New Model: Sealine S390

Sealine present the new S390, the sport version of the 390 series which debuted with the C390 in 2019.  The Sealine S390 is a hard-top sport cruiser made for cruising with the family.  One of the rare to find features but found in the Sealine S390 is a fully extended hard-top which covers all the cockpit to aft.  Sealine was pioneer with this back in the noughties with the SC29, and its good to see some of the past virtues of the brand going into the new models. The Sealine S390 comes with a lot of choices from three or two single berths in the midships cabin, to a BBQ set up on the bathing platform, and soft or hard-top.  The Sealine S390 is powered by twin Volvo 320hp as standard with optional 380hp engines being available.  

Technical Data:

LOA - 12.50 m (41ft) *with extended bathing platform

LOA - 11.99 m

Hull Length - 11 m

Beam - 3.85 m

Draft - 1.19 m

Displacement - 10.52 t

Fuel Capacity - 900 l

Water Capacity - 220 l

Max Persons - ten

Accommodation - five or four berths in two cabins plus two in convertible saloon

Engines - 2 x Volvo D4 320hp, D6 380hp

Propulsion - Volvo DPI dual propeller stern drive

Speed - 27 knots from 320hp, 34 knots from 380hp

Construction - first layer in Vinylester resin and Sandwich with PVC core 

Project - Bill Dixon

Certification - CE B10/C14, ISO8666 for data

www.sealine.com

Classic Yacht Saved from Sinking in Camerota

A 24 meter classic Cantieri di Pisa super yacht titled Dea Tuda with ten persons onboard nearly sank near Marina di Camerota, to the South of Salerno at around 12:30 hours of fourteen August.  The classic yacht was cruising about one nautical mile away from the coast, near Marina di Camerota when a hull breach materialized, and the yacht started to be flooded with its engine room semi-flooding in some minutes.  Immediate the response of the Italian Guardia Costiera which assisted the guests and crew, taking them to safety, and then with the help of the harbour assistants of Marina di Camerota towed the yacht to the marina jetty, and with water pumps saved it from sinking.  

The yacht in this sinking is a Cantieri di Pisa Pegasus 24 as designed by Pier Luigi Spadolini and produced from 1974 to 1981.  When released the Pegasus 24 was Cantieri di Pisa flagship for three years replacing the Pegasus 23 as the yard largest offer, and was replaced by the modern looking Akhir 26.

Sport Cruiser Goes Ablaze in Cecina, Tuscany

A not attended sport cruiser of nine meters in length went ablaze as it was berthed in Marina di Cecina, Tuscany at about mid-day of Monday fourteen August.  The fire alarm for the blaze was given by a passer-by, with the Port Captaincy immediately activating itself to tow the boat outside of the marina, and were assisted by the Vigili del Fuoco fire fighters. who managed to save the boat from sinking.  Following the accident the wreck of the boat was then towed to a boat yard and dry-docked.   No injuries are reported from the accident, with the cause of the fire being under investigation.

Lake Winnipesaukee Hit and Run

On Saturday twelfth August at around 23:00 hours a fifteen meter Sea Ray sport yacht was involved in a hit and run, as it crashed with a docked classic wooden speedboat of eight meters in size, in Lake Winnipesaukee, in Wolfeboro.  Police received a call about the crash with both New Hampshire State and Wolfeboro Police Department going at the scene to found a grounded and abandoned Sea Ray sport yacht on the rocks in Winter Harbor.  Initial investigation have found that the male operator and passengers of the Sea Ray left the scene, witnesses reported being helped by a Wellcraft boat of blue colour and about ten meters in length.  Luckily no one was onboard the docked wooden boat at the time of the collision, with no injuries reported to any persons.  Investigations about this hit and run are still ongoing.

The runaway Sea Ray in this hit and run is a second generation Sea Ray 500 Sundancer as produced from 2003 to 2006.  The 500 Sundancer was evolved and replaced by the Sea Ray 52 Sundancer, recognizable with different port-holes in the fall of 2006.

The classic wooden runabout which took the hit in this runaway collision is reported to be the Millie B, a triple cockpit mahogany build replica of a 1928 Hacker Craft, replicated to the tiniest of detail even in the seat colours, and owned by the New Hampshire Boat Museum.

Sunseeker Yacht Burns Down During Poker Run

A seventeen meter Sunseeker sport yacht burned down during a Poker run event in Cap Juluca, in the South West of Anguilla island, the Lesser Antilles on the afternoon of Saturday twelfth August. Owned by Calypso Anguilla Charters, and the larger of its five boat fleet, the Sunseeker yacht was under commercial duty when it went ablaze. The fire is being said to have started from the galley area of the main deck, though this is not officially confirmed.  No one was injured during the fire with guests later thanking the quick thinking and action of the captain and crew for getting everyone off board safely.  The  Anguila Poker Run 2023 was in its eight edition held on Saturday twelfth August.

The Sunseeker in this fire is the Predator 56 as produced from 1999 till 2003.  The Predator 56 offered a different layout and was Sunseeker first boat with an up and down bathing platform.  The Predator 56 was a replacement to the Predator 54 mk.1 and was replaced by the Portofino 53.  The hull of the Predator 56 was also used in the flybridge Sunseeker Manhattan 56.

Boat Adrift in Capraia Island

A sport cruiser of about twelve meters in length was found going adrift, in Porto Vecchio, to the North East of Capraia Island on the night of Saturday twelfth August.  It was a busy night for the Livorno Guardia Costiera in Capraia, as first they found a fifteen meter sailing yacht going adrift, with not enough anchor to hold it in place, and later they received a report that a sport cruiser was missing.  After the boat missing report from the two boaters, the Italian Coast Guard switched its radar and quickly found the sport cruiser going adrift for the owners, who after being returned with there sport cruiser decided to berth in Porto Vecchio yacht marina.  Both boats where ticketed a five hundred Euro fine for not anchoring properly and thus creating a navigational hazard.

The sport cruiser in this anchor drifting accident is a Tullio Abbate 42 Exception as produced from 1988 till the end nighties.  The 42 Exception was a replacement to the Tullio Abbate 42 Offshore S, and was replaced by the 42 Soleil.

Project: Lynx Adventure 24

Lynx Yachts team has been busy building the Adventure 24, the latest and smallest model of the Adventure series which features larger 30 and 32 projects still in design stages. Designed by Bernd Weel with interior by Julian Moore and naval architecture by Francesco Ruiz the Lynx Adventure 24 started production in the first half of 2023, and is currently build under speculation waiting for its owner, with a scheduled delivery for mid 2024.  The Lynx Adventure 24 is a pocket super yacht with an explorer stance that can take you anywhere, including some of the most remote traveling destinations, thanks to a solid robust hull and the quality of its systems. The Lynx Adventure 24 has an amazing capacity to load up to a rib up to six meters and two jet skis, something no other yacht of 24 meters size can claim.  The Lynx Adventure 24 has also been to be easily manned with minimum crew and to enter restricted anchor zone for yachts above 24 meters.  Build of steel the Lynx Adventure 24 is a fully customisable build, with standard design drafts offering protected entertainment and lounging space on the main aft deck and on the upper flybridge.  The superstructure can be extended aft for those who wish to enjoy indoor formal dining, while still maintain a conventional seating arrangement on the main aft deck.  The Lynx Adventure 24 offers an interior with four double cabins, and two crew cabins.  There is an option for a three cabins layout with a larger owners full beam stateroom.  The Adventure 24 is to be powered by twin Cummins 425hp with speeds up to eleven knots and a cruise of ten.

www.lynxyachts.com

Formula Boat Fire In Massachusetts Injures Five

A nine meter Formula Sport Cruiser fire with ten persons onboard including of which was a baby and three other children, went ablaze at the fueling station of the Metropolitan Yacht Club, Braintree, Massachusetts on the morning of Saturday twelfth August.  The Formula sport cruiser went ablaze as it was getting set to fill up gas, fire officials reported. Another boater, who is a retired Policeman saved the day from further damage, as he towed the sport cruiser away from the dock.  Five boaters onboard the Formula boat were transported to area hospitals with minor burns, smoke inhalation and cuts.  The boat fire was eventually extinguished by Braintree Police and Braintree Fire Marine Units, although the Formula sport cruiser was a total wreck.

The boat in this fire is a Formula 29 PC as produced between 1988 to 1992.  Designed by John Adams, Formula's designer since 1971 the PC came out as a replacement to the 28 PC, and was replaced by the 31 PC.

Sixteen People Injured in Millstone Marina Boat Explosion

A ten meter sport cruiser injured sixteen persons while finishing refuelling at the Millstone Marine in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri on 16:30 of Friday eleven August.  Three of the persons onboard where ejected with the explosion.  Eleven of the injured persons including a six year old child had mild injuries, and were treated on the scene and released, with the other five taken to the hospital for treatment to moderate injuries.  The boat exploded when the operator of the sport cruiser went to ignite the engine.  Missouri State Highway Patrol assisted the accident and from the initial investigation are saying the boat exploded with gas build up in its engine room.

The sport cruiser in this explosion is a Trojan 360 as designed by Fulvio de Simoni and produced from 1999 to 2001.  The Trojan 360 came out as a replacement to the 350 with a renewed cockpit design and bit larger bathing platform. Trojan stopped producing boats in 2002.

Super Yacht Irmao Burns Down in Formentera

Motor yacht Irmao, a 27 meter super yacht with seventeen people onboard, five crew and twelve guests who was anchored off Formentera burned down and eventually was totalled and sank as a wreck, on 18:00 hours of Saturday twelfth August.  Irmao had a fire develop in the engine room, before it engulfed all the yacht, with it sinking at 21:00 hours near Punta de Sa Pedrera, in the North East of the Island.  The guests and crew where reportedly saved by nearby boats and yachts, with one of the crew members suffering minor burn and requiring hospital treatment.  The yacht was towed by the motor vessel Acrux, which came from Mallorca before it sank at Punta Sa Pedrera under tow.  

Reported as owned by professional poker player Diego Gomez Gonzalez, m/y Irmao was offered for charter at 53,000 euros in this time of the year.  The yacht was reported last refitted in 2020.  Irmao burned just one year and one day in a near by spot of the 45 meter Aria SF.

M/y Irmao previously named B3 is a 1995 Astondoa 90 GLX, as designed by Nuvolari Lenard for both exterior and interior, and produced from 1995 to 1997 in two units.  The Astondoa 90 GLX evolved into the 95GLX this selling in ten units.  The 90 GLX was the first of Nuvolari Lenard Astondoa ten years collaboration, as the Venice duo designed the whole fleet of the Spanish yacht builder.

Hawaii Firestorm

On the eight August the Hawaii Firestorm reached the Lahaina Small boat harbour, devastating most of the 99 boats in the marina with only thirteen boats and there fortunate pier escaping the fire.  The Hawaii Firestorm formed in early August, predominantly reaching Maui, and doing extensive damage to the North West coast and the coastal town of Lahaina, killing 98 persons with 31 people still missing.  The Hawaii Firestorm was contained on the eleventh August, destroying about 2200 buildings in Lahaina alone, and causing over six billion US dollars in three days.  The Hawaii Firestorm was formed by dry gusty conditions created by a strong high pressure to the North of Hawaii and Hurricane Dora to the South.

Lahiana small boat harbour is located to the North-West of the Island of Maui, to the North of Hawaii and second in size of the Hawaii Island archipelago; which features eight major volcanic islands and thirteen minor islets on the North Pacific Ocean spread in 1,200 nautical miles.  Previously called Sandwich Islands. the Hawaii Islands are a state of the United States of America with a distance of just over 1,700 nautical miles from the closest harbour in California.

Aicon Yacht Ends Aground in Greek Ithaki Island

A nineteen meter Aicon motor yacht with seven persons onboard ended aground in Agios Nikoloas, in the North East of Ithaki Island at about 12:00 hours of eleven August.  It is not reported if the yacht was cruising in the Marmagas sea, or ended aground while at anchor in near Agios Nikoloas.  A patrol boat was immediately dispatched in the area, first taking the seven passenger aboard the flybridge yacht to safety, and subsequently organizing motor vessel Dimitra for the towing of the yacht to the harbour of Lefkada, for inspection and repairs.  No pollution was reported from the grounding.

The yacht in this grounding is an Aicon 64 Fly as designed by Marco Mannino with naval architecture by Sergio Cutolo, and produced from 2004 to 2012 selling in over thirty units.  Reopening in 2019 Aicon actually started by evolving the 64 in the new Sergio Cutolo designed 66 Vivere.

Sport Yacht Aground Near Porto Rotondo in Sardinia

A seventeen meter Alfamarine sport yacht ended aground in Cala Sabina to the South of Porto Rotondo on the late morning of eleven August.  The Alfamarine yacht departed Porto Rotondo and hit the reef to port side during its entry to Cala Sabina.  The sport yacht was later assisted by a private yacht yard, and towed for repairs. The damage to the yacht was not reported extensive, with water intrusion coming from a slipped damaged shaft entry.

The Alfamarine in this grounding is the 55 as designed by Franco Harrauer and produced from 1990 to 1994 in five units.  The Alfamarine 55 was evolved and replaced by the 58 with a redesigned stern and radar arch and still offered as build to order today.  The hull of the 55 was also used for the tri-engines record breaking one off fast 65, and the still produced 60.

New Launch: Columbus Custom 50M

Columbus Yachts, a brand of Palumbo Superyachts, is pleased to announce the launch of m/y Anjelif, a new 50-metre full custom built entirely in aluminium.  This 50m Columbus Custom is the seventh super yacht launched by Columbus, tailor made to the needs of her experienced owner and packed with technical and stylistic innovations like the hybrid, diesel-electric propulsion. Furthermore, this superyacht makes use of two distinct and highly advanced technologies: one through the application of cold plasma for the sanitization of air coming from outside and used both for ventilation and air conditioning; the other one dedicated to room sanitization at pre-set intervals to ensure daily safety. The first guarantees the efficient elimination of airborne viruses and bacteria in the incoming airstream, while the second automates the sanitization of each internal area of the boat. Exteriors and interiors are by Marco Casali of Too-Design while the engineering is by the Palumbo Superyachts team. The interior design has been rigorously developed with natural and ecological materials and includes a gym on the main deck, a sauna, massage room. The swimming pool in the transom with exposed teak finish is of very scenic effect, while a second Jacuzzi is located on the top deck. At the bow, we find a functional zone complete with sunbathing area and a touch & go helicopter docking platform which can be eventually transformed into an open-air cinema. The layout includes 4 decks, with the master cabin positioned on the main deck forward and 4 double cabins below deck. The crew is made up of eleven members accommodated in seven cabins. Columbus Custom 50m has a 499 GT gross tonnage and can reach a maximum speed of 20 knots with a range of 3000 nautical miles at 12 knots. The diesel engine system includes twin MTU 2636hp each, while twin 175 kW Kohler generators make up for the electric one. The hybrid system, developed thanks to the consolidated experience of Palumbo Superyachts in this specific field, provides for the possibility of using two electric motors in diesel-electric propulsion with a power of 100 kW each for a speed of approximately 9 knots. The electric motors coupled with the propulsion motors, can in turn be used as shaft generators, allowing navigation with the gen-sets off. A latest generation lithium battery pack is used as electricity back-up, avoiding any possibility of blackout during the transient phases. Columbus Custom 50m will have its world premiere at the Monaco Yacht Show 2023.

Technical Data:

LOA - 49.9 m (163.7ft) 

Beam - 9.05 m

Draft - 

Displacement - 499 gt *volume

Accommodation - ten guests in five cabins, eleven crew in seven cabins

Engines - 2 x MTY 16V2000 M96L 2636hp

Propulsion - line shafts

Speed - twenty knots max, twelve cruise, nine knots on electric propulsion

Range - 3000 nautical miles at twelve knots

Construction - aluminium

Project - Marco Casali exterior and interior, Palumbo engineering

Certification - RINA class

www.columbusyachts.it

Flybridge Yacht with Nine People Burns Down in Gorgona

A sixteen meter flybridge yacht with nine persons onboard, six adults and three kids burned down to the South of Gorgona island, in the North Tyrennian sea on 13:00 hours of tenth August. The nine persons departed Marina di Pisa direction Capraia island for the weekend when half way into the trip the flybridge yacht went ablaze.  The helmsman of the yacht called for assistance and put himself and the guests onboard the life-raft, before then being assisted by the Italian Guardia Costeria boat and a fire fighters rib.  No success in turning off the fire with the flybridge yacht wreck sinking at about 14:30 hours in a depth of about 135 meters.  No fuel and oil sea pollution was reported from the fire and sinking.

This fire wrecked flybridge yacht was a Raffaelli 52 Maestrale as designed by Nuvolari Lenard and produced from 1995 till 2010 in over one hundred units.  The 52 Maestrale was the only collaboration with the Venice design studio by Raffaelli.  The 52 Maestrale was a replacement to the Ouragan mt. 15.50, and was never really replaced, as Raffaelli went in financial difficulties in 2010.  Raffaelli presented a Maestrale 56 project some years ago which never materialized.

Maiora Yacht Ends Aground in Saint-Florent

A twenty meter Maiora motor yacht ended aground in Saint-Florent, to the North of Corsica on the morning of tenth August.  The causes of the accident are not reported but some reports are saying the yacht ending on the reef at about ten knots.  The yacht was later in the day protected with an oil boon for pollution control as it tipped more to its starboard side, and then taken to a nearby yard for repairs.  

The yacht in this grounding is a Maiora 20 as designed by Roberto del Re and produced from 1992 till about 2012.  A custom made to order flybridge motor yacht the 20 was Maiora's best success for the Viareggio based builder founded in 1971, as it dominated the high end twenty meter size with its modern yet clean looks.  Over eighty units of Maiora 20 and the 20S longer stern version from 2000 has been produced.

Sydney Marina Fire Burns Three Boats

A fire at Holmeport Church Point Marina in Sydney, on about 05:00 hours in the morning of Thursday Tenth August burned down three boats. Six trucks, 22 fire fighters, and two boats fighted the fire till about 10:00 local time when it was extinguished.  The case at some point was also getting dramatic with one of the boats engulfed in the flames, drifting in the gulf around the marina.  No one was injured in the fire, with a pollution protected boon being made around the wrecks of the three boats.  The fire also involved minor burning damages to two other boats with the combined damage to the boats and marina being estimated at around three million Australian dollars.  

The three burned boats in this fire are a Cruisers 350 Express, a recently delivered Integrity Euro Trawler 440, and a Tiara 5200 Sovran. Holmeport Church Point Marina in Sydney opened its doors in 2004 when the old floating wharf was replaced by a floating concrete pontoon, with the marina expanding again in 2019 with the new C-wharf, today offering two hundred berths from ten to thirty meters in size.

Nordhavn Hits Reef Capsizes and Sinks

A fourteen meter Nordhavn explorer cruiser hit a reef capsized and then sank in 45NW Vancouver, Canada on the morning of nine August.  It was a sad turn of events and a bit unfortunate for the explorer cruiser, which after hitting its bottom, rolled to its starboard side, capsized and then sank.  The explorer cruiser was a day later recovered by a barge ship and taken to Campbell River to one of the yards in the area for a big repair.  

The Nordhavn in this sinking is a 47 as produced from 2002 to 2009 in 59 units.  The Nordhavn 47 was a replacement to the 46, with the model evolving into the 52 via length extension in 2009.

Boat Saved from Near Fire in Procida

A thirteen meter flybridge cruiser with two persons onboard had a chance of fire in Procida Island, near the islet of Vivara on the afternoon of ninth August.  This was actually not a fire but one of the engines of the flybridge cruiser which went in auto-combustion mode, meaning the engine starts to burn its oil as fuel and does not stop and cannot be stopped from running.  Immediate the response of the Italian Guardia Costiera, which saved the two boaters from the boat. Although fair to say, more a case of an unstoppable engine rather then a real boat fire.  

The flybridge cruiser in this near fire is a Fairline 41 as designed by Bernard Olesinski and produced from 1990 up to 1994 named as 43 in the last two years of production.  The 41/43 was replaced by the Fairline Squadron 43.

Baja Powerboat Destroyed by Fire in Hilton Beach

A nine meter Baja powerboat went up in flames in Hilton Beach, Canada around 17:00 hours of Tuesday eight August.  The powerboat owners jumped in the water as they saw fire building up, with the powerboat then drifting for about one nautical miles to West of the village and ending aground.  Fire fighters from Hitlon Beach responded to the blaze, and managing to turning it off in about twenty minutes.  The accident happened just before Hilton Beach celebrated its 100th anniversary at the annual community night.  No one was injured in the fire.

The Baja powerboat in this fire is the 30 Outlaw model as produced from 2004 and till 2012, then evolving into the 30 Outlaw GT and stopped in production in 2017.  The Baja 30 Outlaw replaced the 29 Outlaw which was introduced in 1997.

Project: Evo Yachts R+ 18m

Just two years after Evo Yachts launched its V8 flagship and revolutionised the concept of cruising, the Italian Naples boat and yacht builder is getting ready to delight fans again with a new model, Evo R+, an innovative eighteen meter sport yacht designed again by Valerio Rivellini and to World premiere at the Cannes boat show 2023 from twelve to seventeen September. The Evo R+ looks based on the R6 series, this is indeed the third version of the eighteen meter model, showing the Campania-based shipyard desire to amaze and appeal to an even wider audience, by designing a sport yacht with eye-catching styling that is also ideal for long stays on board, thanks to outstanding levels of comfort and reliability ensured by the closed deck and generous headroom in the interiors. The Evo R+ presents an aluminium top in black and angular design with a special stern platform that makes it easy to enter the water and to launch and haul up a tender or jet ski. The Evo R+ will feature interiors decorated with sophisticated materials and feature the R line’s signature pared-down, sporty style and dynamism. Evo Yachts has not given much technical details for the R+, but the R6 is offered in two or three cabins layout and is powered by twin Volvo 600hp or optional 725hp units with IPS pod drives.

www.evoyachts.com

Two Killed Three Injured in Long Beach Boat Fire

A fire involving a ten metre sport cruiser at 200 Block of Marina Drive in Long Beach, Alamitos Bay in California on Saturday sixth August at around 17:00 hours local time killed two woman, and injured three persons.  The boat was reported as just finishing to refuel when it exploded.  Long Beach fire fighters with help from Orange County fire Authority extinguished the blaze. The case of the fire and explosion is under investigation by Long Beach Fire Department.

The sport cruiser in this fire is a Regal 3760 Commodore as produced from 2007 to 2009.  The 3760 Commodore is an evolution of the 3560, recognizable by the radar arch with hard-top.  The 3760 was replaced by the Regal 35 Sports Coupe in 2011.

Azimut Yacht Burns and Sinks in Otok Zut Croatia

A seventeen meter Azimut 55 with no persons onboard went ablaze near the island of Otok Zut, in the Kornati archipelago, Croatia on the early evening of Sunday sixth August.  No one was onboard the Azimut yacht at the moment of the fire, although the owners where reported to be nearby the yacht.  Local fire fighters rushed to the scene and towed the yacht outside the bay and then let it sink in the depths of the sea.  Nearby boaters reported as seeing the fire starting from the main deck of the yacht.

The yacht in this fire is the popular Azimut 55 Evo as designed by Stefano Righini for exterior and Carlo Galeazzi for interior from 2005 till 2009.  the 55 Evo was a soft evolution of the standard 55 with differences in interior woods, and midships cabin windows, what was a top seller in its class, selling in over three hundred units in an eight year production run, the success coming for its unique at the time full beam midships stateroom layout.  The 55 was a replacement to the 58 Full and was replaced by the Azimut 58.

New Model: Sea Ray Sundancer 370

Even though the demand of the North American market is asking a different product, Sea Ray still tries to build, even though in a small part what has been its success story, that for a medium sized sport cruiser.  Here comes the Sea Ray Sundancer 370 which debuted in 2022 first in outboard version, and now offered in the more pure to the eye inboard stern drive variant.  The Sundancer 370 is the pure evolution of the Sea Ray brand, with an innovative asymmetric main deck layout, which offers walk around features from bow to stern.  Down below the Sundancer 370 offers an open plan layout sleeping four in a forward Vee shaped berth, L-shaped lounger, and a double berth at midships with a galley and shower head to starboard.  A traditional American sport cruiser layout.  The Sea Ray Sundancer 370 is powered by twin Mercruiser gas engines 430hp with stern drives, the only available option which gives a nice 38 knots top speed and a limited 135 nautical mile range at 33 knots cruising.  Diesel does not look an option which is a poor way to put an eleven meter sport cruiser in the market today.  Decisions by upper management are not always understood, sometimes looking more made to kill a product rather then revive it.  

Technical Data:

LOA - 11.48 m (37.8ft)

Hull Length - 11.3 m

Beam - 3.66 m

Draft - 0.79 m without drives, 1.07 m with drives down

Displacement - 9435 kg dry, 10739 kg loaded with full options

Fuel Capacity - 966 l

Water Capacity - 174 l

Accommodation - four berths berths

Engines - 2 x Mercruiser 8.2L Mag Ho ECT 430hp

Propulsion - Mercruiser Bravo ThreeX

Speed - 38 knots max 33 cruise

Range - 135 nm at cruise

Hull Shape - modified Deep Vee with twenty degrees deadrise

Certification - CE 

www.searay.com

Two Boats Catch Fire in Portsmouth Virginia Marina

On 07:55 morning of Sunday sixth August Portsmouth Emergency received a call for a boat fire at Tidewater Yacht Marina.  Fire fighters came to the marina finding two boats tied to the dock ablaze, an unattended twelve meters in size aft-cabin cruiser which started the fire, and a house boat of eleven meter which is a liveaboard for a family of five persons including of which is three kids.  It will take about two hours to control the fire, and a hero foster rescue dog to save the family of five and out of harms way, who alerted the liveaboards before it was to late.  Thanks to the dog alert no injuries where sustained, and thanks to the quick action of Portsmouth fire crew, only the two boats where damaged in the fire.

The boat which started this fire looks to be a Trojan 12 Meter Motor Yacht which was produced in the mid to early nineties to a design of Harry Schoell.  Trojan never replaced the 12 Meter Motor Yacht with the model evolving and becoming the Silverton 392 Motor Yacht in the late nineties.

Bayliner Cabin Cruiser Destroyed by Fire in Cardiff

An eight meter Bayliner cabin cruiser titled m/y Snow White with three persons onboard was destroyed by a fire which developed on 12:22 hours of Saturday fifth August at Pont Y Werin, Cardiff, Wales.  South Wales Fire and Rescue Service from Penarth and Cardiff Central stations responded to the fire.  CCTV of the marina shows the fire develop, with the boat exploding and developing a smoke, at this stage a man is seen jumping out and securing the boat to the pontoon.  Thirty seconds later two woman jump out of the boat and run down the quay, some half-a-minute later to this the flames are seen coming out of the deck with the boat totally destroyed at 14:03 hours.  No one was injured from the fire, with the cases of the blaze not being reported.  

The Bayliner in this fire is a late nineties produced 2855 Ciera Sunbridge as produced from 1991 to 2000.  The 2855 Ciera Sunbridge came out as a replacement to the 2850, and was replaced by the 285 SB Cruiser.  A long production model, the 2850 featured modification to its cabin layout and soft styling update to its radar arch and windshield in 1993.

Improve-it = Horizon FD80

Horizon has launched a new FD80 motor yacht. Specified with numerous innovative features for a down under Australian customer, this is the first FD80 model to feature a galley-aft layout, a convertible VIP and a helipad on the hardtop. The aft galley arrangement is a popular configuration for Australia’s active boating market, as it seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor entertaining. This increases the living area afforded by the high-volume, four-stateroom FD80 exponentially. This latest FD80 will be named m/y Sweet Caroline in honour of the owner’s partner, and she is a fitting example of a perfectly curated yacht for a growing market.

www.horizonyacht.com

Amalfi Coast Collision Leaves One Woman Dead

A collision in the Gulf of Furore, to North of the Amalfi Coast between a seven meter traditional cruiser with five persons onboard and the 45 meter touristic sailing vessel Tortuga with eighty persons onboard, on the afternoon about 17:45 hours of Thursday third August left one US American 45 year old woman dead.  The dynamics of the accident are still under investigation with video on social media and Italian press showing the small cruiser colliding with the bow of the large sailing vessel, and the former having extensive damage to its starboard side and partly sinking.  The deceased woman, entrepreneur Adrienne Vaughan was onboard the small cruiser, when with the impact of the collision fell in the water and ended between the propellers. Also injured her husband and the thirty year old skipper of the small cruiser, and miraculously uninjured the two twelve and eight year old kids of the couple. The woman was immediately transported to Amalfi and taken to Castiglione di Ravello intensive care unit with helicopter to save her life, unfortunately with no success.  The thirty year old skipper of the seven meter cruiser was found to be on the effects of alcohol and drugs.  Both boats, the partly sank seven meter cruiser and 45 meter sailing vessel were detained and arrested by the Italian Guardia Costiera. 

The traditional cruiser in this collision is an Apreamare 750 Semicabinato as produced from 2000 to 2006.  The Apreamare 750 was also available in the Open, and Cabinato versions.  The 750 was a replacement to the nineties produced Smeraldo 7, and was replaced by the Apreamare 28 in 2006.

Tortuga the other sailing vessel in this collision is a two mast 40 meter steel build by Cantieri Ortona in 1993, used for coastal cruises, weddings, private parties, and company events around the Naples sea area with a maximum capacity up to eighty persons.

New Model: Mimi Libeccio 11 Cabin

Cantieri Mimi, the yard owned and run by Domenico Senese continues on the one hand to launch new models and on the other to renew its existing range. Indeed, working with designer Valerio Rivellini, the Campania-based brand has just launched the new version of the 11 Cabin, which targets owners who love weekend getaways on the water in total comfort, both indoors and outdoors, offering an impressive cruising speed and a design that balances tradition and modernity. Mimi Libeccio 11 Cabin, one of the brand’s most storied models and the first gozzo in the series with a hard top, has been redesigned to offer a family or a group of friends the option of enjoying the boat’s outdoor spaces at any time of day: the stern cockpit has been extended to offer a generous central sun pad that is as unexpected and unusual as it is welcome on a boat this size. This completely redesigned setting joins the exterior galley and the relaxation area in the bow, which is fitted out with sun pads that can be converted into sofas. The interior of Libeccio 11 Cabin New Version 2023 offers a galley or sofa area and two cabins sleeping two: the double cabin has a separate bathroom and two entrances, while the second cabin with twin beds can be converted into a double thanks to a system of concealed partitions. The deck is made of solid seasoned teak, while the fibreglass hull is produced by infusion moulding. In the standard configuration, the boat mounts two Yanmar engines rated 250hp each, delivering a top speed up to thirty knots.

Technical Data:

LOA - 11 m (36ft)

Hull Length - 9.4 m

Beam - 3.5 m

Displacement - 7000 kg

Fuel Capacity - 600 l

Water Capacity - 200 l

Max Persons - twelve

Accommodation - four berths in two cabins

Engines - 2 x Yanmar 250hp

Propulsion - line shaft

Speed - thirty knots max

Project - Valerio Rivellini

Certification - CE B

www.gozzimimi.it

Venice to Monte Carlo Race is Back

As a test to the full race scheduled for 2024, the Venice to Monte Carlo organisation organized a Prologue race, in reduced format from Venice to Rodi Garcanico. This reduced format event of three hundred nautical miles, with departure from Venice Cervia to Pescara and then final leg at Rodi Garganico saw ten participants. 

In this ninth Venice Monte Carlo race it was interesting to see boat builders coming with production units at the races.  Tornado came with the 50S a production model released in 2010, while Grady White also participated with a full production 36 unit powered by triple Yamaha outboard motors.  Albatro and Outerlimits also competed with modified production units, while Vittoria Shipyard competed with its fast patrol Interceptor 43 unit. Ten teams participated in total, with the British team on the Outerlimits SV52 N25 winning the race, followed by NS95 an Albatro 32, and SeaRex Baltec number N66 in third.  

This Venice Monte Carlo race made me think, that it would be nice for the UIM to create a full production cruiser class with the likes of Tornado 50 at around 15 meters and possibly even a smaller one around twelve meters powered by twin diesel and three to five endurance long range races in Europe and possibly USA.  To be honest I never understood how it never happened but the potential for production sport cruisers to compete have always been there.  I think it can be a good marketing tool for some boat builders.  We have to remember that Ferrari never made adverts but used race as its advertising, today the horse badge is the most valued auto marker in the World.

The old Venice - Monte Carlo was always a test base for testing production boats in it, and its good to see the same story continuing.  Baia, Magnum, Mig, Itama, Ferretti, and Pershing are previous competitors with the first three being winners of a leg and or all the Venice-Monte Carlo in the respective class.  So is there a potential for some serious boat rally endurance races? I definitely think so, though a serious set or rules which go inline with the current production market needs to be drawn.  In the eighties and nineties automotive Rally racing was as much popular as Formula One racing for example.