New Model: Aquila 42 Yacht

Debuting in 2023, Aquila presented the 42 Yacht, a twelve meter Power Catamaran designed by VPLP of Marc Van Peteghem and Vincent Lauriot Prevost from France.  Entry level of Aquila Yachts range which today spans four models up to 22 meters, the 42 Yacht is built to CE Category A and is standard equipped with advanced electronics packages, and powered by standard twin Volvo 230, and optional 300hp or Yanmar 370hp.  With Volvo 300hp the Aquila 42 Yacht reaches a top speed of 22 knots and can cruise for over one thousand nautical at five knots.  For those who want more speed you can get the optional Yanmar 370hp with Hydrofoil in between the  hulls which will give top speeds up to 28 knots. The Aquila 42 Yacht features three entertainment areas; aft deck, saloon area serviced by a full astern galley, and flybridge as served by the wet-bar.  The Aquila 42 comes with a standard layout offering two cabins plus an utility cabin in between the hulls sleeping five, with optional layouts offering six berths in three cabins, or eight berths in four cabins.

Technical Data:

LOA - 12.64 m (41.6ft)

Beam - 6.4 m

Draft - 1.10 m with sacrificial keel

Displacement - 15,700 kg light, 19,000 kg loaded

Fuel Capacity - 1100 l

Water Capacity - 460 l

Max Persons - 24

Accommodation - five berths in three cabins, or 6 berths in 3 cabins, or 8 berths in 4 cabins

Engines - 2 x Volvo D4 230hp, D4 300hp, Yanmar 370hp

Propulsion - line shaft with four blade propellers running in moulded tunnels

Speed -  22 knots max eighteen cruise, five knots long range with Volvo 300hp, 28 knots max with Yanmar 370hp and foil option

Range - 1000 nm at five knots

Hull Shape - twin catamaran hull with bulbous bow, Hydrofoil option for speed increase

Construction - resin infusion with Vinilester resin and PVC core 

Project - VPLP design of Marc Van Peteghem and Vincent Lauriot Prevost

Certification - CE A8/B12/C16/D24

www.aquilaboats.com

Improve-it = Pardo GT52

Pardo present a GT52 with the galley-up version: placing the galley on the main deck provides a lounge area with TV or a third cabin with bunk beds on the lower deck level. Every corner was designed to provide living space typical of a luxury apartment. The GT52 inherits the best of Pardo Yachts innovation in terms of construction quality, technology applied to boating and the needs of owners who want to experience seas and oceans in total safety and autonomy.  The Pardo Yachts GT52 is confirmed as an absolute novelty, positioning itself between the Walkaround and Endurance ranges by addressing a segment of owners looking for even more liveable and comfortable volumes than the current Walkaround models, but without sacrificing performance. The GT52 in her galley-up layout proves Pardo Yachts attention to the organization of interior spaces, maintaining constant continuity with the exterior: a challenge aimed at affirming a habitability that transforms the perception of spaces, enhancing the time spent on board, especially during long cruises.

www.pardoyachts.com

New Model: Release Boatworks 43 Flybridge Dayboat

Release Boatworks presents the all-new 43-foot Flybridge Dayboat. Inspired in looks to one of the most venerated sport-fish boats ever built, the 43 Merritt, Release Boatworks new 43 Flybridge Dayboat takes that classic design to a whole new level of sophistication and performance. Hull number one of the 43 Flybridge Dayboat, titled Riser and to be based in Florida, retains the beautiful, classic look favored by many hardcore fishermen, but comes built with cutting edge technology and state-of-the-art materials. These include a hull built using blister resistant modified epoxy resin, vacuum infused using Airex foam cores with e-glass hybrid fiberglass laminates to maximize strength while minimizing weight. The interior of the hull gets an isophthalic gelcoat topcoat with a durable high gloss polyurethane coating, and the exterior consists of high performance isophthalic gelcoat with superior gloss, flexibility, and outstanding weathering characteristics. The stringers are built with fiberglass encapsulated foam, and the bulkheads are vacuum infused with composite cores. The extensive use of composite materials throughout the boat creates an incredibly strong finished product and saves a great deal of weight, providing superior performance. Release Boatworks 43 Flybridge Dayboat has a hull designed by by Erwin Gerards for outstanding seakeeping abilities and performance, and with standard twin Cummins 550 cruises at thirty and tops out at 35 knots. Want more speed the 43 Flybridge Dayboat can be powered by larger engines up 725hp from Cummins or Volvo.

Technical Data:

LOA - 13.10 m (43ft)

Beam - 4.39 m

Draft - 1.14 m including propellers rudders

Displacement - 14968 kg loaded

Fuel Capacity - 2271 l

Water Capacity - 378 l

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

Engines - 2 x Cummins QSB 550hp, QSC 600hp, QSM 715hp, Volvo D8 600hp, D11 725hp

Propulsion - line shaft

Speed - 35 knots max 30 cruise with Cummins 550hp

Range - 365 nautical miles at cruise

Hull Shape - modified Vee with 14.5 degrees deadrise aft

Construction - epoxy resin with E-glass, vacuum bagged with Airex foam cores

Project - Erwin Gerards naval architect hull shape 

www.releaseboatworks.com

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.

www.heavengommoni.com

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.

www.ferretti-yachts.com

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.

www.heesenyachts.com

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.

www.prestige-yachts.com

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

www.vicemyachts.com