Emirates Team New Zealand have splashed their new AC50 in Auckland this morning and revealed another break-though.

In the 2013 America's Cup the team designed the first foiling catamaran even though that concept was not contemplated in the rules. It was widely reckoned that they revealed their secret too early and other teams were able to copy in the time available.

Instead of conventional grinding pedestals the AC50 features cycle grinding pedestals ('pedalstals') which allow the crew to use their more powerful leg muscles to grind and provide the power for the AC50 systems.

All other teams have used conventional arm driven grinding pedestals which are a lot less effective, cannot be driven for extended periods at a high heart rate, and use a much weaker muscle group. The bonus for Emirates Team New Zealand is that they have four grinding positions per side, while the other teams have two - but with two grinders on each.

The use of cycle pedestals where the crews pedal to provide the power are not new; they were tried in the 12 Metre Class in 1977 by the Swedish Challenger, Sverige. In that use, the crews were mostly below decks, which also reduced windage.

>  >  >  Read complatete article with images on Sailworld  | February 15, 2017  ||

FEBRUARY 13, 2017 — All American Marine, Inc. (AAM), Bellingham, WA, who are Teknicraft Design's North American builder have won a contract to build a 600-passenger aluminum monohull passenger vessel for San Francisco's Red and White Fleet.

To be christened Enhydra, the vessel will be 128 ft long with a molded beam of 30 ft and will be the first aluminum hulled, Lithium-Ion battery-electric hybrid vessel built from the keel up under U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter K passenger vessel regulations and the latest guidelines for structural fire protection.

All American Marine partnered with BAE Systems to design and integrate the complete battery electric hybrid system. BAE Systems will supply a HybriDrive Propulsion System that includes a generator, control system, and AC electric traction motor. The generator will mount to a variable speed Cummins QSL9 diesel engine developing 410 hp at 2,100 rpm.

The motor generator offers diesel-electric operation of the AC traction motor which is coupled directly to the propulsion shaft. With this configuration, torque is immediately available for the propeller and the speed can be precisely controlled without the need for a reduction gear.

The hybrid system will also incorporate battery power from two 80 kWh Lithium-ion battery packs with Corvus Energy's next generation Orca Energy batteries.

The BAE HybridDrive system automatically utilizes full electric battery operation at slower speeds and when maneuvering in and out of the harbor, at higher speeds, the generator will automatically engage and augment the additional power demands of the traction motor.

The battery system is sufficient to meet the entire demand of the vessel's hotel load while at the same time providing silent and emission-free operation of the propulsion system during an evening sunset cruise.

"We are very pleased with the team All American Marine has put together to deliver this unique vessel and are eager for our guests to experience San Francisco Bay from the silent decks of the Enhydra in 2018," said Red and White Fleet's Vice President of Operations, Joe Burgard. "We see the propulsion configuration on the Enhydra as phase one in our move toward the full electrification of our fleet. Stay tuned for phase two."

Enhydra is specifically designed for harbor tours of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. Guests on board Enhydra will be able to experience amazing views of the bay and cityscape from each of the three decks, complete with their own convenient snack bar.

The second level offers a full wrap around viewing deck with access to the enlarged bow foredeck. The top deck is completely open and offers ample outdoor seating.

"All American Marine is pleased to have been chosen to construct this innovative new vessel for Red & White Fleet and we are proud to offer a hybrid propulsion system that truly works with instant and tangible benefits," says Joe Hudspeth, AAM's Vice President of Business Development.

AAM's latest contract follows an earlier announcement made by the shipyard of a construction agreement for a 500 passenger aluminum monohull tour boat for Argosy Cruises of Seattle, WA.

Argosy will take delivery of its vessel in the late fall and the Red and White Fleet will receive its new craft in the late spring of 2018.

Both Red and White and Argosy were originally pursuing construction contracts for steel monohulls, but AAM was successfully able to demonstrate considerable savings in construction and maintenance costs with an aluminum design, while ensuring delivery of a robust and solid hull structure.

The contracts bode well for AAM, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary and is in the process of moving into a brand new purpose-built shipbuilding facility at Squalicum Harbor.

|  An AMM release  |  February 13, 2017  ||

The stability of a catamaran design has found its way into a new very practical application in the form of a yacht tender with an innovative lightweight design from New Zealand now being represented by Multihull Central.

The Takacat dinghies range from 2.4m to 3.8m with either an open bow or closed tapered bow and are designed to save weight, offer superior stability and are an affordable alternative to the regular cumbersome RIBs currently available for cruisers.

Thanks to the large pontoons on each side, the Takacat doesn’t lean over and become unstable like traditional dinghies and drives well through all conditions due to the floats also providing the hull shape. New technology in inflatable design also means you can have a lightweight floor (bridgedeck) that is both firm when in use, but compact when deflated.

The entire boat can fit into just a couple of small bags, making it ideal to transport or stow onboard for passages and weighing in at half the weight of a aluminum RIB, your performance won’t be compromised either.

Multihull Central will have the range of Takacats available to purchase soon online and are currently on display at our Sydney marina and will be soon on display at the upcoming boat shows including the Gold Coast Marine Expo and Sanctuary Cove Boat Shows.

Read more at http://www.mysailing.com.au/boats/takacat-a-lightweight-tender-to-be-distributed-by-multihull-central#RWGqTy7cLsxEJGoa.99

Suez Canal traffic data showed that 213 ships transited the canal, with a total load of 12m tonnes, from 11 to 15 December.  An average of 42.6 ships transited the canal per day during that period, with an average load of 2.4m tonnes per day. The average load per ship was about 56,340 tonnes during that period.

Compared to July 2015, before the inauguration of the New Suez Canal, the average daily number of transiting vessels totaled 47 vessels, with an average load of 2.758m tonnes per day.

Three major container ships—the Danish vessels Mayview Maersk, Malta’s Tihalma, and the Marshal Islands Gener8 Chiotis—transited the canal carrying 200,000 tonnes each.

The number of vessels that passed coming from the west through the northern entrance was 113 vessels, with a daily average of 22.6 vessels, and a total load of 0.8m tonnes, recording a daily average of 1.36m tonnes.

Meanwhile, 100 ships transited the new channel coming from the south, with a daily average of 20 vessels, and a total load of 5.2m tonnes, recording a daily average of 1.04m tonnes.

The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) announced last week a decline in the canal’s revenues over the fiscal year (FY) of 2015/2016 to $5.1bn—a drop of 4.5% from FY 2014/2015, in which revenues amounted to $5.4bn.

The cargo load is the main measure for shipping traffic in the Suez Canal and the calculated transit fees.

|  Port News  |  Dec 19, 2016  |

A new tug designed specifically for Port Taranaki’s needs will be built and on the water in 2018.

A contract with Turkish tug-building company Sanmar Shipyards was signed late last month after months of investigation by Port Taranaki staff.

“We had a number of proposals from shipyards on specifications we had developed,” said Port Taranaki marine engineering supervisor Grant Squire. “We shortlisted three in China, Singapore and Turkey and made yard visits of each. This solution is a standard design with limited modification to meet our operating needs.”

The tug will replace the Kupe, which at 45 years is the oldest of Port Taranaki’s three tugs and was bought second hand from the Wellington port company, CentrePort. The Kupe will be put up for sale and released after the new tug is in operation.

“The Kupe has served us well but the design is now obsolete and the vessel was getting quite old,” Mr Squire said.

The new 25m in-harbour tractor tug will be the first build of a new line of tugs by Sanmar Shipyards, and based on a design by leading tug designer Robert Allan, of Canada. The state-of-the-art tug will include Caterpillar engines, Rolls-Royce propellers, and an electric towing winch by DMT. It will boast three two-berth cabins and will be operated by three people.

“A tractor tug has the propellers at the front,” said Mr Squire. “It allows for better handling for the type of rugged conditions we have on the west coast.”

The tug has a maximum bollard pull in excess of 65 tonnes, which is now the industry norm as larger vessels dominate. Port Taranaki’s other tugs, the Tuakana and Rupe, have a bollard pull of 40 tonnes and 29 tonnes respectively.

Mr Squire, who led the project, was impressed with the quality of Sanmar’s work – the company has built more than 170 tugs in 40 years of operation – and said their quality management and health and safety standards stood out.

Port Taranaki chief executive Guy Roper said the company was looking forward to having a new tug with greater power and state-of-the-art equipment join the fleet.

“A number of staff have worked very hard investigating the best design and manufacturer for the tug we require. We are very pleased with the result and are looking forward to having the tug on the water. It is a significant investment with a project budget of $12m.”

The new tug is expected to be completed by February 2018 and in operation at Port Taranaki in May 2018. Mr Squire will make regular visits to Turkey to oversee the build. The tug has a lifespan of 25-30 years.

A name for the tug will be decided closer to the time of its completion.

| A port Taranaki release | Dec 08, 2016 |

Yachting New Zealand has selected after an in depth design process the Lancer RK5000 “Ultimate Support Boat” as their new coach boat for their development programs.

From the outset of the project it was clear that modern sailing has put even greater demand on support vessels than is currently available. Lancer Industries Ltd and Yamaha Motor New Zealand who are long term suppliers to Yachting New Zealand, have teamed up to create a RIB package that will perform to these high standard requirements.

Lancer drew on the extensive knowledge of coaches, fleet managers and experts to create three key requirements; safe sea keeping, ease of operations and ergonomics. Consistent feedback was that many existing coach boats were recreational craft adapted for coaching and were simply a compromise.

The Lancer and Yamaha package is clearly the result of a customer led design. The unique hull has a long fine bow entry which leads to fixed lift tabs on the transom. This will really assist operation as the majority of work is done at low speeds and RPM, where the 60hp four stroke Yamaha has excellent torque.

A challenge was set by a user group for ‘Clean Decks’ but with a twist, everything below deck had to have good access, and no fixed fuel tank. This has led to a clever straddle seat that opens to a locker capable of storing two Yamaha 24 litre fuel tanks. There are many benefits, weight is low and well balanced, maintenance will have excellent access and all lines or cables commonly found on the decks of coach boats are hidden

The pedestal console used on the RK5000 is a well proven model used in the last two Olympic campaigns on Yamaha powered Lancer RIBS. More ergonomic consumer led design can be found in the placement of grab handles and stash bags so equipment is easy to reach and safety is increased.

The RK5000 is finished off with Lancer’s 3T designed hypalon tubes that allow for more contour and shape to create a fuller bow. Lancer’s inflatables tubes have a legendary status of longevity and reliability which reduces the true cost of ownership.

The first RK5000 is set to be launched for the ISAF Youth Worlds on 14-18 December with a more to follow. This is a very fitting debut for a RIB designed to excel in these conditions.

08 December 2016

Hanse is the German yacht brand that has rocketed the Hanse Group and Team Windcraft in Australia to success over the past couple of decades. The upward trend looks set to continue thanks to a recent 12 million Euro investment in new manufacturing technology by the Hanse Group and the launch of the newly designed Hanse 8 series.

The brain-child of Michael Schmidt, who won the Admrial’s cup in 1985, Hanses were always going to be sailors' boats. Hanse says many experienced yacht sailors choose Hanse because of "the responsive handling and superb sailing experience". Schmidt favours the high aspect rig plan with a large mainsail and a smaller headsail. The trademark Hanse original self-tacking headsail is intrinsic to the overall yacht design and has been widely copied over the years.Team Windcraft says the wide range of sizes from 31 to 67 feet means there is a Hanse yacht for everyone from beginners and entry level sailors right through to experienced and blue water cruisers and racing sailors.

According to Team Windcraft’s Mary Bickley: “The Hanse 455 is the boat of the moment with over 200 now launched worldwide. We placed four into New Zealand alone during the recent Auckland boat show. Our owners love the huge cockpit and the fact that this boat sails so fast.

“The fun and sporty Hanse 315 is proving so popular with new sailors that we’ve created a unique beginner's package to include first year essentials like sailing and berthing lessons, safety training and servicing.

“And at the other end of the spectrum, we’re also really excited about the new Hanse 588 - the first of the new Hanse 8 series. New features include a powerful new sail plan, more windows than ever and a newly designed ultra-modern interior. The first images have just been released and it looks simply magnificent.

“I’ve always loved the Hanse brand, but this a particularly exciting time to be working with these wonderful boats.”

The large Hanse yachts are setting the benchmark for production yachts worldwide with the flagship 675 offering an opportunity for owners looking for an affordable superyacht. Team Windcraft is Hanse’s biggest global dealer in the larger boats and is consistently responsible for 7-8% of The Hanse Group’s turnover. This is an impressive achievement considering the small population of Australia and New Zealand compared to the USA and Europe.