January 10, 2010

Project: Horizon 106 Elegance RP

Horizon introduces the project of the 106 Elegance RP. The new 106 design order is to enrich this specific model line, as customers become more aware of Horizon’s new line of Raised Pilothouse models. Designer, J.C. Espinosa, implemented similar style to the 120 RP and gives the 106 Elegance RP a sophisticated, and streamlined look with impressive interior volume and the luxury of numerous accommodation options. Standard layout is offered with three guest cabins in the lower deck, owners suite on the main, and a crew lobby with two cabins, and four beds located mid ship. The 106 RP shares the same luxurious interior finishes and weight reducing, construction techniques of all new Horizon yachts. The most notable design change on the 106 RP is her advanced hull shape resulting in exceptional comfort and enjoyment of high speed cruising. In order to meet the high-speed requirement, Horizon collaborated with Donald L. Blount and Associates, an internationally recognized naval architecture marine engineering firm, which specializes in fast hull designs, structure calculations and stability evaluation. The goal was to create a comfortable, efficient, and innovative double chine hull providing great performance in both low and high speed ranges.

January 8, 2010

Project: Colombo 36 Bellagio

Colombo present the 36 Bellagio project, second model of the new Colombo sports boat range, and third to come since Sarnico Group took ownership in 2007. The 36 Bellagio emphasizes, through a modern style, the values of quality and exclusivity of the brand Colombo. The deck has got a contemporary design that Nuvolari and Lenard have created for this new generation Colombo, while the famous naval architecture firm Victory Design by Brunello Acampora has designed the hull. Colombo's aim now owned by the Sarnico Group is very clear: to build a boat that distinguishes its owner, a product who now has a modern charm today, and a never ending beauty for tomorrow. In a classic and simple layout, the cockpit with its large sundeck and rich furnishings, shows its natural and timeless functionality. Its exclusivity depends on the design, the choice of materials and the infinite care of construction, a pedigree of Colombo boats since its name has been written on the ship side of its models. A novelty but seen on the just launched 26 Bellagio is the stern which turns into a gangway and beach, creating a distinctive feature unknown for its competitors. The bow with its flare and teak design, shows off the spectacular art of the master builders and the heritage of the Colombo shipyard. Below, the accommodation space is entirely devoted to the owner's suite with large bathroom and spacious wardrobe. A cabin crew is also available on request. The 36 Bellagio will be powered by twin Volvo Penta IPS400 D4 300hp.

Engine: Cat C18 ACERT 1150hp

For pleasure craft customers, it’s all about the power. That’s why Caterpillar Marine Power Systems is building off the success of its Cat C-series, electronically-controlled, high-speed marine engines with the addition of new high-performance ratings for pleasure craft applications. In the past twelve months, Caterpillar has released three new EPA - US Environmental Protection Agency Tier 2-compliant E-ratings to better meet customer needs for power density, acceleration and performance. The Cat C18 ACERT is an in-line, 6-cylinder, 4-stroke marine engine with 145 mm bore and 183 mm stroke displacing total 18.1 liters. With its new EPA Tier 2-compliant E-rating, this engine provides 1150hp (847kW) at 2,300 rpm. Manufactured at the state-of-the-art Marine Center of Excellence (MCOE) in Greenville, South Carolina, USA, the Cat C18 ACERT engine is built and tested to the highest quality levels because the facility is focused on pleasure craft engines. Improved performance from advanced Cat C-series engines not only means more power overall, but also better acceleration, more reserve power and rated power available at a wider speed range.

January 7, 2010

Project: Egemar 57 Liberty

Turkish boat builder Egemar founded in 1983, introduces to the market the project of the new 57 Liberty. With particular attention to current market conditions, which sees many new owners following a trend of downsizing in size, Egemar presents a project of medium large size Traditional lobster Yacht type design featuring big spaces. The 57 Liberty will be the second largest in the current eight model Egemar fleet, and offers a choice of three different interior layouts in two, three or four cabins formats. Major difference in this choice comes from the positioning of the galley with the option of a lower deck location, in replacement to it being above in the saloon. Other choices are also for the owners suite to fore as for the three cabin version instead of being to mid ship. The Egemar 57 Liberty will be powered by twin MAN 900hp, which will give the seventeen metre twenty five tons Traditional Yacht speeds up to 32 knots.

New Model: Jet Tern 46 Artemis

Jet Tern Marine, the builder of Selene Ocean Trawlers has introduced a new line of motor cruisers and yachts designed by Howard Chen, the founder and president of the Chinese boat yacht builder. This new line is named the Artemis after the Greek goddess often identified with Selene and will be built at the Jet Tern facility in Zhu-Hai, China. The Artemis line was developed in response to consistent and strong market demand for performance yachts built by Jet Tern. Eventually, models from 36 to 66 feet will be developed. The first model in the Artemis series is a 46 footer that splashed in November and is the result of months of design, development, and tooling by Howard Chen and his team. The Artemis 46 is a two stateroom, two-head yacht ideal for cruisers seeking quality construction as well as speed. The Artemis 46 has a beam over four meters, walkaround decks, and extended flybridge which covers the aft cockpit. A stylish sliding door opens to the saloon with a contemporary design and built-in settees with seating for four around an adjustable table. The interior layout is open with the helm station to starboard and the galley down two steps to port. Hull 4602 is equipped with twin Yanmar 380hp engines and is designed to cruise at 23 knots. 
Technical Data:
LOA - 13.88 m (45.6ft)
Hull Length - 13.5 m
Waterline Length - 11.8 m
Beam - 4.37 m
Draft - 1.15 m
Displacement - 16 t
Fuel Capacity - 1514 l
Water Capacity - 378 l
Accommodation - 4 berths in 2 cabins
Engines - 2 x Yanmar 6LY3-UTP 380hp
Propulsion - line shaft
Speed - 26 knots max, 20 knots cruise estimates
Project - Howard Chen

January 6, 2010

Project: Cigarette 42 AMG

Two legendary performance brands, Mercedes and Cigarette Racing Team have joined forces to create a custom boat that will be unveiled, along with its inspiration, the SLS AMG, during the Miami International Boat Show. While each brand's playground is as different as asphalt and water, both AMG and Cigarette use their racing expertise and heritage to develop high performance machines for passionate enthusiasts. Taking direct inspiration from the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG super sports car, the new Cigarette AMG offshore powerboat will feature more than hundred innovations included in the design, development and rigging of the boat. To maximize performance, safety and efficiency, innovative building techniques were employed to ensure the hull is as strong and light as possible. Cigarette Racing has also incorporated lessons learned from its Mercury Racing powered 170+ MPH speed record boat into the hull design to offer a fast and smooth ride in the most demanding conditions. Revolutionary technology will be on display in the AMG inspired 42 foot Cigarette powerboat. From the paint to its electronics to its power plants, every component of this boat has been chosen specifically to enhance the power boating experience. With a lightweight design and special attention being paid to aerodynamics and power plants, this boat will be among the most efficient ever produced in its class.

January 5, 2010

Improve-it = Sunseeker 52 Predator

A recent test with a standard Predator 52 fitted with the first production supply of Volvo's IPS 900 propulsion system proved a resounding success. The boat was put through its paces and trials resulted in improved handling, performance, noise reduction, fuel saving and comfort. The standard Predator 52 has proved a very successful model for Sunseeker and provides customers with a very versatile boat offering a high level of performance matched by luxury appointed accommodation to make cruising a very comfortable and enjoyable experience. The recent tests with the new IPS installation will provide customers with even greater choice and versatility. The new Volvo Penta 900 system installed provided impressive results across the cruising range: at 2000rpm and 26 knots performance was increased by 10%; at 2200rpm and 31 knots by 30%, and at the maximum 2300rpm by 10% reaching 35knots. The Predator tested weighed approx 25 tonnes, with full fuel and water tanks, a crew of four with medium to rough sea conditions and a 4 foot swell. The boat handled well with a comfortable heeling angle and a turning radius much less than that of a conventional shaft and rudder version. Noise level too was greatly reduced showing lower than normal readings across the entire performance range. One major benefit to owners is the comparable fuel saving on the model tested. This was up to 30% of that of the standard shaft and engine installation.

January 4, 2010

Project: Maritimo C47 Sports Cabriolet

Maritimo presents the C47 Sports Cabriolet project, its first model to be powered by pod drives technology, set to be launched at the coming Sanctuary Cove Boat Show coming May. Maritimo believes that the slow speed manoeuvrability of pod drives clearly provides less experienced owners looking in this size of the market for a Sport Cruiser with an added sense of security. So far the Australian builder is pretty tight lipped on the accommodation layout, and the performance of its new entry level model. Of the two recreational pod drives available the C47 Sports Cabriolet will use the Volvo IPS system with forward looking dual propellers. The C47 Sports Cabriolet is among one of the new models Maritimo will launch in the forty to fifty foot range over the next year.

January 2, 2010

Projects: Heesen 49.80m YN 15250, Heesen 55.00m YN 14955

Following a successful 2009 year which saw the delivery of four Super Yachts, Heesen moves into 2010 presenting two important new projects. One will be the presentation of a new semi custom series design, and the second will be at 55 metres Heesen largest build to date. Above is shown the first yacht in the new 5000 class hull number 15250, a semi displacement fifty metre Super Yacht of below 500GT which the past October was moved from Building Hall 6, where the hull was welded, into Building Hall 1, where she will be completed. The interior of the 49.80 metre was conceived by renowned RĂ©mi Tessier. The French designer presented a minimalist style, while remaining totally luxurious interior. This yacht is due to be launched in 2011. The second yacht in this class Hull Number 15850, is already in production and the superstructure will be joined to its hull at the beginning of this month.
The fully customised 55 metre semi-displacement motor yacht, Hull Number 14955 has been moved into Building Hall 7 for completion. This represents the biggest yacht to be built at Heesen to date. Powered by a pair of MTU 20V4000 M93 diesel engines, each developing 5,600hp and driving a five blade propeller, she will reach the remarkable speed of 24 knots. This performance is, in part, due to Heesen's in-house Naval Architecture Department who conceived innovative hull lines with a large flare rising up to the chine that deflects spray and improves the sea keeping ability of the vessel. Drawn by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects, the exterior styling of this yacht is characterized by two main features, the huge windows with arched tops and bottoms, positioned amidships, that draw in extraordinary amounts of light while providing the guests with wide vistas, and the unique rounded and cantilevered side deck balconies that extend from the owner's suite. The futuristic interior design sprung from the creative genius of Ken Freivokh which, among other stunning details, sports a triple height atrium with glass lift, steps and walls, and a waterfall that tumbles from the sundeck pool into a second custom built pool located on the bridge deck aft. Another interesting feature on this fully custom 55 metre that is due for launch in 2011 is the 'wet dock' in the stern tender garage that allows the tender and the water toys to be floated in, before the dock is drained.

January 1, 2010

Best of 2009

It's been a difficult year for the World economy and like anything the yachting industry has felt its affects to the full.  Nonetheless with all this going on we have still seen a lot of new boats coming in, some of them even innovative on the technical point of view.  Obviously this is the result to the success the yacht industry had in the past decade, with the growth and the monetary size of the industry tripling in recent years.  

2009 also ends the 2000 to 2009 decade with this best of the year also featuring the best of the Decade, for the first ten years of the second millennium.  PowerYacht's best 2000-09 decade boat was the Azimut 68S launched in 2003.  It was a 21 meter which changed sport yachts, introduced the large frame less windows on the hull side, and also a new modern style interior dĂ©cor.  Revolutionary and also a commercial success, selling the first fifty units in just six months after its first private show appearance in the early Summer of that year.  
Azimut 68S - Best of Decade 2000-09

The best for 2009 is the Azimut 74 Magellano. If possible I would have avoided giving Azimut best of the decade and 2009, but I really could not.  The Italian name is at the forefront of innovation since some decades and in 2009 it brings a new explorer yacht way, from the technical side with a completely unedited patented semi-planning hull shape which gives speeds up to 25 knots, and going into the design and layout of this 23 meter explorer yacht.  Bravo Azimut for surprising us again!

The others.

Atlantis 36 Verve. Atlantis bring a centre console mix into a medium sized eleven meter sport cruiser.  The result is a comfortable day cruiser with accommodation for a couple to go extended cruising.  Will the Verve concept be only this 36 or more?  Centre Consoles are expanding big in North America. 

Bertram 540. The legendary Bertram pushes sportfishing into yachting with this Zuccon designed 540, with the option to have a lower forward windscreen and a second helm.  The big question is if the sport-fishermen want it or not.

BlueGame 60. Blue Game started with the ground breaking sixteen meter one off Luja in 2001, forward to 2005 it debuted its first 47 model. Now it enters an important seventeen meter size, a walk around centre console yacht.  A sport yacht which looks the talk and does the walk.

Austin Parker 42 Open. Austin Parker starts its new revolution, with its new 42 model.  A lobster inspired traditional cruiser full of modern and Mediterranean design solutions designed by the ever clever Fulvio de Simoni.

Italcraft X90 SC. Since becoming part of InRizzardi Group Italcraft has been pushing its size barrier upward.  Designed by part-owner Gianluca Caputi, the X90 SC sees Italcraft offering 45 knots high performance with yacht comfort inside. 

Otam 65 Millennium. Otam has in this decade dominated the market of muscle sport yachts sub sixty feet with its Millennium 55/58 model.  Now the semi-custom yacht builder presents this 65, which is a thing of beauty, class, and fifty knots plus performance.  

Sessa C68. Sessa has been on a roll in recent years evolving its quality upwards not by little.  This C68 is this and beyond and is in its size one of the best looking sport yachts thanks to the magical design of Christian Grande.  The new Sessa C38 was also short listed for this list.

Sunseeker 60 Predator. With enclosed sport yachts becoming the standard in recent years, it is good to see one of the World's favourite brands believing in the open hard-top.  It is Sunseeker best looking yacht since some time, which was noticed also in Poole, reason why a smaller Predator 54 is coming.

Past present. Itama Fifty. The Italian name synonymous with the open sport yacht restore its soul of mid located direct shaft engines and aft cabin layout with this new Fifty model.  A renewal of its heritage as the 1985 presented 45, which in 1995 evolved into the 46, and with minor cosmetics became the 50 in 2002 till 2004.  

PowerYacht wishes to all its followers, friends, readers, and visitors a Healthy and Prosperous 2010 year.