Dave Christensen 1931 - 2018

Dave Christensen, who founded the Christensen mega-yacht business in 1983 in his hometown Vancouver that catered to the rich and sometimes to the famous, died Monday evening, 15th October at the age of 87.  Christensen, who’d been afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease, died at an assisted living home in Vancouver surrounded by his three daughters.  Christensen built his first fortune as a home builder and then real estate developer, choosing to retire at age 50. As a retirement gift to himself, he commissioned a 95-foot-yacht to be built at Westport Shipyards in Washington.  At the conclusion of its maiden voyage to Mexico, Christensen decided he could build a better yacht, and that’s how Christensen Shipyards got its start.  Christensen was born on June 19, 1931, on a Flaxton, N.D., farm, the eldest of three children. His father, John Christensen, also owned a Red Owl grocery store in Flaxton, a community in the northeast part of the state that had 66 residents in the most recent census. Christensen’s mother, Madeline Clauson, was a school teacher who later became a homemaker.  When Christensen was 12, his father died in a tractor accident. His mother chose to move the family to Vancouver in 1943 to be near relatives. The family joined many others flocking to the city to work at the Kaiser Shipyards.  His mother didn’t take a job in the shipyards, however, working instead in a variety of roles for Wolf Electric Home Supply and later as a photographer for Meier and Frank.  While Christensen floundered at Hough Elementary School and later the old Fort Vancouver High School at Fourth Plain Boulevard and Main Street, he flourished at work.  By age 23, Dave Christensen was building houses.  In addition to believing he could build a better boat, Christensen also once said in an interview that he thought retirement might be boring, and that’s part of the reason he started the yacht business in 1983.  His yachts, with their composite shells, were known for an opulence that attracted the likes of golfer Tiger Woods and country singer Jimmy Dean, perhaps better known for his sausage. It was a rare customer who’d allow their identity to be known, reflecting the reticence to be associated with a multi-million-dollar, made-to-order purchase.  Christensen Yachts built super yachts at average length of forty meters. The company expanded in 2006, building another plant in Tennessee. In 2009, Christensen stepped away from the business, leaving its leadership to a stepson.  Currently Christensen has two super yachts in construction, one set to launch later this year,and another in 2019.  Dave Christensen is survived by his wife, Mary; daughters Kathy Maynard of Vancouver; Teri Kelly of Roswell, Ga., and Cindi Curtain of Vancouver; stepsons Riccardo Foggia Jr. of Lake Oswego, Ore., David Foggia of La Grande, Ore., and Joseph Foggia of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Improve-it = Vanquish VQ54

The Vanquish VQ54 with its tender garage has been well received throughout the world. The convenience of an on board tender is immediately obvious when going to shore to pick up or drop off passengers or run an errand. Despite its length, this aluminium model is highly agile and has the power to accelerate very quickly. The double spray rail keeps the occupants dry even at very high speeds, and the hull guarantees incomparable cruising comfort. To meet the needs of those wishing to accommodate more guests overnight, a new layout has been designed with an additional extra comfortable cabin for two people partly with standing headroom bringing the total overnight capacity up to four. A second new option is to also add a third cabin for a crew member.  Together with the substantial amount of space on deck, which can accommodate up to twenty people, and the extensive bimini opportunities, this VQ54 with the new layout makes it a sport yacht more ideal for longer weekend trips.

www.vanquish-yachts.com

New Model: Fairline Targa 43 Open

Alberto Mancini Fairline era continues to expand and after the launch of his first fully designed Targa 63 Open, here comes act two with the much awaited Targa 43 Open, new entry level sport cruiser of the British builder since the mid eighties started sport cruiser and yacht line.  A very spacious sport cruiser which goes one meter more in size to its declared 43 moniker, the  new entry level Targa Open impresses for a spacious full beam owners cabin, and detailed choice which can make life on-board more pleasant.  Choice revolve around choosing owners cabin forward or midships with the guest or day head moving forward or upon entry.  The Fairline Targa 43 Open also features a tender garage under the aft sun-pad able to accommodate up to a 2.80 meter size mini jet rib.  The Fairline Targa 43 Open is powered by twin Volvo 435hp engines with IPS pod propulsion and top speeds estimates up to 32 knots.

Technical Data:

LOA - 14.2 m (46.6ft) inc pulpit

LOA - 13.9 m

Beam - 4.32 m

Draft - 1.17 m

Displacement - 12500 kg dry

Fuel Capacity - 1300 l

Water Capacity - 400 l

Accommodation - four or five berths in two cabins

Engines - 2 x Volvo D6 435hp

Propulsion - Volvo forward looking dual propeller IPS600 pod drives

Speed - 32 knots max

Hull Shape - planning Vee

Construction - resin infused hull with polyurethane foam core

Project - Alberto Mancini exterior and interior, Fairline design team

Certification - CE B

www.fairline.com

Project: Evo Yachts R5

After the success of the 43 and WA models, Evo Yachts is looking forward to expand its range not only on its now popular thirteen meter platform, but also for fully new and bigger models.  Enters the Evo Yachts R5, a project for a t-top style sport yacht which aims to take the footprint and features of the 43 model into a bigger fifteen meter plus size.  So far Blu Emme the company who owns and founded Evo Yachts in 2015 with the introduction of the 43 and the Rivellini design team is not giving much details about the R5.  What we can say is that like its smaller 43 sister the R5 is full of minimal modern design, and will have the technological innovation which made the small Evo Yacht famous.

www.evoyachts.com

New Model: Arcadia A105

Arcadia continue its pursuit of newer models and after presenting the project of the A105 in Cannes 2017, a year later to this the Italian shipyard showcases the new model in the flash to the clients, press, and brand lovers.  The Arcadia A105 is developed on the A100 model, with further space in every area from the aft deck; nearly double the space, and much more space on the fly-bridge deck.  The A105 has proved a success with three hulls sold on plan after the project presentation and the fall of 2017.  Currently Arcadia is working on hull number four with the lamination phase just completed.  The Arcadia A105 can be ordered with four cabins or five cabins.  The five cabin version puts the owners stateroom on the forward part of the main deck.  Featuring a separate entrance from the galley on the main deck to port side are three crew cabins with three bathrooms, located forward and sleeping five persons.  Just as the A100 the Arcadia A105 is powered by twin Man 1000hp which give max speeds up to seventeen knots, and a cruise of 15.  Interesting is the number at twelve knots economic cruise consuming just eleven liters per miles.  As is standard in all Arcadia the A105 is full of green energy features with a standout number being the 36 squared meters of solar panels which deliver up to 4.2 kw of power.    

Technical Data:

LOA - 31.57 m (103ft)

Hull Length - 29.3 m

Waterline Length - 27.8 m

Beam - 7.76 m

Draft - 2.01 m

Displacement - 134 t loaded

Fuel Capacity - 15600 l

Water Capacity - 3100 l

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

Engines - 2 x Man V8 1000hp

Propulsion - line shaft

Speed - 17 knots max, 15 knots cruise, 12 knots economic cruise

Hull Shape - semi displacement

Construction - fiberglass

Project - Hot Lad interior and exterior

Certification - RINA, C Cross of Malta for hull, and Mach Y

www.arcadiayachts.com

Web: Paul Mann New Web Site

Paul Mann a custom Carolina renowned Sportfish yacht builder, presents its new website coinciding with the thirtieth birthday of the North Carolina, Manns Harbor located boat builder.  Founded 1988 Paul Mann enjoys a huge respect for owners looking for a wood and glass, cold mold style build sportfish yacht.  Cold molded is a technique used and pioneered for the most part on the East Coast of the USA by Sportfish boat builders, which gives the lightness and tension resistance of wood with the reliability and less maintenance of a covered fiberglass hull. Paul Mann is also one of the few who today still builds also with the older method of frame and plank, versus the more modern use of jig frame built. Still Paul Mann has since 2009 also offered the jig frame built method. Other interesting features are the numbers of Paul Mann who never builds more then three yachts at a time, and always starts each new build with a clean sheet. Paul Mann is a family owned yard, premises and is debt free.  In 2009 Paul Mann Custom Boats was named as one of the top five custom sportfish yachts builder. Paul Mann has since 1988 build 33 custom sportfish yachts from the 52 feet of the first two hulls delivered in 1988 and 89 respectively, to the 81 feet of Georgia Girl splashed in 2011.  In 2018 Paul Mann has two hulls under construction, one is its second largest build to date with a 77, while another is a 63 feet. The new website of Paul Mann takes you around with the following buttons; About Us, Mann Fleet, News, Tournaments, Videos, and Contact Us.  Paul Mann is also on social media with right bottom page buttons taking you to its Facebook, Youtube, and Instagram pages.

www.paulmanncustomboats.com

New Model: Dreamline DL 35

 

The new Dreamline DL 35 made its World debut at the 2018 Cannes boat show, and offered another example if there ever was needed one of the Fano Super Yacht builder ability to combine exclusive Made in Italy excellence. Created by Team for Design’s Enrico Gobbi in partnership with the Dreamline Technical Department, with exceptional performance delivered by the hull developed by Giuseppe Arrabito of Arrabito Naval Architects. With full custom interiors, like all Dreamline Yacht projects, the distinctive features of this boat are the clean, flowing exterior styling and the elegant and spacious interiors, where the sophisticated use of mirrors gives the sensation of even more space.  Innovative technology and build quality are among the key characteristics of the new Dreamline 35, which as well as retaining the winning features of the range’s 26-meter entry level model, like the owner’s suite with panoramic views, stands out for all the innovative design details that provide unexpected levels of comfort for super yachts of this length. They include efforts to reduce noise and vibration to a minimum at any speed and everywhere on board. This provides the captain with a bridge wing for use in tight spaces, without sacrificing the full set of helm station controls. This choice was driven by the need expressed by captains to have bridge wings that extend further outwards, combined with the search for effective solutions that are both practical and aesthetically pleasing.  Peter Zuber, the founder of the company and the inspiration behind the entire Dreamline philosophy, has also devised solutions that offer a new take on various areas of the boat and make even more of the available space, like the full custom gangway that adapts to any quay height, or the balconies, or the foldaway components that increase the outdoor surface area still further.  The Dreamline DL35 is a full custom build, like all the units built by the shipyard, meaning that owners can not only choose the decorations and materials, but also alter certain parts of the superstructure to satisfy their desires, needs and habits, whatever they are.  The outdoor areas provide plenty of space for sunbathing and relaxation, as well as a dining area and a swimming pool, while the interior decoration is the result of a carefully selected combination of unique pieces and works of art. The chair and sofa upholstery and the curtains are silk velvet by Armani Casa. The bathroom decor makes extensive use of Portoro, a highly-prized dark-colored marble, while every setting features a sophisticated combination of refined color tones and materials, the most important being: white onyx used for visually striking tops, fine leather with visible stitching to clad walls and certain doors, and satin-finish steel.  Every detail of the boat is designed to guarantee aesthetic and functional standards at the very highest level; the real leather cladding on the doors of the two VIP cabins and surrounding wall ensures perfect soundproofing while conveying considerable aesthetic appeal. The owner’s cabin has an automatic door that is hidden inside the structure when open, so that it doesn’t block the side passageway. The big glass door separating the cockpit and lounge opens up to form one big space.  Every detail of the layout is designed to convey the sensation of being on board a big yacht with wide open spaces to enjoy. The extensive windows and multiple glazed surfaces establish close contact with the marine environment. The lobby amidships with dining area, the main lounge, the day bathroom with direct access from outside, or the port-side fly-out balcony are all features normally found only on ships over fifty meters in length. The full-beam owner’s suite on the Main Deck features two large rectangular glazed surfaces, plus two windows in the ceiling that flood the setting with unprecedented light.  The guest night area on the lower deck comprises four cabins with en-suite bathrooms, including two VIP cabins amidships. The crew quarters, which occupy the entire forward section of the hull and have been designed to ensure that guests have the utmost privacy, consist of the captain’s cabin with its own bathroom, plus four more beds in two cabins and another bathroom.  The propulsion system features a pair of MTU 1920hp engines as standard or, optionally, two different units from the same manufacturer but with a high rating of 2,600hp each. At a speed of ten knots, the Dreamline DL 35 has a remarkable range of 1,800 nautical miles.

Technical Data:

LOA - 35.90 m (117.7ft)

Beam - 7.47 m

Draft - 1.90 m

Displacement - 136 t full load

Fuel Capacity - 14000 l + 3000 l optional long rage

Water Capacity - 2500 l

Accommodation - ten guests in five cabins, 5 crew in three cabins

Engines - 2 x MTU 12V2000 1920hp, 16V2000 2600hp

Propulsion - line shaft

Speed - 22 knots max 10 knots economic cruise

Range - 1800 nm at 10 knots 

Project - Enrico Gobbi Team 4 Design exterior and interior, Arrabito hull and naval architecture

Certification - CE A   

www.dlyachtsdreamline.com

Improve-it = Sessa C54

Sessa continues to restyle its most popular models, and after C38 and C44 in 2017, and C68 here it continues with the C54.  Designed originally by Christian Grande, for the restyling of the C54 Sesssa was assisted by Centrostiledesign.  The focus for the C54 restlying was on the interiors, with the exteriors now having larger side windows and can enjoy more natural light. With the same aim, the electric roof in the hard-top has been redesigned in crystal glass. The decor is based on alternating light dark colors and polished mat materials, while the lower Deck brings together lacquered surfaces, nubuck leather and wood to conjure up a contemporary, intimate and welcoming mood.  For more demanding owners, Sessa has also developed various choice possibilities, ranging from the materials used for the exteriors, to the choice of eighteen different types of wood, leather and fabric in the cabins. The owner can also decide between two cockpit layouts: a classic arrangement with table, sun lounging area and garage, or one with twin living areas featuring a sofa that can be converted into a sun lounger and a dining table.  The Sessa C54 is powered by twin Volvo 725hp engines with IPS pod propulsion which allow for top speeds up to 36 knots.

www.sessamarine.com

New Model: Absolute 73 Navetta

With the birth of the Navetta 73, the engineering team of Absolute not only present a new flagship but also a unique explorer yacht in her range.  Offering space much as a yacht one meter larger, but with a budget of a 22 meter, the Navetta 73 offers functionalities, spaces and new technologies, together with the most refined elegance and the highest comfort. The fly astonishes for its dimensions: at 55 square meters floor area, with helm station forward, an elegant wet-bar opposite a dinette and sofas that characterize the style. On the main deck, sight has no obstacles extending easily from the helm, beyond the salon and right to the cockpit. Impressive windows of vertical size let the view be the main protagonist. Featuring precious natural materials like wood, crystal, leather, the Calacatta marble and the Murano glass, together with innovative solutions and high-quality design furniture, the four guests cabins are a celebration of Italian style, offering the allure of cozy interiors and the great sophistication of sober taste. The Master cabin at bow, with its unique sea-landscape, is a guarantee of relaxation and peace; while the double guest cabin and the two Vip Cabins, allow their eight guests to live in elegance and highest comfort.

Technical Data:

LOA - 22.38 m (73.5ft)

Beam - 5.58 m

Draft - 1.63 m

Displacement - 52345 kg

Fuel Capacity - 4000 l

Water Capacity - 1110 l

Accommodation - eight berths in four cabins, two crew in one cabin

Engines - 2 x Volvo D13 1000hp

Propulsion - Volvo forward looking IPS1350 dual propeller pod drives

Speed - 22 knots cruise

Construction - Absolute ISS Integrated Structural System

Project - Absolute Research Lab

www.absoluteyachts.com

Project: Ferretti 720

The Filippo Salvetti Ferretti Yachts era started with huge success in mid Summer 2018 celebrating the fiftieth birthday of the World known Italian motor yacht builder and the launch of his first 670 model.  Here we present the second totally new project to come from the new head designer at Forli, the 720.  While many might think this as an extended 700 model, details show it is not, since a lot of things change from the wider 17 centimeters beam, to the layout of the main and lower deck.  The second Fillippo Salvetti Ferretti 720 features aggressive sporty yet clean lines, with a spacious long and low fore-deck, making way for a broken shear-line which integrates with the super structure window profile design, and a forward radar arch up top which makes the optional hard-top look pleasant on the eye.  Inside Salvetti went for a four cabin three head layout, with impressive space given to the owners full beam stateroom.  The interior part of the main deck offers a traditional layout of a welcoming relaxing saloon, dining table for eight, and a galley further forward, with helm station to port side.  Outside is where the Ferretti 720 will shine versus other similar sized 22 meters flybridge motor yachts, with its long fore deck and aft cockpit looking to be the most spacious in its size.  The Ferretti 720 will be powered by twin Man 1200hp engines, with no estimated top speed numbers so far advised. 

www.ferretti-yachts.com