New Model: Mengi Yay 39m Virtus

Turkish shipyard Mengi Yay Yachts is pleased to announce that after successful sea trials in Istanbul, the first unit of the 39-metre Virtus series, titled motor yacht Reverie has been delivered to its owners.  Like the larger 44 and 47 meter Virtus sister models, this new Mengi Yay 39m stands out for its wide and spacious living spaces. The interior and exterior design of the 39 meters super yacht is from the Italian firm VYD Studio, and the engineering applications have been prepared by Ginton Naval Architecture. Elegant, spacious and with with perfect proportions this Mengi Yay 39 meters allows easier to the smallest Mediterranean ports. Mengi Yay 39m Virtus features an accommodation for a total of twelve guests with a master stateroom with study on the forward part of the main deck, and four suites cabin on the lower deck. Mengi Yay 39m Virtus also offers outdoor areas to enjoy exterior spaces to the fullest, which also includes a beach club and a generous sunbathing area on the upper deck terrace.  Mengi Yay 39m Virtus is powered by twin CAT engines for maximum speeds up to fifteen knots and a cruising of twelve for a range up to 2200 nautical miles. The first 39m Virtus is also equipped with a high-voltage electrical system that allows it to operate in silent mode.

Technical Data:

LOA - 39.43 m (129.3ft)

Beam - 8.80 m

Draft - 2.89 m

Displacement - 386 t, 437 gt *volume

Fuel Capacity - 

Accommodation - twelve guests in five cabins,

Engines - 2 x Cats C23 1450hp

Propulsion - line shafts

Speed - fifteen knots, twelve knots cruise

Range - up to 2200 nautical miles

Hull - full displacement

Construction - aluminium hull and super structure

Project - Paolo Dose of VYD studio exterior and interior, Ginton naval architecture engineering

Certification - RINA commercial yacht, short range

www.mengiyay.com

Project: Royal Huisman 52m Project 406

Royal Huisman is currently doing the finishing touches for Project 406, a super sportfish yacht of 52 meters commissioned in the fall of 2020 and set to launch in 2024.  Fully designed by Vripack; exterior, interior, and naval architecture all done by the Dutch design firm, this four deck super sportfish yacht is the thing of records, being the largest yacht in the genre ever build, exceeding the current largest fisherman by nine meters.  Project 406 is the sixth motor yacht, the fourth above 24 meters by Royal Huisman, made in Alustar Aluminium to Lloyds certification, and a volume of 499 gross tonnage.  Royal Huisman has not revealed any interior details, engine specification, and performance numbers.  Dutch Royal Huisman is a name mostly associated for delivering exquisite super sailing yachts most of which upwards of 24 and up to 90 meters in length, although in 2021 they did get the motor boating World attention, with hull. 403 titled m/y Phi which is the longest yacht at 58 meter but under 500 gross tonnage in volume.  

www.royalhuisman.com

Frits de Voogt 1927 - 2023

Former Feadship director Frits de Voogt has left for the better World at 96 years of age in native town of Haarlem on Wednesday 20 December.  Real name Frederik, Frits was born in Haarlem on 21 August 1927.  Frits took over De Voogt naval architecture from his father Henri after he suffered a stroke in 1958, and then went on to lead the firm and Feadship for decades, and together with his team, shaping that present and the future of the renowned yacht and super yacht Dutch builder. Frits designs were unique and are still the basis of today's Feadship yachts. Even after his retirement in 1995, Frits remained involved and interested in yacht building, always astute and modest. Frits was a mentor of the current leaders of Feadship, and went on to take the Lifetime Achievement Award from Showboats International in 2016.  Frits de Voogt also competed in the four rowing disciple without a helmsman and went to represent Holland in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.  Frits was married to Luuk de Voogt-Groot, who passed away in 2011.

Larnaca Marina Fire Totals Two Boats Damages Another

A fire which started on a flybridge cruiser of about thirteen meters in length at Larnaca Marina in Cyprus, at 13:26 hours of 21 December has totalled two boats, and damaged another.  Reports say the fire started on a thirteen meter flybridge cruiser, which then with the strong winds jumped to a sport cruiser of similar size to its starboard side, and while on fire also damaged a power catamaran on its port side.  The first two cruisers where towed outside the marina, while the power catamaran received important fire damage on its starboard side.  Larnaca Fire Station responded with two fire fighting vehicles, taking about about an hour to control the blaze, with the two cruisers being towed outside the marina already half burned, after which they sank from the flames and rough sea conditions of the day.  No one was injured in the fire, as the boats where reported unattended, with the cause of the blaze being under investigation.  The boats are reported to be owned by Cypriots for two of the vessels, and one of Ukrainian national.

The three boats in this fire are the Garroni designed Jeanneau Prestige 46 produced from 2003 to 2011, a Pershing 43 as designed by Fulvio de Simoni and produced from 2001 to 2004, and a Leopard 39 Powercat as produced from 2012 to 2014.  

New Model: Sasga Menorquin 55 FB

In mid 2023 Sasga presented its new Menorquin 55 FB model. The new Sasga 55 is fully based on the 54, nearly unrecognizable to the untrained eye, with the difference coming in the flybridge, which now features higher bulkheads, moves forward to offer a more spacious area, and is also more extended to aft.  These updates provide the new Menorquin 55 with much more habitable space on the flybridge with a U-shaped dinette, helm station and a large sundeck area at the stern.  The Menorquin 55 has also been lightly extended in an extra 33 centimeters coming in length.

Technical Data:

LOA - 16.88 m (54.1ft)

Hull Length - 14.98 m

Beam - 5 m

Draft - 1.3 m

Displacement - 24 t unloaded

Fuel Capacity - 2800 l

Water Capacity - 970 l

Accommodation - six guest berths in three cabins, 2 additional berths in conv saloon

Engines - 2 x Yanmar 480hp

Propulsion - line shaft

Speed - 23 knots max, nineteen knots cruise, twelve knots economic

Certification - CE A

www.sasgayachts.com

Project: Fabbrica Italiana Motoscafi 500 Regina

Fabbrica Italiana Motoscafi is showing us exclusive details for this new project and its next upcoming model, the 500 Regina, which is set to debut in mid 2024.  Details of the 500 Regina are very limited, with this rendering showing similar lines and looks to the 2023 debuting 440 model, which would suggest that this new FIM flagship is also designed by Alessandro Loittici of Design Alot firm.  Fabbrica Italiana Motoscafi says that the 500 Regina will have a large tender garage, able to put a jet rib, and the usual Regina hybrid layout of a centre console and sport cruiser lower deck, which has given it so much favours by its customers. 

www.fimotoscafi.com

Classic Chris-Craft Hits and Runs Power Cable Lines in Ponchatoula

A towed classic Chris-Craft eleven meter cabin cruiser is being searched after it hit and run and damaged power and cable lines on the evening of Sunday seventeen December in Ponchatoula, Louisiana.  The accident was reported to happen at about 21:15 hours in front of Circle K on E. Pine Street.  The classic Chris-Craft is reported to have left its top canopy ripped off, and with the collision broke and knocked down some utility poles leaving the area without electrical power.  The towed classic Chris-Craft was reported heading East on Hwy. 22 by Hwy. 445. For this hit and run the Ponchatoula Police are asking about information in order to charge for damages.

The towed Chris-Craft in this is a classic 37 Constellation, build in wood planking and produced from 1963 to 1967.  The 37 Constellation was a replacement to the 36 Constellation, recognizable by the straight shear line, and then replaced by the fiberglass 38 Commander Express.

South West Florida Hit by Strong Low Pressure

A strong low pressure hit the South West Florida on Sunday seventeen December, with various streets being flooded in the area, a storm surge of one meter, over five centimetres of rain water, and winds up to Force seven Beaufort of intensity.  Punta Gorda which has still not recovered from Hurricane Ian from September 2022, was one of the most hit areas, along with Forty Myers, and Palm Beach.  

Many weather forecast models are saying this and previous recent storms, along with a particularly unusually strong Pacific Hurricane Season are the affect of El Nino which finally has arrived.  The 2024 El Nino is forecasted to be a strong one, because of record heat in recent Summers, and also because it delayed by a year. 

A classic Hatteras 53 Motor Yacht suffered the affect of the storm surge, with crew trying to resolve this.

This is a Chaparral 28/29 Signature which ended beached after breaking free from its mooring.  

A first version Ocean Yachts 38 Super Sport also suffered the affect of the storm, and partly sank.

New Model: Moonride Yachts 58S

Moonride Yachts a connoisseurs boutique boat yacht builder of choice follows its 58F model which launched in 2022 with the 58S hard-top version. Called as project 58 Ibiza, the Moonride 58S is inspired to down-East traditional lobster boat looks with styling accents of Italian yachts from the sixties and seventies era.  The 58S unlike the 58F also features a straight shear line versus the F version, and a different cockpit layout with aft sun-pad and C-shaped dinette to starboard.  The first Moonride Yachts 58S was ordered with an open no patio door cockpit version, and a three double cabins lower deck with a master cabin forward.  Worth to note that this is a semi-custom build and if one wants the aft deck layout of the 58F and a patio door these can be easily specified on a Moonride 58S.  The Moonridge 58S is powered by twin Volvo 725hp engines with IPS pod drives for top speeds up to 37 knots.

Technical Data:

LOA - 18.15 m (59.5ft)

Beam - 4.95 m

Draft - 1.13 m

Displacement - 17.7 t unloaded

Fuel Capacity - 3000 l

Water Capacity - 700 l

Accommodation - six berths in three cabins, one crew cabin berth

Engines - 2 x Volvo D11 725hp

Propulsion - Volvo forward looking dual propeller IPS950 pod drives

Speed - 31 knots cruise 37 knots max

Hull - modified medium Vee with fifty degrees entry forward and 13 degrees closing aft

Construction - resin infusion

Certification - CE B

www.moonrideyachts.com

Sea Ray New Web Site

One of the Worlds biggest motor boat producers, Sea Ray presents its new website. Sea Ray was founded in 1959 when Cornelius Nathaniel Ray III and his long time friend architect John Mehaffey purchase Carr Craft, who at time produced golf cart bodies, coffins, and fiberglass boats. The first boats are designed by Jerry Michalak and Harley Earl and Associates, who present a line of speed boats from fourteen to eighteen feet, which will extend up to 25 feet by 1969.  One of Sea Ray's most important moves comes in 1981 when it launches its first SRV 310 Sundancer, a nine meters sport cruiser devoted to entertainment cruising.  The Sundancer line, which is still produced today will expand and dominate the sport cruiser North American market from the eighties till the noughties.  In 1986 Sea Ray is purchased by the Brunswick Corporation for 350 million US$, what was and still is today one of the biggest pleasure boat holdings, and owner of the top selling Mercury motors. With Brunswick Sea Ray expands to become the Worlds biggest motor boat and sport cruiser producer in the eighties, nineties, and noughties.  Sea Ray enters the yacht fifty foot market in 1989 with the 500 Sedan Bridge, followed by a larger 630 Super Sun Sport two years later, and then by the only a dozen build 650 Cockpit Motor Yacht in 1992.  Sea Ray largest build to date is the 680 Sun Sport produced from 2001 to 06, with the second largest yacht being the 2014 L650 Fly which debuts the five years produced European inspired looking L-line that lasts till 2019, and will feature four other models from 55 feet.  Another famous Sea Ray model series beyond the Sundancer is that of the high performance Pachanga series, which debuts with the eighteen foot Pachanga in 1969 produced for two years in over five hundred units, returning again in 1986 with the 22 Pachanga II and 32 models, and lastly as a limited edition one hundred units only Pachanga III 22 in 2009.  The current Sea Ray line up offers thirty two different models from nineteen to forty feet in length, and is divided into five ranges: Sun Sport, Sundancer, SLX, SDX, and SPX. The new Sea Ray website guides you with the following buttons; Why Sea Ray, Our Boats, Build, Dealer Locator, Owners, Events, and Contact A Dealer.  Sea Ray is also present on social media, with bottom page links taking you to its Facebook, Instagram, Tweeter, YouTube, and Linkedin pages. 

www.searay.com

Production and Ownership History;

200 1960-61

400 1960-61

500 1960-65

600 1960-62

700 1960-66

800 1960-66

808 1962-64

900 1962-65

990 1964-65

SRV 230 1964-67

SRV 170 1966-

SRV 180 1966-68

SRV 190 1966-

SRV 160 1967-

SRV 190 Sportsman 1967-

SRV 240 Sportsman 1968-

SRV 370 1968

SRV 380 1968-

SRX Pachanga 18'11 1969-71 (500+-)

SRV 185 1969-

SRV 210 1969-

SRV 310 Sedan Bridge 1977-81

SRV 300 Express Cruiser 1978-81

SRV 360 Express Cruiser 1979-83

SRV 360 Sedan Sportfish 1980-82

SRV 310 Vanguard Express 1980-83

SRV 310 Sundancer 1981-83

SRV 355 T Sedan 1982-83 (69)

SRV 360 Vanguard Express 1982-83

SRV 270 Sundancer 1982-85

SRV 310 Vanguard Sportbridge 1982-83

SRV 260 Sundancer 1983-85

390 Sedan Sportfish 1983-86

360 Aft Cabin 1983-87

340 Sedan Bridge 1983-87

340 Sport Fisherman 1984-87

340 Express Cruiser 1984-89

340 Sundancer (i) 1984-89

390 Express Cruiser 1984-91

300 Sundancer (i) 1985-89

300 Weekender 1985-89

460 Express Cruiser 1985-89

1986 sold to Brunswick Corporation

410 Aft Cabin 1986-87

268 Sundancer 1986-89

Pachanga II 22 1986-91

460 Convertible 1987-88

32 Pachanga 1987-91

340 Sedan Bridge 1988-89 *345 Sedan Bridge project

300 Sedan Bridge 1988-89 *305 Sedan Bridge project

415/440 Aft Cabin 1988/89-91

440 Convertible 1988-91 *430 Convertible project

380 Aft Cabin 1989-91

280/300 Sundancer (ii) 1989/92-93

250 Sundancer 1989-92

500 Sedan Bridge 1989-94

350 Sundancer 1990-91

420 Sundancer 1990-91

480 Sundancer 1990-91

350 Express Cruiser 1990-92

270 (i)/290 Sundancer 1990/92-93

310 (i)/330 Sundancer 1990/92-94

310/330 Express Cruiser 1990/92-95

300 Weekender 1991-95 *280 Weekender project

310 Sun Sport 1991-95

370 Sedan Bridge 1991-97

630 Super Sun Sport 1991-2000

310 Sport Bridge 1992-93

310 Amberjack 1992-94

350 Express Bridge 1992-94

370 Sundancer (i) 1992-94

440 Sundancer 1992-95

650 Cockpit Motor Yacht 1992-96 (12)

550 Sedan Bridge 1992-98

400 Express Cruiser 1992-99

500 Sundancer 1992-99

230 Sundancer 1993-95

370 Express Cruiser 1993-95

440 Express Bridge 1993-98

290 Sundancer 1994-97

300 Sundancer (iii) 1994-97

330 Sundancer (ii) 1995-99

370 Sundancer (ii) 1995-99

450 Sundancer 1995-99

270 Sundancer (ii) 1996-98

240 Sundancer 1996-99

630 Sundancer 1996-2000

280 Bowrider 1996-2001

420 Aft Cabin 1996-2002

400 Sedan Bridge 1996-2003

400 Sundancer 1997-99

330 Express Cruiser (ii) 1997-2000

370 Express Cruiser 1997-2000

370/380 Aft Cabin 1997/2000-01

580 Super Sun Sport 1997-2002

270 Sundancer (iii) 1998-2000

290 Sundancer (ii) 1998-2001

540 Sundancer 1998-2001

310 Sundancer (ii) 1998-2002

450 Express Bridge 1998-2004

480 Sedan Bridge 1998-2004

560 Sedan Bridge 1998-2004

340 Sundancer (ii) 1999-2002

380 Sundancer 1999-2003

260 Sundancer 1999-2004

460 Sundancer 1999-2005

290 Amberjack 2000-09

410 Express Cruiser 2000-03

410 Sundancer 2000-03

510 Sundancer 2000-03

240 Sundancer  2000-04

540 Cockpit MY 2001-02

340 Amberjack 2001-03

290 Bowrider 2001-05

680 Sun Sport 2001-06

280 Sundancer 2001-09

550 Sundancer 2002-04

480 Motor Yacht 2002-05

360 Sundancer 2002-06

300 Sundancer 2002-07

290 Sun Sport 2002-09

390/40 Motor Yacht 2003/06-07

420 Sundancer 2003-05

500 Sundancer 2003-06

320 Sundancer 2003-07

340 Sundancer (iii) 2003-08

420 Sedan Bridge 2004-05

390 Sundancer 2004-06

290 Select Ex 2005-08

260 Sundancer 2005-08

48 Sundancer 2005-09

580 Sedan Bridge 2005-09 *550 Sedan Bridge project

500/52/520 Sedan Bridge 2005/06/10-13

44 Sundancer 2006-08

290 Sundancer (iii) 2006-08

44 Sedan Bridge 2006-09

36 Sedan Bridge 2006-09

60 Sundancer 2006-09

38/390 Sundancer 2006/10-12

310 (iv)/330 Sundancer (iii) 2007/10-16

40 Sundancer 2007-09

52 Sundancer 2007-09

47 Sedan Bridge 2008-09

55 Sundancer 2008-09

350 Sundancer (ii) 2008-09

330 (iv)/350 Sundancer (iii) 2008/10-12

300 SLX 2008-15

230 Sundancer 2009-11

22 Pachanga III 2009-12 (100)

280 Sundeck 2009-14

470 Sundancer 2009-14 *43 Sundancer project

540 Sundancer 2009-15

450 Sundancer 2009-15

310 Sundancer 2009-17

610 Sundancer 2010-12

580 Sundancer 2010-14

370 Sundancer (ii) 2010-16

280 Sundancer 2010-17

450 Sedan Bridge 2011-14

240 Sundancer 2011-14

410 Sundancer 2012-16

510 Sundancer 2012-16

355 Sundancer 2012-20

510 Fly 2013-19

350 Sundancer 2013-19 *360 Sundancer project

L650 Fly 2014-19

470 Sundancer 2014-17

Sundancer 265 2015-

L650 2015-19

L590 Fly 2015-19

L590 2015-19

400 Sundancer 2015-19

SLX 350 (i) 2015-20

400 Fly 2016-19

355 Sundancer Coupe 2016-21

460 Sundancer 2016-19

460 Fly 2016-19

SLX 280 2016-

SLX 310 2016-

Sun Sport 250 2017-

L550 Fly 2017-19

Sundancer 510 Signature 2017-19

SLX 400 2017-

320 Sundancer (ii) 2018-

Sundancer 520 2018-19

SLX 350 (ii) 2021-25

Sundancer 370 (iii) 2022-

SLX 360 2026-

Classic Benetti Super Yacht Saved from Sinking in Spain

A classic 45 meter Benetti super yacht titled Tumberry C under Spanish flag was ran aground in Carabuxeira Beach, Sanxenxo, Pontevedra, to the North West and Atlantic sea side of Spain on the morning of Saturday sixteen December.  The yacht is reported to having had a leak water intrusion in the engine room while moored in her berth, which prompted the Nauta Sanxenxo, Real Club Náutico de Sanxenxo, Salvamento Marítimo Emergencies, and the Civil Guard towing the yacht and running her aground in order to prevent her from sinking.  In this spot the team of four yacht saviour teams patched and plugged the leak and then towed the super yacht to Juan Carlos I dock were now she is awaiting a full repair.

M/y Tumberry C is a Benetti 45M launched in 1988 and designed by Stefano Natucci for exteriors, with interiors by Terrence  Disdale.  Tumberry C was previously owned by x-Real Madrid vice President Fernando Fernández Tapias, and has guested among many personalities also King Juan Carlos of Spain. She is now reportedly owned by a Chinese businessman.  Benetti build four of the Stefano Natucci 45M semi-customs in between 1987 to 1994, with the last two featuring a totally renewed exterior design but sharing the same hull.

Project: CRN 70m Project Thunderball

A new creation, unique and exceptional, is taking shape at CRN, with hull number 145 Project Thunderball. This 70-metre steel and aluminium superyacht is completely bespoke and handcrafted in her design, naval architecture, engineering and her construction. CRN's hull.145 combines the Ancona shipyard’s design-and-build quality and know-how with the experience of Vripack, which developed the external lines and the naval architecture, and the creativity of the Nauta Design studio, for the interior design and outdoor furniture. The brokers Y.CO completed the sale in August 2022 and are playing a key role as the Owner’s representative and project management team, supporting the Owner through the construction stage to the technical checks, inspection and acceptance as well as with the project management, the on-site supervision and coordinating the external contractors. This new yacht, will feature classic timeless lines with a striking sense of style that fully reflects the owner’s vision and requirements for a pleasure ship suited to long, pleasurable, contemplative cruises. This is a super yacht with a traditional elongated bow, a low profile and svelte lines like a sailboat, with curved bilges and a smooth surface. The entire design has been carefully devised for highly efficient cruising and comfortable, convenient manoeuvring. The owner is a passionate sailor, so a smaller sailboat will also be delivered to accompany the mother yacht. The superyacht will cruise in the Mediterranean and between Florida and the Bahamas, to be used as a base for diving, sailing and underwater fishing. CRN Project Thunderball will feature five decks with seventy metres in length and a beam of eleven metres and a gross tonnage of 1,100, accommodating up to twelve guests in six suites and fifteen crew. Project Thunderball Interior Design concept goes beyond time and fashion. It expresses a culture of the sea, a sophisticated collection of details, a combination of heritage blended with a refined contemporary look, fully reinterpreting them from the latest lifestyle point of view. The marine approach and high-end craftsmanship come together to define a new state of the art in yachting. The CRN hull.145 continuing the shipyard’s sustainability commitment through the use of a peak shaving system to increase energy efficiency and slash fuel consumption.  Currently CRN is building three further custom yachts, from 67 to the largest ever 85 meter hull.144, with the Ferretti Group Ancona facilities also producing three other aluminium yachts for its other brands, and 27 Custom Line fiberglass yachts in build.

www.crn-yacht.com

New Model: Viking 90 Convertible

Since the announcement and launch of the Viking 90 Enclosed Bridge, the model has received tremendous global attention, selling twelve units before its debut, and four more signed just after it's World presented in Miami earlier on this year. Now Viking follows the Enclosed Bridge model with the presentation of the sportier Convertible open bridge version. Her sleek design is purpose-driven and loaded with amenities while also serving as a social hub.  From first glance, it is clearly apparent that the visibility of the open bridge is excellent due to the low-profile, well-laid-out console. Both forward to the bow and aft to the cockpit and beyond to the spread, the clear sightlines provide the captain confidence while docking or backing down. The interior perimeter and seating modules have an integrated toe kick for added aesthetics and function.  A trio of Release Marine Trillion series teak ladder-back chairs adorn the console, with all three having the same size pedestal and are mounted on an elevated centreline moulded-in standing platform. Behind is an eight-rod rocket launcher on the double aft rail.  The flat panel helm has an acrylic inlay that can accommodate four 19-inch screens. Recessed port and starboard split lid radio boxes are at your fingertips while also keeping electronics protected from elements with gasketed lids and stainless-steel piston lifts.   Seating is abundant. A pair of bench seats flank the console and provide rod storage below. Aft-facing lounge seats, bookended to the bench seats include a comfy backrest. A large sun lounge is forward and offers armrests, drink holders and generous storage below. There is also a freshwater sink, large top-loading freezer and a chill box for keeping drinks and snacks handy.  Inside the Viking 90C offers an interior with living, lounging and entertaining main deck, fully equipped counter-topped galley adjacent with a five stool bar, dinette opposite, and lounging saloon on entry to port side, with a day head located forward.  The lower deck offers a five double cabins five en-suite heads layout, with a master stateroom located at midships featuring his and hers bathrooms looking aft.  A crew cabin is located aft.  The Viking 90 Convertible is standard powered by twin Cats 1925hp, and or optional Cats 2433hp, and MTU 2635hp.  Hull one of the Viking 90 which was an Enclosed Bridge optioned with Sky Bridge and the big twin MTU 2635hp reached top 38 knots speeds, and cruise at 32/33 for a range up to six hundred nautical miles.

Technical Data:

LOA - 27.41 m (90ft)

Beam - 7.05 m

Draft - 1.80 m

Displacement - 87,776 kg loaded ex Tower

Fuel Capacity - 14388 l

Water Capacity - 1817 l

Accommodation - ten berths in five cabins, crew cabin with one or two berths

Engines - 2 x Cats C32A 1925hp, C32V 2433hp, MTU Series 2000 V16 M936L 2635hp

Propulsion - line shaft with tunnels

Speed - 38 knots max 33 cruise

Range - six hundred nautical miles at cruise

www.vikingyachts.com 

Super Yacht Utopia IV Hits Miami Bridge Barrier

A 63 meter super yacht titled m/y Utopia IV collided with the protective barrier of NE 63 Bridge which leads to the Port of Miami on 18:00 hours of Wednesday thirteen December.  The cause of the collision was caused from current created by a cruise ship prop wash, with twenty knots gust winds not helping the situation.  According to a declaration from the yacht ownership the cruise ship had no departure declaration, putting the super yacht in a difficult spot and causing the collision with the bridge barrier in that time.  Utopia IV was reported as having only the crew onboard, with no injuries to personnel, and yacht and bridge barrier sustaining little damage.  Probably this news made more headlines because ten days short of two years ago, Utopia IV had a collision with the 48 meter cargo vessel Tropic Breeze in Nassau Bahamas.  This is more a case of a wrong place and right time to be filmed and social media shared, with the bang noise coming out of the collision making this sound worse then probably it actually was.  

Super yacht Utopia IV is a 63 meter Rossinavi hull number FR031 and launched in 2018 to a design by Angelo Gobbi Team 4 Design for both exterior and interior, with naval architecture by Arrabito.  Utopia IV is listed for charter at half a million dollars a week and for sale at just under 48 million US$.  Utopia IV is owned by Loren Ridinger, commissioned by her husband and Market America founder JR Ridinger who passed away suddenly on thirty August 2022. 

Project: Sundeck 750

Sundeck presents the project for the 750 explorer yacht model.  A design of Zuccheri, who has so far designed all the Sundeck line since its debut in 2014, the 750 is based on the 700 model platform, with an extended stern area, which adds further space to the bathing stern area, transforming it in a beach club.  This area is also added with an aft looking settee for four persons. Inside the Sundeck 750 follows the layout of the 700 with a four cabins lower deck, and two crew cabins for three persons aft. The main deck in the Sundeck 750 is offered in two layouts, open plan galley to port side of the helm station forward, or enclosed galley to starboard in the middle of the saloon, dining area. The Sundeck 750 is powered by standard FPT 1000hp, or Man 1200hp for speeds up 25 and 27 knots respectively. 

www.sundeckyachts.com

Floating Yacht Dock Sinks in Kocaeli Turkey

A 145 meter floating dock owned by Yachtley Shipyard and with 24 persons onboard, sank while in the Kocaeli free zone area, Basiskele district, Turkey, on the morning of Wednesday thirteen December.  The Yachtley floating dock was reported in doing yacht retrieval preparation operation before it started to sink down.  All the 24 persons onboard where saved, with two being hospitalized but are reported to be in stable condition.  The 145 meters 4500 tons capacity floating dock had the tall crane booms still visible after the sinking.  The Kocaeli Port Authority reported no pollution from the sinking.

Turkish Yachtley shipyard was founded in 2005, in Kocaeli, and is owned by Saudi Arabian Fal Group.  Since its founding Yachtley has gained a name for refits, although it did deliver two super yachts; 65 meters Nourah of Riyad designed by Donald Starkley in 2008, and the 80 meter Elements in 2019 to a design of Alpha Marine and interiors by Christian Gatto.

New Model: Esposito Positano Sole 28

Nautica Esposito from Naples continue to expand its traditional Gozzo fishing boat looking line of cruisers with this 2023 new Positano Sole 28 model.  This new Positano Sole 28 Open follows the script of the Positano Open 38, offering walk around features to that of a traditional Gozzo.  Indeed the Positano Sole 28 Open has a cockpit in style and substance to that of a sport cruiser with an aft central sun-pad, a dinette with opposite settee and a central helm station.  The interesting thing in all of this is that the Positano does not sacrifice interior spaces for an eight meter cruiser offering a cabin sleeping three; with a forward double V-shape berth, and single berth cabin at midships, with a shower head to starboard.  The Esposito Positano Sole 28 is powered by a single Yanmar 320hp, or twin 195hp in line shaft propulsion for top speeds up to 29 knots and a cruise of 24 from both engine choices.

Technical Data:

LOA - 8.60 m (28.2ft)

Hull Length - 7.54 m

Beam - 2.90 m

Draft - 0.70 m

Displacement - 5000 kg dry/unloaded

Fuel Capacity - 2 x 170 l

Water Capacity - 110 l

Accommodation - three berths

Max Persons - eight

Engines - 1 x Yanmar 8LV 320hp, 2 x Yanmar  4LV 195hp

Propulsion - line shaft

Speed - 29 knots max 24 knots cruise

Hull Shape - modified deep-V

Project - 20 Maree

Certification - CE B/C, module B+C  

www.nauticaesposito.com

Project: Fjord 39 XL

Fjord announce the project for the 39 XL, a new project which will replace the 38 model as entry level model to the Scandinavian German Hanse Group owned brand.  The Fjord 39 XL is designed by Patrick Benfield, who presents an eleven meter walk around day cruiser, with usable and easy to use fore to aft exterior spaces and overnight accommodation for two persons below deck.  A lot of options come around the Fjord 39 XL from a T-top option as pictured above, to replacing the standard free aft deck with a sun-pad dinette, and the two settee centre console layout upgraded to a triple.  The Fjord 39 XL cabin offers a forward double berth with a well space shower head to starboard, and fridge storage area on entry.  The lower deck is optionable in four finishing variants; Classic, Polar, Elegance, and Sport.  The Fjord 39 XL is standard powered by twin Volvo 380hp and or optional 440hp engines with stern drive propulsion, and is also offered in the 39 XP version with twin 400hp outboards petrol gas power.  The Fjord 39 XL is set to be priced at 460,000 euros excluding options and taxes.    

www.fjordboats.com

Sea Ray Boat with Two Persons One Dog Ends Aground in Chesapeake

A classic nine meter Sea Ray boat with two persons onboard ended aground in the shallows of Tydings Parks, upper Chesapeake Bay when it broke anchor in heavy wind and rain on Sunday tenth December.  The Sea Ray boat and the two persons; Sarah Rae and her partner Bella Eldridge and Lily dog where ultimately stuck in the shallows for two days running out of energy, food, and medications with a rescue mission impossible to do by TowBoatUS cause of low tide.  This rescue mission ultimately fell in the hands of the Department of Natural Resources who hired Susquehanna Hose Company which on Tuesday twelfth December evening saved the two boaters and their dog with Air Boat Five.  Thanks to the heavy rain and high tide the classic Sea Ray will also be saved by Argentino Marine Sales and Service, and TowBoatUS Chesapeake Bay on Tuesday nineteen December.

The classic Sea Ray in this grounding is an SRV 300 Sedan Bridge model as produced from 1976 up to 1982 with the model replaced by the slightly larger 340 Sedan Bridge in 1983. The Sea Ray SRV 300 platform debuted in 1975 and was offered in five other model variants up to 1982.

New Model: Maxi Dolphin MD70 Power

Since launching the Power line back in 2007 with the 51 model Maxi Dolphin has teased for larger units in project form, first with an MD61 in 2008, then a 65 in 2016, and last this MD70, which was announced in 2020 and launched just before Summer 2022.  For this new project Maxi Dolphin changes design duties to Francesco Rogantin, who brings similar lines to the smaller MD51 and 53 models as designed by Roberto Starkel. Honestly if this was not told I would have assumed Roberto Starkel designed the MD70, as it is near identical looking to the smaller MD's, with slight evolutionary differences at the stern. The interior of the first MD70, is designed by Nuvolari Lenard who presented a two double cabins; forward VIP and midships master stateroom, with a crew cabin sleeping two.  As in any Maxi Dolphin light weight plays a big role in the construction of the MD70, with a carbon fibre epoxy vacuum build followed by interiors made of Nomex sandwich with all this giving a light unloaded weight of just 33 tons.  The first Maxi Dolphin MD70 Power which will have support duties to a super yacht is fitted with twin Man 1300hp engines coupled to KaMeWa waterjets propulsion for top speeds up to 43 knots and a cruise of 34.   

Technical Data:

LOA - 21.60 m (70.8ft)

Beam - 5.80 m

Draft - 0.88 m (ex propellers and drives)

Displacement - 33 t

Fuel Capacity - 4500 l

Water Capacity - 1174 l

Accommodation - four guests in two cabins, two crew in one cabin

Engines - 2 x Man 1300hp

Propulsion - KaMeWa Waterjets

Speed - 43 knots max 34 knots cruise

Construction - Sp Resin Infusion, hull/deck pre-preg glass, carbon fibre, post-cured epoxy vacuum

Project - Francesco Rogantin exterior, Nuvolari Lenard interior, Maxi Dolphin

www.maxidolphin.it

Tornado Capsizes Boats in North Shannon Ireland

A tornado which dropped down in Leitrim Marina, North Shannon, Ireland on the after noon time of Sunday tenth December, capsized three boats and damaged others.  Beside the damaged boats the tornado is reported to have also swept some roofs, and flattened some trees in Leitrim County.  After all calmed down the Civil Defence went down to the area, and surrounded the capsized boats with oil protection boons, to control any fuel spillage that might happen.

One of the capsized boats is reported to be an Aquafibre 12 meter, although the one in the picture above looks more to be a Broom Monarch of 40ft.

VanDutch New Web Site

VanDutch presents its new web site.  VanDutch was founded in 2008 by a partnership between Ruud Koekkoek and Henk Erenstein in Heerenveen, Netherlands, with the company debuting its first Frank Mulder designed 40 model the following year.  The VanDutch 40 is still in production and is its best seller as at today.  In 2012 Van Dutch introduced its second 30 model, which is followed by the larger 55 the following year.  In 2013 VanDutch enters and starts to market its sport cruisers and yachts in the North American market.  Van Dutch has also distinct itself from other brands with collaborations from Dior, McLaren, Red Bull, Hublot, and Luna Rossa Prada Team brands, and famous people like Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, Dwyane Wade, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Cuban, Ryan Phillippe, Simon Cowell, Samantha Hoopes, and Samuel Hübinette all spotted and marketed onboard a VanDutch sport cruiser and yacht.  This led along with the Frank Mulder distinctive retro-modern line for VanDutch to becoming recognizable by the trained and untrained eye.  VanDutch were in the first years and up till 2012 build in Heerevenveen, Netherlands to an undisclosed third party builder. In late 2012 VanDutch moves production in the USA, first to S2 Tiara in Michigan and then to Marquis Carver Yachts at end of 2013.  In June 2020 VanDutch is bought by Cantieri del Pardo, who move production to Forli in Italy in 2021.  Today VanDutch offers a five model line up which start from 32 and go up to the still project upcoming 75 flagship.  VanDutch new web site takes you around with the following buttons; Models, VanDutch Centers, Shows and Events, News, Company, Collaborations, Contacts, Press Room, and Work with Us.  VanDutch is also present on socual with right bottom page buttons taking you to its Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram pages. 

www.vandutch.com

Production and Ownership History;

40 2009-

30 2012-20

55 2013-19

48 2019-

2020 Cantieri del Pardo ownership

32 2021-

56 2022-

75 2025-  *70 project

New Launch: Rossinavi 59.4m FR046

Italian shipyard Rossinavi has in June 2023 launched m/y Akula, the 59.4-metre hull number FR046 expedition super yacht at its Pisa facilities. FR046 was designed by Gian Paolo Nari with interiors by the Ancona-based studio FM Architettura, and naval architecture by Arrabito. Fitted with diesel-electric propulsion and dynamic positioning, FR046 is RINA Ice Classed super yacht built to fulfil the Owner's dream of world exploration. This Rossinavi was jointly developed with the Owner, who was actively involved in the entire concept and development process. The result is a luxury Expedition super yacht, the first of its kind in Rossinavi's fleet, created with the goal of navigating over long distances, structured with a sturdy hull that allows cruising in remote areas while ensuring absolute safety. Each space outsizes standard yachts, allowing for large storage areas and comfortable crew accommodation, while meeting standards of eco-sustainability, safety, and the ability to travel long distances. At the Owner’s request, the yacht was also developed to support marine research activities and philanthropic projects, with a large open area capable of stowing a variety of accessories, including two custom nine-meter-long tenders and various diving equipment. In addition, there is the possibility of loading two standard eight meters containers on board as scientific laboratories. Key custom solutions include the forward manoeuvring station being moved below deck, leaving the entire over-deck completely free as an open observation deck; in addition, the sundeck is configured as a technical area, where the emergency generator is located. The interior design has been developed to be cosy but elegant, through synergistic work between the Owner and Fabrizio Mori FM firm, with a layout offering a six double guest accommodation plan.

Technical Data:

LOA - 59.4 m (194.9ft)

Beam - 11.3 m

Draft - 3.45 m

Displacement - 1215 gt*volume

Fuel Capacity - 

Accommodation - twelve guests in six cabins

Engines - 2 x Cat C32 Acert 1115hp

Propulsion - pod drives

Hull - full displacement

Construction - steel hull, aluminium super structure

Project - Gian Paolo Nari exterior, FM Architettura interiors, Arrabito naval architecture

Certification - RINA Ice class

www.rossinavi.it

Project: Spencer Yachts 80 hull.231

Spencer Yachts have been very much in the news lately, because of the first custom-production boat builder collaboration with Albemarle and its new 53 model which launched this 2023 fall.  Here though is further news from Spencer, the most active of custom sportfish yacht builders, doing what it does best with this currently new eighty foot build, hull number 231.  This upcoming Spencer returns the Wanchese North Carolina custom sportfish specialist above eighty foot, its third unit to be build beyond this size. To be fitted it out with a full tower, Spencer Yachts 80 hull.231 is also luxury appointed with two large owners staterooms; a VIP suite and a crew cabin. Spencer hull.231 is to be powered by twin 2600hp MTUs for top speeds up to 42 knots. 

www.spenceryachtsinc.com

Lurssen Bremen Yard Damage Injures One Employee

A 130 meter plus Lurssen super yacht currently under construction has injured one employee when falling and damaging the shed doors in the Bremen shipyard, Germany on the afternoon of Thursday seventh December.  The one employee was reported slightly injured in the accident, with the super yacht fall damaging the shed doors and the bridge connecting the dock, which partly sank in the water.  The accident was assisted by rescue workers, which included a helicopter, water rescue units, and fire brigade teams.  The 150 meters floating dock was later secured by the Bremen police, and fire department.  Lurssen reported the accident with a press release on the same evening.  This is the second incident for Lurssen in 2023, following a fire on June 28 at the Lemwerder facility which involved one worker. 

According to unconfirmed reports the Lurssen super yacht in this accidental fall is the 142 meters Project Alibaba which is set to launch in 2024.

Baywood Marina Boat Fire

An unattended ten meters sports cruiser went ablaze at Baywood Marina in Brick, New Jersey at 04:46 hours of Thursday seventh December.  Jersey Shore Fire Response and Pioneer Hose Volunteer Fire Company responded to the blaze, while East Dover Fire Company came to the scene with Fire Boat 28 from the water.  It took over an hour to extinguish the fire with no damage to other boats and property being sustained thanks also to the quick response of the fire fighting crew.  The boat was later removed and towed away from the dock, with the cause of the fire being under investigation.

The sport cruiser in this fire is a Wellcraft 3200 Martinique as produced from 1994 to 2000.  The 3200 Martinique came as a replacement to the Wellcraft 3200 St.Tropez and was replaced by the 3300 Martinique.

New Model: Airon Marine AmX 35

Airon Marine new AmX 35 is an evolution of the AmX 34 model the Como sport cruiser and yacht builder introduced in 2017.  Recognizable from the outside with the longer extended bathing platform, the AmX 35 features a totally redesigned cockpit deck, now with the more Mediterranean layout of aft sun-pad, C-shaped dinette to port side, wet-bar exterior galley and helm station opposite.  Down below as is expected the Airon Marine AmX 35 keeps the same layout which is one of the best in this ten meter sporty boat cruiser type offering a -shaped dinette which converts to a double berth, a midships cabin with three berths, and a galley with shower head opposite.  The Airon Marine AmX 35 is powered by up to fifteen engine options in both diesel and petrol gas engines, and start from a single diesel of 400hp, and go up to twin petrol gas engines of 430hp. 

Technical Data:

LOA - 10.67 m (35ft)

Hull Length - 9.96 m

Beam - 3.30 m

Displacement - 6000 kg

Fuel Capacity - 410 l

Water Capacity - 154 l

Max Persons - twelve

Accommodation - five berths in cabin plus convertible dinette

Engines - 1 x Volvo D6 400hp, D6 440hp, 2 x Volvo D4 230hp, D4 270hp, D4 300hp, Mercruiser MD 3.0S 230hp, MD 3.0S 270hp, Yanmar 6LPA 325hp, 8LV 320hp

Propulsion - Volvo DPi or Mercruiser Bravo3 dual propeller stern drive

Certification - CE B

www.aironmarine.it

Project: Release Boatworks 55 Walkaround Flybridge

Release Boatworks from New Jersey have at the start of 2023 started the construction for the first 55’ Walkaround Flybridge, a versatile fishing platform, with elegance worthy of complimenting a superyacht as its game-boat. The Release Boatworks 55 Walkaround Flybridge comes from the minds of Jim Turner, Naval Architect Erwin Gerards, and production manager Scott Jastrzembski who had the design for the walkaround flybridge in mind years ago. As with any Release Boatworks, this boat is specifically designed to cater to the owner’s needs and wants. This 55’ Walkaround Flybridge will be the gameboat for an expedition yacht in the 160’ range for a multi-family operation planning to travel to Mag Bay, Costa Rica, Panama, Isla Mujeres, and The Bahamas. The superyacht will serve its purpose as a floating hotel, while on any given day there won’t be less than ten people on the 55’ for ten-hour adventures of marlin fishing, spearfishing, deep dropping, and diving. The boat owners, who have sons and daughters that love to fish and dive, originally used a centre console as their chase boat, but the range, lack of comfort, and maintenance intervals became a limiting factor to their family travels.

The 55’ Walkaround Flybridge will provide three staterooms, a tackle room, a custom dive locker, two Seakeeper 6 stabilizers for maximum comfort, an expanded fuel capacity for long range, redundancy of systems and pumps in case anything goes wrong in a remote destination, and a quick connect fuel manifold system for fuel bladders, among many other custom features. She will be powered with twin MTU 1622hp for cruising speeds in the mid thirty knots and a top end upwards of forty. The Release Boatworks 55 Walkaround Flybridge hull one home port will be Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  The Release Boatworks has already sold two more 55's which is also available as a Flybridge Dayboat, Inboard Walkaround, and Express platforms.

www.releaseboatworks.com

New Model: Solaris Power 52 Open

Solaris Power continue to upgrade its walk-around line and present this new 52 Open model. A project like all Solaris Power of Brunello Acampora, the 52 Open follows the priorities of this six model line, for full length walk-around deck exterior spaces; and lower deck fully dedicated to overnight accommodation.  The Solaris Power 52 is offered in three exterior deck plans with the choices revolving around the central dinette and galley-wet-bar layout, and comes out as standard with two opposite settees called layout B, C-shaped dinette looking aft layout A with the galley becoming an L-shaped, and layout C with a forward looking dinette.  The choices of the Solaris Power 52 do not stop, with two lower deck plan choices; two cabins version with central master room, and a three cabins layout relocating the owners suite forward, and two cabins at midships.  In both versions the lower deck is fully dedicated to the cabins, no dinette or galley option available.  An optional crew cabin is available in the two cabins version, located to port side with separate entry from the main deck.  Other options in the Solaris Power 52 are the flip down bulkheads which increase deck space by about 30%, and are located in the middle of the cockpit area adjacent with the dinette.  During the Genoa boat show Solaris was telling me that the bulkhead option is ordered in like 50% of units sold, with the metallic colour chosen in like 90% of the units.  The Solaris Power 52 Open is standard powered by rather small for twenty tons twin Volvo 480hp, and or optional 600hp with IPS pod propulsion.  Speeds are thirty knots with the standard engines, and 35 knots with the optional larger 600hp engines. 

Technical Data:

LOA - 16.2 m (53ft)

Waterline Length - 14.83 m

Beam - 4.95 m

Draft - 1.19 m

Displacement - 17,700 kg light, 21,500 kg loaded (approximate)

Fuel Capacity - 2000 l

Water Capacity - 550 l

Max Persons - twelve

Accommodation - four berths in two cabins, six berths in 3 cabins, optional 1 berth crew cabin

Engines - 2 x Volvo D6 480hp, D8 600hp

Propulsion - Volvo forward looking dual propeller IPS pod drives

Speed - 35 knots max 27 cruise with 600hp, 30 max 24 knots cruise with 480hp

Project - Brunello Acampora from Victory Design exterior and engineering, Roseo interior

www.solarispower.com

Fairline Yacht Beached in Dockweiler Beach California

A nineteen meter Fairline yacht titled m/y Fortitude with five persons and a dog onboard was saved from sinking and beached in Dockweiler, Playa del Rey California on the evening of December third.  The yacht was reported in striking the Hyperion Pipe and started to take on water, with its skipper deciding to beach the Fairline to avoid sinking.  The Lifeguard section of the Fire Department of the County of Los Angeles responded first to the beaching saving the persons and the dog first.  According to reports TowBoatU.S Los Angeles is instructed in refloating the yacht and taking her to a yard for repairs.

The Fairline in this sinking is a second generation Squadron 62 as designed by Bernard Olesinski and produced from 1999 till 2002 in about twenty units.  Following the design of the Squadron 52, the Squadron 62 was a replacement to the Squadron 59, and was replaced by the Squadron 58.