-pic of the month- Pershing Best of Best China
Baglietto La Spezia Fire
Baglietto regrets to announce that on Saturday 31st January, hull number C.10202 - the third vessel in this yard's 53m series was seriously damaged following a fire on board the yacht while it was in the company's La Spezia shipyard. The cause of the fire is, as yet, unknown. Happily, no one sustained any injuries. Thanks to the yard's own security measures, and the swift intervention of the Fire Brigade, the Port Captain, the Harbour Authorities and the Police, the damage has been contained within a single shed and there was no damage to surrounding buildings or the environment. No other yacht has been damaged and yacht building activities will continue as normal.
Benetti Yachts Finalist at Superyacht Awards
Benetti will have three yachts among the finalist of the 2009 World Superyacht Award, one of the most prestigious award of the industry, hosted by Boat International in London on May 16 2009. FB239, 60 m, Xanadu, launched in summer 2008, will compete as best displacement Motor Yacht of 500GT to 1,299 GT; FB238, Platinum 50m, will compete as Best displacement Motor Yacht of below 500 GT; Salu, Benetti Tradition 100ft, will compete as best semi-displacement Motor Yacht in the 100 to 130ft size range.
Cobalt Ranks Highest in Customer Satisfaction for 8th Year
For the eighth consecutive year, large runabouts (20 to 29 feet) built by Cobalt Boats have ranked “highest in customer satisfaction” in the J.D. Power and Associates Boat Competitive Information Study. The 2009 study investigated owners’ satisfaction with their runabouts throughout the sales, service, and product experiences. Again this year Cobalt owners gave their boats especially high marks in design and styling, ride and handling - the traditional strengths of Cobalt design and manufacture. Owners were also especially pleased with the boats’ performance in water sports, a trend certain to continue with this year model with Cobalt’s recent introduction of the Water Sports Series, two boats configured precisely for wake boarding and skiing.
Ferretti Group Press Release
Ferretti S.p.A. announces that it is in advanced negotiations for the restructuring of the group's indebtedness. Once the proposal is agreed, it will be circulated to all the lenderswith a view to being approved as soon as possible. Once accepted by the lenders, the proposal would provide for an injection of new equity by some key managers of the Ferretti group - led by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Norberto Ferretti - and a primary financial investor, as well as the provision of new credit lines in favour of the Group. Overall, the Group's debt burden would be reduced. On the terms proposed, Candover and Permira will not participate in the restructuring of Ferretti S.p.A. and will not be part of the shareholding structure of the Group going forward. The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Norberto Ferretti and the key managers expressed their full satisfaction with the negotiations to date and confirmed their commitment to work towards finalising the proposal and then its successful and prompt implementation.
Majesty Yachts Delivers Three 121s
Majesty Yachts delivered its third 121 yacht from its UAE shipyard. The model was officially launched at the 2008 Dubai International Boat Show less than 12 months ago. Gulf Craft will once again be the largest exhibitor at the Dubai International Boat Show taking place March 3-7 2009.
Mulder to Expand New Facility
Mulder Shipyard recently bought a 6000 m² terrain for the construction of a second facility. The new yard will be developed less than ten kilometres away from the current location and will feature three dry docks with room for yachts of up to 45 metres. The new location will be dedicated to the maintenance, refitting and new construction of larger yachts. It is expected to be finished in 2010, at which point the current facility will focus solely on the construction of yachts up to 18 metres in length.
Nordhavn Gather the Kiwis
More than 70 guests gathered at the New Zealand Maritime Museum to greet world travelers – and Nordhavn explorers – Scott and Mary Flanders last Saturday, January 17. The party was not only an opportunity to congratulate the Flanders on completing the final leg of their two-year journey on board their Nordhavn 46, Egret, that started out September ’06 in Gibraltar, it was the chance for Kiwis to extend a warm welcome to the couple whose adventures they have been tracking each week, and actually pick their brains in person about cruising and Nordhavns. Hosted by Nordhavn’s Australian affiliate office, the day brought together cruising enthusiasts and boating media alike – all who wanted to get an up-close and personal viewpoint of what it is like to pick up everything and just go.
Numarine New Sales & Marketing Director
Turkish motoryacht producer Numarine has appointed Fehmi Hakan Oral as its new director of sales and marketing. Oral, an experienced marine engineer and commercial diver, will be responsible for developing markets around the world, finding and managing new dealerships and improving all marketing and after sales activities within the group. Prior to joining the company, he spent a year as an after sales consultant for the Ferrari Group in Turkey. Before that, he spent six years as general manager of MG Rover and five years at Mazda as general manager responsible for the aftermarket.
Pershing Best of Best China’s Favorite Italian Shipyard
The immense popularity of the Pershing brand on the Chinese market has been reconfirmed for 2009, too. An awards ceremony was held recently in the elegant setting of the Hotel Pudong Shangri-La in Shanghai, during which Pershing, a Ferretti S.p.A. brand and famous Italian shipyard specialising in the production of luxury yachts, was presented with the important “Best Luxury Performance Yacht 2009” award, following data issued by the “Best of the Best” survey. The “Best of the Best” is the most authoritative survey which the Editorial Office of “The Hurun Report”, an important Chinese magazine devoted to the financial world and luxury, has drawn up every year for the past five in order to make an in-depth investigation of the lifestyles and spending habits of the most prominent figures in the Chinese economy. The interviews, carried out between, April and November 2008, involved a list of 500 leading figures on the Chinese market, earning an annual income of over one million Euro. The survey analysed the spending habits of Chinese entrepreneurs, determining what they purchase and how the representatives of a market which is increasingly more important at an international level spend their money. It awarded the Italian shipyard, which has been manufacturing products featuring a high level of innovative content for many years, and is able to create yachts which skilfully combine an innovative design with a markedly sporty performance. This year too, Pershing was acknowledged with an ability to epitomise the most demanding, advanced expression of the concept of innovation, anticipating the new rules of yachting and passing another important test-bed: meeting with new demands and new markets. During the course of the gala evening, the unmistakable Pershing style, an elegant mix of technology and design, rightfully paraded alongside the most prestigious brands of international luxury, ranging from Luis Vuitton to Chanel, Rolex to Hilton, reconfirming itself as a symbol of the very best of Italian-made goods, even abroad. A new, important commercial agreement was recently signed with Noble Brand in order to support the growing penetration of the Pershing brand on the Asian market. Part of the WO KEE HONG holding, this trading company is already involved in different areas of a luxury lifestyle which counts prestigious clients, such as Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Agusta and a number of retail fashion brands like John Richmond and Sweet Years. The agreement was made public to coincide with delivery of the first Pershing 50’, the last of the Pershing yachts to arrive in Hong Kong.
Pershing from Fano to Rio De Janero Trip
The latest unit of the Pershing 115’ will leave shortly the moorings of the Marina dei Cesari in Fano for Brazil, last stop Rio de Janeiro. It will take the yacht about a week to sail round Italy, after which she will be loaded onto a large transport ship which will plough through the Atlantic Ocean to Brazil where her owner is eagerly waiting for her. Pershing 115’ is the finest expression of the company’s distinctive values, a style revolution created to surprise. Developed by means of a design challenge which has kept Pershing staff, De Simoni Designer and Ferretti S.p.A.’s AYT (Advanced Yacht Technology) busy, this model is characterised by the highly original external lines, both sinuous and resolute at once, as well as the extraordinary performance of which she is capable while still maintaining a high level of comfort.
Riviera Success at Melbourne Boat Show
Australia’s leading luxury boat builder, Riviera, has reported a healthy start to the Boat Show season following the Melbourne International Boating and Lifestyle Show during the weekend. Confirming the sale of a Riviera 33 Open Flybridge as well as a number of strong sales opportunities over the next few weeks, Stuart Jackson Dealer Principal said he was delighted with the result. Riviera Syndication also reported success at the show. Mr Russell said that Melbourne members were very excited about Riviera Syndication’s plans for a 5800 Sport Yacht in the Whitsundays. Riviera dominated the Show with 12 boats on display covering about 17 per cent of the entire show area. According to Riviera Global Sales and Marketing Director Tim Sayer, the Melbourne show was a valuable indicator for the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show in May. Mr Jackson said that Riviera and R Marine partnered with Melbourne’s largest Land Rover, Volvo and Jaguar dealer to host an owners’ party on the Saturday night.
San Lorenzo Finalist for Boat International Superyacht Awards
Onyx, the 38.50 metre yacht built by the Italian shipyard Sanlorenzo and designed by Francesco Paszkowski Design is one of the 8 Finalists for Boat International’s World Superyacht Awards within the section “Best semi-displacement or planing Motoryacht in the 30m to 39 m size range”. Francesco Paszkowski Design was in charge of exterior design and interior layout. After a two-day selection meeting the 99 yachts nominated for an award were reduced to 59 Finalists who were then divided in nine sections. Finalists will be placed before the 15 Judges - all superyacht owners except for two industry professionals – who will actually decide the winners. The winners’ names will not be disclosed until they are presented with their ‘Neptune Awards’ during a sumptuous Gala Evening on Saturday the 16th May in the magnificent setting of London’s Guildhall, one of the most splendid and historic buildings in the City of London. The selection as a Finalist for the prestigious award is an important acknowledgement for San Lorenzo and the creativity and career of Francesco Paszkowski Design, one of the leading yacht designers on the international scene.
Sea Ray Recipients of J.D. Power and Associates Award
Sea Ray Boats announced today that it is the recipient of the prestigious J.D. Power and Associates award in two categories as measured by the 2009 Boat Competitive Information Study(SM) released today at the Miami International Boat Show. Sea Ray was recognized for "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Express Cruisers in a Tie." Sea Ray also received the award in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2006. Sea Ray also achieved the "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Award with Small Runabouts" for the first time after several years of finishing near the top in that highly competitive segment. Now in its eighth year, the J.D. Power and Associates study examines the sales, service and product experience of new-boat owners. Owner satisfaction with new boats is measured in seven segments: ski/wakeboard; fiberglass bass boats; small runabouts (16 to 19 feet); large runabouts (20 to 29 feet); coastal fishing (17 to 30 feet); pontoons; and express cruisers (24 to 33 feet). Overall customer satisfaction index scores are based on performance in eight factors: cabin; engine; ride and handling; helm and instrument panel; design and styling; sound system; water sports; and fishing. Its boat competitive information study measures the on-the-water experiences that owners have with their new boats. Survey respondents measured boats that were produced for the 2007 and 2008 model years. Stone credits Sea Ray's response to previous J.D. Power and Associates findings as reasons behind the brand's continued improving performance in the annual study. For the purpose of this study, Express Cruisers were defined as cruising style boats 24 to 33 feet with a galley and an enclosed head. The Small Runabout category included boats from 16 to 19 feet in length. J.D. Power and Associates received feedback from thousands of new boat owners, allowing the study to provide detailed evaluations of customer satisfaction with the vessel's interior and exterior, features and controls, ride and handling, comfort, convenience, and engine performance and maintenance.
Sunseeker Bigger Lift
A new 320 tonnes travel lift, believed to be one of the largest hoists of its type in the UK, has been installed at Sunseeker International's Osprey Quay Shipyard on Portland in Dorset. The new hoist, supplied by Wise Handling Limited, has a height of 13.5 metres, an overall width of 15 metres and weighs 108,000 kg. The new travel hoist, which has been built to launch or retrieve boats up to 320,000 kilograms, has been acquired to operate with a brand new lifting dock. The dock, similar to that at the company's Poole Shipyards, has been specifically built to meet the demand for boats over 30 metres (100 feet). With a successful range of larger craft already in production - including the 37 Metre, 34 Metre and 30 Metre Yachts, along with the Predator 108 - the travel lift will also have the ability to elevate and move even larger vessels such as the Sunseeker 46 Metre Yacht currently in development and the Predator 130, which is due to be launched later this year. In addition, the hoist will have full remote control facility with double speed winching - enabling greater flexibility in moving boats. Sunseeker recently announced its intention to build superyachts over 50 metres and the 11 acre site at Osprey Quay, along with the facilities now available, will be an important part in the company's future development.
Viking WBS Cup Winner
Viking was honored with the WBS President’s Cup for the fifth year in recognition as the top boat manufacturer based on winning performances in more than 70 bill fishing tournaments conducted around the world
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