Project: Cheoy Lee CLX99

When Cheoy Lee debuted the CLX96 during the 2022 Fort Lauderdale boat show, the head-turning design and function-fit super yacht showed CL Yachts was not only drawing on its 150-year heritage but was also firmly focused on the future. CLX96’s bold styling came as the result of a decision to look outside traditional yacht design inspiration, and that in turn led the Cheoy Lee to Milan-based yacht designer Jozeph Forakis. That decision was instantly validated when Forakis produced a design that centered on function while emphasizing a brilliantly bold form rooted in rugged workboat ethos, the perfect platform for a modern, go-anywhere cruising yacht. Now Cheoy Lee and Forakis have taken their tour-de-force CLX design a step further with the unveiling of CLX99 project. At first glance, it is clear the new CLX99 draws heavily on her sibling, and not just in styling and design DNA. But this is much more than a facelift with the CLX99 is essentially a new model, which takes the core ethos and essence of the striking and functional CLX96 and carries it further into the realm of the superyacht with more interior volume, more external space, more clever design elements, and more features that have been refined for the demands of European and Asian markets. CLX99 bears the clear rugged-yet-finessed workboat-chic of CLX96 that hints at the yacht’s serious cruising capabilities, but stretches the dimensions of every facet which in turn has created all new areas and opportunities to enhance the general arrangement. The main deck benefits from a two-metre extension, which has led to a reorganisation of the interior space. The lower deck has also been revised and redesigned, with the standard version of CLX99 offering five generous staterooms that include a large, full-beam master suite, two VIP doubles forward, and two guest twin/double cabins, all ensuite. The crew area, located aft between the engine room and the aft bulkhead of the master which means insulation from technical noise from the owner, has also been extended and reconfigured to accommodate up to five crew members, making CLX99 highly suitable for fully crewed charter operations. In addition, clients can opt for a main deck master suite in place of the forward dining and observation lounge, while retaining five suites on the lower deck for a total of twelve guests. Up top, the sundeck, sky lounge and flybridge helm have all been modified to optimize the proportions and further carrying the CLX range into new realms of luxury. Of course, CLX99 retains the trademark Portuguese Terrace of the CLX96, creating an expansive seating and sun bathing area forward of the bridge that serves as a secondary, elevated bow terrace. But the real transformation has taken place aft of the striking, forward-raked windscreen as the sky lounge is extended by three meters repositioning with the helm station separated from the saloon aft. The sky lounge also retains the up/down opening windows; port, starboard and the aft-bulkhead service bar, a signature feature of her smaller sibling. That essence of bringing the outside in is coupled to a reconfigured aft sundeck for alfresco entertaining and chilling. The aft end has also received a major change, with the aft water-level beach and swim platform now boasting large drop down bulwarks that create generous sea terraces either side. The angular styling has always been about capturing the practicality of workboats and taking luxury into new and exciting directions, including offering guests sensational panoramic views from anywhere in the interior. The underlying ethos toward seaworthiness and reliability has been further enhanced on CLX99 with revisions to the technical space. In addition to the extended hull, styling tweaks and layout enhancements, Forakis has also turned his attention to the interior themes and finishes, drawing on sinuous and sensual curves combined with elementary shapes and ideas inspired by nature and coastlines. One thing is clear, just as CLX96 was conceived for life without compromise, so CLX99 takes an uncompromising look at what life on board a superyacht should be, and delivers that experience in all areas from optimized hull design to optimal interior space planning.

www.cheoylee.com

One Dead Ten Injured as Sportfish Collides Into Los Alamitos Bay Jetty

One 59 year old man died and ten persons were injured as a fourteen meters in length Cabo sportfish cruiser collided with the Los Alamitos Bay Jetty off Long Beach, Southern California on the 21:20 of Wednesday third July.  Long Beach Fire Department responded to the collision, which left one man dead in the spot, and ten injured, four of which had serious injuries.  The sportfish partly sank after the collision, with a recovery being planned on Friday.  An investigation is ongoing on what caused the incident with speed being reported as the main part of the cause of the collision and sinking with the sportfish reported to be travelling at over thirty knots.

The sportfish cruiser in this collision is a Cabo 48 Flybridge as produced from 2004 up till 2008 to a design of Michael Peters.  The Cabo 48 was born as the 47 Flybridge in 2000 and was based on the 45 Express platform.  The 48 Flybridge was replaced by the Cabo 52 Flybridge in 2009.

Boat Destroyed By Fire in Shawano Lake

A seven meter cuddy sport cruiser went ablaze in Shawano Lake, Shawano County, Wisconsin, with the fire reported to start on 15:50 of third July.  The cuddy cabin sport cruiser was reportedly sitting on a sand bar when the fire started, with the boat then drifting in the lake.  One person was onboard, but no injuries are reported from the fire as the sole boater jumped off board.  The Shawano Counties and Wisconsin Authorities opening an investigation on the case.

The boat in this fire is a Crownline 236 SC as produced in the noughties.

New Model: Solaris Power 60 Open

Solaris Power continue to upgrade it's walk-around range debuting its largest model to date with the just launched 60 Open.  The Solaris Power 60 Open is again a design of Brunello Acampora, the naval architect who has designed all the Solaris Power models to date in both hull architecture and exterior lines.  In the 60 Open we also have interiors by Roseo, who presented three different lower deck layouts offering three or two cabins.  The standard three double cabins layout called C cabin version offers a forward master stateroom with two guest cabins at midships and an L-shaped relaxing sofa.  The other two options for the 60 Open move the master stateroom to midships, with version A offering a VIP suite forward, and an en-suited third cabin with two inline berths located to port side.  In version B the third cabin is replaced by an L-shaped relaxing sofa.  A single berth crew cabin is available as an option located in between the engine room and cabin area.  Exterior wise the Solaris Power 60 Open uses all the available space with the fulcrum area being at the middle in behind the pilot station, with two wet-bars and L-shaped dinettes making for a very large lounging dinning area which can be further expanded by the side drop down bulk-heads, and also served by two sun-pads to fore and aft.  The 60 Open is powered by standard twin Volvo 600hp Volvo engines with IPS pods propulsion which give a top speed up to thirty knots, with optional of 725hp and or 1000hp taking speeds up to 39 knots. 

Technical Data:

LOA - 18.29 m (60ft)

Waterline Length - 16.23 m

Beam - 5.35 m

Draft - 0.85 m ex drives

Displacement - 23000 kg unloaded, 26500 kg loaded

Fuel Capacity - 3000 l

Water Capacity - 600 l

Max Persons - twelve

Accommodation - six berths in three cabins, or 4 berths in 2 crew cabins, 1 crew cabin berth

Engines - 2 x Volvo D8 600hp, D11 725hp, D13 1000hp

Propulsion - Volvo forward looking dual propeller IPS pod drives

Speed - 30 knots max 25 cruise 600hp, 34 max 28 cruise 725hp, 39 max 30 cruise 1000hp

Project -  Brunello Acampora Victory Design exterior and naval architect, Roseo interior, Solaris Power Design Team

www.solarispower.com

Project: Absolute Navetta 53

Absolute present the project for an upcoming Navetta 53 model.  The Navetta 53 is to be a replacement for the long eight years produced Navetta 52 which debuted in 2016 and was the second Navetta range model of more livable type of yachts as offered by Absolute.  As the saying says though, you do not change a winning product, you evolve it into the future, and so this new Navetta 53 is based on many technicalities on the 52, all hull dimensions and layout is mostly the same, as is the twin Volvo 480hp power units coupled to twin IPS pod drives.  So what is changed?  The most important changes in the Navetta 53 come in two areas the stern and the glazing serving the main deck.  The stern of the Navetta 53, just like the bigger Navetta 75 and 70 sisters will feature the glass aft parapet for uninterrupted view which coupled with the modular furnishing give a new meaning to the aft deck.  The second is the glazing for the living main deck, now featuring floor to ceiling windows which with the lowered bulwark offer uninterrupted views from outside to inside.   

www.absoluteyachts.com

Another Lurssen Facility Fire

A massive fire broke out at the Lurssen Rensburg facility in Schacht-Audorf on the Kiel Canal, Germany starting at 09:00 morning of Tuesday second July.  Over one hundred personnel where evacuated from the facility when the fire started, with one being hospitalized for smoke inhalation and 24 treated on site.  A nearby resident area with about thirty people was also ordered to evacuate.  300 firefighters, two evacuation helicopters, and multiple ambulances were dispatched to the area, with fireboats also involved in the fire fighting for what took about twenty hours to fully extinguish. Firefighters reported that they could not enter the hall due to severe temperatures of over 500 degrees Celsius in it, so they had to fight the fire from the outside, with the hall ultimately having its roof and part of its external walls collapse.

This is Lurssen third yard fire since 2018, with the most recent one coming in June of last year at the Lemwerder premises, while in December of 2023 the German shipyard also suffered a yacht falling which then damaged a shed door and injured one person in Bremen.

The unconfirmed damaged super yacht seems to be Lurssen Project Honolulu a 74 meter which was due for delivery in a couple of weeks.  Founded in 1875 Lurssen is a specialist in the larger sized super yachts above one hundred meters, currently reported to have seven vessels under construction, including of which is 142 meter Project Ali Baba.

Sport Cruiser Catches Fire in Cancun

An unattended nine meter sport cruiser went ablaze in Cancun Hotel Zone water near Calinda Bridge on 14:00 hours of Monday first July.   Rescue teams, including firefighters and marine personnel, responded along with several passing boats to the fire, with Tourist Police and National Guard also arriving at the scene.  An investigation on the cause of the fire is underway by the Civil Protection, with an electrical issue being pointed as the most possible cause of the fire.

The boat in this fire is a Chaparral 300 Signature as produced from 1998 to 2003.  The 300 Signature came out as a replacement to the 30/31 Signature and was replaced by the 310 Signature.  

New Model: Sunseeker Predator 55

Sunseeker has just launched the Predator 55, a replacement to the Predator 55 Evo and new entry level to the sport yacht hard-top range.  The Predator's have featured in the Poole boat builders range since 1993, when the first 63 debuted in Sunseeker's range since then. This new Predator 55 stands out due to its distinctive curved silhouette and sloping hardtop design, distinguishing it from similar sized and styled yachts. Powered by Volvo 725hp with IPS pod drives, this Predator 55 can achieve speeds of up to 36 knots. Notable features include retractable glazing and a carbon fiber sunroof that exposes the sky above. The yacht boasts an integrated tender garage for a jet rib up to 3.2 meters, a hydraulic bathing platform, and an aft sun-pad. With newly styled exterior seating, the Predator 55 offers an expansive aft cockpit. The aft retractable doors seamlessly connect the galley side units with the cockpit wet bar, creating a harmonious indoor-outdoor layout. There is an upholstered sofa, L-shaped seating, and a formal dining area with an expandable table for enhanced comfort. The foredeck features comfortable seating, a sun-pad with integrated storage, and a carbon fiber sail canopy for sun protection. A gyro option reduces rolling at anchor, ensuring maximum comfort. The customizable interior layout allows for flexibility, such as relocating the main deck galley to the lower deck to accommodate additional seating and a rise-and-fall TV. The lower deck space can also be transformed into a twin cabin with an en suite, accommodating up to six guests. The Predator 55 introduces a brand-new interior fabric and finishes collection, developed in collaboration with Design Unlimited, offering a versatile color scheme and materials palette tailored to each owner's preferences.  The Predator 55 is second of three models based on the Superhawk 55 hull which debuted in 2023, although completely re-engineered in the use of spaces, and is to be followed by the similar spec'd but sport bridge up top Sport Yacht 55, which probably will arrive in early 2025.  

Technical Data:

LOA - 17.13 m (56.3ft)

Beam - 4.93 m

Draft - 1.83 m

Displacement - 27,975 kg loaded

Fuel Capacity - 1800 l

Water Capacity - 430 l

Accommodation - four berths in two cabins, or six berths in three cabins

Engines - 2 x Volvo D11 725hp

Propulsion - Volvo forward looking IPS950 dual propeller pod drives

Speed - 36 knots max

Project - Sunseeker exterior, Design Unlimited interior

Certification - CE A

www.sunseeker.com

Viking Sportfish Destroyed by Fire in St. Andrews Bay

The US Coast Guard responded to a fifteen meter Viking sportfish yacht which starting burning at 16:30 hours of thirty June, in St. Andrews Bay near Panama City Florida.  No injuries or deaths came from the fire, with the sportfish reported to be unattended when the blaze started.  The US Coast Guard is also asking for more information as no identification could be found on the sportfish yacht.

The sportfish yacht in this fire is a Viking 50 Convertible, as produced from 1991 to 2001 in about 120 units.  The 50 Convertible came out as a replacement to the 48 Convertible Sportfisher and was replaced by the 52 Convertible.

Strong Winds in Traverse City Partly Sinks Formula Powerboat

Sudden strong winds in Traverse City, Michigan on the afternoon of Sunday thirtieth June partly sank a Formula power boat of eleven meters in length, while a Sea Ray sport cruiser of eight meters also ended beached.  According to locals the North wind came in following a sudden strong storm in the late morning afternoon of Sunday, with the Formula finishing beached and then swamped by the big waves into its stern which build up during the sudden storm.  The Sea Ray sport cruiser is reported to have broken its swing mooring when at Clinch Bay.

The Formula in this part sinking looks is a F-419 SR-1 as produced in the nineties, while the Sea Ray looks to be the top selling Sea Ray 268 Sundancer as produced in the eighties.