The Devil's in the Details

How much does a yacht really change in the design stage? Dramatically, in some cases, as illustrated by these renderings from Laurent Giles Naval Architects. Project 6H, the result of a collaboration with Peter Insull's Yacht Marketing, evolved over an eight-month research, design, and development program. What started out as a 148-foot expedition yacht with four decks (see Style A) became a 171-foot yacht with a much different profile, particularly forward and aft (see Style B and C, then the final design at the bottom).



Note the high freeboard forward; unlike some hybrid yachty-expedition styles, this one doesn't hide its rugged roots. Note also the signature Laurent Giles element, the dramatic downward curve to the transom. The silver and white paint scheme complements the bold design.

Look for more information in my "Megayachts" column in May.

Class Action Lawsuit

According to Boating-Industry.com and Detroit News , a national class-action lawsuit has been filed against Caterpillar Inc., in reponse to more than 7,000 allegedly defective engines produced since 1996.

The suit alleges certain Caterpillar engines contain defective aftercoolers, which allow water to enter the engines and mix with fumes, resulting in severe corrosion and engine failure, sometimes involving the engine exploding, the newspaper reported.

Caterpillar denies the allegations.

"We have requested an appeal of the certification decision," company spokeswoman Anne Leanos said in a prepared statement Friday quoted in the article. "We will continue to defend the case vigorously."

The main focus of the suit is the Caterpillar 3196, which the company has described as the ideal engine for yachts 40 to 60 feet long, according to the newspaper.

The suit was brought by Detroit businessman James Jaikins, who alleges that his Riviera 48 yacht contained two Caterpillar 3196 engines when a 2003 engine explosion and failure nearly stranded him between Florida and the Bahamas.

Jaikins says that when he started talking to other boat owners, he found his experience was not unique, alleging problems with the engines are the subject of widespread "dock talk" and are documented on Internet boat forums, the newspaper reported.

Jaikins’ attorney, Nathan Resnick, said the lawsuit was “a major consumer protection case—huge," according to the newspaper.

The Detroit News says that damages could exceed $100 million.

Global Explorer

I received an e-mail today from Ron Holland, who is collaborating with Cheoy Lee on an exciting expedition yacht called the Marco Polo project. (See the Cheoy Lee 45-Meter Marco Polo design portfolio article we published a few months ago.)


He attended the sea trial last week, which went quite well; in fact, he says it met their highest expectations:

"The variable-pitch propeller and different power settings allow us to fine tune and confirm our original goals for long-distance fuel-efficiency operation (long-distance range will be over 6,000 NM!). We were also able to verify Marco Polo's handling and manoeuvring capability (bow and stern thruster control) and the unique "get home" capability of the forward Schottel Vector drive system (which is one of Marco Polo's outstanding unique safety features, without comparison in existing yachts)."

The yacht will be handed over to her owner in Hong Kong in July. More photos and a full feature story to come later this year in the pages of PMY.

Welcome to Wally World

I've heard of motherships, but this takes the cake.

Wally has a proposal for a 99-meter (325-foot) yacht that features all the accommodations you'd expect of a megayacht along with deck areas large enough to stow tenders in the 40-foot range (WallyPowers, of course), land a handful of helicopters, and/or serve as everything from a tennis court to a garden area with a swimming pool.

Dubbed WallyIsland, the yacht features Azipod propulsion, zero-speed stabilizers, and a nearly 200,000-gallon fuel capacity. Wally claims a 15,000-NM range at a 16-knot cruising speed, putting essentially any destination within reach.



The superstructure, as you can see, is flushed aft, purposely designed to resemble an airport control tower. With no fairing or painting, the steel vessel has a decidedly commercial look.



Inside is quite another story, of course: a saloon; dining/gaming room; library; cinema room; spa (complete with gym); and an owner's suite plus six double-size king guest suites that can, if necessary, be transformed into 12 guest suites.

Imagine the possibilities—and the envious looks from other owners.

Safety Alert: Viking Life-Raft Product Recall

Viking Life-Saving Equipment A/S is recalling certain serial numbers of its RescYou life rafts due to potential problems with their pressure relief valves.

The relief valve's supplier, Thanner & Co., has informed Viking that problems with its OTS 65-type valve could prevent the life raft from inflating properly. As a precautionary measure, Viking recommends that all Thanner OTS 65 valves used in RescYou liferafts should be checked and replaced if necessary; the company will replace the valves for free.

Visit Viking Yachting or call (877) 848-1057 for further information.