Sunseeker - Southampton Int Boat Show

Sunseeker to launch four new boats at SIBS

By IBI Magazine

British luxury yacht builder Sunseeker will launch four new boats at the 2009 Southampton International Boat Show: the Predator 54, Predator 60, Predator 130 and the 80 Yacht.

The Predator 54 will start with a choice of open or hard top, the Predator 60 will offer a 37kt top speed and the Predator 130 features a full beam stateroom.

The 80 Yacht has a range of 350nm and a cruising speed of 24kt-25kt.

In addition to the new models, a further 14 Sunseekers will be on display at the show, which runs from September 11-20. Also on show will be a Sunseeker 34 Metre Yacht.

"Despite a difficult world economy, Sunseeker has proved once again that innovation and a desire to produce the very best can still generate success," says managing director Robert Braithwaite.

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Oyster - New Operations Director

Oyster names new operations director

By IBI Magazine

UK luxury boatbuilder Oyster Marine has named Kjell Vesto as the company's new operations director, effective October 1, 2009.

Kjell has had a 30-year career with Finnish boatbuilder Nautor's Swan covering a wide range of roles. He was closely involved with the development of yachts from 36ft-131ft (11m-40m).

At Oyster Kjell will be in charge of Oyster's design, engineering and project management teams. He will initially focus on construction efficiencies at Oyster, product development and the delivery of yachts to customers.

Oyster says establishing the role of operations director will enable CEO David Tydeman to focus on the Oyster Group's business development activities.

Based in Ipswich, Suffolk, Oyster builds sailing and motoryachts up to superyacht size.

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(10 August 2009)

Americas Cup - Latest

Alinghi chooses UAE for America's Cup venue

By IBI Magazine

Societe Nautique de Geneve (SNG), representing America's Cup Defender Alinghi, yesterday said that Ras al-Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates will be the host country for the 33rd America's Cup. Its main rival BMW Oracle issued a statement through its sponsor, Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC), that it did not believe the Swiss syndicate could unilaterally choose the venue.

"This is a venue that offers perfect weather and great sailing conditions for a match in February; the authorities have shown tremendous interest in, and support for hosting the America's Cup," said Fred Meyer, vice-commodore of the Societe Nautique de Geneve, in a statement.

GGYC said it was reviewing its options after the announcement. "GGYC believes SNG's choice of this venue, without our mutual consent, is contrary to the Deed of Gift and the decisions and orders of the New York courts," read its statement.

The two sides have been in court over the last two years regarding the terms of the event, and the interpretation of the America's Cup "Deed of Gift" which determines the rules for the event. GGYC has accused the Swiss of unfairly changing the rules and conspiring against them with the International Sailing Federation. In the latest court ruling, a New York judge ruled that an engine Alinghi installed on its racing multihull was allowed under the Deed of Gift. Both sides will reappear in court on August 10 for a hearing on the racing guidelines.

"Our absolute priorities in making this decision are the prevailing weather conditions and the resulting safety that they bring to both teams," said Alinghi skipper Brad Butterworth in the SNG statement. "We looked everywhere for a venue that suited having good racing for the match dates in February."

Meyer said UAE authorities would make a "purpose-built island" available to the teams for their bases. "It is a great moment for us to host this prestigious event and to welcome all the sports people to the UAE and to Ras al-Khaimah to watch this great event," said His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras al-Khaimah, in the SNG statement. "We are looking forward to its success."

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Superyacht - Scottish Peer in helicopter accident

Superyacht helicopter crash lands with British peer on board

Four people in the helicopter belonging to the 55m (180ft) yacht Lady Christine have escaped death after the aircraft was forced to make a crash landing over Penobscot Bay, Maine, USA, last weekend.

It is understood that after the crash all four aboard were able to free themselves and wade ashore. One passenger suffering neck pains was taken to a local hospital. US Coast Guard reports suggest that Lord Laidlaw — who owns Lady Christine — was piloting the helicopter at the time of the incident.

Lord Laidlaw is believed to be Scotland's second richest person and worth an estimated £700m (about $1.2bn), made his fortune through the event organiser, Institute for International Research (IIR). Ironically, this company is now closely linked with the Informa Yacht Group — the organisers of the Monaco and Abu Dhabi Yacht Shows.

The yacht is understood to have been on an east coast cruise and the helicopter was later recovered by a commercial salvage company. An inquiry is to be held into the incident.
The case highlights safety and operating issues surrounding superyachts carrying helicopters.


Superyacht Business, 5 August 2009

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America's Cup - Engines Allowed

New York judge allows engines on America's Cup yacht

Judge Shirley Kornreich ruled yesterday that America's Cup defender Alinghi can use an engine for trimming sails and other functions. Opponent BMW Oracle, which objected to the engine in the New York State Supreme Court, welcomed the clarification, but said it was a "sad day" for the America's Cup.

In her ruling, Judge Kornreich said that an engine used to propel the boat would "violate" the Deed of Gift, the longstanding rules governing America's Cup racing. The Deed "does not, however, contain my restrictions on ballast or design features regarding trimming the sails," she wrote.

The New York judge said that Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC), the club BMW Oracle represents, did not submit evidence disputing the rules interpretation by Alinghi's club, Societe Nautique de Geneve (SNG). "Golden Gate's arguments based on sportsmanship and fairness are equally unavailing, as well as ironic in light of both parties' displayed lack of adherence to the Deed's condition that the America's Cup race be a 'perpetual Challenge Cup for friendly competition'," wrote the judge.

Fred Meyer, SNG vice commodore, said the club was "very pleased" with the ruling. "This decision reflects her clear understanding of the Defender's rights under the Deed of Gift, which makes it the duty of Societe Nautique de Geneve (SNG) to set the rules for the upcoming 33rd America's Cup," he said in a statement. "The judge's order also validates the agreement entered into by SNG with the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), demonstrating that SNG is committed to returning the competition to the water where it belongs."

Tom Ehman, spokesman for GGYC, said he was "pleased" that the judge gave "clarity" regarding the design rules, but disputed the decision. "For the first time in the Cup's history, engines will be permitted to trim the sails, and computers can be used to control and steer the yachts," he said in a statement. "While we are pleased with the design-rule certainty, we are disappointed that the Court has said that SNG can change the other racing rules at any time up to the start of the Match. We do not believe this is what the Deed says, nor what the donors intended, and are currently reviewing our options in this regard."

The two teams will compete for the America's Cup in a best-of-3 matchup next February. Both teams have unveiled 90-foot multihulled yachts that are capable of sailing two to two and a half times the speed of the wind. But BMW Oracle cried foul to the New York court last month after Alinghi unveiled its yacht. The 90-ft. trimaran had, according to some descriptions, what looked like a snowmobile engine to assist with lifting sails and moving ballast.

The two teams will return to court August 10 concerning Alinghi's demand that BMW Oracle Racing turn over a measurement certificate, or Custom House Registry, for its trimaran.

Alinghi has said it will name a venue for the America's Cup races by next Thursday. It is considering Turkey, Italy, UAE and Valencia, Spain, where the previous Cup was held.

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Superyacht Business, 4 August 2009

Want a FREE Bentley - At what cost ?

Pearl Motor Yachts promotion

By IBI Magazine

The UK's Pearl Motor Yachts is offering a free Bentley motorcar with every purchase of a Pearl 60 yacht. The offer is available for a limited time and will entitle anyone purchasing the group's flagship vessel to a Bentley GT Continental Coupe.

Iain Smallridge, managing director of Pearl, says: "Bentley and Pearl have been working together for a while now, as the brands complement each other so well. Both offer exceptional British craftsmanship and bespoke finishes, so no two models are the same. Many of our clients are huge fans too, so it was the obvious choice and a beautiful boat really does deserve a beautiful car parked outside!"

Powered by twin 775hp Volvo engines, the Pearl 60 has an open-plan design that positions the two principal cabins at either end of the yacht for ultimate privacy. The choice of eight or 10 berths also gives owners complete autonomy over the layout as well as a wide choice of internal finishes.

Pearl's exclusive offer will be available on all Pearl 60s ordered before September 20, 2009.


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(22 July 2009)

UK-Fleming managers acquire Corvette Marine

UK - Fleming managers acquire Corvette Marine

By IBI Magazine

Duncan Cowie and Adi Shard, two top managers of Fleming Yachts, have acquired the tooling and intellectual property of Corvette Marine. The UK builder, which began operations in 1974, shut down last year because of the global downturn in boat sales. Production has been moved to the Tung Hwa boat yard in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

The redesigned Corvette 320 and an all-new 340 model are currently being built at the Tung Hwa yard. Corvette's two previous owners, Steve Robson and Rod Nixon, have relocated to Kaohsiung to oversee the build process.

"The more we looked at the Corvette, the more we saw similarities between Fleming's approach to cruising and Corvette's, but obviously on a smaller scale," said Duncan Cowie in a statement. Having Robson and Nixon working on the Corvette line allows Cowie and Shard to focus on Fleming designs, added Cowie.

A Corvette 320, built at its former UK facility, will be on display at the 2009 Southampton Boat Show. The all-new Corvette 340 from Tung Hwa will be launched later this year, though the company did not say where. Corvette will sell its products through an international dealer network.

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(4 August 2009)