December 10, 2008

Class 1 - Dubai U.A.E. Preview

Victory Team will be looking to cap a brilliant season by adding the Middle East and Edox Pole Position Championships to the World crown they lifted last week, after finishing first and second in the Mina Seyahi Grand Prix.
Victory 1 heads the Edox Pole Position and Middle East Championships, and will line up for the Emirates and Dubai Duty Free Grand Prix as favourites to complete an impressive treble.
The only threat to their possible treble comes from Qatar 96 crew desperate to salvage something from a disappointing season by completing a hat-trick of wins in qualifying to secure a first Pole Position title for Sheikh Hassan and a remarkable straight eighth title for Curtis. But failure to win in qualifying and in the Emirates and Dubai Duty Free Grand Prix would see the eight times World Champion without a race-win or a title for the first time in 12 years.
With the title and the runners-up slot in the World Championship already secured by Victory 1, Victory 7 battle for third place is a three-way fight between both Qatar outfits and Jotun, with Abdullah Al-Sulaiti and Matteo Nicolini in Qatar 95 holding the upper hand.
Victory also dominates the Middle East standings, leaving another three-way fight for third place, with Foresti & Suardi fighting with the Qatar boats as they bid to finish as the highest-placed European crew.
After taking its first Class 1 podium last week, finishing third Giorgioffshore has confirmed that he will run with the team’s test driver, Riccardo Calugi. Tom Barry-Cotter and Pal Virik Nilsen have used the break between races to test and make modifications to the new Maritimo raceboat, with the Australian-Norwegian pairing looking for a second top six finish in Saturday’s final race of the season.
Roscioli Hotels Roma and Spirit of Spain will hope that engine changes to both boats will resolve the issues that curtailed their last race early in proceedings, whilst Foresti & Suardi has repaired the damage they sustained and Negotiator and Jotun have resolved the problems that prevented both from starting last time out. Eleven boats will line up for the 21-lap, 97.21Nm Emirates and Dubai Duty Free Grand Prix; first official practice takes place on Thursday, 11 December (12.00-13.00) followed by a second session on Friday morning (10.00-11.30) and the Edox Pole Position at 14.30. Final practice is on Saturday morning (09.30 -10.30) followed by the Emirates and Dubai Duty Free Grand Prix starting at 14.30.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - after round 7 of 8
1. Victory 1 – 125pts
2. Victory 7 – 105pts
3. Qatar 95 – 81pts
4. Qatar 96 – 71pts
5. Jotun 90 – 64pts
6. Foresti & Suardi 8 – 57pts
7. SeveneleveN 18 – 26pts
8. Spirit of Spain 88 – 19pts
9. Negotiator 50 – 16pts
10. Qatar 9 – 4pts
Roscioli Hotels Roma 60 – 0pts
MIDDLE EAST CHAMPIONSHIP - after round 3 of 4
1. Victory 1 – 60pts
2. Victory 7 – 42pts
3= Qatar 95 – 23pts
3= Foresti & Suardi 8 – 23pts
5. Qatar 96 – 22pts
6. SeveneleveN 18 – 17pts
6. Negotiator 50 – 16pts
Roscioli Hotels Roma 60 – 0 pts
Jotun 90 – 0 pts
Spirit of Spain 88 – 0 pts
EDOX POLE POSITION CHAMPIONSHIP – after round 7 of 8
1. Victory 1 – 102pts
2. Qatar 96 – 99pts
3. Jotun 90 – 70pts
4. Qatar 95 – 59pts
5. Victory 7 – 45pts
6. Foresti & Suardi 8 – 24pts
7. SeveneleveN 18 – 20pts
8. Negotiator 50 – 17pts
9 Spirit of Spain 88 – 7pts
10= Qatar 9 – 5pts
10= White 4 – 5pts
12. Roscioli Hotels Roma 60 – 3pts

December 9, 2008

New Model: Ferretti 470

The new 470 consolidates Ferretti intention to complete its new entry range with a model that fully reflects the innovative layout concept introduced by the 630, and penetrate an international target group of young, privileged owners, aiming to increase its market share in the well-established European sector and the American, Middle East and Asia Pacific markets. A product of the highly successful collaboration between the AYT – Advanced Yacht Technology, the Ferretti Engineering Division, and the Studio Zuccon International Project, the Ferretti 470 is an ideal blend of form and function in a compact size with a length of 14.65 metres and a 4.34 metre beam, making the most intelligent use of space creating the best of Italian luxury while surrounded by levels of comfort. Ferretti 470 offers a range of features that makes it unique in its class, firstly the single window area similar to the 630 and 510 in shape, providing a sweeping, uninterrupted view from stern to bows and allowing natural light to flood the entire living area. The location of the galley aft, an other feature from the 630 and 510 also optimises the use of interior space and enhances liveability by opening the swinging window, in fact, it’s possible to create a single open space with a seamless transition between cockpit, galley and living area. Accommodation, is a three cabins, two for guests and a forward master cabin with large bathroom. Natural light is provided by large opening windows in every space and a more extensive glazed area than on previous models, ensuring a greater level of on board comfort. The layout of the 470 fulfils the needs of owners who like sharing their time on board with family or friends but if desired though, crew accommodation can be created by converting the additional stern storage locker into sleeping quarters. The flybridge, accessible from the cockpit, is designed without a roll bar and offers a spacious sun lounge with a roomy sunpad aft, complemented by another sunpad on the forward main deck, a spacious U-shaped divan seating 8, table and grill area. The Bimini creates areas of relaxing shade, while the lounger forward, next to the helm station, allows guests to keep the sun worshipping. Ferretti 470 is powered by twin 600hp Cummins providing a cruising speed of 28 knots and maximum of 31 knots.
Technical Data:
LOA - 14.65m (48ft)
Length Hull - 14.45m
Waterline Length - 12.58m
Beam - 4.34m
Displacement - 22.800 kg loaded, 19.300 kg unloaded
Fuel Capacity - 1600 l
Water Capacity - 645 l
Max Persons - 12
Berths - 6 + 1 crew
Engines - 2 x Cummins QSC8.3 600hp
Speed - 31 knots max, 28 knots cruising
Project - Zuccon International Project, Ferretti AYT
Certification - CE A

December 8, 2008

Project: Tarquin Trader 38 Sprint

The Tarquin Trader 38 Sprint project marks an important landmark for this builder history, presenting a production motor launch with a completely different dimension and style to its range, offering performance and contemporary design. The 38 Sprint hull one is scheduled for delivery in early Spring 2009, and is designed by world renowned naval architect Tony Castro. This will be the smallest Trader ever built and also the fastest thanks to the highly advanced Zeus propulsion that has been incorporated into its design. A generous beam makes this 38 Sprint a voluminous craft in her class, built using High Modulus composite technology construction which makes the 38 extremely resilient in the harshest of conditions. Tarquin’s design team worked closely with CMD to integrate the Zeus pods and their tunnels into its design. With fewer underwater appendages, there is less drag under the hull resulting in a more efficient performance compared to standard shafts and rudders, resulting in 20% more range at 25 knots and a 15% higher top speed of over 35 knots. The Zeus system also offers intuitive control systems afloat making the 38 Sprint exceptionally easy to use, with features as the ‘skyhook’ button links to the GPS system, standard joystick providing easy vessel control for the helmsman to moor, and automatic trim tabs also integrated with the Zeus system to work in harmony with the boat’s speed. Sleeping accommodation is for four featuring two spacious cabins, and a head with a full size shower and toilet. Many new luxurious materials, such as two types of bamboo in the joinery, have been used to create a modern interior styling. The saloon floor is flush with the aft deck creating one large entertainment area when the four panel doors are fully opened. A door to the side deck adjacent to the helm and a large powered sunroof allow the saloon to be opened up even further. The cockpit features plenty of sociable seating and safe access to the bathing platform and side decks and can be sheltered by canvas canopies or opened up to the saloon area, depending on the weather. Deck spaces have the feel of a much bigger boat and features such as concealed fender storage and raised mooring gear make docking easier. Every new detail that has been incorporated into the Trader 38 Sprint has been designed to make an impact, from its outstanding performance with top speeds of over 35 knots to its ultra-modern design. With a choice of four new contemporary solid hull colours, Aegean Blue, Baltic Grey, Coral Red and Jade Green as well as the traditional Trader stripes, the new Trader 38 Sprint is the most forward-thinking design ever produced from this builder.

December 7, 2008

New Model: Baglietto 58 Metre Aluminium

Cantieri Navali Baglietto, a world leader in the construction of superyachts, is proud to announce the launch of hull No. C. 10201, a 58-metre aluminium motor yacht, christened Viki. The naval architecture and exterior lines are designed by Gruppo Baglietto Engineering, the inhouse naval engineering centre that provides the shipyards of the Group with expertise in naval engineering, design and research and development. Architect and designer William Sawaya from the studio Sawaya & Moroni created Viki’s interior style and some exterior details. The result is an elegant interior décor with fine details and showing a vast range of rare and precious materials. This yacht offers a great degree of comfort even at high speeds and has distinct details that make her unique for her size like the helicopter deck, relaxing area with a large sauna offering a sea view, green wall or vertical garden and a 900 litre aquarium in the guest lobby
Technical Data:
LOA - 58m (190.2ft)
Beam - 10.70m
Draft - 2.26m
Displacement - 506 t full load
Fuel Capacity - 80000 l
Water Capacity - 18000 l
Accommodation - 4 guest cabins and owner’s suite, 12 crew berths including the captain
Engines - 2 x MTU 16V4000M90 3646hp
Speed - 22 knots max
Range - 3,700 nautical miles at 14 knots

December 6, 2008

Class 1 - Victory 1 Takes Race World Title

Dubai’s Victory Team celebrated their eighth World Championship success in sixteen years, after Victory 1 led home their team-mates, Victory 7, to complete the team’s third one-two finish of the season in today’s Mina Seyahi Grand Prix, with Nicola Giorgi and Giorgio Manuzzi producing an outstanding performance to celebrate their first Class 1 podium, bringing SeveneleveN home in third place.
The newly crowned World Champions knew that they did not have to fight for the win to lift the title, and were happy to let Hassan and Curtis both desperate to take their first win of the season disappear into the distance in Qatar 96, and run in second spot. But on lap 15, Qatar 96 slowed dramatically, handing the lead to Victory 1 and a second World title to Al Marri and a first for Bin Hendi.
Victory 7 once again produced a strong performance, taking its sixth podium of the season to secure the runners-up slot in the Championship standings.
For SeveneleveN, the only boat other than both Victory outfits to complete 21 laps, third place was well deserved and a just reward for all the work the team has put in this season to develop their new boat.
Fourth place for Qatar 95 was little consolation for the team, who, for the second consecutive race, saw a huge race-lead disappear due to unreliability.
For Sheikh Hassan and Steve Curtis, their hopes of a race win ended after leading from the flag and for 15 of the 21 laps.
After struggling to get to grips with their new raceboat during practice and in qualifying, Class 1’s youngest partnership Maritimo produced an impressive display, despite a spin and one or two hair-raising moments bringing home a fifth place after enjoying a race-long battle with Foresti & Suardi, who slowed on lap 16 after breaking a water pick-up, forced back to the pits as water poured into their engine bay. But sixth spot for the Italian-Norwegian pairing moves them into third place in the Middle East Championship and puts them within seven points of Jotun in their bid to finish as the highest-placed European Team in the overall Championship standings.
For four crews there was disappointment and frustration; Roscioli Hotels Roma stopped on lap two, after seeing their team-mates, Spirit of Spain, go out on the opening lap, with both Negotiator and Jotun failing to make it to the start line.
MINA SEYAHI GRAND PRIX - results
1. Victory 1 - M Al Marri (UAE) / N Bin Hendi (UAE) – 01.00.47,64
2. Victory 7 - A Al Mehairbi (UAE) / JM Sanchez (FRA) + 01.01,40
3. SeveneleveN 18 - G Manuzzi (ITA) / N Giorgi (ITA) + 02.30,73
4. Qatar 95 - A Al-Sulaiti (QAT) / M Nicolini (ITA) + 1 lap
5. Maritimo 11 - T Barry-Cotter (AUS) / PV Nilsen (NOR) + 4 laps
6. Foresti & Suardi 8 - K Selmer (NOR) / G Montavoci (ITA) + 5 laps
Qatar 96 - H Al-Thani (QAT) / S Curtis (GB) – dnf
Roscioli Hotels Roma 60 - M A Ahmed (ESP) / A Al Suwaidi (UAE) – dnf
Spirit of Spain 88 - S Carrasco (ESP) / G Carpitella (ITA) – dnf
Jotun 90 - IB Aarbakke (NOR) / J Tandberg (NOR) – dns
Negotiator 50 - C Parsonage (GB) / W Moore (US) – dns
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - after round 7 of 8
1. Victory 1 – 125pts
2. Victory 7 – 105pts
3. Qatar 95 – 81pts
4. Qatar 96 – 71pts
5. Jotun 90 – 64pts
6. Foresti & Suardi 8 – 57pts
7. SeveneleveN 18 – 26pts
8. Spirit of Spain 88 – 19pts
9. Negotiator 50 – 16pts
10. Qatar 9 – 4pts
Roscioli Hotels Roma 60 – 0pts
MIDDLE EAST CHAMPIONSHIP - after round 3 of 4
1. Victory 1 – 60pts
2. Victory 7 – 42pts
3= Qatar 95 – 23pts
3= Foresti & Suardi 8 – 23pts
5. Qatar 96 – 22pts
6. SeveneleveN 18 – 17pts
6. Negotiator 50 – 16pts
Roscioli Hotels Roma 60 – 0 pts
Jotun 90 – 0 pts
Spirit of Spain 88 – 0 pts

December 5, 2008

Propulsion: Volvo Penta IPS800 - IPS900

With newer, larger drive units, the Volvo Penta IPS system is expanding with two more power classes: IPS900 and IPS800. The new packages will be installable on boats up to 100 feet and thereby offer never before seen features for the environment, maneuvering, comfort and performance on this type of boat. Volvo Penta IPS is the leading system in the boating industry for pod installations. Since its launch in 2005, Volvo Penta has, with the help of the IPS system, successfully taken an increasingly greater share or the inboard market. And as a result of the systems immense flexibility with multiple installations, IPS is currently offered on an increasing variety of boat types, all the way up to 100 feet. To date, the engines on the IPS system have been Volvo Penta 4 and 6 liter diesel engines with a maximum of 435 hp. Two entirely new power classes are launched with larger drive units and larger engines. More powerful drive units, larger engines with greater power and more than twice as much torque place enormous demands on drive units. Therefore, Volvo Penta has developed a larger and considerably more powerful IPS drive unit and a new propeller series for the IPS800 and IPS900. The larger drive unit provides all the advantages and characteristics that made the original IPS system so successful. An underwater body and propellers were developed with the help of highly advanced computer models along with extensive trials in the cavitation tunnel and tests on the boat. The result is an integrated, highly efficient propulsion system. Boat owners will have significantly lower fuel consumption and exhaust emissions and the industry’s best features for performance, comfort and maneuverability with the renowned joystick function. As with earlier drive units, the propeller series is systematic, which means that the boat manufacturer chooses the propeller according to the IPS model and top speed of the boat. The engine for the new power classes is Volvo Penta’s 11-liter engine, D11, with 700hp or 600hp. The engine is equipped with a twin-entry turbo that enables pulse charging, a technique that coupled with a mechanical compressor provides powerful torque from low RPMs. Combined with the larger IPS drive and twin forward-facing counter-rotating propellers provide highly rapid acceleration and immediate response to the driver’s commands. Increased efficiency leads to superior performance in the IPS900 and IPS800, combined with lower fuel consumption and in particular lower total emissions.

December 4, 2008

Project: Aqualum 55

Argentine builder Aqualum, after presenting two successful flybridge motor cruisers of 35 and 43 feet, continue to upgrade its range, this time entering in the over 50 plus feet motor yacht territory. With the new 55, Aqualum present a modern flybridge motor yacht, with an Italian Mediterranean design flare to its lines, also offering alternative layouts for the lower deck especially to what regards the cabin numbers. The Aqualum 55 is in fact offered in 3 different lower deck versions: layout 1 offers 3 cabins with the much requested full beam owners cabin with ensuite head VIP cabin to fore guest cabin with bunk beds in between and guest head, layout 2 is a similar plan accept for the master cabin where the en-suite head gets bigger with a bidet and a separate shower stall to starboard, layout 3 get a completely different layout offering a 4 cabin 2 head version with master cabin to fore and the fourth cabin in bunks, what can be an ideal big family or charter business solution. On the main split level saloon deck, the layout is somehow also a bit different to what the competition offers. The lower aft part here offers the galley located at stern to starboard, allowing easy communication with the exterior aft deck, with the upper fore area having the l-shaped settee with dining table to port, and to starboard the helm station. On the fly we have a traditional u-shaped settee, with a sunpad aft plan but also here Aqualum left a free space where a moving deck chair can be placed. Power to push the 26 ton 55 will be from twin 800hp engines, with speed figures so far not announced.

December 3, 2008

New Model: Four Winns V408

Four Winns premiered the V408, during the recent Fort Lauderdale show, showcasing a new model, with plenty of innovative use of space, but also unheard features in a boat of this size and type. If you look for a smart hard top sport cruiser which feels big where it counts, this has to be one of your top views, offering smart ideas that take comfort onboard into another dimension. The V408 excels in all parts, but the aft stern area of the boat is where it shines the most, with the hi low bathing platform, the BBQ / Grill to starboard, or the settee which can be made to look to fore or also transform itself to a sunpad. Smart features for the V408 does not stop here, with innovative deck sunpads with adjustable head rest and a built in bimini for relaxed entertainment forward. The helm station is also a winner, and last the extended hardtop with big sunroof and central opening for easy deck movement. Below the V408 continues to surprise its intelligent use of space with three different options. Standard layout is a single cabin 1 head dual saloon, second option is an l-shaped settee convertible to double berth and a second head, and the third layout is a 2 cabin 2 head with aft cabin now becoming a fixed berth. Power for the V408 is from Volvo IPS500 and 600, which will sure give the ease of manoeuvring, low planning speeds, and better top speeds compared to shafts offered by the Swedish forward looking pods.
Technical Data:
LOA - 13.3 m (43.6ft)
Beam - 4.07 m
Draft - 1.12 m
Weight - 12.700 kg approx
Fuel Capacity - 1130 l
Water Capacity - 321 l
Accommodation - 1 cabin 2 berths 1 head dual saloon, 2 cabin 2 heads
Engines - 2 x Volvo IPS500 370hp, IPS600 435hp
Propulsion - Volvo IPS Forward looking Pod Drive
Hull - vee shape with 19 degrees deadrise

December 2, 2008

Class 1 - Mina Seyahi Dubai U.A.E. Preview

The Victory Team will be looking to wrap up their eighth World Championship in the Mina Seyahi Grand Prix in Dubai, the penultimate race of the season on Saturday, 6 December, by bringing both their boats home ahead of their Qatari rivals, who still pose a mathematical but improbable outside threat to their title. Four wins this season for Victory 1 and five podium finishes for Victory 7 have put the Dubai boats respectively 33 and 18 points clear of Qatar 95 and in an almost unassailable position, with the luxury of an in-house fight for the title. Victory 1 is the clear favourite; they lead the World, Middle East and Edox Pole Position Championships comfortably and another win will all but guarantee Al Marri his second World title and Nadir Bin Hendi his first. But the Dubai crew has already seen one title slip through their fingers this year from what seemed an unassailable position. And if Victory 7’s rookie driver Abdullah Al Mehairbi and defending World Champion, Jean-Marc Sanchez, take the win and their team-mates falter or finish outside the top three, the title race will go to the wire and be decided in the Emirates and Dubai Duty Free Grand Prix on Saturday, 13 December. The Qatar Team has one last throw of the dice to try to turn around a season that promised so much but so far has failed to deliver the success that was expected. Their flickering title hopes rest with both Victory outfits breaking and posting only a handful of points, so realistically, they will be fighting each other for third place in the overall Championship standings, with both the Qatar 95 and Qatar 96 crews looking for their first wins of the season. Jotun will be hoping for a return to winning ways in Dubai, with the 2008 European Champions aiming to finish the season as the top European outfit in the overall standings and in the Edox Pole Position Championship. The target for Foresti & Suardi’s Italian-Norwegian pairing, who currently head the middle order, is to continue their season-long run of reliability, complete the season without any technical hitches and to finish as the highest-placed European team in the Middle East Championship. But to do so, first they must fend of the challenge from Negotiator following the Anglo-American pairing's impressive third place in their first outing together in the Egyptian Grand Prix in Porto Marina in October, currently tied with them in fourth place. SeveneleveN will be looking to complete their season of development as they started, by taking their third top-six finish of the year. Domenico Cirilli returns to competitive duties after missing the last race to partner Sergio Carrasco for his first outing in Spirit of Spain, with Giovanni Carpitella switching cockpits to partner Class 1 rookie, Abdelkader Ahmed in Roscioli Hotels Roma. And the 2007/8 Australian Offshore Superboat Champions, Tom Barry-Cotter and Pal Virik Nilsen, make their second appearance of the year in Class 1 and will showcase the newest Class 1 ‘spec’ raceboat, designed and built by Australia’s premiere manufacturer of long-range luxury motoryachts, Maritimo. Eleven boats will line up for the 21-lap, 97.21Nm Mina Seyahi Grand Prix; first official practice takes place on Thursday, 4 December (12.00-14.00) followed by a second session on Friday morning (10.00-11.30) and the Edox Pole Position at 14.30. Final practice is on Saturday morning (10.00-11.00) with the Mina Seyahi Grand Prix starting at 14.30.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - after round 6 of 8
1. Victory 1 – 105pts
2. Victory 7 – 90pts
3. Qatar 95 – 72pts
4. Qatar 96 – 71pts
5. Jotun 90 – 64pts
6. Foresti & Suardi 8 – 50pts
7. Spirit of Spain 88 – 19pts
8. Negotiator 50 – 16pts
9. SeveneleveN 18 – 14pts
10. Qatar 9 – 4pts
11. Roscioli Hotels Roma 60 – 0pts
(Championship points include bonus points allocated to teams for running engines for two consecutive races - one point, per engine, per race)
MIDDLE EAST CHAMPIONSHIP - after round 2 of 4
1. Victory 1 – 40pts
2. Victory 7 – 27pts
3. Qatar 96 – 22pts
4= Foresti & Suardi 8 – 16pts
4= Negotiator 50 – 16pts
6. Qatar 95 – 14pts
7. SeveneleveN 18 – 5pts
8= Jotun 90 – 0pts
8= Roscioli Hotels Roma 60 – 0pts
8= Spirit of Spain 88 – 0pts
EDOX POLE POSITION CHAMPIONSHIP – after round 6 of 8
1. Victory 1 – 90pts
2. Qatar 96 – 79pts
3. Jotun 90 – 63pts
4. Qatar 95 – 44pts
5. Victory 7 – 37pts
6. Foresti & Suardi 8 – 21pts
7. SeveneleveN 18 – 18pts
8. Negotiator 50 – 12pts
9= Qatar 9 – 5pts
9= Spirit of Spain 88 – 5pts
11. Roscioli Hotels Roma 60 – 2pts

December 1, 2008

New Model: Beneteau 11 Antares

The new Beneteau 11 Antares combines a high-performance hull with modern lines and interior spaces that are great to live in and share. The interior is exceptionally comfortable, with a spacious 2 cabins, 4 berths living quarters and carefully designed features like the upper deck l-shaped galley to fore of the saloon. A well-equipped flybridge offers also a practical second living open area, unimaginable on a motor cruiser of 11 metres with great views out to sea. Power is by standard twin D4 260hp Volvo Penta, propelled by traditional in line shafts. Antarès 11 adopts the same hull design as the bigger Antarès 12 with a V-shaped hull forward, a flared bow which ensures exceptional sea penetration and a reassuring level of stability, which continues the good reputation gained over the years, for the sea-kindly qualities of this Beneteau range.
Technical Data:
LOA - 11.35 m (37.2ft)
Length - 10.35 m
Length Hull - 9.97 m Beam - 3.80 m
Draft - 1.00 m
Displacement - 6.540 kg light
Fuel Capacity - 640 l
Water Capacity -320 l
Engines - 2 x Volvo D4 260hp
Propulsion - shaft line
Design - P.Sarazin, Beneteau Power
Certification - CE B8, C10