2007 BOATS
The European boat shows of recent months have showcased a mass of innovative new yachts. Expect many of these to be heading to the Australian market through 2007. The French, German and Swedish builders have all added significant new big yacht to their ranges.
Bavaria Vision 50
The newest model from German production yacht builder Bavaria, the Bavaria Vision 50, had its world premiere release at the 2007 Dusseldorf Boat Show.
The Australian Bavaria distributor, North South Yachting at Bayview on Pittwater, NSW, has already sold two Vision 50s “off the plan”, following its release of the Vision 40 and Vision 44 at the Sydney International Boat Show last year.
The three Vision models are intended to complement the established Bavaria range of sturdy cruising yachts rather than replace any yachts within it. The “vision” was to design and build a more luxurious range of yachts, aimed at the private owner rather than the charter yacht market.
The owner's cabin forward has an en-suite bathroom with toilet and separate shower and a large double berth. The two aft cabins have double berths, hanging lockers and seats. A second bathroom, to starboard aft and opening into the saloon, has a shower and toilet.
Length overall – 15.70m
Waterline length – 13.45m
Beam – 4.49m
Draft – 1.90m
Displacement – 13,500kg
Ballast – 4850kg
Engine: Volvo D2-75 75hp
Sail area (mainsail and genoa): 146sq m.
Builder: Bavaria Yachts, Germany.
Australian distributor: North South Yachting (Aust) Pty Ltd, 1856 Pittwater Rd, Church Point, NSW 2105; tel, 02 9998 9600; fax, 02 9979 3244; email, Bavaria@northsouthyachting.com.au
Hanse's latest
German builder Hanse Yachts launched its latest model, the Hanse 430e, at the Dusseldorf boat show in January. It is similar to the Hanse 470e, 540e and 630e, the largest yacht in the range, in external appearance and proportions. The “e” in the model name stands for epoxy, used in the construction with prepreg fibreglass fabrics, vacuum cured with Corecell foam.
The Hanse range is designed by the Judel/Vrolijk team. Rolf Vrolijk is best known as the designer of Alinghi, the 2003 America's Cup winner.
The 430e has twin helm stations and walk-through transom. It is being offered with more than 100 interior options. The brochure shows a three cabin layout. The owner's cabin forward has a queen-sized double berth set diagonally to create space to port for an en-suite bathroom with toilet and shower. The forward cabin also has a seat and hanging locker. Either two or one aft cabin versions are available.
Another new model shown at Dusseldorf was the Hanse 540. Its features include a dinghy garage in the stern and an anchor system that is completely integrated in the forward deck.
Hanse 430e
Length overall – 13.25m
Waterline length – 12.00m
Beam – 4.25m
Draft – 2.20m
Displacement – approx 10.4 tonnes
Ballast – approx 3200kg
Engine – Yanmar 40hp with saildrive
Total sail area approx 126sq m
Design: Judel/Vrolijk & Co.
Builder: Hanse Yachts, Germany.
Australian distributor: Windcraft Australia Pty Ltd, Suite 2, Bayview Anchorage Marina, 1714 Pittwater Rd, Bayview, NSW 2104; 'phone, 02 9979 1709; e-mail, peter@windcraft.com.au; internet, www.windcraft.com.au
Dehler 44 racer/cruiser
Under the new ownership of Wilan van den Berg, Dehler Yachts has changed design teams from Judel/Vrolijk to Simonis-Voogd. A prototype of the first model from the new design team, the Dehler 44, was shown at a number of recent European boat shows including Southampton and Dusseldorf.
The Dehler 44 is billed as a modern cruiser-racer with room for optimisation to top level IRC or IMS racing. Strongly focused during the design process were better control and ease of handling in a fast, sleek hull
Two interior layouts will be available with the options of longitudinal or u-shaped galley and interior designs of elegance (stylish), comparable to the existing dealer line and avant-garde (modern) for the more fashion-conscious owner.
The standard equipment includes a recessed roller furling system for the genoa, a removable utility box in the transom a dodger that disappears under a hatch, a cockpit table that can be lowered flush with the floor, flush deck hatches and an integrated bimini/mainsail attachment point.
Construction is hand-laid fibreglass with epoxy resin and end-grain balsa cored deck.
Another new model, the Dehler 60, still under construction, is being marketed as semi-custom; it can be adapted to specific owner requirements.
Length overall – 13.70m
Waterline length – 11.95m
Beam – 3.86m
Draft – 2.20m
Displacement – 8400kg
Sail areas, main 60sq m
Jib – 44sq m
Genoa – 61sq m
Spinnaker 172sq m
Engine: Volvo Penta 55hp
Designer: Simonis/Voogd
Builder: Dehler, Germany.
Australian distributor: Maurice Drent Boating Services, PO Box 340 Avalon, NSW 2107; phone, 02 9918 6170; fax, 02 9918 0370; e-mail, sales@mdbsaustralia.com
Beneteau First 50
The First 50 sports cruiser, newest from French builder Beneteau, made her first show appearances at the Cannes International Boat Show and the Southampton Boat Show.
America's Sail magazine named the First 50 as Best Boat for 2007. The judges said: “The First 50 has an aggressive, modern look above decks and below. Veerle Battiau (interior designer) has blended light wood, minimalist furniture, shiny grab rails, nickel-plated light fittings a beautiful matte-finished sole into a wonderful expression of Now. This is an excellent example of a fresh, new look at accommodations.”
Contributing to the First 50's purity of lines are the lowered coach roof and the integration of functional elements and hardware on deck, like having the forestay set aft and the genoa furling drum below deck level.
Australian distributor Vicsail was expecting its first First 50 in March.
Length overall – 14.98m
Beam – 4.37m
Draft – 2.80m
Displacement – 13,780kg
Sail areas, main – 68.60sq m
Genoa – 70.10sq m
Designer: Philippe Briand.
Builder: Beneteau, France.
Australian distributor: Vicsail Pty Ltd, D'Albora Marinas, New Beach Rd, Rushcutters Bay, NSW 2027; 'phone, 02 9327 2088; fax, 02 9362 4516; e-mail, info@vicsail.com, web, www.vicsail.com
Elan Impression 514
Elan's new fast cruising yacht, the Impression 514, designed by Rob Humphreys, premiered at the Genoa Boat Show. Elan is building the hulls using the latest lamination technology, VAIL (vacuum assisted impregnation lamination) for strength and stiffness and protection against osmosis. All Elan yachts are built under the permanent technical supervision of Germanischer Lloyd and certified category CE “A” Ocean.
The Impression 514 can be rigged as a sloop or cutter with the choice of in-mast furling. Options include electric/hydraulic powered winches, a garage for a tender and even an office.
The semi deck saloon is voluminous with overhead and side panoramic windows providing natural light and an excellent view. The saloon features two armchairs to port opposite a U-shaped lounge to starboard. Various interior layouts are available with up to five cabins and large en-suite bathrooms. The galley is L-shaped and spacious.
Australian importer Navsail is already in negotiations with potential buyers and expects to have a boat available for inspection by the end of the year. Price is expected to start around $750,000 with four interior versions and a host of options to personalise.
Elan was one of the first to introduce this sleek new style of cruising yacht in series production with the launch of the 434 in early 2004. Other Impression models are the 344 and 384.
Navsail has imported its first Elan 340, a Humphreys 34ft performance cruiser with an exceptionally long waterline, which replaces Elan's most successful model over the years, the Elan 33.
The Elan 410, released at the Dusseldorf Boat Show, is the latest model in Elan's re-styled performance range. Humphreys designed her to easily handle the various weather conditions, well balanced, have remarkably high stability and excellent response.
Impression 514
Length overall – 15.69m
Waterline length – 13.76m
Beam – 4.68m
Draft – 2.20m
Displacement – not available
Ballast – 6065kg
Engine 75/110hp
Sail areas, main – 68.30sq m
Genoa – 79.20sq m
Jib – 44.25sq m
Designer: Rob Humphreys.
Builder: Elan Marine, Slovenia.
Australian importer: Navsail, Gibson Marina, 1710 Pittwater Rd, Bayview, NSW 2104; 'phone, 02 9999 6730; e-mail, élan@navsail.com.au; web, www.navsail.com.au
Delphia 33
Polish builder Delphia Yachts showed its new Delphia 33 at the London Boat Show. The show's publicists rated it as being exceptional value for money, of excellent build quality and designed for performance and comfort.
They said the design was striking and modern, accommodation was of a very high standard, the deck layout superb. The Delphia 33 was capable of being cruised with just two people or raced with a full crew.
Length overall – 9.95m
Beam – 3.47m
Draft – 1.80m
Displacement – 5280kg
Ballast … – 1450kg
Sail areas, main 29sq m
Genoa 32.80sq m
Engine: Volvo 20-30hp
Designer: Andrzej Skrzat.
Builder: Delphia Yachts, Poland.
Australian distributor: Delphia Yachts (Aust) Pty Ltd, PO Box 258 Proserpine, Qld 4800; 'phone, 07 4947 6211; fax, 07 4947 6214; e-mail, info@delphiayachts.com.au
Jeanneau's new releases
Jeanneau launched two new models, the Sun Odyssey 36i and the Jeanneau 39DS at the Cannes Show. The Sun Odyssey 36i has the same pedigree as the successful-selling Sun Odyssey 39i, which was launched at the Sydney Show last year.
A modern fast hull is combined with lightweight infusion-moulded deck and ergonomic cockpit. Like its bigger brother, the 36 is available in both two and three cabin layouts, with the two-cabin version sporting the same completely separate stall shower.
The 36i has all the modern conveniences to make family weekends away a pleasure. And for those who wish to twilight or club race a performance package is also available. Sailaway price is $236,525.
The new Jeanneau 39DS has all the features of the Sun Odyssey 39 which has sold well in Australia, with the added bonus of a huge owner's cabin ty
It retains the same easily driven hull, is beautifully balanced, has an astonishing turn of speed for a cruising yacht and the level of finish that has come to be expected from the only volume yacht manufacturer with an ISO approved quality-control system.
The 39DS comes standard with both a furling genoa and the Selden furling mainsail system for ease of handling short-handed. It is available in both standard 2.0m draft and 1.5m shoal draft options and comes standard with a Yanmar 40hp with shaft drive. The 39DS is available at a sailaway price of $319,892 commissioned and anti-fouled.
Jeanneau 36i
Length overall – 10.94m
Beam – 3.59m
Draft – 1.94m
Displacement – 5700kg
Ballast keel – 1571kg
Sail areas, main – 29.8sq m
Genoa – 34.4sq m
Spinnaker 90.0sq m
Engine: Yanmar 29hp
Designer: Marc Lombard.
Jeanneau 39DS
Length overall – 11.86m
Waterline length – 10.71m
Beam – 3.88m
Draft – 2.00m
Displacement – 7863kg
Sail area – 67.4sq m
Designer: Marc Lombard.
Builder: Jeanneau, France.
Australian distributor: Performance Boating Sales, Gibson Marina, 1710 Pittwater Rd, Bayview, NSW 2104; 'phone, 02 9979 9755; fax, 02 9979 9780; e-mail, lee@performanceboating.com.au, web, www.performanceboating.com
Dufour's new releases
French builder Dufour presented three new models at the Paris Boat Show, the 525 Grand'large, 485 Grand'large and 425 Grand'large.
Dufour's new flagship, the 525 Grand'large, is conceived by Umberto Felci/Patrick Roseo design team as comfortable and secure live-aboard yacht for long-term blue-water cruising.
The sail plan, deck layout and fittings are aimed towards short-handed sailing. The cabin top is discreet and exceptionally flat. The steering system features two wheels.
Down below, the demands of long-distance cruising are anticipated with dedicated spaces for a washing machine, dishwasher, freezer and water maker.
The customer can choose his/her preferred interior from eight layouts including three or four cabins, linear or L-shaped galley and owner's cabin.
The rig includes a bowsprit for flying asymmetric sails, the decks are uncluttered and the side decks are broad. Dinghy and life-raft storage is available in the transom.
Dufour 525 Grand'large
Length overall – 15.31m
Waterline length – 13.74m
Beam -4.90m
Draft … -2.00m
Displacement -13,700kg
Ballast keel – 100kg
Engine – 75hp
Sail area, main – 59.59sq m
Genoa – 68.80sq m
Asymmetric – 164.00sq m
Designers: Umberto Felci/Patrick Roseo.
Builders: Dufour Yachts, France.
Australian distributor: Jason Antill, d'Albora Marinas, Cabarita Point, NSW 2137; 'phone, 02 8004 2035; fax, 02 8210 5175; e-mail, jason@dufour.com.au
Hallberg-Rassy 54
Swedish builder Hallberg-Rassy's HR 54, designed by German Frers, is a centre-cockpit cruiser well set up for both indoor and outdoor living. A sun deck, recessed into the coach roof of the aft cabin, is left completely free from winches, tracks, vents; even the deck hatch is flush mounted with the teak floor.
A large swim platform, operated by a wireless remote control, folds down from the transom, exposing an intermediate step up into the cockpit.
Among the many options and layouts available are two armchairs in the saloon and a queen-sized centre berth in the aft cabin with a sofa on each side and a dressing table to starboard.
The 54 is well set up to be sailed short-handed. A remote control on the steering pedestal operates the anchor, which is self-launching. Outhaul, vang and backstay are controlled from a panel at the helm position. The headsail winches are electrically driven.
Length overall -16.74m
Waterline length – 14.30m
Beam – 4.70m
Draft – 22.30m
Displacement – 26,300kg
Ballast keel – 9750kg
Sail area with genoa-1950sq ft
Engine -Volvo Penta D3-110hp
Designer: German Frers.
Builder: Hallberg-Rassy, Sweden.
Australian distributor: Windcraft Australia Pty Ltd, Suite 2, Bayview Anchorage Marina, 1714 Pittwater Rd, Bayview, NSW 2104; 'phone, 02 9979 1709; e-mail, peter@windcraft.com.au; web, www.windcraft.com.au
Hunter 45 centre cockpit cruiser
Hunter's new 45cc takes the centre cockpit style to a new level of aesthetics. Along the European look goes surprising performance and handling ability in a comfortable blue-water cruising design. Ease of handling features include the backstay less B&R rig and cockpit traveller arch.
The master stateroom aft cabin has 6ft 5in headroom, queen-size berth with inner sprung mattress, large head with separate shower and seven opening hatches for light and ventilation.
The galley is well appointed with side-by-side fridge/freezer, separate freezer which doubles as a fridge when on low, large stove/oven with range hood extractor, storage areas designed for use at sea and Corian work surfaces. Forward of a spacious saloon is a guest stateroom with en-suite head and separate shower compartment.
Another recent release is the Hunter 50, which replaces the Hunter 46 as the US builder's new flagship. The 50 was designed as a luxurious passage maker with complete live-aboard accommodation and outstanding entertainment features. Its sailaway price is $595,000 and the basi price for the 45CC is $490,000.
Hunter 45 Centre Cockpit
Length overall – 13.72m
Waterline length -11.94m
Beam – 4.42m
Draft – 1.98m
Displacement – 10,404kg
Ballast keel – 3286kg
Sail area – 89sq m
Designer: Hunter Marine.
Builder: Hunter Marine, USA.
Australian distributor: US Yachts Pty Ltd, Sydney by Sail Festival Pontoon, Darling Harbour, NSW; 'phone 02 9281 4422; fax, 02 9280 1119; e-mail, ed@usyachts.com.au, web, www.usyachts.com.au
