Pirates! (Of a Different Kind)

If you're a movie buff in addition to being a boat buff, mark your 2009 calendar for The Boat That Rocked, a film about pirate radio in the 1960's.

Not familiar with pirate radio? Picture a boat or ship of any kind, anchored off the coast and broadcasting illegally to thousands, even millions, of people back on land. It's the ultimate thumbing of the nose to the establishment of corporate- or even government-run radio, and 40-odd years ago in England, plenty of pirate radio stations broadcast to a reported 25 million people. The Boat That Rocked follows Quentin, who operated Radio Rock in the middle of the North Sea and had quite the crazy mix of DJs.

The impressive cast includes Philip Seymour Hoffman, Emma Thompson, Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, and others. Filming wrapped up in June; no specific release date set, so keep checking the link above for updates.

Desert Sand on the Sea

That's 157 feet of yacht sliding down the ways at International Shipyards Ancona (ISA). Alexandar V was launched under a hot morning sun, to great fanfare: After a shower of white confetti came down, hundreds of white and silver balloons were released into the sky.

And why not? Even the yacht's exterior color scheme celebrates being different: Her hull is painted desert sand, and her superstructure is a creamy oyster white. And inside ebony, maple, teak, and multiple marbles set a modern scene.

Powered by twin MTU 12V4000 M70s, the steel-hulled Alexandar V should achieve a 15.5-knot cruise speed and 16.7-knot top speed. After sea trials, she'll be delivered to her owner so that he and his family can enjoy the waning weeks of summer. Then she'll make her formal debut at the Monaco Yacht Show.

Clean Boating Act Now Official

You're looking at President George W. Bush signing the Clean Boating Act of 2008 yesterday. Joining him aboard Air Force One was Rep. Steven LaTourette (left) and Rep. Patrick Tiberi, both from Ohio. The bill, which was approved by Congress last week, protects more than 17 million American recreational boaters from confusing and in some cases unnecessary regulations that are more applicable to commercial vessels. (Visit BoatBlue as well as this post to get the full background details.)

White House photo: Chris Greenberg

Clean Boating Act Approved

Good news: Earlier this week both the House of Representatives and the Senate approved the Clean Boating Act, to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from instituting regulations that would result in hefty fines for recreational boaters of all kinds, even kayakers.

For 35 years recreational and commercial boats alike have been exempt from permits covering normal overboard water discharge—things like washdown and runoff water. But a few years ago, a few states sued to overturn the exemption because of ballast-water discharges releasing harmful species into local waters. They won in federal court, and as a result the EPA will be required to start enforcing permit regulations come September 30. (If you're interested in reading the permit proposals, click here.) Vessels less than 79 feet will be required to have one type of permit, while vessels 80 feet and larger will need a different permit. Unfortunately, those regulations don't distinguish recreational boats from commercial ones, even though ballast-tank-equipped vessels aren't the same as runabouts, sportfishermen, and yachts. (And yes, kayaks were included in the regulations—canoes and PWCs as well.)

Thankfully, several Congressmen and Congresswomen recognized this just didn't make sense and sponsored the Clean Boating Act bill. As Chuck Schumer, the senator from New York who cosponsored the bill, said to a group of boaters in the Finger Lakes, "It's time to toss this ill-advised regulation overboard."

Next step: getting President George Bush's signature. Considering he's an active boater, as is his father, here's hoping he picks up his pen soon.

To follow further developments and read more about how the bill and regulations came about, visit BoatBlue.

Fountain Powerboats Expanding

With boat sales slowing down and some boatbuilders laying off staff, the news in the marine world has been pretty bleak as of late. So the announcement yesterday that Fountain Powerboats is about to undergo a multimillion-dollar expansion is welcome indeed.

Fountain received a Job Development Investment Grant from the state of North Carolina, which is intended to create 250 jobs over the next few years and invest $12 million in its operations over the same time period. Reggie Fountain, founder and CEO of Fountain, says the goal is to bring Baja Marine, which he recently acquired from Brunswick, into the same factory where the rest of his boats are built.

"In effect, we will be the largest sportboat builder in the world when we get things going with Baja," Fountain told the Washington Daily News. "Between Fountain and Baja, we will be producing more than $100 million per year when we get going. That is conservative. I expect we will do more."

Maybe he'll get former President George Bush to take a look at the new line—although considering Bush Sr. just took delivery of his third Fountain, a 38 Center Console named Fidelity IV, an extra spin around the harbor might be called for.

Not Niagra, But Close

Last December in our annual Destinations section, I wrote about how nothing compares to New York City. Well, if you need further proof, there are four manmade waterfalls around town that you really can't appreciate unless you get up close to them by boat.

That's what I did Sunday; I took the photo here of the waterfall beneath the Brooklyn Bridge. The other three are west of the Brooklyn Heights promenade in Brooklyn, just north of the Manhattan Bridge in Manhattan, and at Governor's Island (near the Statue of Liberty). They're actually an art exhibit, and the water is pumped straight from the East River, cascading 90 to 120 feet back down into the river.

To learn about the art project, which runs through October, click here. You can visit them day or night; I definitely plan to go back at night to take more pictures, since they're lit up. If you live and boat in this area, make The Waterfalls a must-see. If you'll be visiting The Big Apple but without your boat, never fear; you can charter a boat from Surfside 3 marina in the Chelsea neighborhood.

Mad About Mariner's Docking Game

Today is one of those days where I really need to walk away from my Mac and do something else. Because if I sit here any longer, I will become completely consumed by Mad Mariner's docking game.

Using your keyboard's arrow keys, you maneuver the boat of your choice to the docking area. Simple, right? Not if you novices forget to keep your eyes out for shallow water (marked by light-blue areas), buoys, and other boats. Thankfully the first times you play, winds and current are light, so you don't have too many curveballs thrown your way.

How'd I do? Let's just say my first try was a "close but no cigar" situation: I clipped a boat at the dock. But I chalk that up to not having had enough coffee, since it's still morning.

Prepare for Panama

Plenty of anglers know about the waters off Panama, but how about you cruisers? A new marina breaking ground this summer might just be the excuse you need to go check the country out. Palacio Del Mar, a Six Diamond Resort International property, will feature a marina with more than 100 berths as well as a yacht club.

Located in Bocas Del Toro (see photo), an archipelago on the northwestern coast of Panama, Palacio Del Mar will be bordered by a rainforest as well as a placid bay. The marina will feature floating concrete docks, 24-hour security, customs assistance, fueling, Wi-Fi, electrical service up to 100 amps, fish-cleaning services, sailing and fishing charter services, and more. While a restaurant will also be steps away from the docks, the yacht club will feature additional dining options. (It will also have a billiards room and library.)

Should you wish to linger longer, Palacio Del Mar will also feature residences ranging from one to three bedrooms.

Captivated by Cape May

Living in New Jersey means I have more than 100 miles of coastline to enjoy. And I definitely enjoyed myself last weekend along the state's southernmost coastline: Cape May. I took the photo above during HarborFest, a celebration of the city's proximity to and relationship with the sea. As you can see, there were plenty of booths, and of course there was plenty of seafood. (I'm still waxing poetic to friends and family about the scallop wrap I had for lunch there. Three words: to die for.) The evening before I arrived, there was even a blessing-of-the-waters ceremony and a rededication of a beautiful memorial to local fishermen who've been lost at sea.

A lot of the activity during HarborFest took place in and around the Nature Center, which offered everything from hands-on learning exhibits for kids to eco-kayak tours. And coincidentally, a big group of Sea Ray owners were enjoying a rendezvous at South Jersey Marina, just a few blocks away, so they mixed and mingled with the rest of us.

Look for more information about Cape May in my story appearing in our December issue's special destinations section.

Mega Madness

We just wrapped up "The Power & Motoryacht 100," our annual compendium of the largest private yachts in the world, which you'll be seeing in your mailbox in about a month's time. Until then, I thought I could whet your appetite for what's become our most popular issue with some more video footage of these mega-beauties. Here's one I found on YouTube, shot on New Year's Eve. You'll get good looks at Lone Ranger, Rising Sun, and particularly Octopus.

You'll also see Mine Games—which despite being a healthy 164 feet LOA is a good 40 feet too small for the list.

Enjoy!

Vroomin' Around With Vripack

Last week I got the grand tour of what's often called the Yacht Valley in Holland, thanks to HISWA, the Dutch maritime federation. For such a small country, it's amazing how chockful it is of boatbuilders (production and megayacht alike), naval architects, gear companies, and more.

One of the most enjoyable visits was to Vripack, the naval architecture and brokerage firm. I've known the Vripack team for several years, yet I'm always amazed at how many projects and services it tackles at once. The walls were plastered with a dizzying array of profile drawings, G.A.s (a.k.a. deck plans), interior designs, and even engineering drawings. Marnix Hoekstra, who's both the firm's sales director and one of its naval architects, explained how Vripack works closely with builders all over the world, both renowned and unknown, to ensure their boats perform properly.

But instead of simply pointing to drawings and computer monitors to make his point, Hoekstra also arranged for us to experience a ride aboard the Wajer Osprey 37, which Vripack designed for Wajer Watersport, a Dutch builder that emerged on the world scene earlier this decade. The 38-knot boat carves turns like she's on rails and handles like a dream, thanks to Volvo Penta IPS drives and a deep-V hull shape.

But don't just take my word for it—watch her go in this video that I shot. (And if that whets your appetite for more, J&J Marine Yacht Group in Massachusetts is the U.S. dealer.)

Prop Thieves

Is nothing sacred?

A pair of spare propellers for the royal yacht Britannia was stolen from a warehouse in England. According to published reports, the seven-foot-diameter props were somehow hoisted and removed from the building at the Leith Docks, where Britannia is berthed, last Monday, June 2.

How the heck anyone was able to sneak in unnoticed with heavy-duty lifting equipment and trucks is the pressing question. As to what the thieves would do with such a load, some news reports have speculated the props, which are estimated to be worth about $14,000 each, will be sold on the black market, where there's high demand for some metals.

Exciting Change

Would you expect a yacht like this:

to come from a yard famous for yachts like this?

Well, get used to it: Jongert is entering the motoryacht market.

Actually, the Dutch builder is re-entering the market. When it was established in the 1950's, it built motoryachts, around 65 feet or so. But over the past few years, the yard's management team decided that because motorized megayachts are by far more popular than sailing ones, it made sense to tap into those roots again.

So the rendering at the top of this post is the result. Called the 3900, she'll measure 39 meters, or a little less than 120 feet LOA. Her sporty style comes from the drawing boards of two companies, Guido de Groot and Azure Naval Architects; it's a bit hard to see in this drawing, but her hardtop will have a multipanel skylight, adding to her appeal. Also appealing is her anticipated top speed: 30 knots, which the build and design teams are confident they'll attain, thanks to extensive tank tests.

I got a sneek peek today at the semidisplacement aluminum hull taking shape, as I'm in Holland touring several shipyards. In talking with Jongert's team, I sensed great excitement about this project and about future motor-megayachts as well (details of which can't yet be divulged, as contracts aren't yet signed). While the owner of the 3900 will have to wait until summer 2009 to take delivery, something tells me the shipyard will have a few more motoryacht announcements to make well before that.

Win This Game!

If you like board games or are just a collector of cool stuff, check this out. It's a board game developed in 1986 by Sparkman & Stephens, in which each player embarks on a yacht race around the world. And it's yours to win.

Before I tell you how to win it, of course, I'm sure you'll want to know how to play the game. The two-inch-tall pieces that players move around the board are classic S&S racing and cruising designs, crafted in pewter. The game also comes with 360 cards, each with six questions about seamanship, navigation, yachting trivia, and equipment. Naturally each correct answer means you can advance around the board, where spaces are represented by waves. (The racing yachts can only occupy blue waves, while cruising yachts occupy the white waves.) There's even a lot to keep a record of competitors, dates, and margins of victory—a true sailor's approach.

So how do you win? Send an e-mail to info@sparkmanstephens.com with the subject line "Game Raffle," complete with your name, address, and telephone winner. Two lucky people will be chosen by Sparkman & Stephens.

Good luck!

Sigma Sighting

Okay, so the music in this video is a bit much, but there's something undeniably hypnotic about it in combination with the singular (and yes, even strange) styling of the yacht Sigma showcased. Unless you've been living under a rock or have somehow otherwise escaped the Internet insanity, you'll recall that Sigma is one of the most hotly debated and highly anticipated megayacht deliveries of the year. People either applaud or are appalled by her design. Personally it ain't my cup of tea, but then again, if I were building a custom yacht, I'd make sure she truly embraced every definition of "custom."

Watch the video, and let me know what you think of her. You'll also find out more about Sigma when our August issue arrives in your mailbox, since she's on our Power & Motoryacht 100 list of the world's largest yachts.

A Hull of a Trip

There's nothing like a photo of a bare hull being transported from one build shed to another to give you a good idea of just how big it is. You're looking at CRN's steel hull number 125, a 59-meter (about 194-foot) project.

CRN builds its steel hulls in a separate building than the one where aluminum superstructures are assembled. In the coming weeks a portion of the superstructure for this project will be joined to the hull, and the entire structure will remain in the same shed until launch day.

While not much information has been released yet about the yacht, we do know that her Italian owner has requested some "innovative" ideas, according to the yard, for the tender-stowage area as well as for the movement of the tender itself within the garage. And like a few CRNs delivered within the past year or so, she'll feature a stern beach platform.

Delivery is set for 2010.

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

As I write this, the entire Power & Motoryacht staff has gathered in beautiful Newport, Rhode Island, for our annual strategy meetings—except we're not out on the water, we're indoors. In conference rooms. Without windows.

But it's actually a good thing, because for the past two days, it's been raining cats and dogs. And in general, these strategy meetings turn out to be great for us and for you, so you can imagine how much more productive we'll be without distractions of boats bobbing on the water. We're brainstorming new article ideas and designs, new content for our Web site, etc. In fact, a big focus this week is the redesign we're planning for powerandmotoryacht.com.

The powers that be are keeping us editors pretty busy through Friday, so we likely won't get a chance to blog much. But know that when we're back, we'll have more to share with you.

That is, if we can get home without having to build an ark first...

Icon-ic Build

If you've received a copy of the new May issue of Power & Motoryacht, no doubt you've read the "Design Portfolio" about a relatively new megayacht builder, Icon Yachts. Icon is a Dutch yard that, among other things, is constructing yachts on a modular basis and with set hull forms and machinery-space layouts. These, the yard's management firmly believes, speed up build time and result in other efficiencies.

Yet another example of the efficiencies: Every hole down to 15mm was already cut in the steel of these 62-meter vessels, Hull nos. 1 and 2, when the hull plates were cut, instead of waiting until the structure was assembled.

Meanwhile, work on Hull no. 3 is underway at one of Icon's subcontractors.

Safe Boaters Wanted!

If you're the kind of boater who always makes sure your guests know proper behavior onboard and what to do in an emergency, then the National Boating Safety Advisory Council (NBSAC) can use your help. The U.S. Coast Guard is presently seeking people to fill some open positions on the council's board.

Just because you're a Regular Joe, don't think you can't get involved. In fact, the NBSAC is comprised of members of the general public as well as representatives from the boating industry, national recreational-boating organizations, and state-level departments responsible for boating-safety programs. The council works closely with the Coast Guard and in turn with the Secretary of Homeland Security on federal regulations and other matters relating to boating safety.

For further information, or to download an application, click here.

Ethanol Lawsuit

If a federal class-action lawsuit filed earlier this week eventually succeeds, Big Oil will pay big bucks for what the plaintiffs claim is deliberate misinformation regarding ethanol.

The suit seeks to represent boat owners who have fiberglass fuel tanks and who filled them with ethanol-blended gasoline from a California retailer. The suit also seeks to represent all California residents who own boats with a fiberglass fuel tank that had to be replaced because of damage caused by ethanol-blended gasoline bought from a California retailer.

Kabateck Brown Kellner, the lead firm on the case, claims that when Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) was banned in many states in 2004 because of environmental concerns, ExxonMobil, Chevron, and other oil companies selected ethanol as an octane-booster replacement. However, the lawsuit further states, consumers weren't educated about the differences between MTBE and ethanol-mixed gasoline, nor were they informed about "the disastrous effects ethanol has on fiberglass marine fuel tanks." Ethanol dissolves the resin and therefore the tank, and eventually the boat's engine and other systems are affected, since the dissolved resin enters the fuel system.

The lawsuit also states that ethanol-blended gasoline harms the environment due to phase separation, in which water attracted by ethanol remains in the bottom of the fuel tank while the gasoline floats to the top. "The environment pays the price for Exxon and Chevron's deception each time a damaged fuel tank leaks gasoline into the water," says Brian Kabateck, managing partner of Kabateck Brown Kellner.

BP, Shell, Valero, Tesoro, ConocoPhillips, Tower Energy, PetroDiamond, and Big West were also named in the lawsuit.