Sea Ray Sport Cruiser Ends Aground in Lake Ozarks

A twelve meter Sea Ray sport cruiser ended aground in Lake of the Ozarks 8mm West side on the morning of Saturday eight July.  This freak accident is not fully reported but by the way the Sea Ray cruiser ended aground, with most of the hull out of the water it probably was under way at a bit of speed.  The released anchor was made there for safety.  The Sea Ray cruiser was not removed up until two days after the accident, which probably looks like the damage is worse then it looks.  Lake of the Ozarks is in the Missouri region, in the centre of the United States of America.

The Sea Ray in this accident is a second generation 420 Sundancer model produced from 2003 till 2006, from 2004 with the hard-top as this unit.  The 420 Sundancer evolved into the 44 Sundancer in the fall of 2006 with the visible difference being the addition of three vertical port holes in the hull sides.

Project: Astondoa AX8

Since April Astondoa has started a campaign for the launch of its next upcoming model the AX8.  The AX8 apart being a new model will also be a fresh range and style for Astondoa, and what looks in these initial renderings as an explorer inspired motor yacht with huge exterior stern spaces.  The Astondoa AX series looks set to challenge the likes of Sanlorenzo SX series, ISA Extra, and Sunseeker Ocean line.  So far Astondoa is very quiet on details on a yacht which might do its official debut in the fall 2023 boat shows.

www.astondoa.com

New Launch: Rossinavi 66m FR044

Rossinavi has launched in their facility of Viareggio project Alchemy, a 66 meter triple deck super yacht construction number 44, born from a fruitful collaboration between the Italian shipyard and Philippe Briand, Founder of Vitruvius Yachts, who is responsible for the exterior design and collaboratively with Rossinavi developed the naval architecture of Alchemy. Enrico Gobbi from Team for Design is responsible for the interior design and outdoor spaces styling. Alchemy is Rossinavi’s latest super yacht with diesel electric propulsion and is propelled by pods to reduce the loss of energy between the engines and navigation speed. Alchemy is commissioned by a private owner who has very much been involved in every aspect of the design project and has commissioned this with a brief to focus on the design of the outdoor areas and wellness aspects of the super yacht. As is usual to both Rossinavi and Phillippe Briand Alchemy’s silhouette is all about proportioned balance and exudes tranquillity. Its beauty is enhanced by optimal volumes and distribution of the living areas thanks to a meticulous process of research and development. The lifestyle nature of Rossinavi Alchemy is immediately visible from the generous outdoor square meterage, over 330 sqm well distributed across three different decks. The main amenities on the three decks include a jacuzzi, numerous sun-pads, bar, and entertaining areas together with a barbecue positioned near one of the dining spaces. The bridge deck features a salon and another al fresco dining area for more formal occasions while the main deck exposes a large cockpit. Alchemy’s capacity to carry all sorts of equipment and toys on board is remarkable. The garage area has enough space to store a vast array of equipment from paddleboards to windsurfs, from water skis to two tenders, respectively of 7m and 8m long, water slide, inflatable docks and even mountain bikes for exploration trips on land. For the interior design and outdoor spaces style of Alchemy, Enrico Gobbi created a calm and elegant atmosphere that influences all decks and areas with natural materials and a soft colour palette of beige and ivory tones has been favoured by the owners in the choice of textiles, wall coverings and upholstery. The Beach Club coincides with the super yachts welcome area which is designed to give the impression of entering a spa. The choice of teak wood enhanced by fine details in stainless steel and white marble with matt finish, provides a relaxing atmosphere; every detail was carefully studied to avoid excesses with the refinement of small details making the difference. Several rounded and curved features, including the arch-like windows of the massage room, contribute to make this area more harmonious and comfortable. Great importance has been given to the study of light and reflections. During the day, the overall area allows for natural light to come in through the opening of the hatch. However, this can be closed with the specific intention to give the opportunity to indirect lights that are hidden behind panels and marbles to shine. The marble monoliths create a checkerboard wall, in which the light creates very special reflections, giving life to rhythmic patterns from the zen mood of the marble wall. The main materials utilised for the design of the exterior areas are natural teak combined with white natural stone surfaces and prestigious steel detailing. Every single piece of furniture is bespoke, including the oversized sofa in the main salon which is one of its kind. The decor of the decks on Alchemy joins in a dialogue with the interiors where soft greys are used for the main exterior deck areas, while blue and white have been preferred for the bridge and fly decks. One of the highlights of the interiors of Rossinavi Alchemy, as Enrico Gobbi likes to point out, is a monumental, suspended staircase that takes centre stage in the main salon and connects the bridge to the upper deck. The grand staircase creates a dramatic connection with the two areas through a vertical opening right in the heart of the yacht featuring suspended glass steps that are supported between two partitions of white Carrara marble with elegant leather details. The five guest cabins of Alchemy share a common thread in terms of main materials that are used for the wall ceilings but some elements that make each cabin more personal have been used, such as specific artworks that the owners have personally sourced during their trips all over the world or specific decor features.

Technical Data:

LOA - 65.70 m (215.5ft)

Beam - 11.31 m

Draft - 3.11 m

Displacement - 1194 gt *volume

Accommodation - twelve guests in six cabins, sixteen crew in eight cabins

Engines - 2 x Cats C32

Propulsion - pod drives

Speed - sixteen knots max. twelve knots cruise

Hull Shape - displacement

Project - Philippe Briand Vitruvius yachts exterior and naval architect, Enrico Gobbi Team for Design interior, Rossinavi engineering and naval architect

www.rossinavi.it

Project: Whitehaven 6000 Sunbridge

Whitehaven presents the project for the 6000 Sunbridge motor yacht. An eighteen meter motor yacht the Whitehaven 6000 Sunbridge is based on the enclosed-bridge 6000 Flybridge but with European lines and an open flybridge with hard-top.  The interior with feature an astern galley layout, with three double cabins, with two options for the lower deck with an optional plan offering a large walk in wardrobe to starboard.  A distinct feature of the Whitehaven 6000 Sunbridge is that she will also feature a tender garage, a rare thing to see in flybridge yachts of eighteen meters in length.  The Whitehaven 6000 Sunbridge is to be powered by twin Man 1120hp engines with line shaft propulsion.

www.whitehavenmotoryachts.com

New Model: Sealine C335

Sealine continues to update its line of models with this new C335 replacing the 330 model launched in 2015.  The C335 is in reality an update to the C330, recognizable by the larger hull windows, and subtly millimetre extended main deck windows.  Other improvements are in the heads compartment which now has a separate shower stall. The Sealine C335 for ten meters is a practical comfortable enclosed cruiser with hard-top ideally suited to cruise or stay onboard for a week, with features mostly dedicated for Northern climates.  That is not to say the C335 is not usable in sunny climates, but that most of its spaces are cosy and enclosed. Hanse Group have really taken the Sealine DNA at heart which was always about making the best of volume to size, with the German ownership also adding a host of practical details made to make life onboard easy and versatile for the moment. 

Technical Data:

LOA - 10.31 (33.9ft), 11.01 m (36.1ft) *with extended bathing platform

Hull Length - 9.99 m

Beam - 3.50 m

Draft - 1.03 m with drives

Displacement - 6.67 t

Fuel Capacity - 570 l

Water Capacity - 220 l

Max Persons - eight

Accommodation - four berths in two cabins plus two

Engines - 1 x Volvo D6 340hp, D6 440hp, 2 x Volvo D3 220hp, Mercury MD3.0L 270hp

Propulsion - single or twin Volvo DPI dual propeller or Mericury sterndrives

Speed - 26 knots with Volvo 340hp, 31 knots with 2 x 220hp

Construction - sandwich with bottom in Vinylester resin and Isophtalic gelcoat 

Project - Bill Dixon

Certification - CE B, ISO 8666 data

www.sealine.com

Project: Bluegame BGM75

The BGM75, the first model from Bluegame to enter the multihull segment with concept and naval architecture by Briand and design from Zuccon and Lissoni.  Bluegame and Sanlorenzo Group first multihull is different, creating from many points of view a new, parallel segment to the catamarans that have till today come on the market. Consistent with Sanlorenzo Group’s positioning, she is first and foremost a luxurious, beautiful yacht that “by chance” has not one but two hulls. Not even in this last feature, though, it can be compared to any existing catamaran on the market, primarily because from the first glance, the shape moves away from the “boxy” shape of a catamaran, thanks to the reduced width in favour of a ratio between beam and length closer to a mono-hull. This allows for the horizontal surfaces between the two hulls to connect creating a single volume as if it were a monohull; but with larger spaces and the possibility of having a full beam owner’s cabin of extraordinary dimensions. This layout is not possible on traditional catamarans, where the two hulls are too far apart to allow the aforementioned connection and are arranged separately inside the two hulls. Also viewed from the stern, thanks to the length-to-width ratio, the BGM75 is not comparable to traditional catamarans, where the two hulls are visibly separated. The aesthetic impact is of an elegant and balanced monohull and the space between the two hulls normally unused on traditional catamarans, conceals a garage for the tender, whose descent into the water is fully automated. The reduced width also allows the BGM75 to be moored between monohull boats and not between much larger superyachts, due to the disproportionate ratio between width and length. In the Unique Selling Proposition of the BGM75 there are many differentiating elements, but the most valuable one is the search for effective sustainable solutions, with particular reference to the reduction of consumption. It is precisely in this last aspect that the shipyard expresses with this model its full Research and Development capacity.​​  Bernardo Zuccon and Piero Lissoni the designers have been instrumental in creating many of the greatest successes of Bluegame and Sanlorenzo group, have fully grasped the power of such an avant-garde project, giving respectively a contribution to the external lines that makes them today the classics of the future and for the interiors an original approach in terms of lay-out, use of spaces and materials, resulting in maximum comfort, refinement and distinctive liveability.

www.bluegame.it

New Launch: Winter 38 Walk Around W-35

In the end of 2022 Winter launched a 38 Walk Around hull number W-35, a near to sister boat to W-17 and W-18 launched in 2015 and 2016 respectively.  Titled Jaydid Winter's hull number 35 mixes centre consoles features to those of an express sportfish, with a luxurious lower deck planned for a couple, featuring an open plan double berth layout, galley on entrance to port side and shower head opposite.  W-35 also features luxurious appointed exterior with chaise lounge style mezzanine settees looking to the action sportfishing free cockpit.  Winter 38 Walk Around W-35 is powered by twin Cats 500hp with line shaft propulsion.  Speeds are not estimated but its previous sister boats reached speeds in the mid thirties with the bit bigger Cummins 550hp engines.

Technical Data:

LOA - 11.58 m (38ft)

Beam - 4.01 m

Draft - 0.76 m excluding props

Fuel Capacity - 1665 l

Water Capacity - 189 l

Accommodation - double berth

Engines - 2 x Cats C7.1 500hp

Propulsion - line shafts with tunnel for propellers

Speed - 35 knots max *estimate

Construction - cold moulding in jig method, plywood enclosed in fiberglass and kevlar

www.wintercustomyachts.com

Princess Sports Cruiser Aground in Krk Island

A twelve meter Princess sport cruiser with Slovenian flag and three persons onboard ended aground in the morning of second July in the island of Krk, to the North of Croatia in the Kvarner archipelago which features over twelve islands.  The causes of the grounding are not reported but it seems the Princess sport cruiser was at anchor, with the towel on the side and chain outside indicating this.  Located to the Northern part of Croatia Krk is the largest Croatian island and of the Adriatic sea with an area of over four hundred square kilometres. 

The Princess in this accident is the V40 released in 2017 to a Bernard Olesinski design, and is an evolution of the V39 launched in 2012 with the main difference being the larger glazed hull side windows.  Princess released a second V40 version with larger glazing in 2020.  Since released in 2012 as V39 and then as V40 this Princess sport cruiser has been a hot seller with three hundred plus of hulls sold so far.

Project: Tecnomar Evo 130

After six units delivered of the Evo 120, Tecnomar presents the project for an Evo 130.  Designed by Gian Marco Ciampanino the Evo 130 is a larger evolution of the modern line from Tecnomar, which launched in 2016 with the 55 Open model and arriving to the first 120 in 2018.  68 and 80 projects never materialized, although the 80 was at some point reported under construction.  An evolution in lines and design, the Evo 130 will be technically different from the smaller three meters sister, wider but also in hull shape with a semi-displacement which powered by twin Man 1800hp engines will give a top speed up to nineteen knots.  The Tecnomar Evo 130 will offer a six double guest cabins layout, with an owners stateroom on the forward part of the main deck.  Tecnomar says the Evo 130 is construction ready, although the first unit is not reported as sold yet.

www.tecnomar.com

Swedish Short Cut

I am nearly sure that with such a title many of you thought that I would go into the short cutting, one way or another boat builders do to turn a bigger profit from boat building.  But this one is not for them, this is for Volvo, and how it keeps sitting on a twelve litre engine platform and climbing the supply ladder chain for larger super yachts.

When the IPS pod appeared in 2005, Volvo said that the project for the propulsion set up, is to make all its light duty engine series available on the platform, henceforth, with the increase in size and its update up to 1000hp thanks to larger pod drives, we arrived to a size limit of about twenty meters for twin engines, and up to about thirty meters thanks to use of triple or quadruple propulsion systems.  

Volvo seeing that triple or quadruple units have not been entering the market they expected above 24 meters, comes with a new idea of fitting twin engines to a single pod drive unit.  Here comes Volvo new IPS40 to launch in 2025 and able to put two engines per drive, bringing maximum horsepower up to twin 1000hp i.e.2000hp per drive.  The drive will also be available with a combustion engine and electric motor set up.

It is an interesting system to be fair, but probably overly complicated, which in itself is not a problem once you are sitting in Volvo friendly waters.  But if you are not?  This has always been the problem with overly complicated systems at sea, an argument which does not stop with Volvo.  Although the Swedish engine and propulsion builder has been at the forefront for trying to change the wheel or the prop in the last couple decades.