October 11, 2008

New Model: Apreamare 82 Maestro

Another new Maestro, the innovative and different range of motor yachts inspired from ships by renowned Traditional Gozzo builder Apreamare. An important dimension for Apreamare at 82 feet, the new flagship puts the Campanian builder into Super Yacht status, but is also a legal length where if desired one can helm the boat himself. The new 82 designed by Zuccon, follows the innovation seen for the Maestro range now having three models in its range, all projected from the renowned designer. Inside the new big 82 Maestro has an upper deck with a single level saloon, with a traditional Italian layout, welcoming saloon, dining area, and separate galley. Move more to fore and going three steps up you find the interior bridge station, with l-shaped settee to port which coupled with the huge view windows forward make for perfect guest entertainment underway. The lower deck, reserved all for the accommodation, has four double cabins all with private en-suite bathrooms, with a central full beam owners cabins which includes a changing room and a spacious bathroom which offers sea views thanks to its side positioning. Aft we have the crew quarters, with 3 berths and private shower head. Speeds of the 82 Maestro is 29 knots max with double 1823 hp MTU engines, giving a range of 370 nautical miles at 26 knots.
Technical Data:
LOA - 24.15 m (79.3ft)
Length - 23.99 m
Length Waterline - 19.95 m
Beam - 6.51 m
Draft - 1.96 m
Displacement - 66 t unloaded, 78 t loaded
Fuel Capacity - 7400 l
Water Capacity - 1320 l
Max Persons - 20
Engines - 2 x MTU 12V 2000M93 1823hp
Speed - 29 knots max, 26 knots cruising
Range - 370 nautical miles
Design - Zuccon
Hull Shape - warped vee with 16 degrees dead rise
Certification - CE 2003/44 A

Projects: Abacus 52, Abacus 86

The new Abacus 52 is a very interesting project from the young Sicilian builder, in a challenging size at 16 metres in length, what will be its new entry level model. From the design plans we can say that Abacus and renowned architect Fulvio De Simoni seem to have made much research offering a very well projected yacht, especially for what regards the interior accommodation. In fact the new Abacus 52, at 16 metres in length will have three spacious double cabins with no bunk and two heads. In all this one will also find the much desired full beam owners cabin, centrally located and with an en suite shower head, featuring also a bidet. Also interesting as shown in the projected plans is the main deck with a two level saloon offering the welcoming c-shaped settee, a spacious galley and a 4 person dining table, a much appreciated feature this last one especially for people who use there boats in all seasons. The flybridge of the new Abacus looks also spacious with an l-shaped settee aft and a sun lounger forward. Now its just to see how this 16 metres motor yacht, works out for real, but this can be a great model feeling much bigger then it actually is.
A much waited project from Abacus Marine the new flagship of the range, the 86 model. Announced to great acclamation a year ago, the 86 follows the steps of its smaller sister and is designed by renowned architect Fulvio De Simoni, who presented a luxury and modern super yacht with a aggressive lines but a classic personality. The 26 metre Abacus combines care for detail with a choice of materials joined with a modern design. Inside the Abacus flagship follows the theme of recent builds, with plenty of natural light achieved with the use of numerous open view windows, which manifests itself to a greater extent in the owners cabin where one can enjoy full 360 degree views of the sea thanks to the use of the Besenzoni Sipario windows. The forward and aft areas are large and spacious, while interior spaces have been designed with space in mind. Sleeping accommodation all in the lower deck is for four double guest cabins all with private bathroom. Powered by twin CAT at 1825 hp each, the Abacus 86 has a top speed of 33 knots and a continuous cruising of 30 knots. Interesting to note about the new 86 is the construction method used, being built with the latest innovative DIAB infusion technology, which improves the boat’s structural quality, cuts down on polluting emissions and ensures better operating conditions for the workers.

October 10, 2008

Engine: VM MR 700 350hp

VM Motori from Italy launch the new MR 700 series, partnering the already proven market leader in its sector the MD700. With common rail injection system, the new MR 700 series meets the most stringent emission regulations and achieves higher power levels, lower fuel consumption and reduced noise. Having the same dimensions and weight of the MD series it is difficult to exceed the MR700 power to weight ratio. Power for the new MR 700 starts from the MR 704 LH at 210hp, up to 350hp for the MR 706 LX.

New Model: Portofino 11 Fly

The new 11 has been a much expected launch from Portofino Marine, a builder from Liguria, Italy. High respected Portofino, which I saw in the Genoa show a couple of years ago and impressed me with the original design, quality finishing, and for the classic looks they enjoy, but with a modern attitude of practicality and profile. New Portofino 11 Fly was announced a year ago as a project, and the surprise was it being offered with Volvos latest propulsion revolution, forward looking IPS pod drives. For a builder who all its boats, from the small 750 is in shafts that was a huge surprise. Another news for Portofino, is that of the side decks which for the 11, it abandoned the walk around deep bulwarks usually used on its models. Sleeping accommodation of the 11 Fly offered two cabins, a master cabin forward and bunk double guest to starboard. To port we have the head, enjoying a spacious shower. The welcoming upper deck features a c-shaped saloon to starboard which transforms to a double berth, a galley opposite and the interior helm station. Top speeds is 34 knots with IPS 400 engines. As announced in the project the 11 will be also available as Hard Top and open Spider variants, but so far only the flybridge was presented, so we have to wait for further news by Portofino on the different versions.
Technical Data:
LOA - 11.47 m (37.6ft)
Length Waterline - 9.48 m
Beam - 3.54 m
Displacement - 9.5 t
Fuel Capacity - 730 l
Water Capacity - 350 l
Max Persons - 10
Berths - 4 + 2
Engines - 2 x Volvo IPS350 260hp, IPS400 300hp Speed - 34 knots max with IPS400
Hull Shape - vee design 18 degrees deadrise aft
Project - A.Zagano

October 9, 2008

Jim Cress 1946 - 2008

Nordic Tugs is mourning the passing of president and CEO Jim Cress, who died October eight from injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident.  Born May 13, 1946 in Chicago, Cress joined Nordic Tugs of Burlington, Wash., as a sales manager in 1989. He left the company in 1993 to start SkipperCress Yacht Sales, an Anacortes, Wash., dealer for Nordic Tugs. In 1996, Cress and a small group of investors purchased Nordic Tugs and Cress has served as the company’s president and CEO for a majority of the last twelve years.  Cress is survived by his wife, Stephanie, three sons, Jeff, Allen and Steven, along with three grandchildren, and many friends and co-workers.

Projects: MOA GR 53 Platinum Coupe, MOA GR 53 Platinum Open

A new important project from Spanish builder MOA Tecnica and it's GR line of Cruisers and Yachts, which is having good market success, thanks to an interesting line of cruisers offered with a competitive price. Now the Spanish builder present its new flagship, the 53 Platinum Coupe taking MOA into the important fifty foot plus yacht category. The 53 Platinum will be a three engined IPS powered sport yacht with modern aggressive exterior lines. This is an interesting Sport Yacht which has a functional design outside and inside. It's interior welcomes you on the upper deck, which is fully enclosed thanks to a three partition patio door, dividing outside from inside. On the lower deck we find the galley and three spacious cabins, with three heads. MOA GR is estimating speeds of 31 knots for its new flagship.
Open version of the MOA GR 53 Platinum with the main difference to the Coupe, being aft on the main deck, with the feature of a sun lounger versus the l-shaped settee aft and no patio door. The 53 Platinum Open is the version for those sun worshippers liking a more open feel on there boat, while the Coupe is for those who want an all seasons yacht, being it sun or rain, thanks to the practicality of a quick closing patio door.

New Model: Sealine SC 47

New Sealine SC 47 is an innovative, stylish and practical sport cruiser. The new flagship of Sealine S-Series range offers a distinctive hull, spacious indoor and outdoor entertaining areas, making the SC 47 a much waited addition to the range of sports convertibles from the renowned British builder. The exterior of the SC 47 is characterised by its panoramic sports windscreen and large opening roof system housed in a distinctive dark brown frame. Cable driven, the unique canvas roof has a manual and electric operating system which transforms the cockpit into a fully enclosed space in a matter of seconds. The open plan cockpit is a very social area for relaxing in style and comfort. There is lounge style seating with extra wide cushions for up to 10 and a large folding cockpit table for Al fresco dining. A dedicated cockpit galley, complete with all the essentials: sink, grill, fridge, ice box and plenty of storage, services this area. The SC 47 new hull has a large length to beam ratio for a boat in this size category. The wide beam gives the SC 47 stability and a big boat feel. The width and clean crisp lines of the dynamic design are geared to providing a safe and stable ride at all speeds. There is a variety of choices in hull finishes from white to Sealine blue, dark brown and yellow. These colours complement the distinctive and practical dark brown roof structure. The SC 47 is fitted with the new Zeus engine propulsion system, which with its 360 degree Joy Stick control combines high performance with easy slow speed maneuverability. Due to the compact nature of the new drive system it also allows for a much larger lower deck space.
Technical Data:
LOA - 14.3 m (46.9ft)
Beam - 4.48 m
Draft - 1.11 m
Displacement - 14.000 kg dry
Fuel Capacity - 1500 l
Water Capacity - 505 l
Engines - 2 x Cummins Mercruiser QSD 5.9 425hp, QSD 5.9 480hp, Volvo IPS 600 435hp
Propullsion - Zeus Pod Drives, Volvo IPS 600 Pod Drive
Speeds - 35 knots max with Cummins QSD 5.9 480hp

October 8, 2008

Solare New Web Site

Solare is a young Italian builder, located in Viareggio, Italy and has only 7 years of age being founded in 2001. As other youngish companies, it enjoyed an interesting market position, hungry for new boats, thanks to the nautical boom in Italy and Europe, of the early twenty first century, fueled mostly by interesting leasing schemes offered by French and Italian authorities. Founder of Solare is Gian Piero Lazzarone, a man with great nautical experience and World Offshore Class 2 champion in 1983. His idea was to build lobster style craft above, but with a performing Mediterranean hull below. The first launched model was the 40, which later Solare also developed in different Coupe and Open versions. In 2003 a group of young business people entered the holding of the company, forward to 2008 and now Solare has in project the building of three explorer yachts of important sizes from 58 to 68 feet, and a displacement yacht of 24 metres. Watch this spot for information on these projects. The website comes as it can be seen in a healthy period for Solare and is divided into 6 pages: Cantiere (yard), Modelli (models), Stampa (news), Usato (used), Dealers and Contatti (contacts). The new site is only available in Italian, and from here we send the message for an English version, for our international friends.

New Model: Princess V 62

Latest addition to the Princess V series line, is the new V 62, a hard top sports yacht of 19 metres in length offering performance associated with a comfortable interior. The V line was launched by the renowned British builder in the mid nineties, offering stylish sport cruisers and yachts, and has enjoyed much global success. The new V 62 is the next chapter of this line which so far has seen 16 models in total pass the range. V 62 welcomes you inside on the upper deck thanks to a triple sliding glass door, here we find an entertaining saloon with a c-shaped settee, a wet bar opposite and the helm area to starboard. Below we find a lower dining area with seating for six, opposite of which is the galley. Sleeping accommodation is for six. A full beam mid ship en-suite owners cabin, en-suite VIP cabin to fore and a large twin guest cabin to starboard. An aft single crew cabin is available as optional. The outside cockpit entertaining area of the V 62, features an l-shaped settee and a spacious sun pad of which underneath is located a garage for tender stowage. Power is from standard twin Caterpillar of 1015hp or bigger optional MTU at 1200hp, giving top speeds up to 36 knots.
Technical Data:
LOA - 19.3 m (63.9ft)
LOA - 19.1 m excluding pulpit
Beam - 4.99 m Draft - 1.13 m
Displacement - 23.5 t approx and with 1200hp MTU
Fuel Capacity - 3409 l
Water Capacity - 500 l
Engines - 2 x Caterpillar C18 1015hp, MTU V8M93 1200hp
Speed - 33 knots max with 1015hp, 36 knots max with 1200hp
Project - Bernard Olesinski

October 7, 2008

Project: Rose Island 65 Lobster

The 65 Lobster by Rose Island, is the review of the 60 Lobster project presented in 2001 and will be the biggest build so far from this Italian company. Founded in 1999, Rose Island was first among the Italians, to build traditional cruisers based on the lines of the American lobster boat of the early nineteenth century, in fact the Lobster name is registered to its name. The philosophy behind this new important project from Rose Island, is that of classic looks and appearance, that really takes you back in time. Unlike the competition, Rose Island and architects Aldo Gatti and Marino Alfani went for a classic over all mentality in there models, and even in this new flagship project they did follow suit and kept it traditional as with the 49 and 38. The accommodation layout, is very spacious featuring 3 separate cabins all with en-suite facilities and a separate crew lobby with accommodation for 2. Striking features of the 65 lobster are the traditional American double cockpit, and the upper deck with a second helm station area. Power is for twin 800hp MAN, which Rose Island says should give top speeds of about 33 knots.