Custom Sportifsh Yacht Hits Whale and Sinks

A sixteen meter custom sportfish yacht titled m/y About Time with eight crew onboard sank after hitting a whale in the inbound channel to Conch House Marina in St. Augustine Florida just before 1830 hours of February 12.  About Time was cruising at 21 knots when it hit a young calf whale female and its mother, stopping at a standstill and both its engines turning off on impact.  About Time received substantial damage in the collision with its starboard strut and propeller cutting into the hull and opening a breach, and only the capable hands of captain Shane Ryan made this a lesser accident, with him managing to turn the port-side engine on and taking the crew to safety before leaving the sportfish yacht partly sink in a mudflat outside the inlet.  The young calf whale was found dead a day later on the beach of Anastasia state park near the inlet with visible propeller wounds on its back and a fractured skull.  The sportfish yacht was recovered and taken to a boat yard for extensive repairs.

Georgia officials reported that there have been at least five reported whale collision in the South East coast since 2005, which include a collision with a thirteen meter Grand Banks in 2005, and another with a thirty foot Pursuit in 2009.

M/y About Time previously named Starlite the sportfish yacht in this collision is a fully custom Jarrett Bay 54 Sportfisherman hull #25 launched in July 1999.  Build in cold moulding with the jig method Jarrett Bay hull #25 offers accommodation for five in two cabins and is powered by twin Cats 1000hp giving a top speed up to 36 knots.

New Model: Astondoa AS8

In the fall of 2020 Astondoa launched its AS8 model, a flybridge pocket super yacht which measures just over 25 meters in length over all.  The Astondoa AS8 presents its self as a modern looking super yacht with not so high free board, and a main deck all surrounded by glass.  Accommodation is the traditional four doubel cabins layout with owners stateroom at midships.  To aft is two crew cabins which can sleep to four persons.  The Astondoa AS8 is standard powered by twin Man 1600hp which give top speeds up to 32 knots.  An optional twin 1900hp engine is available.

Technical Data:

LOA - 25.25 m (82.8ft)

Hull Length - 23.2 m

Beam - 6.04 m

Draft - 2.21 m

Displacement - 61 t dry

Fuel Capacity - 6200 l

Water Capacity - 1100 l

Accommodation - eight guest berths in four cabins, four crew in two cabins

Engines - 2 x Man V12 1600hp, o V12 1900hp

Propulsion - line shaft

Speed - 32 knots max with Man 1600hp

Hull Shape - modified Vee

www.astondoa.com

Azimut Super Yacht Partially Sinks Near Marco Island

A 26 meter Azimut super yacht partially sank near Marco Island to the South of Fort Myers beach in Florida on eleventh February, when it hit a sandbar in the area.  According to the locals this particular sandbar in the area tend to move and make the markers put by the coast guard the previous days practically useless.  Locals have been asking local authorities to dredge the channel, as with the sand bars increasing the channel is always becoming smaller.  No one was injured in the accident but the Azimut super yacht was still seeking assistance to re-float two days after the accident. 

The Azimut in this sinking is a 2001 85 Ultimate powered by twin Cats 1350hp engines.  A project of 1993 to 2017 Azimut designer Stefano Righini the 85 Ultimate was produced from 2000 till 2005 in 45 units.  The Azimut 85 Ultimate features a four double cabins interior, with two crew cabins and was usually powered by twin Cat, Man or MTU engines of 1350hp giving her a top speed up to thirty knots.

Improve-it = Bertram 61 Convertible

 

Spiral stair cases taking you from the aft main deck to the flybridge are today very common in flybridge motor cruisers and yachts since they where introduced in the early mid nineties.  But on sportfish cruisers and yachts, they are not so common mostly because they eat cockpit space which on battlewagon is always very important especially in the fishing battle situations.  With around half of sportfishing cruisers and yachts being used as mostly cruising boats, there is always an exception to the rule and here we are seeing the Cad design of a Bertram 61 ordered with a custom made spiral stair case.  Designed by Michael Peters the Bertram 61 was introduced in 2018, and is the heir to the legendary 54 model which changed the sportfishing world from 1981 onwards.   

www.bertram.com

New Model: Monte Carlo Yachts MCY 76 Skylounge

Monte Carlo Yachts adds another Skylounge with the MCY 76, which follows the previously presented smaller MCY 70 model. Skylounge or as they are better known Enclosed Bridges are particularly popular on yachts above eighteen meters in length, in North America and Australian continent, offering a protected enclosed second deck.  The Skylounge of the MCY 76 offers a central helm station, companion way settee to port side, L-shaped lounge and sofa opposite.  The aft deck of the skylounge which is about a third of the whole deck space is an open free to stow area.  The MCY 76 Skylounge also frees space below and here the boat is offered in two choices, of a forward galley or astern galley version.   For the remaining the MCY 76 Skylounge is the same as the standard version, offering four double cabin, and a crew cabin with two cabins at midships.  Power is Man 1550hp and or option 1650hp engines.    

Technical Data:

LOA - 23.06 m (75.7ft)

Beam - 5.75 m

Draft - 1.95 m

Displacement - 54 t dry

Fuel Capacity - 5000 l

Water Capacity - 1000 l

Accommodation - eight berths in four cabins, 2/3 crew in two cabins

Engines - 2 x Man V12 1550hp, V12 1650hp

Propulsion - line shaft

Speed - 30 knots max 24 knots cruise

Project - Nuvolari Lenard

Certification - CE A

www.montecarloyachts.it

Project: Benetti 67m FB284

A background of expertise and innovative technological choices are the main features of the Benetti FB284, an impressive and powerful 67-meter super yacht developed on six decks that enhance both the vertical and horizontal lines of the boat. Concept and exteriors are by Giorgio M. Cassetta while interiors are by Benetti Interior Style Department. The only element that deliberately breaks the continuity of the boat profile is represented by the bridge wings that, enhanced in their discontinuity by the surrounding surfaces, load the design with personality while showing an exclusive shape-function combination.  The interiors are evocative of the timeless Made in Italy excellence which finds its full expression in the high-end finishes of the boat, inserted in a balance of intercommunicating elements.  On the main deck, the cockpit is dedicated to the guests, who are immediately welcomed by some elegant seating. A large glass window, with a central door that slides inside the superstructure, divides the stern from the particularly long saloon, with large sofas and a dining table for 14 people. On the same deck, the spacious pantry and the large square-shaped galley precede the two VIP cabins, characterized by windows, large storage spaces and wardrobe.  The lower deck houses four guest cabins and, as a result of the absence of the galley, a large cabin for 17 or 19 crew members.  The upper deck is entirely reserved for the owner and his convivial needs. Forward, the master suite is equipped with a private studio and two separate heads, one with tub and shower, the other with tub, both with very long washbasins. Thanks to its position, the cabin offer a breath-taking view of the bow and the surrounding sea.  The bridge deck has been conceived as a true party deck. The shaded area can be optionally closed with a furnished veranda according to the owner’s needs. A well-hidden external staircase leads to the 90-square-meter sun deck. The wet bar offers a breath-taking view while, in the bow, a podium houses a large jacuzzi.  The same spirit of optimization of the spaces has dictated the design of a sixth deck, the under lower deck, which provides the boat with important additional areas, both technical and storage-oriented, suitable for long navigation and aimed at significantly improving life on board.  Benetti FB284 is the evolution of the platform on which the award-winning 63-meter Metis yacht was built and on the basis of which the upcoming FB270, FB274 (65 m) and FB278 “Project Fenestra” (67 m) will come to life.

www.benettiyachts.it

New Model: Bluegame BGX60

After the success and accolades of the BGX70, it was easy to see a follow up in smaller or bigger sizes from Bluegame.  In just one year Bluegame quickly follow the 70 with the BGX60, a two or three cabins explorer yacht in looks but not in substance, as the technical data below shows.  Not an explorer as a long range vessel, cause the Bluegame offers layout and looks of a tug boat, from its Portuguese bridge the living on the main deck around the pilot house, to its free empty stern area, to the rugged clean looks of the yacht.  The Bluegame BGX60 also shows its comfort inside on the lower deck with a living adjoining to the stern beach area, to a three interior layout choice; from two cabins, two cabins three heads, or a three cabins version.  A single berth crew cabin is located forward.  The Bluegame BGX60 is powered by standard Volvo 800hp, and or optional 900hp engines with IPS pod drives propulsion.          

Technical Data:

LOA - 19.02 m (62.4ft)

Hull Length - 18.21 m

Beam - 5.30 m

Draft - 1.42 m

Displacement - 35 t

Fuel Capacity - 3000 l

Water Capacity - 780 l

Max Passengers - 14

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

Engines - 2 x Volvo D13 800hp, D13 900hp

Propulsion - Volvo forward looking dual propeller IPS pod drives

Speed - 30 knots max 27 knots cruise with Volvo 900hp

Hull Shape - modified Vee with 16.5 degrees deadrise aft

Project - Luca Santella and Zuccon Project exterior and interior, Lou T. Codega hull design

Certification - CE B

www.bluegame.it

Pershing Sport Cruiser in Flames

A Pershing 38 sport cruiser went ablaze while in its mooring in Porto Rosa in the North coast of Sicily at around 2100 hours on third February.  The Messina fire fighting squad went to the scene to control and put off the fire, with two units.  No one was injured in the accident, and no nearby boats where damaged, although the Pershing sport cruiser did receive extensive damage especially to the aft super structure.  This looks really a pity as this Pershing 38 really looked updated having silver and blue coloured hull as the modern units onwards from 1998, and safety railing as that of newer models.   

The Pershing 38 was launched in 1993 as a two cabins sport cruiser, with a single head, and a central dinette with galley opposite, and a shaft driven propulsion with Cats 306hp or optional 355hp.  The 38 was in 1997 updated to a 39 with the difference being a larger one foot longer extended bathing platform good for tender stowage, and an optional forward facing radar arch.  A surface drive option was also made available in the 39 but only two units where sold with this set up.  Designed as all Pershing's by Fulvio de Simoni the model had a discreet success selling around twenty units in a production run which lasted till year 1999.  With the Pershing 38, Fulvio de Simoni was pioneering the curved integrated windshield design, this being the third model, but also used to better effect to the previous 70 launched in 91 and the 57 in 92.  The integrated curved windshield was heavily copied by British boat builders Fairline with the Targa series and Princess with the V series onwards from 1995.

Project: Riviera 645 SUV

Australia’s largest luxury motor yacht builder, Riviera, has just announced an innovative new yacht, the 645 SUV. Riviera pioneered the SUV concept in 2012 and has since continually refined this design that brings together a single-level sports yacht entertainer with the blue water pedigree and cockpit of a flybridge yacht. The 645 will have her world premiere in April 2021 and will be the largest SUV built to date, surpassing the current 575 as the flagship of this six-model collection ranging from 39 to 64 feet. She offers longer-range offshore cruising, extensive accommodation, premium comfort and luxury, while enhancing the superb indoor/outdoor lifestyle features that make the SUV models so practical and popular. The Riviera design team in collaboration with 4D Designs have created a yacht that offers the choice of three or four staterooms, three bathrooms and a utility, crew or additional accommodation aft. In addition, there is a superb alfresco deck dining and gourmet galley with island bench, a side saloon door leading to generous walk-around side decks, and a foredeck that is a separate, lavish entertainment hub. Riviera owner Rodney Longhurst says the decision to introduce the 645 SUV came after requests from current Riviera owners and the global dealer network, resulting in a number of off-the-plan orders being received. A choice of Twin Man 1300hp or optional 1550hp diesels have been selected by the Riviera engineers for the 645 SUV power options that offer exceptional power-to-weight performance. With the 1550’s, cruise speed will be around 30 knots and wide-open throttle around 34 knots. All Riviera MAN powered yachts come with a 5-year engines limited warranty, further supported by Riviera’s 7-year structural and 2-year express limited warranties. The first unit of the 645 SUV will be sold to a Melbourne resident owner, who with his new boat will be on his seventh Riviera. Hull one will be powered by the smaller 1300hp engines.

www.riviera.com.au

It's Still A Storm

It is still a storm, a rather rough one yet in it all this boating keeps taking it well and beyond expectations.  Some might have expected that with Vaccinations rolling out at the end of 2020, 2021 would have been a big jump to freedom and a return to the normal World.  One month later to all this it has been a roller coaster ride, with delayed vaccine production and distribution, and Covid-19 variants taking news headlines.   

Covid-19 keeps showing us that it still commanding our lives, and after a delay, Dusseldorf boat show has been cancelled.  If it was not for Genoa and Fort Lauderdale at the end of 2020, we would have had no boat shows to really talk about, in the last months.  

In all this here comes the silver lining, but shows that the boating industry is still doing well, and after we heard the news that 60% of super yachts above 24 meters production for 2021 is sold last month, now we hear that Boston Whaler announced that it is going to boost production by 50%.  In all this Boston Whaler is taking the Brunswick production facility at Palm Coast, previously of Sea Ray and unused since 2018. 

So it is a storm and it will still be, give and take up until the end of 2021, but boating unlike what was in 2009 and beyond recession it is taking it so far really well.  Might be something of a case study, but boating is still doing well mostly because it is a passion, a hobby which represents Freedom.  Freedom which this virus has taken from us.