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

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