VPLP - ORACLE PARTNERSHIP for th 33 r America's Cup

The design team left Vincent Lauriot Prévost, Marc Van Peteghem, Russell Coutts, Mike Drummond, Mick Kermarec,

I have to admit I kind of gave up with following the America's Cup because I think it's losts its "Yachting Spirit". Some of you will smile but for me it is a real concept. If you log on the official website all you'll find for the 33 rd is the list of court hearnigs, lawsuits, orders... It is a shame and it is really boring, this should be about sailing, sportmanship, and racing not legal fights. Louis Vuitton even dropped out after 25 years of sponsorship.

Any way at least on good news we will see some multihulls and VPLP has been selected by the Oracle team. Of course I don't think we will get many information on the design before the launching but any way, I am really happy for them.

Russels Coutts skipper and Larry Ellison aftergard.

The pictures for the BMW-ORACLE team are from Gilles Martin-Raget. If you like yachts pictures I recommend you to get connected on his website.

Larry Ellison co-founded and is the CEO of Oracle. He owns one RISING SUN of the largest motor yacht in the world.

Pictures of Merijn de Waard who also created www.superyachttimes.com

NAHEMA 120 - WORK IN PROGRESS

NAHEMA hull mould in the "oven"

Following the press release I wrote for NAHEMA.

Marseilles, May 16th 2008 – The NAHEMA 120’s interior is taking shape

The interior modules aligned in the shipyard

While vacuum-bagging tests are being conducted on the moulds of the NAHEMA 120 (the largest composite catamaran in built at the moment), the interior modules are well underway.

The interior, designed by Franck Darnet Design, is an important key to the success of the NAHEMA range. The contemporary yet warm design has attracted a lot of attention from the public all through the most recent International Boat Shows. Franck Darnet and Karine Rousseau (Franck’s Miami based partner) have succeeded in designing a comfortable yacht perfectly matching NAHEMA’s motto: perfection, performance and space.

The honeycomb laminate

Franck Darnet:
“The NAHEMA is unique and fascinating because there are almost no restrictions in terms of space and style. It really is a "no limit" catamaran. The design is contemporary, elegant and refined but still warm with the right equilibrium. It was very important to Karine Rousseau and I to unite the interior and exterior of the yacht in order to create a living space with an area of more than 150 m2, never seen on a 120 feet unit before. The amazing width of the sliding windows between the cockpit and the salon is the perfect expression of the NAHEMA’s design.”

A standard suite modules

For the design team “space is luxury”. They also have innovated in creating “loft style suites” in which the sleeping and bathing areas are not separated by a bulkhead but by a sliding tinted glass window. Up, the window separates the two parts for more privacy. Down, it dramatically increases the size of the room.

A queue of head compartments modules

From a more technical point of view the modules for both hulls have been built full size on the side. When ready, they will be lifted and fitted directly into the hulls. It works just like a puzzle jigsaw. The different pieces correspond to the guests, the owners’ bedroom, the offices with their sofa, the bath rooms, the skipper and crew quarters. Walking by and inside them gives a real idea of the impressive size of the NAHEMA 120.

NAHEMA insisted on the fact that the interior decoration should be as light as possible to maximize the yacht’s performance. The walls and the furniture are made of teak sheets laminated on honeycomb panels. They are light and also respect the noise and vibration limits specified for such a high quality yacht.

Infusion of the NAHEMA 120’s first hull should start in a few days.

Complete specifications as well as high resolution renderings and pictures are available upon request.


Press Contact: Sébastien Barthez, FINE PR Consulting, + 33 (0) 621 392 845 or barthez@nahema.com

SUNREEF 102 DD - TAKING SHAPE

A short message from Ewa Stachurska, SUNREEF PR manager.

Sunreef 102 Double Deck takes shape!

The first superyacht designed by Sunreef Yachts is currenly under construction in the shipyard. At this time, all bulkheads and frames previously set up are being welded to main deck superstructure, which imposing size is clearly visible at the picture. A for the hulls, they are being built upside down on technological foundation, thus as soon as the frames are welded, the prefabricated shell plates will be fixed up. The construction shall be completed by the Summer 09.

A tip off from Synergy Yachting : The TAG 60

Thanks again to Tom Ashwell from Synergy Yachting for sending me the most updated news on the projects they want to share with us.

Words are from Tom Ashwell.

Are you ready for the TAG 60? (you bet I am)

Go to Tag Yachts and Tag Yachts Sales websites and ask yourself these questions :

1. Styling - Is the TAG60 not the best looking catamaran you have ever seen? Looks fast and sexy even on the dock!

2. Sailing - Is this what it is all about. High performance sailing on a cat which is responsive and quick even in light airs under 10knots. Why motor if you can sail faster? The TAG 60 has a very efficient and powerful racing sail plan and rotating carbon wing mast which results in exciting sailing at speeds that will leave all other cruising cats behind. To achieve high milage runs in fair conditions and comfortable seas is what makes long distance passagemaking a pleasure. The dual helm stations are positioned to allow a good view of the sails, course up ahead and to be part of the action both on the windward and leeward side whichever you prefer. This also makes docking easy with an excellent view down the side of the boat.

3. High performance doesn't mean you have to have a hard physical workout or be an Americas Cup Grinder. The TAG 60 utilises a hydraulic system to control sails and anchoring. reefing is also simplified with an innovative in boom furlingsystem all at the push of a button.

4. Environment - The time to act responsibly with regards to the environment is now. The TAG 60 uses an electric hybrid diesel propulsion system which saves energy, diesel and limits waste and regenerates energy whilst sailing.

5. Space - Comfortable and adaptable living space is what makes living on the water in a ever-changing variety of conditions possible. The evolutionary salon layout of the TAG 60 allows one to enjoy all weather conditions without having to put out cumbersome awnings and be able to enjoy both sunny and shaded seating at all times. Have a good look at the layout and 3D graphics on line.

6. Living on a yacht is about enjoying the sailing and the lifestyle. The TAG60 utilises a computer network system to monitor all systems to make monitoring and maintaining efficient. Touch screen displays in the sailing cockpits and the navigation station shows you all.

7. Access to the water is made easy with wide transoms and a new dinghy platform which lowers the dinghy into the water for launching, protects it while sailing and acts as a great area to setup watersports gear or just as your own private "beach". The platform can be set at any height so that it can be set at water level to act as a dock for off loading gear and provisions or be used as easy access for playtime.

8. The TAG 60 was designed with ease of use in mind. This 60 foot cat is the ideal world cruiser that is easy to managed with one or two people.

The new generation of catamaran has arrived.

Want to know more? Also have a look at Young Yacht Design for further information on Greg Young the designer and his previous catamarans.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions we'd love to share
this exciting design with you.

TAG 85

I am taking the helm again. TAG Yacht has also a Tag Young 70 going on production at the end of 2009 and am amazing TAG 85.

There is a lot to read on their website but it is worth it, you will learn about the TAG concept but also about catamarans in general. The team around the project looks really great and I am sure in the growing catamaran market, this great performing design built in South Africa by kwnolegeable people will meet its public.

The first TAG 60 is actually being built.

The ExclusivE 76, the yacht of dreams

Press Release From Exclusive Marine.

Thursday may 1st 2008

The ExclusivE 76, the yacht of dreams

The construction of the ExclusivE 76, a maxi-catamaran for long distance cruising, is continuing at the VIP/Composites yard in Olonne-sur-Mer (85) on France’s Atlantic coast. This twin-hulled yacht will soon emerge from the workshops to pass directly into sea trials, prior to heading to the large international boat shows. The fruit of several years of reflection on cruising sailing, the ExclusivE 76 has primarily been designed to convey its future owners in ideal conditions towards some heavenly horizons…A shallow draft!

The full impact of the ‘semi-custom’ concept, so cherished by Georges Benarroch, founder of the “Exclusive Marine” company, will come into play in 2008. Indeed, even though the size of the hulls will always be the same, it is possible for each future owner to imagine his or her own rig, interior layout (the cabins being highly modular) and the boat’s appendage configuration (keels or daggerboards). The first version of the ExclusivE 76 will be above all else a ‘luxury’ configuration. The teak deck, the refinement of the interior design, the carbon mast and boom are evidence of this.

A floating dream the ExclusivE 76, the first of its name, will be a high quality yacht. Whether it is in terms of pure performance on the water or the level of comfort, the ExclusivE 76 has a wealth of assets.

The design office managed by Gilles Ollier, designer of the ExclusivE 76, is predicting speeds in excess of 15 knots downwind. The deck/saloon lounge area with its 360 degree panoramic view will attain 70m2, a record in this category of yacht. Added to this is the shallow draft, with its retractable daggerboards which once lifted give a minimum draft of 1300 mm, and will enable easy access when sailing with family and friends to the world’s most beautiful bays, a unique feature of Exclusive Marine. “A catamaran already accommodates a lot more space than a monohull; so when it also benefits from a large bright saloon, very short daggerboards to get in close to the beaches, high quality interior design (furniture), we are reaching out to the very latest desires of the enthusiastic long distance cruiser. The ExclusivE 76 will be the highest performer in its category whilst providing maximum safety” explains Georges Benarroch.

A yard making great headway.To build a high class 76 foot craft isn't a simple matter. For a number of months the VIP/composites yard has been tackling the demanding specifications. Currently numerous elements are represented inside the ExclusivE 76. The cocoons of the ‘owner's’ and 'guest' cabins have been installed in the hulls so as to perform various tests. The seating, glazing and deck have also been positioned prior to a final fit. At the same time the 'crew' cabin (mounted without a cocoon), the installation of the engines and the electrics are nearing completion. Reminder: Gilles Payen’s cocoons, head of VIP Composites: “We have manufactured some cocoons, which are like large cases the size of the galley, the cabins... in which we will install the furniture… They will then be incorporated directly into the ExclusivE 76. This method, which is a novel addition to our working methods, will enable us to make faster progress in the construction of the yacht, whilst greatly facilitating the work of the specialised staff, such as joiners, electricians or plumbers…

A real challenge in our manufacturing process!”

• 70m2: the largest deck/saloon lounge area in its category
• 33 to 36 tonnes: the controlled displacement of the ExclusivE 76
• 23.20 metres: LOA
• 21.40 metres: waterline length
• 10.50 metres: beam
• 3 or 4: the number of cabins according to the future owner’s wishes
• 311m2: surface of the upwind sails
• 1.25 metres: draft (pivoting daggerboards)
• 2: the number of craft on order at Exclusive Marine
  
• Discover the latest information about the ExclusivE 76 at www.exclusive-marine.com

ExcluvisE dealer for the USA - Philippe Guillemin - www.willmarusa.com

Rights free photos for the press and the web: Denis Van den Brink and Guillaume Hennes

Press contacts: Denis van den Brink +33 (0)6 07 91 65 66 / Tanguy Blondel +33 (0)6 88 45 35 36