September 22, 2013

Rhea Marine New Web Site

Rhea marine from France presents its new World wide web virtual showroom.  Founded and still managed by one man; Bertrand Danglade who started building boats under the Rhea badge back in 1996, when it launched back then the 900 model.  But the Bertrand story starts in Scotland at Clyde, it is in this place that he refines his knowledge on propulsion, shapes and wood construction which makes him open his shipyard Ile de Rel in 1970.  Bertrand's yard is a diversified affair from selling, outfitting, restoring, and maintaining all kinds of boats with the most prominent being the Marennes French trawler, a standard view in the French Atlantic harbours.  After the turn around to building boats with Rhea in 1996 and the 900 model; huge advances are made by Bertrand; but an important model will the 750 Timonier model, best seller and sold in over three hundred units in ten years since 1997.  In 2002 Rhea makes another important move and building a new shipyard in La Rochelle near the airport.  Today Rhea offers three important Range of boats; Timonier, Open, and Trawler which build a total of fifteen models.  The entry level Rhea is the 23 Open, while the flagship is the still in project 57 Trawler.  Rhea's new website is available in French, and English language and takes you around with the following buttons; The Range, Agents, Electric Propulsion, News, Rhea Marine, and Contact.  As is common with most boat builders nowadays Rhea also features its Social hubs as Facebook and Twitter, with links located towards the end of the first entry page.

September 21, 2013

New Model: Columbus 40M Sport Hybrid

On Saturday 31st of August, the spectacular Columbus 40M Sport Hybrid was launched in the Palumbo Shipyard in Naples. The stunning Sport Hybrid 40M yacht was lifted with two cranes: one telescopic crane of 700t and another boom crane of 550t. Operations started in the morning and were completely carried out by the Yard personnel. The Palumbo Shipyard is certainly well-known for its more than 45 years experience in the shipbuilding and repair sector but also for its large crane fleet.  Columbus 40M Sport Hybrid, featuring a gross tonnage of 180 tons, an all aluminium semi displacement hull of forty meters overall length, is an evolution for yachting. Hybrid propulsion, together with completely new lines, make her a main actress in the overcrowded international scenario. The yacht complies with latest IMO MARPOL regulations and is equipped with a bilge water separator even though this is not required by class. The hallmarks of the Columbus Yachts are concern for the environment in terms of construction materials, equipments and performances and the hybrid propulsion system which will be an added feature for the innovative Columbus Sport Hybrid 40M. The boat will début at the next Monaco Yacht Show.
Technical Data:
LOA - 40 m (131.2ft)
Waterline Length - 36.4 m
Beam - 8.20 m
Draft - 1.75 m
Displacement - 160 t unloaded, 190 t loaded
Fuel Capacity - 37240 l
Water Capacity - 5390 l
Accommodation - 10 guest berths in 5 cabins, 8 crew berths in 4 cabins
Engines - 2 x Cat C32 ACERT 1899hp
Speed - 22 knots max, 15 knots cruise, 7 knots economic long range
Range - 1500 nm at 15 knots, 5000 nm at 7 knots
Project - Sergio Cutolo from Hyrdrotec exterior styline and lines, Hot Lab interior
Certification - IMO Marpol

September 20, 2013

Project: Hardy 62

Hardy presents the project of a new flagship model in its rugged looking but refined cruisers and yachts range the 62.  Build with a semi displacement and being quite a heavy boat at 43 tons dry weight the Hardy 62 shows its seamanship quality on specification alone.  But nonetheless the 62 is a very good looking Explorer yacht with some nice pilot house touches added to the super structure. The standard accommodation layout of the 62 offers a three double cabins layout; this offering a nice full beam midship owners stateroom below.  The living is all on the main deck minus the galley which on standard plan is located below in between the cabins.  Still Hardy make it important to point out that 62 is a semi custom project and interior layout may vary as clients request. Standard power is twin MAN 800hp engines but optional 1200 units are available.  Maximum estimated speeds are of 25 knots although Hardy does not advise with which engine this is reachable.  

September 19, 2013

Boat Show - Barcelona 2013 Preview

In view of recent economic patterns in the last two years the Barcelona boat show has reinvented itself.  An important move was made last year when the Spanish show changed its dates from November to late September.  For this year edition the show signals another important change that of moving all the exhibition in Port Vell, the harbour of main city Barcelona where most of the nautical stuff happens.  Starting on the 24 and ending the 29 of September that will be five days of showcasing the latest new models from most of the renowned European and US builders, and most important also seeing these in the waters.  The Spanish yards like Astondoa, and Rodman will showcase what they showed in Cannes. An important new model is surely the new Astondoa 63 Top Deck, and interesting concept from designer Luiz de Basto, and the largest Spanish boat building company.

New Model: Wajer 38 Osprey

Wajer from Holland, introduce the new 38 Osprey which follows on the success of the 34 and 37 models.  This Dutch firm is specialized in presenting classic looking cruisers with high use of teak and wood in the exterior and interior.  The 38 Osprey is a natural evolution of the 37, with the main difference being a larger aft cockpit deck.  A noticeable difference between the two models is also the wind shield design which takes a particular style nature in the 38.  Cuddy cabin and IPS pod powered the Wajer 38 Osprey is a sport roundabout with a accommodation for overnight stay in a forward Vee berth for two persons.  Engine choice is three Volvo engines from 300 up to 435hp with max speeds up to 45 knots with the large option.
Technical Data:
LOA - 11.3 m (37ft)
Beam - 3.76 m
Draft - 0.90 m
Displacement - 8400 kg
Fuel Capacity - 1050 l
Water Capacity - 180 l
Accommodaiton - 2 berths
Max Persons - 14
Engines - 2 x Volvo D4 300hp, D6 370hp, D6 435hp
Propulsion - Volvo forward looking dual propeller IPS pds
Speed - 45 knots max with Volvo 435hp
Project - Vripack, Wayer
Hull Shape - Vee planning with medium deadrise 18 degrees aft
Certification - CE B

September 18, 2013

Project: Sessa 68 Sport Fly

Sessa presents the project of a new flagship the 68 Sport Fly which re-edits the C68 by adding a sports flybridge up top.  As its custom with many sport yachts of this size who add this feature, the flybridge is of a very invisible nature from the outside lines. Access to the flybridge of the 68 Sport Fly will be from an integrated stainless steel stair case located to starboard.  The flybridge layout offers a central sun-pad, two chaise lounges on both sides, and central helm.  Below the 68 Sport Fly keeps the layout which have made the C68 a market success thanks to a choice of three or four cabins, with galley being down or up in the later plan.  Worth to note that on the technical department the Sessa 68 flagship, and featuring a hull shape designed by Arnaboldi,  who tested the hull shape in the St. Petersburg shipbuilding institute, the largest test pool in Europe.  Engines choices for the new Sessa are twin Volvo 900hp with IPS pods, or MAN 1360hp featuring traditional line shafts. Hull number one of the 68 Sport Fly is scheduled to touch the water in early 2014.

September 17, 2013

New Model: Princess V48

It's one of Princess most awaited new models to touch the water, the V48, not only for being the first IPS powered boat from the Plymouth firm, and filling the gap between the V42 and V52, but because of the competition it has with the other British made offers in the same size, concept and style.  If you asked the question a few years back the Princess would have been the least favourite in this style size sport cruiser to win the market, today its the opposite thanks to the relentless pursuit this British brand has done in recent times.  It took eight years following the launch from Volvo for Princess to make its first IPS powered cruiser, and in the V48 they make tremendous good use of the pod drives, offering impressive spaces below. Without talking to much testament to this is the full beam owners room amidships which seems coming from a boat ten feet larger, definitely benefiting from the use of the pod drives and that of high free-board, this last also being an element in the latest models over fifty feet in recent years by Princess.  The V48 also offers a nice VIP cabin to fore, a spacious L-shaped galley, and a saloon which after comments from buyers can also be available as third bunk berth.  The main deck in the V48 is all about a living thanks to a C-shaped settee, opposite entertainment unit which stands behind the helm.  In the aft cockpit deck is an L-shaped settee, a wet bar unit, and a large hi-lo bathing platform with tender stowage space. 
Technical Data:
LOA - 15.49 m (50.9ft) incl pulpit
LOA - 15.2 m exl pulpit
Hull Length - 14.0 m
Beam - 4.11 m
Draft - 1.14 m
Displacement - 14000 kg medium load
Fuel Capacity - 1325 l
Water Capacity - 364 l
Accommodation - 4 berths in 2 cabins, or 6 berths in 3 cabins
Engines - 2 x Volvo D6 435hp
Propulsion - Volvo forward looking dual propeller pod drives
Speed - 34 knots max
Project - Bernard Olesinski
Certification - NMMA, ABYC 

September 16, 2013

Project: Sea Ray 510 Fly

Sea Ray want to tighten its grip on the motor yacht market, and after making the 510 Sundancer the best selling yacht about fifty feet for the 2013 year in the USA, presents its new flybridge sister project the 510 Fly.  Yes this new project presents a new line from Sea Ray, the Fly line, and by the looks of it, this one seems to be the most European flavoured then ever to come from the North American builder.  Basing itself on the hull design of the Sundancer the 510 Fly seems to be a well thought out project with a living main deck, divided by a split level area from the working area to fore; galley and helm, to the relaxing areas dining and lounge saloon in the lower part to aft.  Another spacious area on the 510 is to be its flybridge which also features a large C-shaped settee, helm to starboard, dinette with opposite bench settee, and a spacious L-shaped galley.  Below is a layout with three double cabins; with the cream of the cake being the amidships full beam owners room.  We still have no official word on the power options for this new Sea Ray 510 Fly, but if it mirrors the Sundancer then this is to be twin Cummins 550 with V-drive shafts, or optional 600hp engines with ZF Zeus aft looking dual propeller pod drives.

September 14, 2013

Project: Galeon 820 Skydeck

Polish builder Galeon manages to cross over the eighty feet barrier with its latest third generation line project, the 820 Skydeck.  This is for sure Galeon's and its stable British architect Tony Castro most important project to date which continues the Strazyn company direction into larger sizes.  The Galeon 820 bases itself on the hull shape of the 780 Crystal, but above the waterline we see a reinvented model with a sports profile and featuring the invisible flybridge up top, or as Galeon likes to call it Skydeck.  Rest assured though that underwater shape is the only similarity with the current Galeon flagship, as the 820 Skydeck offers a completely new looks and layout.  Some striking details in the layout are the large aft cockpit deck which uses about 25% of the length, a separate galley with independent staircase located to port side, and three large cabins lower deck plan.  A nice detail in all the cabins is the feature of a beauty chair desk in all rooms, not only in the master stateroom as it is usually found in most yachts this size.  A single crew cabin is located to aft. The 820 Skydeck is to be powered by engine power from twin 1500 up to 1900hp, with hull number one apparently being ordered with two MAN 1800.  

September 13, 2013

New Model: American Custom Yachts ACY90

American Custom Yachts new ACY90 flagship, finally touches the water, and this one has been a most waited model not only from the Florida based builder, but from sportfishing boat fans all over the world.  With other production builders catching the bigger bug, it seems sportfish builders have to see how to make space for producing larger, and most importantly faster yachts, as this is what the high end customer is asking in recent times.  The ACY 90 with its length is definitely American Custom Yachts most important build to date, and the company created a really low profile sweet looking sportfish, which from a distance might allude to what its size really is. Construction wise the ACY90 continues the fashion of an advanced custom build, here in jig method cold moulded way, mixed with kevlar and fiberglass, and featuring PVC core use for the deck areas. This model which have been a long time coming is also a testament to American Custom Yachts pedigree of launching on average a new build every two years, showing the Florida company is not following any numbers of sort but just to deliver a special Sportfish yacht to a lucky owner who is looking for the best.  Titled C'est La Vie, ACY 90 features a lower deck which offers a six cabin five head accommodation plan, and a single level saloon with uninterrupted views outside.  A stand out feature in the ACY90 is also its saloon having an aft facing galley, located at the aft end, and serving the cockpit deck. Sportfishing fans will surely be impressed for the super large aft cockpit deck which shows the game nature of the ACY90 complemented by some luxurious comforts as the very stately looking raised central mezzanine.  The ACY90 is powered by twin MTU 4613hp engines, which gave top end speeds up to 48 knots in light load, and about four nautical miles less in loaded conditions.    
Technical Data:
LOA - 27.4 m (90ft)
Waterline Length - 24.1 m
Beam - 6.78 m
Draft - 2.03 m
Displacement - 95,254 kg
Fuel Capacity - 23413 l
Water Capacity - 1714 l
Accommodation - 6 double cabins
Engines - 2 x MTU 16v4000 M93L 4613hp 
Propulsion - line shaft with ZF gearbox
Speed - 48 knots max, 40 knots cruise
Hull Shape - Vee planning with moderate 13.5 degrees deadrise aft
Construction - cold molded wood fiberglass jig method; Five layers 12mm of Okume plywood, Kevlar and fiberglass inside and out, Divinycell core in the deck, Nida-Core for deck hatches.