Project: Riviera 4400 Sport Yacht

Latest of its European-style Sport Yacht series, the project for the soon to come Riviera 4400 Sport Yacht takes the renowned luxury boat builder to new levels with its light weight yet robust hull construction and revolutionary Volvo Penta Inboard Performance System (IPS) propulsion that includes a joystick docking system, making this boat very simple to control and manoeuvre. The 4400 Sport Yacht continues the indoor-outdoor character and sense of light and space introduced on the first award-winning Riviera 3600 Sport Yacht and carried on with the 4700 SY. Exterior lines have been further refined to create even more visual appeal. Bonded glass windows each side of the boat are a striking feature that, together with an opening porthole each side, add natural light and ventilation into the aft cabin of the boat. The interior is a two cabin two bathroom cruiser packed with all the modern conveniences. Power is provided by twin Volvo IPS 500 diesel engines rated at 370hp each. Twin Volvo IPS 600 rated at 435hp each are optional. The Volvo IPS system is an integrated system of marine diesel engines, steerable drive units mounted under the hull with twin counter rotating, forward facing, propellers. This system offers easy handling and manoeuvring even in tight situations and a joystick for easy docking. Volvo IPS also offers up to 30 percent better fuel consumption than traditional shaft drive systems. Cutting-edge technology, contemporary design principals and the quality, value and reliability for which Riviera is famous promising of what should be an outstanding vessel as is the fame of the Australian builder.

www.riviera.com.au

Monthly News - August 2007

- picture of the month - Itama 55 Fiftyfive following the Copa Del Rey

Abacus R.I.N.A. contract

Abacus Marine S.p.A. has agreed with RINA for the release of certificate F no.25 for the yachts Abacus 62 and 70. This certificate consists for supervision inspection by the Italian classification society on a selection of the constructed yachts, from the start of construction till completion and delivery to the proud owner, in order to give a higher safety value to the yacht.


Bruno Abbate Primatist Trophy 17th Edition

The 17th edition of the Primatist Trophy, took part from the 30th July to the 3 rd August of what was a new racing formula compared to the previous editions. In fact this year’s edition want be based on a single race, but a series of rounds that will take the crews doing many miles North and South of Sardegna. This will be a lot more difficult competition, compared to the previous ones with the most difficult round, Porto Ottiolu to Arbatax a 60 mile non stop race. Arbatax will also be the protagonist of the event, as is the place of the new Bruno Abbate Primatist factory, and where most of the new models will be built and designed. Other events in this trophy will be a race on the Bixy bicycles as well as a photographic “I Love 17” competition, an idea of Marco Abbate. In this edition visitors could also admire the new offshore powerboat "Terribile", a laboratory boat realized with cooperation from Isotta Fraschini which looks at the competition world thanks to the experience of Bruno Abbate and his Class 1 Offshore racing in the past.

Burger lays off 44 workers

Burger Boat Company has laid off 21 staff employees and 23 contract workers, according to the Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter. Burger Boat Company's co-president told the paper that the Wisconsin-based shipyard is awaiting decisions from owners of two 42.7m (140ft) yachts it is building regarding modifications. The majority of laid-off workers are metal ship fitters. The layoffs will reduce Burger's staff workforce to 375. The yard currently has six yachts under construction, with ongoing sales efforts to acquire additional clients. Two launches are scheduled for this fall.


Fiart Mare sponsors Uto Ughi concert in Capri

Fiart Mare participated as a sponsor to the event organized by the Tourism and Culture Authority of the city of Capri. Uto Ughi in concert with the philharmonic orchestra of Rome – The Four Season of Vivaldi. The event of absolute prestige for the presence of the violinist, considered among the best of our times, happened in the magic surroundongs of San Giacomo in Capri.


Intermare school with Carlo Conti

The TV Presenter Carlo Conti, could easily be observed while teaching his female colleagues of famous Italian national TV show L’ Eredita as part of signed photo shoot for TV Sorrisi E Canzoni magazine on board an Intermare. The famous TV presenter showed great professionalism also by answering to questions to curious passers by. The magazine was out in the second week of July and was realized in Rosignano.

Itama participates in Copa Del Rey

Itama, had the honor to participate, with the unmistakable white and blue yachts, in the prestigious Copa del Rey at Palma de Mallorca from July 29 until August 6. Itama FiftyFive, the last vessel of the new Itama range, was the support yacht for the press.


Pershing Cup 3rd Edition

The 2007 Pershing Gold Cup Tournament, took place over two days (Saturday 28 July dedicated to the 2nd and 3rd Stableford categories and Sunday 29 July for golfers of the 1st Medal play category) and saw 105 golfers competing. Medal play, which is adding up all the strokes played for each hole, was used for the first category. The Stableford formula, which awards 2 points for every hole completed in the correct number of strokes, was used for the second and third category. The weekend was rounded off with the awards ceremony with the President of Riviera sport, Giampietro Ticchi, and the Pershing communications manager, Virginia De Carlo.

Class 1 - Constanta Romania Preview

Class 1 leader Victory 77 has an easy task taking Euopean championship in Romania

Mamaia, Romania’s largest Black Sea resort, is the setting for this weekend’s Romanian Grand Prix, round 4 of the WPPA Class 1 World Powerboat Championship. The third new venue on the calendar this season, the outcome of the 2007 European title race will be settled in Romanian waters.

Spirit of Norway’s much needed win in Oslo has reignited the battle in the world championship title race, which at one point looked like becoming a runaway fight between the might of the Middle East, Victory and Qatar. But Bjorn Gjelsten and Steve Curtis proved in the last race, that when they are dialled-in, they are still the team to beat, and have no intention of conceding their world title without a supreme fight. But they are resigned to the fact that their European reign is over, with Victory the odds on favourites to regain the crown they have held four times and was last won for them by Ali Nasser and Ali Al Qama in 2004. For Spirit of Norway the focus now is setting about reducing the 22-point deficit between them and the championship leader’s. But it is Victory 77, the overall championship leader’s, who head into the race weekend poised to lift the first silverware of the season, and whilst both Qatar 96 and Victory 7 are still in with a mathematical chance, needing the win with Victory 77 to finish outside the points a scenario which seems unlikely but not impossible.

The rivalry amongst the top four, all running V12 power-plants, is fierce, with little separating them in terms of performance. Qatar 96 is enjoying their strongest start to a season since joining the championship back in 2003, looking to be real title contenders, currently lying in second place. Just off the pace of the front-runners Qatar 95, the strongest of those outfits running V8’s, and after making steady improvement to performance over the last couple of races, the team feels it is now all about optimising set-ups, before they too join the battle at the front.

The middle-order battle is intriguing, and once again likely be a dog-fight between Foresti & Suardi’s Giampaolo Montavoci and Marco Penessi and Class 1 rookies, Spirit of Norway 20 the youngsters losing out in Arendal but winning the duel in Oslo.

Further down the order, VM Foresti & Suardi and Giorgi and SeveneleveN have struggled with reliability and they will be looking to at least finish and grab points in Mamaia. Jotun and Negotiator have had agonising starts to their seasons, both failing to post points. However have shown on occasion, that when they have trouble free runs, they are very quick, especially Jotun in Oslo, who came from the second row start line to be up with front runners at the first corner before crashing out.

The European title may well be heading to Dubai, but the outcome of the first WPPA Class 1 World Powerboat Grand Prix to be staged in Romania is wide open, and for the teams, a third different type of course and conditions to come to terms with this season, the 97.76Nm, 21-lap race being run on the usually calm waters of Mamaia’s Lake Siutghiol.

www.class-1.com

New Model: Tecnomar 92 Nadara

The 92 Nadara from the Tuscany yard is a redesigned and enlarged 28 metre flybridge motor yacht which follows and updates the 26 Nadara model. The new yacht features an unusual arrangement of the environment with a very original style following the design of its younger sister. Apart from the dimensions of plus 2 metres the new Nadara has some significant changes like a new and additional access to the crew area directly from the bridge, two flybridge access areas from the inside and outside and lastly an entirely redesigned stern area which is more rounded and wider. The hull of the new Nadara has also been extended, and gives among the best performance to power levels for a yacht this size.

Technical Data:

LOA - 28.20 m (92.5 ft)

Beam - 6.50 m

Displacement - 75 T

Accommodation - 8 berths in 4 cabins, 2 crew cabins with 4 berths

Fuel Capacity - 8000 l

Water Capacity - 3000 l

Engines - CAT C 32 ACERT 2 x 1825 HP

Speed - max 30 knots, cruising 28 knots (half load)

www.tecnomar.com

Boat Review: Fiart 34 Genius

 

Presentation

The Fiart 34 Genius is the latest new model from the famous Naples, Bay of Baia boat builder who is credited for building the first GRP boat in Europe. This new model was presented in October 2006 during the Genova boat show and replaces the 32 previously 30 Genius, after 15 years of production. The lines of this new model continue the evolution of the latest Fiart style which started in 1998 with the 40 Genius and include the usual design which is a bit unique compared to competing brands, thanks to the flush deck, huge cockpit and spacious bathing platform. The 34 follows many themes shown on the Genius models and is a very spacious boat with a sportive low profile hull line for what is a 10 metres sports cruiser, hence the title Genius for Genie.

Accommodation

The interior for the 34 Genius is a comfortable offer featuring 2 separate double cabins, separate shower head, convertible settee dinette and well sized galley. Both cabin berths are in longitude position to the hull of the boat, offering better accommodation especially when the boat is anchored and going with the direction of the wind and waves. The interior finish is light colored wood furniture which give a greater sense of space to the already spacious volumes.

Cockpit space offers a dual 2 helm seat, a complete wet bar to port and a big C-shaped settee aft. Which if desired can convert to an 8 person + dining area or a huge sunbed. What is nice about the outside cockpit is the airy environment which feels a lot spacious then what actually is.

Performance

Fiart boats are renowned for there comfort in all senses, and the performance handling area is no exception. The variable deep vee hull with a very generous deep forward entry calls for a very solid boat in demanding conditions. Performance levels are also very good with the average sized Volvo D4 2 x 225 HP engines giving 37 knots of maximum speed. Cruising speeds stands at 30 knots with 3000 RPM but a superb economic cruising speed of 21 knots is available at only 2500 RPM. The boat gets on the plane at 2000 RPM doing 13 knots of speed.

Positive

interior layout

spacious cockpit

Negative

cockpit

bathing platform transom connection

Competition

If you are looking for a 10 metres sport cruiser the market has plenty to offer. The ever going American builders offer over 10 models on there own. Cut the list for a 2 separate cabin interior request and the list reduces itself to only European builders, showing the different mentality of boating across the ocean in the size type of craft.

Airon Marine 345 - spacious 3 berth cabin aft, comfortable cockpit, well refined

Arturo Stabile 33 Stama - well sized cockpit and platform, refined interior

Bruno Abbate Primatist G 36 - fast hull, cockpit with separate sunbed

Elan Power 35 - hard top, good bathing platform but small cockpit

Atlantis Gobbi 35 - nice modern light oak interior, practical cockpit, electric bimini

Ilver 34 Thesi - in production for 10 years +, well refined especially exterior fittings

Innovazioni Progetti 34 Mira - wide beam, spacious cockpit and interior

Jeanneau 34 Prestige Open - good deck cockpit platform connection

Rio 35 Cruiser - huge platform, good cockpit and interior, also available with shafts

Sealine S 34 - spacious interior, will be replaced by new SC 35 coming fall

WILD CARD: Portofino 10 Spider - classic lines with modern deck, alternative but timeless

Conclusion Choosing a Fiart? If you ask this question to a Neapolitan the answer would be a so easy yes. And it is very easily understood that if you boat in the med, it is hard beating a so much good overall sports cruiser as the Genius. The 34 in fact is spacious but most of all feels so thanks to its extreme airy and spacious environment. Something which is so missing in today's boats especially the medium or small sized entry level offers. The Genie has it all, good performance from not so big engines and space in every part weather it is inside, outside or the engine room, makes sure it is a winner in its class.

Technical Data

L.O.A. 10.89 metres (35.7 ft)

Length. 10.58 metres

Beam. 3.50 metres

Displacement. 5700 kg

Fuel Capacity. 625 litres

Water Capacity. 330 litres

Person Capacity. 10 persons

Accommodation. 4 + 2 berths in 2 cabins + convertible saloon

Engines: 2 x Volvo D4EVC 225hp, D4EVC 260hp

Speed. 37 knots max, 30 knots cruise with D4 225hp

Propulsion. Volvo DP Sterndrive

Certification. CE B

www.fiart.com

Picture Copyright Fiart. Data Fiart.

New Model: Fjord 40 Cruiser

The twelve meter Fjord 40 Crusier is the new Flagship of the new Fjord line. Patrick Banfield and Jim Wilshire of Allseas Design are responsible for the new Fjord design. The new Fjord Cruiser demonstrates this expertise and skill with a thoroughly thought out hull design with a beam ration of 3:1 that moves easily through the water and navigates quickly, quietly and economically, is a testament to their advanced know-how. These features on the Fjord 40 Cruiser were optimised in wind tunnel tests with the aid of a well-know automobile manufacturer. The new Fjord design looks also at the future for it's exterior looks, with massive glass surfaces allowing light to infiltrate the boat with a feeling of roominess in the sheltered salon. Mark Tucker from Design Unlimited designed the matching interior with a discreet and unpretentious touch, showing that noting is left for the case by Norwegian company.

Technical Data:

LOA - 11.99 m (39.3 ft)

Bea - 3.99 m

Displacement - 8.0 T

Fuel Capacity - 1000 l

Water Capacity - 300 l

Engines - 2 x 260hp

Propulsion - in line shaft

Speed - 30 knots (estimated)

Design - Allseas Design Exterior, Interior Mark Tucker Design Unlimited

Certification - CE B

www.fjordboats.com

Powerboat P1 - British Grand Prix of the Sea, Outerlimits and Extremeboat double win

Outerlimits make a double and secure important points in the fast Evolution Class

Extreme boat also make a double and take lead in production Supersport class

In a weekend of flat calm seas the British Grand Prix of the Sea, held in the legendary set up of Cowes, considered as the classics of the races for offshore powerboat racing again ended in a double for both classes. The repeat of the double seems to be a standard result for the 2007 season in the P1 circuit, what always seems to differ is the boat which gains and taking the much important 1st place.

Race 1

Outerlimits took the chequered flag in today's first leg of the P1 British Grand Prix Evolution Class, the historic Round the Island race, followed just a half boat-length away by its arch rivals King of Shaves, with Italian's OSG in third. With calm waters making for high speed racing around the Island, these high-speed racing craft were able to drive flat-out which put many above the average top-speed limit, implemented for safety reasons. As a result, the racing spectacle became somewhat confusing as the lead boats slowed before the chequered flag to avoid time penalties. The unusual ending just added to the drama of a race that had been intensely competitive throughout. The early series of circuit laps, before the boats embarked upon the circumnavigation of the island, had seen King of Shaves take the lead. Wettpunkt.com were forced out early with a blown turbine leaving Outerlimits, OSG and Fainplast to contest the lead, and they did in thrilling fashion. At St Katherine's, the halfway point, three boats, the British King of Shaves, American Outerlimits and Italian OSG passed almost in a dead heat - a stunning sight by the World's fastest mono-hulls and further proof of the competitiveness of the Evolution class. Italians Fainplast were first to take the chequered flag but a time penalty, imposed for exceeding the top average speed limit demoted them to fourth.

In Supersport it looked that the Sunseeker Challenger took its first win when the FPT-powered craft crossed the line in the first leg of the P1 British Grand Prix but the win was denied by a subsequent time penalty. The winner, timing its race to perfection, was ExtemeBoat piloted by Jackie Hunt and Mike Shelton with a photo finish for second, third and fourth places. As was the case in Evolution class the unusual calm waters had made for high speed racing around the Island, with the boats able to drive flat out, putting many above the average top-speed limit, implemented for safety reasons. As a result, the racing spectacle became somewhat confusing as the lead boats slowed before the chequered flag to avoid time penalties. The race for the coveted production class win was typically intense and competitive with Southampton based VoomVoom.com, the Yanmar-powered Hustler the first to show. The impressive performance would eventually lead to a photo finish for second place with SunLik Beer and Buzzi Bullet, SunLik being awarded second, with Voom Voom third and Buzzi Bullet fourth. Roscioli Hotels Roma was disqualified for missing a marker.

Race 2

Outerlimits, secured its maiden Grand Prix victory in the British Grand Prix of the Sea, winning today's second leg to complete a weekend double. Under intense pressure from King of Shaves they twice re-took the lead from their arch rivals with the gap rarely more than five seconds throughout the 54 nautical mile race. Tight circuit racing may not favour all the P1 muscle machines, and in particular those with diesel engines, but it certainly suited the two American craft whose neck and neck racing was captivating for the huge audience packed along the Cowes Esplanade and on the hundreds of craft lining The Solent. Behind these two, another titanic battle was being fought out for third place between Wettpunkt.com and OSG, with OSG finally winning it at the last buoy to take third on the day and in the two-legged Grand Prix. Behind them, both the German Searex and Italian Kiton team secured valuable championship points and Kiton rounded off a strong weekends racing with fourth place overall. Fainplast decided not to race today, in protest against recent decisions that they feel have unfairly undermined their cause.

Extremeboat, secured an emphatic victory and won the British Grand Prix for the second consecutive time and with it the British SuperSport championship. Now they move on to the season's penultimate Grand Prix as championship leaders. In a fiercely fought production class encounter, Sun Lik Beer moved through the field, overtaking VoomVoom.com on lap 4 to take second place and put pressure on Extremeboat. Behind them the previous Championship leaders, Roscioli Hotels Roma, were building up trying to make up for a disappointing result in Friday's first leg and eager to secure valuable championship points. Buzzi Bullet also performed well throughout the weekend, just missing out on third place over the two legs from VoomVoom.com, who had undertaken major development work in the build up to this event, including two new engines. The hard work has started to pay as they followed up an impressive performance on Friday to claim a Grand Prix podium place.

Now the Powerboats P1 circus escalates to its penultimate stage as the championship moves to Zeebrugge, Belgium, over the weekend of the 8/9 September.

www.powerboatp1.com

New Model: Ferretti Custom Line 26 Navetta

Presented as a project last January, the new Navetta 26, is the smallest at 85 feet in the Ferretti Custom Line fleet of large yachts. Zuccon Design styled the new yacht continuing the evolution of the Ferretti and the Navetta line by creating a design with curved and soft conservative looks. Standard interior decor calls for a modern classic approach with light colored Oak and Teak woods and an interior accommodation featuring 5 cabins in standard form, with master cabin on the main deck and 2 identical VIP cabins in mid ship. An alternative 4 cabin version is also available. The pilothouse is raised on the upper deck in a closed and comfortable environment. As usual from Ferretti Yacht, technology is on the highest levels thanks to exclusive systems like the Gi8 control and monitoring system and the Mitsubishi ARG stabilizers. Performance is an estimated of 17.5 knots top speed with cruising of 14 knots with the optional big MAN 1100hp engines option.

Technical Data:

LOA - 26.10 m (85.8 ft)

Beam - 6.93 m

Draft - 2.16 m

Displacement - 95.2 t

Fuel Capacity - 12400 l

Water Capacity - 2000 l

Cabins - 5 or 4

Engines - 2 x MAN V8 900hp, MAN V10 1100hp

Hull - semi displacement

Project - Zuccon International Project

Certification - R.I.Na. 100 -A-1.1"Y"

www.customline-yacht.com

Project: Grand Banks 41 Heritage EU

After launching the first in 1964 of what would then become the successful Heritage series, in 2008 Grand Banks will again do a revolution with this new model, which for the first time has designed a boat without traditional inboard shaft drive. In fact the new 41 Heritage EU features Cummins Mercruiser Zeus innovative POD drive, which will deliver great control, superb speed efficiency, pin point dock accuracy manoeuvring and best fuel range economics. Grand Banks also designed a newly modified deep-vee Hull design in order to take the best from the new propulsion which should deliver unseen levels of efficiency at both planning and semi-displacement speeds, from 10 up to 24 knots. Rest also assured that as all Grand Banks, the new 41 EU will not only surprise for its below under water technology but also for it's superior comfortable accommodation thanks to the less space used by the innovative POD drives, which I am sure will be made to good use.

www.grandbanks.com

New Model: Absolute 47

Previewed over a month ago in our blog as a project, the new Absolute 47 is the second new boat coming from the young Italian builder in a few weeks time. Showing that at Absolute designs and projects are there to happen. This new hard top coupe sports cruiser features interior accommodation of 2 staterooms, one forward VIP cabin and a mid-ship cabin for owner, both featuring private en-suite shower heads. In between the cabins you have the galley and a c-shaped saloon dinette. Third model in the hard top coupe series from Absolute, it follows the use as it's larger sisters, of Volvo's innovative IPS propulsion giving superior handling, great marina manoeuvring with the optional joystick and superior fuel economics. It is worth noting that Absolute have been among the first to project yachts around the new innovative IPS propulsion technology and the 47 is the third model in it's range after the larger 56 and 52 models.

Technical Data:

LOA - 14.61 m (47.9 ft)

Length - 14.31 m

Beam - 4.20 m

Fuel Capacity - 2 x 470 l

Water Capacity - 300 l

Max Persons - 12

Accommodation - 4 + 2 berths

Engines - Volvo Penta IPS 500 2 x 370 HP, IPS 600 2 x 435 HP

Propulsion - Volvo IPS forward looking duoprop pod

Project - Absolute Research and Development Lab

Certification - CE B

www.absoluteyachts.com