March 16, 2020

Project: Beneteau Project E 73

The second model for the Project E present at Dusseldorf 2020 was the 22 metres long 73 designed for an eight guests and four crew accommodation plan. Beneteau is saying the Project E 73 will have similar accommodation inside to that of a 26 meter super yacht.  Careful attention has been paid to the flow of movement on board, to make crew circulation easier. A raised pilothouse is located midships, cleverly positioned between the main deck and the flybridge and accessed by a dedicated stairway.

March 15, 2020

Viking Sportfish Sinks in Fernardina Bay

An eighteen meter Viking sportfish yacht titled Foolish Pleasure sank after it hit the jetties in Fernandina Bay, Fort Clinch, Florida on 05:00 hours of Sunday fifteen March.  With the impact Foolish Pleasure opened a gap of about two meters in the hull, and stuck on the jetty and later on with the rising tide, tilted to its starboard side and sank.  The crew and guests of Foolish Pleasure where assisted by Nassau County Sheriff.  The Viking sportfish yacht was recovered the following day with a crane and a floating barge handling the operation.  This was a navigational error as the Fernandina Bay jetties are marked on the charts, even though they are invisible with high tide and might allow you to just make it through.  Foolish Pleasure was reportedly sold just some weeks before this sinking, with an asking price of three million US$.
Foolish Pleasure is a 2014 Viking 62 Enclosed Bridge powered by twin Cats 1670hp for top speeds up to forty knots.  The Viking 62 Enclosed Bridge offers a four cabins layout, with a midship to starboard master stateroom.  Presented in 2013 the 62 came out as a replacement to the 2008 to 12 Viking 60 Convertible, and was replaced by the second generation 64 in 2021.

Majesty Super Yacht Fire in Puerto Portals

Super Yacht Minerva a Majesty 101 caught fire on March 15 at six o'clock morning time in Mallorca, at Calvia's Marina Puerto Portals.  Fire fighters from Calvia with a sergeant and two technicians controlled the fire.  Motor Yacht Minerva was deemed total loss and a wreck after the incident and no persons have suffered injuries in the event.
The Gulf Craft Majesty 101 is a thirty meter length over all two deck and a half super yacht, offering an accommodation layout of five guest cabins, with three crew cabins, and powered by twin Cat 1900hp, delivering top speeds up to 26 knots and a cruise of nineteen.  The Majesty 101 was a successful model for the Dubai based yacht builder part of the Gulf Craft group, with over ten units sold in a production run of nine years, produced from 2007 till 2016.  The Majesty 101 was replaced by the 100 model in 2017. 

Raffaelli New Web Site

A renowned and long standing Italian yacht builder, Raffaelli presents its new website. Raffaelli journey starts in 1962 when Renato partners a boat service yard in Fano's commercial harbour with Luciano Mochi.  In 1970 Renato Raffaelli part ways from Mochi, going on his own and starts boat production in 1972.  During the Mochi partnership, Renato will win the longest and hardest Mediterrean powerboat race to ever exist, the Bastia-Viareggio-Bastia with the production build Mochi Thaitayn in Offshore Class Two category in 1968.   Renato Raffaelli will follow this by winning Italian Offshore Class Two category in 1970, which will prize him the Golden Nautical Rose in Italy. Raffaelli first model was the wood built 9.30 meter Compass Rose launched in the end of 1972, which was followed in 1974 by the 35 Regal flybridge and Day version built in fiberglass.  Raffaelli will have a gradual and important expansion over the years, and from the eighties till the noughties it will produce about twenty to thirty boats a year. This expansion is also shown in larger models from the thirteen meter Super Typhoon which debuts in 1983, to the fifteen meter Ouragan designed by Fulvio de Simoni presented three years, to the AMC series first of 20 and then 22 meters produced from the early to late nineties.  Following the great recession of 2009 and spiralling downward new boat sales in Italy, in 2010 Raffaelli is in financial difficulty and enters bankruptcy protection status giving managing duties to Stefano Marinucci one of the most Raffaelli  productive dealers in previous years and Aurelio La Noce his sales manager.  This experience does not bring the desired stability and from 2015 the son of Renato, Giampiero Raffaelli rebrings the helm of the company to the family.  Raffaelli has always had a reputation for seaworthy boats, proven with the CE A category certification versus the B most boats of similar size feature. Currently Raffaelli is producing seven models in two ranges, Fly and Open, and start from the 40 Shamal Evo to the 70 Ontera. Raffaelli latest model is the end 2018 launched Compass Rose 50 Evo.  Raffaelli new web site is available in Italian, and English language and takes you around with the following buttons; Home, About Us, Yachts, Club and Concierge, International, Sponsoring, News, and Contact Us. Raffaelli is also on social media with link buttons for its Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube pages located at the bottom of the page.
Production History:
Compass Rose 9.40m 1972-79
Regal 35 1974-83 *fiberglass construction starts
RaffY 4.99m 1976-77
Regal 35 Day 1979-83
Typhoon 10.50 m 1979-86 *Typhoon 9.60m project
Typhoon Day 10.50m 1981-89
Typhoon Super 13 m 1981-86
Typhoon Middle Flying 12m 1984-89
Typhoon Middle Day 12m 1985-89
Ouragan 15.50m 1986-93 (29)
Storm 14m 1987-90
Big Game 10.50m 1989-91
Typhoon 90 10.50m 1990-99 (30)
Storm S 14.50m 1990-98
Typhoon Fly 11.40m 1991-2000 
Tempest 13.10 m 1992-98
Mistral S 14.50m 1993-99
AMC 20 1992-94
AMC 22 1994-99
Middle Day 12m 1994-97
Maestrale 52 1995-2003 (100+-) includes Maestrale 53
Levante 1998-2005
Levante Day 1999-2002
Shamal 40 2000-06
Compass Rose 50 2001-15 *48 Compass Rose project 
Kubang 57 2002-10
Maestrale 53 2004-05 (100+-) includes Maestrale 52
Ontera 70 2006- *Ontera 65 project
Shamal Evo 40 2007-
Calima 47 2007-
Meltemi 65 2008- *Meltemi 63 project
42 Typhoon Sportage 2015-
Compass Rose Evo 50 2017-

March 14, 2020

Project: Heesen 67m Project Sparta YN 20067

First presented at the Monaco Yacht Show 2018 as Project Avanti, this new design captured the attention of a client who fell in love with its dynamic architecture. Set for delivery in 2023, this is the third sale by Heesen in 2019. With no less than thirteen yachts currently under construction, Heesen confirms its leading role in the superyacht industry.  The elegant sheer line of Project Sparta connects a strong bow to an inviting transom, characterized by a stepped aft deck area with a five meter infinity pool. Indoor and outdoor spaces connect harmoniously and create the perfect haven for family life and relaxation. By incorporating a raised pilothouse, Winch Design has conceived a new-look sporty profile and paved the way for the next generation of Heesen yachts.  With a top speed of sixteen knots and an innovative FDHF hull devised by Van Oossanen, Project Sparta is not only beautiful but extremely efficient, too. The Owner, an experienced charterer and yacht connoisseur, has appointed Arcon Yachts as project manager.  An outstanding interior volume maximizes every corner of the 1200 GT space. The layout of Heesen Project Sparta is characterized by a full-beam salon on the main deck. This feature, unique on a vessel of this size. The indoor dining area seamlessly connects to the aft deck terrace, which is protected on both sides for optimal comfort, and allows for a smooth transition, both at anchor and when underway. Four guest suites are located forward on the main deck. Thanks to a sliding partition, the two forward cabins transform into a luxurious full beam VIP.  An off-center spiral staircase with glass elevator services all three decks. The lower deck houses a luxurious walk-in wellness area with oval Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and gymnasium, as well as the crew quarters and galley.  The Owner has reserved the entire bridge deck for himself. Two suites are located one forward with its private outdoor lounge area located fore, and the other facing aft with access to the private terrace with outdoor dining and lounging.  The focal attention on the sundeck is the Jacuzzi surrounded by a bar and large sun pads.  Fifteen crew and a nanny will discreetly service the guests thanks to a carefully designed flow of movement. Provisioning is made simple thanks to a shell door located on port side, and tenders and toys are conveniently stored in the forward garage with gull wing doors.

March 13, 2020

New Model: Benetti Diamond 145

On the morning of Saturday January 25, the first Diamond 145 unit was launched by the Viareggio’s Benetti slipway. The 44-meter-long Class category flagship was given its baptism in the sea at an impressive ceremony in front of hundreds of spectators. There was an emotional atmosphere for the slipway launch of the first Diamond 145 unit, the 44-meter fiberglass flagship in the Class category, which touched the water for the first time with the entire city looking on. Welcoming the Authorities, the public, suppliers and all the company’s workers and office staff, Azimut|Benetti Group President Paolo Vitelli spoke of a spectacular launch. Diamond 145, sold thanks to the brokers Domeyachts and The Doc Yacht Services, is a powerful yet elegant yacht with a fiberglass hull, a gross tonnage of 456 tonnes, and a range of 3600 nautical miles at a cruising speed of eleven knots. The design of the exteriors, taken together with the contribution from Benetti’s Interior Style Department, underscores the details and celebrates harmonious, balanced proportions. The yacht, of which two units have already been sold, is the only fiberglass yacht of this size available today on the market. The design of the big seamless glazed surfaces on the main decks flows along the entire length of the yacht, allowing natural light to flood into interiors accommodating ten guests in five cabins, while the captain has a private cabin on the Upper Deck, near the helm station. In the stern, sliding glass doors open out onto a spacious beach area.
Technical Data:
LOA - 44.06 m (144.7ft)
Beam - 9.05 m
Draft - 2.28 m
Displacement - 362 t loaded
Accommodation - ten guests in five cabins, seven crew in five cabins
Engines - 2 x Man V12 1400hp
Propulsion - line shaft
Speed - fifteen knots max, eleven knots economic cruise
Range - 3800 nautical miles at eleven knots
Construction - fiberglass
Project - Giorgio M.Cassetta exterior, Beneteri interior

March 12, 2020

Project: Absolute Navetta 64

During the Dusseldorf boat show 2020, Absolute presented the project for a new Navetta 64, which will sit in between the 2019 Navetta 68 novelty, and the just redesigned 58 models.  The Absolute Navetta 64 sees Absolute think out of the box for the lower deck layout, with an important option also revolving around the stern area, with an option for a Beach Club version.  The Beach Club version will feature two fixed up glass water tight doors, which open to a cabin that can transform to a fourth cabin with sofa which transforms to a double berth VIP cabin with private en-suite shower head to port side.  The lower deck layout of the Navetta 64 will feature as the other two bigger and smaller Navetta's a forward owner stateroom, with a midships VIP cabin to port side, and a third cabin to starboard.  A crew cabin is located to starboard with a private entrance from the aft deck.  The main deck with an astern galley will all be flush deck, with the exception for three steps leading up to the central twin seat pilot station.  A lot of thinking also went in the Navetta 64 to increase the glazed surfaces area on the main deck and as the above rendering shows the side bulwarks are left open in order to increase the view from the interior and saloon dinette areas to the outside.  The Navetta 64 will be powered by the large Volvo 900hp as standard and or optional 1000hp engines.

March 11, 2020

New Model: Comitti Breva 35

During the 2020 Dusseldorf boat show Italian Lake Como boat builder Comitti presented its new 35 Breva model.  This new Breva 35 apart being the new largest flagship model from Comitti follows the success on the 2019 launched Breva 29.  With the Breva 35 model Comitti gives tribute to traditional Italian runabouts of the past, with an important look to the future.  Needless to say the Breva 35 is an impressive looking machine, but apart looking great this new sport day cruiser offers interesting accommodation spaces both inside and outside.  The most interesting spaces comes in the central part of the exterior cockpit with L-shaped settee and wet-bar being the fulcrum of day activities.  While inside accommodation is also very interesting thanks to a forward convertible V-berth and central midships cabin, with a galley and shower head in between.  The Breva 35 is offered with thirteen engine choices from twin Mercruiser Gasoline 250hp up to 480hp engines, with everything including twin diesels in between. 
Technical Data:
LOA - 10.71 m (35.1ft)
Hull Length - 9.92 m
Beam - 2.99 m
Draft - 0.99 m
Displacement - 4900 kg dry and with smallest engines
Fuel Capacity - 650 l
Water Capacity - 170 l
Accommodation - two plus two berths
Engines - 2 x Mercruiser 4.5L V6 250hp, 6.2L V8 300hp, 350hp, 8.2 Mag 375hp, Volvo V6 260hp, V8 300hp, 350hp, 380hp, 430hp, 480hp Gasoline, Mercruise MD3.0 DTS 230hp, 270hp, Volvo D3 220hp Diesel
Propulsion - Mercruise Bravo Three or Volvo DP dual propeller stern drive

March 10, 2020

Project: Steeler Bronson 50

Steeler present the project Bronson 50, designed by Vripack this is an open type Mediterranean open sport yacht with a unique connection between the interior areas and outdoor spaces. This connection is provided thanks to a huge glass surface under the windshield which integrates the cockpit to the cabin area. The Bronson 50 will welcome guests aft in a wind-protected bench complete with side tables. Moving forward, a central expansive sun bed with back rest which if desired slides aft or forward so you can choose which way to lie and in which direction. Under the lounge bed is another large storage area, with room for a tender. Approaching amidships are two comfy L-shaped lounge benches to port and starboard, each with a table. At least eight people can enjoy lunch or cocktails here in outstanding comfort and sheltered from the wind.  The helm station offers four professional seats looking forward. Down below is a kitchenette while still maintaining direct contact with the people who are at the helm or chilling on the bow rider seating. The split-level lounge is another nice place to relax on the sofa while still feeling very much in the thick of the action. This whole area can be closed off at the push of a button with a glass hatch roof and glass sides should the weather becomes inclement.  The lower deck also includes two cabins; a full-beam cabin below and a standing-room-height master suite forward with a shower room. The lounge settee also converts into a bed, so the Bronson 50 can sleep up to six guests.  The Steeler Bronson 50 will be powered by twin Volvo 600hp standard, and or optional 725hp engines with IPS pod drives.  Standard power is estimated to give top speeds up to 35 knots, while optional units will increase top end by five up to forty knots.

March 9, 2020

New Model: Sirena 58 Coupe

During the 2020 Miami boat show Sirena presented the new 58 Coupe.  Designed by German Frers and launched as Sirena 56 in 2017, the Sirena 58 Coupe is in all the standard 58 with flybridge model, with a hard-top replacing the fly deck, and this in term reducing air draft.  This model should open a new market for Sirena possibly for customers who like to cruise more inland waterways, as the Northern part of Europe.    
Technical Data:
LOA - 18.68 m (61ft)
Hull Length - 17.1 m
Waterline Length - 17 m
Beam - 5.36 m
Draft - 1.24 m
Displacement - 36 t loaded and with Cats 850hp
Fuel Capacity - 3600 l
Water Capacity - 800 l
Accommodation - six berths in three cabins, one crew cabin berth
Engines - 2 x Cats C8.7 650hp, C12.9 850hp
Propulsion - V-drive line shaft
Speed - 30 knots max with Cats 850hp (27 with 650hp) 16 knots cruise, 10 knots long range
Range - 850 nm at 10 knots
Hull Shape - semi displacement
Construction - Vinilester resin with sandwich construction, carbon fiber added to super structure
Project - German Frers exterior and engineering, Spadolini interior
Certification - CE A