October 8, 2012

Improve-it = Galeon 780 Crystal

 
Galeon shows how it can push the limits of customization not only in the smaller models of its range, available in half a dozen of versions outside and inside, but most important in its flagship the 2011 launched 780 Crystal.  Galeon has completed a unique 780 Crystal; hull number two, with a three person 4.45 meters tender called Baby Crystal specially custom build and designed for its flagship.  Baby Crystal looks very much a Galeon outside and is also luxuriously outfitted in the same way as the flagship.   The 780 Crystal in question was also specially reinforced to accommodate this seven hundred kilograms unique tender. Baby Crystal is fitted with 160hp jet engine, which gives a top speed of 38 knots. 

October 6, 2012

Project: Mulder 95 Voyager

Mulder Shipyard in the Netherlands continues to grow and the most recent new order is from a Russian client who has commissioned the construction of the first 95 Voyager second in size behind the not so long ago launched 98 Flybridge. The exterior of this new Mulder super yacht is the brainchild of Frank Laupman of Omega Architects, while Vripack Naval Architects is responsible for construction and naval architecture. Construction on the hull will get underway soon at the new Rijdnijk facilities, while the launch and delivery under RINA Class, are slated for spring 2014. The Dutch design company Omega Architects of Frank Laupman who had previously already created the interiors of the 98 Flybridge and Bellagio series for Mulder, designed the elegant semi-custom 95 Voyager in a classic contemporary style mixing minimal with classic with lots of space and an especially impressive main saloon and master stateroom. The Mulder 95 Voyager will features a four double guest cabins accommodation with VIP to fore, two twin cabins, and owners stateroom worthy of that name in this size of yacht having 24 squared meters of dimensions.  Other interesting features are the performance of the 95 Voyager which is to be powered by twin 1150hp Cat engines giving an interesting 20 knots max speed, 15 knots cruise, and a 10 knots economic which can give a trans Atlantic range of up to 3600 nautical miles.   Meantime Mulder and Omega are preparing for a full Voyager line with an 84, 104, and a future 114 triple deck flagship being in the planning room.

October 5, 2012

New Model: Regal 35 Sport Coupe

Regal presents its 35 Sport Coupe, a model launched the past February during the Miami boat show, and is the entry level in its Sportyacht range which goes up till its 52 flagship model.  The Regal 35 Coupe takes a lot of cues from its bigger sisters not only in the hardtop but also in the looks department, especially the recently introduced 42, and offers some of its own with European amenities like the aft sun lounge and single level cockpit.  Down below is a very US open plan area sleeping six, with an owners double berth to fore, galley and seperate shower head.  Power options are twin Volvo or Mercruiser gas of 300hp, and a diesel 220hp choise.
Technical Data:
LOA - 11.23 m (36.9ft)
Beam - 3.45 m
Draft - 0.88 m
Displacement - 5851 kg dry and with 300hp Volvo gas engines
Fue Capacity - 636 l
Water Capacity - 189 l
Accommodation - 6 berths
Max Persons - 9
Engines - 2 x Volvo 5.7 Gi 300hp, Volvo D3 220hp, Mercruiser 350 Magnum MPI 300hp
Propulsion - Volvo or Mercruiser dual propeller stern drive
Certification - CE

Improve-it = Viking 50 Convertible

In recent years we have seen many production builders offering a more semi custom production even in smaller sub eighty feet sizes.  One such example come from Viking who is offering a fiberglass staircase to the flying bridge. The impetus for the staircase came about when a long time Viking customer requested a solution for a family member who found climbing the standard aluminum bridge ladder a challenge while the boat was under way. Viking’s design and engineering group wasted no time in the development of a fiberglass staircase, which now the companies offers on new models 50 feet and above. The fiberglass staircase is ergonomically designed to offer comfort and security under way and at the dock, and obviously making way up the bridge easy.  This Viking 50 Convertible with the fiberglass staircase requires only a minor change in the salon cabinetry near the doorway and in the flying bridge deck opening.

October 4, 2012

New Model: Atlantis 34

Atlantis 34, is the latest from the Azimut-Benetti Group’s Open brand specialist, and was created for the upcoming boating season.  This new entry model into the Atlantis family is a completely new design, an aggressive response by Neo Design and the design department of the Italian builder incorporating the distinctive style and features of the larger models. Engineering was trusted to renowned firm Seaway.  This model also further completes the family feeling of the NeoDesign now being a signature look to all the five models from 34 to 58 feet. exluding the 36 Verve.  Presenting a new model with a hull length of less than ten meters also signifies that Atlantis is  looking into the medium small sector. Atlantis 34 is the result of an impressive prerequisite, challenging to achieve: being contemporaneously a great open and a cruiser.  This means intensive effort was put into maximizing the open spaces as well as the interior areas, where you’ll find a master cabin separated from the rest of the interior in addition to a pleasant open space in the bow that is both convertible and well-lit thanks to the hull’s large windows.  The exterior cockpit covered with the hard top is also interesting for offering a flash single level area with an L-shaped dinette and lounger to port side, and wet-bar and helm to starboard.  The bathing platform is also quite spacious offering a space of 2.5 squared meters and can stow a tender of that same length.  Power is twin Volvo 220hp diesel engines which give a max speed of 32 knots and a cruise of 29 knots.
Technical Data:
LOA - 10.2 m (33.7ft)
Hull Length - 9.95 m
Beam - 3.49 m
Draft - 0.99 m
Displacement - 8.5 t full load 
Fuel Capacity - 650 l
Water Capacity - 185 l
Accommodation - 2 + 2 berths
Engines - 2 x Volvo D3 220hp
Propulsion - Volvo dual propeller stern drive
Speed - 32 knots max, 29 knots cruise estimates
Hull - Vee shade with medium 17.35 degrees dead rise aft
Project - NeoDesign exterior and interior, Seaway engineering
Certification - CE B

October 3, 2012

Engine: Cat C175-16 2907hp

The new C175-16 marine propulsion engine from Caterpillar Marine Power Systems offers the size, power and rpm to drive new, more profitable vessel designs for all segments of the marine industry. The latest in a line of high performance engines designed to meet EPA Tier 3 and IMO Tier II emissions requirements, the C175-16 is rated at 2907hp in full 1600 rpm. The new propulsion engine extends Caterpillar Marine’s high-speed engine power range beyond the company's already industry leading 3616C-HD engine. The 84.67 lit displacement C175-16 engine meets EPA Tier 3 marine engine emissions requirements. Ideal for offshore support vessels, tugs, and work boat applications, the C175-16 features technology advancements and updates to ensure maximum productivity and minimal environmental impact. With a bore of 175 mm and a stroke of 220 mm, the C175-16 is highly efficient while providing increased propulsion output in a high-speed engine platform.
www.marine-cat.com

Project: Broom 430

After presenting two new entry level Coupe models, Broom returns to the drawing board of updating its British style aft cabin motor cruiser line, and presents the project for a new 430 which replaces the 425 model.  This new Broom continues the advancement in style of the recent entry from the British boat builder with contemporary looks, and very accommodating luxury interiors.  The standard layout offers two cabins with an owners stateroom to aft, and and a guest cabin to fore.  So far two layouts are offered with the standard being an extended saloon version, and an optional split galley version.  This last takes space from the main saloon extending galley, and changing head layout to guests.  The Broom 430 features as all the line a sea worthy semi displacement hull with a wide variety of engine choices being available from single 370 up to twin 440hp units.

October 2, 2012

New Model: Cranchi 54 Fly

 
Cranchi has made a very visible important effort to expand its over fifty feet yacht range in the recent years, and this new 54 Fly is another model in that direction from the known Italian brand.  The new 54 Fly comes again from the in house and family design team of Aldo Cranchi and the companies Research Development Lab, and welcomes itself with good looks and a mix of sports solutions and nice lines.  Interesting features will be the aft sun pad, something more likely to be found on a sport yacht then a flybridge one, the up and down bathing platform, and the low profile flybridge.  The aft sun pad also features a tender garage underneath increasing tender space for two units.  The saloon of the 54 Fly is also innovative for the fact it is a single level plan and features a dining area at the farthest fore part under the internal windshield, and making the lower deck staircase leading to the cabins in the middle of the saloon area behind the helmsman seat.  The galley is located in the middle of the saloon.  Down below Cranchi makes among the best use of the Volvo IPS pods and creates space for three double cabins with the more modern layout of a full beam midships owner suite with walk-in wardrobe, VIP to fore, double cabin, and a guest head to port.  A single berth crew cabin is located to fore peak with entrance from outside.  Standard power is Volvo 600hp with an option of a 700hp, both units powered by Volvo forward looking dual propeller pods.  Top speeds are a max of 31 knots plus peaks of 33 with the standard 600hp units.  Cruise is a 24 knots which at it the 54 Fly consumes just a little under 150 liters per hours and gives a range of over 300 nautical miles.    
Technical Data:
LOA - 17.2 m (56.5ft)
Hull Waterline - 15.3 m
Waterline Length - 13 m
Beam - 4.8 m
Draft - 1.25 m incl props
Displacement - 23,300 kg
Fuel Capacity - 2000 l
Water Capacity - 520 l
Max Persons - 14
Accommodation - 6 berths in 3 cabins, 1 crew cabin to fore
Engines - 2 x Volvo D11 600hp, D11 700hp
Propulsion - Volvo IPS forward looking dual propellers pods
Speed - 33 knots max speed, 24 knots cruise * estimates
Range - 324 nm at 23-24 knots cruise
Project - Aldo Cranchi, Cranchi Research Development Lab.
Certification - CE B

October 1, 2012

Project: Chris-Craft 36 Corsair Hard Top

A third version for the 36 Corsair this is in short the description of the upcoming Hard Top version.  Following on the recent aft sun pad and central cockpit European Edition, Chris-Craft creates another versatile 36 Corsair Hard Top.  Made for boaters who like that protection from the elements, and more all year round boating.  This new 36 Corsair Hard Top so far features an aft deck layout as the standard version with two L-shaped settees, central passage way to and from bathing platform, wet bar, and two helm and co-pilot seats.   Inside the sleeping four layout with separate midships cabin, shower head, and galley.  Custom choices and wood trims are also part of the Chris-Craft 36 Corsair. Six engine choices are available from Volvo diesels of 330 or 370hp or gas petrol up to 400.

Pod Propulsion Challenges

I was very excited about the news of Reintjes Fortjes propulsion equipped on a Fipa Maiora 29 launched mid past Summer.  This new pod propulsion opens a new dynamic to pods on super yachts, and does indeed put a new meaning to pod drives, so far very limited in the larger sizes unless you don't go for a triple or quadruple drives system.
Pod drives thanks to Volvo IPS and later on followed by the ZF Zeus drives has since 2005 gotten high attention first in the sub fifty feet cruisers, and then later on in the bigger fifteen meter plus units.  These two most commercial known pods are very similar in concept inside, both are steerable, but do have different requirements to hull design and how they work in the water. 
The Volvo IPS forward looking dual propeller units, on paper require no real hull changes although on facts it is known that it prefers a medium Vee from midships to aft, and a minus to fifteen degrees deadrise at stern.  The Volvo IPS is only offered with engines from the Swedish engine maker.
ZF pods first introduced as Zeus had in its first two years production a licence agreement with Brunswick Mercruiser, but today it is available on any engine.  I have seen it so far offered with Cats, Yanmar, and Cummins.  The ZF pods works more in the traditional aft looking way and needs no real hull design change, accept for a tunnel where the pods are installed.  ZF has also to its credit that it caters for many propulsion elements from its known gearboxes, to shafts, surface drive units, and now the pods.
The new Fortjest is very different from the two known commercial units because while still being dual propeller, one prop is in front and the other to the back of the pod.  The pod is also non steerable working in a system with rudder. But the biggest advantage of this German made propulsion system is the fact that it can take from 400 up to 2800hp in the five units available at the moment, with bigger Horsepower versions possible on order.  This opens a completely new world for pods, which will be interesting to see how it develops in a few years from today.