New Model: Columbus Classic 80

Columbus presents the Classic 80 titled as m/y Dragon, and built in just 27 months, it represents an Italian excellence of timeless elegance and constructive craftsmanship.  Dragon joins the Columbus Yachts brand’s stellar fleet namely comprising: the award-winning Sport Hybrid 40 metre m/y Divine and m/y Eleonora 3, the 54 metre m/y Prima, the 57 metre m/y Taiba. Dragon stems from the advanced naval engineering of Hydro Tec Studio, responsible also for the exterior design. The interiors are by Francesco Guida.  Columbus Classic 80 is a superyacht that combines contemporary elements with proportions creating an elegant design that never goes out of style. The external lines are clean and without sharp traits, with few fixed elements to allow for sizeable and flexible areas.  The super yacht develops over six decks, five of which are served by an elevator to ensure maximum comfort on board.  Her luxurious and yet sober interior has been designed to create a warm, sophisticated and at the same time modern atmosphere. The essences of the wall light wood and the bronze/ satin gold inserts combine masterfully with the natural colours of fabrics and furniture generating harmonious and delicate environments. The lower deck houses the crew area with 10 cabins, dinette, steel kitchen, gym, technical rooms including a garage for the two main tenders of 7 and 9.5 metres, the large one built directly by the yard; the lobby with elevator and a guest cabin. This teak bridge is completed by the large 200 square meter beach club which includes a bar, a sauna and a Turkish bath, several relaxation areas and a chaise lounge. Of particular artistic importance are the 3 backlit panels made of blue agate.  To welcome guests entering the large living room, a classic design Chelini table creates a harmonious play of styles with the two large lounge areas, with C-shaped seats and a contemporary Provencal look. The dining area includes a custom-made 14 seater table by Giorgetti with a Roman travertine top, maple edges and leather legs. Unique in its kind are the six large windows, four of which are 5 metre long by 2 metre high, allowing for natural light to flood the space and create a bright and comfortable environment. Continuing towards the bow, the four guest cabins and the large panoramic Vip cabin are encountered.  All cabins have a private Roman travertine-clad bathroom. The fourth deck, exclusively reserved to the Owner, includes a 110 square metre cabin, with large windows for a 180 degree view of the private foredeck, Roman travertine-clad bathroom and sauna, separate wardrobe and vanity. On the same deck, a pantry serves both the sleeping area and the large living with also a dedicated bar. The aft cockpit has a 14 seater dining table and a relaxation area with sofas and chaise lounges. At the bow, a second living area provides access to the helicopter platform. On the bridge-deck, the 50 sqm wellness area is equipped with Technogym and is complemented by a beauty and massage parlour. This deck is completed by the wheelhouse and the captain’s cabin located at the bow. Pushing button 5 of the lift, made of hand-painted cast steel with a cast bronze effect, you reach the sun-deck which includes chaise lounges at the bow and a 7-meter pool at the stern. A blade waterfall divides the pool from the whirlpool and makes this area truly exclusive with a breath taking view from about 12 metres above sea level.  With its 80 metre length and 13 metre maximum beam, Dragon can count on an internal volume of almost 2,300 GT.  In addition to the two tenders positioned on the lower deck, it has 3 jet skis housed under the helicopter landing platform.  The laundry together with several storage rooms and cold rooms are located on the under-lower deck.  The twin MTU engines, delivering 3138hp each, allow a maximum speed of 17 knots and a range of over 6200 nautical miles at the eco-speed of 12 knots.  The home automation and entertainment system was designed by Videoworks, while to ensure maximum safety on board, the dashboard was engineered by the technical department of Palumbo Superyachts in collaboration with Team Italia, the international leader in integrated navigation systems.

Technical Data:

LOA - 79.9 m (262.2ft)

Beam - 13.4 m

Draft - 3.7 m

Displacement - 2250 gross tonnage

Fuel Capacity - 219000 l

Water Capacity - 53000 l

Accommodation - fourteen guests in seven cabins, 21 crew in 11 cabins

Engines - 2 x MTU 12 4000 M63L 3138hp

Propulsion - line shaft

Speed - 17 knots max 14 knots fast cruise 12 knots cruise

Range - 6200 nm at 12 knots cruise

Construction - steel hull aluminium super structure

Project - Sergio Cutolo Hydro Tec exterior and naval architecture, Francesco Guida interior

www.columbusyachts.it

Project: Solaris Power 44 Open

Solaris continue to extend the Power series with the project of the 44 Open set to launch in November 2020.  Designed as all the range by Brunello Acampora the Power 44 Open follows the family feeling as introduced with the 55/57 Lobster in early 2020, and then followed with the 48 Open a few months later.  The Solaris Power 44 Open is indeed a smaller sibling to the 48, with similar characteristics for a full walk around deck and entertainment area from bow to stern all revolving around the centre of the boat.  Below the Solaris is offered in two versions both sleeping four persons.  The standard layout A offers a forward double island berth, with two single berths at midships.  Layout B offers a V-shaped dinette forward, with a double french style berth at midships.  The Solaris Power 44 Open will be standard powered by twin Volvo 370hp with IPS pod propulsion, good for top speeds up to 33 knots. Optional engines are bigger Volvo 440hp or 480hp engines.

www.solarispower.com

New Model: Rizzardi InFive

Following the success of the 2019 presented InSix, Rizzardi follow it fast with a smaller InFive model, a sport yacht of sixteen meters which features both comfortable accommodation and high performance as its main attraction, a trait which has always been synonymous with the South of Rome boat builder. The In series by Rizzardi is an evolution of the Incredible range which launched with the best selling 45 in 2004, and was followed with the 55, and 50.  Rizzardi is calling the new InFive the Rule Breaker, for its customisation options and high performance.  Choice and customisation have always been important for Rizzardi and InFive continues the tradition with a total of 95 variations possible.  The two important choices so far presented are two, that for an enclosed with patio door upper saloon, and that of two different available layouts below deck.  Both the lower deck layouts presented offer three cabins, with a version offering a second VIP double berth to port-side midships which also extends in size, and the third cabin becoming a single berth.  A crew cabin berth is located aft.  The Rizzardi InFive is powered by twin Man 800hp engines with Top System surface drives which will make her reach top speeds up to 44 knots.  

Technical Data:

LOA - 16.03 m (53ft)

Hull Length - 16 m

Waterline Length - 12.4 m

Beam - 4.44 m  

Draft - 1.20 m including drives and propellers

Displacement - 19.7 t unloaded

Fuel Capacity - 2000 l

Water Capacity - 550 l

Max Persons - 16

Accommodation - six berths in three cabins, or five berths in three cabins, one crew cabin berth

Engines - 2 x Man I6 800hp

Propulsion - Top System surface drives

Speed - 44 knots max 38 knots cruise

Certification - CE A

www.rizzardiyachts.com

Project: Absolute 50 Fly

Absolute present the project for a new 50 Fly, a model which stands rather close in between the 47 and 52 Fly model. The 50 Fly is similar to the 52 in form, function and layout with everything being that bit smaller, and comes from the brain storming of the Absolute Research Lab.  The 50 Fly offers three spacious cabins and two heads, plus one crew cabin aft accommodation layout. Owners room is a midships full beam affair, while forward we have one VIP suite, and a third guest cabin with two inline berths to starboard. The main deck will feature an L-shape stern galley layout, while the flybridge as in Absolute fashion is one of the most spacious in its size. The Absolute 50 Fly will be powered by twin Volvo 480hp engines located centrally but still with IPS pod drives as propulsion. Volvo IPS propulsion has been used in all the Absolute range since 2012, with the company starting with the technology on the 56 STC in 2006 in both double and triple power configurations.

www.absoluteyachts.com

New Model: Itama 62S

Ferretti Group give a little love to the Itama brand by presenting the new 62S. The Itama 62 was presented in 2011 as evolution of the FiftFive model which was launched in 2006. The S in the Itama 62 stands for the updated windshield which is now centrally opening and serves two functions. Function one will be that to allow more air circulation in the cockpit, second usage is that to serve as a passage to go on the fore-deck. Here the engineers build retractable steps and another step moulded forward. The opening windshield is not new in the Itama's as this detail was introduced by Mario Amati in the 46 model in 1995 and later on evolved in all the other models. The Amati version was not fully open and only served as a window to fresh the cockpit deck under way or on anchor.  Even though this was a simple gadget, everyone appreciated this detail, as it really made the cockpit deck fresh in Summer.  For example to this day I am still surprised how this solution is not used more in hard-top boats, which do become hot in the peak Summer season.  A couple hard-top boats did use this solution in the early 2000's as the Tiara Sovran and Cayman 43 WA models, but I am not aware of any particular new hard tops which have used it today or in the recent past. 

Technical Data:

LOA - 19.03 m (52.5ft)

Hull Length - 17.2 m

Waterline Length - 15.4 m

Beam - 4.75 m

Draft - 1.70 m incl props

Displacement - 25920 kg unloaded, 31500 kg loaded

Fuel Capacity - 3250 l

Water Capacity - 700 l

Max Persons - 14

Accommodation - six berths in three cabins, optional one crew cabin berth

Engines - 2 x Man V12 1400hp

Propulsion - line shaft

Speed - 40 knots max 37 knots cruise

Range - 255 nm at fast cruise

Project - Marco Casali

www.itama-yacht.com

Flybridge Cruiser on the Rocks in Favignana

A flybridge cruiser of about fourteen meters in length ended on the rocks in the Egadi island of Favignana, on the late morning of Sunday 20th September. The accident happened in Cala Previto on the South-West part. No injuries where reported with passengers being rescued by nearby boats, and the Piantoni flybridge boat was salvaged there after and led to safety. The accident is reported that the Piantoni flybridge cruiser was running when it hit an unmarked submerged reef, and then there after was beached in order to avoid total sinking.  One of three and the largest Egadi islands in the archipelago, located on the Western part of Sicily, Favignana is also the closest, distancing less to four nautical miles from the main land of the largest island in the Mediterranean. 

The flybridge cruiser in this accident is a Piantoni 45 Fantasy, which was presented in 1985 and produced till 1992 due to the bankruptcy of the company.  The Piantoni 45 Fantasy was popular for being a flybridge cruiser sub fourteen meters in length with three double guest cabins and two heads, and was powered by Cats 375hp and 420hp for later models.  The 45 Fantasy is still researched nowadays for having good seakeeping qualities and a strong construction. With the company re-opening its doors in around mid nineties to then close again before the end of the decade, the 45 Fantasy eventually evolved to a 48 Fly produced 93 to 95, with modified extended stern and a crew cabin aft.  Piantoni started life in the sixties founded by Pietro Piantoni and sons first building boats of wood, and then making the switch to fiberglass.  The company then became the Piantoni Brothers until it bankrupted in 1992/93.  Eventually the company opened again as Lombardi shipyard in 1999/2000 with a life span which lasted some years. 

Project: Ocea Commuter 50

Since 2003 when Ocea launched the Commuter 130 as designed by Michel Joubert, the French yacht builder became the name for these super yachts inspired to the early 20th century sleek boats owned by New York’s billionaire class, designed to ferry them across the East River to Manhattan with speed, elegance and maximum class. Since then Ocea has launched six more Commuter super yacht and now it presents the project for a Commuter 50 model, designed in-house and featuring a triple deck layout.  The Ocea Commuter 50 which goes further in size to the 155 launched in 2011, will feature a six guests cabin interior sleeping twelve guests, with an owner stateroom on the main deck.  Crew space is for ten persons in five cabins. Ocea Commuter 50 is to be powered by twin 1700hp engines which allow her to reach top speeds up to nineteen knots, a cruise of sixteen and a range of 5000 nautical miles at eleven knots.

www.ocea-yachts.com

New Model: Cantiere Delle Marche Flexplorer 40m

Cantiere delle Marche has launched its first Flexplorer 40m, titled M/Y Aurelia this is an explorer super yacht designed by Sergio Cutolo and as the title says with flexibility of usage in mind.  In ten years time Cantiere delle Marche from an unknown new name, shaped itself as the shop for custom explorer super yachts.  What is a fact is that the Cantiere delle Marche success was widely imagined by its management and how it evolved the type explorer super yacht into various versions starting with the rugged looking Darwin, and into the first evolution that is the Nauta Air without forgetting the sea-ability and toughness in each yacht build.  This new Flexplorer 40m characterises itself for the novelty of the A-frame crane which when not in use hides itself into the deck.  But the other novelty for Cantiere delle Marche Flexplorer 40m is the collapsing bulwarks which increase deck space to 115 square meters.  The interior designed by Francesco Paszkowski and as per owner wishes is of a four double cabins layout, with an owner apartment style stateroom forward on the main deck, and three guest cabins on the main deck.  Crew accommodation is for six persons in three cabins.  Flexplorer 50 m is power by twin Caterpillar 1000hp engines which allow for top speeds up 14 knots, and a cruise speed of 10 knots which allows for a range over 5000 nautical miles.

Technical Data:

LOA - 39.37 m (129.1ft)

Waterline Length - 38.2 m

Beam - 8.60 m

Draft - 2.60 m at full load

Displacement - 392 t approx

Fuel Capacity - 60,000 l

Water Capacity - 8500 l

Accommodation - nine guests in four cabins, six crew in three cabins

Engines - 2 x Cats C32 1000hp

Propulsion - line shaft with ZF gearboxes

Speed - 14 knots max 10 knots cruise

Range - 5000 nm at 10 knots

Hull Shape - displacement with bulbous bow

Project - Sergio Cutolo Hydro Tec exterior and naval architecture, Francesco Paszkowski

www.cantieredellemarche.it

PowerYachtBlog Best of the Year 2020

Hurricane Sally

Hurricane Sally is the seventh hurricane of 2020, and the eighteenth named storm.  Sally formed as a Tropical storm on the Bahamas on September 10, and on September 14 it was classified as a Category One hurricane and in the evening reached Category Two, only to be declassified back to C1 a few hours later.  On September 16 and upon reaching Alabama state Sally surprisingly reached again Category Two.  Sally destructive power was centred between the areas of Mobile, Alabama and Pensacola, Florida. With Orange County just in the middle of this area being one of the worst hit, damaging hundred of all types of boats and yachts.  Hurricane Sally killed two persons with one missing, and the damages caused are estimated to be of at least five billion US$.  Sally is the first hurricane to have arrived in Alabama, since Ivan in 2004.  Sally landing coincided exactly sixteen years later on the same day.  Hurricane Sally ended on 18 September.

Project: Wim Van Der Valk 26M Pilot

Wim Van der Valk shipyard announces the addition of a new concept to its existing line of premium Dutch motoryachts. The Pilot range combines the rugged exterior evocative of an explorer vessel with the superlative comfort, quality and equipment of the very latest contemporary yachts. Designed by Cor D Rover this 26-metre crossover yacht combines a rugged explorer-like exterior with the comfort, quality and equipment of a premium contemporary super yacht, with lots of outdoor space as well as plenty of interior volume.  Interior design has been awarded to Italian firm Hot Lab which created two style revolving around turquoise and yellow colours.  The 26M Pilot blends a modern overall appearance with subtle classic touches. The raised pilothouse layout means the wheelhouse is elevated and the forward main deck area set free for other purposes. There’s lots of space particularly on the aft deck for sunbathing as well as the storage of tenders, Jet Skis and other toys.  A wide range of adaptations are possible to the highly versatile design. The 26M Pilot feature two accommodation plan choices of four or five guest cabins, both with owners suite forward on the main deck, and this depending on whether you want a crew lobby or just cabins.  On the main deck is also two options which revolves a more traditional layout with central dinning table for eight, and a more social version with bar style galley.   The Wim Van Der Valk will be powered by triple Volvo 800hp engines with IPS pod drives which will give her top speeds up to 21 knots and a cruise of 17 knots.  A smaller 23 meter unit is also on plan, and this might be another range for the ever expanding custom Van Der Valk.

www.vandervalkshipyard.com