Launched approximately six months ahead of schedule, the Baltic 147 is the company’s third project with American designers Reichel/Pugh. The client’s brief called for a large sailing yacht designed and engineered specifically for cruising, but with the appearance and high performance of a modern light-displacement racer.
A nearly plumb stem, graceful reverse transom and low freeboard are businesslike and graceful. Her sails, slab-reefing main and non-overlapping headsail, are set on a tall carbon-fiber mast with sweptback spreaders. Displacement is 231,000 pounds, of which 105,600 pounds is in a ballast torpedo on the keel fin. Construction in advanced composites let Baltic meet the weight target.
The interior, designed by R&J Design and Design Unlimited, includes a large saloon amidships, a spacious owner’s suite and galley aft, and two large guest cabins forward. Baltic Yachts USA, (401) 846-0300; www.balticyachts.com.
In addition to Patricia, Benetti launched the second hull in the Vision series, More. More’s interior, designed by Francois Zuretti, is more contemporary than Patricia’s and, according to the company, draws inspiration from Italian designers of the 1960s. More can accommodate 10 guests and 10 crew. She’s powered by twin 3508 Caterpillar engines.
“Project B launched last April and is the result of a collaboration between Jon Bannenberg, the yacht’s owner and Benetti. Project B is the yard’s second Bannenberg build. The gray, 164-foot hull is powered by twin 16V 4000 M90 MTU diesels. According to Benetti, her maximum speed is 22 knots and she cruises at 20. Project B is built to MCA regulations.
Benetti also launched hull number six of the Golden Bay series. Her navy blue hull is a nice change from her five predecessors. She accommodates 14 guests in seven cabins (owner’s suite, two VIP, two doubles and two twins) and is meant to cruise around the world. Her range is 3,800 nautical miles at 12 knots, and with the help of twin 398 TE 94 MTU diesels, she can reach a top speed of 18 knots. Benetti, (011) 39 0584 3821; info@benettiyachts; www.benettiyachts.it.
The Italian yard Mondomarine launched its largest megayacht, a 135-footer. Navirex created the yacht’s exterior lines, and her interior is by Aldo Cichero. She has an owner’s suite and four guest cabins. Mondomarine, (011) 39 0198 28516; campanellaspa@campanellaspa.com; www.mondomarine.it.
Perini Navi‘s latest launch, a 52-meter ketch from the drawing board of Dubois Naval Architecture & Yacht Design, combines a higher level of performance than that of the yard’s traditional yachts with all the luxury expected from this venerable builder. Squall’s moderate displacement comes from building her entirely of aluminum, instead of the steel hull and aluminum superstructure favored by the builder for its traditional yachts. Her high-aspect carbon-fiber rig (with in-boom furling and reefing) reduces weight aloft and permits an optimum sail shape for power to windward. The single-level superstructure saves weight and reduces windage. A fixed keel, instead of Perini’s folding keel, and a finer hull form further distinguish this 52-meter from the builder’s many other launches. The accommodations deck includes a full-beam master stateroom aft, plus a pair of twins and two doubles just forward off a central corridor. Perini Navi USA, (401) 683-5600; perininaviusa@efortress.com; www.perininavi.it.
Previously, the Westport shipyard was known mostly for its work in the commercial industry, but the yard is constructing a series of yachts ranging from 98 to 130 feet. A 130, ReJoyce, left the Pacific Northwest yard last winter, and Westport hopes to produce two to three of these 130s per year. ReJoyce is powered by a pair of DDC/MTU 12V diesels that propel her to a top speed of 29 knots and a cruise of 25. She has four guest staterooms and crew quarters belowdecks. Westport Shipyards, (954) 316-6364; info@westyachtsales.com; www.westportyachtsales.com.
