YACHTS

YACHT MAINTENANCE

DESTINATIONS

RACING

FEATURES

NEWS

REGATTAS

NEWSLETTER

Gamer gambles on Oyster Marine

BY ADMIN • APRIL 27, 2018 • BREAKING NEWS, HOMEMOSAIC, NEWS • COMMENTS (0) • 66

Oyster is one of the world’s largest builders of quality long-distance cruising yachts.

The first few months of 2018 have been astonishingly turbulent for one of the world’s most iconic builders of serious high-end cruising yachts, Oyster Marine. As the Düsseldorf boat show closed at the end of January the British company, which had taken a 75ft model to the exhibition, announced a record order book of some £80 million. Yet barely a week later the 40-year-old firm’s Dutch backers pulled the plug on funding.

Fortuitously there was plenty of interest in the business, allowing the administrators to sell the assets minus, we understand, the liabilities relating to an Oyster 825 that lost its keel a few years ago. The second half of February and first half of March will undoubtedly have seen many recently signed up owners whose boats were not yet scheduled to start work, reconsider their positions. However, it appears the brand is now in good hands, with an owner who is keen to emphasise that he is in it for the long-term.

First launched in 2017, the Oyster 675 is one of the latest designs in Oyster’s sixth generation models.

Richard Hadida, an entrepreneur who has made his fortune in online gaming, is a long-standing Oyster fan who has sailed extensively on Formula 1 guru Eddie Jordan’s Oyster 885 Lush. A statement by the company says: “Oyster is delighted to confirm it is now under new ownership. Richard Hadida, a British entrepreneur and founder of global software business Evolution Gaming Group and a lifelong sailor, has acquired the business with the firm commitment to re-establish Oyster as the premium designer and manufacturer of yachts in the world.”

The first example of the company’s largest model, the Oyster 118, is close to completion in Southampton, UK.

Hadida has bought all the elements of the business, including the professional services division, which provides brokerage, yacht charter and crew placement, as well as a comprehensive support and spares services for all Oyster owners. His acquisition of the brand comes after he reputedly intervened to safeguard many of the key Oyster events that take place each year, including Mediterranean, UK and Caribbean regattas, plus a well supported round the world rally.

via Gamer gambles on Oyster Marine | Yachting News Update | The Business of Boat Ownership and Marina Berths.

YACHTS

YACHT MAINTENANCE

DESTINATIONS

RACING

FEATURES

NEWS

REGATTAS

NEWSLETTER

Exploring the humble Hamble

BY ADMIN • APRIL 27, 2018 • BREAKING NEWS, DESTINATIONS, HOMEMOSAIC • COMMENTS (0) • 58

This relatively narrow and winding river is one of the jewels in the UK’s booming yachting industry. It may lack some of the glamour of the wall to wall superyachts of Palma, Mallorca, not to mention the sheer buzz of that city. However, the lower three miles of this picturesque estuary is crammed with more than 3,000 boats of all descriptions. They range from the most humble of craft to the very latest carbon fibre Grand Prix racing yachts, large luxury cruisers and ocean voyagers.

While there’s ample depth at high water, deeper draft vessels should take care closer to low tide, especially on spring lows, which occur in the early morning and late afternoon. Equally the tidal streams can run fast, which must be remembered when manoeuvring into a berth.

Much of the UK’s marine industry is based in this area, with a huge number companies in or around the half-dozen marinas. All of these have large associated boatyards at which it’s possible to get any type of work carried out. Equally, chandleries abound – there is probably a greater concentration here than anywhere else on the planet. Many are part of the well-stocked Force 4 group, which includes a very large store near the bridge at Bursledon, which restricts access to the upper reaches for sailing yachts.

Despite all this commercial activity, much of the river and the adjacent shores remain unspoilt. There is plenty of woodland, meadows and salt marsh, plus pleasant footpaths along both sides of the river. It’s worth taking a dinghy trip beyond the motorway bridge, a further half mile upstream from Bursledon, to the totally unspoiled upper reaches, adjacent to the Royal Victoria Country Park. This is best done the couple of hours before high water, when the old market town of Botley can be reached.

Hamble village itself, which is most easily accessed from Port Hamble Marina, retains its quiet old-fashioned ambience, especially on the waterfront, up the hill in the Square and along the narrow, almost traffic free, hill that connects the two. There are numerous restaurants and pubs, some with excellent views over the water. Warsash, on opposite shore, is a smaller, but still thriving village, with small shops, plus a number of pubs and restaurants, including the Rising Sun that overlooks the river and popular public slipway.

Both sides of the river are also home to a number of clubs, notably Warsash Sailing Club near the entrance on the eastern side, Hamble River Sailing Club, the RAF Yacht Club and the Royal Southern Yacht Club on the western shore.

via Exploring the humble Hamble | Yachting News Update | The Business of Boat Ownership and Marina Berths.

YACHTS

YACHT MAINTENANCE

DESTINATIONS

RACING

FEATURES

NEWS

REGATTAS

NEWSLETTER

Caribbean Regatta season overcomes adversity

BY ADMIN • APRIL 27, 2018 • BREAKING NEWS, HOMEMOSAIC, RACING, REGATTAS • COMMENTS (0) • 143

A battle for position at the start of the Racing Division in the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival © Alastair Abrehart

Despite the devastating hurricanes of 2017, this year’s Caribbean regatta season has gone ahead with little disruption, much to the relief of the communities involved. In some cases, overall numbers have been down, but long-term sailing enthusiasts who recognise the importance of re-establishing the tourist industry in the affected islands have given enthusiastic support to their favourite events. Many of these sailors travelled from across the world in the knowledge that the people and communities that have worked hard in the past to produce hugely enjoyable and rewarding regattas are now themselves in need of help and a boost to get business started again.

On one of the worst affected islands, the St Maarten Heineken Regatta took place at the end of March. Despite the devastation wreaked on the island, the event was one of the first to commit to running this year, a move that created a deadline by which to get things done, and even then, a change of venue was needed. The event attracted an impressive 100 yachts.

The new docks at Nanny Cay Marina were abuzz for the BVI Spring Regatta © Alastair Abrehart

“This regatta is massive for the island of St. Maarten, and it shows that the yachting world is leading the recovery by holding these events,” said race director Paul Miller. “One hundred boats bring in close to 4,000 people, and that’s 2,000 hotel rooms, 16,000 dinners. It all adds up and is a huge boom to the island’s economy.”

Even though the weather during the event was atypical, with unusually light westerly winds and challenging swells, there was still great racing, followed as always by a fantastic après sail scene. “On Sunday, I realized that we hadn’t run a great regatta by overcoming adversity; we had simply run a great regatta. It’s not a matter that we did it despite Irma; we just did it,” Miller added.

This regatta was followed by two further iconic events on islands that were equally badly devastated by the hurricanes. Barth’s Bucket again attracted a stunning selection of the world’s largest, and most competitive, sailing superyachts to St Bartholomew.

Competitive racing in the Bareboat class at the start of the Round Tortola Race © Alastair Abrehart

Well before the approach of Easter, it was clear that Nanny Cay Marina on the main British Virgin Island of Tortola was going to achieve what at one stage must have appeared impossible to any sane onlooker. Despite the devastation in the marina, which included scores of sunken yachts, plus havoc wreaked by airborne inverted large cruising catamarans, the facility restored enough infrastructure to host almost 70 yachts competing in the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival.

“We’re incredibly grateful to all the volunteers and people who have made this week possible,” says Race Director Judy Petz. “Nothing has changed on the water – we still have exquisite turquoise waters and beautiful white sandy beaches.”

via Caribbean Regatta season overcomes adversity | Yachting News Update | The Business of Boat Ownership and Marina Berths.

INEOS Team GB will represent Britain in the next America’s Cup

INDUSTRY DATABASE

AMERICAS CUP

Sir Ben Ainslie has signed a new backer for his 2021 America’s Cup challenge.

Manufacturing and petrochemical company INEOS has formed INEOS Team GB and committed to spending £110m in an effort to bring the trophy back to Britain for the first time since the competition was established in 1851.

Sir Ben will lead the design and build boat programme and skipper the racing yacht.

INEOS Team GB will represent the Royal Yacht Squadron’s affiliated club, Royal Yacht Squadron Racing that issued the challenge to the current holder represented by Emirates Team New Zealand.

Best sailor

“The America’s Cup is one of the world’s most competitive yacht races and Britain has never won it, despite founding the competition over 150 years ago,” said Jim Ratcliffe, INEOS chairman. “With the team we have assembled, we believe we can get a fully competitive boat to the start line. After that it’s all down to the fine art of sailing. Ben is arguably the best sailor that Britain has ever produced so we should have a fighting chance of success.”

Two boats will be built – both 75ft foiling monohulls using the latest technology and boat construction techniques.

“This is an amazing boost for British sport,” said Sir Ben. “With this significant commitment from INEOS to fully fund a two boat challenge,  Britain now has its best opportunity to bring the America’s Cup back home to Britain where it belongs.”

Grant Simmer will be the team’s CEO and chief designer is New Zealander Nick Holroyd. British Olympic gold medalist Giles Scott will be tactician.

The 36th America’s Cup will take place in 2021.

via Boating Business | New British team to contest the America’s Cup.

Trafalgar Wharf Shipyard is introducing a new business model

INDUSTRY DATABASE

TRAFALGAR WHARF

A shipyard’s new model for repairs and refits is set to benefit superyacht owners and their teams.

Portchester based Trafalgar Wharf Group is to allow owners to bring in their own repair and refit teams, rather than being tied to the shipyard operator.

“I’ve taken the shipyard back in house,” explained Jonny Boys, group MD. “Owners want to get the best price and quality from ship repair and refurbishment companies. The best way to do that is competitive tendering. There are not many shipyards where you can bring in your own independent teams, but owners want choice and the control that brings.”

He added: “Once a ship is in dock, you can’t just move it if things aren’t going well. But when you hire the shipyard only, it’s easy to make changes if a contractor isn’t performing. That’s unrivalled flexibility.”

Chris Hems has been appointed dockmaster to the 24-hour working facility.

The shipyard deals with superyachts and houseboats among other vessels.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

Facebook

LinkedIn

Twitter

PREVIOUS ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE

FEATURED NEWS

GOOD BUSINESS FOR GROUP BENETE…

27/04/18

NEW BRITISH TEAM TO CONTEST TH…

26/04/18

CLUB LINE CRUISERS’ REG NEALE …

26/04/18

LATEST PRESS RELEASES

via Boating Business | Benefits of shipyard’s new model.

The Britannica 74 features push button sailing and just three control ropes for minimum effort

INDUSTRY DATABASE

DISCOVERY YACHTS LTD

Discovery Yachts Group will launch a new boutique superyacht with push button sailing at London On-Water.

The Britannica 74 is designed to be easily handled by two people and features push button sailing and just three control ropes for minimum effort.

Sean Langdon, brainchild of the yacht and managing director of Discovery Yachts Group, said: “There was a gap in the market between what Spirit offers in terms of classic yachts and our own modern luxury market.

“The Britannica will sit firmly between these two markets as a classic yacht with all the benefits state of the art technology has to offer. And you don’t need a vast crew to sail her.”

Production on the first hull is expected to start in September, to deliver the first finished yacht in time for the Southampton Boat show in September 2019.

The launch event at St Katherine’s Dock on Friday 11 May will feature a scale model and complete designs available to view.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

Facebook

LinkedIn

Twitter

NEXT ARTICLE

FEATURED NEWS

BAVARIA YACHTS ORDERS WILL BE …

24/04/18

BENETTI LAUNCHES FAST 140’ ‘IR…

24/04/18

BAVARIA YACHTS ENTERS ADMINIST…

23/04/18

LATEST PRESS RELEASES

EXPERTS HIGHLIGHT VIABLE POWER AND PROPULSION SOLUTIONS FOR NEXT

via Boating Business | New Discovery Yachts Group model with push button sailing.

Barton Marine will display its marine-grade aluminium extruded tracks and sliding car systems at SeaworkINDUSTRY DATABASEPreviousSEAWORK INTERNATIONALBARTON MARINE EQUIPMENT LTDSEAWORK INTERNATIONALBARTON MARINE EQUIPMENT LTD Next12Barton Marine’s products on display at Seawork will include track and traveller car systems for use on commercial vessels.These marine-grade aluminium extruded tracks and sliding car systems provide lightweight and high load bearing solutions, and are available for individual customisation. Barton has specific expertise in curving track to specification, for refits, special design applications for OEM uses and for replacing existing tracking systems. The company can also increase functionality and convenience with its removable track brackets.Suzanne Blaustone, CEO, commented: “Manufactured in the UK, our line of standard or bespoke track systems and traveller cars can be used for easy movement of commercial or industrial gear, sliding roofs or deployment of loads on deck.”Product varietyOther Barton products include Industrial Snatch Blocks for moving and lifting loads from 200-350kg and the CE certified Block on a Strop, which functions as a portable lifting device for a range of equipment, loads and tools and can be easily installed, removed, and relocated when necessary.The Block is designed with a durable series seven precision ball bearing sheave block incorporated with a professionally spliced dyneema strop, which can be attached to a pole, bar, or other robust structure.Also on display will be the EasySplice rope splicer; ClamSeal for the immediate repair of inflatables; LineTamers for safely securing and organising ropes and articles on board; and VuPlex plastic cleaner, polisher and protector for instrument panels, clear windows and multiple plastic substrates.

via Boating Business | Barton Marine track and traveller car systems at Seawork.

Crewsaver is to sponsor sailor Alan Roberts as he prepares to take part in the Solitaire du Figaro

INDUSTRY DATABASE

CREWSAVER LTD

Crewsaver is to sponsor professional sailor Alan Roberts as he takes part in the Soltaire du Figaro yacht race.

As part of the two-year sponsorship deal, Alan will be provided with essential safety equipment and services, including lifejackets from Crewsaver’s Fusion 3D range – the ErgoFit 290N Extreme and Crewfit 180N Pro.

“Safety is a crucial part of Alan’s sailing campaign – we not only aim to support Alan through the supply of safety equipment but also through the essential training needed to use the equipment effectively, helping to ensure he is prepared for the tough conditions he will face in both racing and training environments,” explained Hannah Burywood, Crewsaver marketing manager.

Essentials

Alan will also be kitted out with search and recovery essentials including emergency beacons, pyrotechnics and man-overboard equipment such as a rescue sling and horseshoe buoy.

In addition, he will undertake in-depth #LifejacketSafe training covering lifejacket care and maintenance, rearming and repacking.

Alan has previously taken part in the Solitaire du Figaro and has been highest British finisher for three years running.

via Boating Business | Crewsaver sponsors Alan Roberts.

Bavaria launched its flagship C65 yacht in January

INDUSTRY DATABASE

BAVARIA YACHTS

Bavaria Yachts has filed to enter self-administration.

It is understood the administration will apply to the German boatbuilder’s monohulls but that multihull brand Nautitech, based in France and acquired by Bavaria three years’ ago will continue to operate as normal.

Bavaria started building boats 40 years’ ago in Giebelstadt in southern Germany and was the first to introduce a modern assembly line production system to boatbuilding. The company’s motor boats were launched in 2000.

In 2017 the C-Line, a ‘new generation of cruisers’ was launched with the C57. The range has grown to also include the Bavaria C45, C50 and C65, Bavaria’s flagship, that was launched in January.

The company is expected to continue to build and deliver all of its current orders. It is believed new financial backing is being sought after its US backers withdrew their support.

Last year Bavaria Yachts was awarded the Innovation in a Production Process at the METSTRADE Boatbuilder Awards for its modular construction techniques. The judges recognised the very widespread use of the company’s off-hull manufacturing techniques.

A statement from Bavaria is expected imminently.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

Facebook

LinkedIn

Twitter

NEXT ARTICLE

FEATURED NEWS

2017 PRINCESS YACHTS ORDERS EX…

12/04/18

PENDENNIS UNDERTAKES REFIT OF …

09/04/18

100% RECYCLABLE VESSEL TO RACE…

06/04/18

LATEST PRESS RELEASES

EXPERTS HIGHLIGHT VIABLE POWER AND

via Boating Business | Bavaria Yachts enters administration.

DECKSWEEPER 2 COPES WITH WIDE RANGE OF WIND CONDITIONS

HOME NEWSAFTERMARKETMASTS, SPARS, SAILS & RIGGING DECKSWEEPER 2 COPES WITH WIDE RANGE OF WIND CONDITIONS

10 Apr 2018

Email

Share

Facebook

LinkedIn

Twitter

Print

The Decksweeper 2 follows on from the original Decksweeper mainsail

INDUSTRY DATABASE

NORTH SAILS UK LTD

North Sails has continued its partnership with America’s Cup sailor Glenn Ashby to create a new sail for the A-Class catamaran.

The Decksweeper 2 follows on from the original Decksweeper mainsail, with the new version of the sail built and optimised to make full use of the high speeds that the boats are now put through, as well as coping with the lighter wind speeds when foiling is more challenging.

“Following his success at the 2018 Australian Championships, Glenn has re-defined the A-Class aero package in partnership with North Sails,” said Ian Johnson, North Sails Australia One Design expert. “The new 2018 Decksweeper has been designed for high speed sailing, with much attention being paid to the bottom loading of the sail and twist profiles.

Good range

“Overall depth and entry and exit angles have been tailored to support the sail through a large range of conditions and with a variety of mast set-ups, the sail can be set up to suit a good range of weights and wind conditions.”

The new sail has been designed with a smaller head with more sail area further down the sail.

After experimenting with a boomless option, Glenn decided having a boom was the best option for speed and foiling wind range.

A foot shelf has also been added to create an airtight seal between the trampoline and the sail.

via Boating Business | Decksweeper 2 copes with wide range of wind conditions.