New Model: Ocean Alexander Puro 35P

Ocean Alexander has during the 2024 Palm Beach boat show idebuted it's new Puro 35P super yacht. Puro means Pure in Italian, and here we see as the title says the Taiwanese Ocean Alexander debut its first with an Italian designed yacht from top to bottom, in both style and naval architecture, and for over a decade or more exiting it's own sphere of yachts designed by London based Evan K. Marshall. Designed by renowned Italian architect Giorgio M. Cassetta in collaboration with Andrea Agrusta of NavalHEAD responsible for naval architecture, the Puro 35P comes as a three deck semi-wide body design, with accommodation for ten guests including a full beam owner stateroom on the forward part of the main deck.  Crew accommodation is for six persons in three cabins on the forward part of the lower deck, an area which will also include a crew mess with an L-shaped dinette and a galley.  Ocean Alexander Puro 35P is powered by twin Man 2000hp for top speeds up to 24 knots.  The Ocean Alexander Puro 35P seems to have gotten to a flying start with four more units currently in build.

Technical Data:

LOA - 34.6 m (113.6ft)

Waterline Length - 29.2 m

Beam - 7.44 m

Draft - 2.31 m

Displacement - 144,300 kg, 273gt *volume 

Fuel Capacity - 19,040 l

Water Capacity - 2500 l

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

Engines - 2 x Man V12 2000hp

Propulsion - line shaft

Speed - 24 knots max

Hull Shape - semi displacement

Construction - fiberglass

Project - Giorgo M. Cassetta exterior and interior, Andrea Agusta NavalHead naval architect

Certification - RINA class

www.oceanalexander.com

Project: Zeelander 8

Zeelander present the project for the 8 model, soon to be taking place as the new flagship in its classic inspired line of the Dutch yacht builder which today starts at fifteen meters. The brand new 8 is an aesthetic development of the smaller Zeelander models which are so coveted by yachting connoisseurs, and will feature the same speed, quietness and immaculate finish that have helped position the brand at the top of the yachting sphere. The new Zeelander 8’s S-shaped shearline, gracefully raked stern and wrap-around windscreen will seduce longstanding fans of the brand, as well as newcomers. Zeelander has imbued the yacht with the same effortless curves as the smaller models. In fact, you will struggle to find a plain, straight line anywhere about the exterior. This is a contemporary design with a quality of timelessness, which ensures the boat will look every bit as good in twenty years as it does now. Designer Cor D. Rover’s experienced touch is again evident in the balance and proportion of the yacht. Despite her impressive 23.9m length overall, she so closely resembles her smaller sisters that it is hard to make out her scale from the renderings. Only seeing the yacht alongside and with a human figure aboard betrays her true size. Full details of how Zeelander has made the most of the extra volume afforded by the long hull and its six meters plus of  beam have yet to be revealed, except to say that the yacht will offer three double cabins for guests and space for up to three crew. It is also clear that the yacht will feature an innovative drive-in tender garage which builds on the system developed for the Zeelander 6 and 7. Once again, Zeelander has poured its industry-leading experience of noise and vibration attenuation into the new design. It enables the yacht to operate at full speed without noise levels on board ever breaking the 72dBa barrier. In other words, the Zeelander 8 will always be an oasis of comfortable calm even at forty knots. Construction is already well advanced at Zeelander’s newly expanded build hall in Groot-Ammers. This facility was recently renewed and extended in order to be able to accommodate client demand for larger yachts. The Zeelander 8 is to be powered by quadruple Volvo 900hp or 1000hp with IPS pod drive propulsion, with top speeds up to forty knots with the large engine option.  The first Zeelander 8 is to be delivered in Summer 2024. Zeelander Yachts’ range now includes four models: Zeelander 5, Zeelander 6, Zeelander 7 and Zeelander 8.

www.zeelander.com

Super Yacht Fire Extinguished in Fort Lauderdale

A 28 meter classic super yacht titled m/y Estrella under Jersey registry had an onboard fire while berthed behind a home in Marathon Lane, Riverland, Fort Lauderdale, Florida on the morning of Wednesday third April.  Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue where quick to arrive to the scene, and control the blaze.  No one was onboard the yacht when the fire started, with this reported to starting from the main deck.  The causes of the fire are under investigation, with the yacht reported unplugged from it's shore supply when the blaze started, although Estrella does feature a self sufficient Lithium powered solar panel electrical system. 

M/Y Estrella the yacht in this fire is a 95 foot Broward build in alumimium 1988, to an exterior design and naval architecture by its builder, and interior by Dee Robinson.  Estrella is currently listed for sale with Luke Brown Yachts.

New Model: Sealine S335

Sealine presents its new S335 model, a hard-top open sport cruiser as designed by Bill Dixon.  An evolution of the S330 which was presented in 2014 and recognizable by the larger hull side window, the Sealine S335 also shares platform with the fully enclosed main deck C335, and is also available in a V for outboard version.  The Sealine S335 offers a main deck with C-shaped dinette to port side with opposite wet-bar, single seat helm station to starboard, and a double passenger settee to port side.  Down below the Sealine S335 is standard offered  in a forward and midships double cabins layout, with a spacious shower head to starboard, and a furniture unit to port side. You do not like this option, no worries as the S335 is offered in two other options form the choice of a J-shaped dinette to port side or galley, to replacing the forward cabin with a U-shaped dinette.  The Sealine S335 is standard powered by a single Volvo 340hp with stern drive propulsion for up to 28 knots speeds, with a bigger 440hp and or twin Mercury diesels 270hp options being available.  The S335v outboard version is powered by twin 300hp and is estimated to give top speeds up to forty knots.

Technical Data:

LOA - 10.31 m (33.9ft)

Hull Length - 9.99 m

Beam - 3.50 m

Draft - 0.98 m

Displacement - 6.14 t

Fuel Capacity - 570 l

Water Capacity - 220 l

Max Persons - eight

Accommodation - four berths in two cabins, or four plus two

Engines - 1 x Volvo D6 340hp, 440hp, 2 x MD3.0l 270hp

Propulsion - Volvo DPI duo prop stern drive, or twin Mercury Bravo three duo prop stern drives

Speed - 32 knots max with Volvo 440hp, 38 with 340hp

Construction - sandwich with isophtalic gel-coat and first resin of vinylester resin

Project - Bill Dixon

Certification - CE B

www.sealine.com

Classic Yacht Collides Into Punta Gorda Bridge Florida

A classic sixteen meter Hatteras motor yacht titled Game anchor drifted and collided into the US41 bridge, in Punta Gorda, Florida on the morning of Wednesday third April.  Charlotte County Sheriff Office reported that the yacht was unattended during the collision, with Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and Florida Highway Patrol being on the scene monitoring the situation.  Strong winds up to fifty knots with its anchorage drifting are the reason the yacht collided into the bridge.  Although unattended during the collision, this classic yacht is reported to be a liveaboard for one person.

The classic Hatteras in this bridge collision is a first generation 53 Motor Yacht as produced from 1969 to 77.  Designed by Jack Hargrave the 53 Motor Yacht was Hatteras flagship at launch, and one of its longest produced models, and including the second version which arrived in 1978 sold over 350 hulls in a nineteen years production up to 1988.

Project: Princess F58

During the 2024 Palm Beach boat show Princess announced the project for a new F58 flybridge motor yacht to arrive in early 2025.  As designed by Bernard Olesinski and Pininfarina the F58 will sit in between the F55, and the F65.  By assumption I would have said the F58 would replace the F55 which has been in production since 2017 with a stylistic make over in 2021, but so far at least on declaration from Plymouth this does not seem to be the case, even though this new model is only half a meter longer.  A feature headlining the F58 is that she is to be the first Princess below 24 meters to offer a hotel service battery generated silent mode, probably also one of the few motor yacht's in this size.  The Princess F58 will also offer a spacious living main deck in it's size, and is one of the few yachts at eighteen meters with astern galley layout to offer both a dinette in front of the galley, and relaxing sofa on the raised part of the split level saloon.   As an example both the 2023 debutants, the Ferretti 580 and the slightly smaller Fairline Squadron 58 offer only a C-shaped sofa forward, which transforms to a dinette when needed.  Is this extra space in the inner saloon traded for the aft cockpit deck, for that to fully know we will have to wait for 2025, but on plans it does look to be the same size of the F55.  Down below the Princess F58, will offer a traditional three double cabins two head layout, with a full beam midships master stateroom, a forward VIP, and a third cabin with two single berths.  A crew cabin is located aft.  The Princess F58 is to be powered by standard twin Man 1000hp engines good for up to 31 knots, with optional 1200hp giving a 34 knots top speed.

www.princessyachts.com

Pershing Yacht on Fire in Dubai

A 26 meter Pershing super sport yacht titled m/y Spirit of Zen went ablaze when moored in her berth at Dubai Marina, Dubai on 11:12 of the morning of second April.  Fire fighters from Dubai Harbor Station responded first to the fire five minutes later, and where then followed by Dubai Civil Defense, with the fire extinguished at 12:28.  No one was injured in the fire, although it is not reported if the yacht was attended at the time of the blaze.  The yacht was badly damaged and listed on its port side, and then sank after the fire was extinguished.  The cause of the fire is now under investigation by the relevant agency.

M/y Spirit of Zen is a 2002 Pershing 88 as designed by Fulvio de Simoni.  Launched to high acclaim in 1999 as the new Pershing flagship, the 88 was considered the yacht of that year, nick named the silver bullet for its color scheme and sporty looks.  Produced till 2004 in seventeen units, the 88 was replaced by the Pershing 90 in 2005.

Princess Yacht Ends Aground in Elmwood Australia

A fifteen meter Princess sport yacht with one person onboard ended aground near Beach road, Elmwood, Victoria, Australia on the morning of Tuesday second April.  It is not understood if the person ended aground for an error of navigation or to save the yacht because she was taking on water.  Australia's Channel 7 broke the news saying the person onboard secured the yacht before parting ways.  Unconfirmed news said the Princess yacht was removed from the area after three days.  The Princess yacht in this sinking was reported sold just about a month ago.

The Princess yacht in this grounding is a V50 as designed by Bernard Olesinski and produced from 1998 to 2005.  The Princess V50 was presented as a filling model between the V40 and V55, and was replaced by the V48 in 2006.

New Model: Wally Power50

At the appointment of the 2024 Dusseldorf boat show in January, Wally came full guns blazing by presenting its new Power50 model. Spanning the arc between the Wallytender range and the Wally Power58, the new Wally Power50 is so flexible and adaptable that it can serve as anything from chase-boat to tender to day-cruiser to luxury weekender to high-octane thrill-ride, proof indeed that whatever life you want to lead, the Power50 is the bridge that can take you there. The Wallypower50 combines the more open design of the Wallytenders with the more spacious areas of the Wallypower58, with an extensive options list that means you can define a Wallypower50 to meet your operational wishes. Love the vertical stem and inimitably striking lines of the Wallypowers? The new Wallypower50 carries that design DNA in her profile and her hull, matching flair with finesse. But if you want an element of Wallytender practicality, no problem as you can spec a wraparound fender like those found on the Wallytenders to give you more rugged workhorse capability. Central to the onboard experience is the beautifully drawn balance between rugged practicality and sublime functionality, and it is here that the shared genes between the Wallytenders and the Wallypowers is truly evident. The wallypower50 boasts all the open space of her smaller cousins, which lends herself perfectly to working tender operational parameters, but adds touches that speak to her standalone capabilities too. There are two sunbeds aft instead of one, with a generous walkway between them offering easy boarding and disembarkation; moreover, drop-down aft bulwarks extend the aft deck space by six square meters, creating a luxurious area for enjoying the sea or enjoying a sundowner or two with family and friends. Forward of the sunbeds, nestling under the protection of the angular cockpit structure yet still delivering an alfresco feel, is the cockpit saloon. A dining table with banquettes and further bench seating comfortably accommodates eight guests, with space for more on forward-facing bench seats plus the helm chairs. Of course, there is also a foredeck sunpad with adjustable headrests, ideal for soaking up some rays at anchor or away from prying eyes when moored stern-to; there is also easy access to the hidden anchoring system, which itself is not only a neat design trick but also means even the foredeck is clutter free. The helm itself is elegant and modern, offering all controls to hand and with two large MFDs providing access to all operating and systems data as well as a comprehensive navcomms suite. The helm is ideally located for all-round visibility – particularly pertinent when riding the wallypower50 to her higher performance limits. Below, the wallypower50 reveals her power roots, with not only a full head and shower but a welcoming space that can offer everything you need for weekending, or even longer cruising. A large forward double berth, cosy saloon area and kitchenette galley, all finished to the highest standards, mean the wallypower50 can just as easily be your pied-a-terre wherever you wish to go – a luxurious and inviting studio apartment that’s perfect for couples. The wallypower50 doesn’t just encompass flexibility, she also offers a bridge into the rarefied world of true performance boating because if a thrilling, responsive, exhilarating dream-ride is what you’re after, of course there’s a version for you. The standard WallyPower50 is powered by twin Volvo 480hp with IPS pod drives propulsion for a thirty knots cruise and a top speed of 36 knots, all the while combining performance with easy handling thanks to a perfect hull, and joystick control with optional DPS for close-quarters situations. For those who revel in real performance, there’s the Wallypower50X. Offered in two variants, each with quad Mercury outboards, the 50X multiplies the Wally factor and takes you for a serious blast. With the quad 400hp options, you’re looking at a 48-knot max with a range of 240 nautical miles. Step up to the quad 500hp option and watch the Wallypower50X power to more than fifty knots. It's not just about grunt, of course. The wallypower50 and 50X draw on a deep-V hull to offer stability at speed and the ability to cruise faster even in bigger seas, meaning more scope to enjoy everything the wallypower50 offers in more conditions.

Technical Data:

LOA - 14.6 m (47.9ft)

Hull Length - 14.6 m

Waterline Length - 13.6 m

Beam - 4.3 m

Draft - 1.3 m

Displacement - 12.9 t dry, 16.6 t loaded

Fuel Capacity - 1400 l

Water Capacity - 240 l

Max Persons - twelve

Accommodation - four berths in two cabins

Engines - 2 x Volvo D6 480hp

Propulsion - Volvo forward looking IPS650 dual propeller pod drives

Speed - 36 knots max, thirty cruise

Range - 240 nautical miles at cruise

Hull - warped modified Vee with spray rails and eighteen degrees deadrise aft

Construction - fiberglass with carbon fiber

Project - Luca Bassani, Ferretti Group engineering

Certification - CE B12/C16 RINA certified with modules B+F

www.wally.com

The Sport Cruiser is Back

When nearly everyone seemed to stop believing on the medium size sport cruiser here comes British builder Fairline and its new Targa 40 to show and remind us, why in all sizes, a two cabins sleek looking sport cruising boat is still one of the best way to go at sea.  This new Fairline Targa brings evolution to the species, and finally we see drop down bulk-heads integrated cleverly in a sport cruiser design.

The twelve meter medium-sized open sport cruiser has been hammered in the past decade, by center consoles and dual consoles, and arguably the most successful models in this size are over ten years old.  Like the Princess V40 presented in 2017 a soft evolution of the V39 which came out in 2012, while an other success is the Sessa C38 which is still doing very well despite its fall 2009 presentation.  Both these models have had a long standing success, and while arguably they offer everything for a typical family of a couple and two kids to go a week cruise, it's worth noting that they did bring nothing new to the table beside a hard-top to say similar sized models from the late nineties and early noughties, and some other soft evolutionary design touches.

Interestingly even Galeon which was the first major production builder to push folding down bulkheads in the aft deck with its 500 Fly model in 2015 to the masses never offered a sport cruiser of eleven to twelve meter in size with this system. Its 405 HTS is in fact an evolution of the Galeon 385 which debuted in 2010.

Where do we go from here, will be interesting.  Like in anything if Fairline's new Targa 40 will sell out the competition it will not be long, before the main competition starts offering similar featured, add drop down bulk-head models.  The good thing is the sport cruiser renewal has started.