteau Group test days in early Summer usually held in around mid July.  Since we have no details I can speculate a bit about the F5, and if this project follows the pattern of the F4 which is based on the Prestige 520, then I would imagine this to be based on the 590 model.  As is the case of the F4, the F5 will benefit from an important re-design and re-engineering of spaces to increase volume as possible, in its sixteen to seventeen meter length.

February 21, 2024

New Model: Vicem Classic 55 Flybridge

Vicem has launched its latest Classic 55 Flybridge, a traditional looking motor yacht designed inhouse by the Turkish yacht builder.  Unlike other Vicem's the 55 Flybridge is to be fully build in fiberglass, a method the Tuzla located Turkish yacht builder seems to be embracing in its smaller sizes.  Still the Classic 55 Flybridge is a bespoke build, with some important options which suits to the buyer, for two or three double cabin options, to shaft drive or Volvo IPS pod propulsion.  Hull one as pictured above featured a two cabins lower deck, with a galley down and VIP suite to  midships, and was powered by twin Volvo 550hp with IPS pod drives.
Technical Data:
LOA - 16.85 m (55.3ft)
Beam - 4.41 m
Draft - 1.12 m
Displacement - 22,000 kg
Fuel Capacity - 2000 l
Water Capacity - 757 l
Max Persons - eight
Accommodation - four berths in two cabins, or six berths in three cabin
Engines - 2 x Volvo D8 550hp
Propulsion - Volvo forward looking IPS pod drives
Speed - 26 knots max twenty cruise
Hull Shape - semi displacement
Construction - vinylester resin, sandwich with PVC core
Project - Vicem Yachts
Certification - CE B

February 20, 2024

Project: Hunt Yachts 56

Hunt Yachts present the project for a new 56, a model which replaces and evolves from the 55 Mk.II as presented in 2019.  As its says in the name, designed by the father of the deep-Vee hull, Raymond Hunt and Associates, who founded his boat building firm in 1998.  The Hunt Yachts 56 is offered in two layouts for both main and lower deck with a galley up option for three double cabins, or a galley down with two suites.  The master stateroom in both versions is located at midships, with a third cabin with twin bunks berths located to starboard replacing an L-shaped saloon, with a galley located opposite to port side in the galley down version.  The Hunt Yachts 56 is to be powered by twin Volvo 725hp for top speeds up to 32 knots. 

February 19, 2024

Herbert Dahm 1929 - 2024

Herbert Dahm left for the better World on Sunday eighteen February, just a few weeks shy of his 95th birthday in his home-town of Dusseldorf. Herbert Dahm began his storied yachting career by accident. Following World War II Herbert Dahm started by selling electronics, including radios, and later developed financial software. Sailing was a passion during his free time, however, and by the sixties, he yearned to cruise the world, and set out to find a suitable sail-yacht in 1967, choosing the Dutch shipyard Jongert. Although he didn’t end up sailing the globe, Dahm found something else, spending the next three decades as the builder’s marketing and sales representative. It simultaneously led to him building five Jongerts for his own use. The most famous of his Jongert's was s/y Inspiration from 1985, which then became Jongert's successful 2200s semi-series, and which he ultimately owned till 2020.  Designed by Ron Holland the first 2200s had a few revolutions from a transom garage with a hydraulically lowering hatch that became a swim platform, and a custom bilge tunnel stowing her racing sails, preserving the interior while permitting quick access to them when wanted. Arguably, Inspiration was the first cruiser-racer in her size range, a novel concept at the time. Even as a sailor, though, Dahm loved motoryachts, too, taking delivery of Benetti's Classic 115 My Way in 2000. The international yachting community became accustomed to seeing Dahm attend yacht shows with his Benetti and her unusual tender, True Love. True Love was a Jongert, stowing on the sundeck. Dahm further had a four-decade run as the owner of Dahm International. Under his leadership, the company expanded beyond Germany into Monaco and Spain. Additionally, it added services such as yacht management and refit management to its roster. Although he sold the business in the late 1990s, he stepped back into it in 2006 to better serve clients, selling it again in 2014, at age 85, staying on as honorary president. He finally retired for good just last year, making the announcement during the Düsseldorf boat show in 2023, a show he co-founded in 1969.  In his last parts of his life Herbart Dahm primarily took care of the “Momentum Spa”, a wellness facility in Golzheim, Dusseldorf.

New Model: Maori Yachts 46

Maori has in 2023 launched its new 46 model, a sporty modern looking centre console day cruiser with over night accommodation for two or four.  Designed by Mario Ciampa, the designer of all Maori Yachts the 46 follows the style and feeling of its sisters, with a very close resemblance to the 54 model.  The first Maori 46 units was launched with a single cabin interior, but the model is also available in a two cabins version. Hull one of the Maori 46 is powered by twin Cummins 550hp with surface drive propulsion, reaching top speeds up to 46 knots and can cruise at 35.  An optional larger Cats 650hp engines is also available, as is an outboard version with specifics on this not yet advised. 
Technical Data:
LOA - 14 m (46ft)
Beam - 4.60 m
Draft - 1 m
Displacement - 12 t
Fuel Capacity - 1600 l
Water Capacity - 250 l
Accommodation - two berths, or four berths in two cabins
Engines - 2 x Cummins QSB 6.7 550hp, Cats 650hp
Propulsion - surface drives
Speed - 46 knots max 35 cruise
Project - Mario Ciampa
Certification - CE B