Classic Motor Yacht Partly Sinks in Englewood Florida

A classic US style motor yacht of sixteen meters in length ended part sinking and aground near Redfish, in Englewood, Manasota, Florida on Monday seventeen February.  The news of this partly sank motor yacht was shared on the Boat Fails Facebook Group.  The classic motor yacht reportedly hit a submerged object and started to take on water, with its helmsman deciding to ground the yacht, drop the anchor and part save it.  Eventually the classic yacht was salvaged, and was reported to have salt water damage to its engine, electrical system, and furnishings. 

The yacht in this sinking is a 1989 DeFever 53 POC Motor Yacht, as designed by Arthur DeFever and produced from 1986 to 1989 in about sixty units.  DeFever was founded by naval architect Arthur Defever, existing from 1960 to 1991, and returning in 2004 till 2019.  A total of 21 DeFever models from 34 to sixty foot were made in fiberglass, steel, wood in various boat yards from California were it started, then Mexico, Japan, Taiwan, and latest builds coming in China.

Engine: Mercury Diesel 4.2L 320hp

During the Dusseldorf 2025 boat show Mercury Marine proudly introduced the latest evolution of its Mercury Diesel 4.2L, compliant with RCD II emission standards, and now available in the European Union markets. The Mercury Diesel 4.2L (RCD II) is a six-cylinder, in-line engine with a 4.2-liter displacement, equipped with a turbocharger and aftercooler. Thanks to the Common Rail fuel system with electronically controlled injectors, the engine ensures precise tuning of the air-to-fuel ratio. This results in improved acceleration, higher top speeds, and greater efficiency. The new Mercury Diesel 4.2L fully complies with RCD II emission standards. This was achieved through modified fuel injectors and advanced electronic engine control systems. The engine is compatible with both conventional diesel fuel and HVO biofuel, enabling a reduction in particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and carbon dioxide emissions. The Mercury Diesel 4.2L 320hp offers a maximum torque of 703 Nm at 2600 RPM and a fuel consumption of 71.9 litres per hour at full load. The Mercury Diesel 4.2L is fully compatible with Mercury Marine’s Next Gen DTS and JPS Precision Joystick system, and features a closed water-cooling system, increasing durability and reliability. Additionally, Mercury SeaCore® technology provides maximum protection against corrosion in saltwater environments. Maintenance is simplified with top-mounted fluid reservoirs, a self-draining oil filter, and an easily accessible oil level indicator.

www.mercurymarine.com

Project: Performance Marine 90X

Performance are announcing a new era as they present the first and smallest of three new projects the 90X, to be designed by iYacht and sets the tone for its next evolution. The 90X is labelled by Performance of more than a new start, with the this nine meter sport boat-cruiser being a tribute to the previous Italian now fully German boat builder next step into the future. The legendary hull, which stands for pure speed and unparalleled driving dynamics, remains and is complemented by the latest technology, reimagined designs and luxurious features. Like any Performance the 90X combines the thrill of a high-performance sports boat and the elegance of a luxurious retreat, coupled with the iconic design meets cutting-edge technology, sophisticated ergonomics and the highest level of craftsmanship. The Performance 90X cockpit leaves nothing to be desired: ergonomics meets technology, owners will have a choice between digital dual screens and analogue instruments all intuitively positioned in the perfect field of vision. The digitally connected lever gearshifts guarantee precise control, while the adjustable, suspended seats for the driver and passenger offer maximum comfort even at high speeds. The cabin of the 90X will set new standards for a very sporty fast boat, with an impressive standing height of 1.75 meters, a king-size bed and a well-designed wet room that redefines comfort, it offers you space and luxury without compromise. The Performance 90X is to be standard powered by twin Mercruiser 250hp gas engines with options going up to twin Mercury Racing 565hp for speeds up seventy knots. So far the Performance 90X seems not to be offered with a diesel option, which I think is a bit of losing a bit to the market. Performance look to be back, stronger, faster and more precise than ever before.

www.performance-marine.de

Grand Banks New Web Site

Grand Banks unveils a new World wide web virtual showroom site. Grand Banks started operating in 1956 as American Marine Limited founded by Robert J. Newton and sons John and Whit in Hong Kong. But the start was not about a trawler yacht, as its first jobs it built custom Sparkman and Stephens, William Gardner, Nat Herreshoff, and Ray Hunt designed sailing yachts.  American Marine entry into motor boating starts in 1961 as they start to produce the Chantyman, a 34 foot cruiser designed by Hugh Angleman and Charles Davies which will be build in twenty units till 1963.  In 1963 Grand Banks also build a luxurious one off 65 foot constructed of mahogany and teak to a design of Walter J McInnis for wealthy American, Philip L Van Every, who was Chief Executive of Lance Inc. and Mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina. In 1962 though comes the real change as the Newton's commission Kenneth Smith a 36 feet humble cruising boat with work-boat like looks, which will be named Spray. This 36 Classic was a turn around for the Newton's and with it a change from building custom sailing yachts to this traditional looking explorer cruiser.  Launched in 1964 this Kenneth Smith design will evolve into the Grand Banks 36 Classic and remain in production till 2004, and was followed in the same year by a smaller 32 Sedan, with this series taking the name of Heritage into the years and totalling 22 models in a production run which lasted till 2016 and included a one off 80 model launched in 1975. In 1973 Grand Banks starts switching all its models to fiberglass construction.  1993 marks an important move to Grand Banks launching the Eastbay series designed by previous collaborator Ray Hunt, and inspired to the Down East lobster boats.  The Eastbay started with the 38 EX and up till today it has totalled sixteen models, from the small 38 to the 60 which arrived in 2022.  In 2001 the Aleutian larger yacht series was introduced with the 64, and in fourteen years it featured seven different models from the 2010 two year produced 53 to the 76 RP produced from 2010 till 2012. In 2014 Grand Banks started a new path when it bought out Palm Beach motor yachts and CEO Mark Richards takes over the leadership of both companies.  After Mark Richards took over he changed the traditional GB explorer line, and reinvented it with V-warp hull shape, and redefined exterior looks, starting it with the GB60 launched in 2017.  Currently Grand Banks offers nine models in two range Eastbay and and the reinvented explorer GB line. The Grand Banks line starts with the Eastbay 44, and goes up to the Grand Banks 85.  Grand Banks new web site takes you around with the following buttons; Models, V Warp Technology,  Factory Direct Advantage, Service, Pre-Owned, Grand Banks Heritage, and Contact. Grand Banks is also on social media with buttons on the bottom of the page taking you to its; Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Linkedin pages.

www.grandbanks.com

Production History;

Chantyman 34'6 1961-63 (20)

36 Classic 1964-2004 (1200+)

32 Sedan 1964-79 (800+)

Alaskan 46 1966-73 (40)

50 1968-74 (63)

Laguna 10m 1970-80

48 MY 1972-77  fiberglass construction switch starts in 1973

Laguna 11.5m 1973-81

80 1975 (1)

42 CL 1975-2005  (1500+) 

42 EU 1979-2005

49 CL 1980-99 (125+)

49 MY 1986-99

46 CL 1987-2004

42 MY 1987-2005

36 Europa 1988

58 MY 1990-2002

46 MY 1990-2004

46 EU 1993-2004

Eastbay 38 EX/HX 1994-2004

Eastbay 40 Flybridge 1997

Eastbay 43 Flybridge 1998-2004

52 EU 1998-2008

Eastbay 49 HX 1999-2006

Eastbay 43 EX, HX, SX 2000-07

Eastbay 58 FB 2002-07

64 Aleutian RP 2002-07

Eastbay 54 SX 2004-07

Eastbay 47 FB 2005-10

72 Aleutian RP 2005-16 (20+)

47 EU 2005-11

Eastbay 39 SX 2006-12

59 Aleutian RP 2006-12

Eastbay 45 SX 2007-09 

Eastbay 55 SX, FB 2007-12 

47 CL 2007-14

65 Aleutian RP 2008-12

Eastbay 46 SX, FB 2009-12

41 EU 2009-12

76 Aleutian RP 2010-12

53 Aleutian RP 2010-12

43 EU 2012-15

55 Aleutian RP 2012-15

54 EU 2012-16

Eastbay 50 SX 2013-15

Eastbay 44 SX 2016-  Mark Richards ownership starts

60 2018-

57 EU 2020 (3)

54 2020- *GB52 project

85 2022- (3

Eastbay 60 2022-

62 2025-

m/y Spray the prototype of what will become the Grand Banks 36 Classic

New Launch: Feadship 91.80m Hull.1012

Feadship has launched its hull number 1012 titled m/y Drizzle.  Hull 1012 is the first Feadship to carry full Hybrid Electric Class notation, and was built for a repeat Feadship owner who previously owned the 67 meter 2012 build Hull.683, and before that the 2005 55 meter Hull.669, both of which were designed by De Voogt.  This repeat Feadship owner came to the custom project with informed requests based on his long experience of yachting. The exterior styling was designed with very specific owner’s input by Dutch design firm Sinot, who was also chosen to design the interior. At 91.80-metres in length, the crisply chamfered exterior contours combine with a more traditional flared bow to lend the yacht a modern-classic personality. Despite her considerable volume, the interior is designed to offer cosy spaces for family use, superbly crafted and meticulously detailed to create an understated family home.

Technical Data:

LOA - 91.80 m (301.2ft)

Beam - 14.50 m

Draft - 3.90 m

Displacement - 2965 gt*volume

Fuel Capacity - 

Accommodation - fourteen guests in seven suites, eighteen crew in nine cabins

Engines - 2 x MTU 16V4000 M65L 3433hp

Propulsion - Azipods

Speed - eighteen knots max, twelve knots cruise

Range - 5500 nautical miles at best cruise

Construction - steel hull aluminium super structure

Project - Sinot exterior and interior, De Voogt naval architecture

Certification - Bureau Veritas

www.feadship.nl

Classic Riviera Sinks in Queensland Australia

A classic fifteen meter unattended Riviera flybridge cruiser was filmed as she was partly sank in North Mackay, Queensland, Australia, on the morning of Friday fourteen February.  The classic cruiser is shown stern in the water as its bilge pumps alarms are ringing, and marina crew securing her with the pontoon dock to slow it from going totally under water and to make saving operations easier later on.  The cause of the sinking are not reported though a trough hull failure, coupled with the heavy rain the area experienced the previous days might have lead to it.  A salvage operation to float the flybridge cruiser is being organized.

The Riviera in this part sinking is a 48 Open Flybridge as produced from 1992 to 2004 in 169 units.  The Riviera 48 Open Flybridge was a replacement to the bit larger 52, becoming the down under flagship model, and was replaced by the first generation 51 Open Flybridge.

One Person Injured as Three Boats Go Ablaze in North Palm Beach

Three boats caught fire at Safe Marina Harbor, to the South of Parker Bridge, North Palm Beach, Florida at 23:10 of Thursday thirteen February.  The fire is reported to have started in a fourteen meter catamaran, which then jumped to a sixteen meter motor yacht, and then to a sailing boat of about twelve meters.  Palm Beach County Fire Rescue responded to the fire first, and were later assisted by North Palm Beach Fire Rescue and Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue, with the blaze extinguished at 03:00 early morning time.  Paramedics reported one man had injuries, but refused going to hospital.  Crews were cleaning the area all day on Friday, with an investigation of what caused the fire being carried by North Palm Beach Fire Rescue.

The motor yacht wreck in this fire is a Maritimo M54 Flybridge Motor Yacht as produced from 2016 to 2021.  This M54 was the latest version with the large hull glazing as in its last two years of production.  The Maritimo M54 was a replacement to the M53 Cruising Motor Yacht and was replaced by the M55.

Project: Majesty 100 Terrace

Gulf Craft headlining Majesty Yachts brand presents the project for the 100 Terrace, which is set to debut in a couple of weeks at the 2025 Dubai boat show.  The 100 Terrace is a replacement to the 100 model after eighteen deliveries and a production run of seven years since 2017, and presents itself with a modern looking design, with a sleek silhouette and bold presence.  The Majesty 100 Terrace combines effortless grace with cutting-edge technology, delivering a sleek, bold silhouette and 199 gross tonnage of volume.  The Majesty Yachts Terrace will offer a 20% increase in entertainment space, every deck is designed for social gatherings, while the interiors masterfully balance form and function for unparalleled comfort. Bathed in natural light through expansive glass skylights, the yacht’s wide, open spaces create a seamless indoor-outdoor connection, enhancing its airy, open feel.  The Majesty 100 Terrace boasts expansive entertainment and dining areas framed by floor-to-ceiling patio doors, creating a perfect space for social gatherings. A distinct feature of the Majesty 100 Terrace is the owner’s stateroom which will feature a private terrace and stunning 270-degree views. The upper deck features a luxurious sky lounge and wheelhouse, while the lower deck houses spacious, ensuite-equipped cabins.  For added indulgence, the sundeck includes a skylights, jacuzzi sunbeds and dining spaces, catering to those who crave an extra touch of luxury.  The Majesty 100 Terrace is to be powered by twin MTU 2600hp.

www.majesty-yachts.com

Dubai 2025 Boat Show Preview

The 2025 Dubai boat show is scheduled from the nineteen to 23 February. The 2025 edition of the Dubai boat show will feature over one thousand brands, and two hundred plus of boats at the show, with some of the most exciting brands, products and world-premiers all split in six different areas; Super Yacht Avenue, Equipment and Supplies, Watersports, Marina Displays, Dive Mena and Dive Pool, and Supercar Avenue. The 2025 Dubai boat show will feature superyachts, small fishing boats, latest dive equipment, and all possible marine equipment.  World debuts will come from Gulf Craft's Majesty 100 Terrace and a mystery debut of about twenty meters, and the Sunreef Ultima 55.

www.boatshowdubai.com

The Dubai boat show was started in 1992 as a modest event focused on the local United Arab Emirates maritime industry. With Dubai becoming the cosmopolitan city of the Middle East, the boat show eventually grew in size and popularity, with this growth further fueled with the growing of yachting in the gulf area, in the early noughties, a popularity which reached full circle by the end of the first decade of the new millennium.  Today the Dubai boat show gets over thirty thousand visitors in a five day event, reaching both these numbers in its last 2022 and 2023 editions.  The Dubai boat show was cancelled for both the 2020 and 2021 Covid-19 pandemic years.

New Model: Windy 29 Huracan

Windy present the new 29 Huracan, a sport cruiser sport boat classic in layout but modern in design looks. The 29 Huracan continues Windy collaboration with Espen Øino for exterior lines and follows an interior as designed by Design Unlimited, following the work on the 40 Camira. The Windy 29 Huracán is a modern looking sport cruiser combining a spacious, safe, and social cockpit with a fantastic design language creating a unique appearance that radiates both luxury and sportiness. The 29 Huracan features a traditional cockpit layout with aft sun-pad, L-shaped settee dinette, and helm station to starboard with companionway settee the other side to port. Lower deck accommodation is the traditional forward V-shaped, with a galley on entry and shower head opposite. This versatile new model can be powered with either Volvo Penta or Yanmar inboard engines.  The Windy 29 Huracan is standard powered by a single Volvo 440hp, with optional power coming for a Yanmar 370hp and or petrol gas Volvo 430hp. 

Technical Data:

LOA - 8.91 m (29.2ft)

Beam - 2.70 m

Draft - 1 m with drive, 0.55 m with drive up

Displacement - 3.45 t unloaded

Fuel Capacity - 400 l

Water Capacity - 115 l

Max Persons - eight

Accommodation - two berths

Engines - single Volvo V8 430hp *petrol gas, D6 440hp, Yanmar 8LV-Z 370hp

Propulsion - duo prop stern drive Volvo DPI for D6 440hp, Yanmar ZT370

Speed - 43 knots max with Volvo 440hp

Construction - resin infused fiberglass

Project - Espen Oino exterior and naval architect, Design Unlimited interior

Certification - CE B

www.windy.no