February 15, 2009

Web: Doral New Web Site

Doral International Inc. launches the new 2009 website. Founded in 1972 in Quebec, Canada Doral has become one of the most acknowledged boat builders in the globe especially in medium sized Sport Cruisers. Today it has three ranges starting from the 235 Bow Rider of the Elite Series, to the flagship model in the Sport Yachts the 51 Alegria. The new Doral online experience has a clean design and is available in French or English language. Main tabs buttons featured in the middle of the page with three tabs represent the three Doral range of boats: entry level Elite Series, medium sized Express Cruisers, and the bigger Sport Yachts. There is further tab menus up top: Models, About Us, Build Your Doral, News & Events, Dealers, Owners. There is two further picture tabs which are Build A Doral and Request A Brochure. Interesting for the buyer is the Build A Doral concept, an easy online way to fit your future boat without the pressure of a salesman on your neck.

February 14, 2009

Projects: Sunseeker 64 Predator, Sunseeker 46 Metre Yacht

The new Sunseeker 64 Predator replaces the 62 of the same range after 3 years of production. This new model as typical Sunseeker offers various accommodation options, furnishings and layout features to suit the style of many owners. As the Sunseeker Predator range has represented recently, here the 64 continues the all weather Sport Yacht concept offering high speed exhilaration in fully enclosed air condition protection, or in full open air environment by sliding the sun roof in the saloon, and opening the aft patio doors. Inside various options are available from a crew cabin aft, to a 3 cabin or 2 cabin suite version. In the 2 cabin version an l-shaped sofa replaces the bunked l-shaped double third cabin and the third head. Max speed is 35 knots, with twin engine installation totaling 2200hp.
Positioning Sunseeker further in the Super Yacht world, will be this project for a new flagship 46 Metre Yacht set to premiere in 2012. An up-scaling of 9 metres for the status symbol builder, following the success the 37 Meter Yacht obtained. This 46 Metre Yacht can be built to MCA and RINA credentials for class and according to flag requirements, once again brings almost twice the volume of previous accommodation limits. Yet still the Sunseeker spirit of speed is here, with predicted peaks up to 20 knots with secure sea keeping, thanks to an intricate design testing process. The plan is a contemporary triple deck Super Yacht, following the lines of the 37 but in a larger form, giving a more aggressive profile. Standard accommodation plan is for a 5 guest cabins, with owners cabin on the main deck. Crew accommodation is for 10 members, with the captains cabin located on the third deck.

New Model: Peri 37

Turkish builder Peri Yachts presents its second model the 37, continuing to epitomise power and style, with the use of the latest materials and design to enhance gains in performance and space. Following the success of the first Peri 29, the new 37 is the second model of a 5 super yacht range going from 29 to a 41 metre triple deck flagship. The new 37 follows the first small Peri, with a reflection in the family feeling shape thanks to Turkish company Scaro Design who did all the range, offering also here a sporty streamlined looking modern yacht. Peri 37 is a 2 decks and a half super yacht, with the half deck being a raised pilot house. Standard accommodation layout is 5 cabin all with en-suites, with owners cabin on the main deck. Although this is a custom build which can accommodate various choices from 4 to 6 cabins. On the power side the 37 is offered with two MTU engine options starting from 2250hp up to the bigger choice of 2400hp. This later option gives a wide open throttle of 26knots and cruising of 22knots.
Technical Data:
LOA - 36.93 m (121.1ft)
Waterline Length - 29.8 m
Beam - 8.10 m
Draft - 1.57 m
Displacement - 160t 1/3 load
Fuel Capacity - 35000 l
Water Capacity - 5000 l
Accommodation - 8 guests in 4 cabins, 7 crew in 4 cabins
Engines - 2 x MTU 16V2000M93 2250hp, 2400hp
Speed - 26 knots max, 22 knots cruising with 2 x 2400hp
Range - 1250 nm
Hull Shape - v planning
Project - Scaro Design, Dixon Yacht Design
Construction - glass reinforced epoxy sandwich
Certification - RINA, MCA Compliant

February 13, 2009

Project: Aqualum 38

Argentinan builder Aqualum presents the new 38 project. A new model set to fill the gap between the successful 35 and 43-45 models. As all Aqualum's in the range the new 38 follows the flybridge motor cruiser concept, with a Mediterranean Italian design influence. Its interior accommodation is a twin cabin single head layout, with an owners cabin with queen size berth located to fore, and a double guest cabin to port. Main deck features a split level area, with a lounging l-shaped settee upon entering and further forward offering the galley to port and helm station to starboard. The galley is unusual in this position for this size, take it as a steal from bigger boats but this works better to one situated on the lower deck. Having this layout up top I am still surprised not seeing 2 heads and a 3 cabin version! Propulsion and engines are so far not announced, although the plans show rear positioned engines with u-drive unit, and classic straight shaft propulsion.

New Launch: F&S Boatworks 70 Hull 11

This is the first new model review from a US Custom Sportfish yacht builder. While the word custom in Europe is usually associated with 24 metres plus yachts, in the US this goes from sizes around 10 metres and up to whatever you like really, with over a handful of companies offering mostly high performing sportfish boats under the super 80 feet size. Most of these builds are built with the cold molding technique, that is framing in composite wood and then covering all with fiberglass resin. This gives a lighter boat, but also a superior strength construction. F&S Boatworks is one of the over a dozen builders, mostly of which are family run businesses, and its first hull was launched in 1988 what was a 58 feet Sportfish Yacht. This hull no.11 represents its latest, launched in 2008 and is the first enclosed bridge from the Delaware builder and the biggest build too, although hull. no.12 in construction has a say for this being 2 feet longer and a bit wider. F&S Boatworks is also innovative in its hull design offering a convex variable deep hull shape, that is of a deeper-Vee in the center and flatter sections on the side. Not really a new hull shape but not much used! The interior of the 70ft Hull 11 has ten berths four head accommodation, with a galley on the main deck, and features a luxury appointed enclosed bridge with internal stair case. F&S Boatworks also managed a nice Enclosed Bridge design, what is always a hard take for any builder. Power is from the latest ultra light performing twin MTU 2400hp each, which give a 43 knots top speed and a cruising of 38 knots.
Technical Data:
Length - 21.33 m (70ft)
Beam - 5.94 m
Draft - 1.52 m
Weight - 38636 kg
Fuel Capacity - 10599 l
Water Capacity - 1514 l
Accommodation - 10 berths
Engines - 2 x MTU M-93 2400hp
Speed - 43 knots max, 38 knots cruising

February 12, 2009

Project: Mastercraft 300

The MasterCraft 300 is unveiled today at the Miami International Boat Show, with a lot of buzzing going strong for this move from the renowned ski boat builder. Mastercraft is happily thrilled with the interest people are showing in what is calling the world's first twin-tip day yacht. Mastercraft has not passed much detailed information, but gave a clue for a 4 berth interior. Hull details show a vee shaped hull with a 2o degrees mid and 16 aft. Fuel capacity is a 757 litres fuel tank, that is a lot considering the 33 feet over all length of the new big Mastercraft 300. Engines have not been announced. Should be interesting to see how this compares with other builders especially American ones, and what new solutions have been used apart the squarish bow and radical exterior shape. May be someone have seen it today and can comment more about this.

New Model: Maritimo C55 Sports Cabriolet

Maritimo’s C55 Sports Cabriolet is the new addition to this Sport Yacht range introduced in 2008. As is now well known, Maritimo took a dramatic course change last year when it introduced the fabulous C60 Sports Cabriolet. Unveiled for the first time last May at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show and again a star attraction at the Sydney International Boat Show a few weeks later, the C60 as it’s known, has received ‘rave reviews’ in Australian and international boating media. Now, as the company expands its range to meet market demands, the C55, an equally stylish craft that is simply a more compact example of the C60 is released. Despite being more than a metre shorter and two tonnes lighter, the C55 offers the same beam and accommodations and with fuel efficient Cummins QSM 11 diesels delivering 670hp each, will give the C60 a run for its money too. The C55 will cruise effortlessly along at a cruise speed of 25 knots and is capable of hitting close to 30 knots at wide open throttle. Her main saloon, obviously smaller than that of the C60, remains luxurious and efficiently planned, with a well equipped galley and easy access aft and to the accommodations forward. The master suite is again cantered amidships with a VIP cabin forward and supporting cabins port and starboard featuring bunk berths. It takes also a really keen eye to discern the difference between the C55 and C60, although buyers will notice the difference at the cash register.
Technical Data:
LOA - 17.3 m (56.9ft)
Beam - 5.3 m
Draft - 1.4 m
Weight - 25 t
Fuel Capacity - 3600 l
Water Capacity - 800 l
Accommodation - 8 berths in 4 cabins
Engines - 2 x Cummins QSM11 670hp
Speed - 30 knots max, 25 knots cruising

February 11, 2009

New Model: Integrity 55 Flybridge

Dubai builder Integrity Yachts presents its 55 Flybridge launched in the fall of 2008. An interesting motor yacht which competes in a highly battled market segment size. The Integrity 55 Flybridge comes where luxury growth was at a massive rate in recent years, so seeing builders with a good product from the Middle East is just the result of an always increasing boating population. The Integrity 55 is a nice design offering the recent conventional layout for boats this size, that of a main deck reserved for the saloon, dining, galley and a lower deck for the accommodation. Lower deck surprises, offering in its 16 metre plus length a 3 double cabin 3 head layout, of which two en suites for the owner and VIP cabin, with the third being a mix between a day head and third cabin usage. Should be among the smaller yachts in this size to offer a three cabin and head layout, without loosing the much requested full beam owners cabin and the big view windows. Performance wise the 55 Flybridge has a top speed of 31 knots and a cruising of 28 knots with the big twin Volvo D12-800 option. None the less this an interesting offer from a Dubai builder, showing that they are not just letting the renowned brands take over there market, but already to compete on an international level with a high quality product.
Technical Data:
LOA - 16.92 m (55.5ft)
Waterline Length - 14.06 m
Beam - 4.80 m
Draft - 1.00 m ex props
Displacement - 24.5 t
Fuel Capacity - 3040 l
Water Capacity - 500 l
Accommodation - 6 berths in 3 cabins, 3 heads, 1 crew cabin with head aft
Engines - 2 x Volvo D12-800 775hp
Speed - 31 knots max, 28 knots cruising

February 10, 2009

New Model: Innovazioni Progetti 46 Alena

Italian builder Innovazioni Progetti present there new 46 Alena, replacement of the 44 and introduction model to the enclosed hard top Alena range. As followed since the introduction of the 56 Alena flagship, all the models from this new smaller 46 to its bigger sisters follow a distinct similar style in the exterior and interiors. The hard top coupe concept has been a successful virtue of the bigger Alena's, and this new 46 follows forth here too with easy patio doors closing the upper deck, but also the much appreciated galley up solution leaving the lower deck for accommodation purposes. Accommodation is for 2 spacious cabins both with en-suite head, and the owner cabin being a full beam mid-ship affair. Power and propulsion is Volvo twin IPS600 forward facing pod drives with twin 435hp each.
Technical Data:
Length - 13.40 m (43.9ft)
Beam - 4.54 m
Displacement - 15000 kg
Fuel Capacity - 2 x 550 l
Water Capacity - 320 l
Max Persons - 16
Accommodation - 4 berths in 2 cabins
Engines - 2 x Volvo Penta IPS600 435hp
Propulsion - Volvo IPS forward looking dual propeller pods
Certification - CE

February 9, 2009

Engine: Yanmar 6CX530 530hp

The new six-cylinder 6CX530 is a further addition to Yanmar Marine’s range of electronic control diesel engines. At 837 kilograms dry weight it is the lightest in its power class, well over 200 kilos less than some comparable-size units. It is the only 7.4 litre diesel available for the pleasure boat market. The common rail injection system used has been designed specifically for the 6CX530 by Yanmar’s engineering team and the package is completed with a Yanmar-manufactured gearbox. Power output is 530hp (390kW) at 2,900rpm. The power-to-weight ratio is 0.63mhp per kilo. It has the same dimensions as its predecessor, with height of 933mm, length without gear 1,340mm and width 886mm. The latest EPA and RCD emissions regulations are met in full.