Projects: Amer F106, Amer F126

Amer is very active in offering projects in this moment, and apart its entry into larger sizes up to seventy meters present the the F 106 and F 126 upcoming models both of which are designed by Antonio Luxardo.  The F106 pictured above is a natural evolution of the Amer F 100 of which six units have been build.  The style of the Amer F 106 gives continuity to the stylistic features of the previous F 100, making it even more elegant and distinctive.  Based on the experience gained, efficiency has been further improved.  The widel body has again allowed to emphasize and increase the interior spaces to the benefit of large panoramic windows and generous dimensions dedicated to the fly-bridge.  The Amer F 106 is to be powered by quadruple Volvo 1000hp with four or two IPS pod drives in the upcoming two into one next generation pod drives.

Flagship of the Amer Yachts series, the F 126 is a concept created by the shipyard to make the most of the potential of interior and exterior spaces and designed for intensive use, with charter also being put in the equation of design.  Like the smaller F 106 the F 126 is a replacement of the 120 of which six units have been delivered.  For the Amer F 126 Antonio Luxardo presents again sporty lines and a streamlined silhouette, while the hull designed with quadruple Volvo 1000hp and IPS pod drive propulsion also guarantees low consumption.  Both Amer F 126 and F 120 are building with hybridization of materials; aluminium super structure and a fibreglass made hull.  Ecological consciousness is also part of the build with new composite used, which at end of life are recyclable.

www.ameryachts.it

Allan Brown 1935 - 2025

Allan Brown left for the better World on May 28 in Sabastian, Florida, at 89.  A famous figure in the offshore racing and the early days of fiberglass pleasure boat building circles, for four decades  Allan “Brownie” Brown lived a life at full throttle, and could not straighten his head because of neck injuries and two knees replaced, and survived a career of boat racing which would have killed lesser men.  Following the learning of the trade with Challenger in Florida in the 1950's, an unknown name but credited for building the first all fiberglass hull, Brownie was then general manager for Challenger and entered boat building as he was involved with the first two PT boats at Miami Shipbuilding.  He then later assisted Willis Slade in the late 1950’s in the tooling for the first Hatteras 41, the Knit Wits.  Following this Brownie will join Don Aronow and will become Donzi sales manager, a job he will keep after the Aronow selling and till 1968.  In that same year with financial help from Bill Wishnick, he will found Nova Marine debuting with a 24 model as designed by Dick Cole, known as the Donzi designer.  Allan Brown will exit Nova Marine after a year and joins Magnum Marine as a chief engineer, a position he will keep till the mid seventies.  Brownie will then handle the American operation of Cougar Marine as he is hired as President of the British powerboat specialist US facility on NE 188th Street in North Miami.  At some point after his stint at Cougar Marine, “Brownie” rejoins Aronow at Cigarette Racing Team as Director of Product Development a position he will keep till the nineties.  Next stop for Allan “Brownie” Brown was to manage Tom Gentry project to beat the Trans-Atlantic record as held by Richard Branson. An all-aluminium superyacht of 112-feet in length with a moderate vee of 18-degree deadrise hull as designed and then constructed in England.  The record run was made in July, 1989 in 62 hours and 7 minutes, which included a mid-Atlantic stop to top up with fuel. The incredible journey of Allan “Brownie” Brown through the annals of the high-performance boat scene of the 1960’s through to the nineties is unparalleled. He was an influence in so many ways, and made major contributions with many of the other, and better known, racers of his time. Allan Brown, offshore racer, builder, and Hall of Fame inductee, celebrated his remarkable and memorable way in 2018 by publishing a book entitled, “Tales from Thunderboat Row."  

New Launch: Michael Rybovich 62 Sportfisherman Hull #8

Michael Rybovich presents its latest launch the hull number eight 62 Sportfisherman.  Titled m/y Perlamar this latest Michael Rybovich 62 is again designed in house, and was keel laid in the fall of 2021 taking three years to complete, with its first launch coming in September 2024.  The 62 Sportfisherman features a three cabins sleeping eight layout and a tackle storage room to port side upon arrival on the lower deck.  The master stateroom is located at midships to starboard, with a guest cabin with four berths forward; bunk berths to port and double bed to starboard, and a third cabin with bunks to port side.  All three cabins have a private bathroom.  The main deck of Michael Rybovich eight hull comes a bit different to the sportfisherman standard, with an astern galley layout, day head to port, small dinette for four persons to port side and relax L-shaped sofa lounge located forward to starboard.  Michael Rybovich and Sons 62 Sportfisherman Hull #8 is powered by twin MTU 1920hp.

Technical Data:

LOA - 18.89 m (62ft)

Beam - 5.63 m

Draft - 1.67 m

Displacement - 35380 kg

Fuel Capacity - 8555 l

Water Capacity - 1400 l

Accommodation - eight berths in three cabins

Engines - 2 x MTU 12v2000 M96L 1920hp

Propulsion - line shaft

Speed - 

Construction - cold moulding with epoxy resins

Project - Michael Rybovich and sons design and naval architecture

www.michaelrybovichandsons.com

1 Injured as Bertram Boat Fire Wrecks in Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale

One man was injured as a ten meter Bertram sportfish cruiser titled m/y Bianca went ablaze near Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, Florida at around 09:30 morning time of Wednesday 28 May.  Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue was on scene with Chopper 4 and two boats, fighting the fire.  The only man onboard, who jumped in the water was rescued by Ocean Rescue lifeguards first and after taken care by paramedics was taken to Broward Health Medical Center.  Ultimately the Bertram cruiser which beached ashore was wrecked by the fire, which took forty minutes to extinguish.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The Bertram in this fire is a 33 Flybridge Cruiser Mark.II, as designed by Dave Napier and produced from 1988 to 1992.  The 33 Flybridge Cruiser Mark.II was a soft updated replacement to the Mark I version which debuted in 1977, with this replacing the Ray Hunt designed Bertram 31, which debuted the Bertram boat and yacht builder in 1961.

Project: Wajer 55

Wajer present the project for a new second generation 55, again designed by Sinot with naval architecture by Vripack.  The original and first Wajer 55 debuted in the second half of 2017, and has been a success for the traditional inspired sport cruiser and yacht Dutch builder, with the model spawning two other 55 HT and 55 S variants.  Recognizable by a couple cosmetic details, from the air intakes which curve with the stern and are positioned under the rub rail, similar to the Wajer 77, and the bathing platform which extends from the hull, the new Wajer 55 is not just a cosmetic improvement on the previous model but also features a new hull which is nearly three feet longer and 25 centimetres wider.  Although bigger and longer much of the Wajer 55 is the same to the same name model it replaces, from the symmetrical layout; central corridor with two aft sun-pads, two C-shaped dinettes versus the previous L-shape, and dual helm station and co-driver to starboard which is repeated for two other companion seats the other side.  The cabin layout is also mostly unchanged to the first generation Wajer 55; with a double berth forward, shower head to starboard, L-shaped galley to port, and twin berths at midships.  A technical novelty in the Wajer 55 will be automatic concealed fenders, along with the other technical gizmos which are package and parcel of the Dutch sport cruisers and yachts; integrated cleats, concealed anchor, and extendable swim platform.  Automatic fenders are not new, I remember seeing them at the 2004 Genoa boat show presented on the Ilver Explorer 55.  The Wajer 55 is to be powered by triple Volvo 440hp and or optional 480hp, with the optional engines giving a top speed up to 38 knots and a cruise of 28.  With a new hull I am a bit surprised that Wajer did not fit the larger Volvo 550hp and or 600hp in a twin format.  So far Wajer has announced only the new standard 55, but expect the changes to come in the HT and S variants in a year or so.

www.wajer.com

Eleven Injured as Sea Ray Boat Explodes in Broward Florida

Eleven boaters including two kids were injured as an eleven meter Sea Ray sport cruiser exploded near the New River Triangle, not far from Lauderdale Yacht Club on Southeast 12th Court, Broward County, Florida at about 17:45 of Monday 26 May.  Nearby boats assisted the boaters first, with some of them tossed in the water with the explosion, as Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue responded to the explosion and subsequent fire, and were later assisted by Fort Lauderdale Police, U.S. Coast Guard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Broward Sheriff’s Office.  Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue and the assisting departments controlled the fire as the eleven injured boaters were first taken to Broward Health Medical Center, and then moved to Jackson Memorial Hospital, with one patient being intubated.  Thirteen boaters and a dog were on the Sea Ray when it exploded with two boaters and the dog escaping uninjured, and an investigation ongoing of how this happened.  According to reports the Sea Ray cruiser exploded on ignition of the engine. 

The Sea Ray in this explosion is a 390 Express Cruiser as produced from 1984 to 1991.  The 390 Express Cruiser came as a replacement to the SRV 360 Vanguard Express, and was replaced by the Sea Ray 400 Express Cruiser.

Three Boaters Saved as Sportfish Boat is Fire Wrecked in Jupiter Inlet

Three boaters were saved as a fourteen meter sportfish cruiser titled m/y Numero Uno went ablaze about fifteen nautical miles off the coast of Jupiter Inlet, Florida on the afternoon of Monday 26 May.  The three boaters were saved by a nearby boater, with the US Coast Guard coming later to the scene, and fighting the fire.  Ultimately the sportfish yacht was destroyed by the fire and sank, as the Coast Guard issued a warning for debris in the area.  The boaters were reported uninjured as the cause of the fire was not reported.

M/y Numero Uno the sportfish involved in this fire is a 1988 Ocean Yachts 48 Super Sport as produced from 1986 to 1990. The 48 Super Sport was a replacement to the 50 Super Sport and was replaced by a second generation Ocean Yachts 48 Super Sport.

Venice 2025 Boat Show Preview

Staring on Thursday 29 May and going up to Monday second June 2025 is the sixth edition of the Venice boat show. Held in Venice, in the historic Arsenale, the Boat Show has in a few years become one of the main international exhibitions dedicated to boating and yachting, bring in the lagoon the jewels of the sea. Symbol of the centuries-old military rule of the Serenissima Republic, the Arsenale of Venice becomes the ideal stage to welcome the excellence of international boat and yacht building, and in a few years has cemented itself as the second boat show of Italy, thanks also to the presentation and support from some of Italy's important boat and yacht building names. The Venice Boat Show is held in a water basin of 55,000 square meters, with over 1,100 linear meters of piers, and 30,000 square meters of outdoor exhibition spaces and the historic Tese. Moreover, the Boat Show is also an opportunity to talk about environmental sustainability and deepen educational and sports activities that have as protagonist the sea and the lagoon. Great importance is given to the design and innovations, to the electric, hybrid and hydrogen propulsions, and to the traditional shipbuilding of the lagoon, pride of the amphibious city. The 2026 Venice Boat Show is also characterized by: meetings, presentations and thematic congresses; E-Village dedicated to electric boats participating in the E-Regatta; exhibitions, art installations, guided tours and educational activities for children; water trials, trophies and sports regattas; design and craft stands, technology, nautical furniture; refreshment points with Venetian specialties, bars and merchandising points. For this sixth edition of the Venice Boat Show the World debuts are; Ferretti 940, and Pershing 7X.

www.salonenautico.venezia.it

Engine: Baudouin 8F21 1360hp

Baudouin presents the new 8F21 1360hp eight-cylinder marine propulsion engine featuring a 16.7L displacement, common rail technology, a highly efficient turbocharger, controlled fuel consumption, and high-end injection at 2220 bar.  The Baudouin 8F21 engine is built with highly reliable components to deliver best-in-class fuel efficiency and performance.  Featuring a 16.7 litres block, she is an eight cylinders with a bore and stroke of 127 by 165 millimetres, with counter clockwise engine rotation, idle speed at 700 revs per minute and maximum 2300 revolutions for maximum power, and is IMO II certified.  The Baudouin 8F21 is also available in light duty at 1250hp, and 1100hp for intermittent duty and same 2300 revs per minute.

www.baudouin.com

Project: Apreamare Gozzo 48 Cabin

Apreamare introduces the Gozzo 48 Cabin, extending the Gozzo line but also the Cabin variant of the series which debuted in 2024 with the Gozzo 38 Cabin.  The Cabin versions of the Gozzo are designed to offer more cabin comfort, which add to the all length vast external spaces with more internal living comforts, becoming a cruiser which makes living aboard in the off season comfortable and cosy.  With the Gozzo 48 Cabin, Apreamare introduces also a new flagship in the Gozzo line, which now features four models and continues the path of growth and innovation with its roots in the traditional Sorrento shipyard’s maritime tradition. Designed for discerning owners, the new Gozzo 48 Cabin represents a further evolution of the Sorrentine gozzo, reimagined with a contemporary twist to offer generous spaces, liveability, utmost crafting care, and seaworthiness. The Gozzo 48 Cabin project was born once again from the brain work of Cataldo Aprea with Marco Casali from Too Design coming in for the design and style, and Umberto Tagliavini of Marine Design for the naval architecture, all these integrated with Apreamare internal technical Office. The result is a traditional cruiser that fully reflects the Apreamare vision to combine elegance, functionality and construction solidity, without ever straying from the brand’s identity.  The new Gozzo 48 Cabin stands out for its vast spaces, designed to ensure maximum comfort on board both when cruising and at anchor. The walkaround deck is designed to encourage relaxed and convivial outdoor living: as guests board find a large cockpit featuring a generous sun-pad and an L-shaped sofa. The manually adjustable outdoor table can become one with the sunbed. Alternatively, the owner can opt for an electric table that disappears into the floor. At the bow, a second sunbathing area is enriched with a comfortable and conversational arrangement with a sofa and armchairs. The interiors of the Gozzo 48 Cabin are conceived to ensure seamless continuity with the cockpit. The large glass surfaces amplify the natural light and offer well-proportioned spaces, finished with quality materials and fine craftsmanship: timber, fabrics, leather and custom details. The internal layout includes a comfortable dinette with a U-shaped sofa and a fully-equipped spacious galley, larger than any competitor in this size class. To increase functionality and comfort, Apreamare has introduced a further element of innovation: the helm seating position located starboard is equipped with an electrical function that makes it become an additional part of the sofa, giving great versatility to the spaces. The layout below deck includes the possibility of having two or three cabins with two large bathrooms featuring separate showers. At the stern it is also possible to include a crew cabin, accessible from the cockpit. From a technical point of view, the new Gozzo 48 Cabin builds on the approach of the Gozzo range, with design solutions conceived to offer safe and comfortable navigation at all times. The deep-V hull with variable geometry, designed by Umberto Tagliavini, guarantees excellent seakeeping, even in demanding conditions. The Gozzo 48 Cabin is powered by Volvo 550hp and or 600hp with IPS pod propulsion, with the larger engine option also available in line shaft option.

www.apreamare.it