Propulsion: Volvo FWD

A revolutionary new concept in marine propulsion, the first Volvo Penta Forward Drive (FWD), debuted at an exclusive event at the Miami International Boat Show. Opening up a new realm for recreational water sports, the Volvo Penta FWD begins with forward-facing dual counter-rotating props with an adjustable-trim drive. This patented and innovative design pulls the boat through the water rather than pushing, with an undisturbed water flow to the propellers. This clean and efficient propulsion system delivers superior responsiveness, acceleration, fuel economy and versatility, allowing for an array of activities behind the boat, including wakesurfing and wakeboarding. Drivers will also be able to customize the wake for different ability levels and feel the difference in tighter high-speed turns, as well as more responsive slow-speed maneuvering and docking. Additionally, the forward-facing DuoProp, with counter-rotating propellers, offers a unique and industry-first symmetrical wake-boarding wake and equally shaped wake-surfing wave on your side of choice. FWD also reduces noise and vibration, and virtually eliminates annoying fumes on deck since engine exhaust is expelled underwater beneath the boat. The adjustable tilt makes it easy to trim the boat for optimum fuel efficiency and comfort when cruising. When at rest with the drive trimmed down, the forward-facing propellers are inboard of the boat making activities like fishing and swimming more practical astern of the boat.  The Volvo Penta FWD, coupled with the new-generation marine gas engines, is an unbeatable combination for boat builders, providing higher speeds and better performance with a smaller, lighter engine. The engine and drive system are proven and feature accessible service points for easier maintenance.  Dealers and boat owners will also benefit from the commonality of parts across the full range of engines and drives. Most importantly, the builder, dealer and customer have the peace of mind that comes with a fully integrated helm-to-prop solution designed, built and supported by a single manufacturer with an unmatched reputation for customer satisfaction and after-the-sale customer service.  The new Volvo Penta FWD and gas engines are covered by Volvo Penta’s warranty with five years of factory protection. The Volvo Penta FWD has been tested and developed with several key boat-builder partners. New boat models featuring FWD will be available starting in 2015.

www.volvo.com

New Model: Sealine S330

The S330 is the first Sealine to come totally new from the hands of Hanse, the owners of Sealine since the middle of 2013. The S330 is Sealine's current entry level model what is an interesting hard top sport cruiser which reflects the next step in the brand's identity outside and also features the important signature of naval architect Bill Dixon. As usual to Sealine the S330 is a spacious sport cruiser sleeping four plus two in a usual internal layout of forward Vee berth, midships double cabin, and a convertible L-shaped saloon dinette. If you are looking for a cruiser at ten meters in length, the accommodation of the new S330 is a challenge to any boat builder.  But apart all this the Sealine S330 is a practical sport cruiser with important wanted features as the hard-top, and the single level of the main deck.  Sealine also shows that's its targeting a vast client base with single engines as enjoyed by Scandinavian customers, or twin propulsion options also being available.     

Technical Data:

LOA - 10.31 m (33.9ft)

Waterline Length - 9.9 m

Beam - 3.5 m

Draft - 0.89 m with twin engines, 1.09 m with single stern drive

Displacement - 6.7 t

Fuel Capacity - 570 l

Water Capacity - 220 l

Accommodation - 4 + 2 berths

Max Persons 8

Engines - 1 x Volvo D6 330hp, D6 400hp, 2 x Volvo D3 170hp, D3 220hp

Speed - 32 knots max with Volvo 400hp or twin 220hp

Project - Bill Dixon

Certification - CE B

www.sealine.com

Project: Tankoa 50m S501

Tankoa Yachts and Yacht-Ology, Michel Karsenti's company are glad to announce the sale of the first S501 to an experienced French client. Construction of this first 50 meter will start early April 2015 for a delivery in mid 2017. S501 will be entirely built in aluminium light alloy 5083. According to Michel Karsenti and Tankoa's CEO, Euro Contenti, this is a true recognition of the "boutique shipyard" values and power that irrevocably consists in building yachts with clients, not for clients.  Tankoa S501 is the new 50 meter project that was officially introduced to the public and press last September on the occasion of the 2014 Monaco Yacht Show.  Project S501 was one of the first initiative resulting of the partnership between Tankoa and Yacht-Ology right after Karsenti contracted S693 that will be delivered this summer. She represents the quintessence of the result between a high quality builder and a marketing and sales organization that is in daily contact with yacht owners, captains and surveyors. Tankoa’s management team and Karsenti worked in close collaboration with Francesco Paszkowski to design the project in order to reach important goals of balance, circulation on board, minus 499 gross tons package, and a visual contact with the sea.  Interiors, as per client's request, will be the work of Francesco Paszkowski Design Studio in cooperation with Margherita Casprini and should reflect a "modern but warm" atmosphere. This first model of project S501 will be in its full displacement version offering a range of 5,000 Nautical Miles at 12 knots and 16 knots top speed. Another variant of S501 is available to the market with a semi-displacement hull shape capable of a 27 knots top speed.

www.tankoa.it

New Model: Tiara 50 Flybridge

The Tiara 50 Flybridge builds on the modern design and product evolution started with the introduction of the exciting 50 Coupe. The open layout adorned with solid hardwoods, contemporary furniture, finishes and hardware are all part of the new 50 Fly. What sets her apart is the new bridge deck layout thoughtfully executed with entertaining in mind. Highlights include a center helm station, secure coming heights, all inclusive seating and a convertible sun-pad allowing all guests to be part of the cruise. The open step system to the flybridge makes for easy ingress and egress, and keeps the aft cockpit deck open and airy.  Twin Volvo 725hp power the 50 Flybridge to a cruising speed of 28 knots, with a 33 knots top end. 

Technical Data:

LOA - 16.6 m (54.6ft)

Beam - 4.85 m

Draft - 1.34 m

Displacement - 20613 kg dry

Fuel Capacity - 2460 l

Water Capacity - 569 l

Accommodation - 4 berths in 2 cabins, or optional 6 berths in 3 cabins

Engines - 2 x Volvo D11 725hp

Propulsion - Volvo IPS950 forward looking dual propellers pods

Speed - 33 knots max, 28 knots cruise

Range - 270 nm at cruise

Hull Shape - planning Vee with 14.8 degrees dead-rise aft

Construction - premium resins with gel-coat outer layer, and balsa cored hull sides

Certification - USCG, NMMA, CE 

www.tiarayachts.com

Project: Fairline 53 Targa GT

Fairline announce its latest Targa model, the 53 Targa GT which is currently in the middle of its development program. The new second size Targa is the next step forward in the long tradition of the Fairline sport cruiser and yacht design series, and is a further development of the current 50 series with a totally redesigned lower deck moving the master cabin from fore to amidships. The mid-ships master stateroom is complemented by a double guest VIP forward, and a versatile twin cabin to port. The cockpit and saloon accommodation has also been well thought through offering the choice of C or J style cockpit seating. An optional continental galley in the saloon compliments the main galley below and together with the glass entrance design delivers the perfect alfresco dining experience.  The Targa 53GT offers a choice of two shaft driven engine options from Volvo and Caterpillar as well as an optional crew cabin with its own window. The opportunity for stabilisation systems has not been forgotten either with a choice of either gyroscopic or fin stabilization providing another opportunity to customize your boat.

www.fairline.com

New Model: Bilgin 147

Turkish super yacht builder Bilgin has launched its second largest and most modern model to date, the futuristic looking 147.  Designed by the studio of H2, the Bilgin 147 was launched in the second half of 2014 and features a semi-displacement hull shape.  The interior of 147 offers six guest cabins this including a very spacious VIP suite, and a master stateroom on the main deck. Crew accommodation is for six persons.  Bilgin 147 was built with Iroko wood and epoxy resins cold molded construction method, this making it one of the recent largest super yachts to be built in this manner.  Power comes from twin 1915hp Cat engines which gives max speed of 19 knots.  

Technical Data:

LOA - 45 m (147.6ft)

Waterline Length - 43.5 m

Beam - 8.9 m

Draft - 1.85 m

Displacement - 285 t full load

Fuel Capacity - 25000 l

Water Capacity - 6000 l

Accommodation - 12 guests in 6 cabins, 6 crew in 3 cabins

Engines - 2 x Cat C32 1915hp

Propulsion - line shaft

Speed - 19 knots max, 15 knots cruise

Hull Shape - semi displacement

Project - H2 Yacht Design

Construction - cold molded Iroko with epoxy resins 

Certification - RINA, MMA

www.bilginyacht.com

Project: Marlow 49 Explorer

At the October 2013 Fort Lauderdale boat show Marlow announced that it started project plans for a new 49 Explorer model. In this new creation which took about two years in the making Marlow listened with special ears to its customers who have expressed a great interest in an exploror cruiser of this size range. Plans were unveiled at each owners party and the order for hull one finally arrived with a debut set for Miami 2015. Like all Marlow yachts the 49 Explorer will feature construction techniques with the finest of materials. It will exhibit the same grace, dexterity and reliability in performance and provide the quiet luxury, overstated volume and outstanding fit and finish that Marlow yachts share. The 49 Explorer will be constructed with Marlow's third generation radius transom, thus providing a significant gain in lazarette storage and cockpit areas. There are three lower deck options for stateroom configurations creating either two very large staterooms or adding a third with twin bunks for very comfortable accommodations. Power comes from twin 461hp Cat engines.

www.marlowyachts.com

New Model: Casa 38 HT

It's been a long time coming for this project to arrive into reality but the new Casa entry level model, the 38 is finally here.  The new Casa 38 HT reduces the South of Rome, Gaeta located builder entry size by ten feet.  The 38 HT is also an entry level model which is suit to purpose and can be as for Italian law, registered under the ten meters legislation as a small boat craft. The Casa 38 HT number one had an interesting red hull color, which outlines more the classic influence of the design as the long fore deck and a nice level free board. Not to high nor low! The interior of the 38 Casa is available in two cabin variants; with the option of having a larger galley to starboard and a more spacious L-shaped settee to port, but this coming at the expense of losing the second shower head.  The exterior deck follows the usual Italian ideology of an aft sun-pad and C-shaped dinette to port, and helm station with wet bar behind to starboard.  Power will come from twin 300hp Volvo engines with stern drive propulsion which should give top speeds of around 38 knots in light medium load conditions.

Technical Data:

LOA - 12.2 (40ft)

Hull Length - 9.98 m

Beam - 3.66 m

Draft - 0.96 m 

Displacement - 7 tons medium load

Fuel Capacity - 888 l

Water Capacity - 400 l

Accommodation - 4 + 2 berths 

Engines - 2 x Volvo D4 300hp

Propulsion - Volvo DPH dual propeller stern drives

Speed - 38 knots, 33 knots cruise

Range - 300 nautical miles at best cruise consumption

Certification - CE B

www.cantiericasa.it

Project: Galeon 500 Fly

Galeon presents an important project for a 500 Fly model. This new Galeon will feature a totally new hull design and fills a long standing gap of the line between the 430 series of models and the 550.  The Galeon 500 Fly renderings show the profile a very modern flybridge motor yacht and a fly deck being at the fore front for its size and spaciousness.  Below will be a three double cabin plan with an owners stateroom located amidships.  Two shower heads, one of which en-suite for the owner and both to port side serve the guests. A fully equipped crew cabin is located aft.  The living is all on the main deck, and will feature an astern galley, and a C-shaped settee to port side.  Intelligent solutions on the 500 Fly will come from the integrating of the helm seat merging into the starboard settee which becomes an L-shape sofa, and the movement of a section on the fore deck to make this become a more open area. Power of the 500 Fly will come from twin diesel engines from 625 up to 725hp engines.

www.galeon.pl

blogger - Those Oil Prices

It is an interesting time for fuel prices, no one could have made a forecast that in a cold Winter as this we would have these going at under fifty US dollars a barrel.  Oil prices have been stable at around one hundred US dollar for a few years, and the forecast for these was that eventually a small upward trend was in-line for the short term future. 

Alternative resources has grown in the last years, eating about a point from oil every two years, but the dominion of black gold for the energy needs of humans still continues. We should be around 80% of oil dependence from about 85% about a decade ago. Never the less research for alternative energy and creative fuel production is moving full speed ahead. Energy creation will soon have its own decade similar to that of telecommunications in the first ten years of the second millennium. Solar, wind, fuel creation from different solutions are some of the alternatives grabbing the attention of mindful investors in recent times. 

Why I am saying all this in a motor boating blog? Cause low fuel prices have always been a good catalyst for the motor boating sector and a nice boost for both used and new boat sales.  The fact that your one hundred nautical miles trip will cost less is always a good incentive to return or to start boating.  At this stage caution is advised but I am sure the North American market will benefit the most of the recent oil dip, since in that part of the World pump prices have a better reflection of the market indexes.  Something which does not happen much in the old European continent.