June 10, 2008

New Model: Galeon 530 HT

Based on the hull of the current Galeon flagship the 530 Fly, the new 530 HT model adds versatility to the Polish builder offer. The new 530 HT retains all the other elements which characterize the fly version minus the second helm flying bridge up top, which is replaced with a stylish glass hard top. Upon entering inside we find the dual raised saloon, with the c-shaped settee welcoming guests upon entering from the patio door, a galley on the raised area and a second C-shaped settee. On the lower deck, reserved all for accommodation we find the three forward cabins, with full beam owners suite, VIP forward and a 2 berth bunk cabin. Aft is an extra spacious crew cabin which can also be used for the guests, thanks to its extra space. Performance wise the Galeon 530 HT, can reach speeds of a maximum of 32 knots with 2 x 800 hp engines.
Technical Data:
LOA - 16.20 m (53.1ft)
Beam - 4.70 m
Draft - 1.05 m
Weight - 26.400 kg loaded, 21.700 kg light
Fuel Capacity - 2 x 1000 l
Water Capacity - 600 l
Max Persons - 12
Engines - 2 x 615hp, 2 x 800hp
Speeds - 32 knots max with 800hp

June 8, 2008

Powerboat P1 - Malta Grand Prix, Kiton Outerlimits Conam Yachts Take All

It was a weekend of great racing in Malta and having watched the races and Powerpole live, it was an experience to see and remeber. So it the circus is close by go and have a look! The most thing that strikes is how the P1 circus is growing its professionalism with the teams looking as good as it gets. Think about the top motor sports like Formula One and there it goes. This is no surprise having various top powerboat builders like Cigarette, Fountain, Outerlimirs, Skater, Metamarine and Italcraft Inrizzardi competing on official basis. The racing was fantastic with 44 Chaudron Conam Yachts still dominating the Supersport class, but a nice turn around in the Evolution with a double win from OSG Kiton Outerlimits, and chart leaders Fountain worldwide taking second overall. Now it will be a month of break which I am sure will serve some teams to upgrade there package when the next race happens in Tunisia.
Evolution
After four races of domination by the reigning champion 99 Fountain Worldwide 1st4boats.com team, the tide of the Evolution class title fight took a dramatic turn in Saturday’s Evolution class Endurance race of the Malta Grand Prix of the Sea.
The 88 Kiton Outerlimits pairing of 2006 Evolution class champion Giancarlo Cangiano and Joe Sgro dominated the Endurance event in incredibly rough conditions, ultimately taking the chequered flag with a four-minute lead over the second-place 60 GFN Gibellato boat. The heavy diesel-powered 60 GFN Gibellato boat had proved a revelation in the smooth conditions of the season-opener in San Benedetto del Tronto in Italy, and as expected was even more ideally suited to pushing through today’s rougher waves off the coast of host city Valletta. A poor start that left the team trailing the competition and having to fight their way through the field was perhaps all that prevented the team from scoring its second win of the season. In third were the 69 Honeyparty.com entry, scoring their first points of the year after impressive pace, but poor reliability in the first two rounds. The Chief-powered Skater boat was a consistent frontrunner throughout the course of today’s race, despite as a smaller boat being less favoured in the rough conditions. In fact, so rough were the conditions, that battle damage cracks could clearly be seen on the 69 Honeyparty.com’s hull. The 77 Lucas Oil boat had been in the early fight for the top three podium positions, but was forced out of the battle by a broken engine mount. That was a big help to the 99 Fountain Worldwide 1st4boats.com team, who moved back through the field after dropping back at the start. Sadly, for the Evolution class championship leaders, a suspected electrical problem meant they lost engine power and ultimately had to settle for fourth place. The 66 Cranfields Wine boat and the 57 Centaurian Yachts boats rounded out the race finishers, with the 53 Pignolo 53 and 76 Italcraft entries both retiring with technical problems in the rough conditions.
The 88 Kiton Outerlimits OSG racing crew of Giancarlo Cangiano and Joe Sgro took their second Evolution class win of the Malta Grand Prix of the Sea weekend in Sunday’s Sprint event, securing the overall Grand Prix of the Sea victory and moving into second place in the Evolution class championship standings. It was another dominant performance from 2006 champion Cangiano and Sgro in the Mercury-powered Outerlimits boat. Finishing in second place were the reigning title winners and current championship leaders, the 99 Fountain Worldwide 1st4boats.com entry. Although the pair were clearly settled for second after dropping back at the start, a solid weekend and a pair of points finishes mean they’ve continued to enhance their lead at the top of the standings. The 10 Fantastic 1 Cigarette Racing Team Europe entry rounded out the podium finishers, despite slowing rapidly in the second half of the race with an engine problem. The 66 Cranfields Wine and 60 GFN Gibellato boat rounded out the top five finishers, while Italian Max Ferrari limped his 53 Pignolo 53 entry home after his canopy came loose midway through the race, severely hampering the handling of his boat. The 69 Honeyparty.com team were forced to pull in halfway through the race with a split hull, leaving the British-based outfit with a sour aftertaste to yesterday’s podium glory. It was also a bad day for the 77 Lucas Oil crew, failing to even start the race after delays leaving the harbour, a consequence of repairing the damage from Saturday's engine bolt failure.
Supersport
Local Maltese hero Aaron Ciantar, driving the 44 Conam Yachts entry, piloted his team to victory in Saturday’s SuperSport Endurance event, the first race of the Malta Grand Prix of the Sea weekend.
Ciantar and reigning SuperSport champion throttleman Angelo Tedeschi led the race from start to finish in their locally-built, Mercury-powered Chaudron boat. The SuperSport championship-leading team were untouchable as they attacked the rough seas off the coast of host city Valletta, securing their second success of the weekend after yesterday’s PowerPole win. With two boats the 08 Phoenix 8 and the 46 Spirit of Portomaso, forced out at the start of the race due to mechanical problems, the remaining teams took to the start line as the wind increased . As the seas got rougher, attrition was bound to be a factor and, by the fourth lap, the 22 Big Sergio entry had retired with mechanical difficulties, while the 59 Saho boat suffered a broken water pump. Drive of the day came from the 07 VoomVoom.com crew, who came from the back of the field to take a dramatic second place from the 38 Baia High Performance boat in the closing stages. Despite choosing the wrong propellers for the conditions, 47 Buzzi Bullet continued its fight to the finish.
The 44 Conam Yachts crew of reigning SuperSport champion Angelo Tedeschi and local Maltese hero Aaron Ciantar took their second win of the weekend and their fifth win of the year in Sunday’s SuperSport Sprint race to secure overall victory in the Malta Grand Prix of the Sea event. The duo in their Mercury-powered Chaudron hull, built in Malta by Ciantar's family business were never headed from the start of the race, and romped home to another dominant and unchallenged victory. The 38 Baia High Performance boat finished second after a ding-dong, three-way battle for the remaining podium places with the 07 VoomVoom.com boat and the 47 Silverline Buzzi Bullet crew. 07 VoomVoom.com pairing looked like they’d blown it as they spun out two laps from the end, but were able to mount a late charge to push the 38 Baia High Performance crew of Stefano Acanfora and Renato Guidi right to the chequered flag, ensuring they retain their second place in the SuperSport championship standings. The 07 VoomVoom.com’s recovery was helped by technical problems in the 47 Silverline Buzzi Bullet that caused them to drop back to fourth in the closing stages of the race. The 46 Spirit of Portomaso boat and the 22 Big Sergio crew rounded out the finishers, while 59 Saho was forced to turn back to port before the race even started and 08 Phoenix 8 missed the first Powerboat P1 SuperSport race in three years a legacy of the engine problems that blighted the team’s race on Saturday.
Evolution Class Sprint Results
1 88 Kiton Outerlimits 36m17.46s
2 99 Fountain Worldwide 1st4boats.com 37m13.50s
3 10 The Fantastic 1 36m19.45s - 1 lap
4 66 Cranefields Wine 36m43.59s - 1 lap
5 60 GFN Gibellato 37m22.75s - 1 lap
6 76 Italcraft 38m46.08s - 1 lap
7 53 Pignolo 53 47m21.38s - 2 laps
8 69 honeyparty.com RET
9 57 Centaurian Yachts RET
10 77 Lucas Oil DNS
Evolution Class Endurance Results
1 88 Kiton Outerlimits 1h03m22.66s
2 60 GFN Gibellato 1h07m38.59s
3 69 honeyparty.com 1h08m02.99s
4 99 Fountain Worldwide 1st4boats.com 1h07m56.59s - 1 lap
5 66 Cranefields Wine 1h08m64.96s - 1 lap
6 57 Centaurian Yachts 1h07m40.00s - 2 laps
7 53 Pignolo 53 RET 8 77 Lucas Oil RET
9 76 Italcraft RET 10
10 The Fantastic 1 DNS
SuperSport Class Sprint Results
1 44 Conam Yachts 40m28.07s
2 38 Baia High Performance 42m02.68s
3 07 VoomVoom.com 42m04.51s
4 47 Silverline Buzzi Bullet 42m19.93s
5 46 The Spirit of Portomaso 45m09.51s + 4m penalty
6 22 The Big Sergio RET
7 08 Phoenix TV DNS
8 59 Saho DNS
SuperSport Class Endurance Results
1 44 Conam Yachts 1h36m02.33s
2 07 VoomVoom.com 1h37m29.03s
3 38 Baia High Performance 1h39m45.55s
4 47 Silverline Buzzi Bullet 1h38m57.95s - 1 lap
5 22 The Big Sergio RET
6 59 Saho RET
7 08 Phoenix TV DNS
8 46 The Spirit of Portomaso DNS

June 5, 2008

Project: Fairline 65 Squadron

Fairline is set to add another model to the Squadron range, it's popular top line segment with the new 65 Squadron standing in the middle of the range between the 68 and 58 models. The new 65 Squadron, keeps the large yacht feeling with a stylish elegance taking a lot from the exterior design of the soon to be launched 55 model. Among the original amenities of the new model is a long central window running the full length of the sunpad on the foredeck, which not only floods the forward cabin with light, but adds a unique look to the exterior. Up top, the huge flybridge follows what has been the strong piece of recent Squadrons, with abundance of space filled with entertainment facilities and two large and luxurious sunbathing areas. A spacious single level saloon, with 2 c-shaped settees and an open plan c-shaped galley arrangement makes up the main living area of the yacht. The lower deck is all reserved for the cabins with a big dilemma for any owner whether to use the master stateroom or the forward cabin, such is the attractions of both, with their airy, light-filled atmosphere, spacious open-plan en suite layouts, floating central bed designs, massive wardrobe and storage space. The panoramic windows and sheer luxury of the full beam mid-ship master en suite may make the choice easier though. There is also a 2 singles berth starboard cabin and a double crew cabin aft, which is fitted out and finished to the same impeccable specification as the guests. The new 65 Squadron represents a true motor yacht in every sense, and a fine example of British marine engineering and craftsmanship.

June 4, 2008

New Model: Tecnomar 36 Velvet

The first model of the Velvet 36 line was launched last May 10th. Four years after the official debut of the Velvet 35, the yacht that confirmed Tecnomar's leading position in the "open yacht" sector, the Viareggio-based shipyard is back with a new generation of "maxi" open yachts. Besides more overall length, the Velvet 36 line also introduces a number of new design features created by architect and designer Luca Dini. Starting from the hull, among the differences compared to the previous model we find a new windowing scheme. The typical flush portholes with stainless steel framing have been replaced with the more sporty and modern looking rectangular embedded portholes that can be easily opened to give even more light and air to all the cabins. The second saloon/dining area presents triple side windows to offer a breathtaking panorama view from both sides of the boat, giving all guests on board an unprecedented view of the sea and the feeling of being on a raised platform just above sea level. For safety reasons, the panoramic side windows cannot be opened and are made of armored, bullet-proof and break-resistant glass. As for the hull, the side rubbing strips have been replaced by more resistant "embedded" moldings running along the entire side of the boat that subtly integrates an air suction grille in the aft area to provide ventilation in the engine room. As we ascend to the deck, we find more changes in the superstructure. The first and most significant of these features is the new front glass windshield. The glass surface is now twice as wide, giving the boat an even more sophisticated look and also filling the interiors with a "cathedral style" light. Even the side windows in the superstructure have been broadened. Though the boat has not changed much of its external appearance, in the inside, the paneling has been further reduced to make the most out of the glass surfaces. The deckhouse has been restyled and like the Velvet 100 models, instead of the usual sundeck, it now features a complete "Combo" living area, where guests can talk, have lunch or just relax under the sun. The Living zone in the main deck has been further broadened reducing the need of creating extra open-air spaces in the saloon. This is why the new Velvet 36 was conceived with an additional "sun bridge", a rather isolated private area on the hard top, in the place of the full-open roof characterizing the previous model. However, for those who are nostalgic for the traditional Tecnomar "open" boats, it is possible to install the roof instead of the sun bridge. Interiors are, as usual, left to the purchaser's discretion, who will decide upon subdivision layout and furniture, as in Tecnomar's tradition.
Technical Data:
LOA - 36 m (118.1ft)
Beam - 7.40 m
Fuel Capacity - 11100 l
Water Capacity - 2000 l
Accommodation - 4 guest cabins for 8 total berths, 3 crew cabins for 5 total berths
Engines - 2 x MTU 16V396 TE94 2920hp
Gearboxes - ZF7550 V-Drive
Speeds - 35 knots max, 32 knots cruising
Construction Material - fiberglass GRP
Certification - RINA 100 1.1.Y

June 2, 2008

Powerboat P1 - Valletta, Malta Preview

Fifth edition of the Malta Grand Prix, what has been the opener of the season in previous editions, the Powerboat P1 Malta race is now a classic of the circus. This year it is even more so thanks to the strong position of 44 Coman Yachts, a boat built locally by Chaudron Powerboats adding with the competition of Chaudron Portomaso also in Supersport class. Classic or not, this is a very delicate race for the season, seeing the superiority the 2007 winners are showing in both Evolution and Supersport Class.
In Evolution class 99 Fountian Worldwide 1st4boats.com seem unstoppable and have won all four races of the season, with a penalty for non dyno rating in the second race in Italy. Some teams are showing some potential to stop the English crewed American boat, of which 60 GFN Gibellato would be my preferred choice, followed by 10 The Fantastic 1, Cigarette boat which have also hired new talent with renowned US racer Tomlinson as part of the crew. Other potential title contenders are Kiton Outerlimits needing to resolve continuation problems along with some extra speed, with the same story for the 69 Honeyparty.com team who after sinking in testing before the season started seem to lack the pace but looks the speed is there having started a few of the races in front. The 77 Lucas Oil Skater boat, also shows good potential finishing second and third in the opening races in Italy, but the red boat needs to find that extra knot in order to be competitive for the winning.
In Supersport the 44 Conam Yachts dominion looks more big, as I see very few teams able to challenge the Maltese Italian team. 7 VoomVoom.com as second in the standings would be my first choice, followed by the Donzi 38 Baia High Performance of the OSG team which seem to be growing in confidence. 47 Buzzi Bullet who had to be the Coman Yachts menace seem to lack the right pace as yet, but if we would have some more rough weather the diesel powerboat could give a few surprises.
www.powerboatp1.com

June 1, 2008

Project: Toy 110

The apex of the Toy design philosophy, the Toy 110 features the elegance of the classic motoryachts of the 60’s. These soft and sober lines have been carefully revisited by Nauta design, that adapted it to the actual retro modern lines of the smaller yachts in the Toy Marine range. The hull is built in steel while the deck house is in aluminium for a total approximate weight of 200 Tons. The project has been developed to feature both traditional diesel propulsion with inline propellers as well as diesel-electric propulsion featuring electric motors with rotating pods. This last option has been thought in order to give maximum range, as well as lowest vibrations and sound levels. The interiors are completely adaptable to the owner’s tastes, it will feature 1 Master cabin, 2 guest and 1 VIP cabin; while it will accommodate 5 crew members. Its exterior surfaces reflect the Toy philosophy, allowing large open teak surfaces that leave its configuration to the owner’s imagination.

May 31, 2008

Monthly News - May 2008

-pic of the month- Baia in Capri Sailing Week

Alfamarine No Problem Vacation

“Vacation No Problem Alfamarine" is the service activated by Alfamarine Shipyard of Fiumicino to the owners of the yachts of the 30 year old Roman shipyard of Marcello and Andrea Fazioli. This new initiative will be operational from 1st July, and provides a technical assistance from the builder to its yachts when trouble shooting arises. Thanks to an agreement with Aquaairline Spa, Alfamarine technicians will be able to reach the trouble yachts in all the Mediterranean onboard the hydroplanes of the company, specialized in this sea area. Like this the troubled boat will be able to resolve its problem and continuing its sea trip in perfect harmony, with the only detail requested from the owner to the Operational centre would be the age of the yacht and the parts needed. The total cost of the operation will be the part and aerial transfer.


Baia at Rolex Capri Sailing Week

The partnership between Baia Yachts and Capri Yacht Club for Rolex Capri Sailing Week go on successfully. In order to follow one of the most prestigious regatta in the international sailing races’ outline , Cantieri di Baia gave as supporting boats an Aqva 54’, fast and easy to handle during sailing races, and a One 43’ , the fast day cruiser with more than 20 m2 cockpit, that allows to work easily in it.

Baia Competing in Viareggio Monte Carlo Viareggio Raid

After the great success achieved in the last edition by Roy Capasso and Alessandro Conti with “Aris”, an Azzurra 63, Baia Yachts will take part again in the nautical rally raid Viareggio – Montecarlo - Viareggio, with three teams in the starting lane. In this 5th edition, from May the 30th to June the 1st, Alessandro Conti and Mario Borselli compete with an Azzurra 63, Stefano Marianelli and Paolo Mataloni with an Aqva 54 and Christian Power, Steve Packham and Susanna Monacci with a B80 USA. The first lap of the 5th raid Viareggio – Montecarlo - Viareggio will start on May the 31st at 10.30 a.m. and is going to finish with the competitors arrival in Monaco. The winners of the first lap, during the gala night in the Yacht Club de Monaco, will be awarded with the 3rd Memorial Stefano Casiraghi, a trophy in memory of the former Offshore World Champion. The second and final lap, starting on June the 1st at 10 o’clock a.m. will be on the same track in opposite direction, and the awarding will take place at Yacht Club Versilia in Viareggio Harbor. The winner team will be awarded with “FIM Trophy” in memory of Angelo Moratti, who was FIM Chairman in the past.


Bruno Abbate Primatist 18th year Special Edition

18 years ago Bruno Abbate had the brilliant idea to organize a gathering race with his boats to be held in full summer season in the most beautiful Italian marinas where owners and personalities from the show biz and sports world (Alberto Tomba and Jerry Cala the most famous) joined hands for a navigation competition with a fun experience. Time showed that the idea was a winning one and it is not the case that the Primatist Trophy is now in its 18th series. This year’s edition will be named “Ogliastra Cup” and will be held in Sardegna, where Bruno Abbate has invested a lot for the future development of the brand. From 27th July to 1st August, from Portisco to Arbatax touching the suggestive Oriental Sardegna coast, navigating trough natural beauties from Mortorio to Tavolara, between pure speed racing and classic ruling. The main theme of the competition will be the glamour, joining with the peaceful relaxing of a years work being a common denominator for those that go at sea in the summer period. Other news for this year’s edition there will also be a new star: the new Bruno Abbate Primatist G 53 Pininfarina that will be officially presented in the days preceding the event and has already received various positive reviews from the professionals. Another plus of the Primatist Trophy is the huge media impact this event has on a national and international level, with 5 hours a day being followed by TV crew, including a helicopter filming that will be distributed to the most famous news sections, as are the photographs distributed in real time and media communication with placing and charts all distributed. Famous Italian Sport newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport will also dedicate a 5 page special on the Trophy, along with the inhouse magazine Primatist People.

Bruno Abbate Primatist Partners World Rally Championship in Sardegna

A lucky collaboration had to be repeated. For the second year in a row Bruno Abbate Primatist was a partner sponsor for the World Rally Championship, Sardegna stage held from 15 to the 18th May. Bruno Abbate confirmed the speed vocation and tradition, is not a case as are the sponsors in Moto GP with Loris Capirossi and F1 Inshore with Guido Cappellini. Apart the Primatist stand, in the pit area there was also the possibility to admire the G41 Offshore Line , located in the assistance parking of the Rally and a G 41.2 Aero Top Evolution being moored in the waters at Cala di Volpe.


Cabo Yachts Lays off 49 Employees

Cabo Yachts laid off 49 employees last week, according to a story in the Victorville Daily Press. The Brunswick division said that about 300 workers are still with the company in Victorville Industrial park. Cabo Yachts said that international sales are going well, but that US business is hit hard. Cabo has increased investment in new boat models and engineering in the last year, waiting for the improving in US economy.


Couach Teams with Nautor to Build Superyacht Service Yard

Finnish sailboat brand Nautor's Swan has teamed with French superyacht builder and member of the Couach group, International Marine Service (IMS) to open a superyacht service yard on the south coast of France. Nautor and Couach/IMS have formed the company Yachting Service Excellence Center (YSEC), which will open the service yard at an ex-military base in Saint-Mandrier at the end of 2009 or beginning of 2010. The total to be invested in the project amounts to €22m, which includes funding from regional authority Toulon Provence Méditerranée. Three lots will be in operation at the site: a YSEC lot, which will include a painting area and two boatlifts capable of living boats of up to 50m (164ft); a Couach lot, comprising two sheds and a surface area of 27,000sq m; and a Nautor's Swan lot. Director General of IMS Eric Robert-Peillard says that the association with Nautor came from both companies response to the offer of the site at Saint-Mandrier. He also says that the yard will operate in addition to IMS's current activities. IMS is already based in Saint-Mandrier, while Nautor's Swan has yards in Finland and offices in Italy.


Fashion Yachts inaugurates new Shipyard

Italian yacht brand Fashion Yachts inaugurated its Pisa yard on Italy's Mediterranean coast on May 10. The 30,000 sq m site will be used to produce Fashion yachts ranging from 55ft-197ft (17m-60m). The brand currently has 11 models on offer. Models on display at the inauguration included the Fashion 55 and the Fashion 68, which features a gold leaf floor. Visitors were also able to see the new Fashion 88 in production.Tuscan company Fashion Yachts Group was established in 2002 and offers yacht building, charter and brokerage services.


Feadship Named Frisian Company of the Year

De Vries Makkum Shipyard, one of two De Vries yards in Royal Dutch Shipyards group Feadship, has been named Frisian Company of the Year following a public vote in the Dutch province of Friesland. A jury of experts from local government and industry praised the yard's professionalism and innovation.De Vries Makkum is primarily responsible for building the new Feadship XL range and for refits of Feadships. Feadship brand is the cooperation between Koninklijke De Vries Scheepsbouw, Royal Van Lent and De Voogt, and produces custom-built motor yachts.


Hatteras Yachts makes Key Appointment

Hatteras Yachts, a unit of the Brunswick Boat Group in the US, has appointed Luca Brancaleon as director of sales and business development for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Reporting to George Armendariz, VP and general manager of Brunswick Marine in EMEA and vice president of sales for Hatteras Yachts, Brancaleon will be responsible for overseeing and supporting the Collection's current EMEA dealers, while working to grow the dealer network. He will also establish new relationships in evolving markets. Brancaleon will take up his new position on July 1, 2008. He currently serves as sales manager of Sessa Marine's international dealer network.


Riva and Bentley Spiders Enchant Geneve

Riva and Bentley got together from May 21st to 23rd 2008 to present at once their main models in Genève. The Swiss distributors of the two brands, Cantieri Poroli and André Chevalley SA, organized in fact a three-day event open to public inside the Bentley showroom, where visitors had the chance to admire, beside two cabriolet models of GTC and Azure, also an example of Aquariva Super, the spider of the sea. The 33 footer, evolution of the Aquariva model, whose engines have been improved to 380 hp each in this version, was presented in the elegant Chocolate Brown color, immediately achieving a huge success among visitors. On the evening of Thursday May 22nd, moreover, a private cocktail was organized for Riva and Bentley’s guests inside the showroom, during which the Aquariva Super was put at disposal also for visits onboard.

Riva and Mille Miglia Two Italian Myths Become Partners

The histories rich in tradition of Riva and Mille Miglia, the most famous historic cars’ race in the world, meets up in 2008 to create a new project merging the values that have made the two myths unforgettable. The partnership foresees the production of an Aquariva Mille Miglia model, studied by Mauro Micheli and Officina Italiana Design, the team that creates all the Riva Yachts, and inspired by the 80th anniversary of Alfa Romeo’s first victory, won by Giuseppe Campari and Giulio Ramponi in a 6C 1500 SS Spider Zagato in 1928. The one-off example of the Aquariva Mille Miglia model will be sold at the auction to be held by the organizing committee of the race during 2009 edition, while a maximum of ten more units could be produced and sold to the two myths lovers. The project was presented at the Mille Miglia 2008, held from 14th to 18th May, when Riva displayed the drawing of the model that will be realized next year in an elegant stand inside the paddock where the participants’ cars were parked. Beside the blow-up of the Aquariva Mille Miglia, participants, among which there was the Chairman Norberto Ferretti, and the public come to see from closer the classic cars had the chance to admire an example of Aquarama, an Aquariva Cento and a Seppietta. This last one, a racer dated 1935, part of Mr. Ferretti’s private collection and normally preserved in the shipyard’s Gallery, was exposed to public for the very first time, immediately achieving great curiosity among visitors. 166 years after its birth, with this project Riva has therefore come back to the racing world that had seen her as a protagonist of the first nautical competitions in the early ‘30s. Serafino Riva, nephew of the founder Pietro, was in fact the first to equip with piston engines some boats whose aerodynamic lines had been studied expressly to participate to nautical competitions and to reach, with one of them, the speed of 24 Km/h in 1912. Twenty years later, in the ‘50s, his son Carlo transformed the Riva name, which had become famous thanks to speed, in a true legend by starting producing more elegant and comfortable yachts dedicated to pleasure boating. These yachts maintained the pureness and aerodynamics lines that had made the fortune of his father’s boats; characteristics maintained unchanged even in the Riva yachts produced nowadays.

Riva and Credit Suisse Partners Once Again

Once again Riva confirmed its partnership with Credit Suisse, putting this time its brand and its famous yachts at disposal of the Private Banking Society’s guests. On the occasion of the “Giro del Veneto Classic” first edition, an historic cars’ race organized every year by Credit Suisse, in fact, Riva offered the two couples winner of the competition a tour of the lagoon onboard an Aquariva Cento and an Aquarama.


Riviera Wins Best of the Best Award

Australia’s most awarded luxury boat builder, Riviera, has added another major trophy to its collection, winning the Australian Boat of The Year at the marine industry national awards ceremony last night. This is the second consecutive Boat of The Year award for Riviera. The Riviera 4400 Sport Yacht, with revolutionary Volvo Penta IPS propulsion, took the award against strong competition across the entire Australian boating industry. Phil Candler, Riviera’s General Manager New Product Development, said the entire staff at the company’s headquarters on Queensland’s Gold Coast was delighted with the win. The win come on the heels of the Riviera 47 Enclosed Flybridge winning the Modern Boating Cruiser of the Year award announced just four weeks ago. Last year, Riviera won Boat of The Year with its 4700 Sport Yacht. Every model in the Riviera Sport Yacht range has won awards. The first, the 3600 Sport Yacht took Modern Boating Cruiser of the Year in 2006 and went on to win the Christofle Asia Motor Yacht Under 40 ft in 2007. The 4700 Sport first won the Modern Boating Cruiser of the Year in 2007 and went on to win AMIF Boat of the Year. The company yesterday announced the next model in the range, the four-cabin 5800 Sport Yacht with triple Volvo Penta IPS propulsion. The boat will be launched early next year. The Riviera 4400 Sport Yacht, launched at the Sydney International Boat Show in August last year, is a two-cabin/two bathroom model that continues the al fresco lifestyle design concepts first introduced on the award winning Riviera 3600 Sport Yacht in 2005.

Riviera Trimming Down

After weathering the storm for several choppy years, Australia's biggest boatbuilder has finally caught a cold. Responding to a cooling market, Riviera announced 136 redundancies of its full-time workforce effective immediately this week.The reason for the cuts is that demand for its award-winning flybridge cruisers, sport yachts and sports cruisers is down on previous years. The Gold Coast boatbuilder says it usually has about 85 orders placed each quarter. But in the first three months of this year there were 71 and it expects sales to fall further. Consequently, Riviera is projecting a 14 per cent downturn in revenue for 2008-2009. Following the restructure, the company's workforce will total 950 at the Coomera site. Redundancies would come from across the company's entire operation and several external contracts were brought back in-house. Riviera has been hit by the languid American economy. The yard exports roughly half of the 300-odd boats it builds each year. At the same time, it's expecting the European market to soften further. But going against the trend, riding on the back of strong oil prices, are emerging Middle East markets. Meanwhile, business confidence has plummeted in Australia this year, sending shockwaves through the boating industry. Demand for its smaller boats has also been hit by the strong Aussie dollar. Increasingly, imported craft are stealing market share, especially in the competitive arena of sportscruisers. Sales of Rivieras under AU$500,000 are slow and, tellingly, the price of its best-selling boat, the 47 Open Flybridge, is more than AU$1 million these days.Of course, rising interest rates and high petrol prices have contributed to declining boat sales. And an unusually wet summer was cited as a reason for fewer people going boating on the East Coast of Australia. Yet Riviera is on track for its scheduled new boat releases this year. These include a new 70 footer costing from AUS$4.75 million. There were four confirmed forward orders for the flagship at the time of writing.


Sessa Marine Opens Research Centre

After having announced the launch of a 65 feet model for 2009, Sessa Marine is today one of the first European shipyards to open an internal research centre dedicated to new product development, a way for this fast growing company to equip itself with the best tools for its debut on the yacht market. The structure represents a 4 M€ investment spread over two years and covers an area of 1500 m2. It contains a 30 work station research department (including 12 CAD 3D work stations) and a building devoted to producing new moulds. The Sessa R&D centre is equipped with an automatic cutting machine ordered by CAD CAM technology for the manufacture of large dimension moulds. 1:1 scale prototypes of the new projects will be manufactured, from which the moulds will be produced at the R&D centre. Stratification, polishing and finishing work on the moulds; critical phases for ensuring the perfect quality of the finished product, will continue to be handled by the shipyard. The first model to be released from Sessa’s R&D centre will be the C65, closely followed by two Flybridge models and the new Open, which will complete the Sessa Marine YACHT LINE range. To create a modern, calm and luminous work atmosphere, conducive to creativity, the brand’s designer Christian Grande has been entrusted with the layout of the centre. Of particular note is his arrangement of the superb furniture line signed by the French architect Jean Nouvel.


Sunseeker Yacht Scoops Top AV Award

The audio-visual installation onboard a Sunseeker 37 Metre Tri-Deck Yacht has received national recognition at the recent CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association) Awards. Bournemouth-based Dawsons AV Marine, won the Best Marine category at the awards ceremony, the first time such a category has been entered to recognise excellence within the custom installation industry. The AV installation onboard the Sunseeker 37 Metre Tri-Deck was recognized as best installation on a superyacht. Judges evaluated entries on the quality of design and installation, technical and design innovation as well as project objectives and overall results. Established to recognize and reward high quality system design, installation and integration, the CEDIA Awards help to set the standard for CEDIA Electronic Systems Professional Members. Using the most technologically advanced products available within the audio-visual industry, the Sunseeker 37 Metre Tri-Deck was the first Sunseeker superyacht ever to have a Bang & Olufsen/Crestron AV interface. Most Sunseeker motoryachts can be customised with a factory-approved Bang & Olufsen system, planned and fitted by Dawsons AV Marine specialists, which can link across every saloon, deck space and cabin – using just one remote control.

May 30, 2008

New Model: Airon Marine 400 T-Top

Airon Marine upgrades the T-Top line with the new 400 model, second in the series which follows the successful 2005 introduced 4300 in its flagship hard-top range. The 400 T-Top is based on the Airon 388, one of the Lake Como's best selling model since its introduction in 2003.  As all Airon Marine the 400 T-Top offers a no frills modern yet classic sports elegant line, with the hard top adding the extra all weather comfort to the sport cruiser. Interior accommodation is for five berths in two cabins, with the double island bed master forward and mid ships cabin with three single berths. Standard engine option is twin Volvo 300hp with IPS pod drives propulsion, giving easy manoeuvrability inside the harbours and tight spots alike thanks to the joystick control. Top speeds with the Volvo 300hp IPS combo is up to 35 knots and 32 knots of fast continues cruising. Still for high performance lovers a stern drive option is also available, with top choice being the twin Volvo 370hp which give a top speed of 38 knots.
Technical Data:
LOA - 12.90 m (42.3ft)
Length - 11.20 m
Beam - 3.75 m
Draft - 0.90 m (exl drives)
Fuel Capacity - 800 l
Water Capacity - 300 l
Accommodation - five berths in two cabins, plus two convertible berths
Engines - 2 x Volvo D4 300hp, D6 330hp, D6 370hp, Mercruiser 320hp
Propulsion - Volvo Penta IPS, Volvo or Mercruiser dual propeller Stern Drive
Speed - 38 knots max Volvos 370hp, 35 knots max 32 cruise with Volvo 300hp IPS pod drives
Certification - CE B

May 29, 2008

Projects: Terranova 58 Explorer, Terranova 85 Explorer One, Terranova 115 Explorer

Finally new projects from Terranova Yachts, an interesting Italian builder founded in 2000, presenting a different line of displacement hulled, fiberglass built yachts with exterior looks similar to those of a small tug ship but with plenty of yacht sensibility around. The first model of this youngish company was the 85 Explorer model and later followed by the smaller 68 Explorer. Now Terranova aims at growing its range of motor yachts to a wider audience with the new 58 Explorer, an interesting 18 meter project with a three cabin layout, featuring VIP and owners cabin, third L-shaped double cabin and an extra spacious crew cabin aft. The new 58 Explorer unlike the other models of the range will also have a semi displacement hull, aimed at a versatile owner, and project estimates so far give a cruising speed of 16 knots with twin 550hp Cummins engines. Terranova 85 Explorer One project, is developed on the same full displacement hull of the 85 Explorer with the principal difference being a single deck version. Obviously the lower deck keeps the same spacious 4 cabin environment, with the big full beam owners cabin and two or three berth crew quarters forward. Speed should also be in the same league as the two deck sister ship, with cruising speeds of 13 knots, with twin MAN 700hp engines. The 115 Explorer is the flagship of the Terranova range of displacement yachts, and as the pictures show is in advanced stages of being launched. As all the other Terranova but something rare for displacement craft it is built entirely in fiberglass. The project is designed by Barracuda Yachts of Spain and as all Terranova it is constructed in Italy. The interior spaces are also what is expected from a yacht of this size, with a net separation of the owner's domain from the rest of his guests and crew. The Terranova flagship is a three deck motor yacht, and as all Terranova yachts is classified by RINA to CE Category A standards. Her displacement hull should give cruising speeds of about 13 knots, with twin MAN 900hp engines.

May 27, 2008

Class 1 - Victory Dominate Montenegro With One Two Finish

The Dubai Victory Team maintained their 100 per cent start to the season as Mohammed Al Marri and Nadir Bin Hendi led home a Victory one-two in the Hypo Group Montenegrin Grand Prix in Budva. Victory 1 dominated the 23-lap, 93.83Nm race from start to finish too win comfortably from team-mates Victory 7, with Middle East rivals, taking third place in Qatar 95. Today’s result was a remarkable return to racing for the 2001 World and 2005 Middle East Champion, Al Marri. Out of the sport for more than a year, the 46 year-old driver stepped out of retirement to replace the injured Arif Al Zafeen the defending World Champion, and produced a vintage performance, celebrating his 56th Class 1 start with the tenth win of his career.
The Qatar 96 crew, desperate to halt Victory’s early charge in the defence of their title, lost out in the race to the first turn buoy and trailed the two Dubai boats for the first four laps before pulling ahead of Victory 7 on lap five, but a blown engine on lap 20 put paid to any late charge by the Qatari-British combination, who limped home in sixth place. As Qatari hopes crumbled, Victory 7 regained the second place they had enjoyed for the first four laps, after a blistering start saw them at the head of the field. For the Qatar Team there was some consolation to ease the disappointment, with Qatar 95 taking their first podium of the season. Despite a technical problem early in the race, Forest & Suardi 8 hit their target of finishing in the points to take fifth place, for the second race in a row, with Roscioli Hotels Roma’s Domenico Cirilli and Sergio Carrasco, making his Class 1 debut, finishing seventh. But there was disappointment for SeveneleveN, who had to sit out the race after an engine problem in the morning’s practice session.
HYPO GROUP MONTENEGRIN GRAND PRIX - RESULT
1. Victory 1 - M Al Marri (UAE) / N Bin Hendi (UAE) – 20pts
2. Victory 7 - A Al Mehairbi (UAE) / JM Sanchez (France) – 15pts
3. Qatar 95 - A Al-Sulaiti (Qatar) / M Nicolini (Italy) – 12pts
4. Jotun 90 - B Jacobsen (Norway) / J Tandberg (Norway) – 9pts
5. Foresti & Suardi 8 - K Selmer (Norway) / G Montavoci (Italy) – 7pts
6. Qatar 96 - H Al-Thani (Qatar) / S Curtis (England) – 5pts
7. Roscioli Hotels Roma 88 - S Carrasco (Spain) / D Cirilli (Spain) – 4pts
8. SeveneleveN 18 - G Manuzzi (Italy) / N Giorgi (Italy) – dns
CLASS 1 WORLD POWERBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP - after round 2 of 8
1. Victory 1 - M Al Marri (UAE) / N Bin Hendi (UAE) – 44pts
2. Victory 7 - A Al Mehairbi (UAE) / JM Sanchez (France) – 31pts
3. Qatar 95 - A Al-Sulaiti (Qatar) / Nicolini (Italy) – 25pts
4. Qatar 96 - H Al-Thani (Qatar) / S Curtis (England) – 20pts
5. Foresti & Suardi 8 - K Selmer (Norway) / G Montavoci (Italy) – 18pts
6. Jotun 90 - B Jacobsen (Norway) / J Tandberg (Norway) – 13pts
7. SeveneleveN 18 - G Manuzzi (Italy) / N Giorgi (Italy) – 5pts
8= Negotiator 50 - B Eker (Norway) / C Parsonage (England) – 4pts
8=Roscioli Hotels Roma 88 - S Carrasco (Spain) / D Cirilli (Spain) – 4pts
(Championship points include bonus points allocated to teams for running engines for two consecutive races - one point, per engine, per race)