THE 10 KEY BOATING STORIES YOU NEED TO READ
1 SUNSEEKER’S DARING NEW FUTURE
Sunseeker used the Southampton and Cannes Boat Shows to reveal details of its busiest ever launch programme.
No less than eight new models are due out in the next 12 months with a further six in the plans for 2021, including a stunning new Superhawk 65.
Shown here for the first time, the Superhawk 65 reveals an aggressive new look that not only moves the game on stylistically but demonstrates a commitment to the fast, open performance cruisers that built the brand’s reputation. A smaller Superhawk 52 is also in development.
Technical details of both boats are scarce with Sunseeker staying tight-lipped about engines and speeds, but it has promised that both will be launched in 2021.
Prior to that and first to arrive in January next year will be the Manhattan 68, an updated version of the 66 featuring a more richly detailed interior and a flexible flybridge layout. This will be swiftly followed by a Manhattan 55 and Predator 55 Evo, based on the current 52 and 50.
The first of the all-new models, due for launch at next year’s Cannes show, will be the 87 Yacht (previously known as project 8X) and a sleek new 65 Sport Yacht.
The 87 Yacht offers a 20% increase in volume over the current 86, which will continue in build alongside it, but its
standout feature is a huge water-level beach club and aft-facing sunbeds that rise up to become part of an extended cockpit area on the next level up. The foredeck seating area also doubles as an outdoor cinema with the aid of a pop-up screen and laser projector.
Joining the 87 Yacht will be a brand new 65 Sport Yacht with a much sleeker look than we’re used to. With just a pair of seats and a large sunpad on the sportsbridge, it’s a far cry from the 74 Sports Yacht’s flybridge but the helm itself is set on a hinged arm that swings up so it can driven standing up as well as seated.
Last but not least are two new large Sunseekers, a 100 Yacht that sneaks under the 24m rules and a 133 superyacht that echoes the styling of the 161 flagship but is built out of GRP rather than aluminium at Sunseeker’s own yard in Poole.
2 TWO NEW TARGAS FROM FAIRLINE
Fairline has revealed details of two new Targas due out next year. The first is a GT version of the current Targa 45 Open due out at the Düsseldorf show in January and the second is an all-new Targa 58 GTO scheduled for the Cannes show in September 2020.
The 45 GT is the smallest Targa yet to feature a separate aft cockpit and saloon all on the same deck. A set of sliding patio doors divides the two areas, although it’s not yet clear whether these will be supplemented by a drop down or fold-up aft window to create a bigger opening.
Inevitably, splitting the 45’s main deck in two requires a degree of compromise but the rendering still shows a sociable cockpit layout with an L-shaped dinette and a folding table that can be oriented to face either athwartship or fore and aft. A pull-out bench slides into place to make up a third side of the table.
Crucially, the 45 GT still retains the original Targa 43 Open’s tender garage and flexible lower deck that allows for a number of different two cabin layouts with the master suite located forward or aft. However, now there is no need for a lower saloon, there is also an option for a third bunk bed cabin, bringing the total number of berths to six. As part of the update, the 43 Open has also been redesignated as the Targa 45 Open. Both versions now have the option of 440hp IPS 650 drives. Prices for the GT start at £564,000 ex VAT.
Details of the all-new Targa 58 GTO are scarce with no official images yet released. However, we managed to grab some screen shots of the new design during a brief media presentation at the Cannes show. These reveal a similar profile to the Targa 65 GTO but with the addition of an exciting new beach club area featuring folding side coamings and a large bathing platform with space for both a jet RIB and a PWC.
3 FABIO BUZZI KILLED IN RECORD ATTEMPT
Powerboat racing legend Fabio Buzzi, 76, has died after his race boat hit a submerged breakwater during an attempt on the Monte Carlo to Venice speed record.
Two other crew members, thought to be his Italian co-pilot Luca Nicolini and Dutch mechanic Erik Hoorn, were also killed in the accident. A fourth crew member, named as Mario Invernizzi, was rushed to hospital but is expected to survive after being thrown from the vessel.
The accident happened on the evening of 17 September near the finish line in Lido di Venezia. The boat was said to be travelling in excess of 70 knots at the time of impact.
Afreddo Malcarne, president of the race-organising committee Assonautica Italiana, said: “It is with deep-felt, sincere pain that we give news of the serious incident happened tonight (September 17) involving the boat of Fabio Buzzi during the Monte Carlo to Venice record attempt.”
Earlier this year, MBY honoured Buzzi with the Judge’s Special Award at the Motor Boat Awards ceremony for his extraordinary contribution to the sport. Over the course of his career he won almost every major powerboat race, including the Class 1 Offshore World Championship, the Round Britain Race and the Pavia to Venice race. He also held a number of world records including the record for the fastest diesel powered boat, which he set last year at a speed of 277kmh.
As well as racing powerboats, he founded and ran FB Design, a company manufacturing high-speed patrol boats, and invented a number of game-changing innovations such as the Trimax surface drive and anti-stuff bow. FB Design was also responsible for the design and build of the new Sunseeker Hawk 38 hull.
Andrea Frabetti, CEO of Sunseeker, offered his condolences, saying: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Fabio Buzzi, our long-time partner and esteemed friend. Fabio was not only a champion powerboat racer, but an outstanding engineer, boat builder, innovator and legendary figure within the marine industry.”
4 BRITISH BOATBUILDING HITS NEW HIGH
Britain’s boatbuilders sold a combined £777 million worth of boats in 2018 – a rise of 21.3% on the previous year. The figures were released by British Marine during the Southampton Boat Show, who attributed the success to a big increase in exports of larger inboard powered motor yachts (+11.4%) and RIBS (+5.5%).
Sunseeker and Princess both reported record sales and forward orders during 2018 with much of the new business coming from growth in overseas markets like the US and
Asia as well as Europe. According to British Marine over 65% of new boat production now goes overseas.
It’s not just the big yards which enjoyed strong growth in 2018, the re-emergence of Fairline as a significant player and increasing sales from smaller yards like Pearl and Cockwells also helped boost the figures.
At the same time RIB builders such as Williams Jet Tenders, Ribeye Boats and Cobra RIBS all enjoyed double-digit growth, notching up sales of 1,060 boats and helping to account for a 5.5% growth in the sector.
Lesley Robinson, CEO of British Marine, greeted the news warmly but sounded a note of caution about slowing domestic sales and increasing challenges facing British boatbuilders.
“Whilst it’s encouraging to see the UK remain a global hotspot for boat production, with exports accounting for a large portion of this year’s growth, we’re also reminded that the sector continues to face challenges such as lower consumer confidence in the UK. Over the past year we’ve seen local sales remain flat and with the prospect of further Brexit delays dampening domestic spending, the future health of the sector is uncertain.”
5 ARTIFICIAL REEFS FOR VIRGIN ISLANDS
Three old airplanes shaped to look like giant sharks have been sunk to create an artificial reef off the British Virgin Islands.
The concept is the creation of Beyond the Reef, a group of marine biologists, engineers and sculptors, brought together by their passion for the ocean.
The team sourced the three abandoned airplanes, stripped them of hazardous materials then remodeled them into giant sharks leaving holes for fish and divers to swim through.
The three aeroplanes will be joined by Willy T Ship, a former floating bar much loved by locals and tourist alike, which was wrecked by Hurricane Irma.
British Virgin Island companies are asking every diver who explores these new dive sites to donate $5 to an initiative that teaches local children to swim.
6 NEW PROPULSION FOR FOILER
Foiler has developed a new propulsion and control system for its radical foiling superboat. The original carbon-fibre craft was launched last year with a complex hybrid drivetrain based around a pair of BMW car engines. These generated electrical power for the two electric motors mounted on slender pods that lifted and lowered in sync with the retractable foils. The latest version uses a pair of inboard 370hp V8 marine diesels to transmit hydraulic power to two torpedo-shaped hydraulic motors fitted to the aft foil.
The new set up is expected to be more efficient and reliable than the previous arrangement.
As well as the new drivetrain, the remodelled boat features a dual helm set-up that allows it to be piloted from the bow as well as the cockpit. A joystick fitted to one side of the bow allows the helmsman to control the boat from here to fully appreciate the sensation of flying 1.5 metres above the water. Pushing the joystick forward increases speed, while left and right control direction. A small bow window enhances the experience.
7 ALUMINIUM BEAUTY
Dutch aluminium boat builder Sichterman has released renderings of a stunning new sportscruiser. The Libertas has a planing hull developed by Van Oossanen Naval Architects. Powered by twin Volvo Penta IPS950 725hp engines, the company promises speeds of up to 40 knots and classleading efficiency, with a predicted range of 500 nautical miles at cruising speeds.
Designed by Cor D. Rover, Sichterman has opted for an open cockpit style for its first sportscruiser, rather than the more fashionable hard-top design often employed on boats of this size. Equally unusually for a 50ft boat, there is an option for an open plan lower deck with a dinette forward and a single cabin aft, or a more conventional layout with a separate forward cabin.
8 CATWALK ON THE OCEAN
Supermodel and producer Jessica Minh Anh is planning the first ever Solar-powered Ocean Catwalk. Part of her Fashion x Sustainability Series, the Autumn Fashion Show 2019 is set on top of the solar-powered Race For Water vessel in Hong Kong. The show ‘celebrates green initiatives to stimulate global mindsets towards renewable energy innovation and water preservation’.
The Race For Water Foundation is an organisation dedicated to the preservation of water and the oceans. Its 30m vessel is powered by a combination of solar power, hydrogen and a giant kite. It is currently on a five-year scientific and environmental expedition around the world to make the first global assessment of the plastic pollution of our oceans.
9 CANNES SHOW BONANZA
After a rain-soaked opening day, the Cannes Yachting Festival lived up to its billing as the boat world’s largest launch platform. All the big French, Italian and British yards showed off a plethora of new models, including the hotly anticipated Fairline F//line 33 (see p28 for our first driving impressions). There isn’t space to cover all the new models here so instead we are focusing on the Southampton show debuts in this issue and saving the Cannes show report for next month. Suffice to say that with exciting new models from Riva, Windy, Azimut and Blue Game as well as more affordable offerings from Beneteau, Jeanneau and Galeon, there should be something for everyone to look forward to.
10 FAIRLINE MOTHBALLS HYTHE FACTORY
Fairline Yachts has temporarily suspended production at its new Hythe plant near Southampton. The waterside facility was acquired last year to enable the landlocked yard to build larger yachts. Production of the new Squadron 68 started there earlier this year but has now been shifted back to Oundle where it will be built alongside the Targa 65 GTO.
CEO David Tydeman says the move will enable Fairline to bring forward production of a new 80-90ft model at Hythe while simultaneously benefitting from the production efficiencies of building the 65 and 68 in the same place. Around 30 people were working at Hythe but Fairline hopes to temporarily relocate many of them to Oundle until production of the new bigger boat starts in Hythe next year.