New Model: Viking 74 Convertible

During the 2024 Fort Lauderdale boat show Viking debuted its new 74 Convertible.  This new 22 meter sportfish yacht replaces the 72 model after 75 units sold and a production run of eight years.  The second generation 74 Convertible has some big shoes to fill, that is why she is in fact an evolution of the 72  rather then a revolution, with design tweaks improving comfort and space, from a larger cockpit, to a bit of a higher flybridge improving ergonomics, and more space inside.  This size extension gives the option in lieu of the standard three double cabins layout for four staterooms plus crew cabin for two at midships.  The fourth cabin replacing the tackle room to starboard.  There is also a few options in the 74 Convertible from a three berth cross-over berth forward, to an L-shaped saloon open galley or a C-shaped saloon.  The 74 Convertible is powered by seven engine choices from smaller Man 1550hp up to twin very fast 45 knots topping MTU 2635hp, which was the power plant as fitted to hull one.  

Technical Data:

LOA - 22.76 m (74.8ft)

Beam - 6.02 m

Draft - 1.80 m

Displacement - 61,686 kg

Fuel Capacity - 7692 l, or optional 9956 l

Water Capacity - 1363 l

Accommodation - 6/7 berths in three cabins, or 8/9 berths in four cabins, 2 crew in 1 cabin

Engines - 2 x Cats C32 A1925hp, C32B 2045hp, C32B 2450hp, Man V12 CRM 1550hp, V12 CRM 2000hp, MTU 12V2000 M956X 2002hp, 12V2000 M96L 2635hp

Propulsion - direct line shaft

Speed -  45 knots max, 37 cruise with MTU 2635hp

Construction - vinylester epoxy resin infused with light transfer moulding, cored and with carbon fibre 

www.vikingyachts.com

Unattended Yacht Collides Into Container Ship in Biscayne Bay Miami

A 26 meter super yacht titled m/y Waku collided with a CMA-CGM container ship as this was being towed and tug controlled in Biscayne Bay, Miami on 25 November.  Instagram Seafarer_Obscura posted the video on his channel to what looks a strange accident, for the fact that there seems to be no one on the yacht before and just after the collision.  Waku looks also to be powerless in the video clip, with its anchor fully up and current drifting as it collides bow first into the container ship starboard side, damaging its safety railing with the impact.  With the anchor fully up the first thought on what happened is that the yacht broke free from its mooring, but it is not understood as the video is cut after the collision.  If anyone has more information about this collision please send a message or leave a comment below.

M/y Waku is a Cheoy Lee 84 as designed by Tom Fexas and produced in three units in the mid noughties.  The Cheoy Lee 84 came out came as a replacement to the 81 and then evolved in the 88 model.

Three Boat Fire at Safe Harbor Ferry Point Marina in Old Saybrook

Three boats where involved in a fire in the dry dock storage area at Safe Harbor Ferry Point Marina, Old Saybrook, Connecticut on 12:20 of Monday 25 November.  The fire started in a classic fifteen meter Hatteras sportfish yacht and then jumped to its boat on its port side, and later to that to its starboard.  Fire fighters responded to the blaze from land and the water with the fire fighting boat coming also to the scene via the Connecticut River.  No one was injured in the fire as the boats where all unattended, with the classic Hatteras which started the fire being totalled while the one to port side also receiving fire damage as it's plastic Winter overall went ablaze, with the one to starboard receiving some small fire damage.  The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, was also at the scene, and said that no environmental impact came from this fire.

The Hatteras which started this fire is a 1985 52 Convertible, a model which was produced from 1983 to 1990.  The other boat to port side of the Hatteras is a Formula 45 Yacht as produced between 2007 and 2019.

Project: Absolute 70 Fly

Absolute present the project for the 70 Fly, a new flagship for its Flybridge range which today starts from the 47 Fly model and features a total of five models.  The 70 Fly integrates Absolute latest spirit of innovative design and strong attention to detail, with spacious, light-filled interiors enhanced by panoramic windows that offer breath taking uninterrupted sea views. The 70 Fly is also full of the modern and dynamic exterior lines that Absolute introduced with the 47 Fly in 2019 and has then evolved into the bigger models.  As is with the latest Absolute the 70 Fly offers the spacious and bright outdoor areas, designed for maximum comfort and refinement, include a versatile cockpit terrace with modular furnishings that allow for personalized space arrangements, and a convertible bow sundeck, ideal for moments of absolute freedom on the open sea.  The aft area, featuring an innovative sliding platform, facilitates direct access to the sea while also introducing a higher level of elegance, with soft lighting and dedicated relaxation and entertainment spaces. The flybridge, free of steps and equipped with comfortable modular furnishings and a large open-air dining area, transforms into an exclusive terrace from which to admire the surrounding panorama, offering an atmosphere of complete serenity. The design of the Absolute 70 Fly dissolves the boundaries between interior and exterior, offering a fully immersive experience in the surrounding environment.  One of the most innovative features is the sliding door on the port side, made up of six panels, which transforms the indoor dining area into an almost open-air space, where the sea breeze and the view of the sea become an integral part of the onboard comfort.  Similarly, the refined furnishings and large windows create a continuous dialogue with the marine landscape, enhancing the sense of freedom.  The four cabins, including the master forward with a king-size bed and the midships VIP suite, guarantee unparalleled comfort, with spaces designed for maximum relaxation. Each cabin is equipped with elegant furnishings, en-suite bathrooms, and smart solutions such as the electrically sliding bed in the guest cabin. Additionally, the two berth crew cabin located at midships and with separate access from the galley ensures smooth onboard management.  The Absolute 70 Fly is to be powered by twin Volvo 1000hp with IPS pod drives.

www.absoluteyachts.com

New Model: Rustler 41

Rustler debut into motor boating with this new 41 model, what is a modern reinvention of the classic gentleman’s launch, elegantly delivering comfort, speed and pride of ownership. The Rustler 41 motor yacht is designed to have the unique blend of world-class craftsmanship, seakeeping, performance and elegance as the British maker sailing yachts. Designed by Tony Castro the Rustler 41 features a deep-V planning hull that delivers exhilarating performance with a comfortable motion while still retaining excellent slow-speed manoeuvrability. Powered by twin Yanmar 370hp with line shaft propulsion the first Rustler 41 reaches speeds just over thirty knots and a fast cruise of 25.  The accommodation layout of the Rustler 41 is social and practical with an emphasis on luxury with a two double cabin and shower head to starboard.  The owners cabin is forward with a second cabin with double berth at midships and entry to port side. The main deck offers a comfortable wheelhouse with forward-facing helm seats and ample room for two people to sit together. Behind the helm position is a galley with a stove, sink and fridge. Opposite the galley, there’s a U-shaped dinette seating around a table that can drop down to make a third double berth or a daybed if required. Aft of the saloon, doors lead to the cockpit, which has L-shaped seating in each aft quarter, a wet bar and more seating is forward. A through-transom door gives access to a swim platform for easy boarding, with enough space to stow a rib, while side doors in the hull also offering easy access to alongside mooring.  The Rustler 41 is very much a semi-custom build and is also available with both outboards and or inboards pod drives propulsion.

Technical Data:

LOA - 12.50 m (41ft)

Beam - 4 m

Draft - 0.64 m ex. drives and or propellers

Displacement - 11000 kg dry

Fuel Capacity - 1200 l

Water Capacity - 300 l

Accommodation - four berths in two cabins

Engines - 2 x Yanmar 8LV 370hp

Propulsion - line shaft, other options like pod drives or outboards available on request

Speed - thirty knots max 25 knots cruise

Range - 400 nautical miles at cruise

Construction - resin infused

Project - Tony Castro

Certification - CE B

www.rustleryachts.com

Sealine New Web Site

Sealine presents its new World wide web showroom.  Sealine was officially started in 1978 although its bases were laid in 1972, as aeronautical engineer Tom Murrant could not find a cabin cruiser he liked, and decided to design and build one himself.  Tom builds the mould for his design and goes to Midland Marine to produce this boat, offering a swap deal, they build it for him and they get the design.  Unfortunately for Tom, Midland Marine was a busy company at the time, and the production for his boat never gets started, it is here that Murrant meets Frank Fish who with Ray Walker and another friend offer him to build the boat in his garage. The result is the 23ft Continental, which gets so much positive remarks, that Tom decides to take five hundred pounds from his life insurance fund, recruit his wife Jane as secretary and set up Fibrasonic in a rented building at Halfpenny Green airfield near Bobbington in Staffordshire to produce the cabin cruiser.  It looks promising but only for a short time as the 1973 to March 1974 Oil Crisis hits the global economy hard in sixth October of that year, doubling resin prices, with the UK government introducing a 25% VAT and a three day week.  But Fibrasconic survives this period which lasts five years by branching into industrial moulding, producing items for the British Rail, road signs, Toby Jugs, and sub-contracting other boat builds for Sunliner and Scorpio.  In 1978 the Oil Crisis and its aftermath are over and Tom restarts his boat building bug and designs and builds the 19 Weekender, and in just six weeks completes it, with this followed by the 22 Sport and 22 Cabin in the same year.  These three boats debut to the public at the 1978 Southampton boat show, under the C-Line name meaning really Cruiser Line, and in the same year Murrant moves to Kidderminster, the site of bankrupt boat builder Dawncraft.  In the end of 1979, the C-Line name was changed to Sealine.  From the beginning Sealine distinct itself for offering gelcoat color options in blue, orange or yellow, but also for presenting a clever volume focused design giving more space to the foot.  The eighties are full of expansion for Sealine and in 1984 it presents the new 30 Statesman flagship.  The size keeps on growing with the 365 Sportsbridge coming in 1988, and the 450 Statesman in 1992, and then into yacht fifty feet plus in 1999 with the T51.  By the end of the eighties decade Sealine also enters the US market, and in 1998 is sold to a Venture Capitalist firm headed by Gerard Wainright.  The Wainright ownership last three years as in 2001 Sealine is sold to one of the largest pleasure marine industry corporations as USA Brunswick takes over the British boat builder for a reported 68 million US$.  The Brunswick period is followed by investment and expansion as Sealine also launches its largest model to date with the T60 in 2004.  Brunswick will sell Sealine in 2011 to Oxford Investment Group.  The Oxford period is dark for Sealine as it will declare bankruptcy a year later, and in 2013 is bought by current owners Hanse Group.  Hanse Group will only buy the brand and some of the tooling as it moves production to Greifswald Germany.  Sealine currently offers three series of boats; C for Coupe, S for Sport, and F for Flybridge for a total of nine models which starts at 33 feet with the C335 and and goes up to the F430 flagship.  Sealine latest new models is the S335 launched in 2022.  Sealine's new website takes you around with the following buttons; Motorboats, Sealine Legend, Magazine, Events, Dealers, Services, Contact Us, and Configure Now.  Sealine is also on social media with right bottom page buttons taking you to its Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Linkedin pages.

www.sealine.com

Production History;

19 Weekender 1978-

22 Sport 1978-

22 Cabin 1978-

30 Statesman 1984-89

28 Ambassador/285 Ambassador 1985/88-89

255 Senator 1986-90

365 Sportsbridge 1988-91 (108)

328 Sovereign/330 Ambassador 1988/90-92

290 Ambassador 1990-93

260 Senator 1991-

310 Statesman 1991-

380 Ambassador 1991-93

350 Statesman 1992-95

450 Statesman 1992-96

390 Statesman 1993-95

360 Ambassador 1993-96

400 Ambassador 1994-96

360 Statesman 1995-97

410 Statesman 1996-98

37 Flamengo/S37 1997/99-2002

F43 1999-2002

T51 1999-2004

S34 2000-2007

T60 2004-08

T52 2005-06

T50 2006-12

SC35/S380 2007/13-14

SC47 2008-12

35 Sport 2008-10

T60 Aura 2009-12

F46 2009-12

F42 2010-16

S450 2011-16

SC42 2011-12

C48 2011-12

F380 2013-16 *F37 project

S330 2014-21

C330 2014-21

F530 2015-23

C530 2016-23

C430 2017-

F430 2018-

C390 2018-

S430 2020-

S390 2021-

C335 2022-

S335 2022-

Fibrasonic 23ft Continental from 1972, the first unofficial Sealine

New Model: Benetti Class 44M

Benetti has launched the first unit of its new Class 44M launched in Viareggio, revealing the design work of Giorgio M. Cassetta, who showed an informal, natural settings four decks super yacht which recall the brand’s heritage. Launched in Viareggio and titled M/Y Juno’s 7 the first Class 44M unit was entirely designed entirely by Cassetta who also handled the interiors and the decor in partnership with the Benetti Shipyard’s architects. The designer has defined the yacht as “relaxing”, in line with the aim of the project that, from the outset, was to create informal settings that aren’t overly artificial or sophisticated, where the owner and guests can enjoy the ultimate in relaxation and comfort. These ambiances have been achieved thanks to the skilful use of large transparent surfaces, such as the mirrors on the hull sides in the main lounge that reflect the light and the water, making the spaces even brighter. There was also a special focus on the selection of the materials. One of the standouts are trowelled resin, chosen for the bathroom surfaces instead of marble, which is used exclusively on the main deck for the basins in the owner’s bathroom and the day-head. The varieties of FSC-certified wood used are the result of an in-depth study: antique elm, used for the interior flooring on all decks, preserves the natural knots in the wood and the planks have different widths and lengths to take advantage of every part of the tree. The choice for the walls, on the other hand, is striped ash selected with great care to obtain the ideal pattern for this yacht.  M/Y Juno’s 7 is the ideal yacht for safe, long cruises thanks to a layout meticulously studied to ensure maximum privacy and plenty of storage space. The Benetti Class 44M has four decks: the main deck is home to the owner’s cabin, the galley, the day-head and a spacious lounge with direct views of the water on both sides; the upper deck, in addition to the helm station and the generous interior living space that extends outdoors in the stern, offers an extra VIP cabin as an option; the sun deck provides over 102 square metres of deck space, while the lower deck contains the four guest cabins and the crew area. The beach club designed at the water’s edge becomes an independent, versatile and striking space, while the garage has been positioned along the port side. The level of soundproofing puts this 44-metre yacht at the top of the category, thanks to floating floors and bulkheads and flexible transmission couplings based on state-of-the-art technology, while the air-conditioning and treatment system ensures high-efficiency air circulation with six changes per hour. The Benetti Class 44M is powered by twin MAN 1400hp for a top speed of fifteen knots and a range of 4,100 nautical miles at a cruising speed of eleven knots.

Technical Data:

LOA - 44.06 m (144.7ft)

Beam - 9.16 m

Draft - 2.31 m

Displacement - 340 t loaded, 470 GT volume

Fuel Capacity - 60,000 l

Water Capacity - 8000 l

Accommodation - ten guests in five cabins, nine crew in five cabins

Engines - 2 x Man 1400hp

Propulsion - line shafts

Speed - fifteen knots max, eleven cruise

Range - 4100 nautical miles at cruise

Project - Giorgio M. Cassetta interior and exterior, Pierluigi Ausonio naval architect

Certification - RINA

www.benettiyachts.com

Project: Maiora 36 Exuma

During the 2024 Fort Lauderdale boat show Maiora revealed some details of the latest project with the presentation for the upcoming Exuma 36. Designed by Quartostile for exteriors and Acube for interiors, the Maiora 36 Exuma project is an evolution of the multi-award winning 35 Exuma which debuted in 2020 and redefined the concept of versatility by blending together the looks and lines of traditional raised pilot house super yachts into those of more volume focused explorer style yachts.  An innovative design concept which received positive market response as Maiora has delivered four units in less to three years of the outgoing 35 Exuma model.  Now Maiora's parent company Next Group and designer Quartostile evolve this design to feature more, adding space especially on the upper deck which now uses nearly all the yacht length, but also for offering a cleaner horizontal yacht.  The Maiora 36 Exuma will offer a ten guest suites layout with an owners stateroom forward of the upper deck, and four guest suites below including of which is a very spacious VIP suite to starboard.  Crew accommodation is for five located forward of the lower deck, and also featuring a lobby with dinette and a second galley.  The Maiora 36 Exuma is powered by triple Man 2000hp with triple jet propulsion for top speeds up to 32 knots.

www.maiora.it

New Model: Sacs Strider 13

For 2024 Sacs have presented the new Strider 13 model.  Designed by Christian Grande the new second generation Strider 13 is a revolution of details to one of Sacs most popular models.  New cockpit layout with central corridor, super structure and central console redesign with big side windows, raised foredeck for more accommodation, and a re-engineered hull shape.  With these design changes the new Strider 13 is now actually longer, and just short of a foot wider, and thanks to this now offers more spaces both outside and inside.  With the space inside now being more spacious as the new Strider 13 now offers an accommodation for four in two plus layout, forward double berth, and two other berths at midships, plus an L-shaped sofa, and shower head to starboard.  The Sacs Strider 13 is powered by twin Volvo 440hp diesel engines with stern drive propulsion in the Inboard version, or triple Mercury 500hp for the Outboard.   

Technical Data:

LOA - 13.49 m (44.1ft)

Hull Length - 11.9 m

Beam - 4.26 m

Draft - 1.05 m

Displacement - 

Fuel Capacity - 1150 l

Water Capacity - 200 l

Max Persons - sixteen

Accommodation - two plus two berths 

Engines - 2 x Volvo D6 440hp, or 3 x Mercury 500hp petrol gas outboards

Propulsion - Volvo DPI duo prop stern dives, or triple outboards

Speed - 

Hull Shape - modified Vee with 19.8 degrees deadrise

Project - Christian Grande

Certification - CE B

www.sacsmarine.com

Project: Astondoa 577 Coupe

Astondoa present the 577 Coupe project, a new sport yacht which will position itself in between the best-selling 377 Coupe and the exclusive 677 Coupe.  The 577 Coupe will reach the market in 2025, fulfilling Astondoa’s desire to offer new formulas to satisfy sports boating enthusiasts who are looking for their own personal and unique experience, in total connection with the sea, without renouncing luxury and comfort on board at the highest level.  A combination of sporty lines and elegance, the new yacht follows the aesthetics of its predecessors in the Coupe range, with a daring and original design theme.  For this the 577 Coupe reproduces the distinctive elements of this sporty line, such as the inverted bow, the aluminium structure of the cabins or the stepped stern.  The interiors combine the quality and high standard of finishes that distinguish Astondoa with the new materials, textures and trendy colours that the shipyard has introduced in its latest launches. As with all Astondoa yachts, customisation is also a part of the new 577 Coupe, where the customer’s taste and personality are reflected in their yacht.

www.astondoa.com