New Model: Heesen 51m YN 16551

Heesen announces that YN 16551 christened “My Sky” was launched on January 31st at their facility in Oss. “My Sky” is a 51m full displacement long range motor yacht of 660GT with a range of 5.400Nm at 10 knots. Her bold but sleek exterior is due to Frank Laupman of Omega Architects. Flush mounted tinted windows thermo bonded to the superstructure create a continuous wall of glass that gives this vessel a very distinctive look. World renowned architect Erick van Egeraat designed the ultra-contemporary, sharp and sophisticated interior. Emphasizing a strong contrast between dark and light throughout the yacht, a homogenous and luxurious atmosphere is created; combining crisp white leather with dark high-gloss Makassar wood and showing beautiful natural stone inlay patterns of spectacularly patterned back-lit white onyx into a black marble base. My Sky accommodates 12 guests in five cabins. The spacious full beam master suite is located on the main deck forward and boasts a large bathroom including a full natural stone clad steam shower and a spacious walk-in closet. The four guest cabins are located on the lower deck. The main saloon aft, with its large circular dining, lounge and bar area with a 6m2 LED screen, connects to the n deck aft, which organizes built-in settees and seats around two low coffee tables. The upper deck lounge, with its 270 degrees view and circular seating area, opens onto the aft terrace, accommodating a large dining table ideal for al fresco dining, even under way. Finally, the Sundeck’s large Jacuzzi, surrounded by sun-pads to aft, is perfect for total relaxation. As for the touch-and-go helicopter pad at the bridge, it turns into a large sun terrace providing secluded lounging even when the boat is docked stern into the marinas. “My Sky” is due for delivery to her Owners in November 2014 after intensive sea trials in the North Sea.

Technical Data:

LOA - 51.9 m (167.8ft)

Beam - 9.60 m

Draft - 3.25 m

Displacement - 529 t half load

Fuel Capacity - 80000 l

Water Capacity - 20000 l

Accommodation - 12 guests in 6 cabins

Engines - 2 x MTU 12V 4000 M53 1850hp

Propulsion - line shaft with five blade fix propellers

Speed - 15 knots max, 12 knots cruise

Range - 3200 nm at 12 knots

Hull Shape - round bilge displacement

Construction - steel hull, aluminium super structure

Project - Frank Laupman of Omega Architects exterior, Erick van Egeraat interior, Van Oossanen - Heesen Yachts hull

Certification - Lloyds 100A1 SSC Yacht G6 LMC, MCA Large Commercial Yacht Code LY2 

www.heesenyachts.com

Project: Otam 80 Millennium Open

Italian yacht builder Otam presents the project of the 80 Millennium Open, which is one of the most exciting sports yachts to hit the market in a long time. The 80 Millennium Open retains all the technical virtues of its predecessors 80 HT-Hard Top. There is the classic deep-V hull with its generous dead-rise angle that cushions the ride. The Otam power goes around a hearty two or four engine propulsion option;  leisure and performance versions, original MTU 2600 HP diesels coupled with the Arneson drives can be replaced by four MTU with Trimax drives. The new version of the Otam 80 is the result of the idea of a completely open yacht that fulfills today’s market demand for super sports yachts and chase boats. Starting with the proven Fabio Buzzi hull shape, the yacht designer Alberto Mancini wanted to emphasize speed, with a very protective windscreen that wraps around both sides of the cockpit and terminates with the large carbon air intakes, clearly derived from automotive lines. The roll-bar is color coordinated with the hull scheme, that Mancini and Otam wanted in five different custom color variations, with colors that are unique, sporting and elegant; Racing Blue, Maranello Red, Titanium, Black and Gold Grey. Of course, full custom color schemes are always possible. The deck layout was specifically designed to take advantage of the external cockpit: a facing twin C-shaped settee that can be covered with the Bimini top or an optional hard top, and a double bar completely equipped for both a day trip or a real open air passage: ice makers, capacious refrigerators and grills. The spacious sun bathing area is astern, above the tender garage, with another sun-pad zone to fore. All the outdoor upholstery uses new materials especially designed to integrate with the tones of the chosen hull color scheme. The internal layout is available in the three or four cabin versions, with the owners suite amidships and the VIP suite forward, with two twin cabins, or as completely customized guest cabins. The 80 Millennium Open represents a yacht that promises speed with a twist of luxury, with a top speed of 50 knots, but Otam is still experimenting with propellers and is confident that a new set of Rolla propellers will take this up to 55-58.

www.otam.it

New Model: Greenline 48 Hybrid

Presented during the first month of the year Dusseldorf boat show, the new Greenline 48 Hybrid is an interesting and innovative hybrid explorer motor flybridge cruiser. The 48 Hybrid largest of the Greenline family raises the game in the offer from this builder not only in size but also the quality of the vessel.  Since the launch of the 33 model Greenline has generated a lot of buzz in the industry. Apart in its innovative propulsion solutions the 48 Hybrid strikes for its three double cabin layout, astern galley, and a small ship like main deck. Other interesting details are the optional choices; three for the main deck, and two below. The option on the main deck regards the starboard side behind the helm; this available with entertainment unit, or sofa, and or two chairs. Below is option for two scissor type double to fore instead of a fixed double queen sized berth, and a crew cabin to aft with shower head to aft. Power options are four diesel engines starting at 110hp this giving eleven knots max, up to twin 380 which adds top speed by twelve nautical miles per hour. Greenline 48 Hybrid also features twin fourteen kilowatt propulsion which give a max speed of six knots a cruise of four and an autonomy of 20 nautical miles. 

Technical Data:

LOA - 14.99 m (49ft)

Hull Length - 13.9 m

Beam - 4.80 m

Draft - 0.98 m

Displacement - 13800 kg dry 

Fuel Capacity - 1500 l

Water Capacity - 660 l

Accommodation - 6 berths in 3 cabins, 1 optional single berth crew cabin aft

Engines - 2 x 110hp, 220hp, 300hp, 380hp

Speed - 23 knots max with twin 2 x 380hp

Range - 900 nm at 7 knots

Hull Shape - super semi displacement

Project - J and J Design, Seaway

Certification - CE B

www.greenlinehybrid.com

Project: Henriques 35 Express HT

Henriques has recently showed a rendering of a new 35 Express HT. It has proved to be a successful formula for the New Jersey based builder in recent times, and after doing the transformation with the 42 last year, and the 50 Henriques seem to be doing the same on this smaller model. The 35 Express HT should be based on the layout of the standard 35 Express model with the addition of a stylish three part Hard-Top covering the pilot house. Just to give an indication the interior layout of a standard 35 Express usually features a galley to port side on entrance, L-shaped saloon opposite, and a double berth plus bunk single to fore. Anyways as far as layouts go, Henriques has shown in its story to be pretty flexible with its clients in customizing boats as requested, so bare with us that this is just an indication.

www.henriquesyachts.com 

New Model: Jeanneau 40 Leader

Presented as a 38 project back in the fall of last year, the new Jeanneau 40 Leader is an interesting new model which comes with important points to its favor in this size market segment; nice modern exterior, important designer signature for hull and looks, and a competitive price tag. That is lot going for the new flagship of the Leader range from Jeanneau. You can also add more positive marks to this when you read on the specification that the hull shape of the 40 Leader is made by US designer Michael Peters, considered one of the top in the business for fast seaworthy bottom shapes. For the 40 Leader designer Garroni presented a nice hard top design, smart big large but not over-sized side windows, and a well laid layout both outside on the main deck and below. An interesting part of the lower deck layout is the L-shaped galley to starboard overlooking an opposite saloon, a detail typical to many British sport cruisers of similar size. The main deck also is a single level flush deck offer something I like on sport cruisers of this size and type versus the split level form of older models. Other interesting details in the 40 Leader is the aft sun-pad, which extends by moving the back rest of the settee forward. Power is standard twin Volvo 300hp, optional 370 and Mercruiser Cummins 380hp.

Technical Data:

LOA - 12.3 m (40.5ft)

Hull Length - 10.9 m

Beam - 3.8 m

Draft - 1.10 m

Displacement - 7531 kg

Fuel Capacity - 2 x 362 l

Water Capacity - 250 l

Accommodation - 4 in 2 cabins, plus 2 berths in convertible saloon

Max Persons - 10

Engines - 2 x Volvo D4 300hp, D6 370hp, Mercruiser Cummins ZD 380hp

Propulsion - dual propeller stern drives

Project - Garroni exterior and interior, Michael Peters hull, and Jeanneau

Certification - CE B10 / C12

www.jeanneau.com

Project: Hampton 590 Endurance

Hampton present the project of its 590 Endurance, which is a design to Howard Apollonio and his famed semi-displacement hulls.  The 590 is the entry level to the Endurance range which spans up to 87 feet, and third smallest in size in the Hampton model offer. The living of the 590 Endurance offers a split level area, with an entrance featuring a relaxing area, and a three step up part having the galley, dinette and a central helm which is available with a single or twin seats. Below is three cabins with owners room to midships, VIP to fore, and double guest cabin to star-board. An option exists for the owners stateroom to have the shower head located to port side or to aft of the cabin, with this last option also adding a walk-in wardrobe and more space to the cabin.  Standard power is twin Cats 705hp with optional 873 engines being available.

www.hamptonyachts.com

New Model: Azimut Grande 95 RPH

Azimut Grande 95RPH, new model from the most exclusive large super yacht collection among the range, was launched in Viareggio on April 15th 2014. Latest model to be included in the Grande Collection, is also the first one being realized since the Collection was reintroduced in the Azimut Yachts family, side by side with the others: Atlantis, Magellano, Flybridge and S. Once again the already established collaboration between designer Stefano Righini, in charge of the concept and the external lines, and Studio Salvagni Architects for the interior layout, resulted in a project characterized by a unique and unmistakable style. Among the most interesting innovations introduced onboard this 29 meters, the raised pilothouse hence the name of the model, the incredibly spacious flybridge over sixty squared meters, and the peculiar interior space configuration that includes four VIP cabins in addition to the master suite. The Grande Collection currently includes five models, ranging from 95 to 120 feet, designed for owners willing to customize their yacht: a team of technical and production experts, in fact, will work with them throughout the whole yacht’s construction process so to define together each single aspect, whether it concerns technical or design features. Dedicated to over thirty meters long planing vessels, characterized by a high level of customization, the Grande series is the most exclusive among the Azimut Yachts’ five collections, and this new model perfectly highlights the Collection’s elevated technology and style standards.

Technical Data

LOA - 28.62 m (93.9ft)

Beam - 6.94 m

Draft - 2.05 m full load

Displacement - 111 t full load

Fuel Capacity - 12000 l

Water Capacity - 2000 l

Accommodation - ten guests in five cabins, four crew in three cabins

Engines - 2 x MTU 16V2000 M94 2200hp

Propulsion - line shaft

Speed - 28 knots max, 22 knots cruise

Hull Shape - planning Vee with 7.6 degrees dead-rise aft

Project - Stefano Righini exterior, Studio Salvagni interior design and concepts, Pierluigi Ausunio naval achitect

Cerfification - UNI ISO8666 for data  

www.azimutyachts.com

Project: Marex 375

Marex present the project of the 375 which is based on the hull of its award winning and much praised 370 Aft Cabin Cruiser. Apart the different looking but still family feeling design, two important features differentiate the 375 from the 370, no aft cabin, and the choice of single or twin engine options. The Marex 375 is an enclosed hard top sport cruiser with two important seating areas; one outside on the aft deck with a large C-shaped settee resting to port side, and a similar layout dinette inside. The galley is also located on the main deck with the Marex design team concentrating living up top. Below is two cabins with two double berths; owner to forward, and a guest at midships. A shower head is located to starboard.

www.marex.no

Andrea Pezzini 1969 - 2014

Andre Pezzini fought against a disease that has proved stronger than him, and finally he surrendered, leaving his wife and two daughters on the 30 April 2014. Along with all those who knew him. Andrea Pezzini from Viareggio, was since 2012 owner of a company specialized in the installation of sound systems. Son of Marco Pezzini who disappeared in 2012 and was founder and owner of Versilcraft since 1964.  Andrea Pezzini had since 2000 taken the helm of Versilcraft, one of the famous yacht builders from the Viareggio area. Then given the crisis of the yachting sector, he decided to completely change the field and devoted himself to the installation of sound systems and founded in 2012 together with Alessandro Breschi, the Power Sound, headquartered at the Ghivizzani in Massarosa. An activity, this, in which he was quickly established, that led him to collaborate with many in the Viareggio Carnival, providing the equipment of audio and lights for wagons. Andrea Pezzini led a very active professional life to which he was able to match an equally happy family living. Andrea was in fact married to Serena Pieracci, with whom he had two beautiful daughters: Lisa, the largest; and Virginia, the smallest.  Until just a year ago Andrea Pezzini was diagnosed with a tumor that has upset his existence, which he tried in every way to fight, and finally he had to surrender. 

Family Affair

If I had to pick up the perfect example in boat building, a brand which is close to perfection, I would say this to be the North American, New Jersey residing Viking.  The Healey family would also do the boating community a favor if they made a book how to manage a boat building brand and facility, and how to emerge from the hard times as stronger. Its not the first time I speak of Viking but this boat builder does deserve a couple of bloggers to its name, more so now that its celebrating fifty years of operation.  

The story of Viking is interesting but is also one of hard work, commitment, and also faith in its work force with some of the important stuff working with the company for long as this has been founded. This is an important detail in Viking's success. Viking is also the opposite of the other American spectrum of boat building, being family owned since its inception in 1964, and never going into financial schemes for growth but always doing it in the old family run style business way of looking within. 

Hard work and commitment comes as a testimony how Viking was in the shadows of Bertram and Hatteras up until the early nineties manage to make a turn around and become the production sportfish yacht of choice in the later part of that same decade.  That decade which in the American boating industry remains one of the darkest times with the introduction of the luxury tax, which stayed put for a couple of years.

The Viking story is an interesting one, and if you ever want to become a boat builder I would start by looking at them as an example to follow. Happy fiftieth birthday Viking.