Web: Meridian Yachts New Web Site

US builder Meridian Yachts presents its new web showroom. Founded in 2002, Meridian is a relatively young brand launched by Sea Ray Group, which is part of the Brunswick Corporation to capitalize on the modern European looking Motor Cruiser and Yacht market segment. The company was previously located in Seattle, Washington before making a move to its new current facility in Palm Coast, Florida on the Autumn of 2008. Currently Meridian has a three range line up consisting of Sedans, Motoryachts, and Pilothouse which offer seven models from 34 up to 58 feet. A further eight model which will be the 541 Sedan is in the works with Meridian planning to launch this in the Miami Show of 2010. The new website guides you through the Meridian world with the following buttons: Models, News, Reviews Dealers, Owners, Literature, Customer Support, and About Meridian.

www.meridian-yachts.com

New Model: Azimut 100 Leonardo

Azimut updates its 98 Leonardo with the new 100 model. After six years in production the 98 was surely a trend setter from the perspective of yacht design from the renowned Italian builder, with designer Stefano Righini creating a low profile hybrid sport looking Super Yacht, but without loosing the benefits of a full flybridge. The 100 Leonardo more then a completely new model is a polished affair of the 98, which is to remember was also improved with changes in the fore deck, VIP Owners cabin winows, aft bathing platform a couple of years back. Modifications for the 100 so far seem not so big too being more of a cosmetic nature with the most recognizable feature being the hard top with opening sunroof covering the fore part of the flybridge. A feature part of the latest introduced Azimut Flybridge's over fifty feet. Other changes are the hull side windows in the mid ship owners cabin in vertical shape which also open up as launched with the 58 in 2007, the forward VIP cabin featuring also the latest generation opening horizontal formed windows, fore deck now having two larger furniture units, and the sunroof on top of the main lower helm station now being of tinted glass instead of white fiberglass. The setting inside looks also identical to the 98 with it's unique open plan concept for the main deck, and the original aft dining area in the middle of the fully opening circle shaped patio door. Accommodation below is for a traditional planned four spacious double guest cabins. Speed is a max of 32 knots, and alias also here the 100 Leonardo using the same hull to the 98 with a medium twelve degrees dead rise aft.
Technical Data:
LOA - 30.75 m (100.8ft)
Hull Length - 30.4 5 m
Beam - 6.8 m
Draft - 2.01 m
Displacement - 100 t
Fuel Capacity - 10980 l
Water Capacity - 1800 l
Accommodation - 8 berths in 4 cabins
Engines - 2 x MTU V16 2000M92 2216hp
Speed - 32 knots max, 29 knots cruise
Design - Stefano Righini, Azimut
Hull Shape - planning vee with 12.3 degrees deadrise aft
Certification - UNI ISO8666

www.azimutyachts.com

Projects: Vicem 75 Cruiser Series, Vicem 115 Cruiser Series, Vicem 125 Cruiser Series

Vicem Yachts from Turkey, continues to offer new models based on Traditional lines. With these three new upcoming projects the Turkish builder will have a total of nineteen models, from 52 to 125 feet, in a three different range series. All of the projects presented today are as all Vicem traditional looking. The Cruiser Series unlike the other lines sets more its eyes into European heritage then the US as offered by the Classic and Sportfish series. The Cruiser Series also offers the bigger sizes from the Turkish builder. The first of these pictured above is the 75 Cruiser Series. The 75 will offer a four double cabin interior all located on the lower deck, with a double crew cabin aft. It will be powered by twin 900hp MAN engines, and construction as all Vicem is in the wood plus glass cold molding method. The Vicem 115 Cruiser Series is the second biggest project coming from the Turkish builder. Apart from entering Super Yacht status the 115 offers also a distinctive classic exterior styling with lines echoing the past, like its shear line or traditional squared transom stern. All these are always features of the Vicem yachts, but more so in the Cruiser series. Down below the 115 will offer a five double cabin plan, with a separate galley located on the lower deck. Vicem also offers two alternative plans to the owners cabin located mid ship. Crew quarters located aft offers accommodation for four members. The split level saloon is all dedicated for the owner featuring also a bar area, apart the usual saloon settee, and dining table for ten members. Power is from twin MAN CRM V12 1550hp with speeds estimates of a 19 knots maximum, and cruising of 14 knots. Vicem 125 Cruiser is so far its biggest project, although with a Custom series in the works this might not be for so long. The 125 will be a two deck and half Super Yacht, following the Turkish builder its usual traditional lines of days gone by looks. What to notice surely is how the raised pilot house is integrated very cleanly in the lines. The 125 will offer guest accommodation in five double guest cabins located in the lower deck, plus an owners suite located on the main deck. Crew accommodation is for five or six, located to fore in the lower deck, and in the raised pilot house for the captain. The 125 will also feature a sauna room and a gym room aft.

www.vicemyachts.com

New Model: Beneteau 47 Monte Carlo Fly

Beneteau introduces the new Fly version of the 47 Monte Carlo, launched in hard top version at the end of 2008. The 47 Monte Carlo Fly is now the current flagship of Beneteau's modern cruiser range and is identical to the hardtop version in all things, but adds an extended flybridge with a second helm station, and entertainment area up top. While cost cutting and tight competition may have made some builders to use the same hull and modules to offer different boats as is the case with the 47 Monte Carlo, the French builder and Italian designer Andreani came out with a nice flybridge proposition making for a good looking Motor Cruiser. Connection to the flybridge of the 47 is from an integrated stair case in the aft deck, which brings to the upper deck featuring a C-shaped settee aft, sun pad to starboard, and a dual seated helm station to port. Below the winning concepts of the 47 Monte Carlo are kept with options for a two or three cabin version. The third double cabin option replaces the lower decked L-shaped saloon settee. Power is from twin Volvo IPS600 435hp engines.

Technical Data:

LOA - 14.80 m (48.5ft)

Hull Length - 14.22 m

Beam - 4.33 m

Draft - 0.85 m ex props

Displacement - 12500 kg light

Fuel Capacity - 2 x 650 l

Water Capacity - 2 x 320 l

Max Persons - 14

Accommodation - 4/6 berths in 2/3 cabins

Engines - 2 x Volvo IPS600 D6 435hp

Propulsion - Volvo IPS forward looking duo prop pods Design - P. Andreani, Beneteau design team

Construction - polyester resin with glass fibre and balsa core for hull and deck

Certification - CE B

www.beneteau.com

Project: True North 47

True North is a company founded in 1999, dedicated to traditional lobster looking cruisers. The company has at the moment a three model line up, starting with the 34 and going up to this project the 47. Designed by Clive Dent and Pearson Design Group the 47 will be True North future flagship and will offer similar lines to its smaller successful sisters. Inside it will have a twin cabin interior, with a spacious owners cabin to fore which includes an office. Living is all on the main deck, offering inside an L-shaped settee, c-shaped dining table, and astern looking L-shaped galley. Power will be from twin Volvo IPS600 435hp engines.

www.tnyachts.com

New Model: Itama Fifty

After close to two years of waiting the new Itama Fifty is finally launched. The Fifty is the fifth model to come from Itama since 2004 owners Ferretti Group took over the brand. Trusting again the job to Rome designer Marco Casali who has now all the new Itama's to his name, the Fifty represented a big challenge as it replaces the classic 45, 46 and 50 models in a new format. Actually the Fifty manages to replace these past models superbly but still keeping in with the tradition they represent like the VIP double cabin aft, and central position of the engines. The Casali designed Fifty but goes further to this by improving the standards in the accommodation spaces of the three double cabins now all with flat berths unlike the previous bunk guest berths of the classic models, and also having three en suite heads all of big dimensions. It also adds space outside in the cockpit always a big feature of the Itama's but here practically being only slightly smaller in size to that of the latest Fifty Five, and the bathing platform which can now also take a jet bike comfortably. Powered by twin MAN 800hp the Fifty reached a top speed of 34 knots in light load format in its sea trials, which is less one knot to the 35 expected. Surely not slow but a bit less to the close forty knot mark usually associated by the blue white hulls.
Technical Data:
LOA - 16.14 m (52.9ft)
Hull Length - 15.25 m
Beam - 4.61 m
Draft - 1.55 m full load
Displacement - 20.9 t dry unloaded, 25.6 loaded
Fuel Capacity - 2500 l
Water Capacity - 660 l
Max Persons - 12
Accommodation - 6 berths in 3 cabins
Engines - 2 x MAN 800hp
Propulsion - direct in line shaft
Speed - 34 knots max
Design - Marco Casali

Construction - infusion resin glass fibre
Certification - CE 94/25 A, safeties for six persons

www.itama-yacht.com

Project: O.B.P. S35 HT

O.B.P. Offshore Boats Professional is a company located in Fiumicino, Rome on the sea part of the Italian capital city. Its first model the S35 a fisherman with a US heritage in its shape, was designed by company owner Marco Amadio and launched in 2007. Now the S35 keeps the fisherman looks but gets added with a more cruising capability, with the S35 HT for hard top version. Unlike other companies O.B.P. did not just add an integrated rigid hard top to this new S35 version, but also modified the interior with a new separate two cabin layout below. The hardtop area is also now added with a patio door aft making this part of the S35 HT the living area, featuring a C-shaped settee to port, and fully equipped galley opposite. The aft deck as any respectable Sportfish Cruiser has been left free for any big game fishing duties. Power as the standard version is from twin 480hp Yanmar engines, with the builder estimating top speeds of 40 knots.

www.obp.it

New Model: Kifaru 63 Askari

Kifaru Yachts is the new brand of the Sarti family founders in 1986 of Tecnomar which they sold in 2008, and Roberto Mancini renowned football player and coach. Long time a Sarti family client, Mancini has previously owned two Tecnomar's, first a 26 and later on a 35 Velvet. Now he founds this company from passion to the yachts and thus fore commissions the first Kifaru model the 63 Askari for himself. The name Askari comes from the Swahili name for tick bird, which are often found sitting along the backs of rhinoceros. The 63 Kifaru continues the long standing collaboration of the Sarti family with renowned designer Luca Dini, and is built entirely of aluminium. Luca Dini presented an original concept uniting day boat walk around feel spaces on the aft deck, with the comfort associated of a yacht. The lines are minimal in all parts from the hull, to the deck parts and radar arch. Inside the first 63 Askari has a two cabin two heads interior, with a lower saloon and galley. Still the interior being the Askari built of alloy can be fully customized with no structural restrains, as is with fiberglass boats. Performance wise the first Kifaru can be equipped with six different engine choices from twin 1100hp MAN up to 1600hp MTU, with propulsion going from traditional shaft line to the more performing surface drives. Speeds are impressive with the first delivery powered with only twin 1100hp MAN plus surface drives reaching forty knots wide open throttle, and 34 knots cruise. Minimum planning speed is also good with the hop being achieved on 14 knots.
Technical Data:

LOA - 19.87 m (65.1ft)

Length Waterline - 16.40 m

Beam - 6.05 m

Draft - 1.10 m

Displacement - 29 t light, 36 t loaded

Fuel Capacity - 3800 l

Water Capacity - 1200 l

Accommodation - 4 berths in 2 cabins, 1 crew cabin berth

Engines - 2 x MAN 1100hp, 1200hp, 1550hp, MTU 1217hp, 1500hp, 1600hp

Propulsion - shaft line, Arneson surface drives

Speed - 40 knots max, 34 knots cruise with 1100hp + Arneson Surface Drives

Construction - aluminium

Design - Luca Dini

www.kifaruyachts.com

New Model: Sea Spirit 60 Passage Maker

Sea Spirit is a new brand focusing on Explorer Yachts type founded by Queenship. Founded in 1992 Queenship is renowned for building Motor and Super Yachts from seventy up to 142 feet in length, in British Columbia, USA. The Sea Spirit Yachts will be build in an associated yard in China, and the 60 Passage Maker is the first of a line which will have a total of five models of Explorer Yachts, starting from a 51 up to the flagship which will be an 88 and is currently under construction. The 60 Passage Maker is a long range explorer cruiser powered by a single Lugger 340hp, which gives ten knots top speeds, and a range of up to 7500 nautical miles with the slower seven knots cruise. Accommodation is a three double cabin plan, with mid ship owners cabin, VIP cabin forward, and double bunk cabin in between. A two cabin plan, with a more spacious owners cabin with office is available, or in alternative a separate relaxing lounge in replacement of the third cabin. There is also choices to what regards the main deck saloon with four different choices, and the flybridge also available in three versions.
Technical Data:
LOA - 19.28 m (63.2ft)
Length Waterline - 17.5 m
Beam - 5.23 m
Draft - 1.50 m light
Displacement - 49.4 t
Fuel Capacity - 7968 l
Water Capacity - 1515 l
Accommodation - 4/6 berths in 2/3 cabins
Engine - 1 x Lugger 1276-A2 340hp
Speed - 10.7 knots max, 7-10 knots cruise
Range - up to 7500 nm
Design - Sparkman & Stephens Inc, Vincent A. Mausset concept
Construction - FRP
Certification - ABS

www.seaspirityachts.com

Project: Franchini 55 Emozione Open

The Emozione Open is Franchini Yachts new third version of there 55, now in its fifth year of production being presented in 2004. Franchini's 55 Emozione was the start or better the return of the Italian Adriatic based builder to power boating. This now is the Emozione range four boat line up, which started out as a hard top Traditional Yacht with down east lobster boat looks. In 2006 Franchini on the same 55 hull presented the Fly for flybridge, and now it goes to present this new Open version. The Open version is full of cross over style elements that it is difficult really to put in a category, of a Sport like its modern influenced topsides, or Traditional as its hull with its flared bow coming from the traditional lobster boat heritage. The 55 Emozione Open will also offer a different lower deck plan to the other versions, with two double cabins. Below you also get a fully equipped galley, lower saloon, and a crew cabin located mid ship. Power is from twin 800hp MAN engines which should be good for a 34 knots top speed. Construction will be with Scrimp resin infusion, Franchini embracing this technology as way back in the mid late nineties now.

www.franchiniyachts.it