New Rochelle Marina Fire Injures Two Wrecks Seven Boats

A woman and a child were injured in a fire which totalled seven boats at Imperial Yacht Club, in New Rochelle, at about 00:45 of Saturday 22 February.  Fire fighters responded to the blaze, with New Rochelle Police Harbor and Port Washington Long Island Marine all this coordinated by the New Rochelle Harbor master.  The fire got eventually more complicated as the boats burned there lines and freed themselves from the dock, burning other boats.  The fire took about two hours to contain, with the woman and child escaping from one of the boats suffering from smoke inhalation treated by firefighters at the scene before being taken to Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx.  Clean up operations were still ongoing Saturday as two of the boats sank, with one of these blocking the marina canal.  Details how the fire started are not reported, as an investigation is ongoing.

The boats in this fire are not identifiable as most of them are sank, though I can spot a Fleming 55 with what looks as mostly cosmetic fire damage to its starboard side.

Two Women Killed in Newark Boat Fire

Two women were killed in a fire which developed on a boat, at a boat storage facility located in the intersection of Pennsy Place and Pershing Avenue, to the West of Newark Liberal Airport, in Newark, New Jersey shortly before 20:55 of Friday 21 February.  Newark Police responded to the fire and took the two women to University Hospital, were they were pronounced dead.  An adult man was also grievously injured as he was taken to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, who was reported to be in stable condition.  The fire involved two boats, which were trailer parked next to each other in a boat yard.  An investigation on this fire is ongoing, with arson reported to be a possibility.

The damaged boat to the left in this fire is a Sea Ray 230 Overnighter as produced in the mid to late nineties.

New Model: Heesen 5700 Aluminium

Heesen Yachts has launched YN 20457 Project Akira, now named m/y Santosha.  The first in the Heesen new semi custom 5700 Aluminium series, YN 20457 boasts an interior volume of 780GT and features exterior lines penned by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects. Originally built on speculation, the vessel's design took a new direction when the owners came on board. Working closely with the yacht's interior designer, Harrison Eidsgaard, and Heesen's interior engineers, the clients tailored the yacht to reflect their taste and lifestyle, transforming Akira into Santosha. The owners chose the Sanskrit name Santosha for their vessel and the lotus as a logo. First revealed at the 2019 Monaco Yacht Show, Heesen's 57-metre series has a shapely silhouette with an elongated profile. A sweeping arch ties the length of the superstructure together, while the slightly raked angle of the bow gives the yacht a stretched optical length. The scooped-shaped stern ensures that the 57-metre will stand out among other superyachts berthed in a marina. Santosha's owners envisioned an interior with a relaxed but elegant ambience, and Heesen's craftspeople masterfully executed this concept. The clients were heavily involved in material selection, incorporating many sustainable options, such as recycled wood, 'performance leather' and 'art silk' carpets. YN 20547 design seamlessly merges luxury and functionality, featuring a free-flowing layout and neutral colour palette. The interior showcases a refined architectural hierarchy and consistency. Minimalist aesthetics, carefully considered embellishments, and unique door treatments create a sense of fluidity throughout. The design details are meticulously curated, with elements like woven leather accents around the TV in the sky lounge and gleaming curved wallpapers that reflect sunlight. The interiors are also adorned with carefully curated art pieces. The use of art adds a playful and brave touch to the serene and elevated decor. The works are balanced by the pale-coloured floors and 'art silk' carpets, contributing to the vessel's fresh and elegant aesthetic. Heesen first 5700 Aluminium features a nearly 70 sqm owners' apartment, which includes a study, a full beam stateroom, and expansive bathroom. Elegant light fixtures and bespoke artwork make it a truly personal space. The master bathroom is an ode to the Garden of Eden, with lush white-on-white designs inspired by bas-relief techniques, designed in collaboration with the client, and masterfully crafted by London-based artists of DKT studio. The snake, a totem animal for the Owners, takes center stage in the artwork. Beyond transformation, this creature epitomizes rebirth. In its cyclical shedding of its skin, the snake becomes a symbol of renewal and resurrection. The spiritual energy of the snake inspires us to view endings not as finality but as gateways to new beginnings. The snake also represents the journey of healing. The area also sports beautifully carved Calacatta Sponda marble and an expansive vanity desk. The guest quarters are designed with practicality in mind, drawing on the clients' extensive experience and deep understanding of life on board. They feature light, elegant aesthetics with breezy pops of colour, curated artwork, and contemporary photography, creating a serene yet playful atmosphere. Santosha is not just a work of art but also a high-performance vessel that delivers. The Heesen 57-metre features a full aluminium hull, an iteration of the ultra-efficient FDHD devised by Dutch hydrodynamicists van Oossanen Naval architects. The 57 meter hull has been perfectly engineered by Heesen's in-house team and crafted by the shipyard's highly skilled welders. Two MTU 3433hp engines propel the the Heesen 5700 Aluminium up to 22 knots and deliver a transatlantic range of 3,900 nautical miles at thirteen knots. A draft of just over two metres makes also the Heesen 5700 Aluminium  an ideal platform from which to explore the turquoise shallows of the Bahamas.  This first Heesen 5700 Aluminium will debut at the 2025 Palm Beach boat show, with a second unit starting construction and set to launch in 2027.

Technical Data:

LOA - 56.70 m (186ft)

Beam - 10.30 m

Draft - 2.30 m

Displacement - 490 t half load, 730 gt*volume

Fuel Capacity - 80,000 l

Water Capacity - 24,000 l

Accommodation - twelve guests in six cabins, thirteen crew in seven cabins

Engines - 2 x MTU 16V4000 M65L 3433hp

Propulsion -  line shaft with five blade fixed pitch propellers

Speed - 22 knots max thirteen knots cruise

Range - 3900 nautical miles at thirteen knots

Hull Shape - FDHF Fast Displacement Hull Form

Construction - aluminium

Project - Frank Laupman Omega Architects exterior, Harrison Eidsgaard interior, Van Oossanen naval architect

Certification - ABS A1 Commercial Yachting Service AMS

www.heesenyachts.com

Project: Nordhavn 80EYF

The project of this 80EYF comes from a customer who will be on his third Nordhavn, and currently owns a 75EYF from 2009 and previously to this an N62.   This Queensland, Australian owner was happy with the interior living quarters of the 75EYF, but was looking for some more outdoor space, especially the cockpit deck which will be extended in the 80EYF and will feature a California style cockpit deck.  With the length extension of the 80EYF will also come a modification of the bulkheads to make engine room access easier.  Leishman and to an extent all naval architects are not really keen to entertain buyers’ requests in moving bulkheads, but with the yacht being extended, this was possible to do.  Besides adding space for outdoor entertaining, there will be other benefits to the new 80EYF.  For start the 80EYF will resemble the new modern design of current Nordhavns which includes the frameless pilothouse windows. Additionally, the extended waterline length will equate to improved performance and seakeeping abilities, plus the lengthened prop shaft, a Y strut as featured on the N96s will be added to ensure the prop is spinning in smooth water, thus increasing efficiency.

www.nordhavn.com

New Model: Galeon 480 Fly

Galeon debuted its new 480 Fly at the Cannes boating festival. A replacement to the 460 Fly after six years of production, the Galeon 480 Fly comes again from the two decades guidance of naval architect Tony Castro.  As is with Galeon models since 2015 the 480 Fly primary objective is to expand the deck area and offer abundant natural light into the interior by incorporating generously oversized windows on both the main and lower decks. The flybridge comes equipped with two distinct seating areas, a wet bar and a fully equipped top steering station. The Galeon 480 Fly makes also extensive use of carbon technology, saving weight savings for more space up top and better handling due to a lower center of gravity. The beloved Beach Mode makes a triumphant return, charming with partially glazed balconies, effectively expanding the usable cockpit space when you decide to drop anchor. The aft seating will feature a stow-away grill option accessible from the hydraulic platform. The Galeon 480 Fly offers a main deck with an astern galley layout looking inside, while the lower deck is a three double cabins layout, with an owners stateroom at midships. The Galeon 480 Fly is powered from twin Volvo 440hp up to 600hp.  The first unit was actually powered by twin Volvo 600hp and line shafts, which give you thirty knots max and a 24 cruise.  It is not understood if IPS is available for the Galeon 480 Fly, while a US advertised unit is powered by large Volvo 670hp and the eleven meter blocks.  Competition is not fierce as it used to be in this size and flybridge type cruisers, with the 480 Fly closest rivals coming from the IPS only Absolute 47 Fly and the slightly larger Prestige F4.9.  Interestingly this triumvirate of choices is not really alike with the new Galeon 480 Fly being the only one with drop down balconies and midships owners room.

Technical Data:

LOA - 14.35 m (47.1ft)

Hull Length - 12.9 m

Beam - 4.33 m, 5.95 m with drop down bulwarks

Draft - 1.30 m

Displacement - 18752 kg unloaded, 22824 kg loaded

Fuel Capacity - 2 x 750 l

Water Capacity - 650 l

Max Persons - fourteen

Accommodation - six berths in three cabins  

Engines - 2 x Volvo D6 440hp, D8 600hp

Propulsion - line shafts

Speed - thirty knots max 24 cruise with Volvo 600hp on shafts

Project - Tony Casto

Certification - CE B

www.galeon.pl

Project: Sirena 60

Sirena Yachts has announced details of a new 60 project at the boot Düsseldorf 2025. The Turkish yacht builder unveiled the new Sirena 60 project, a replacement to the 58 with the promise of even more space for lounging, better storage and a stunning modern aesthetic. The new 60 carries all the distinctive features that have made Sirena such a global success, from flexible accommodation to fantastic exterior spaces, with the contemporary lines drawn by German Frers, the designer of all Sirena yachts thus far who brings the familiar plumb bow, long bathing platform and the contrast between large areas of dark glass and gleaming white topsides. But the 60 is a considerable evolution compared to the previous Sirena 58, which starts at the stern, where a new transom profile creates more space on the platform and gives it a more modern look. Rope storage lockers on either side of the newly modelled stern seat are bigger, and there are larger openings in the bulwarks for access to the dock. The main saloon windows are also bigger. Up at the bow, the foredeck lounge has been completely redesigned. Not only is it all bang on trend, with dark grey upholstery and a smart floating backrest, it features a much larger seat and a folding table. The matching sunpad also has a convertible backrest which allows it to serve as comfortable seating when you want to dine al fresco. Even the flybridge which is the Sirena 58’s most iconic features has been improved. The dashboard and the pilot seats have been redesigned to look more modern. A slick new Corian worktop has been introduced in the bar unit, and the sun-pad has also been endowed with a new convertible headrest. It all combines to make this shaded spot the pick of the yacht’s exterior social spaces. Smarter use of space has allowed the design team to devote more interior volume to key lifestyle features of the Sirena 60. Entering through the broad sliding aft doors, you will encounter the galley first of all, which has grown nearly 20 per cent in area to five square metres. This equates to bigger work surfaces and even better storage for food and crockery in new raised cabinets, with the option of a wine cooler being available. Further forward, the indoor helm station has also had a revamp, with a new ergonomic designed pilot seats hug your back for long hours of comfortable driving, while a smart pantograph door gives quick access out onto the side deck for more relaxed mooring manoeuvres. The stairs below have been remodelled to take up less space and improve access below. As with the Sirena 58 before it, the basic configuration remains for three large cabins. These include a breath taking full-beam master amidships and a spacious VIP double forward, as well as a more flexible third cabin. Here, a sliding bed system can transform from a generous double to twin singles, depending on whether it’s for children, friends or a couple. There’s also more storage space here and in the VIP cabin. Eliminating the rounded edges that characterised the walls of the previous model has also freed up more space. All three cabins have always been en-suite, but the new configuration has allowed designers to separate the heads from the shower areas. And the detailing has been given an uplift with new alcoves and niches in Corian. There’s even room for a washer-dryer below the companionway. Individually, each of these changes represents a small evolutionary step for Sirena, which taken together, they amount to nothing short of transformative. Construction on the Sirena 60 is well under way in Turkey, with hull and deck moulding complete and in outfitting stage, and the first unit expected to launch in July, for a World debut to come at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September 2025.

www.sirenayachts.com

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