April 19, 2015

New Model: Benetti 50 meter FB801

Almost 50 metres long, FB801 is the first Benetti yacht built with hybrid technology: a fiberglass hull with an aluminium superstructure. The sculptural and flexible qualities of aluminium lend themselves to client customization. FB801 is is a decidedly Mediterranean vessel featuring spacious exteriors, large decks both to the bow and stern of the upper deck, as well as an enormous sun deck.  FB801 ensures comfortable hull performance, practically vibration free and silent thanks to a special elastic connection between the engines and prop shaft.  The exteriors have large full-height windows and also three removable panels a unique feature of Benetti FB801. The first panel is astern and on the side for hauling in and launching the tender; the second is at the swimming platform; and the third is at the lower deck, enabling the lobby usually a closed space to be opened up. In addition unusual for a boat of this size; the retractable stair that leads down to the water, exclusively for the boat owner’s personal use.  The interior layout includes four guest cabins on the lower deck, the boat owner suite towards the bow on the main deck, and an additional cabin on the upper deck. The 12-member crew shares 6 cabins on the lower deck. The interiors were designed for a home-like feel, except for the foyer with its impressive wrought iron stair. Cherry is used throughout in both glossy and satin finishes (for the cabins) with rosewood detailing. The lighting design is quite evocative, featuring LEDs and an alabaster column lit from the inside using white point dynamic brightness controls.
Technical Data:
LOA - 49.8 m (163ft)
Hull Length - 41.2 m
Beam - 9.62 m
Draft - 2.7 m
Displacement - 498 t
Fuel Capacity - 70000 l
Water Capacity - 12000 l
Engines - 2 x Cat C32 Acert 1450hp
Propulsion - line shaft
Speed - 15 knots max, 14 knots cruise
Accommodation - 12 guest berths in 6 cabins, 12 crew in 6 cabins
Construction - fiberglass, aluminium super structure
Hull Type - Displacement
Certification - ABS

April 17, 2015

Project: Numarine 20 XP

Numarine presents a new Explorer yacht range which so far is being offered in three dimensions; twenty, thirty, and forty meters.  All three models sport a similar modern and futuristic tug boat look. The rendering definitely shows a daring design from Numarine for it's Explorer range looking as a tug yacht from the future.  Nothing new from Numarine in the last ten years or so!  The accommodation plan of the 20 XP offers a traditional four double guest cabins layout, with a crew cabin plus lobby located aft. The main deck will offer an integrated lounging, dining, and galley areas. Three steps up will lead to the raised pilot house, which also offers a day head to starboard side.  Power for the 20 XP will come from twin MAN 560hp, which give estimated max speeds of 19 knots and a cruise of 10.  Range is 1500 nautical miles at ten knots and consumption of 10000 liters of fuel.

April 15, 2015

Engine: Cummins QSK60 2700hp

Cummins Inc presented a new QSK60 series engine during the 2015 Miami boat show. The QSK series, which includes the QSK95, QSK60, QSK50, QSK38 and QSK19, has had a long, successful history of delivering great performance and durability in tugboats, crew boats and offshore supply vessels. The QSK series of engines is also used in recreational displacement and semi-displacement vessels. In response to increased demand from the recreational market, Cummins is offering a QSK60 dedicated to this market segment.  The QSK60 is a 16-cylinder engine of 60 liters displacement. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Tier 3 engine features a Modular Common Rail Fuel System, allowing Cummins to reduce nitrogen oxides and particulate matter in-cylinder. Other benefits of the MCRS include low noise and vibration for quiet operation, idle stability and improved low-end torque. The QSK60 has ratings between 2000hp and 2700hp.

April 13, 2015

Project: Queens Yachts 64 Fly

Queens presents the project for a new 64 Fly, a model which is to be based on the hull of the 62 HT. But the 64 will not just be a fly-bridge up top on the 62 and features many differences.  From new side window profiles, lower deck windows, a full fly-bridge serving the upper structure, and a new interior design.  The fly-bridge will feature a helm to starboard, sun-pad opposite, and a C-shaped settee to aft. The 64 Fly should be a three cabin boat, with a full beam owners midships stateroom and a VIP suite to fore.  Basing ourselves on the 62 the power options should start from twin MAN 1100hp up to 1500hp units.

April 11, 2015

New Launch: Feadship 83.50m Hull. 686

Feadship has launched the 83.50 meter hull. 686, titled m/y Savannah she is the first superyacht to feature an eco-friendly blend of single diesel engine, three generator sets, batteries, propeller, azimuth thruster and a streamlined hull shape. Offering fuel economies of thirty per cent, the pioneering electro-mechanical propulsion platform marries Feadship’s past experience and forward thinking approach within a pure custom creation. Further innovation comes in the form of a floating superstructure, an underwater lounge, the ‘open’ aft deck areas, and much more besides.  Inspired by the 2010 Feadship Future Concept Breathe, Savannah is a demonstration of the cost-effective and cleaner mode of propulsion that can be achieved within an entirely bespoke superyacht. Hull. 686 has a dynamic hull shape with a very fine entry, uses one efficient medium-speed Wärtsilä main engine instead of two higher-rev diesel motors, a single central propeller shaft installation on the centre-line and three generator sets. Redundancy is ensured by fitting a large counter-rotating and azimuth stern thruster just aft of the main propeller. The design of the aft ship allows for a propeller that is forty per cent larger than the norm. Combined with the power supplied by the thruster, the load on the propeller is only half that of a conventional twin screw yacht. This again results in a higher efficiency and fewer vibrations. In addition, the large stern-thruster also ensures excellent manoeuvrability in marinas. Taken as a whole, the package offers major benefits in terms of fuel saving and consists of five modes: manoeuvring, diesel-electrical, range, high speed and boost. This guarantees a high level of reliability and a better engine load than any other superyacht afloat today. 
Technical Data:
LOA - 83.5 m (273.9ft)
Beam - 12.5 m
Draft - 3.95 m
Fuel Capacity - 150000 l
Water Capacity - 40000 l
Accommodation - twelve guests in five cabins, 22/26 crew berths
Engine -  single Wartsila 9L20 2412hp
Project - CG Design exterior and interior, Feadship De Voogt naval architecture

April 9, 2015

Project: Raffaelli 56 Maestrale

It is model name return; Maestrale is Italian translation to North-West a prevailing wind of the Mediterranean sea which Raffaelli give for the second time coming a tribute.  In 1994 Raffaelli presented a project for a 52 Maestrale, designed by growing in demand architects Nuvolari Lenard from Venice.  It was a historical success and the 52 Maestrale will stay in production for over a decade selling over one hundred units. Twenty years later to the launch of the 52, Raffaelli present another Maestrale with the project for this new 56. Designed by Classstudio of Antonello Lucio Pontevolpe, the architect behind recent successful Raffaelli models from the Shamal, Meltemi, to the Calima.  For the new 56 Maestrale, Pontevolpe went for a very low profile upper structure flybridge and a nice sportster type wrap around windscreen. If this rendering will be true to the original from the distance the 56 Maestrale may look as a sport yacht. Details are so far little for this new important project but on the paper side Raffaelli seems to be challenging the market for a full return as is the desire of owner Giampiero Raffaelli.

April 6, 2015

Project: Mulder 1700 Favorite

Mulder Shipyard signed the first order for a 1700 Favorite. Mulder has started with the naval architecture of the largest full aluminium Favorite and the hull construction began in mid-February. The seventeen meter long Mulder will have her berth in the Netherlands and is expected to be delivered in spring 2016. The 1700 Favorite model is in line with the popular 1500, where all the unique features of the line smaller models are merged and enhanced. The classically lined Favorite is developed in close cooperation with Guido de Groot Design and Vripack Naval Architects. The layout of the distinctive yacht with recognizable retro lines is fully optimized with three spacious cabins, two bathrooms and a kitchen with a breakfast corner. The Mulder 1700 Favorite has a beautiful twin-screw round-bilge hull and will reach a maximum speed of 22 knots. She serves as a perfect day-cruiser, but is also very suitable for longer voyages on inland-waters and open sea.

April 4, 2015

New Launch: Wim Van Der Valk 27.21m Hull no. WV0098

Wim van der Valk is a Dutch builder who in recent years has started to raise its stakes in the custom super yacht market, by presenting a line of important projects. The Continental III range is the most Mediterranean looking of the current offers from Wim Van der Valk and presents itself as a two deck plus raised pilot house pocket size super yacht designed by renowned Dutch architect Giudo de Groot.  The 26.00 is the first Continental III model to launch out of a line up which will feature six models which span from 25 up to 37 meters. Build of alloy and powered by triple Volvo with IPS pods the 26 meter Continental III surprises for some important details, and as being one of the smallest super yachts to feature a main deck owners stateroom.  Below will be four other guest cabins, all located in the central part of the hull. The forward part features two crew cabins, with a lobby featuring an L-shaped settee.  
Technical Data:
LOA - 26 m (85.3ft)
Beam - 6.25 m
Draft - 1.65 m
Fuel Capacity - 13000 l
Water Capacity - 2500 l
Accommodation - 10 guests in 5 cabins, 4 crew berths
Engines - 3 x Volvo D13 900hp
Propulsion - triple Volvo Penta forward looking IPS1200 pod drives
Speed - 25 knots max, 20 knots cruise
Construction - aluminium
Project - Guido de Groot

April 2, 2015

Project: Cruisers 59 Cantius

Its a great time for US builders, who finally in recent years seem to have find an alignment with European design.  Cruisers have been such a builder and the Cantius range has been the name it used to challenge Europe from the USA in Wisconsin. Designed by Patrizio Facheris for exterior and Luiz de Basto inside, the 59 is the fourth Cantius, and will be Cruisers new flagship and so far its largest build to date. As all the Cantius the 59 is an enclosed hard top sport cruisers with two exterior lounging entertainment areas; aft and fore-deck, living with astern galley layout, lounging saloon small galley below deck, and two large guest cabins. The sleeping accommodation plan offers what looks on plan as two super sized cabins for this size; midships for the owner, and forward VIP for guests. She is to be powered by Volvo 725hp units with IPS forward looking pod drives .  

April 1, 2015

blogger - UCINA Again

It is sad to see the Italian association of boat builders at it again, with some important names leaving the union in what is told as a clash of the titans.  It is a pity that in this period of crisis the Italian national nautical industry main players continue to clash, where in these times it might be important doing the opposite, to form more group and make team work a high priority.
The new President of UCINA, Carla Demaria has a handful work in its hands. It's election was not praised by important names, these include Ferretti Group, Azimut-Benetti Group, Baia, and Gavio Holding; owners of Baglietto, Cerri, and currently in an acquisition promise on US Bertram.   
2014 showed a shy plus sign of 2014 of +1% in the national Italian market, after years of decline. The main critic against Demaria seem to be that she is still a representative of Beneteau Group the French gigantic boat builder owner of handful brands, this including the Montecarlo Yachts brand; presided by Demaria but operated, manufactures its yachts in Italy, and employing three hundred plus of personnel in the hangars in Monfalcone.   
It will be interesting what will be the next UCINA move. Can you do a boat show with such important names not being part of the package of Genoa. Most of the medium small sized builders today have other problems to think, that is to survive themselves, rather then helping UCINA out of its crisis. In reality they are right UCINA is there to help them, not to create another problem to the list.