-pic of the month- Sun Reef reinforces position in the Middle East
Benetti Biggest Yacht in Cannes
Ocean Paradise is a 55 meters in aluminum and steel and it based on a consolidated and tested Benetti platform, yet rich with innovative contents, especially with regards to partitioning, interior design, decor and fitting out. With Ocean Paradise, Benetti gives further proof of their second to none capability in interpreting and adapting to Owner's requests. Many elements make this yacht an example of custom avant-garde solutions: from the furnishings to the highly elaborate illumination plan, with the use of novel architectural solutions and the combination of both transparent and opaque materials that emphasize the traditional relationship with the sea, or a more contemporary look and feel, as required. All this is coordinated and managed by BEST(Benetti Exclusive Sea Technology), the proven domotic system adopted by the yard aboard several vessels and very much appreciated by Owners and crew. The Benetti Ocean Paradise was also conceived to fulfill the specific need of the charter activities, but despite this is characterized by several notable one of a kind elements, such as the designer's research for solutions that guarantee communication between adjacent environments and especially with the sea, even while relaxing in the main saloon or lunch area. This was obtained by the intense study and development of the height of the opaque elements, and the adoption of Plexiglas and crystal materials, with the absence of bulwarks in the floor to ceiling windows in the salon. Minimalist, but never cold, and always connected with the sea: these were some of the guidelines given by the Owner for the development of this project. The Benetti team of interior and exterior designers interpreted the desires of the Owner, bringing it to an ideal fruition from both the technical and aesthetic/functional points of view.
Cheoy Lee Rockets to Cocoa Beach
The #33 Cheoy Lee Alpha race team joins seven other P1 SuperStock teams to rocket around the Florida Space Coast this weekend in the fourth round of the championship one-design race boat series. Paula and Gene Weeks enter the weekend At Cocoa Beach, FL, in fourth place, 11 points off the leaders, but just one point behind #07 GD Environmental and the hometown team of #13 Florida's Space Coast, who are tied in second place. The husband and wife team are hoping for a better showing than last month's race in Tampa Bay with just one race left in September to determine the title. The veteran offshore throttleman began racing with his wife last year in the P1 SuperStock series and have had a roller-coaster-like season in 2014.Last month in Tampa, the pair started strong winning the pole position in a drag-style qualifying round, only to be plagued by gremlins during racing. This is P1 SuperStock's second visit to Cocoa Beach, following a successful debut last year.
Fairline Strengthens Global Sales Team
Fairline Boats is continuing to strengthen its global sales team with a key new appointment. Douglas Culverwell joins Fairline as Regional Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), following the recent expansion of Fairline’s approved dealer network in 2014. Douglas brings to the role a wealth of global boat industry knowledge and experience acquired over the last 17 years. He has worked for a number of leading distributors and manufacturers across the world, including as Regional Sales Manager at Viking Sport Cruisers Inc. in the US, Senior Sales Manager for the Asia Pacific region at Princess Yachts International Ltd, and most recently at Sealine International. Douglas worked as Sales Director for Sealine, both at the original company in the UK and also at its new home with Hanse Yachts AG in Germany. Douglas will be responsible for the strategic growth and development of Fairline’s dealer network throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He joins Adam Waters (Asia Pacific), Steve Leeson (Americas) and James Powell (UK and Spain) in the sales team, which is led by James Robinson, Fairline's Sales Director.
Ferretti Group Capital Increase
Ferretti S.p.A. ("Ferretti") announces that the Shareholders' Meeting of Ferretti International Holding S.p.A. ("FIH"), sole shareholder of Ferretti, resolved an €80 million share capital increase in cash to support the Group's new Industrial Plan. FIH is the holding company of Ferretti, in which the reference shareholder Weichai Group Holding Hong Kong Investment Co. Ltd., The Royal Bank of Scotland Plc, SVP Special Situations LLC, through several investment funds and vehicles related to it, and other minority shareholders, hold interests. The FIH share capital increase approved by the shareholders considerably boosts the investment that the Ferretti shareholders, and in particular the majority shareholder Weichai Group Holding Hong Kong Investment Co. Ltd., made in Italy. The result is that the Ferretti Group's capital and finances are significantly strengthened thanks to financial instruments allowing the new relaunch and growth Industrial Plan to be implemented.
Horizon Welcomes New Dubai Sales Partner Team
Horizon Group is pleased to announce the Bush & Noble company as a Preferred Partner for sales and service in Middle East (UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait). Established in 2012 and headquartered in Dubai, Bush & Noble is a vibrant and experienced yacht company offering a fresh approach to the marine industry in the Middle East. The core aspects of Bush & Noble comprise a yacht consultancy service focused on providing yacht owners with management, advice and guidance on any aspect of buying, selling or owning a yacht; and a brokerage division to facilitate the purchase and sale of yachts worldwide. “Bush & Noble has an enviable place in the developing yacht market, and we are looking forward to working closely together to bring Horizon Yachts to the Middle East, an area that has previously been unavailable to us,” said John Lu, CEO of Horizon Group.
Outer Reef New Director of Marketing
As a result of international demand and company growth, the US luxury yacht builder, Outer Reef Yachts, has announced that Tracy Hess has been selected as director of marketing and communications. She will manage the company’s global image as it pertains to the brand, and evolve product lines as well as various owner services. Hess joins the team as part of Outer Reef Yachts’ continued commitment to product and service growth, including the latest launch of the new Outer Reef Trident series, a series that focuses on the design and construction of long-range motor yachts, with a unique synthesis of stylistic innovation, technology and functionality. Working with senior management and the company’s sales network, Hess will implement marketing strategies to meet the needs of current international clients and prospective buyers for this new series, while continuing to increase market awareness for the successful classic Outer Reef long-range motor yacht product line, ranging from 53ft to 115ft. Leveraging 15 years of marketing experience in her new position with Outer Reef Yachts, Tracy has held sales management and leadership positions within marine media and technology companies, including Power and Motoryacht magazine, and most recently Yachtworld, Boats.com and Boat Trader. Also, she contributes to the overall industry as an ember of the Florida Yacht Brokers Association, Young Professionals in Yachting and the Maine Industries Association of South Florida.
Overmarine Mangusta in Cote D'Azur
The official inauguration of the Overmarine Group branch office in the Côte d’Azur was held last 31st July. Many people and Mangusta lovers attended the event, celebrating together with the managers of the company the new important and exclusive location. The new office is strategically located in Port Rayon, Golf Juan, nearby Cannes. All guests had the opportunity to admire a yacht of the Mangusta 105 series that was docked in front of the office. Opening this new office in the Côte d'Azur is part of the work of strengthening the brand and strategic consolidation which is leading the Group to preside directly over strategic markets such as the United States and France. Historically, in fact, France is one of the reference markets for Mangusta, as is clear from the number of the yachts that can be seen in the most exclusive marinas of the Côte d'Azur. This is a market in which the company believes strongly, so much so it has actually opened an office there. As of today, the company’s reliability and its thirty year experience, the passion of those working here and the success of this brand are now even closer to clients and their demands in France.
Riviera Recognizes Marine Industry Excellence in 2014
Good things certainly do come in threes for the team at R Marine South Australia who not only won three esteemed awards at the annual Australia and New Zealand dealer awards, but also won the coveted Overall Dealership of the Year award for the third consecutive year in recognition of their exceptional customer service, innovative owner experience events and dedication to the Riviera and Belize brands. The 20th annual Australia and New Zealand Dealer Awards were held at a special ceremony at Cockle Bay in Sydney on the eve of the Sydney International Boat Show. The awards recognise outstanding achievement and marine industry excellence within Riviera’s R Marine dealer network – the largest luxury owner network in the region. Riviera’s dealer relationship manager Peter Welch said the awards were designed to bring together Riviera’s Australian and New Zealand R Marine dealer network to celebrate their success and recognise exceptional customer care. R Marine South Australia did exceptionally well this year winning the coveted Overall Dealership of the Year award, the Sales Excellence by a Dealership award (which they won jointly with R Marine Sydney), and dealer principal Paul Harrop won the Sales Excellence by an Individual award. For the first time in the award’s 20-year history, Riviera recognised two dealerships for Sales Excellence, R Marine South Australia and R Marine Sydney. Mr Welch said both dealerships achieved the highest sales results across the Australia/New Zealand dealer network and deserved to be equally recognised for this achievement. R Marine Sydney’s dealer principal Michael Joyce commended his team for their positive attitude and continued commitment to the Riviera and Belize brands. The Service Excellence by a Dealership award was presented to one of Riviera’s newest dealers, R Marine Mandurah, located about 72 kilometres south of Perth, who over the past 18 months established a reputation for high quality service within their local boating community. R Marine Mandurah dealer principal Carl Segreto congratulated his team on their dedication and commitment to servicing Mandurah’s Riviera owners. Riviera’s esteemed Dealer Awards have recognised excellence in sales, owner care and service innovation for the past 20 years and instils Riviera’s commitment to quality as championed by the entire Riviera factory team of over 400 people, the company’s CEO Wes Moxey and owner Rodney Longhurst. These awards encourage the dealer network team to consistently go above and beyond for their Riviera Family of owners.
Sea Ray New Director of Product Training
Well-known marine trainer JD Schmid has joined Sea Ray as Director of Product Training. Prior to joining Sea Ray, Schmid was a partner at the Sales Institute for Excellence. A longtime member of the recreational boating community, he has successfully started and operated a boat dealership before deepening his involvement with professional training. As a professional trainer, Schmid would often deliver up to 200 presentations a year with audiences as large as 2,000 people. He’s delivered marine-specific training to more than 1,000 marine sales professionals. One of the key focus areas for Schmid will be Sea Ray’s launch of the broadly affordable SPX series later this fall, comprised of 19 and 21 foot models in several power and option configurations.
Sun Reef Reinforces Position in the Middle East
Reflecting the growing interest in Sunreef Yachts in the Middle East, the company has announced their expansion into Bahrain - as a subsequent phase of the company’s plans for GCC expansion. After the 3 month presence of 70 Sunreef Power DAMRAK II in the Middle East, the shipyard decided to open in 2013 the first office in Dubai (UAE) which was the key step in spreading the brand and product awareness in this area. At the beginning of 2014 the company presented the most outstanding luxurious catamaran models including 90 Sunreef Power and Sunreef 165 ULTIMATE at the Kuwait Yacht Show and Dubai International Boat Show. Furthermore in March 2014 Sunreef Yachts organized a series of exclusive events held in 4 locations in the Gulf region during which the futuristic trimaran concept 210 Power Trimaran was presented - with 64 m in length and almost 1000 m2 living space that makes it the biggest vessel of this type on the market. The hightened interest of the local customers was certainly a reason for the opening of the new local office in Bahrain. Surrounded by the crystalline waters of the Persian Gulf, with a rich industry and relaxed cultural rules, "The Kingdom of the two Seas" is a fertile environment for the sale of Sunreef catamarans. At the same time, the Bahrain office will be a portal in which Sunreef Yachts will be able to showcase itself on the broad Middle East yachting market. The company`s vision is to fulfill a gap in the GCC's leisure marine market with truly unique luxury catamarans, offering much more than typical monohulls - ideal stability, exquisite custom luxury design, incredible space on board, speed, long range and low fuel consumption. The Sunreef Yachts business in Bahrain will be headed by Anna Nowotarska who is with the shipyard more than 5 years now.
Viking Summer Chores
While many Viking employees are taking advantage of the August plant vacation week, work around the facility continues at a record pace. Among the major projects under way has been the removal and replacement of the concrete pad surrounding Buildings 2 and 2N. Of course in the Viking tradition of building a better boat every day, the company has taken the same approach with the improvements. Thus, we have added radiant heating beneath the new concrete to prevent the buildup of ice during the winter, which will make it more convenient for the Travelift, as well as enhance the safety for our people. A special thanks to Bayview Nurseries and Garden Center of Northfield, New Jersey, for graciously supplying us with beautiful foliage for Building 1.
Viking Win Texas Legends
Bandit for the win! Bert Steindorf's Viking 82 Bandit won it all at the recent Texas Legends Billfish Tournament. With Captain Kevin Scott at the helm, the team released a blue marlin, three white marlin and four sails to top the leaderboard. Third Place was awarded to Cliff Thomas' Viking 68 Mine Time with four whites and four sails. Mine Time also led the Billfish Release category. The largest blue marlin released was on George Gartner's Viking 56 Legacy.
Viking Tami Ann Puts Charlie in the Bag
More than 80 boats fished the northeast's premiere tournament, the Tri-State Canyon Shootout in Block Island, Rhode Island. Topping the board was Frank Mazza's brand new Viking 55Tami Ann. Tami Ann angler Wade Baker brought a big eye to the scales that topped out at a record 278.5 pounds to claim Largest Tuna and the biggest paycheck in the tournament's history. Third Place Tuna was awarded to Scott Rhein fishing on Pete Rhein's Viking 56 Sneaky Pete with a 201 pounder. The largest wahoo went to angler Roland Beamish with a 64 pound 'hoo fishing on the Viking 61 Jolly Mon. The Viking 61 Blue Eyes took the Tri-Fishecta and angler Jim Payliaro secured the top albacore spot with a 61.5 pounder. Third Place Billfish release points went to the Viking 45 Relentless thanks to angler Mike Tucci.
Viking On The Board
First event and a first place win! The Viking 62 Convertible showed up to her inaugural tournament with guns blazing for the Beach Haven White Marlin Invitational. Captain Brian Komer and his crew wasted no time in heading straight to the winner's circle with nine white marlin and the title of Grand Champion and First Place White Marlin Points. Viking 62 angler Bob Shomo, Vice President of Johnson & Towers, brought two whites to the scales to claim the First and Second Place Heaviest White Marlin. Congratulations to the Viking 64 Oil Slick for kicking off marlin season on the right foot. Oil Slick added more hardware to the trophy case with a First Place finish at the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor Invitational Marlin Tournament. Captain Ryan Higgins, fishing on the Viking 70, led angler Lonni Rutt to a Second Place Angler award.
Viking Texas Blues
The Rockport, Texas, Bastante Tournament is not only in the books, it is in the Texas State Record Book! Captain Kevin Dearman found some fishy water and Viking 56 Legacy angler Richard Richardson, Jr., went to work. The crew thought they were fighting a shark but when the big beauty surfaced, they realized it was a blue marlin. Richard took about 20 minutes reeling her in while the crew spent more than double that to boat the fish. At the scales the number read 972 pounds, smashing the 26 year old Texas state blue marlin record. Congratulations to Legacy owner George and Donna Gartner for taking Top Boat, Legacy's Kevin Dearman on Top Captain and angler Richard Richardson, Jr., on a new state record.
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