Powerboat GPS - Bacoli Sprint Race

After cloudy misty skies on the first day of the Bacoli Grand Prix, the skies opened up for Saturday and brought along some confused moving seas. It was a day of challenge in the race course, cheered by the total of four home Neapolitan teams, and the only sad part was that unlike Poltu Quatu we had four missing teams, plus another three from the Italian series.

Evolution

60 Metamarine Foresti&Sguardi put a good insurance on the title winning the seventh round and its third race of the season. Again Metamarine won it with similar fashion to Poltu Quatu following the 33 Furnibo and eventually overtaking the closed cockpit fast Fountain due to problems on the ninth lap. A good second place for 66 Cranefields Wine, which shows how this German outfit has improved a lot since the start of the 2010 season. A third for the Vortex of Nigel Hook and his 77 Lucas Oil Scandinavian Offshore Challenge. Fourth place for the 43 feet Chaudron 55 Ukrainian Spirit, which in reality finished third but got a three minute penalty for missing a buoy. A consolation fifth place for 33 Furnibo which is not so bad considering a destroyed crash box on lap nine halted the at the moment leading Fountain powerboat. Worth to note that Furnibo also managed a very fast lap time of 2:56,14 on lap eight, which is seven seconds better to 60 Metamarine best of the day. 88 SNAV-Kiton got a sixth last place finish, but still five points collecting just after the 43SV Outerlimits developed problems on lap eight.

Supersport

The 2009 Champion boat 43 Seagull Chaudron showed its title ambitions to 38 Baia Attolini by taking its first win of the 2010 season, in the seventh round Sprint race of Bacoli. Seagull Chaurdon started second but after the seventh lap eventually led the pack following the retirement of 22 Big Sergio. A second place keeps title ambitions in control for the Mercury engined Donzi 38 Baia Attolini. A best of the season so far with a third place for the diesel powered Albatro boat of 06 Jolly Drive. Retirement on lap seven and a title which escapes in the distance for 22 Big Sergio. Sad considering the Outerlimits SV40 was leading the pack in great fashion up to lap six. The consolation price and hope for the future is surely the fastest lap of the class with a 3:24,33, which is over two seconds better to 43 Seagull Chaudron best. Also a retirement on lap two for the other Bacoli boat of team RG87 and the open cockpit 38 feet Fountain 81 Karelpiu. The fast Donzi 26 Team 26, and the new Pantera 41 feet which debuted at Poltu Quatu 08 Asia 2011-05 missed the Bacoli race. Sad for both these important teams missing in the circuit considering what Team 26 is capable off, and the new Pantera 08 also placed a second in the UIM Marathon Cup held in Cowes, South of England at the end of August.

EVOLUTION CLASS

1. 60 Metamarine Foresti&Sguardi = 12 laps 35:36,55

2. 66 Cranefields Wine = 37:18,29

3. 77 Lucas Oil Scandinavian Offshore Challenge = 37:35,00

4. 55 Ukrainian Spirit = 36:59,27 +3:00 mins buoy missing penalty

5. 33 Furnibo = 51:52,91 -1lap

6. 88 SNAV-Kiton = 36:34,53 - 3laps

SUPERSPORT CLASS

1. 43 Seagull Chaudron = 11 laps 37:26,42

2. 38 Baia Attolini = 38:03,48

3. 06 Jolly Drive = 38:49,64

4. 22 Big Sergio = RET 7 laps

5. 81 Karelpiu = RET 2 laps

www.grandprixofthesea.com

Project: Kingship 116 Hydro Tec Explorer

Kingship yard from Hong Kong has commissioned a new project the 116 Hydro Tec Explorer, to Italian Engineer Architect Sergio Cutolo’s firm. The Chinese yard recently presented the yacht at the Seoul boat show, eliciting very interest from the crowd. The Kingship 116 Hydro Tec Explorer, for which Cutolo designed the external lines as well as the hydrodynamics and engineering, is a typical example of yacht with extended cruises in mind and as such has extensive fuel and water capacities, excellent sea keeping in all conditions and extensive internal volume. She will be a steel hull and an aluminum superstructure build. The hull is a classic full displacement type and with a rudder profile optimized for the propeller wake along with a powerful bow-thruster, allowing for good maneuverability. The 116 Hydro Tec Explorer performance is characterized by her excellent fuel efficiency. The propulsion choice led to the use of twin 600hp Cat engines that provide a maximum speed of 13 knots or a range of 7000 NM at a cruising speed of 11.5 knots. The yacht also incorporates an active stabilization system which works at anchor, based on two non-retractable fins. The Kingship 116 Hydro Tec Explorer will have an interior lower deck with four large guest suites, plus three double cabins for the crew. On the main deck, from bow to stern, there is an enormous lounge complete with dining room, kitchen and an amazing owner’s stateroom. The stateroom is extremely spacious and will be used exclusively by the yacht’s owner. On the upper deck there is a passageway with the captain’s cabin along with an area to relax with a small lounge and open space, complete with Jacuzzi. On the Sun deck, there is a solarium and dining area with both a bar and barbecue. All decks are interconnected with an elevator. The 116 Hydro Tec Explorer came about through an agreement that Cutolo firm made with the Kingship shipyard and led to the development of another two models, all destined for the global market. The 116 is the first of the series and will be followed by a larger 148 and then a smaller 87 foot. All three projects will be presented at the Monaco boat show in September. This new series of Explorer Vessels will certainly enrich the yacht design portfolio of Sergio Cutolo Hydro Tec where the core theme is for expansive space, low fuel consumption and extended cruising range, a market which is increasing in demand. Engineer Cutolo has such a broad experience when it comes to this type of yacht that he is currently exclusively working on three further projects for Navetta or Explorer type yachts.

www.kingship.com

Powerboat GPS - Bacoli Powerpole

Powerboats top class category which is the Evolution and Super Sport classes is back to Naples, South of Italy, in the sea town of Bacoli. The last time this offshore class participated in Naples was three years ago in 2007. Do you remember that Saturday race when Cangiano sank his Donzi in Saturday's race, and still managed to fix it in time to compete on Sunday. I hope to see Naples more in future calendars of the class, as here a lot of Power Boating history has been written in the past by the likes of legendary Don Aronow, and the Neapolitan Gagliotta. Naples is home to four teams competing in this years championship, and Bacoli in general is also the town of Sergio Carpentieri which sadly left us in the 2007 racing accident during the German Grand Prix. I am sure all racers who knew Sergio will make the fourth Grand Prix a dedication to him, most especially the Team Al&Al which he founded.

EVOLUTION

88 SNAV-Kiton and the OSG Racing Team show there never giving up skills by taking the Powerpole of the Bacoli Grand Prix held today at 1700 hours. Second place for the championship leaders diesel powered 60 Metamarine Foresti Sguardi with two seconds away. A whisk one hundred of a seconds awy from 66 Cranfields Wine which show there improving performance taking a respective third. Worst pole of the year for what is considered the fastest boat in the circuit that is the Mercury powered Fountain 33 Furnibo taking fourth by four seconds away. Fifth place for the 43 feet Chaudron Ukrainian Spirit with a deficit of six seconds. 77 Lucas Oil who started the run, had to give up after ten seconds because of a fuse problem. The other Fountain of Silverline which so far had a season full of mechanical problems and only concluded one race will sadly miss the Bacoli Grand Prix

SUPERSPORT

Team Al&AL 22 Big Sergio take the first power pole of the season which Alfredo Amato boss of the team and the Postiglione shipyard dedicating it to his friend and mentor Sergio Carpentieri. 22 Big Sergio result was also good news for US boat builder Outerlimits which takes Powerpole in both the GPS classes. Second place with a delay of just short of two seconds for the other Neapolitan team championship leading Donzi of 38 Baia Attolini. Third for the 2009 title winning Chaudron boat 43 Seagull Chaudron. After trouble shooting which started in Malta and continued in Poltu Quato a good fourth for the FPT diesel powered Albatro boat 06 Jolly Drive. A retirement during the run for the open cockpit Fountain of 81 Karelpiu of the Rookie for 2010 Neapolitan Bacoli team RG87 known here as Nautica Schiano. Sadly the fast Donzi of Team 26, miss also Bacoli after missing Poltu Quatu back in July, as do Spirit of Belgium who totalled there Nor-Tech in Poltu Quatu. Considering we had ten competitors in Poltu Quatu in Super Sport which reminded us of the great 2008 year, it is a bit sad to see just five competitors for Bacoli. But be reminded that four of these five have won a race in recent times so its all very close.

Evolution Results:

1. 88 SNAV-Kiton = 3:04,51

2. 60 Metamarine Foresti Sguardi = 3:05,88

3. 66 Cranfields Wine = 3:05,89

4. 33 Furnibo = 3:07,53

5. 55 Ukrainian Spirit = 3:10,93

6. 77 Lucas Oil Scandinavian Offshore Challenge = DNS

Super Sport Results:

1. 22 Big Sergio = 3:26,87

2. 38 Baia Attolini = 3:28,54

3. 43 Seagull Chaudron = 3:33,19

4. 06 Jolly Drive = 3:45,62

5. 81 Karelpiu = RET

www.grandprixofthesea.com

Web: Cobalt New Web Site

A new Internet showroom for US builder Cobalt Boats which follows just by a year and a half its recent update. Founded over four decades ago in 1968 by current owner Pack St.Clair, this Kansas builder has branded itself as a quality manufacturer. Cobalt apart from the quality is also renowned in its good after sales service, winning various Customer Satisfaction prizes in recent years. The new web site for Cobalt joins all the models from the small 21 feet sport boat up to a 37 feet in the Cuddies and Cruisers. Cobalt has also built a 46 footer in recent times but this has this year been stopped in production. Presenting itself with an always changing screen showing the recent models from Cobalt, the new site offers four picture tabs for: Design Your Dream, Setting it Straight, Good Run, and Cobalt Lines. The other site buttons which are featured on top are; Home, Why Cobalt, Our Company, Our Boats, Support, Your Dealer, Brochure, Cobalt Wine, Sportswear, and further down you have the Up Coming Events & Shows.

www.cobaltboats.com

New Model: Fountaine Pajot 55 Queensland

Fountaine Pajot launches the 55 Queensland, brand new flagship of its Trawler Catamaran fleet now featuring four distinctive models from 35 up to 55 feet. Designed by Andrieu and Coste the new 55 Queensland wants to be a true cruising apartment making advantage of its beam to offer a spacious unheard of in sixteen meters of length interior space of four double cabins all with personal showers and head. The cabins have also two separate entrances for the port and starboard lower deck hulls. A further optional crew cabin is available to the fore bow peak. The main deck is also comfortable and airy here taking advantage more of the seven metres beam, offering a dining table for eight, a relaxing sofa, and C-shaped galley. The flybridge is distinctively spacious and offers a free aft area which can be equipped with relaxing chaise lounges, or a another tender. Power is from twin Volvo standard 435hp, or optional 670hp this later choice increasing speed by four digits to a max of 24 knots. Range is 1200 nautical miles at nine knots with the standard engines, or 1000 NM with the big engine choice at the same economic cruise.

Technical Data:

LOA - 16.75 m (54.9ft)

Beam - 7.80 m

Draft - 1.10 m

Displacement - 25,000 kg, 33,000 kg loaded

Fuel Capacity - 3200 l

Water Capacity - 1000 l

Accommodation - 8 berths in 4 cabins

Engines - 2 x Volvo D6 435hp, D11 670hp

Propulsion - line shaft

Speed - 20 knots max 15 knots cruise 435hp, 24 knots max 18 knots cruise w/ 670hp

Range - 1000 nm at economic 9.5 knots cruise

Project - Andrieu, Coste Design & Partners

Certification - CE A

www.fountaine-pajot.com

Project: Tiara 4500 Sovran

Tiara presents the project for a new 4500 Sovran set to replace the 4300 model. As usual to this high quality renowned US builder, the new Tiara 4500 Sovran offers smart masculine looks with a mix of practical items set to challenge the best of them in this size. That's not to say there is no smooth touches in the design, which the 4500 seems to be full but it surely is different and less aggressive in the looks department then to most of the European competitors. The 4500 Sovran as the picture above shows delivers a very elegant smooth stance with its straight shear line relax posture. Below the 4500 Sovran will have a two cabins both with private shower heads interior, an L-shaped saloon which converts to an extra double berth, and an L-shaped galley. The exterior aft deck keeps a two level split layout with an aft one reserved for entertaining and dining, and the one above having the helm to starboard, L-shaped settee to port, and an exterior wet bar which is small compared to recent European offers. But the interior galley surely makes up for this being one of the larger in this size. The 4500 Sovran has also been thought out for after factory fitting out of a hydraulic bathing platform lift systems, and washer dryer combo systems in the saloon. The clever items are a big list from the sun pads inclined back rests on the fore deck, to the aft storage trunk which apart having loads of space transforms to a platform seat, the transom grill, the chart flat with optional hiding TV with DVD, and the 32 inch TV below. Power choice is a secret so far although we do know that they will be twin diesels which will move this twelve tons moderate Vee seventeen degrees dead rise aft sport cruiser.
www.tiarayachts.com

Powerboat GPS - Bacoli Preview

The most in doubt of the 2010 races has been confirmed to be happening in Bacoli in the South of Italy, on the West side of Naples. A lot names have been mentioned before the surprising Bacoli came up with names such as Malta, then Belgium being tipped up for the fourth stop of the season which consists of Rounds 7 and 8 races. Bacoli should be another great theme to this years circuits having on its South West side the islands of Procida, and Ischia which will provide for another spectacular background to the races.

Another important note is that many teams originate from the Naples area so this will be a very home race for them. 2006 and 09 Evolution champions OSG Racing, 2009 Supersport runner up Baia Attolini, Big Sergio, and the 2010 rookie RG87 Racing Team all are in fact from Naples.

The 2010 championship has shown the usual energy although if the usual recent results will be confirmed in both classes we will be heading for a two boats championship battle. But I am sure that 88 SNAV Kiton in Evolution, and 43 Seagull Chaudron in Supersport both sitting third will give all there best to battle this last part of the season before the closing showdown in Syracuse.

EVOLUTION:

Pos. Boat Name - Team Name ~ Points

1. 60 Metamarine Foresti&Suardi - Metamarine Corse ~ 115

Continued in Poltu Quatu with reliability and fast run results.

2. 33 Furnibo - 2B1 Racing Team ~ 78

Very fast indeed, but sometimes you need to scratch some points to win a title.

3. 88 SNAV-Kiton - OSG Racing Team ~ 64

Another not so good run in Sardinia. But can you ever count them out....

4. 77 Lucas Oil - Scandiavian Offshore Challenge ~ 45

Good fifth round race which showed them take second. Improving!

5. 66 Cranefields Wine - Searex Racing Team ~ 40

Improved performance and reliability versus the season start. Can they take it up a bit.

6. 55 Ukrainian Spirit - Ukrainian Spirit ~ 24

The engine change did not give that extra notch, but may be it is too early too say.

7. 47 Silverline Racing - Silverline ~ 6

Finally finished a race, and collected some points in the Quatu Sardinia race.

SUPERSPORT:

1. 38 Baia Attolini - Baia Attolini ~ 109

In Sardinia a photocopy result to Malta with a fourth and a first. Still leading!

2. 22 Big Sergio - Al & Al Racing Team ~ 80

First win in Poltu Quatu which was celebrated with a new sponsor. A challenge it is.

3. 43 Seagull Chaudron - Ukrainian Spirit ~ 75

A boat built for this class when its speed limit was 80mph. Never count her out!

4. 81 Karelpiù - RG 87 Racing Team ~ 61

A very good rookie season. Speed limit penalty in Sardinia.

5. 17 Spirit of Belgium - Spirit of Belgium ~ 49

Saturday morning trials accident in Sardinia totalled the boat. Hope to see them in Bacoli.

6. 06 Jolly Drive - Jolly Drive Racing Team ~ 24

This Diesel power is struggling. But this is not a bad package as the Ukrainian race showed.

7. 26 Team 26 - Team 26 ~ 21

A fast boat, but they strangely and sadly missed the Sardinia/ Poltu Quatu GPS.

8. 08 Asia 2011-15 - Ocean Dragon Racing Team ~ 5

A slow start for a new boat which just as the Chaudron 41 is built for Supersport rules.

www.grandprixofthesea.com

INBUILD ~ Galeon 385 HT Part 6 of 7

We continue the Inbuild experience of the Galeon 385, which from concept renderings early on this year is becoming a reality just in time for everyone to see in the Cannes boat show. After showing you the tooling job, then the always very interesting stringers, and later on the fitting out of the main deck we follow this with the interior inside part. Above you are seeing the galley of the 385 HT which will be situated to starboard side in a central part of the hull, to the left of the stair case leading to the lower deck. The galley will be of L-shape and continues recent seen trends to make it more luxury then to past years models. Here we can see some part wood veneered pieces, Corian work top of the galley, and wiring hydraulic piping's which are always a behind the scene experience a lot of owners hope they will never see, with some others those experienced ones making it important to see.
www.galeon.pl

Project: Albatro 60

The ever performance orientated Alabtro boat builder located on the North tip of the Italian shoe shaped peninsula presents a project for a 60 model. This 60 model altough Sport Yacht in size is of a very powerboat inspiration with a two stepped hull, and Jolly special surface drives propulsion attached aft. The power should be from a quadruple 480hp engines which will give the usual high performance associated with the smaller Albatro boats. Interior accommodation offers four different choices with a single, two or three cabins, plus a galley, two longitudinal sofas, and a one, or two bathrooms options.
www.albatrointernational.com

Easy Sea Expensive Waters

Prices increases of sixty per cent in the major most wanted marinas yacht harbours in Italy said an article on the very regarded Italian newspaper La Republica with a trend to reserve places for the bigger sizes of 24 metres plus. This surely is hurting the development of the yacht boating industry and may be a system of control should be started especially in those harbours where the infrastructure was carried out by public finances which is paid by all tax payers money, not by the monopolists who are managing these harbours. In recent forums discussions a trend is starting to sleep on anchor even for motor boats which usually have a habit of going into a harbour for the night against the more sailor orientated sailing boats. So was the saying from many owners and declared by a few like a Ferretti 53 owner in Croatia asked 120 EUROS per night, and another in Ibiza quoted 400 EUROS a sleep for his twenty metre Princess 67.

In June the promised Marina privatisation started locally, with the first lease tendered by the Malta government to Harbour Management Ltd of the Mgarr Gozo harbour pontoons. As stated by the Maltese Government in the local media in the last year prices where not supposed to increase for the first four years, the upgrading of the services, and a controlled eye will be made on these privatisations. The control so far seems very weak with Malta setting a record of doubling its prices for the guests with a ten metre boat paying now 30 EUROS plus for night versus the previous 14.56 EUROS Summer high season rate. We are today in September and so far nothing has been controlled and the marina has not yet been upgraded, altough the service seems to have improved a bit. I wonder what sort of control the Maltese government is doing here! Some of this company share holders seem also to carry interests or management positions in the private Manoel Island Marina, a ship yacht repair dry dock facility in Marsa, and a yard looking South of Manoel Island. My dear Malta government always said about liberating the sector from his influence, I never thought this meant giving it to a private monopoly.

Now if we compare this to Sicily and Italy there is a total different mentality to what regards Marina concessions and competition. In all harbours that are government made, that means the Tax payers paid public authorities do the break water and some land infrastracture, there is always a very vital competition. This is the case just to name a few in Pozallo, Scoglitti, Syracuse, Riposto, Vibo Marina etc etc. In a personal case in Scoglitti I moored at the Yachting Club the old two pontoon piers inside of the harbour paying 35 EUROS per night, but while enquiring into the new marinas one manager just asked straight and plane what I was paying and whatever it is he will make it cheaper. Now that is real competition I add, and an example which should be followed.

Easea>Tour was a great promotion carried out by the Ferretti Group with three of its vessels. I must say the idea was amazing showing means and manners what this boating universe is all about. I liked it so much that I got used to following the diary daily and see as the boats touched parts of Croatia, Montenegro, Sicily, Eolian Island, Sardinia, Corsica, and ending in the South of France just three days ago. Another good news was that the yard technical departments where made to use the boats, rather then always seeing them still or much worse on a computer screen. We have seen something similar to this with the My Voyage of the Azimut 74 Magellano doing a Mediterranean circumnavigation the past Autumn, Winter. Hope these type of marketing ideas continue and come from other boat builders too, showing the yachts out of the usual exposition Universe we have been used to in the last years. Spreading the message of this tour is also today very easy thanks to online media sites as YouTube, Twitter, etc etc