New Model: Astondoa 63 Top Deck

If you are looking for a yacht purely dedicated to entertainment in outdoor spaces may be this one is for you. Presented in Cannes the Astondoa 63 Top Deck is clearly trying to bring a fresh unedited approach to the sport yacht sector.  Here at PowerYacht when seeing the renderings of this new Astondoa which is a project from Luiz de Basto back past Spring, we did say the Spanish builder are up to something different.  The main characteristic of the 63 Top Deck is definitely the amount of space it has dedicated for outdoor space, that is a full floor from bow to stern.  This Top Deck, is a single level area offering diverse spots; from a large fore sun-pad, a bar lounge style behind the helm under the hard top amidships, and last a small jacuzzi pool to stern.  The exterior floor space on the 63 Top Deck also increases by about 20% size thanks to opening balconies, and expendable bathing platform aft.  Below the Astondoa 63 Top Deck also offers an interesting layout with two en-suite served guest cabins amidships, and a galley with a relaxed entertainment area to fore.  There is also a crew cabin with a shower head located in the side of the beach garage, which also features a nice day head to starboard.  This last is surely an unedited feature for a yacht measuring nineteen meters in size.  But in the end the Astondoa 63 Top Deck is an unedited yacht.         

Technical Data:

LOA - 19.12 m (62.7ft)

Hull Length - 18.9 m

Beam - 5.09 m

Draft - 1 m ex props

Displacement - 23,317 kg loaded, 21,000 kg unloaded

Fuel Capacity - 2460 l

Water Capacity - 662 l

Accommodation - 5 berths in 2 cabins, 2 berth convertible sofa, 1 crew berth 

Max Persons - 10

Engines - 2 x D11 700hp

Propulsion - Volvo forward looking IPS900 dual propeller pod drives

Speed - 36 knots top, 25 knots cruise

Range - 330 nautical miles at cruise speed

Hull Type - planning V-shape with spray rails, 13 degrees dead rise aft

Project - Luiz De Basto

Certification - RINA

www.astondoa.es

Project: Marlow 58E Explorer

Marlow show the project for the 58E Explorer successor to one of its most popular models, the well loved and accepted 57. Building on that heritage and taking full advantage of our proprietary Full Stack Infusion methods developed at Marlow Yachts the company says the new 58E should bring value added improvements in performance, internal and external volume while keeping the distinctive and well recognized style the US company China build yachts are known for.  The new 58 features a full beam master stateroom similar to the 57 with added volume for the port side guest stateroom, one of three sumptuous cabins. Careful engineering has resulted in a 40% gain in fuel capacity compared to 57-1. Enhanced engine room volume, lazarette and crew quarters make cruising a delight, allowing greater range and more options as to the destination. With a waterline length of almost 55’ her ride is superior to other vessels of similar overall length with significantly longer range at ocean crossing speeds.  58-1 also features the semi enclosed bridge introduced in 2010 on the 70 series and provides significantly improved weather protection for the incredibly spacious and luxuriously appointed flying bridge, without increasing bridge clearance required.  The aft deck on the new 58 has grown significantly and features a most civilized stairwell to the boat deck above, providing easy transit with cocktails and Hors d oeuvres or in offshore conditions. The new radius transom is stylish and increases lazarette storage volume by approximately 30% again versus the 57. 

www.marlowmarine.com

Class 1 - Terracina Italy Grand Prix Preview

Luca Formilli Fendi and Giovanni Carpitella will line up for the Mediterranean Grand Prix intent on marking the first Class 1 event to be held in Terracina, Italy 18-20 October with their first win since they teamed-up in Class 1 in Abu Dhabi in 2010.

At the mid-point in the Championship with four races run and four to go the top three are separated by 14-points; defending World Champions Victory’s Arif Al Zaffain and Mohammed Al Marri top the points table on 62, just two clear of Aussie duo Darren Nicholson and Rossco Willaton in HUB Team Australia with Formilli Fendi and Carpitella’s LFF10 in third on 48 points.

Formilli Fendi and Carpitella are genuine title challengers and now a constant threat to the top step of the podium, finishing on the podium seven times in nine outings at the last five Grands Prix and will be hoping to add their names to a somewhat sparse list of Italian winners on home waters.

In the last 22-years 15 Italian cities have hosted Class 1 with national success limited; Matteo Nicolini took the chequered flag last year in Cernobbio, with Nicolini, Guido Cappellini and Giampaolo Montavoci credited wins the year before following the DQ of Victory. Prior to that, you have to turn back the clock to Tarranto in 1997 (E Polli/L Leoni), Gallipoli in 1995 (L Ferrari/V Polli) and Pescarra in 1992 (A Gioffredi/A Bonomi) to find Italian success.

The target for Al Zaffain and Al Marri will be simply to extend their slender Championship lead, but the multiple World Champions have been under more pressure in 2013 than for some time.

They had to come from behind in race 1 in Sanya to overcome a brilliant drive by the Zabo-Isiklar duo and in race 1 in Istanbul looked decidedly rattled by the Australians, hooking twice and eventually retiring – but they regrouped to take the win in race 2.

Their record however is impressive; since being paired in December 2011 in Dubai Al Zaffain and Al Marri have won 12 times from 15 starts, missing the podium just once - the DNF in Istanbul.

Equally impressive is the teams’ success in Italy winning 15 times, with Al Zaffain completing a hat-trick of wins in Stresa with Nadir Bin Hendi and winning in Cernobbio with Al Marri last year – Al Marri also winning in 2001 with Saeed Al Tayer.

The Dubai duo also sit on top in the Edox Pole Position Championship taking maximum points this season and have qualified in P1 seven times from their eight outings together.

The biggest threat to Dubai dominance this year has been the Australians, Darren Nicholson and Rossco Willaton, who bring a refreshing approach and an all-out style of racing to Class 1, and who are running a latest generation Victory boat leased to them by the Dubai outfit.

Nicholson made his mark in the championship at the end of 2011 when he partnered New Zealander Peter McGrath to grab podiums in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. He then teamed-up with Willaton, the pair qualifying strongly in Sanya in third, finishing fourth in race 1 and second in race 2.

In Istanbul they became the first all-Aussie pairing to win a Class 1 GP and the first Australians to stand on the top step since Bill Barry-Cotter in Qatar in 2002. Their term at the top of the points table was short-lived finishing third to Victory and LFF10 in race 2, but just two points shy of the leaders are well placed in the title race – assuming they make it to Terracina.

The Zabo-Isiklar duo of Ugur Isik and Christian Zaborowski sit in fourth place and must wonder where they might be if not for two no points tallies – the first the result of a slightly overzealous first corner and immediate exit in race 2 in Sanya after finishing second in race 1. The second, disappointingly, followed in Istanbul in race 2 following a herculean effort to fix and re-rig the boat and a brilliant drive from the back of the field after missing qualifying to finish second in race 1.

They have good qualifying and race pace, but unlike the three outfits they are chasing who run V12 power-plants the Zabo Team run the Mercury turbo-charged V8, but the break since the last race has allowed the team to make further adjustments and modifications and they will be expecting to be running at the front and challenging for the win.

Another all-Italian crew looking to do well on home waters is Gian Maria Gabbiani and Luca Nicolini in FA.RO. ACCIAI, and currently lying in a very respectable fifth place. And whilst they will be the first to admit that they do not have anywhere like the pace or resource of their more illustrious rivals, they have shown great reliability and resolve to be where they are.

They first teamed-up in Gabon last year finishing in fifth then rather unceremoniously crashed out of the Italian Grand Prix in race 1. But since regrouping they have put together a solid string of performances finishing in the points in their last eight outings and recording five top-five finishes.

The flamboyant Brit, Miles Jennings, and Italian Alfredo Amato will make their third appearance together running the number two Fendi boat, LFF8. After a somewhat frustrating race on their debut in Sanya, China where they failed to post points, they produced a stirring performance in Istanbul to make it a double podium weekend for the team after finishing third in race 1 and then fourth in race 2, their teammates grabbing second.

For last year’s Championship runners-up Team Abu Dhabi, 2013 is not proving to be as successful and they find themselves sitting in seventh. Their number one and favoured pairing of Rashed Al Tayer and Majed Al Mansoori were no shows in Sanya so led to a seat shuffle with newcomers Faleh Al Mansoori and Salim Al Adidi forced to split up, Al Mansoori doing both races with Tomaso Polli, Adidi racing with Giampaolo Montavoci in Poliform.

Al Mansoori and Polli fared the better finishing fifth and fourth, Adidi and Montavoci failing to finish race 1 but managing a sixth in race 2.

Rashed Al Tayer was back for the Turkish Grand Prix and taking the throttles for the first time, with [Faleh] Al Mansoori again getting the call-up to drive. They qualified well in fourth and then took the chequered flag in race 1 also in fourth, only to be disqualified. But in race 2 their weekend ended on lap 2, hooking and crashing out of the race.

Team Abu Dhabi has confirmed the same line-up in Terracina but the team is facing an uphill climb to have the boat fixed and rigged in time.

DAC Racing has confirmed that Giampaolo Montavoci will be on the throttles and will be joined for the second time this season by Tarik Oktem.

It has been a varied season for the most experienced racer in Class 1 – who starts his 104th Grand Prix and lines-up for his 116th race in Terracina. Last time out in Istanbul he guided Class 1 rookie Oktem to a very respectable fourth place in race 1 but hit trouble and retired in race 2.

Teams get their first chance to test the waters and the 4.97Nm circuit in Fridaymorning’s free practice at 11.00hrs (local) with official qualifying in the Edox Pole Position at 14.30hrs. A second practice session on Saturday at 10.30hrs is followed by race 1 of the Mediterranean Grand Prix at 15.30hrs. The final practice session and second qualifying session takes place on Sunday at 11.00hrs with race 2 at 15.30hrs.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - after round 2

1. 3 Victory Team - 62pts 

2. 7 HUB Team Australia - 60pts 

3. 10 LFF10 - 48pts 

4. 91 Zabo-Isiklar - 34pts 

5. 23 FA.RO ACCIAI - 30pts 

6. 8 LFF8 21pts 

7. Team Abu Dhabi - 18pts 

8. 74 Poliform 14pts.

EDOX POLE POSITION CHAMPIONSHIP - after round 2

1. 3 Victory Team - 40pts 

2. 7 HUB Team Australia - 27pts 

3. 10 LFF10 - 21pts 

4. 91 Zabo-Isiklar - 15pts 

5. 8 LFF8 - 12pts 

6. 23 FA.RO.ACCIAI - 11pts 

7. 5 Team Abu Dhabi 9pts 

8. 74. Poliform 5pts

www.class-1.com

New Model: Sunseeker 68 Predator

Sunseeker has been always a builder which re-invents itself and the Predator series has always been its most daring innovative side.  This 68 Predator follows suit on the latest designs by the British, Poole based boat builder, with large view windows being the main design topic outside, and a living on the main deck the theme inside.  Accommodation offers three spacious guest rooms, with an owners stateroom amidships having very nice features as a beauty desk, lounging sofa, and a walk in wardrobe.  The galley is located in between the cabins below, to port side of the descending stair which bring you from the main deck. Two crew berths featuring L-shaped bunk berths are located astern.  Power is twin engines up to a total of 3244hp which give a top speeds up to 33 knots maximum.

Technical Data:

LOA - 21.7 m (71.2ft)

Waterline Length - 16.42 m

Beam - 5.09 m

Draft - 1.58 m

Displacement - 37,300 kg half load

Fuel Capacity - 3500 l

Water Capacity - 800 l

Accommodation - 6 berths in 3 cabins, 1 crew with 2 berths

Engines - 2 x Diesel power max total of 3244hp

Propulsion - line shafts in propeller tunnels

Speed - 33 knots max, 24 knots cruise with the large engine choice

Range - 300 nautical miles at cruise

Construction - hand laid fiberglass, Vinilester skin coat with powerder pound mat, balsa-cored hull sides, PVC foam-core for superstructure

Certification - CE

www.sunseeker.com 

Martin Broom MDE 1934 - 2013

Martin Broom, MBE, a champion of the Norfolk Broads and a pioneer and leader in the boat-building industry, has sadly passed away at 79 years old. Martin contributed thirty years service to the Broads Authority; sixty years creating the wonderful marque, Broom Boats, and years of dedication to the national marine industry. A boatbuilding champion in the heart of Broadland for half a century and a race-winning sailor, Martin took up the challenge to use a revolutionary material, fibreglass, which transformed the long-established family company at Brundall. It was three years ago that the third-generation boatbuilder sold Broom's Boats, founded by his grandfather in 1898, to new investors. A member of the Broads Authority for thirty years, he had a passion for boats and sailing which was infectious. In the 1991 new year's honours, he was made MBE for his service to the marine industry and Broadland. Martin took over from his father at the age of thirty, having spent just a year working in the business, he faced a much more immediate challenge. His father had a heart attack, his uncle died, and his cousin decided to go into the church, leaving him in charge of a boatyard employing 25 men. But fibreglass was to revolutionise boatbuilding. Broom's started in 1965, building hulls made by Aquafibre's entrepreneurs John Linford and Ian Macintosh, who had set up the business with a consortium of boatyards including his family company. Broom's gained overall control of Aquafibre, then based in Rackheath, near Norwich, in 1971. It developed a range of sea-going and Broads fibreglass craft, which were sold to national and international buyers. Born at Brundall in June 1934, he went to Norwich School and then became a boat-building apprentice with Herbert Woods at Potter Heigham. He did National Service as a boat repairer in the air-sea rescue service at Plymouth. The family's boating business had been established by his grandfather, Charles John Broom, at Brundall. In those days, it maintained privately-owned wooden yachts and built craft to order. In the 1920s, it started hiring sailing boats and by 1939 had built up a small fleet of motor cruisers. He joined his father, Basil, who had taken on the firm, which during the war built lifeboats and destroyer tenders for the Admiralty. At the same time, he promoted the Broads as a holiday destination for private owners and the hire sector. He became vice-chairman of Blakes Holidays, which enjoyed conspicuous success from the late 1960s onwards. Introducing post-war Britain to the novelty of boats also featured strongly with dealings with the Beaverbrook empire led by Max Aitken and the Daily Express's sponsorship of the London Boat Show. He was a leader with the British Marine Federation, which included a two-year term as chairman for the International Boat Shows. He was also a board member of the Yarmouth Port and Haven Commissioners, long-serving member of the Broads Society. With other organisations, he had worked from the 1950s to bring about the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act, which set up the Broads Authority in 1989. He was the first chairman of the authority's navigation committee since its inception in 1988. When he retired almost two years ago, he was presented with a half model of his 14ft Norfolk One-Design Dinghy, number 59, Tideway. He was vice-chairman of the Broads Authority from 2002 to 2005. Mr Broom, who lived at Strumpshaw, has served on the authority's planning committee since it was formed in 1983. A committee member of Norfolk and Suffolk Boating Association and several Broads sailing clubs, he was commodore of the River Cruiser Class. Sailing in a Norfolk dinghy, he was still competing until last year and won more than 150 trophies with his favourite craft during his career. He was also a multiple winner over the years in September's Yare Navigation race from Coldham to Breydon Water. His record as one of the county's best helmsmen set him apart whether racing at the Norfolk Broads Yacht Club or elsewhere. He relaxed by sailing his 38ft river cruiser, Rausena, built by Herbert Woods in 1932, and his other boats included the Yare and Bure half decker one design, Apollo. He once said that he had only taken up sailing in 1948, then aged fourteen because Tideway had been built for his older brother, Graham. When he went into the Merchant Navy, he didn't want to waste her. By 1972, when he had enjoyed triple success in the Diamond Jubilee Gold Challenge Cup, he was dubbed 'Martin King of Norfolk Dinghies'. He dominated the traditional clinker class, also White Boats and then Enterprises, sailing Maidamistake. And in 21 years, he won the Frostbites 18 times. One of the proudest moments of his long career was taking the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh down river on the Broom-built 45ft motor cruiser Albert of Blofield. Later this year, he was to have been presented by the Princess Royal, president of the Royal Yachting Association, with a life-time achievement award. Martin Broom leaves a widow, Jennifer, and two daughters, Mandy and Emma.

Project: Hardy 40DS

Hardy seems to make 2013 an important turn around for its company and apart launching recently its new flagship presents this interesting new 40DS project.  This new Hardy model sits in the high end of the current Hardy range which starts at 20 and continues to the just launched 62.  The 40DS is an interesting two cabin medium range explorer cruiser, with a nice small modern ship looking exterior and featuring a semi displacement hull design.  Its cabin layout will feature a two cabins interior layout with an owners room to fore, and two L-shaped guest berth amidships.  The galley as well as a large living saloon which converts to a dinette are all located on the main deck.  Standard power is a single 440hp Yanmar which should give estimating top speeds of 19 knots with a cruise of 14.  It will also be possible to power the 40DS with twin engine power although this will require a change in the hull profile.

www.hardy-marine.co.uk

New Model: Sea Ray 510 Fly

Full of European looks it is surely among the best looking Sea Ray flybridge ever built, this is the new 510 Fly.  Take away the badge and many would think this new Sea Ray flybridge motor yacht was build in Italy, and it is not the coach roof design which only says this but also the hull and the distinct windows design.  The Fly label, a common name used on flybridge boats in Italy says it all I guess.  Based on the hull of the best selling 510 Sundancer, top seller craft from fifteen to 24 meters for 2013 in the States the 510 Fly offers a three double cabins interior, with a full beam owners stateroom located amidships.  Thanks to an intelligent use of space the third cabin has also two adjacent twin berths, and a VIP guest room located to fore.  Living is all on the main deck in a split area, with a galley located to port of the helm-station on the raised part.  Winning all the competition the 510 Fly has also among the most spacious flybridge area in its size, and also offers the largest galley wet-bar for a fifteen meters ever seen up top.           

Technical Data:

LOA - 15.49 m (50.9ft) incl extended bathing platform

Beam - 4.47 m

Draft - 1.24 m with shafts, 1.27 m with ZF pods

Displacement - 19,700 kg dry

Fuel Capacity - 1514 l

Water Capacity - 416 l

Accommodation - 4 or 6 berths in 2 or 3 cabins, + 2 convertible berths

Engines - 2 x Cummins QSC 550hp, QSC 600hp

Propulsion - V-drive line shafts, or ZF Zeus dual propeller aft looking pods

Hull Shape - Vee shape with 19 degrees deadrise

Certification - ABYC, NMMA, CE optional

www.searay.com

Web: American Custom Yachts New Web Site

American Custom Yachts presents its new World wide web virtual showroom.  Founded in 1992 by Dominick Lacombe who came from the experience of running custom sportfish boat builder Monterey.  American Custom Yachts first build was a 58 feet custom sportfish yacht delivered in 1994, which was followed by a 63 and a 65.  Other 68, 70, 72, a small 42 models where built since then.  American Custom Yachts latest build is the 90 flagship completed in 2012 and powered by twin 4600hp MTU and reaching 48 knots top speed.  American Custom Yachts new website takes you around with the following buttons; Yacht Construction, Service and Repair, Custom Refits, Boat Storage, ACY Fleet, Ship Store, Affiliates, Newsletter, Home, Testimonials, Yacht Doctors, Marketing Partners, Press, Video, Brochures, and Request a Quote.  American Custom Yachts also features its social media pages; Facebook and Twitter with a link featured on the right page.

www.americancustomyachts.com

Project: AB Yachts 166

AB Yachts shows rendering for the project of a new flagship the 166. Still waiting a signature on the dotted line, it will be a not so long wait of about two years for a complete new custom build, this depending on requested specification for the new AB Yachts flagship.  This model joins other Viareggio builders in presenting mega large super sport yachts with around fifty meters in length, with the AB Yachts being the third in the series. The 166 continues the family feeling of AB Yachts, but a big difference of this new model from its smaller sisters, is that here we have a three decks.  Impressive in the AB Yachts 166 will be the owners stateroom located on the main deck, and apart having two balconies which give abundance of natural light features also a separate access to the pool on the foredeck.  With the AB Yacht 166, Arnaboldi continues his sponsorship of Jet Propulsion, a trademark and specialization of the Viareggio builder, before it was part of the Fipa Group since founded in the nineties, and also a feature of the new flagship.  Sporting also an aggressive underwater Vee-shape hull with deep fore foot the AB 166 will be powered by triple MTU 4600hp engines giving a top speed of 48 knots and a cruise of 40.  Apart these impressive high end performance numbers which is a trademark of AB Yachts a 2500 nautical miles range is possible with  a 12 knots cruise.    

www.abyachts.com

New Model: Cruisers 45 Cantius

The third model in the Cantius series range by Cruisers, the 45.  In this latest fully enclosed hard top model Cruisers follow the looks of the 41 along with the theme of all the Cantius, with a living all on the main deck, and a lower area dedicated to the cabins.  One of a favourite feature of the 45 will surely be the astern galley in the main deck saloon, serving easily both cockpit and interior saloon in a sociable environment.  Another nice touch is the aft bench settee which can become a sun-pad, an aft looking mezzanine, or a lounger type seat.  Two cabins both with en-suite shower head are featured below.  The master cabin is located to fore, and a three berth guest room is amidships. The amidships guest cabin features also some nice leg room, which is not something to discount nowadays, and a cool entertainment centre with a movable settee, and relax chaise lounge to port.  Power is standard twin Volvo 370hp, or optional 435hp units with IPS pod drives.  The standard power is a bit a slow giving a top speed of 27 knots, but 34 knots is estimated with the larger units.
Technical Data:

LOA - 14.4 m (47.3ft) including Hi-Lo bathing platform

Hull Length - 13.7 m

Beam - 4.3 m

Draft - 1.0 m

Displacement - 13,381 kg

Fuel Capacity - 1370 l

Water Capacity - 370 l

Accommodation - 5 berths in 2 cabins

Engines - 2 x Volvo D6 370hp, D6 435hp

Propulsion - Volvo IPS500 or IPS600 forward looking dual propeller pod drives

Speed - 27 knots max with  Volvo 370hp IPS500, 35 with 436hp IPS600

Hull - planning Vee with 18.5 degrees deadrise

www.cruisersyachts.com