Feadship Superyacht Future Concept BREATHE at Monaco Yacht Show

In a recent press release Feadship tantalized the yachting industry with their announcement to unveil the virtual futuristic concept yacht BREATHE at the Monaco Show. Feadship describes BREATHE as a radical yacht that integrates the models, systems and processes in nature to achieve the next generation in forward-thinking design.

Shipbuilders are continually striving to build more environmentally friendly yachts and Feadship implies a quantum leap in this direction with BREATHE. Feadship apparently intends to keep all details under wraps until the Monaco Yacht Show, which runs from September 22-25, where this bio-inspired concept yacht is certain to attract much attention. Visit the Feadship stand at GT3 on the central T-jetty to catch a glimpse of the virtual future of yachting. For information on Boatbookings environmentally friendly charters please see Green Chartering – Low Carbon Emissions Charter

New for the Yacht: Thermal Night Vision Cameras


FLIR thermal cameras are fast becoming ubiquitous in the marine industry, providing images for a variety of applications from footage on the TV series ‘Deadliest Catch’ to human scanners onboard cruise ships designed to detect disease.

The T300 and T400 Series thermal navigation cameras, which will be available as of today, allow boaters to navigate safely and confidently, seeing obstructions, buoys, and other vessels in total darkness or foul weather conditions.

The cameras can be fully integrated into the navigation system at the helm for easy access to imagery alongside the chartplotter, fishfinder, and radar navigation displays. The optional remote joystick control unit allows captains to navigate with thermal imagery from the main helm, or a remote navigation station.

The T300 Series thermal navigation cameras offer a single thermal imaging sensor while the T400 Series (pictured above) features both a thermal imaging camera, and a high-performance lowlight video camera. The marine-grade enclosure provides 360°pan and 90° tilt capability for complete coverage from horizon to horizon.

Kingship to Reveal New Projects at Monaco Yacht Show

Superyacht builder Kingship is set to reveal details about cutting-edge new designs at the Monaco Yacht Show. The Hong Kong shipyard is working with Donald Starkey and Azure Naval Architects in the design and development of a 156-foot megayacht. The profile reflects a striking yet subtle juxtaposition of classic and futuristic lines. While plumb bow hull design is a recent trend, it actually originated in classic commuter yacht design.

The plumb bow, circular port lights on the forward main deck and sweeping sheer line are reminiscent of the Golden Age of yachting. These elements integrated with a very futuristic dynamism of exterior styling succeed in producing what Kingship terms a œmodern gentleman’s yacht.

The general arrangement features six suites, spacious lounges and plentiful deck spaces for entertaining including a partially shaded sun deck with a bar/dining area and sizeable Jacuzzi on the forward sunning area.

Kingship also raises the bar on efficient long-range explorers, an increasingly popular alternative to the classic white yacht. The HT116’Explorer reaches a maximum speed of 13 knots with a 7,000Nm range. Two additional models in the series, a 148-footer and an 87-footer, are new versions that vary little other than in size. All three incorporate a novel stabilization system at anchor based on two non-retractable fins.

Oceanco Yacht's Project Y708: Slated for World's Top 100 in 2012

Oceanco continues to push the envelope with futuristic superyacht designs distinguished by never-before-seen features and environmentally conscious engineering. Designed by Russian prodigy Igor Lobanov, Oceanco's 280 ft Project Y708 is no exception.

The ultramodern profile is intended to impart a sense of motion, even when the yacht is at rest, an illusion attributed to the aesthetic continuity of the elegantly angular, beveled superstructure. Exterior spaces include a magnificent 20' x 12' infinity pool that converts to a helipad, a feature first introduced in 2007 on Oceanco's award-winning 267' Alpha Nero, currently available for charter through Boatbookings.com.

Among many spectacular architectural features on Y708 are private guest balconies on each deck and owner’s compartments that incorporate two private decks with whirlpool and sunbathing area, bedroom suite, salon and study. Sweeping aft decks that include a beach club with guest sea terrace further expand voluminous interior spaces characteristic of Oceanco's Y-series.

In the last decade Oceanco has launched several distinguished yachts acclaimed for both innovative architectural design and cutting edge technology. At the Asia Boating Awards this May, Oceanco's fourth in the Y-series 280' Vibrant Curiosity was awarded Best Custom-Built Yacht. Among her many notable features is a three story sweeping vertical expanse of glass amidships.

Oceanco Yachts in the Y-series earn a place among the world's top 100 superyachts, including charter yachts 262' Amevi (Y701), 267' Alfa Nero (Y702) and 245' Anastasia (Y703), each designed to accommodate 12 guests. Please contact Boatbookings.com for charter information on these spectacular superyachts, and continue to check boatbloggings.com for updates on Project Y708, scheduled for delivery in 2012.

Specifications:

LOA: 280 ft

Beam: 49 ft

Draft Full Load: 13 ft

Fuel: 73,968 Gal. Engines: 2 x MTU 20V 4000

Stabilizers: Rolls-Royce retractable zero-speed stabilization

Please see Oceanco yachts for charter.

iPad for Yachting update – more apps and even a waterproof cover!

When the iPad was released, we immediately thought that it would be a great tech tool for yachting (See “iPad for Yachting, We Say Yes!“), and Apple clearly have a success on their hands given that they’ve already sold 3 million units.  We tested a few of the iPhone apps on the iPad and they do indeed benefit from the speed and larger screen of the iPad.  The Navionics Nautical Charts app is a shining exmple – the app works great on an iPhone, but the larger iPad screen really makes the charts come alive, and they refresh amazingly quickly.  We’re also seeing daily that more marine iPhone apps are being upgraded to work properly on the iPad.  We are keeping a regularly updated list of iPhone and iPad yachting apps on the Boatbookings site. Please let us know if you discover any great new yachting apps!

But if the iPad is going to be successful on yachts, it has to have a waterproof case. We’re happy to say that we’ve discovered one made by TrendyDigital called the Waterproof Waterguard. It’s a plastic cover that lets you use the touch screen and all the controls of the iPad.  And the best news is that it only costs $19.95 – definitely worth it to protect your iPad!