Project: VZ 58

VZ shipyard from Venice, Italy is one of the small respected builders which grew its name in the nineties with the 18 model.  An 18 meter motor yacht presented in 1993 and designed by Nuvolari Lenard, which was one of the design firm first and most successful jobs.  Story is the 18 stayed in production for thirteen years replaced by the 64 in 2006.  The VZ 58 is a development and replacement of the 2003 launched 16 later renamed 56 model.  So far we can only show rendering for this model.  New upper structure window present a more modern line, while the view windows in the middle suggest that the 58 might have a full beam cabin. Still though I want be so sure of that, as VZ has always been a yard which first looks at the bottom of its boats and then on accommodation.  Semi customization has also been a selling point to VZ, and considering they build only about five yachts a year they are a tailor made yacht.  I have boarded a few 18 models and most had different layouts from three large cabins, to four or five room versions.  The 16 was less a custom model, with differences mostly concerning the wood finish choices.

www.vzyachts.com

New Model: Faeton F-36 Formentera

The Formentera series is a new range from Faeton, which with the F-36 presents a hybrid design of a high performance center console, and a cabin boat.  A growing trend this one which started in Italy and has seen many builders in the European peninsula jump on this style of boat.  The Faeton is one of the first of this hybrid center console cabin mash up to come out of Italy.  Faeton Astondoa Group took more a performance route with a slim beam of just over three meters and a two step deep vee hull for its F-36 Formentera.  Accommodation offers four berths in a Vee shaped convertible berth, door serpated cabin with two singles at midships, plus a galley, and shower head in between.  The exterior offers an L-shaped settee to aft, two seat center console, galley wet bar behind helm, and two step passageway to the foredeck in an all around deck.  Engine wise the Faeton F-36 Formentera is more an outboard design boat with three engine choices starting from twin Mercury 200hp up to 300hp.  In stern drive inboard choice the F-36 Formentera is offered with a single Mercruiser 320hp gas petrol choice.  Being Faeton Spanish I am still surprised of no diesel engine option.  We will see if this will happen in the near future.

Technical Data:

LOA - 10.7 m (3ft)

Hull Length - 9.55 m

Beam - 3.10 m

Draft - 0.57 m ex drives and props

Displacement - 5800 kg

Fuel Capacity - 2 x 400 l

Water Capacity - 200 l

Accommodation - 4 berths 

Max Persons - 8

Engines - 1 x Mercruiser 377 Mag 320hp

Propulsion - single stern drive dual propeller

Certification - CE B

www.faeton.es

Project: Marquis 560

Marquis shows the rendering of an upcoming new 560 model.  This project is not entirely new as it is more a fine tuning of the 56 model; with new hull window port hole shapes, modified more curved radar arch, stylish hard top choice for the flybridge, and more extended in length aft bathing platform with up down movement.  Down below is a layout of three double cabins, with full beams midships located owners stateroom, VIP suite to fore, and double cabin with two singles in between. A single person crew cabin with shower head is located to aft.  The main deck is a split level saloon, with a dining galley area on the raised part to fore.  So far no lower helm choice is shown in the official web site, but if Marquis wants to attract buyers outside the American continent, they should make this as a choice to the buyer.  Power is six engine choices from Volvo, Man and Cat, in direct line shaft propulsion.  Standard engine is a Volvo 575hp and largest option is the Cat 865hp.

www.marquisyachts.com

New Model: Salpa 40 Granturismo

After presenting the Granturismo series with 30, and 20 models in 2010, Salpa continues to extend this range with the introduction of the 40 and 24 additions.  The 40 is the latest model to be added to the Granturismo series, and is now the flagship of this range featuring as the smaller 30 an interesting mix of walk around spaces, mixed up with those of a cruiser.  Her interior offers in fact space for two cabins sleeping four, an L-shaped saloon settee which converted can sleep two more, shower head, and a small size galley.  Outside the Salpa covered to half by the hardtop is all about spaces with a large L-shaped settee, center console seating three, and a well sized galley wet bar behind the helm.  The Salpa is powered in three engine choices from Volvo 260 up to 300hp with a 265 Volkswagen in between.  The hull shape is a deep Vee, derivation of a legendary Renato Sonny Levi design.

Technical Data:

LOA - 12.25 m (40.1ft)

Hull Length - 9.98 m

Beam - 3.85 n

Draft - 0.90 m

Displacement - 7250 kg dry, 9250 kg loaded

Fuel Capacity - 2 x 350 l

Water Capacity - 250 l

Accommodation - 4 + 2 berths

Engines - 2 x Volkswagen 3.0 265hp, D4 260hp, D4 300hp

Propulsion - dual propeller stern drive

Hull Type - deep Vee

Construction - Vacuum infusion moulded resin

Project - Renato Sonny Levi hull

Certification - CE B

www.salpa.com

Class 1 - Qatar Grand Prix

RACE 1

Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani and Steve Curtis led home a Spirit of Qatar one-three in race 1 of the Pearl Qatar Grand Prix, ending a nine-year wait for Sheikh Hassan to break his jinx of not winning on home waters since taking his first podium in Doha back in 2004.

Teammates Ali Al Neama and Matteo Nicolini made it a double podium celebration for the Doha based team, coming home in third place behind Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al Tayer and Majed Al Mansoori.

It was a day of high drama inside the Pearl Qatar that started in the morning’s interrupted practice session, with Welmax crashing out and FA.RO ACIAI bursting into flames, side-lining both outfits for today’s race.

The drama carried over into the race with Victory’s Arif Al Zafeen and Mohammed Al Marri penalised a total of four penalty laps.

The parade lap saw Poliform immediately in trouble and limping back to the pits on one engine as the six remaining boats headed out for the start to run a revised circuit after race organisers reduced the lap distance to 6.63Nm.

The Spirit of Qatar 96 duo found themselves trailing in second place after the start as Victory’s Al Zafeen and Al Marri edged ahead on the run to the first turn mark to lead at the end of lap one. Spirit of Qatar 95 came through in third ahead of Team Abu Dhabi, Fendi Racing and Relekta, both Fendi Racing and Relekta’s race ending on lap 2.

By lap 3 Victory had opened up a 12 second lead but were adjudged by race officials to have moved across on Spirit of Qatar 96 on the run to the first turn and handed a penalty lap. Team Abu Dhabi passed Spirit of Qatar 95 and up into third place.

Victory’s penalty lap proved costly dropping them to fourth and last place, with Sheikh Hassan and Steve Curtis taking full advantage and surging into the lead.

For defending World Champion Al Zafeen the day deteriorated into farce, missing a buoy on the penalty lap, only to be handed another and then missing the same buoy, ultimately collecting four penalty lap infringements and running out the race in fourth spot.

Sheikh Hassan and  Steve Curtis were able to maintain their pace out front and from lap four were never troubled, going on to complete the nine lap, 56.26Nm race in 31.53,37secs at an average speed of 198.40km/h.

Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al Tayer and Majed Al Mansoori continued the impressive form they have shown throughout the weekend and once they had passed Al Neama and Nicolini were able to take their second podium together since teaming-up in Class 1 in Norway last year.

Despite a recurring electronic problem that kept cutting power to one engine, the Spirit of Qatar 95 duo were able to hang on to third spot for what Nicolini described as an ‘unexpected podium’.

Race 2 of the Pearl Qatar Grand Prix takes place on Saturday, 17 March with Sheikh Hassan looking to make it an historic win-double.

PEARL QATAR GRAND PRIX, RACE 1 - results

1. 96 Spirit of Qatar - H Al Thani (QAT) / S Curtis (ENG) 00.31.53,37

2. 5 Team Abu Dhabi - R Al Tayer (UAE) / M Al Mansoori (UAE) + 00.13,77

3. 95 Spirit of Qatar - A Al Neama (QAT) / M Nicolini (ITA) + 00.39,25

4. 3 Victory - A Al Zafeen (UAE) / M Al Marri (UAE) + 01.48,95

5. 10 Fendi Racing - L Formilli Fendi (ITA) / G Carpitella (ITA) DNF

6. 91 Relekta - U Isik (TUR) / C Zaborowski (NOR) DNF

7. 74 Poliform - G Cappellini (MON) / G M Gabbiani (ITA) DNF

8. 23 FA.RO. ACCIAI - M Roggiero (ITA) / P V Nilsen (NOR) DNS

9. 90 Welmax - P Gaiser (BRA) / B Jacobsen (NOR) DNF

RACE 2

Victory’s Arif Al Zafeen and Mohammed Al Marri came from behind to win race 2 of the Pearl Qatar Grand Prix, taking their third win together from four starts since teaming-up in Dubai at the end of last season.

Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al Tayer and Majed Al Mansoori made it a one-two celebration for the United Arab Emirates taking their second podium of the Grand Prix weekend, with Thursday’s race winner’s Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al Thani and Steve Curtis completing the podium in Spirit of Qatar 96.

Today’s result puts Victory and Spirit of Qatar 96 joint top of the Championship standings on 32 points, with Team Abu Dhabi two points adrift in third.

But the Dubai duo did not have it all their own way and had to overturn a strong challenge after a breathtaking start to the race by Italian outfit Poliform.

The drag race from the green flag saw pole-sitters Spirit of Qatar 96, Team Abu Dhabi and Victory 3, line a breast and just feet apart as they hurtled into the first turn. But it was Guido Cappellini and Class 1 debutant Gian Maria Gabbiani in Poliform, starting on the outside of the line of eight, who showed a blistering turn of speed to get out front and come across to lead at the end of lap 1.

Cappellini and Gabbiani, who failed to make the start of race 1 and forced to sit out the next two practice sessions with a recurring engine problem, held off the challenge of Al Zafeen and Al Marri, edging out to a four second lead before a technical problem forced them to slow, conceding the lead and retiring from the race on lap 6.

With Poliform out, Al Zafeen and Al Marri were able to control the race and extended their lead, going on to complete the 11 lap, 66.54Nm race in 39mins 13.68s to win by over 15 seconds.

Behind the race leader’s, Team Abu Dhabi and the Spirit of Qatar boats raced line astern, neither making any inroads to the other, with Al Tayer and Al Mansoori able to maintain a comfortable 11 second gap over Spirit of Qatar 96.

For Sheikh Hassan and Steve Curtis any hopes of completing the Doha double evaporated at the first turn, losing the advantage of being in pole position and dropping to fourth at the end of the first lap. Following their disqualification from race 1, teammates Ali Al Neama and Matteo Nicolini faced an uphill task, starting from seventh place on the start line, and were unable to make any inroads completing a frustrating weekend finishing in fourth.

Fendi Racing’s team manager, Marco Bonomo, had said before the race that after all the hard work that the team had put in to repair the boat after Luca Fendi and Giovanni Carpitella’s brush with a sandbank earlier in the week, if they finished it would be like winning, the Italian duo coming home in fifth place to pick up seven valuable points.

There was more frustration for Norwegian outfit Relekta who ended a disappointing start to their year with a second retirement for Ugur Isik and Christian Zaborowski – stopping on lap 4.

Welmax duo of Paul Gaiser and Bjorge Jacobsen paid back their team’s efforts for repairing the boat after they crashed out in second practice by putting in a cameo role, taking to the water to complete a handful of laps.

PEARL QATAR GRAND PRIX, RACE 2 - results

1. 3 Victory - A Al Zafeen (UAE) / M Al Marri (UAE) 00.39.13,68

2. 5 Team Abu Dhabi - R Al Tayer (UAE) / M Al Mansoori (UAE) + 00.15,72

3. 96 Spirit of Qatar - H Al Thani (QAT) / S Curtis (ENG) + 00.28,53

4. 95 Spirit of Qatar - A Al Neama (QAT) / M Nicolini (ITA) + 00.49,53

5. 10 Fendi Racing - L Formilli Fendi (ITA) / G Carpitella (ITA) + 1 LAP

6. 74 Poliform - G Cappellini (MON) / G M Gabbiani (ITA) DNF

7. 91 Relekta - U Isik (TUR) / C Zaborowski (NOR) DNF

8. 90 Welmax - P Gaiser (BRA) / B Jacobsen (NOR) DNF

9. 23 FA.RO. ACCIAI - M Roggiero (ITA) / P V Nilsen (NOR) DNS

UIM CLASS 1 WORLD POWERBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP - after race 2

1= 96 Spirit of Qatar - 32pts

1= 3 Victory - 32pts

3. 5 Team Abu Dhabi - 30pts

4. 95 Spirit of Qatar - 9pts

5. 10 Fendi Racing - 7pts

6= 91 Relekta - 0pts

6= 74 Poliform - 0pts

6= 23 FA.RO. ACCIAI - 0pts

6= Welmax - 0pts

MIDDLE EAST CHAMPIONSHIP - after race 2

1= 96 Spirit of Qatar - 32pts

1= 3 Victory - 32pts

3. 5 Team Abu Dhabi - 30pts

4. 95 Spirit of Qatar - 9pts

5. 10 Fendi Racing - 7pts

6= 91 Relekta - 0pts

6= 74 Poliform - 0pts

6= 23 FA.RO. ACCIAI - 0pts

6= Welmax - 0pts

www.class-1.com

Project: Canados 120

Canados presents its next upcoming late Spring launch showing the project of the 120.  This new Canados will reach the larger size as presented by a wooden construction in the eighties, by the Rome Ostia sea side town located yacht builder.  Designed by the Canados technical team outside and renowned architect Francesco Paszkowski inside, the 120 follows super structure lines as seen on the current flagship of the line the 116, which was presented as 110 in 2004.  Fair to say it is indeed the evolution of the 116. The differences come in the inclusion of a hardtop, new side finger shape hull view windows, inclusion of opening two balconies per side on the main deck, and a C-shape settee to fore deck.  Canados did not advise plan for inside which is pretty much custom in all its range, but the 116 has a choice of a four, or five double cabins layout with the owners stateroom usually located on the fore part of the main deck.  Power is from twin 2400hp MTU which should give a max speed of 29 knots. 

www.canados.com

New Model: Bering 55

The Bering 55 is the first model of this fairly young US company, which today has a line up of seven more models, most of which are still in project stages.  Measuring over sixteen meters the first Bering, this 55 gathered the attention of many yachtsman around the world for its heavy steel construction, which makes it a serious global passage maker even in this not so large size.  Hull one of the Bering 55 featured a two cabins layout, with the space for the third cabin used as an office.  In this layout the owners room is located to fore ship.  The main deck offers a standard split level area with a welcoming relaxing lounging entrance, and a raised saloon area having more working areas; galley, pilot house, and a dinette.  Standard power is from a single Cummins 285hp which gives a 9.8 knots max speed, and a cruise of 8 which delivers a 3000 nautical miles range.  A supplemental emergency wing engine is available as optional.

Technical Data:

LOA - 16.8 m (55ft)

Hull Length - 15.5 m

Waterline Length - 15.2 m

Beam - 5.5 m

Draft - 1.8 m

Displacement - 60 t

Fuel Capacity - 8800 l

Water Capacity - 2000 l

Accommodation - 6 berths in 3 cabins
Engine - 1 x Cummins QSL9 285hp
Propulsion - line shaft
Speed - 9 knots max, 8 knots cruise
Range - 3000 nm at 8 knots cruise and single Cummins 285hp choice
Construction - mild steel A316, coated in Alexseal, Awlgrip, or Dupont choice paint
Certification - Lloyds, ABS, and Coast Guard Commercial Standards
www.beringyachts.com

Project: Grand Banks 50 Eastbay SX

Presented in 1993, the Eastbay series has been a growing success for Grand Banks and today with this new upcoming 50 project the range features eight models from 39 to 55 feet.  The Grand Banks 50 Eastbay will be the second in size of the range, and continues long standing traditions, as the Hunt designed hull or more recent additions as the use of ZF Zeus pods for propulsion.  New more aggressive styling has been used on the 50, to make it standout as the latest model  of the Eastbay series.  SX will stand for the hardtop version, but an FB flybridge version is also available for those who like to helm in fresh air, and have an extra entertainment up top.  PowerYacht will show this in few days time. The main deck will be divided by a patio door creating for a spacious area joining out doors with inside.  Inside Grand Banks offers various options from two or three cabins below decks, to a mid level or upper main deck galley.  Engine power and performance data is not so far given, minus that we know that ZF Zeus pods will be used as propulsion. 

www.grandbanks.com

New Model: Cigarette 50 Marauder Black Series

Cigarette presents the inspired by AMG "Black Series" 50 Marauder, which takes the brand alliance started in 2009 a step further in this elegantly strong, automotive-influenced model. While AMG's Black Series tops its performance line, The Cigarette mirrors German company performance traits and takes its finishes to a new level of excellence. Because of its strong partnership and mutual high regard, AMG's magazine has labeled Cigarette as the Formula one on on water, the US boat builder is the only brand that has been given the right to use the valued logo on its product. The boat's striking black and white design scheme is carried throughout from the Mercedes color-matched paint to the all-newly designed interior, upholstered with luxurious Alcantara, an Italian imported composite suede-like material, that is durable and flame retardant; which is also used in Formula One race cars and high-end automobiles.  Billet aluminum pieces over 100 are integrated throughout, customized for the AMG Black Series boat, incorporating a new formula of anodizing and corrosion resistance. Billet is featured on the dash, grab handles, seat supports, sound system and in numerous trim accents.  The Cigarette 50 Marauder Black Series is powered by Mercury Racing 1350hp.

Technical Data:

LOA - 15.11 m (49.7ft)

Beam - 2.43 m

Draft - 1.27 m

Displacement - 6441 kg empty, 8096 kg loaded

Fuel Capacity - 1256 l

Accommodation - 2 + 2 berths

Engines - 2 x, or 3 x Mercury Racing 1350hp

Propulsion - Dry Sump M8 stern drive

www.cigaretteracing.com

Class 1 - 2012 Season Preview

Nine boats will line up in Doha for the Pearl Qatar Grand Prix, 14-17 March, the opening round of the 2012 UIM Class 1 World Powerboat Championship, marking the sport’s return to Doha for the first time since 2009 with the Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF), the event organiser, moving the location from the relative shelter of Doha Bay to the more open water and hoped-for rougher conditions to be found off the Pearl of Qatar.

2012 sees the Championship start its 49th season since being recognised and sanctioned by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), the world governing body for powerboating, and marks the 21st anniversary of the ‘modern era’ that saw the sport return to a multiple-venue World Championship in 1992.

It is hard to predict who will win in Qatar, or titles in 2012, but based on the fact that Dubai’s Victory Team’s run of consecutive world crowns is running at five, and the impressive performances by Arif Al Zafeen and Mohammed Al Marri in the final two races of 2011 in Dubai to clinch the team’s eleventh World title, it will take a herculean effort by their challengers to break their vice-like grip on the Sam Griffith Trophy.

With four-time World Champion, Nadir Bin Hendi ‘provisionally suspended’ by the UIM, Arif Al Zafeen will again partner Mohammed Al Marri – the duo boasting six World titles between them – and will start as favourites and the team to beat as Al Zafeen goes for his third straight win in Doha.

If how to beat Victory is at the top of the teams’ ‘most wanted’ list, the on-going situation facing officials is the cry by some teams for greater parity between the screeching V12s and the thunderous V8s.

In 2011 the mighty V12 was all-conquering, a quartet of outfits running V12s leading home a trio of those opting for the V8s in the title race, with the V8 runners managing just three podium appearances – one of those upgraded to a win courtesy of a Victory DQ.

To ease the situation, officials have upped the rpm for the Mercury 850Sci V8 supercharged engines to 6350rpm from 6100rpm with modifications to the torque/power curve.

Of the eight challengers who will line up against Victory, the most fancied challengers could be the two-boat assault of the silver-and-crimson-clad Spirit of Qatar Team.

Their much-anticipated return to racing last year was a success, with Sheikh Hassan and Steve Curtis winning their first race together in Class 1 since teaming up in 2008 and taking the European title, whilst teammates Ali Al Neama and Matteo Nicolini took a win in Italy and the Edox Pole Position Championship – the team finishing second and third overall in the title race.

The team and its current line-up has had mixed success in Doha since Qatar hosted its first Class 1 Grand Prix in 2002; Sheikh Hassan and Nicolini have enjoyed multiple podium finishes but a win has eluded both - the team’s only win on home waters was in 2006 courtesy of Abdullah Al Sulaiti and Lino di Biase - whilst Curtis, as a rival with Spirit of Norway, has won five times in Qatar.

DAC Racing field a new line up in the V8 Mercury-powered Poliform with Guido Cappellini – now recovered from a broken ankle sustained in a road accident in Italy last month – joined by Class 1 debutant, Italian Gian Maria Gabbiani, moving over from four-wheel competition and up from endurance racing in the Italian powerboat championship.

Cappellini’s credentials as a powerboat racer speak for themselves; he has won the F1H2O World title ten times, and since switching into Class 1 in 2010 has made the podium several times, and on his home waters of Lake Como at the Italian Grand Prix last year he grabbed his first win.

Norway rolls out two teams; a last gasp reshuffle at Welmax Offshore Racing has reversed plans laid out in 2011 to run a two-boat line-up, which would have seen newcomer William Nocker teaming-up with 2008 European Champion Jorn Tandberg. Instead, the team has announced they will run one outfit in Qatar with Norwegian throttleman Bjorge Jackobsen joined in the cockpit of the Mercury V8-powered Maritimo-designed Welmax, by Brazilian Paul Gaiser – the duo mustering 23 starts collectively, with Gaiser taking his only podium in Abu Dhabi in 2010.

Fellow Norwegian outfit, Zabo Racing, will be hoping to start their season where they left off in 2011, with Ugur Isik and race and pole position winner Christian Zaborowski producing a strong showing to put Relekta on the podium in Dubai.

Fendi Racing will be looking to put behind them a frustrating 2011; a promising start with a podium was soon forgotten as their new Outerlimits hull-V8 engine package failed to deliver and they fared little better with the switch to SCAM V12s, and have confirmed a third switch of engines, opting to run Sterling V8s in 2012.

Team owner-driver Luca Formilli Fendi will again partner the experienced stick-man Giovanni Carpitella, the pair grabbing two podiums from their ten starts together since forming up in 2010 - Carpitella taking his two Grand Prix wins in Uddevalla, Sweden.

Team Abu Dhabi has confirmed driver Rashed Al Tayer and throttleman Majed Al Mansoori; the Emirati duo paired twice last year, teaming-up for the first time in the BMW Norwegian Grand Prix in Arendal and again at the end of the year in Dubai, grabbing their first podium together in race 2, with Team Abu Dhabi finishing fourth overall in the title race.

Italian outfit Team D’Alessio-SCAM will be starting their first full season in Class 1 after joining the Championship midway through last year at the Italian Grand Prix. But with throttleman Luca Nicolini side-lined through injury, there is an eleventh hour call up for Norway’s Pal Virik Nilsen, with former F1H2O star Massimo Roggiero taking the wheel to make his Class 1 debut.

Teams take to the water for the first of three official practice sessions on Wednesday, 14 March followed by official qualifying in the Edox Pole Position at 14:30hrs.

Race 1 of the Pearl Qatar Grand Prix starts at 15:00hrs on Thursday with race 2 at 15:00hrs on Saturday, 17 March.
www.class-1.com