Mediterranean Berths & Marinas http://medberths.com The Business of Boat Ownership and Marina Berths Fri, 24 Apr 2015 06:11:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.8 DPC Holds Key to Gibraltar’s Future as a Bona Fide Superyacht Destination http://medberths.com/2015/04/dpc-holds-key-to-gibraltars-future-as-a-bona-fide-superyacht-destination/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dpc-holds-key-to-gibraltars-future-as-a-bona-fide-superyacht-destination Mon, 13 Apr 2015 11:11:41 +0000 http://medberths.com/?p=4215 The clock is counting down to a final decision from Gibraltar’s Development & Planning Commission on proposed new superyacht berths and short-stay rental apartments.

Vital for attracting the long-term berthing of the world’s finest superyachts, the industry is hoping for a ‘yes’.

 

Topping the ‘world’s finest superyachts’ league is 180-metre Azzam who docked in Gibraltar last year on her maiden voyage from the Lürssen shipyard in Bremen.


Dion Danino, Azzam’s Chief Officer and Relief Captain, said, “Large yachts struggle to find adequate berths in the Mediterranean, there are limited options with perhaps Barcelona or Tarragona being the only viable marinas equipped to handle these ever increasing sizes.

 

Tarragona, for example, has been refurbished for superyachts, the marina has groundbreaking shore power connections to suit the largest modern yachts and excellent facilities for crew including much welcomed modern short stay accommodation.

At the moment Gibraltar cannot offer large superyachts the same technology, facilities, or comfort which in my opinion is a lost economic opportunity given the Rock’s strategic location and tax-related incentives– always a bonus on such a financially-draining asset.”

The extravagant plans for Marina Bay at Ocean Village include the power supply improvements Captain Danino touched upon, alongside upgraded waste water disposal and pump-out facilities, state-of-the-art data networks and many crew creature comforts from wellness to laundry, workshops to lounges.

 

Security will be tight, while still giving public access to new landscaped promenades and an end-of-marina ‘mirador’.

To complement the ten new superyacht berths, a scheme of 101 waterside apartments will meet a need for short-stay accommodation for crew and their families – as well as other business-minded individuals visiting Gibraltar.

The three-storey buildings will be eco-friendly and incorporate play areas and swimming pools – all with relaxing views.

With DPC go ahead, superyachts will be able to enjoy zero VAT, duty-free fuel and zero import duty while Gibraltar’s service sector from bars to restaurants, chandlers to supermarkets, will reap the obvious knock-on rewards.

For further information on this proposed scheme contact info@oceanvillage.gi or view www.superyachtsandshortstayapts.com

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Power and Speed in ‘Sexy’ Tri60 http://medberths.com/2015/03/4187/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=4187 Sun, 15 Mar 2015 10:40:42 +0000 http://medberths.com/?p=4187 There’s no denying that multihulls are very much in vogue right now. Offering maximum space and stability, catamarans and trimarans were always a sensible choice, but now they’re getting sexy too.

Naval architecture and design consultancy BMT Asia Pacific and 1967-established yacht builder McConaghy Boats have teamed up to develop a trimaran that combines the thrill and speed of a powerboat with the comfort and practicalities of a day cruiser – the result is the Tri60.

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Already shortlisted for the International Yacht & Aviation Awards 2015 in the Yacht Concept up to 40m category, the Tri60 comes in two guises – the open Tri60 Cabriolet for those who like a wind-in-hair experience and the more enclosed Tri60 Saloon which has a spacious cabin spanning the full width of the deck. Both share an optimised trimaran hull offering outstanding performance and the reassurance of almost 50 years of McConaghy build experience and quality.

Mark Evans, Joint Managing Director at McConaghy said, “In taking the Tri60 forward we are building on decades of high-performance composite and multi-hull experience in prototype and production boats that will deliver a unique yacht, providing clients space, style and speed in a manner that no other yacht of this size offers.”

Space is certainly not lacking for the Tri60. Designers claim that the trimaran configuration gives wide-beam deck space more often found on yachts of 90 feet plus, and huge windows, skylights and sliding glass doors allow for a seamless interaction between inside and out. The stern garage is plenty big enough for a ten-foot four-man tender while there are other storage spots for deck furniture and water toys.

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Style-wise (we’re not sure we like it, sorry, just putting it out there, it looks a little clumsy and disproportionate to our (untrained) eye) the Tri60 has a long sweeping powerful hull with a lightweight carbon fibre roof that has a perfect view to the stars and sky. She looks fast, and she is pretty fast, reaching top speeds of 32 knots on the base twin 475hp engine option.

Comfort (of course, she is a trimaran) is at a premium, while the lightweight narrow hull ensures around 30% less power and fuel consumption than a comparable monohull.

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Mark Evans finishes, “We are very excited to offer McConaghy’s advanced composite construction capabilities in partnership with BMT’s design initiative. The combined strength of our two organisations has created a light, efficient and durable yacht with eyecatching style. The Tri60 is truly a platform for owners to experience the water in ways that they could only once dream of.”

www.mcconaghyboats.com
www.bmtasiapacific.com

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Imara – Oil tanker becomes maxi yacht http://medberths.com/2015/02/imara-oil-tanker-becomes-maxi-yacht/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=imara-oil-tanker-becomes-maxi-yacht Fri, 13 Feb 2015 08:07:40 +0000 http://medberths.com/?p=4197 Just when you thought you’d seen it all, someone comes along with an idea so ambitious and intriguing that you just have to sit up and take notice.

Austrian designers Motion Code: Blue has done just that, their new project Imāra, a luxury conversion of a 280-metre SuezMax tanker.

(This Albert Einstein quote appears on their website – “If at first the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it.” – seems a perfect fit.)

For anyone unfamiliar with the term, SuezMax is naval architect code for the largest ship capable of transiting the Suez Canal in a laden condition.

 

This means Imāra can get out of the Med and into the Red Sea – just. It also means that the scale of Imāra – 280 metres long, a beam of 57 metres and a total of 11 decks – will make her feel more like a private island than a seagoing vessel.

 

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In fact Imāra is so large that Motion Code: Blue decided they needed to create a brand new yacht category for her, so behold, not super-, not mega-, not giga- but the first, and maybe not the last, YachtMAX.

Motion Code: Blue makes no secret of aiming squarely for a Middle Eastern buyer.

In fact the name Imāra is based on the Arabic word for “emirate”. The hull has been redone in brilliant white with gold accents, 18 carat no doubt, while the superstructure has also been redesigned in black and gold with sleek curves to match the look of the rest of the hull.

As a final nod towards the East, the semi-transparent hull windows were inspired by ancient Arabic ornamental styles, and give Imāra a hint of Eastern promise.

 

To ensure that you can always receive guests, the raised foredeck features not one, or two, but three large helipads. In total, Imāra can house a fleet of up to five helicopters in addition to the three sitting on the helipads there is room for another two in the hangar below.

As a consequence of not being laden down with thousands of tons of cargo like other SuezMaxs, the ship rides high in the water and several metres of hull, previously needed to keep water on the outside, have now been fitted with plenty of floor-to-ceiling windows to let in a dazzling amount of light.

The light-filled corridors are broad enough to accommodate the ship’s fleet of electric BMW i3s, with every guest having a private garage outside their suite. (Yes, let’s repeat that, you get around the ship by car.) The cars move from deck to deck by way of several car-lifting platforms. The onboard concierge service – naturally – takes care of the cars when not in service.

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The ship’s toys can be found in the massive wet garages, which have access to the outside via four 15-metre garage hatches. Tenders up to 90 foot can be docked inside, or even driven right through. The garages are overlooked by a four-storey-high atrium with waterfall cascading down the side.

 

The source of the waterfall is an enormous swimming pool on the upper deck, surrounded by palm trees. There is also an in-pool bar for those virgin cocktails.

The owner’s quarters span three decks above the ship’s garages and include private saloons, studies, a library, an art gallery, gymnasium, pool and Spa.

 

The guests don’t have too shabby a time of it either. The common areas include a tea-house, several shops, a shisha bar, a large seafront gymnasium, full-size indoor tennis court, four seafront beach clubs, a cinema, theatre and concert hall. Oh, and we’ve left the best till last, what YachtMax is complete without a four-storey ski slope complete with ski lift and Austrian après-ski lodge?

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So, if you’ve been looking for that perfect home, where you can ski in the morning and sunbathe in the afternoon, look no further, just commission Imāra. Then your perfect home can be absolutely anywhere in the world – just as long as it’s on the ocean.

For more information: www.motioncodeblue.com

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Manufacturers all smiles at the London Boat Show http://medberths.com/2015/01/manufacturers-all-smiles-at-the-london-boat-show/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=manufacturers-all-smiles-at-the-london-boat-show Sun, 25 Jan 2015 16:00:58 +0000 http://medberths.com/?p=4202 London’s ExCeL recently played host to this year’s CWM FX London Boat Show, when just shy of 100,000 visitors packed in to gawk at the latest and greatest in the nautical world. The Show’s 400 exhibitors boasted a varied range of attractions from university projects to world-class debuts from the likes of Sunseeker and Williams, with a good dash of celebs in attendance too.

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Robert Braithwaite CBE and Nicole Scherzinger

There seems to be every indication that the Show has shaken off the hangover of previous years’ declining attendance, with exhibitors cheerfully reporting that boats have been flying off the stands amid generally renewed interest. This not only bodes well for the Show, but for the industry in general.

This year’s event, running from 9 to 18 January, placed strong emphasis on new technology featuring, amongst others, the real-time build of the first production model of Southampton Solent University’s hydrofoil catamaran, the Solent Whisper, (with HRH Princess Anne lending a hand), and Landau UK’s 4D dance floor which applied thumping bass directly to dancers’ feet. Other displays such as a life-size model of Bloodhound Project’s 1,000mph rocket-powered car and the sporty new Range Rover SVR catered to a more land-lubbery crowd. A variety of hi-tech mobile and wearable accessories further emphasised the Show’s focus on tech.

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While these futuristic attractions certainly turned more than a few heads, most were turned in the direction of the Sunseeker stand where former Pussycat Doll and popular X Factor judge, Nicole Scherzinger, unveiled the Company’s brand new Predator 57. The world-debut 57 bridges the gap between Sunseeker’s traditional open and closed-top yachts with innovative sliding glass doors between the saloon and cockpit, which drop below decks when open.

 

Despite its unconventional mechanics, this whizz-bangery doesn’t detract from the space available below decks, where it still boasts room for six guests in comfort and style as well as a dazzling range of toys. Sunseeker also had seven other models on display ranging from 40 feet to 28 metres (around 91 foot).

 

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Not to be outdone, Fairline revealed designs for two new 53-foot additions to its lineup. The Targa 53GT continues the range’s sporty pedigree while the Squadron 53 features a breathtaking swept flybridge – with both sporting large, dramatic hull glazing and bright and airy cabins. Fairline also announced a special-edition Targa 38 Shadow-S, tricked out in carbon-fibre detailing with a blistering top speed of 44 knots. They had six boats on their stand ranging from 38 to 65 feet.

 

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Sunseeker Predator 57

Princess was not absent either (we’re not talking about Anne again here), the Company’s 68 and S72 models were in attendance in London for the first time and, while not ‘world premieres’, they did the brand proud displaying trademark “space, grace and pace”. Eight other models joined them on the exhibition stand.

Aside from the ‘big boy manufacturers’ a further 75 boats enjoyed their premier, ranging from tenders to cruisers.

British design and craftsmanship was well represented at the smaller end of the scale by, among many others, the Ribeye PRIME series RIBs, Williams’ new Sportjet 520, the Dauntless Oyster 500 and Haines’ 360 Aft Cabin cruiser.

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Sunseeker Predator 57

 

‘Foreign’ design also featured with Bavaria introducing its new Sport 400 range of motorboats, Hanse exhibiting its 385 and 455 sailboats, and Jeanneau displaying no less than seven new models.

As the Show wound up, the new air of optimism was infectious and next year’s bookings are already looking healthy, so here’s hoping for another great turnout in 2016.

www.londonboatshow.com

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Ferrari inspired Beast gets beauty treatment http://medberths.com/2014/11/ferrari-inspired-beast-gets-beauty-treatment/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ferrari-inspired-beast-gets-beauty-treatment Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:59:57 +0000 http://medberths.com/?p=4208 9_2

The latest new-improved eco-friendly Magnum 51 has just been unveiled at the October 2014 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

Yes, you heard right, this 74mph (119kph) powerhouse of a boat, known as “Bestia” (Italian for Beast), has been given an environmentally friendly makeover.

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Not only does it have better fuel economy, but it also has lower emissions and is noticeably quieter. However if you’re travelling through the waves at 74mph the idea of a quiet ride is relative, I’m not sure you’ll be able to hear a pin drop.
At 70mph the Magnum 51 uses only 100 gallons of fuel an hour, this is due to a number of factors: stiffer lighter hull construction, common rail engines, a revamped surface-drive system and a lighter weight overall.
Don Aronow, ‘The King of Thunderboat Row’, founded magnum Marine in 1966.

Aronow was an offshore racing champion, avid boat builder and serial company founder. In 1962 he founded Formula Marine, selling it on two years later, and in 1964 he started Donzi Marine, building the factory on 188th Street in Aventura, North Miami.

 

Staying true to form, he sold Donzi two years later and set up Magnum – and built the new Magnum factory right next to Donzi. Two years later (of course) when he sold Magnum and set up his fourth company, Cigarette, he built another factory next door making the street a bustling hub of boat building, and it has been called ‘Thunderboat Row’ ever since.

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Since his untimely death in 1987, age 59, Aronow has left behind an amazing boating legacy. All of these companies, and Thunderboat Row, are still going strong.
Back to the Beast. The predecessor of this latest Magnum 51 was the Magnum 50 which was launched in 1993. This was the first boat to be unveiled by the current owner of Magnum, Katrin Theodoli, who took over the Company after her husband Filippo’s death in 1990. She is the only female CEO of a high-performance boat building business.

 

Katrin designed the Magnum 50 after consultation with a number of designers including famous independent Italian car design firm Pininfarina of Ferrari fame.

Not content with a Ferrari-inspired hull, Katrin ensured the designer vibe continued below decks and the interiors of the Magnum 50 were designed by French haute couture house, Hermès. It was a boat fit for a king, so rather apt that Juan Carlos, the then King of Spain, snapped one up.

The latest Magnum, the 51, is just as luxurious as its predecessor. On the main deck there is a huge swimming platform from which you can gracefully move onto the full-width aft sunpad.

 

Moving forward there is an L-shaped seat for relaxing and socialising and, forward of this, the port helm station with seating for two and a second double bench seat to starboard.
Below deck the Magnum 51 is surprisingly spacious with approximately seven foot of headroom. There is a large salon and galley, a comfortable double cabin with a queen-sized berth, a large head with stall shower and there is even enough room to squeeze in a crew cabin.
If you’re interesting in purchasing your very own Beast, prices start from 2.2 million US dollars. Go on, it’s what Don would have wanted.

www.magnummarine.com

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Super Cat Project unveiled at Monaco http://medberths.com/2014/10/super-cat-project-unveiled-at-monaco/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=super-cat-project-unveiled-at-monaco Thu, 09 Oct 2014 16:57:42 +0000 http://medberths.com/?p=4212 3_4

When we first read about BMT Nigel Gee’s, titled ‘Project L3’, we admit we had to do a bit of Googling to get our head around a couple of scary-looking acronyms.

First, they call it a SWATH catamaran, which we discovered means Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull. Hmm, we were none the wiser too. Researching a little deeper we discovered that a SWATH is similar to a normal catamaran, but different in that the bulk of the hull, the ‘twin’ bit, is submerged.

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This makes the vessel far less susceptible to the influence of the waves and maximises stability.

Second, it runs on a hybrid CODAG system, meaning Combined Diesel and Gas, which is thankfully rather more self-explanatory. The main advantage of CODAG is that you can cruise on the diesel engines and, when you need to ramp up the speed, switch on the gas turbines for extra oomph.

This is why CODAG is the preferred propulsion system for warships.

So, now we’ve mastered the acronyms, let’s look into Project L3. A concept from Southampton-based design consultancy BMT Nigel Gee, Project L3 was debuted at the 2014 Monaco Yacht Show which ran from 24 to 27 September.

Weighing in at a massive 85 metres LOA (278 foot), the catamaran design allows for huge interior volumes, akin to a bricks and mortar home, as well as the deck space you’d expect from a 100 metre-plus monohull – including some cunning features such as a central focal-point pool courtyard on the main accommodation deck.

Up on the sundeck is an open-air fire pit (sounds a bit dangerous to us, but then we are of a nervous disposition) surrounded on all sides by neat lines of sunloungers, the perfect spot from which to view the giant drop-down open-air cinema screen.

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There’s also bar stools, dining areas and a couple of plunge pools, so we’re all set for a great evening’s entertainment on the top deck.

Thanks to the very generous beam, there’s plenty of space for tender and toy storage, including an offshore racing cat and a two-man seaplane – you know, the essentials. Once deployed, there are various fold-out and extendable beach decks to facilitate smooth water access.

Going back to the clever CODAG propulsion, Project L3’s top speed is around 20 knots on conventional diesel engines and a rather rapid 40 knots when the gas turbines kick in.

James Roy, BMT’s Design Director said, “This was both a very exciting and challenging proposal to work on as the styling needed to reflect the speed of the vessel while maintaining a high volume for the interior.

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Gentle flowing lines which have a sense of urgency about them have been combined with a bold colour choice to ensure that this 85m, high performance catamaran makes a statement in the harbour!

It is always refreshing to work on a design which challenges convention and to integrate technology developed in other markets, it will take a visionary client to realise the project”.

www.bmtng.com

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Award winning Dehler 46 to debut at Cannes http://medberths.com/2014/09/award-winning-dehler-46-to-debut-at-cannes/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=award-winning-dehler-46-to-debut-at-cannes Thu, 11 Sep 2014 15:59:27 +0000 http://medberths.com/?p=4181 Its quite something for a boat builder to announce the plans for a new yacht at one boat show, and present the finished model at another one, just a few months later.

But the Dehler brand, now part of the German Hanse stable have done just that after announcing the concept of the new Dehler 46 at the ” Dusseldorf Boot 2014″ in January this year, and now telling the world that the prototype is ready to sail, which must be an outstanding achievement in both development and production.

The unveiling ceremony for the new Dehler will be a key focus of the Yachting Festival in Cannes from 9 -14 September 2014, always a varied event with a number of premieres.

The Dehler 46 shines with a clear yet emotional-sporty design, innovative technology, outstanding variability and amazing sailing characteristics. With these qualities, Dehler is strengthening its reputation as a versatile performance cruiser with excellent characteristics for cruisers and sport-oriented sailors.

 A number of clever details are apparent right away when touring the yacht. Everything has been thought of to make sailing and living on board a pleasant experience. This includes the wet room concept seen in the Dehler 38 with the UniDoor® in the owner’s cabin – a combination of openness, generous space and private sphere. One door with many functions: If the door to the owner’s cabin is closed, it is a traditional wet room with lots of space, light and air. If the door is open, the access to the owners cabin is free and the shower and WC area is closed, the floor runs through seamlessly and is therefore perfectly integrated in the cabin. Washbasin and WC/shower can be used independently of each other and offer future owners the desired privacy.

Although the prototype is now in the final stage, the jury responsible for choosing the “European Yacht of the Year” (EYOTY) have already announced their decision for this year’s nominations, and the Dehler 46, is one of the winners in the “Performance Cruiser” category.

 

www.dehler.com

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Two more European Acts before Extreme Sailing finale in Sydney http://medberths.com/2014/08/two-more-european-acts-before-extreme-sailing-finale-in-sydney/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=two-more-european-acts-before-extreme-sailing-finale-in-sydney Wed, 20 Aug 2014 09:44:39 +0000 http://medberths.com/?p=4169

Extreme Sailing Series™ organiser OC Sport has confirmed the bustling Mediterranean City of Nice as the Host Venue for the penultimate Act of the 2014 season, to be held 2-5 October.
Nestled in the heart of the French Riviera, and flanked on either side by Cannes and Monaco, Nice will be the final European Act of 2014, before the event containers are packed and shipped to Sydney, Australia for the grand finale.

The 11-strong fleet will race on the Bay of Angels, and over the last three years the event has attracted thousands of spectators who line the world famous Promenade des Anglais to watch the Extreme 40 catamarans go head-to-head.

Nice has a reputation as one of the most challenging venues on the global tour which in previous years has demanded the entire repertoire of sailing skills from the elite sailors to deal with light and fickle breeze to mistral conditions, which last year delivered gusts of over 30 knots.

But next, the Extreme 40 fleet will return to the Welsh capital, Cardiff, as the centrepiece to the Cardiff Harbour Festival where they will race on Europe’s largest waterfront development over the UK August bank holiday weekend.

Racing in the heart of Cardiff Bay in the circuit’s action packed Stadium Railing format, in 2013 in excess of 120,000 people crammed around the bay to enjoy the excellent spectators views of the racecourse from the waterfront public Race Village.

And looking further forward to next summer, eight Host Venues have been confirmed for 2015 Extreme Sailing Series.


Singapore will again host the curtain raiser to the 2015 Extreme Sailing Series™ world tour – the first of eight Host Venues across three continents to be revealed, as confirmed by Series organisers OC sport and Series Main Partner, Land Rover.
The event will take place from 5-8 February, when the fleet will return to the heart of the high-rise and cosmopolitan city, just over seven weeks after the 2014 Series concludes in Sydney, Australia.
In 2014 Singapore delivered an outstanding event, receiving widespread praise for the spectacular racing that enthralled the public, media and VIP guests alike, with the fleet of Extreme 40s racing on the world famous Marina Bay – one of the tightest and most spectacular inner city courses that the Series visits.

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‘Musandam-Oman Sail’ breaks Sevenstar Round-Britain Record http://medberths.com/2014/08/musandam-oman-sail-breaks-sevenstar-round-britain-record/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=musandam-oman-sail-breaks-sevenstar-round-britain-record Wed, 20 Aug 2014 09:36:32 +0000 http://medberths.com/?p=4163 Musandam-Oman Sail

Keeping up the excitement immediately after the Cowes Week Regatta in August, was the start of the Sevenstar 2014 Round-Britain-and-Ireland Race, with the fleet starting from the Royal Yacht Squadron line, Cowes, crossing the line from west to east.

The event, which marks the first time that so many of the Volvo Ocean Race 65s have raced against each other, was originally due to start a day earlier, at midday on Sunday 10th, but was pushed back due to stormy weather blowing in from across the Atlantic.

And despite the warmer and more settled conditions that day, the race route was reversed, which means that the fleet had to sail anti-clockwise around the isles, rather than the traditional clockwise.

Musandam-Oman Sail

All eyes were on Musandam-Oman Sail (The Sultan of Oman’s favourite toy) right from the start. The trimaran’s three hulls, sailed by three expats and three Omanis, were lightening quick, screaming along at 30 knots and hell bent on breaking the previous world record of three days, three hours, 49 minutes, 14 seconds, which was set by Frenchman Loick Peyron’s 140ft trimaran, Banque Populaire 5, in 2011.

Photo Credit for Volvo 65 image: Rick Tomlinson


Sidney Gavignet and the crew of Musandam-Oman Sail, a MOD70 trimaran, crossed the finish line of the 2014 Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race off the Royal Yacht Squadron, Cowes, at 12.42.36 BST on Thursday 14th August 2014.

This gave them an elapsed time of 3 days, 3 hours, 32 minutes, 36 seconds and, subject to ratification by the World Speed Sailing Record Council, a used Outright World Record for the Round Britain and Ireland course and a used race record for the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race.
“Records are there to be broken and it would be an honour to be bettered by such a great team,” Loick Peyron told the organisers Royal Ocean Racing Club before his record was broken.

Photo Credit for Volvo 65 image: Rick Tomlinson

“Perhaps if they do set a new record it will also be good for the race. It will encourage other multihulls to come and try it – it is a fantastic course.”
Volvo 65 skipper and world circumnavigation sailor Sam Davis and her all-female crew on SCA were lying fourth in the 28-strong fleet when we wrote this report.
For the rest of the fleet including monohulls in the IRC 1, 2, 3 & 4 categories they may be at sea for over a week to slog around the course in all kinds of unpredictable conditions for the month of August, and not home and dry in 3 days like the super fast trimarans can be.

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Squib class steals the show at Cowes Week http://medberths.com/2014/08/squib-class-steals-the-show-at-cowes-week/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=squib-class-steals-the-show-at-cowes-week Wed, 20 Aug 2014 09:28:35 +0000 http://medberths.com/?p=4157

Photo Credits: Rick Tomlinson and Getty Images

Saturday 9th August saw the conclusion of the Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2014, with reflections on a week of mixed weather conditions.

Champagne sailing conditions started the week with sunshine and a great breeze but this was followed by much lighter conditions resulting in disappointing abandonments for some on Thursday and for all classes on Friday.

For those that raced on the final Saturday though, there was a welcome return of good breeze and sun providing some fantastic conditions for the last day of racing.

Photo Credits: Rick Tomlinson and Getty Images

Consistent performances throughout the Week rewarded the East Coast Squib, Lady Penelope, raced by Malcolm Hutchings and Andy Ramsey, with victory for the second year running, cleaning up in the Squib Class, White Group, and taking away the coveted overall winner’s trophy at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week once again.
The Squib class was sporting a very healthy fleet at this year’s regatta with entries having grown by over 20%. The class had boats representing 10 Clubs from around the country (and France) with 70% of these raced by families and 25% with an under 25 year-old on board at some point during the week.

Approaching its 40th anniversary, the Squib is a 19ft keelboat designed by Oliver Lee and has quietly become one of the most popular classes in the UK.
Almost 850 Squibs have been built in the 39 years since the prototype was launched in 1968, and class builders Parker Yachts build a dozen new boats each year.

The association has over 600 active members, sailing in 23 fleets throughout Great Britain — from the South Coast to Scotland — as well as a further five fleets in Northern Ireland and Eire.
Why is the Squib so enduringly popular? ‘It’s an affordable, low maintenance, closely matched one design class and only needs two people to race, so there are no hassles with organising crew.

Photo Credits: Rick Tomlinson and Getty Images

In the late 1960s the Squib was very much a state-of-the-art design, with a short low-centre of gravity keel and high aspect ratio rudder set well aft. Flat aft sections promote surfing in moderate conditions. The boat’s light displacement offered good light weather performance and allowed it to be towed by almost any car. Heavy weather performance was also good — a 50 per cent ballast ratio, with much of that weight in a bulb at the bottom of the keel, gives the ability to keep sailing even in Force 6-7 conditions.

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