New Model: Airon Marine AmX 35 Sport Top

Airon Marine is always very mindful of market trends and this Spring 2024 it debuted the new AmX 35 Sport Top.  The AmX 35 Sport Top adds a protective T-Top covering over half of the cockpit to the standard AmX 35.  The Airon Marine AmX 35 debuted in 2023, an evolution of the AmX 34 which launched in 2017, with a complete redesign of the cockpit deck, improvement to the lower deck, and addition of an extended bathing platform.  The Airon Marine AmX 35 Sport Top offers sleeping accommodation for five in a convertible V-berth forward, and a midships cabin with three berths.  Power options start from twin 230hp diesel and go up to 300hp again in diesel, and or 380hp petrol gas units.

Technical Data:

LOA - 10.67 m (35ft)

Hull Length - 9.96 m

Beam - 3.30 m

Displacement - 6000 kg unloaded

Fuel Capacity - 410 l

Water Capacity - 154 l

Max Persons - twelve

Accommodation - five berths

Engines - 2 x 230hp up to 300hp diesel, 2 x 250hp up 380hp petrol gas

Propulsion - stern drives standard or duo propellers

Certification - CE B

www.aironmarine.it

Project: Santasevera 52

Santasevera is a new brand coming from Italy, currently offering three projects with this 52 set to debut during the Cannes boat show 2024.  The Santasevera 52 is designed by Francesca Guida, who presents a very original design.  If you ask me, she looks like a lobster boat coming from the future, also thanks to the hard-top structure located further forward, and the going lower to the stern shear line, giving the Santasevera 52 a unique look.  Accommodation wise the Santasevera is mostly about outside and conceived as an open, with a cockpit which spans stern to about two-thirds of length forward; offering a central aft sun-pad, aft looking sun-lounger to starboard, C-shaped dinette with wet-bar galley opposite, and dual seat helm station to starboard.  The lower deck accommodation offers two cabins, with a forward master cabin central double berth, and twin berths at midships served by a spacious shower head to starboard, with an L-shaped lounger opposite.  The Santasevera 52 is to be powered by twin modestly powered Volvo 480hp with direct line shaft propulsion for top speeds up to thirty knots. 

www.santaseverayacht.it

Sunseeker Yacht Loses Power Off Torquay

A fifteen meter Sunseeker sport yacht with five passengers onboard went black out and lost power when located over twenty nautical miles East of Berry Head off Torquay, United Kingdom on 12:42 hours of Sunday 26 May.  Crew from Devon responded to the call with the Exmouth all-weather lifeboat for an operation which took five hours to complete, including the tow of the sport yacht to Torquay.  Upon arriving on the scene the RNLI crew assisted the five passengers aboard the sport yacht who were all suffering sea sickness and then found out that the vessel went black out because of the automatic fire suppression system which was preventing the engines from operating.  Following this the Sunseeker yacht was eventually towed to Torquay in rather challenging three meter waves rough sea conditions. 

The Sunseeker in this unlucky endeavour is a Predator 50 as produced from 2018 till 2020.  The Sunseeker Predator 50 came out as a replacement to the 485 San Remo, although in reality she was a different bigger yacht with more comfort and powered by shaft drives. In 2020 Sunseeker evolved the model into the Predator 55 Evo.

Sport Cruiser Jumps Off Trailer

An eight meter sport cruiser ended on top its Ford towing truck during its journey in Colchester, Vermont on the morning of Sunday 26 May.  The causes of the incident are that this sport cruiser was not strapped to its trailer, with speed and a hard break leading us to this scene.  An open canopy during road transport also does not help much during road transportation.  No one was injured in this collision with the damage not looking too serious considering all with an exception to the stern drive.  Such incidents seem to be very common in North America recently, although usually it involves smaller boats.

The sport cruiser in this accident is a Glastron GS 279 as produced between 2002 and 2008.  The GS 279 was Glastron's flagship at launch, replaced by the GS 289 in 2009.  

Glastron was founded in 1956 at Austin Texas, with the company changing ownership in 1987 to Genmar and then relocated to Minnesota, and since 2014 is owned by Beneteau Groupe.  Glastron is also famous for building the Batboat for the 1966 Batman movie and then used in the TV series, and then for its boats appearing in the James Bond films Live and Let Die, and Moonraker.

Whitehaven New Web Site

Down-under company Whitehaven presents its new virtual web show room.  Whitehaven is a new company founded in 2014 by Keith Hanson and son Ryan, who are partnered by entrepreneur Bruce Scott.  Whitehaven are built in Taiwan, at the New Ocean Yachts shipyard, with the design of the product dedicated to the down under market.  The company debuted in 2014 with the release of the 6000 Flybridge, followed soon after by the 6000 Coupe in early 2015.  The current Whitehaven range offers a total of seventeen models, divided into the six series; Sports Yacht, Flybridge, Sports Flybridge, Coupe, Sunbridge, and Harbour Classic.  Whitehaven entry level model is the Harbour Classic 40 and goes up to the 8300 Sports Yacht.  At some point Whitehaven also offered a 950 Super Yacht project but this was never build.  Whitehaven new website takes you around with the following buttons; About Whitehaven, Our Range, Our Family, News and Events, and Contact Us.  Whitehaven is also on social media with bottom page buttons taking you to its Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram pages.

www.whitehavenmotoryachts.com.au

Production History;

6000 Flybridge 2014-

6000 Coupe 2015-18

6000 Sunbridge 2015-

7000 Flybridge 2016-

7500 Sports Yacht 2017-

6100 Coupe 2019-

Harbour Classic 40 2020- (10

7000 Sport Yacht 2022- *6800 Sport Yacht project

Two People Rescued from Sinking Sunseeker 80 Predator

Two people where rescued when a 24 meter Sunseeker sport yacht tilted m/y Atlantis started to take on water three nautical miles off St Augustine Beach, Jacksonville, Florida on 11:37 morning of Saturday 25 May.  US Coast Guard sector Jacksonville responded to the distress call from Atlantis on channel sixteen, with assistance also coming from St. Johns Sherriff Office, St. Augustine Police Department, and St. Johns County Fire and Rescue who also transported one of the persons onboard to the Vilano Boat Ramp and then to a local hospital for minor injuries treatment. The causes of the sinking are under investigation though it is reported that the yacht struck a dredge pipe piling when under way, breaching its hull in the lower bow area with the collision and started to sink.  A navigational warning has been issued as the yacht is apparently still floating submerged, and currently a hazard with the owner instructed to organize a salvage.

M/y Atlantis is a 1999 Sunseeker 80 Predator as designed by Don Shead and John Braithwaite and produced from 1996 to 1999 in 21 units.  When released and for a year the 80 Predator was the Sunseeker flagship, and the largest production yacht build in the United Kingdom.  The 80 Predator with replaced by the bit smaller Predator 75.

Project: ISA Yachts Viper 120

ISA Yachts presents the new Viper line that renews the Ancona super yacht yard’s over twenty years of experience in the production of fiber glass build super sport yachts, which made the brand famous worldwide, and perfects it through new stylistic elements, excellent performance and flexible solutions to optimize the interior spaces. A new concept that once again accentuates the innate identity of ISA models by creating even sleeker and more defined lines though maintaining a fresh and contemporary style.  The ISA Yachts Viper line debuts the first collaboration with Fulvio De Simoni entrusted in the development of both the exterior and interior design, with naval engineering  carried out by ISA Yachts. The Viper line is to offer three models of 100, 120 and 140 feet, all made of composite with carbon reinforcements.  The first project presented here and just starting construction for a delivery n 2026, is the 38-metre 120 Viper.  The ISA Yachts 120 Viper will feature a reduced draft of under two meters suitable for shallow waters like the Caribbean Sea, and is to be fitted with triple MAN or MTU engines, for maximum speeds up to 33 knots and cruising at 26.  Laid out into three distinct zones, the cockpit is certainly the most representative area of 120 Viper, where at sea level, the stern beach club is equipped with a multifunctional ‘transformer’ bathing step ladder and gangway; climbing two side steps a large sun pad faces towards the aft and a lounge furnished with sofas and a coffee table. The two opening side balconies lend an extraordinary livability to this area. The third zone is dominated by an outdoor table which can seat up to eight people. The combined aft galley and bar is unmissable and the up/down tinted glass partition makes it suitable for both formal and informal occasions like show cooking and cocktail parties, as well as enclosed kitchen guaranteeing maximum screening from guests. To the left of the bar there is a staircase leading to the sun deck.  To maximize interior space, just one port-side walkway to the bow is provided on the port side, and amidships, close to the salon, another opening balcony allows to marvel at the view even from the indoor sofas.  At the bow there is a circular pool with sun loungers and sofas.  Entering, we are welcomed by a second combined bar-galley unit before reaching the bright salon, with opening floor-to-ceiling windows to fully enjoy the scenic views and furnished with semi-circular sofas and armchairs. A second ten-seater circular table completes the set-up.  The wheelhouse is located on the main deck forward, and to its left we find the staircase leading to the lower deck housing four double cabins with private bathroom and the owner’s cabin with double bathroom. The later comes with two different options: amidships to make the most of the full beam or in the bow with a large walk-in closet.  The sun deck, with carbon hard top, includes the second helm station as well as providing a private and versatile space for guests. Its layout features two large sun pads at the stern, a lounge area with sofas, an L-shaped bar and a twelve seater table.  The entrance to the crew quarters, which include three cabins with private bathrooms for four crew members and the captain, has been positioned near the galley to ensure maximum privacy and separation from guests.  The garage for the 5-metre tender is placed on the starboard side.

www.isayachts.com

New Launch: Van Der Valk Pilot 34m Hull no. WV0140

Wim Van Der Valk continue to launch interesting and innovative custom super yachts in thirty meters plus sizes build of alloy. This latest launched super yacht hull number WV0140 comes in a 34 meter size, for for a new custom-series called Pilot. Designed by Cor D. Rover, this contemporary explorer has an exceptional for its size 294 Gross Tonnage of volume. The client for this bespoke build extended the length to maximize interior space and create something unique in her size. Blending robust and masculine proportions with an abundance of curves, this three-deck superyacht has a self-contained pilothouse and raked bridge windows reminiscent of a commercial vessel. Together with the car-inspired air grills, this first Pilot is a tribute to the skill of Van der Valk’s alumimium shapers and welders.  Large windows and a glass ‘eye’ on the bridge deck are united with partitions and black-painted superstructure surfaces that look like glass. The rest of the livery is in a castle tan and stark white palette chosen by the owner. Van der Valk talented exterior paint crew ensured perfect straight lines on a perfect curved shape on the first vessel we’ve delivered under American Bureau of Shipping rules. Note too the large balconies for the main deck master and lower deck VIP. The aft platform also has two foldout balconies that double the area close to the water and make it into a nice beach club. A transformer platform and full aft lazarette for a Williams tender and three-person wave runner will boost the watersport fun.  This Van der Valk custom Pilot 34m offers an abundance of outside deck space. The aft deck features a large dining table and circular seating, each easily accommodating ten people. A large wet bar with BBQ is located on the bridge deck aft, with sacrificial air conditioning installed for use in the hottest climates. Twin MTU 1946hp give the Pilot 34m a top speed of 21 knots, with a fast cruise up to nineteen knots. 

Technical Data:

LOA - 34.04 m (111.6ft)

Waterline Length - 33.3 m

Beam - 7.62 m

Draft - 2 m

Displacement - 294 gross tonnage *volume

Fuel Capacity - 25,000 l

Water Capacity - 2600 l

Accommodation - eight guests in four cabins, six crew in three cabins

Engines - 2 x MTU 12V2000 M99L 1946hp

Propulsion - line shaft with five bladed fixed pitch propellers

Speed - 21 knots max, nineteen knots cruise

Hull Shape - fast displacement round bilge

Construction - H321 alumimium 4.5mn for hull and super structure

Project - Cor D. Rover exterior and interior, Ginton and Diana for naval architecture

Certification - ABS A1 yachting service, AMS  

www.vandervalkshipyard.com

Abandoned Classic Hatteras Beaches in Breezy Point

An unattended classic Hatteras convertible off about eleven meters in length beached out in Breezy Point, New York on the morning of 23 May.  Fire Department New York, aviation section of New York Police Department, Point Breeze Fire Department, Rockaway Point Volunteer Fire Department were on the scene to asses the situation.  An investigation is ongoing on how the classic boat ended in this situation.  This boat was still beached on Breezy Point beach up till early June.

The classic Hatteras in this beaching is a 37 Convertible as designed by Jack Hargrage and produced from 1977 to 1982.  The 37 Convertible came out as a replacement to the 36 Convertible Series I and was replaced by the Hatteras 36 Convertible Series II.

One Man Injured in Boat Fire at Wayne County Marina

One 65 year old male was injured in Oak Park Marina, Huron, West County for a boat fire which started around 09:15 morning of Thursday 23 May.  The man was flown to Strong Memorial Hospital as he suffered burns from the fire, which also spread to three nearby boats.  Six Wayne County Fire departments responded to the blaze which started first with an explosion as the man was cleaning the cabin area of the boat.  The fire totalled two of the four boats, as the cause of the what started the blaze is under investigation.

The totalled boat in this fire are two classic Wellcraft from the eighties, and a Bayliner 305 SB Cruiser also sustained some damage.