Project: Viking 74 Convertible

Viking never stops and on the heels of the 82 Convertible’s introduction the past Spring and in celebration of its sixtieth anniversary, the New Jersey based sportfish yacht specialist is proud to announce another tournament champion destined for greatness, the second-generation Viking 74. The 74 Convertible follows the iconic Viking 72, a 45-knot speed demon that saw 75 hulls built and sold. The goal with this new model was to design and build a 74-footer capable of similar top-end and cruising speeds. The team, which has been working together for more than 25 years came through big time, introducing a series of refinements. For instance, the 74’s strakes and chines are aggressive for increased spray deflection and lift, and the boat’s length-to-beam ratio was dialled in for excellent ride quality. In comparison, the Gen I Viking 74, built from 2004 through 2008, had a top speed of 37 knots with twin 2000hp MTUs, which reached forty knots when the 2400HP engines became available. Today’s 74 has the advantage of more horsepower with the 2600hp MTUs and hull design improvements. In addition, it’s available with the Advanced Viking Propulsion System which utilizes struts and rudders with modified twisted shapes that minimize hydrodynamic resistance, improving performance. Building materials and methods are also chosen to maximize strength and weight savings, with the hull, tankage, and structural bulkheads all resin infused, optimizing the fiberglass-to-resin ratio to bring the build to its greatest strength. Other construction processes, such as Light Resin Transfer Moulding, and the use of a variety of core materials, with specific densities for their location and carbon fibre contribute to overall build quality and industry-leading fit and finish. Significant weight-saving gains have also been made with the use of specific interior woods. A modified vinylester-epoxy resin is used throughout the hull for blister protection and structural performance. As any sportfish its all about the cockpit and 74 Convertible will have a twenty square meters cockpit, what is 25 centimetres longer to that of the replacing 72’s. The business end includes two full-length insulated in-deck fish boxes with split lids to port and starboard. A single hatch on centreline provides excellent access to the available Seakeeper. The walkthrough transom door with lift gate is on the port side, and the raised transom fish-box/live well is offered in two capacities. There’s an abundance of storage in the mezzanine; to port side is a tackle cabinet, an ice chipper storage box and a refrigerated step box. Access to the engine-room is via the centreline mezzanine steps, and there are two freezer boxes to starboard. The mezzanine seating boasts premium outdoor upholstery and has dry storage underneath. Guests can relax in the shade provided by the flybridge overhang. Mezzanine air conditioning is also available. The 74’s flybridge is designed with a high platform helm, which provides excellent cockpit visibility for the captain. The walkaround center console’s recessed black acrylic dash holds flush-mounted multifunction displays. The helm is clean, streamlined and operator-friendly with dual radio boxes with split lids housing instrumentation and controls, a helm pod, single lever electronic controls and a stainless-steel steering wheel. Air conditioning can be added to the helm, as well, which accommodates three Release Marine helm chairs with teak ladder backs. The console’s forward section is home to an integrated full-length lounge with a standard freezer below. There are also standard dual freezers forward , a feature carried down from the 82 to allow separate storage of different baits and/or food. The forward flybridge is equipped with a convenient sink and refrigerated drink box. Seating modules to port and starboard each hold back-to-back lounges with storage underneath. Enter in the cabin and into the salon from the mezzanine through a port-side electric sliding door. The interior’s horizontal-grain natural walnut is available in satin or gloss finishes. The in-house woodwork features meticulous joinery that includes dovetail drawers. A large sofa to starboard includes rod storage below and is accompanied by a walnut hi-lo table. Directly across from the lounge is an entertainment center, with a TV that rises from within the cabinetry. Forward on the port side, the raised dinette includes a walnut table, wraparound seating and rod storage in a pull-out drawer below. The galley is offered in two configurations: The standard U-shaped layout allows for a larger wraparound lounge, while the optional open galley features an island counter and is open to the lounge on the starboard side. With either arrangement, the galley has two under-counter refrigerators and one freezer, all Sub-Zero with ample countertop space and a second dining area with a raised bar and three stools. Galley highlights include Amtico flooring, a Miele four-burner electric cooktop (with optional conventional oven), a stainless-steel sink, a microwave/convection oven, a trash compactor, upper and lower cabinetry and drawer storage. A pantry forward of the galley provides additional storage. The 74’s standard accommodation plan consists of four staterooms, each with an ensuite head with separate shower. The forepeak layout also features a standard rod and tackle room, located on the port side. The crew quarters can be accessed via a separate staircase at the foot of the companionway stairs or through a forward engine-room door. The spacious master stateroom features a king walkaround bed with storage underneath, two oak-lined hanging closets and space for up to a large TV on the forward bulkhead. A walkaround queen bed (with storage underneath) in the forward stateroom is standard, while a crossover arrangement (with a full-size bunk and upper bunk) is optional. The starboard and crew staterooms are appointed with upper and lower berths and hanging lockers. If maximum sleeping capacity is what you’re looking for, a fifth stateroom (with upper and lower bunks) is available in lieu of the rod and tackle room. The five-stateroom layout with the forward crossover arrangement provides berths for eleven people. The engine-room to be finished in Snow White Awlgrip for easier maintenance is a marvel of marine engineering. It’s equipped with chilled water air conditioning, ventilation and fire suppression systems, a pair of 29 kW generators with voltage and electronic frequency control and is engineered for the installation of omnidirectional sonar. Optional equipment such as water makers and water purifiers and ice machines are expertly installed in the engine-room as well. The standard SeaStrong seal-less pumps in our Centralized Seawater System reduce complexity and increase reliability and component longevity throughout the boat. The 74 is also offered with the Clearline System, which uses chlorinated water to prevent marine growth in seawater plumbing lines. Set to make her world premiere at the 2024 Fort Lauderdale boat show this fall, the Viking 74 Convertible is standard powered with twin Man 1550hp, with six other options which go up to twin 2635hp MTU's as fitted to hull One.. The Viking 74 will also be offered as an Enclosed Bridge model, with tuna tower or Sky Bridge option.

www.vikingyachts.com

Alia Yacht New Web Site

Alia Yacht Builders presents its new web site.  Alia was founded in 2008 by Gokhan Celik with business partner Omer Koray in 2008 at Antalya, Turkey.  In the beginning Alia focus was in building semi-custom super yachts in high end carbon-fibre sandwich composite, but in a later stage it enters full custom and into steel and aluminium construction.  Alia Yacht yacht yard in Antalya makes it also possible to refit yachts up to eighty meters in length.  Alia first launch came in 2010 with the semi custom 25 meter sloop sailing yacht as designed by Warwick and build in fiberglass.  The first Alia is followed by a sister-yacht launched in 2012, with a 29 meter sailing sloop following in 2012 also designed by Warwick.  Following the first three sailing sloops, Alia enters motor yachting with the 36 meter Warwick designed planning super yacht with two decks and a raised pilot-house.  Since launching its first 25 meter sailing sloop, Alia has launched a total of fifteen super yachts, of different style and types, with its largest build to date being the 60.2 meters Samurai as designed by Omega and Van Oossanen as launched in 2016. Samurai also enters Alia in steel and aluminium construction, a material the Turkish yacht builder will use in all the following builds, with the exception of its smallest build to date the 16m Fast Runabout which it delivered in four made to order units. Alia new web-site takes you around with the following buttons; Menu, Alia Yachts, Completed Yachts, Under Construction, Our World, About Us, The Team, Shipyard, Interiors, News, and Contact.  Alia Yachts is also on social media with bottom right links taking you to its Instagram and LinkedIn pages. 

www.aliayachts.com

Sport Cruiser Destroyed by Fire in Irondequoit Bay Lake Ontario

A nine meter unattended sport cruiser was destroyed by a fire at Irondequoit Bay, Rochester on Lake Ontario at a fire which started at the early 01:15 time of Saturday fifth October.  West Webster Fire Department tended to the fire with truck 123 and was later assisted by boat Marine 126.  The fire was more complicated to control due to the stretching of hose needed to arrive on the spot.  Ultimately the fire was controlled and prevented to spread to other boats nearby.  No one was reported injured with the cause of the fire not being reported.

The sport cruiser in this fire is a Chaparral 280/290 Signature as produced from 2001 to 2009.  The 280/290 Signature came out as a replacement to the 29 Signature and was replaced by the 290 Signature with upper hull port holes.

Project: Cantiere delle Marche RAW 102

Cantiere delle Marche presents the RAW 102 project, a ground breaking design that redefines the explorer super yacht segment, and moves beyond conventional boundaries to offer a new idea of functionality. This innovative super yacht is designed by Giorgio M, Cassetta who presents the ultimate raw functional super yacht, going beyond what other explorers yachts offer, even from the other CdM smaller and larger sisters.  RAW 102 is a genuine explorer, very direct in what it want to offers, the ultimate capable platform in only thirty meters, while still offering some unique features in its size. Unique features which are unheard in just 31 meters of over-all length starting from the capability to carry two five meter tenders on the foredeck, to a drone or a small helicopter landing capability.  Cantiere delle Marche RAW 102 with offer a five double guest cabin accommodation with a full beam owners stateroom located on the forward part of the main deck.  RAW 102 is to be powered by twin Cats 670hp engines for a stop speed of thirteen knots, a cruise of eleven, and a long range up to six thousand nautical miles at nine knots.

www.cantieredellemarche.it

New Model: Filippetti Flybridge 100

Filippetti has launched its first Flybridge 100, a new flagship to its three model Flybridge range which starts from the 80, and its second largest yacht to date being only that bit smaller; same length but slimmer and less volume to the Navetta 30 which was delivered in 2014.  Announced as a project in 2021 and coming from a design of Fulvio de Simoni, the Filippetti F100 is a sporty looking semi-wide body super yacht with a raised pilot house.  An interesting detail of the Flybridge 100 is the six double guest cabins layout, with an owners stateroom forward of the main deck, and large full beam VIP suite forward of the lower deck guest quarters.   Crew accommodation is for five persons in three cabins, located on the forward part of the lower deck, for an area which also features a small lobby with an L-shaped dinette.  The crew area is accessed from the galley, located on the starboard side of the main deck, in order to give crew and guests separate moving areas.  The first Filippetti F100 is powered by twin Man 2000hp engines for a top speed up to 26 knots and a cruise of 22.  Hull number two is reported to have started initial construction phase for a delivery in 2026, subject to customization and order confirmation dates. 

Technical Data:

LOA - 30.40 m (99.8ft)

Hull Length - 27.8 m

Beam - 6.80 m

Draft - 2.20 m

Displacement - 95 t unloaded, 110 t loaded, 160gt *volume

Fuel Capacity - 12,000 l

Water Capacity - 2000 l

Accommodation - twelve guests in six cabins, five/six crew in three cabins

Engines - 2 x Man 2000hp

Propulsion - line shaft

Speed - 26 knots max, 22 knots cruise

Range - 300 nautical miles at fast cruise

Project - Fulvio de Simoni exterior

Certification - RINA cross of Malta for hull Mach Y unrestricted navigation

www.filippettiyacht.com

Azimut Yacht Hits Submerged Reef Near Espiritu Santu La Paz

A thirty meter Azimut super yacht titled m/y Ragazza with ten persons onboard started to take on water as it hit a submerged reef near La Partida islet, Espiritu Santu island, in La Paz, Mexico on the night of Wednesday second October.  The yacht made a May-Day call following the accident as it was first assisted by a centre console boat of about eight meters, who took over the guests.  Later on the Mexican Navy came to the rescue as they towed the Azimut yacht to a nearby yacht yard for repairs.  Regazza was reported traveling from Cabo San Lucas when the collision to the reef happened.

M/y Ragazza the yacht in this part sinking is a 2004 build Azimut 100 Jumbo, as designed by Stefano Righini and produced from 1995 to 2005 in 38 units.  The Azimut 100 Jumbo came out as a replacement to the 96 Starlight, and was replaced by the 105.

Project: Holterman X-65

Dutch yacht and superyacht builder Holterman Shipyard has is currently doing the finishing touches for the first Xtreme X-65 model. Desgined as all Holterman Xtreme models by Bernd Weel, with naval architecture by Trimm the X-65 is being build with steel construction, and will offer spacious storage areas, innovative exterior elements and an interior that features a double-height lower saloon-office. The X-65 is not only the ultimate robust cruiser, this first hull is also a yacht built around the needs of a European client with ambitions to cruise Northern European waters and the Norwegian fjords.  The owner’s requests were mainly focused on the interior layout, resulting in a split-level living area with a modern and beautifully equipped aft galley plus a seating and spacious dining area at main deck level overlooking an atrium-style lower saloon that offers an office area plus a television lounge. The centreline helm sits at the forward end of the saloon overlooking the lower lounge, with excellent visibility all around the yacht.  The X-65 lower saloon has an added function too, with  the television lounge area can convert into an additional double bed in case of extra guests or family staying over.  Accommodation is for two staterooms, with an owners master at midships with en-suite head to prot, and a VIP suite forward. The Holterman X-65 is to be powered by twin Volvo 300hp with direct line shaft propulsion for top speeds up to twelve knots, and a cruise of eight which gives a range up to 1350 nautical miles.

www.holtermanshipyard.nl

Yacht Saved from Fire Near Cabo de Gata

The 24 meter motor yacht Sky II under British registration and with four persons onboard was saved from an onboard fire as it was cruising seven nautical miles South-West to Cabo de Gata in the South of Spain, for an accident reported on the Salvamento Maritimo Facebook page on Wednesday second October.  The yacht was assisted by Salvamento Maritimo with the Helimer 205 and Salvamar Spica who when arriving to the scene found the fire already extinguished, but helped tow the yacht to the safe harbour of Aguadulce.  The cause of the fire had not been reported.

The yacht in this saved accident is a Versilcraft Phantom 80 as build in the nineties to a design of Stefano Righini.  The Versilcraft Phantom 80 was a replacement to the 83 Challenger.  The same hull was later used for the at the time Versilcraft sister brand Falcon Yachts 80 model.

New Model: Cranchi Sessantasette 67 Corsa

Cranchi 2024 year is one of novelties, where it continues to upgrade its larger yacht line up.  The first of these two new Cranchi yacht models is this Sessantasette67 Corsa, this last name translating to english to race or running.  The Cranchi 67 is based on the Sessantasette platform, with the three important differences; sport bridge, exterior deck which expands into the aft deck, sunroof opening and aft sun-pad.  The most intriguing of these differences is the open not closed extended aft deck, which presents a C-shaped lounge dinette protected by the elements with the side windows yet offering al-fresco accommodation.  For the lower deck the Cranchi Sessantasette 67 Corsa offers a lower deck with three double cabins and or four cabins, with the optional bunk fourth cabin, taking away the office entry space from the full beam owners cabin. The Cranchi Sessantasette 67 Corsa is powered by twin Volvo 1000hp with IPS pod drives, for top speeds up to 27 knots and a cruise of 23.

Technical Data:

LOA - 20.80 m (68.3ft)

Hull Length - 18.7 m

Waterline Length - 16 m

Beam - 5.45 m

Draft - 1.6 m

Displacement - 41,000 kg dry

Fuel Capacity - 4000 l

Water Capacity - 900 l

Max Persons - eighteen

Accommodation - six berths in three cabins, or eight berths in four cabins, 2 berths crew cabin

Engines - 2 x Volvo D13 1000hp

Propulsion - Volvo IPS1350 forward looking dual propeller pod drives

Speed - 27 knots max 23 knots cruise

Range - 294 nautical miles at cruise

Project - Christian Grande and Centro Studi Richerche, Aldo Cranchi naval architect

Certification - CE B

www.cranchi.com

Respect the Name

With the industry thriving in recent years, it will always come that some will give a try in resurrecting names of the past.  Yet sometimes when these brands return, it seems some of the buyers just bought a name without really understanding what it was all about.  A case in point would be Cantieri di Pisa, who actually just saved itself as they updated the Akhir line project. 

At the 2024 Cannes boat show Cantieri di Pisa presented an upcoming Akhir 44 project, as designed by Antonio Luxardo.  This new 44 meter project brings respect to the classic Akhir line as designed by Pier Luigi Spadolini from the seventies to the nineties.  Cantieri di Pisa was saved with this direction, as at first the current Enrico Gennasio ownership showed three Akhir projects from 33 to 42 meters in 2023, as designed by French born German residing Etienne Salome.  However innovative these super yachts looked, they had nothing what an Akhir or a Cantieri di Pisa is about, not in the present and in the future.

If you start looking at the evolution of the semi-custom produced yachts the Spadolini designed Cantieri di Pisa Akhir stand out as one of the most important in introducing a clean, lean, and sporty design into medium to large motor yachts and super yachts, with this coming full circle when the S versions arrived in 1986 first with the 22 S model.

Before designing an Akhir any designer should actually look at the series history from the Spadolini era to the recent Galeazzi designs, from the debut in 1972 with the 16.60 to the following 36 models which came till 2012 and the large 153.

In Italy, USA, and UK, the three pillars of motor boating history there is a few sleeping brands with potential to come back.  But if someone buys them without understanding the past to bring them to the present and into the future, then probably it is better to make a new brand entirely. 

Buying a classic important boat or yacht name is all about its roots, and if one would not follow this simple rule, it is like Ferrari waking up tomorrow and making off-road vehicles rather then high end sports cars.