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The Von Mercier Arosa Sports Hovercraft is set to Redefine the Luxury Maritime Sector
Bénéteau has announced plans to reveal the upcoming Swift Trawler 30 at the Paris Boat Show on December 2015. But before the big day arrives, the French boat yard is giving all of us a sneak peek of the new boat courtesy of these design studies.
The Swift Trawler 30 is expected to serve as the entry level model of the company’s entire Swift Trawler range. Despite its relatively small stature, the Swift Trawler 30 still features plenty of luxury amenities, including a double cabin for the owner and a convertible double dinette in the saloon. As an added option, Bénéteau is also offering a double bunk bed cabin on the portside as an extra option.
Move to the cockpit of the Swift Trawler 30 and you’ll be greeted with fold-up seats and a table that can be reconfigured to free up plenty of space. It’s a versatile setup that adds character and improved functionality to the boat. Safety is also an important characteristic of the Swift Trawler 30 thanks in large part to the high handrails and the asymmetrical side decks.
The design studies of the Swift Trawler 30 should be close to what we can expect to see when the real thing officially makes its debut in Paris. Bénéteau has yet to reveal the engine details and price for the new boat but we shouldn’t wait too long for those figures to be released.
Continue reading to read more about the Bénéteau Swift Trawler 30.
Yacht builder Spirit Yachts has launched its latest offering to the powerboat market. It’s called the P40C and it’s currently on display at the 2015 Monaco Yacht Show. The P40C is the coupe version of Spirit Yachts’ renowned P40, considered by many boat enthusiasts as one of the most stylish and versatile powerboats on the market.
The U.K.-based company is known for its prowess in yacht building and it’s got quite the collection of models to show for it. The P40C, in particular, is another eye-catching example of a powerboat that captures the essence of “style and substance.” It looks the part of a worthy successor to the P40 with the prominence of the enormous hull pointing to the sky. It also has a very capable pair of engines and a cabin brimming with luxury and elegance.
From the looks of things, the P40 lives up to the high standards of Spirit Yachts. The only question is if it drives as well as it looks. Prospective customers can find that out for themselves because Spirit Yachts is making the P40C available for test-drives for the entire duration of the Monaco Yacht Show.
Continue reading to learn more about the new Spirit Yachts P40C powerboat.
With the Cannes Yachting Festival just concluding and the Southampton Boat Show on the docket, boat show season is completely in full swing. One yacht builder that has taken advantage of this is Riva, the Italian yacht builder that took the opportunity to launch its new super yacht, the 100 Corsaro.
The 100 Corsaro is the latest in a long line of spectacular yachts to come out of Riva. It’s no surprise that the company chose Cannes as the event to showcase its new pride and joy. The 29.90-meter 100 Corsaro really is a sight to behold. In addition to its sleep and modern styling, the superyacht can has over five staterooms, including three double cabins and one twin cabin on the lower deck for guests and an incredibly spacious master suite on the main deck.
The multi-deck configuration also provides enough space to have an outdoor dining setup, a sunbathing deck, and a well-appointed lounge on the bow. Inside one of the decks is an enormous living room setup that might as well be found inside a five-star hotel.
The 100 Corsaro is powered by a pair of MTU 16V 2000 engines that produces an incredible 2,638 horsepower. That number allows the yacht to achieve a crushing speed of 25 knots and a top speed of 29 knots, which for a boat its size is remarkable.
With all these features, it’s no wonder that the 100 Corsaro caught the attention of a lot of people at the Cannes Yachting Festival. In fact, it was such a hit during the show that the first unit of the superyacht was already taken shortly after its debut.
Continue reading to learn more about the Riva 100 Corsaro.
Vector Martini Racing has signed male supermodel David Gandy to a powerboat racing contract in the hopes of turning Gandy into world-class powerboat racer who is as fierce on the water as he is on the catwalk. Gandy is the first of six celebrities that Vector Martini Racing will recruit to its iRace Pro Team.
Part of Gandy’s training would be to learn how to drive a V40R, a powerboat that packs a walloping 2,200 horsepower on full blast. The goal, as is always the case in high-profile signings like this one, is to set a new world endurance record, which is what Gandy will eventually try to accomplish as part Vector Racing’s four-man crew. Gandy’s training exploits will also be documented for an unnamed TV documentary series. Vector Martini Racing has yet to announce the specifics of the record attempt, the TV documentary, and the identities of the five other celebrities it plans to enlist with the former Dolce & Gabbana supermodel.
While the man is mostly known for his work as a supermodel, Gandy does have a certain affinity for vehicles, specifically that of the automotive variety. In addition to having written about cars for British GQ, Gandy also caught the attention of automotive racing world when he completed the Millia Miglia in 2014 with Jodie Kidd in a Jaguar.
For now at least, Gandy will trade a race car steering wheel for a different variety. It’s a challenge that he and Vector Martini are embracing ahead, as they should considering their hope of turning this bit of news into more than just a publicity stunt.
Continue reading to read more about David Gandy signing with Vector Martini Racing
It’s very rare to see boat enthusiasts find themselves with their jaws dropping on the floor. But that’s exactly what happened when a superyacht that costs $6 million sunk off the popular tourist island in Mykonos, Greece.
Multiple reports have come out saying that the yacht, thought to be a 106-foot 2009 Custom Line Navetta 33 named MY Aloha, ran aground of a reef between known tourist resorts of Platis Gialos and Psarrou late last week, causing it to sink to its untimely death.
A quick research revealed that Italian shipbuilder Custom Line built the MY Aloha for a private owner, who did not make the superyacht available for private charter. According to Yacht Charter Fleet, the Aloha has five cabins that can accommodate as many as 10 guests and a brand-new model would cost a buyer close to $11 million. The boat that sunk was a little over five years old with an estimated value of $6.2 million.
Fortunately, all four passengers who are on board the yacht at the time of the accident were rescued from the sinking yacht and taken back to shore in good health. That’s about the only positive thing to come out of this incredible ordeal.
Just so everybody’s on the same page. A sinking yacht, let alone one that costs $6 million, is very different from a car involved in a crash. Whereas the latter might still be salvaged if the conditions are right, a boat that makes a beeline for the ocean floor is about as done as done gets. There’s no retrieving it. All the owner can do is weep over the sight of $6 million literally getting swallowed up by the sea.
Port officials in Mykonos have launched an investigation into the incident and have set up a boom around the yacht to absorb any fuel that may seep into the sea.
Continue reading to read more about the sinking of the $6-million MY Aloha superyacht.
Sargo Boats, known for lusty creations like the 36 Fly and the 36 Explorer, has unveiled its latest pride and joy, the 33 Explorer. While it won’t technically sit at the top of its range - that’s still the territory of the 36 Explorer - the 33 will come with all the bells and whistles of a full-blown explorer boat that can match wits with the likes of the Botnia Targa 32.
From the outside, you can immediately distinguish the 33 Explorer as a real Sargo. The exquisite design work and the long waterline are trademarks of the Finnish brand. The 33 Explorer has a 36’2” hull that stretches all the way around, creating a perfect v-shape that is the mark of an aggressive boat in the open seas.
It also features a rather interesting single-level deck that sits on top of the freeboard, which looks a lot taller than most explorer boats of its size. That gives the 33 Explorer a really muscular look as it towers over other explorer boats of its size. Right smack in the middle of the deck is the pilothouse. Step inside and you’ll be treated to a world of refined luxury, highlighted by matt black finishes throughout the cockpit. It also has an adjustable steering console and an offshore seat that provides extra levels of comfort for the captain.
Step outside the pilothouse and you’ll soon realize how Sargo managed to capitalize on every inch of space on the deck. It’s still comfortable and spacious enough to be able to walk around it, but literally every inch of functional space was used to create an elegant and safe environment.
A similar experience will greet you once you go below decks. There you’ll see a vee-shaped berth in the bows and an amidships cabin that can be configured in a multitude of ways depending on your preference. You can either set up three separate berths with a divan or two berths with a heads compartment. Either way, there’s plenty of maneuverability that’ll allow you and your guests to enjoy your trip in the sea.
Sargo did its homework with the 33 Explorer. That’s high praise considering that the best part of the 33 Explorer is still yet to come. There’s still no announcement on this end, but it’s been reported that the Finnish boat yard plans to give the 33 Explorer a variety of engines, highlighted by twin 400-horsepower engines that can produce a top speed of about 43 knots.
Other engine options, including a single 400-horsepower engine or twin 300-horsepower engine, are likely to be offered as options.
Continue reading to learn more about Sargo Boats’ 33 Explorer boat.
Chris-Craft is one of those boat manufacturers that never wastes an opportunity to showcase its latest products. That’s especially important today since the Cannes Yachting Festival is scheduled to be held from September 8 to 13, 2015. With the event drawing close, it was only a matter of time before Chris-Craft would debut its latest offering. As it turns out, we didn’t have to wait too long because Chris-Craft has unveiled the first batch of photos of the Capri 25.
The Capri 25 will make its public debut at Cannes where it’s expected to attract its share of attention. That’s always been the MO of Chris-Craft and don’t expect the American boat builder to steer away from what’s made it such a popular attraction at Cannes.
The versatile daybook will feature plenty of items that Chris-Craft is known for. Exceptional craftsmanship is one of them and the versatile dayboat has that in spades. The vertical bow takes its design cues from the 1930s, similar to the styling inspiration that was used in the Capri 21. The twin helm seats and the bench seat on the aft are made from plush - and water-proof - materials that places comfort above everything else. The two seats can be swivelled 180 degrees to create a nice seating configuration with teak tables that can be folded out. With that set-up, occupants of the Capri 25 can have a nice and relaxing time in the open seas.
Take a trip below the deck and you’ll be greeted by a comfortable cabin that has enough space to accommodate as many as three adults, making any trip with the Capri 25 as pleasant as the waters allow it.
The relative small size of the daybook will be put to good use by a Volvo-sourced Penta V-8 engine that produces 350 horsepower. Chris-Craft has yet to bare the details of the boat’s top speed, but when you combine the size of the Capri 25 with the V-8, something like 40 to 50 knots could be attainable.
The Capri 35 will be shown alongside the alongside the Corsair 32, Launch 32, and Launch 36 at the 2015 Cannes Yachting Festival.
Continue reading to learn more about the Christ-Craft Capri 25.
Inflatable boat brand Zodiac RIBs has returned above water after announcing that it had found a new owner that had saved it from sinking into the deep end of insolvency.
Together with sister company Avon RIBs, the beleaguered boating brand was thrown into chaos back in April 2015 when previous owner Z Marine was declared insolvent. The French manufacturer was named in insolvency proceedings at the Commercial Tribunal of Nanterre, throwing both Zodiac and Avon into a period of uncertainty despite being two of the more popular rigid inflatable boat (RIB) brands in the world. It took four months of negotiations between numerous parties, but in the end, it appears that Zodiac will live to see another day. Unfortunately, sister company Avon’s status is still unclear at the moment.
But hey, it’s still good news for Zodiac, which announced its intention to introduce a new range of models in time for 2016. Production of its current range is also expected to resume sometime in September 2015 with no changes to the pricing of its models.
The company’s plan to make a dramatic comeback is well-deserved after the spending a majority of 2015 drifting in the water. But with a new owner towing it back to safety, it’s safe to say that Zodiac RIB has a lot of making up to do to cover for lost time.
Continue reading to learn more about Zodiac RIB’s return from the dead.
Monterey Boats, one of the best-selling boats in the market, has partnered with wake industry leader Roswell to create a special edition option for the Monterey 218SS and 238SS Super Sports boats, called the Roswell Surf Edition.
The special edition package was created to further boost the lines of passion for water sports. Monterey Boats is one of those companies that knows the pulse of this segment better than anybody else and teaming up with Roswell allows it to offer what it thinks is the ideal luxury performance surf boat that can deliver a world-class experience to its discerning clientele.
This kind of partnership is similar to what you normally see in the automotive business between a manufacturer and an aftermarket company. The manufacturer, in this case, is Monterey and its models - the 218 SS and 238 SS Super Sports - are the ones that Roswell will base its kits on.
The program itself is all-encompassing with plenty of features added to create a versatile surf boat. The new helm design features one touch Zero Off GPS speed control, a high volume ballast system, collapsible wakeboard tower with cam assist, wakeboard/surfboard racks and surf tabs. That covers the functional aspect of Roswell’s contribution to these Monterey boats. Aesthetically, Roswell is offering fancy dress-up options for the two Montereys, including new graphics on the sides of the boat and a boatload of metal flake gel coat options.
On the performance side, the boats will receive Volvo’s enterprising new forward facing drive system. This forward drive propulsion system is equipped with forward facing Duo-Prop counter-rotating propellers that aids the boat’s horizontal thrusts, which then allows for tighter turns in the open seas. The ability to be more versatile is the kind of upgrade that any boat should be open to so give credit to Monterey for recognizing that in the name of customer satisfaction.
Continue reading to learn more about Monterey Boats’ new Roswell Surf Edition Package.
Waterskiing legend and five-time World Jump champion Freddy “The Nightmare” Krueger - not to be confused with the guy who appears in our nightmares - has set a new skifly world record after successfully jumping more than 300 feet, breaking the previous record of 299 feet that ws set back in 2000. More impressively, Krueger managed to pull this off not just once, but twice, hitting 312 feet during a practice run last August 7, 2015 before following it up with a jump of 304 feet during the actual performance the next day.
For a little perspective on the enormity of Krueger’s jump, his two jumps were each longer than an actual football field from the start of one end zone all the way to the other. Officials from the Guinness Book of World Records were on hand to see both jumps to make sure that they were completely legitimate.
They were and with these two jumps now firmly established in the record books, Krueger now has another addition to the laundry list of accomplishments he has achieved in his long and illustrious career. I don’t know how this ranks compared to his world record for long distance waterski jumping or his five World Jump titles, or his 11 Masters Jump championships, but I’ll venture a guess that it’s somewhere in the middle of it.
Of course, Krueger didn’t set the record all by his lonesome. It only feels right to give credit to the MasterCraft ProStar boat that pulled him before his record-setting jump. The ProStar, which in itself is a beautiful boat, relied on its modified 7.4-liter GM Marine engine marinized by Ilmor to reach speeds in excess of 80 mph and allow Krueger to launch off the custom-built ramp on his way to immortality.
Continue reading to read more about Freddy Krueger’s new skifly world record.
Two weeks after German boater Roger Kluh broke the 57-year old speed run record from Florida to Cuba, an Americancharter boat has legally docked in Cuba’s capital city of Havana. It’s the latest in a long line of “firsts in God-knows-how-long” that has happened between the US and Cuba ever since America eased its trade sanctions against the Communist nation.
The easing of these regulations means that American charter companies can now offer charter trips to Cuba, something that hasn’t happened since the US enforced a trade embargo back in 1960. A Numarine 78 Fly charter with 12 American guests set sail from Key West, Florida, crossed the Straits of Florida before mooring at the Hemingway Marina in Havana. Those who don’t remember the origins of the frosty relationship between the US and Cuba may sneer at the importance of this event, but those who do remember it, including many in the maritime business, are calling a historical event, as well they should.
Pretty soon, more charter companies are expected to follow suit, particularly Florida-based companies that can now take full advantage of the tourism opportunities Cuba has for tourists visiting the Sunshine State. According to reports, other companies have received their licenses, including Carnival Cruise Line and Superyacht Still Water, which received its professional research license from the OFAC and the U.S. Commerce Department.
For now, American charter boats are the way to go, even though successfully acquiring permits to visit Cuba is still not as easy as many hope it would be in the future. Paul Madden, a broker from Palm Beach, waited for his permit for eight months before it was granted by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control.
None of that will matter, though, if America and Cuba continue down this path. Soon enough, we’re going to see the rise of tour packages that go from Florida to Cuba. That should be a boon for both countries as each try to get back in the other’s good graces.
Continue reading to learn more about the return of American charter boats to Cuba.