September 11, 2018

Project: Cabo 41

It was strange times in the fall of 2013 when the new Hatteras owners Versa Capital decided to drop the Cabo brand.  For some it was a shock to others it was an expected turn of events coming from the increased success and size of the outboard powered center console, which made traditional inboard offshore sportfish cruisers sub twelve meters mostly obsolete.  The truth might have been somewhere in between with Hatteras Cabo press e-mail for this project saying that the new owners back then in 2013 decided to concentrate first investment efforts on the relaunch of Hatteras.  Fast forward to 2018 and Hatteras announce that Cabo is back and present the project for the new 41 model.  The 41 is based for the most part on the 2003 launched 40 designed by Micheal Peters, one of Cabo's best selling models over the years and also referred by many as the King in the express twelve meter sportfish cruiser category.  The new Cabo 41 will feature a lower deck with an owners cabin forward, a living with an L-shaped settee dinette to starboard which converts to additional double berth, an L-shape galley to port side, and a shower head upon entrance to port side.  Power for the Cabo 41 will come from standard Volvo 626hp with optional 670hp and 725hp engines.  Popular available options for the Cabo 41 will be Seakeeper gyro stabilization, and full custom tower with outriggers.  Hull one of the Cabo 41 is nearly completed and sold and should make its World debut in the upcoming 2018 Fort Lauderdale boat show in early November.

September 10, 2018

New Model: Neptunus 650 Express

Neptunus from Canada but of Dutch origins was a builder hitting the news in Europe at around the early 2000's with a 56 Express and 41 taking a good number of sales happening in the old continent with these two models.  This escalation of these Euro inspired Neptunus models for a reason or another stopped and we hardly heard anything about the boat builder for a time.  Fast forward to 2017 and Neptunus launch this new 650 Express who is getting the news out of Canada in 2018.  The new Neptunus 650 Express is a twenty meter sport yacht designed by Gregory Marshall for exterior, Lex Parker for interior, and hull form by British Tony Castro. The trio presented a three double cabins sport yacht, with an owners stateroom at midships, and living, dining and galley located in the enclosed part of the main deck.  Browsing at technical details the Neptunus 650 looks rather light weight displacing at only 34 tons dry and powered by not so big Cats 1000hp engines which give a 31 knots top speed.  A bigger Cats 1138hp Cat option is available increasing both top and cruise speed by about one knot.
Technical Data:
LOA - 20.21 m (66.4ft)
Beam - 5.05 m
Draft - 1.42 m
Displacement - 34926 kg
Fuel Capacity - 4163 l
Water Capacity - 1135 l
Accommodation - six berths in three cabins, one crew cabin berth
Engines - 2 x Cats C18 Acert 1000hp, 1138hp
Propulsion - line shaft
Speed - 31 knots max 26 knots cruise
Hull Shape - medium Vee with 19.5 degrees deadrise aft
Project - Gregory C. Marshall exterior, Lex Parker interior, Tony Castro hull shape
Certificaion - CE A. ABYC, NMMA

September 8, 2018

Project: Ocean King 88 Ducale

With two important launches in 2018 Ocean King continues to raise its stakes in the super yacht sector and presents the project for an 88 Ducale project designed by Paolo Dose of VYD studio from Venice.  The 88 Ducale will be the entry level of a range which so far features two other 108 and 118 project models, with designers Paolo Dose offering an interesting mix of a modern minimal working boat into those of a luxury yacht.  To be build of steel with an aluminium super structure 88 Ducale is a full displacement hull super yacht, and will offer a five double cabin interior including a main deck owners stateroom.  Power will be from twin Man 591hp engines which will give a top speed of eleven knots and a cruise of ten.

September 7, 2018

New Model: Horizon V81

During the 2018 Sydney boat show Horizon presented the newly designed V81, which comes from the well-known V series and features design changes to the V80 first launched in 2014, which in itself was also an extended V72 model. The V81 main differences is that the aft is a single deck unlike the V80 which featured an extended lower cockpit design, with the flybirdge now also further extended covering the extra length of the aft deck.  The V81 offers spacious interior volume and expansive exterior entertaining areas, highlighted with the flush galley-to-saloon transition, floor to ceiling windows on the main deck, and streamlined lower deck windows that maximize natural light as well as enhance exterior styling.  Below deck the Horizon V81 provides comfortable accommodations for up to six guests in three en-suite staterooms, which includes a master stateroom, Queen VIP stateroom, and a twin guest stateroom. Crew quarters and a work space can be found aft of the engines. Moreover, the pilothouse features a protected space to pilot the vessel as well as a day head and dinette for guests; there is also a full bar on the boat deck, with plenty of room to store a tender. Powered by twin Cats 1150hp, the V81 offers 
Technical Data:
LOA - 24.72 m (81.1ft)
Waterline Length - 20.9 m
Beam - 6.28 m
Draft - 1.75 m
Displacement - 64.8 t
Fuel Capacity - 7570 l
Water Capacity - 1136 l
Accommodation - six berths in three cabins, or eight berths in four cabins, two crew in one cabin
Max Persons - 12
Engines - 2 x Cats C18A 1150hp
Propulsion - line shaft

September 6, 2018

Project: Palm Beach GT50 Open

Palm Beach new GT project is taking shape and after the Express version the down under boat builder presents the project for a GT50 Open, which changes the dynamic and offers a more direct seasonal Summer use of the sport yacht.  Sleek and dedicated to sun lovers the GT 50 Open will also alter parts of the exterior main deck, more dedicated to day use and having the two L-shaped settees aft replaced by two sun-pads. For the remaining the GT 50 Open is near identical to the Express with a raised by two steps piloting and living area, offering an L-shape dinette to port side, settee to starboard, and a helm station with dual seating to starboard.  Down below the layout of the GT50 Open offers just the Express version two cabins; owners forward and guests at midships, a galley to starboard, and a spacious shower head to starboard.  Palm Beach technical detailing in the GT50 is all for performance and good sea keeping and even though she is IPS powered we see the twin 600hp Volvo positioned centrally.  The Palm Beach GT50 Open is estimated to top speeds of 42 knots and a cruise of 35 knots.        

September 5, 2018

New Model: Jeanneau NC 37

Jeanneau continue to upgrade its NC line and present the new NC 37.  The new NC 37 benefits from the renowned expertise of hull designer Michael Peters, ensuring reliable and secure handling at sea. Outside and inside the NC 37 comes again from the hands of a designer Vittorio Garroni, who evolves the interior layout of the Jeanneau fully enclosed North Cruiser concept with an emphasis for a flash no step living main deck,  open to the exterior, faithful to the spirit of the line of a fully enclosed hard-top.  Two features stand out in the NC 37, first is the modular L-shaped aft cockpit which can be adapted into a sundeck, second is the sliding glass door which opens fully onto the aft cockpit. The layout has been redesigned so that the astern galley is also open to the exterior, with a central bar, a true connection between outside and inside.  The lower deck accommodation of the NC 37 offers two guest cabins, with two shower heads one of which en-suite serving the forward owners cabin.  The Jeanneau NC 37 is powered by standard twin Volvo 220hp engines or optional 260hp units with stern drive propulsion,
Technical Data:
LOA - 11.47 m (37.6ft)
Hull Length - 9.86 m
Beam - 3.59 m
Draft - 1.07 m
Displacement - 6832 kg light
Fuel Capacity - 650 l
Water Capacity - 200 l
Max Persons - 8
Accommodation - four berths in two cabins plus two berths in convertible saloon
Engines - 2 x Volvo D3 220hp, D4 260hp
Propulsion - Volvo DP dual propeller stern drive
Project - Vittorio Garroni exterior and interior, Micheal Peters hull
Certification - CE B8, C10

September 4, 2018

Project: Maritimo X50

After a successful launch for the first X60 model, Maritimo continues the sport yacht aft cabin philosophy and presents the project for a smaller X50 sibling.  The Maritimo X50 as the bigger X60 will have three options for the aft cabin, from a third cabin with two inline berths and ensuite bathroom, or a beach club area, or a tender garage.  The forward cabin area of the Maritimo X50 will offer two spacious cabins; VIP suite forward and owners room at midships.  The living of the X50 as most modern hard top sport yachts of this size is to be concentrated under the hard top.  The Maritimo X50 will be powered by standard twin Volvo 675hp or optional 725hp engines located centrally and with line shaft propulsion and should deliver top speeds up to around 36 knots. 

September 3, 2018

New Model: Casa 38 T-Top

Delivered in the last week of July 2018 Casa 38 T-Top build journey was fully followed by PowerYacht in the Inbuild series.  The 38 T-Top shows the custom, tailor made to owner prowess of Cantieri Casa from Gaeta Italy who responded to a client who wanted a T-Top sport cruiser of medium dimensions with a lot of space outside, and a comfortable interior.  The result was a collaboration with designer Pier Luigi Mimmocchi, who designed the new T-Top profile.  The Casa 38 was first born as a Hardtop sport cruiser and an Open project was later offered.  The 38 T-Top is the third version of this twelve meter sport cruiser platform from Casa. The Casa 38 offers an interior lower deck with two owner choices for a two cabins two heads, or a two cabin one head with a more spacious settee and living area layouts.  Power for the Casa 38 T-Top is from twin Volvo 300hp engines reaching top speeds up to 38 knots.
Technical Data:
LOA - 12.2 (40ft)
Hull Length - 9.98 m
Beam - 3.66 m
Draft - 1.07 m incl drives 
Displacement - 7 tons medium load
Fuel Capacity - 888 l
Water Capacity - 400 l
Accommodation - four berths in two  cabins 
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
Project - Pier Luigi Mimmocchi
Certification - CE B

September 2, 2018

Project: Princess Y85

Princess present the project for the new Y85 an elegant sweeping profile super yacht designed by Pininfarina and long standing since the eighties Plymouth builder designer Olesinski.  The Princess Y85 presents a fly-bridge with an irresistible invitation to Al-fresco entertainment with a large dining area opposite a well-equipped wet bar further complemented by a large aft sun-pad. The expansive single-level main deck provides ample entertaining space with a flexible galley arrangement. Three separate seating areas ensure the utmost privacy for guests with the crew able to move discretely around the yacht. Below deck the Y85 sleeps eight guests accommodated across four beautifully appointed en suite cabins. Amidships, the full beam master suite is a champion of spacial design, whilst the en suite VIP cabin, forward, boasts a large double bed and walk-in-wardrobe. Furthermore, one double and one twin cabin complete her spacious accommodation.  The Princess Y85 is powered by twin Man 1900hp engines propelling her to a top speed of 33 knots.
www.princessyachts.com

September 1, 2018

5% of Share

Sometimes due to wise past business decisions and a reputation build over the years and decades a company ends up with the market share nearly all in its hands.  Yet when you are up top sometimes it is easy to forget that the customer is first, and a so hard build reputation can easily be tarnished.
This is what is happening to Volvo in the last seven to eight years; in sizes sub ten meters in Europe, and sub twelve meters in North America, with the Swedish engine and stern drive maker dominating the stern drive market since the end of the nineties and the start of the new century.  The competitor to Volvo here though is not another stern drive maker like Mercury or Yanmar, or some other name eating the market.  It's biggest competitor in reality has been the customer who having seen the cost of servicing and parts increase, and reliability of its modern stern drive line introduced in 2004 diminish.  Result customers turned to other type of propulsion, the outboard motors who are dominating the smaller size market like never before.  The outboard engine has seen an unimaginable increase in the last decade thanks to the reliable, clean and modern four stroke engine, and little maintenance propulsion system.  You just leave the outboard out of the water and the wear and tear in the engine is practically nearly non existing.
The result of all this is that the stern drive share sub ten meters in the most important pleasure boating North American continent is in its lowest level estimated at 5% in the USA for 2017, all given to the outboard which has seen an unstoppable increase in recent years.  The bad news for the stern drive is not finished with the outboard market share in Europe also increasing not by little in recent years.
The future is also showing the Diesel outboard trying to enter the market with so far an average success from the likes of new names OXE, and Cox, and known makers as Mercury and Yanmar also putting a foothold in this.  Meanwhile Volvo has also purchased a major share in the big engine maker Seven specialized in engines over 500hp.  All very interesting news even for those like me who have always seen the transit from outboard to inboard, as the step which leads from a small to a big boat even if sometimes the difference could have been only just one meter.