February 1, 2014

Concept Boat

It was a nice surprise what happened in the London boat show, and how British boat builder Fairline made a move ahead with an interesting new concept sport boat, the Esprit.  For those who know Fairline which I am sure there is a lot of you here, they know that the builder has always been conservative with a modern approach in building and designing its models.  A formula which has worked well for the British boat builder in its forty years or so of it's history.
The Esprit concept changes all this and sees Fairline take the forward seat in material testing in both construction and fitting out, an innovative console, and a new design approach that of a sports boat style cruiser. This last bit was the biggest surprise since Fairline has never ventured into this territory and its Sport Cruisers have always been a family friendly affair with nice accommodation layout below. It will be interesting to see if the Esprit will be produced and how clients will react to this.
Concept boats are not very much if any in the making in the boating industry, and it was nice to see a boat builder in this case Fairline venture into this. Is also interesting, more so then when one thinks that Fairline is at the moment, the smallest of the big three United Kingdom builders, delivering about one hundreds boat per year. Nonetheless Fairline was pro-active and did what few builders do, going with a concept boat from a clean sheet.  Would be nice to see other builders venture more into this in the future.

January 31, 2014

Monthly News - January 2014

- pic of the month - Hodgdon Yachts Merge

Azimut Benetti Group New CEO of Yachts Buisness Line

Starting in the New Year, Ferruccio Luppi, CEO of Azimut|Benetti Group, will also serve as CEO of the "Yachts" Business line of Azimut|Benetti Group, taking over from Paolo Casani who is leaving the company to pursue other professional opportunities. Ferruccio Luppi will also continue to act as CEO of the Azimut|Benetti Group. 

Azimut Yachts Double Triumph

Azimut Yachts has a special reason to toast the New Year. The company based in Avigliana, Italy opens the year 2014 with two prizes at the 2014 Motor Boat Awards, a contest organised by authoritative British magazines Motor Boat and Yachting and Motor Boats Monthly. Azimut 80 won the award in the ‘Flybridge over 55 feet’ category, while Azimut Atlantis 34 won in the ‘Sportcruiser up to 45 feet’ category. The prestigious awards were officially presented on the occasion of the London Boat Show on January 6 by a panel of judges including the magazines’ editors and experienced boat testers on the basis of the results of tests conducted at sea with the vessels over the past twelve months and published in the magazines. The finalists in each of the nine categories were required to undergo rigorous, thorough testing procedures before the judges made their final decisions.


Bavaria Positive Trend

Fine days of exhibition at the boot in Düsseldorf and nine days with a very full program at the both the sailing and motor yachts stands from Bavaria. On this year's boot from the 18th to the 26th of January, Bavaria displays its whole range of products of sailing and motor yachts and the efforts have all been worthwhile. At every stage of the exhibition the visitors showed great interest in the Bavaria yachts between 29 and 56 feet. And even more pleasantly quite a number sales could be immediately achieved. A total of 20 Bavaria dealers from 12 different nations were in action at the boot, resulting a very international audience on both stands of the shipyard from Giebelstadt. Of one of the longest journeys from our dealerships was had by Paulo C. Pimentel Duarte, the Bavaria dealer from Sao Paulo who also met several Brazilian customers in Düsseldorf. All sailing yachts sold for delivery in Brazil have already completed a transatlantic passage to get to their destination. Were all motor and sailing yachts presented at the boot in Dusseldorf? No, not all. The latest new model, the Bavaria Easy 9.7 was conceived only shortly before the exhibition but can still be ordered by customers. Occasionally it became very tight for space on the Bavaria motorboats stands in hall 4 during the 45th boot in Düsseldorf. Particularly on both week-ends of exhibition the visitors had to take waiting periods if they wanted to visit the motor yachts of Bavaria. But it was for many prospective customers not only about seeing the motor yachts, they had also concrete questions to ask the Bavaria sales team. Topics such as the new joystick control system for berthing, to the economic efficiency of the Volvo Penta engines up to the details of the new Highline edition. For some of the 16 yachts which were presented in Düsseldorf the journey continues to Turkey where in Istanbul the next exhibition is awaiting them.


Canados Sell First Hull of Oceanic Line

Oceanic Yachts the exciting new line of yachts built by Cantiere Navale di Ostia – Canados has the pleasure to announce that hull #1 of Oceanic Yachts 90' has been sold. The first Oceanic 90 in its standard version has already been sold and is due to be delivered in June 2014. 


Fairline Success at the London Show

Fairline Boats has enjoyed a very successful 2014 London Boat Show, with strong forward sales across the range. The leading British luxury boat brand exhibited nine models at its stand, including Fairline’s striking new 48ft models, as well as an exciting all-new concept boat. Highlights of the show included the launch of the third model in Fairline’s 48ft range the Targa Gran Turismo, which was displayed alongside the Squadron 48 and the Targa 48 Open. Fairline also celebrated a major milestone at the show with the launch of its 100th Squadron 78 model, one of the brand’s most successful and iconic luxury motor yachts. A new feature of the stand, Fairline’s Concept Cinema, gave customers, show visitors and industry guests a glimpse of the future of motor boating with the Fairline Esprit concept boat. The concept incorporates sustainable materials in construction and design, without compromising Fairline’s class-leading styling and performance. The new-look Fairline stand also featured a hospitality area, where guests were invited to relax and enjoy a drink. 


Fairline Expands Dealer Network

Fairline Boats is pleased to announce the appointment of a new authorised dealer in Herzliya, Israel. Maoz.net, trading as Fairline Israel, will operate from its offices in Herzliya Marina on the Eastern Mediterranean coast. The announcement is part of the luxury boat brand’s continued commitment to building its worldwide dealer network in 2014. Ideally located, Herzliya Marina is a short cruising distance from the beautiful bays of Turkey and the picturesque Greek islands and is close to some of Israel’s most popular destinations such as Tel Aviv. Established in 1994 by Yehuda Maoz, Maoz.net originally specialised in operating worldwide business jet flights from Israel. A passionate sailor, as well as an experienced jet pilot, Yehuda expanded the business into the marine industry in 2007. 


Ferretti Group New Chief Financial Officer

Ferretti Group, one of the global leaders in the design, construction and sales of luxury motor yachts, with a unique portfolio of prestigious brands that are among the most exclusive in the world boating industry, today announces that Italo Valenti is to be the Group's new Chief Financial Officer. Valenti's appointment is part of a project to further grow and develop the Group on a worldwide level, by contributing to further reinforcement of the managerial structure. Italo Valenti, 49, graduated in Economics from Bocconi University in Milan. His career path included roles of increasing responsibility in major multinationals such as ABB and Beretta, before taking on the role of Chief Financial Officer at Ferrari in 2009. Valenti will report directly to Ferruccio Rossi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ferretti Group.


Gulf Craft Breaks Into Top Ten Builders List

The United Arab Emirates has been named among the world’s Top 10 superyacht-building nations in the recently released 2014 Global Order Book, a report issued annually by the Boat International Group. The UAE claimed the 9th place with 18 yachts over 24m currently under construction in the country. Enabling the UAE to sail into this prestigious listing as the manufacturer of 15 of the country’s 18 superyachts currently on order, is UAE-based yacht builder Gulf Craft. Gulf Craft also clinched a top 10 ranking among the world’s superyacht-building shipyards, moving up to the 10th position from its previous ranking of 17th. Today Gulf Craft has a wider superyacht product offering than ever before in the company’s history with eight different models available between 24m and 50m. The company has made significant investments in recent years in the development of its facilities and know-how which has grown global appreciation of the high standards of quality and innovation evident in its superyachts. As a builder of made-to-order luxury vessels, it’s the personalized approach and flexibility brought to each individual build that has helped put Gulf Craft and the UAE on the superyacht building map, enabling it to far outperform its peers as well as grow its brand equity in mature international yachting markets such as Europe. According to the 2014 Global Order Book, this is the first time since the record year of 2009 (when 1,008 new orders were recorded), that the number of new build yacht projects globally has been higher than that of the previous year. This year’s Global Order Book reveals that 735 new yachts are under construction or on order, a 6.2 percent increase over the 692 projects in the 2013 Order Book. The publication termed the reversal of a decreasing trend of superyacht orders that lasted four years as “certainly good news” for the industry.

Gulf Craft Dusseldorf Mark

Gulf Craft, one of the world’s top 10 superyacht building shipyards, said the time is right to be in the superyacht business in Europe. The statement was made at the recently concluded Düsseldorf International Boat Show, which took place at Messeplatz, Dusseldorf, Germany. In the last few years the company has seen its presence in the superyacht sector grow considerably, especially in Europe. Gulf Craft has cemented its international superyacht credentials in the past year with the delivery of six yachts above 30mt, three of which have been above 35m and three delivered to Europe. The company’s European growth in recent years has largely been driven by superyacht orders. Boot Dusseldorf is one of the world's premier annual boat shows and has been running for 45 years. The show welcomed close to 80,000 visitors in its opening weekend of 2014 and attracted 1,650 exhibitors from 60 countries.


Hodgdon Yachts and Boothbay Region Boatyard Sign Letter of Intent to Merge

Boothbay Region Boatyard will continue to provide maintenance and repair service to vessels ranging from outboard motorboats to yachts up to 80 feet. After the combination of the two businesses and the addition of approximately thirty employees at Boothbay Region Boatyard, Hodgdon will employ about 150 people in the Boothbay region.


Horizon Yachts Ranked as One of the Top Super Yacht Builders

ShowBoats International Magazine recently released their 2014 Global Order Book, which provides an in-depth look at international yacht activity each year, and Horizon is pleased to announce that we are number 5 in the list of Top 20 Custom Builders. With a total of 1686 feet in length built this year, Horizon also ranked number 11 in the list of Top 20 Builders by length, and Taiwan came in at number six in the Top 10 Builder Nations, showing increased activity by 32.4% in our home country. The Global Order Book reflects the growth we have seen in the past few years since the economic crisis, with motor yacht orders taking up the largest sector and expedition yachts coming in second, and we are confident that this growth, for both the yachting industry and Horizon, will continue into 2014. 


Jarrett Bay Welcome Chad Voorhees

Chad recently joined Jarrett Bay as a Product Design Engineer. Working directly with Gary Davis, Chad helps design and document all aspects of the custom build process. Prior to joining our family, Chad spent over 20 years at Hatteras Yachts in product development, designing new boats and working with customers on their custom design dreams. He brings 18 years of CAD experience and expert hands-on knowledge of the boat building process. In addition to his boat building experiences, he earned a degree in Furniture Design from Virginia Commonwealth University, and ran his own furniture design business for over a dozen years. Chad lives in Morehead City with his wife Amy. He has three grown children and a growing family. He enjoys being on and near the water whether he is fishing, stand-up paddle boarding, or out on his boat.


Moonen Yachts Communication Manager Return

Following a period of maternity leave, Dorien Bilterijst has returned to her role as communication manager at Moonen Shipyards in the Netherlands. Sabine Joppe, who has carried out all her duties with aplomb over recent months, has now moved onto a new challenge.


Outer Reef Wins Motorboat of the Year

Outer Reef 700 wins Motorboat of the Year. On handling the awatd to Ooter Reef Hugo Andreae editor of Motorboat and Yachting said that 700 does everything a World class trawler should and matches it with a build quality and high customisation. 


Sealine New Designer

Leading motor boat builders, Sealine International, are delighted to announce that they have appointed award winning international designer Bill Dixon to work with their in house design team in creating of a new range of innovative Sealine models. The first of these will be launched in the autumn of 2014. As a young naval architect working for Angus Primrose Design in the early 1980s, Bill Dixon faced a significant challenge to keep things going following Primrose's untimely death at sea. Some 30 years later Bill now heads a leading international studio with an impressive range of credits to its name including yachts for production boat builders such as Moody as well as major custom sail and motor yacht projects built at shipyards throughout the world. His studio is based at Swanwick near Southampton and Bill is still very much a hands-on designer.


Sea Ray Welcomes New Dealer

Sea Ray is pleased to announce its new partnership with American Boat Center as the Sea Ray dealer for the Knoxville area. Founded in 1987 by Steve and Susan Moore, American Boat Center is recognized for industry expertise and superior customer care. Housing one of the largest indoor show rooms in the southeast, American Boat Center is conveniently located in West Knoxville, just a short distance from both Sea Ray’s headquarters in downtown Knoxville and the Tellico Lake facility, where Sea Ray sport boats are built. In addition to its wide selection from the Sea Ray line-up, American Boat Center also features The Wake Shop, a comprehensive pro shop that carries a huge inventory of wakeboards, skis and other equipment and apparel—everything to ensure your time on the water is perfect.


Sunseeker Scoops Motor Boat of the Year Award

The impressive Sunseeker San Remo has won the ‘Best Sportscruiser over 45ft’ category in the prestigious Motor Boat Awards 2014. The highly respected Motor Boat Awards bring together marine business leaders to celebrate the best of the best from the motorboating world. Sunseeker beat off competition from all major boat manufacturers to claim the coveted Sportscruiser over 45ft award. Every detail of the San Remo has been planned to perfection, but its hidden treasure is the feeling of space and style throughout, from the exquisite owner’s stateroom right through to the galley and onto the upper deck. The generous main saloon area, consisting of stunning curved seating, is equipped with all the usual amenities you would expect from a cruiser of this size. But its light interior, combined with roof skylights and hull-side windows, transform the living space with floods of natural light.


Sunseeker Stars Raise the Roof

The team at Sunseeker are the finest boat builders and designers in the world, but they also have hidden talents! On the evening of Thursday 9th January 2014 at London Boat Show a select few of the most musically talented Sunseeker staff will take to the stage to entertain guests and visitors to raise money for breast cancer clinical trials. The ‘Sunseeker Renegades’ will make their world debut on the London stage and will be joined by the talented Jodie Elms, alongside Elle and the Pocket Belles, who officially opened the Sunseeker stand with James Corden on Saturday. The Sunseeker band first formed following company-wide auditions earlier in the year and have been practising relentlessly in preparation for their first gig at London Boat Show.The exclusive event is set to be the talk of the Boat Show for years to come.


Viking Wonder Woman

Angler extraordinaire, Martha Macnab, of Balboa Island, California, has been conferred by The Billfish Foundation with two prestigious awards for her accomplishments in 2013. Martha was recognized as the Top Overall Lady Tagging Angler and the Top Tagging Angler, Pacific Striped Marlin. Founded in 1986 to promote the world wide conservation of billfish, The Billfish Foundation's Tagging Program, which began in 1990, is the largest in the world. Congratulations Martha and the crew aboard your Viking 61, Retriever.

January 30, 2014

New Model: Rhea 36 Trawler

It's a challenging time for Rhea who with the success of its Trawler range continue to expand this line with a new entry level 36 model. With its elegant lines and classic appearance, the Rhea 36 Trawler offers all the necessary comforts for cruising. Inside the 36 Trawler offers two cabins; owners room to fore, and guest two bunk double to starboard amidships. While the main deck surprises for its modernity see astern galley. The 36 Trawler can also ground safely thanks to the shape of its hull and the protected propeller and rudder. In addition, its carefully designed hull offers limited drag and a sharp clean entrance whilst the tunnel propellers optimize consumption.   
Technical Data:
LOA - 11.3 m (37ft)
Hull Length - 10.8 m
Beam - 4.10 m
Draft - 1.10 m
Displacement - 10600 kg
Fuel Capacity - 1000 l
Water Capacity - 350 l
Accommodation - 4 + 2 berths
Engines - 2 x 260hp
Propulsion - line shafts
Project - Bertrand Danglade, Mortain-Mavrikios naval architecture
Certification - CE

January 29, 2014

Project: Fairline Esprit

Fairline was pretty upbeat at the just ended 2014 London boat show presenting an innovative concept the Esprit. This concept is a revolution for most of the known brands and shows sustainable bio-diversification construction in a new light. Bio-derived epoxy resins with needle punched flax fibres are used in construction and the interior features ecoyarn upholstery fabrics, specially treated with a waterproofing plasma process. Recycled synthetic teak is used for the eSprit’s decking and the concept incorporates a solar panelled T-top that folds away to cover bow seating when not in use. The concept also showcases an ergonomically optimized interior and includes a multi functional Steering Position with paddle throttles and integral LED control display. This allows chart plotter, radar and system information to be displayed in the optimum viewing position.  Power options for the Fairline eSprit consist of a 400hp diesel engine, capable of 30 knots in diesel mode, coupled to an electric motor. Silent running or sustained low speed cruising is possible at 5 knots in electric mode. But the Fairline Esprit was also a new departure for the British boat builder who for the first time presented a sport cruiser with a powerboat feel to its overall design. This is something totally new from Fairline and would be interesting to see the response from the public about the Esprit if it goes into production.  

January 28, 2014

New Model: Alaska 60 Yachtfisher

This new Alaska 60 Yachtfisher bases itself on the previous larger model coming from the down under builder the 57 Pilothouse, with the extra thinking coming for those who enjoy fishing or scuba diving, incorporating a fully molded fisherman style cockpit with additional storage, kill tanks, rope lockers and more. Like her 54ft smaller sister the hull of the 60 was computer scaled off the successful Alaska 46 series using the latest CAD design software. The Alaska 60 Yachtfisher offers classic and elegant looks combined with a generous sixteen foot plus of beam giving an unparalleled motor yacht with a myriad of live-able spaces on board. Some key design features of the 60 Yachtfisher are; walk-around decks, three cabin configuration with full beam master stateroom with king-size bed, dual en-suites, laundry, fiberglass hardtop over cockpit and side decks, and a tender storage deck aft on the flybridge. Like all Alaska the 60 Yachtfisher features a variable dead-rise hull design ensuring an economical cruising speed of 9 knots, or comfortably at 18 but if it’s a burst of speed you need she will sprint to over 22 knots. 
Technical Data
LOA - 17.98 m (59ft)
Hull Length - 17.37 m
Beam - 5.10 m
Draft - 1.22 m
Dispalcement - 30,000 kg 
Fuel Capacity - 3800 l
Water Capacity - 1200 l
Accommodation - 6 berths in 3 cabins
Engines - 2 x Cummins QSM-11 670hp, Cummins 715hp
Propulsion - line shafts
Speed -  22 knots max, 18 knots cruise, 9 knots economic

January 27, 2014

Project: Viking 52 ST

After the 42 ST, US builder Viking is fast to capitulate on this new generation of three sided hard top express sport fisher with the project of a 52 already starting to being developed. This new Viking 52 ST should prove a success, and I think it want be long till we see the similar sized open express from the competition to be redesigned with a three sided hard top variant. The 52 ST should also replace the 52 Sport Yacht in production since 2006, although so far there is no official word about this. We also do not know much about this new Viking 52 ST. Will it use the hull of the new 52 Convertible, or the half foot slimmer of the older since 2006 produced Open and Sport Yacht models. The shorter fore deck in the rendering though makes you think this model is very much developed on the latest 52 Convertible launched in 2013.        

January 25, 2014

Project: Palmer Johnson 35 M Supersport

Its an impressive innovative project from Palmer Johnson breaking many new barriers in this new Supersport line. The 35 M Supersport has an unedited hull shape, which may look a trimaran from a certain point of view, but this is for the most part a slender bulb mono with a sharp entry piercing bow and two sponsons to aft aiding stability but giving help for extra performance. The sponsons also aid the aft deck space giving 64 squared meters of room. On the accommodation side the 35 M Supersport features five guest cabins with an owners stateroom amidships. Three crew cabins, a lobby with saloon and galley are located to fore. Power for the 35 M Supersport will come from triple Volvo 900hp engines with IPS pod propulsion with Palmer Johnson estimating top speeds of 30 knots.     

January 24, 2014

New Model: Astondoa 72 GLX

Astondoa follows in its footsteps by making its 72 a turn around model. The 72 GLX from Astondoa heralds a new departure in the looks of its Motoryacht line with an innovative design element going into its fore deck. The bow of the 72 GLX features a very full shape with a triangle point, this adding more space to the fore deck and below.  The 72 GLX also surprises for being among the few flybridge motor yachts with a tender garage space. Lower deck accommodation offers a four double cabins plan with the standard layout of full beam owners room amidships. A crew cabin with a single berth is located to port side aft.  The main deck with the saloon on entrance, a full opening patio door which joins the cockpit, and bulkhead separated galley make for a nice living area.  Power is standard MAN engines 1224hp or optional 1360.    
Technical Data:
LOA - 22.05 m (72.3ft)
Hull Length - 21.2 m
Beam - 5.72 m
Draft - 1.24 m
Displacement - 49000 kg loaded, 44000 kg unloaded  
Fuel Capacity - 4400 l
Water Capacity - 1300 l
Accommodation - 8 guest berths in 4 cabins, 1 crew cabin with 1 berth
Max Persons - 18
Engines - 2 x Man 12v 1224hp, 12v 1360hp
Propulsion - line shaft
Speed - 28 knots max 25 cruise with MAN 1224hp engines
Hull Shape - modified Vee with 16 degrees deadrise
Certification - Germanisher Lloyd, ISO 8666 for measurements

January 23, 2014

Project: Steeler 46 Panorama FlatFloor

This new project from Steeler and designed by known dutch firm Vripack the 46 Panorama FlatFloor is one of the most innovative to come around since some time.  To be build in steel and featuring a semi displacement hull the 46 Panorama FlatFloor shows innovative spirit first for its single floor interior and second for its immense use of window surfaces. Another innovation in the 46 Panorama is a Multifunctional tank which can be filled of air, diesel, and water. When filled of water the tank reduces the height of vessel by one feet making it possible to pass for most of the inland waterway bridges in France. If you fill it with diesel your range increases dramatically.  The standard layout of the 46 Panorama is a two cabins plan with owners room to fore, and guest cabin amidships.  All the cabins are located in the main deck flat floor area this also featuring saloon and galley.  Also various options exist for the guest cabin from a separate galley, to two single berths. Three different options also exist for the entrance saloon sofa area, from astern galley, two armchair choices, or two opposite sofa plans.  A semi raised pilot house area features the helm and a relaxing C-shaped settee.  The Panorama series is to be made in four models this 46 being the entry level model.   

January 22, 2014

Engine: Cat C3406C 376hp

Caterpillar Marine is pleased to announce the Cat 3406C propulsion engine has entered production and is available for global customers to order. The Caterpillar 3406C is one of the most successful marine engine platforms in the American engine maker history. The Cat 3406C marine propulsion engine provides customers in lesser regulated countries, including Asia, with an economical, dependable solution for their commercial marine vessels. The mechanically governed 3406C propulsion engine offers 376hp at 1800 rpm. The engine is ideal for small offshore, inland waterways and commercial fishing applications. The 3406C presents customers with numerous advantages as a propulsion solution for their vessels. The mechanical engine is easy to install, operate and maintain, featuring many shared components from the original engine design. The engine performs at optimal levels even in the harshest environments in the most rugged of engine rooms, backed by the Cat global dealer network in even the most remote locations. Additionally with the relaunch of the platform, the engine will be offered with either keel cooled or heat exchanger cooling systems.