Motor Yachts News

Donald L. Blount, an international esteemed technical expert in the field of high-speed craft hydrodynamics died on July 14, 2022 at the age of 87.Donald was driven all his life to do one job: design high-speed powerboats that could comfortably and efficiently run through rough water. His fascination with hydrodynamics began when he was a Virginia Tech co-op student working at the David Taylor Model Basin, the Navy's premier hydrodynamic research facility.Donald’s research contributions…

The Italian Sea Group said on Wednesday it had bought bankrupt luxury yacht maker Perini Navi for 80 million euros ($91 million) in an auction held by a court in Lucca, Tuscany.Italian yacht makers Ferretti Group and SanLorenzo had also offered to buy the luxury sailing brand Perini Navi, which was declared bankrupt in January.The Italian Sea Group said in a statement that the deal, funded with most of the proceeds of its IPO and through bank financing, will double its order intake for refits and lead to new contracts for the construction of 90-130 metre motor yachts.($1 = 0.8835 euros)(Report

Following the launch of the C32B 2025 MHP engine, Caterpillar Marine has announced the release of the new Cat C32B Triple Turbo 2433 MHP (2400BHP) high-performance marine engine, with a rated engine speed of 2,300 rpm.With a 20% increase in power output, the C32B Triple Turbo engine leverages the same core engine upgrades as the C32B 2025 MHP rating while offering additional features and benefits, the manufacturer said. The C32B 3-Turbo is geared toward yachting, sportfishing and governmental applications.Compared to the C32B 2025 MHP model…

Inland river pushboats operate in a harsh environment. Transiting our rivers, bays, lakes and inland waterways, these vessels push barges between hubs of commerce. Swift currents, trash and debris, heavy traffic and narrow waterways are day-to-day realities for these vessels and operators.Pushboats have two typical modes of operation: steady-state (long haul running) and transient-dynamic operations (backing, maneuvering and acceleration). Unlike almost any other vessel type,…

Finnish marine technology company has teamed up with naval architect and yacht designer Stefano Pastrovich on the design of innovative sustainable superyachts for the boutique cruise sector."A new generation of boutique cruise ships is set to emerge, with the luxury of a superyacht, the construction techniques and passenger experience of a cruise ship, and a close focus on the environment. These cost optimized vessels will serve the charter and luxury hotel sectors in attracting and meeting the demand from millennials and cruise veterans alike…

With 50 years of history, the Azimut | Benetti Group is recognized as the world’s largest motor yacht builder (global orderbook 2019). For nearly 10 years Azimut has been producing a wide range of luxury motor yachts in Brazil. Maritime Reporter´s correspondent in Brazil interviewed Italian executive Davide Breviglieri, CEO of Azimut Yachts do Brasil.Founded in 1969 by Paolo Vitelli, still the main shareholder, the group is present in 70 countries and has a network of 138 sales and service offices, bringing together the successful brands Azimut Yachts and Benetti, each serving different market segments. “The Group offers a huge range of motor yachts, with over 45 models in production, from 34 feet to 100 meter super yachts.

The luxury motor yachts bulder Prestige Yachts announced the availability of 42 feet vessel, with the allnew Prestige 420.This new model makes the expertise of Prestige more accessible, said a press release.The latest evolution of the brand are now offered in a 42-footer for a new generation of owners, it said.Spacious and bright, the Prestige 420 reflects the core values of the brand and offers an incredible quality of life aboard a yacht of this size. Her bold, elegant lines are signatures of Garroni Design.This model boasts a V-Drive propulsion system that ensures perfect balance due to the centralization of weight. This effective…

The German expert for lithium-ion battery systems AKASOL announced that,  its fast-charging battery systems power a range of prototype vessels including the brand new 31.2m Vanadis hybrid superyacht from Italian builder Cerri Cantieri Navali (CCN).The electric-vehicle battery supplier for commercial vehicles said in a press release that Vanadis, the first in CCN’s new ‘E-Prop’ line of hybrid propulsion motor yachts, is powered by traditional diesel engines and an electric engine, which are supported by generators and AKASOL’s AKASystem 15 OEM battery system.The vessel is capable of cruising short distances and anchoring under electric power, minimizing vibration, diesel exhaust pollution and noise during port calls or sleeping, all while cutting fuel costs.

The new flagship, named “Race” by its owner, took to the seas in a ceremony at the Riva Superyachts Division shipyard in Ancona."Riva 50 mt realises the dream of Carlo Riva who, in the 1960s and ‘70s, driven by his brilliantly ambitious desire to exceed every limit, created the famous Caravelle and Atlantic series steel motor yachts of which Riva 50 mt is the worthy heir, with her peerless standards of aesthetics, style and innovation," said press release.At 50 meters long and with a maximum beam of 9 meters, she offers an outstanding experience at sea, featuring comfort, elegance, care over detail and exceptional yacht building expertise.

Italian shipyard Perini Navi said its first motor yacht launch since the company’s rebranding, and its first ever planing motoryacht, the Eco-tender is effectively a mini superyacht tailored to the requests of her experienced Perini Navi owners.The project grew out of initial discussions with the owners for a bigger sailing boat. It emerged that the owners were very happy with their existing 52m Perini Navi sailing yacht, but their needs had evolved over the years and what they really wanted was not a bigger boat, but more flexible cabin space to accommodate single guests or children.As they prefer to anchor offshore, they also wanted to explore closer inshore in something more substantial than a conventional RIB.The answer was a vessel with the same graceful looks…

Ferretti Group, player in the international boating industry, Group aims to further strengthen its position with the start of a new partnership with Ocean 360.Ferretti considers the Middle East market as an excellent breeding ground for high-end motor yachts. Through this agreement, Ferretti wants to give a boost to the marketing of its boats and brands in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Egypt.The strategic move is destined to strengthen the Italian yachts producer’s position in the Middle East, by extending the customer’s experience of the luxury brand beyond the yachts, through integrated high-end services that cover all needs related to a lifestyle of indulgence at sea.Ocean 360 is the right partner to achieve this…

Bavaria Yachts, the producer of sailing and motor yachts in Europe, has appointed Michael Müller as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bavaria Yachtbau GmbH in Germany. He will also be responsible for the division of the Nautitech Catamarans SAS in France.The move follows on from a three-month tenure for Michael as MD for sales and marketing for the group. This position was previously vacant.“In the few weeks with Michael Müller on board we have learned how effective he is and how well he has been received by employees and dealers,” said Dr Ralph Kudla of CMP Capital Management Partners, representing and advising the investing equity fund and chief restructuring officer.

The summer season in most of Europe has been off to a sunny and warm start, which has many longingly wishing to spend time at sea. Those with access to the privileged world of Superyachts will be looking forward to getting underway and traveling the world. It’s a great time to be a yacht owner, but the follow-on is that due to the increased utilization, the number of willing sellers typically drops. This leads to a slowdown in the sale and purchase activity and can be a good time for yacht brokers to look at taking their own summer breaks. This seasonal slowdown provides the perfect time for market watchers to sit back and look at the activity over the busier winter season transactions.Source: Vessels ValueThe Monaco Yacht show normally initiates the busiest market window.

Sam Tucker Will Tell You! There’s a new name in Superyacht valuation, and the name is VesselsValue.com. Last month we spoke with VesselsValue.com’s Sam Tucker for insights on its new Superyachts report. Many of our readers know VessselsValue, but for those who do not, please provide a brief description of the organization and its offering. Launched in 2011 by Richard Rivlin, a ship broker with 40 years of buying and selling experience, VesselsValue provides daily and automated Market…

Yachtowners, the specialist yacht syndicate of The Shipowners’ P&I Club, today announces that it has entered into a partnership with newly established super yacht specialists Yachtpod Risk Partners (Yachtpod). Yachtowners, the specialist yacht syndicate of The Shipowners’ P&I Club, today announces that it has entered into a partnership with newly established super yacht specialists Yachtpod Risk Partners (Yachtpod), an underwriting cell on the Castel Underwriting Agencies Limited (Castel) managing general agent formation platform, to provide their clients with Protection and Indemnity (P&I) insurance for yachts, motor sailors and motor yachts including professionally skippered charters.

Boats are a lot like homes: upgrades and enhancements add to their comfort and livability, and increase their value. FCI Watermakers explores how adding a watermaker to a vessel is an investment that pays dividends in terms of safety and convenience, and sets it apart when it's time to sell. The ability to make pure, fresh water while at sea is liberating. Gone are the days of water frugality. With a watermaker, there's more than enough for drinking, bathing, cooking and refilling supplies. And in case of mechanical trouble far from the nearest port, it can be a real lifesaver.

Yacht charter market is set to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% through 2020, says Future Market Insights in its research report. Yacht charter market revenues were estimated at US$ 37 billion in 2015, and by 2020, the market is expected to surpass US$ 50 billion mark. A renewed interest is being witnessed in spending on leisure and entertainment, giving a fillip to the global yacht charter market. The economic downturn of 2007-08 had a dampening effect on the yacht charter market, however, recovery in global economy has revived interest in yacht chartering, with the global market poised to witness annual growth rates of over 6% through 2020.

Gibbs & Cox and Donald L. Blount and Associates (G&C/DLBA) comprise one of the world’s leading independent naval architecture and marine engineering design firms. The company employs naval architects, engineers and designers from all of the ship-related engineering disciplines including propulsion, mechanical/auxiliaries, structural, electrical, software, and logistics. Since its founding in 1929, G&C has provided expert services to the entire marine sector. Engineering, design…

Elandra Yachts has added another layer of craftsmanship to its boat-building operation with the launch of a new in-house paint department at the Gold Coast plant, signalling further growth for the Australian luxury motor yacht brand. Renowned for the range of spectacular bronzed and golden hues gracing the hulls of its show-stopping vessels, Elandra Yachts will now detail and finish each model in-house, ensuring the company's exacting standards are maintained as the factory increases production to meet high international demand.

IMTRA, the leading manufacturer and importer of quality marine products, announced today the addition of Prentice Weathers to its sales team. Focusing on business development efforts for the big boat segment, Weathers has joined Imtra in a Custom Product Sales position. In his new role, Weathers is dedicated to providing excellent customer service, product support and follow-through to key clients. Working closely with product manufacturers, engineers and the sales team, Weathers will evaluate proposed system designs to ensure proper performance and installation, and will provide technical sales support and product recommendations. With a mastery of IMTRA product and integration detail…

Crisis-hit yacht manufacturer Fairline Boats has been saved after the firm was bought by two Russian investors. A new company, Fairline Acquisitions, funded by two UK-based Russian investors with a background in the marine sector, is to take on the failed company’s order book and initially plans to recruit around 100 of the 380 staff who were made redundant before Christmas. It will be run by Russell Currie, who has been a Fairline dealer for 18 years where he has made sales of more than £90 million. Currie said: “I am delighted to have been appointed managing director for Fairline Yachts. With the resources of the investors, coupled with the expert knowledge of the management team and our energy and passion for the brand, the structure is in place for a great future for Fairline Yachts.

Gibbs & Cox, Inc. announced the acquisition of Donald L. Blount and Associates, Inc. (DLBA), a Chesapeake, VA-based firm renowned for its naval architecture and marine engineering services for commercial and government clients world-wide. Biben emphasized Gibbs & Cox’s focus on expansion and innovation. “DLBA’s new association with Gibbs & Cox will significantly enhance DLBA’s depth and breadth in providing timely and quality high performance marine solutions to our world-wide market, while continuing to foster and maintain our important and close relationships with our clients,” said Don Blount, President, DLBA. “This new relationship with Gibbs & Cox will provide our clients with the assurance of new technology application and expert staff reach-back from one of the largest…

ZF Friedrichshafen AG is celebrating its centennial in 2015. Founded in the city of Friedrichshafen at Lake Constance in 1915 as “Zahnradfabrik GmbH,” the company developed from an aviation specialist with regional roots to an international technology company active on the global mobility markets, including maritime. MR recently visited with Daniel Härter, Vice President Industrial Technology, Head of Business Unit Marine Propulsion Systems, who took over responsibility for ZF Marine as of September 1, 2014. ZF is obviously large and diverse across many markets.