Project: Pardo GT65

Pardo Yachts expand it's GT fleet and present the GT65 project, the third model in this unique looking range. Designed by Nauta with naval architecture by Zuccheri this new GT65 project, preserves the iconicity and elegance that made Pardo Yachts a success from it's debut and beyond that of any forecast, while delivering an unparalleled onboard living experience. Positioned strategically between the GT52, presented in 2022, and the upcoming GT75 flagship set to launch this year, the GT65 serves as the latest addition to Pardo Yachts's versatile series of crossover runabouts. This third model in the GT range perfectly balances spacious interiors and exteriors, flexible layouts and performance, providing an exhilarating yet comfortable cruising experience.  Flexibility comes with two main deck and or lower deck choices, which all revolve if one chooses a galley up or down layout.  In both choices you always get a three double cabins layout, with the standard galley up option give a master stateroom forward with the bed to port side.  In the lower deck galley option the forward cabin becomes smaller and is located to centre, with a C-shaped galley located to starboard in between the three cabins.  The Pardo GT65 is to be powered by twin Volvo 1000hp with IPS pod drives.  

www.pardoyachts.com

New Model: Bavaria SR33

With the Bavaria SR33, the German production boat builder introduces another model to its successful sport cruiser SR line.  Following on the family feeling of the SR41 and the SR36 models, this new SR33 is also designed by Marco Casali, which now sees Bavaria complete its offer of ten to twelve meters sport cruisers.  This new entry level SR focus is for space to both outside and inside.  The exterior cockpit of the Bavaria SR33 takes about half the length, and is focused around a C-shaped dinette to port side, which features an opposite wet-bar, and aft sun-pad which extends in size with its movable backrest.  To forward of the dinette is a forward looking L-shaped lounger, with a single seat helm station opposite to starboard.  Down below the cabin area offers a galley with adjacent dinette for two/three persons, opposite shower head, forward double berth, and a separate double cabin at midships.  The Bavaria SR33 is powered by twin Volvo 300hp with stern drive propulsion.

Technical Data:

LOA - 11.40 m (37.4ft)

Hull Length - 10.8 m

Waterline Length - 9.71 m

Beam - 3.46 m

Draft - 0.86 m with drives and propellers, 0.70m without drives props

Displacement - 5887 kg  open, 6064 kg unloaded

Fuel Capacity - 500 l

Water Capacity - 250 l

Accommodation - four berths

Engines - 2 x Volvo D4 300hp

Propulsion - Volvo DPI duo-prop stern drive

Speed - 32 knots max 

Project - Marco Casali Too Design. Micad naval architecture

Certification - CE B8 / C10

www.bavariayachts.com

Project: Whitehaven Harbour Classic 52

Whitehaven introduces the Harbour Classic 52 project, a timeless down East lobster boat inspired looking classic yacht design. The 52 is to be the largest of the three boat Whitehaven lobster boat looking Harbour Classic line, which start from forty foot showing contemporary luxury, graceful flowing lines, accentuated by subtle wood detailing, and an accommodating interior. Being the largest of the line with an overall length of seventeen meters plus the Harbour Classic 52 is vintage charm meets modern luxury, epitomising sophistication with its sweeping contours and spacious entertaining areas on the main deck, and three double cabins below. The lower deck will offer a master stateroom located to starboard midships, a VIP forward, and third cabin with bunk berths to port side. The main deck prioritises both relaxation and social connection, making it perfect for any escape, with an aft galley to port side, and an L-shaped dinette opposite behind the helm station. Whitehaven Harbour Classic 52 is to be powered by twin Cummins 715hp with line shaft propulsion in semi-tunnels.

www.whitehavenmotoryachts.com

Donovan Shead 1936 - 2024

Donovan 'Don' Shead left for the better World on Saturday third February, peacefully passing away at the age of 87, surrounded by his family.  Don Shead was born May six 1936, in Birmingham, Britain's most far away city to the sea.  His father Henry Shead, a mechanical engineer with passion for boats both sail and power, will pass his passions to Don at a young age, taking him to sail dinghy racing first on the lake and then at twelve years of age to Cowes, what will become his adoptive town into the years.  Both places will play an important role to Don Shead; Birmingham the UK motor city will give the passion for engines, while Cowes expands the love for the water.  Don raced his first powerboat race in 1961 with a loaned boat, and a year later purchases his own race boat.  In 1967 coming from his racing experience, and a natural design and engineering talent, Don architects his first boat, a six meter speed boat which with him on the helm will come second in the Paris six hours race.  This boat will be produced as the Avenger 21, and is followed by the Avenger 34 which will win the Round Britain race of the same year. With this Don Shead launches his career as naval architect and fast hull specialist, receiving two request for two Class Three hulls, and a Camper and Nicholson 27 meter super yacht on his first year in business.  The year of change for Don Shead comes in 1968 when his designed 25 foot single engine wood build Telstar with Tony Sopwith on the helm wins the Cowes race in rough sea conditions.  A year later in 1969 Don will present himself to Cowes with the first Miss Enfield, built of alumimium and just completed before the race starts.  Unfortunately for Miss Enfield after seventy nautical miles in first place she will retire due to engine problems.  A year later the one meter longer Miss Enfield II will win the Cowes race with Tony Sopwith again on the helm.  With Tony retiring from racing, Don will return to race helming Miss Enfield II himself, winning Cowes again, Naples and Viareggio, while a sister-boat driven by Franco Castoldi also takes line honors in Santa Margherita in 1974.  Don Shead will retire from racing in 1974 when an accident during a race will injure his back, making a one surprise come back in 1981 at Viareggio, where he places second.  Don's Italian race success in the early seventies get's the admiration of Italians Attilio Petroni and Francesco Cosentino, who will commission him a full racing boat.  This will be the 38 foot mono-hull to be build in alumimium by CUV; Cantieri Uniti Viareggio, an alloy subcontractor, and finished by long standing yacht building family Picchiotti. Fifteen of the CUV Picchiotti's are reported build, six 41's, and nine 38.  With the CUV 38 Consentino will win the Class One World Championship held in Argentina in 1978, a feat the CUV Shead hull will do two other times in 1982 and 84.  The Don Shead designed Italian build CUV was the first to break the US hulls dominion of the Class One World Championship after fourteen years from the debut of the racing formula in 1964. Unknown to many is that Don Shead also designed some sail yachts, and a windsurf which set a speed record in the mid eighties.  Miss Enfield II was also revolutionary for its signature wrap around windscreen which gave crew better safety and protection, a design feature Don Shead introduced on the Halmatic DS110 which launched in 1968 and was produced till 72 in 28 hulls.  In 1978 Don Shead will join Sunseeker debuting with the 28 Offshore model, and from their on doing all the designs from five up to 37 meters and till 2007 when he will sell his business to the Poole builder bosses Robert and John Braithwaite, remaining as a consultant until stepping down due to ill health.  Out of tens of models for Sunseeker's a note is deserved on the 34 XPS Portofino which debuted in 1983, and the Tomahawk 37 from 1987, both of these being based on the legendary CUV 38 hull, and competing in offshore racing, although without a success. Apart Sunseeker and the mentioned Avenger's, CUV, and Halmatic, Don Shead designed boats and yachts for Australian Motor Yachts, Broooke, Cammenga, Camper and Nicholson, Devonport, Feadship, Lavagna Admiral, Mefasa, Palmer Johnson, Picchiotti, Souter, Tecnomarine, and Viudes.

American Tug New Web Site

American Tug presents its new World wide web showroom.  American Tug was the brand of Tomco Marine Group, as founded by Tom Nelson in 1999.  American Tug debuted with the 34 model in 2001, as designed by renowned West coast designer Lynn Senour, who will go and design all American Tug models.  Since then and up to 2023 American Tug has delivered just over 250 explorer cruisers.  In May 2023 Kadey-Krogen Group purchased American Tug, with production to stay in La Conner, and current CEO and cofounder Kurt Dilworth remaining to manage the company.  Located since its founding in La Conner, Washington on the North West of the Pacific coast currently American Tugs range offers four models from the 362, to the 435. American Tugs new web site takes you around with the following buttons; Models, About, Dealers, Pre-Owned, Blog, Upcoming Events, Contact, and Ship's Store.  American Tugs is also on social media with button links taking you to its Instagram and Facebook pages.

www.americantugs.com

Production History;

34/365 2001/10- (140/19

41/435 2005/11- (/19

49 Limited Edition/525 2008-14 (1/1)

485 2014-21  

395 2010- (23

362 2020- (11

Project: Tecnomar Evo 155

Tecnomar Evo 155 project was born from the need to give continuity to the successful Evo-line, which debuted in 2016 with the 55 model, and was followed in 2018 with the 120 model, of which six units have been build so far.  The Tecnomar Evo 155 will feature exterior with a strong sporty curvy futuristic character, all this in a length of 46 meters and without exceeding a volume of 499 gross tonnage.  A feature in the Evo 155 will be an innovative beach area, with a large stern window, and two foldable doors that allow direct access to the sea and a connection with the external area, allowing 360° liveability between interior and exterior.  The spacious sun deck is equipped with a large bar and a sunbathing area with a swimming pool. A second swimming pool is also found in the extreme bow area on the upper deck connected to a large sunbathing area, convertible into a pleasant dining area with a 180° view of the sea.  The Tecnomar Evo 155 will have interiors characterized by two large lounge areas on the full-beam main deck, with accommodation for ten guests in five suites; two guests on the lower deck, two VIP cabins on the main deck and the Owner’s cabin on the same deck.  

www.tecnomar.com

New Model: Ferretti 1000 Skydeck

For the year 2023 Ferretti Yachts presented the new 1000 Skydeck. An enclosed bridge version of the Ferretti 1000 which debuted in 2021, the 1000 Skydeck is mostly designed for the North American market.  The enclosed bridge in the Ferretti 1000 Skydeck takes about half of the available space in the top deck, and offers a large L-shaped settee to starboard with opposite entertainment area. To starboard is also a twin seat helm station with access to the side decks.  Opening the patio door of the Skydeck leads to a free aft area fitted with an L-shaped bar and three stools to starboard.  For the remaining the Filippo Salvetti designed 1000 Skydeck, keeps the same features of the Ferretti Yachts flagship, a raised pilot house design which offers four guest suites on the lower deck, and a master stateroom on the forward part of the main deck.  The Ferretti 1000 Skydeck also offers three cabins for five crew with this area also including a lobby with a small L-shaped lounger, all located on the forward part of the main deck.  The Ferretti 1000 Skydeck is powered by twin MTU 2186hp or 2400hp for top speeds up to 28 knots with the bigger engine option.

Technical Data:

LOA - 30.13 m (98.9ft)

Hull Length - 23.9 m

Beam - 6.81 m

Draft - 2.29 m

Displacement - 98000 kg unloaded, 111,000 kg loaded

Fuel Capacity - 9000 l

Water Capacity - 1320 l

Max Persons - twenty

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

Engines - 2 x MTU 16V2000M86 2186hp, 16V2000M96L 2400hp

Propulsion - line shaft

Speed - 24 knots 20 cruise with 2186hp, 28 knots max 24 cruise with MTU 2450hp

Project - Filippo Salvetti exterior, IdeaeItalia interior, Ferretti Group naval architecture

Certification - CE A, modules B+F+A1 sound emissions RINA 

www.ferrettiyachts.com

Three Boats Destroyed by Fire in Piombino

Three boats where destroyed by fire at the Marina Archipelago Toscano in Piombino, to the South of Livorno, with the blaze starting at 0830 on the morning of first February. The fire is reported to have started in the middle motorboat and then jumped to a flybridge cruiser on its starboard side, and a sailing yacht on its port side. Fire fighters and the local coast guard office rushed to the scene, controlling the blaze first, so it does not jump to other boats, and then turning it off. No one was injured as the boats where all reported unattended, although all three boats are fully burned and a wreck.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The boats in this fire are a Zuccon designed 1993 to 97 produced Ferretti 120 Fly to left of the photo, with the sailing yacht to right being a Feeling.  So far I cannot picture the boat in the middle, which looks to be Italian made and from the eighties.

Classic Boat Crashes Into Rockingham Jetty

A classic eleven meter flybridge cruiser crashed, and then partly sank into Rockingham Yacht Club Jetty, in Rockingham, Western Australia on the late night of 31 January.  The cause of the accident are not reported but chats on social media are saying the captain collided with the jetty for a couple times, before eventually hitting bottom, and then partly sinking grounding the cruiser in the spot.  The classic flybridge cruiser was still in the same spot, partly sank and tied up to Rockingham Jetty as at ninth February.

The classic boat in this sinking looks to be a Mariner 38 Mk.I as build in the seventies.  Mariner Boats in Australia was founded by Bill Barry-Cotter in 1969 who he will sell in 1978, to then found Riviera in 1980 and then sell again in 2002, to then establish his third boat building brand Maritimo, which today he manages with his sons.

Need for Speed Is Back

In the eighties a challenge started out between a few yacht builders to make big and ultra fast yachts in the market.  Italcraft launched it's challenge with the M78, a 21 meters flybridge motor yacht presented in 1985 which reached 58 knots.  Alfamarine responded some years later with the two meters smaller one-off made 65 flybridge model from 1991, which with triple 1000hp engines and surface drives reached a top speed of 64 knots during a light test run, four knots more over it's declared top speed of sixty knots.  

Interestingly while both these yachts received a lot off attention at the time, the success was not big, with Italcraft selling only two units of the M78, and then revising the platform for the slower and similar looking C70 and then reused for the 70 Drago in the noughties. While Alfamarine made only one unit of the 65, with the hull of that one coming from the 55 as designed by Franco Harrauer, and then used also for the 58 and 60 models.  For a time the speed in sport yachts settled and even the fast offerings from successful sport yacht builders like AB Yachts, Baia, Magnum, Otam, or Pershing stopped in around the fifty knots mark.    

Thirty years later the need for speed is back with new arrival Bolide Yachts and its first 80 model, setting new high unimaginable numbers for a 24 meter super sport yacht.  The Bolide 80 not only goes beyond sixty knots, but reaches a top speed of 73 knots, equivalent to 84 mph.  These are speeds a super fast thirteen meter centre console weighing in at about ten tons with six Mercury racing outboards reaches. Incredible speeds for this project by Brunello Acampora, and even more outstanding when you think that the closest production yacht above 24 meters, the AB Yachts 100 with the Superfast option is thirteen knots behind.  

Is the need for speed back?  Are we heading into a new super sport yacht speed race?  Just as much as I would like it, this is difficult to happen, and like those Italcraft and Alfamarine models from the eighties found out, the hyper fast is and will remain a niche. It is a small niche which has its crowd, and many admire it, but when it comes to signing the dotted line it remains something for the few.  For now, well done to Brunello Acampora, it will be interesting to see if Bolide Yachts will have a challenger worth of note in the future.