CLOSE
Authors Posts by PBN Staff

PBN Staff

1983 POSTS 0 COMMENTS

The Silver Arrows Marine 46-foot luxury motoryacht is a sight to behold. Taking style from Mercedes-Benz luxury automobiles – This first Gran turismo of the seas has come another step closer to launch after its first sea trials were successfully completed.

“This was an exciting moment for Silver Arrows Marine and I am pleased to say the boat showed all the potential we expected, and more,” Silver Arrows Marine CEO Jacopo Spadolini said in a statement. “The boat looked solid, powerful and like nothing else afloat.”

The sea trials provided the first taste of how this new hull performs in a variety of trim, load and sea states. To get the bet possible information, high-tech data acquisition techniques were employed, with the results providing a basis for future development work. Since this is a project that merges the marine and automotive worlds, many of the techniques used, including automotive-style data acquisition, that have their origins in motor racing.

Silver Arrows Marine engineering director Giorgio Stirano, who has run with Formula One motor racing teams, said in a statement: “Boats are not racing cars, but to use F1-style telemetry for data logging makes a great deal of sense. With equipment such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, along with GPS positioning, we have been able to build up a good picture of the boat’s abilities.”

The prototype used in the sea trials is an not finished, it features an open hull and lacks the distinctive superstructure. The final model, with its many new design features, will be part of the finished yacht. The trials included an offshore “racing circuit” complete with virtual corners so that comparable lap times could be taken to gauge how different setups affected the boat’s performance, handling and comfort.

Well if you wanted a 2013 Nor-Tech you either have already ordered it or you will need to pay a premium and buy it from someone already on the order list. “Business is Booming” according to Mr. Terry Sobo Director of Sales “We are slammed building boats, so busy in fact we are searching for new employees to grow our workforce, particularly for our rigging department.”

Nor-Tech has always been known for innovation and building some pretty incredible powerboats. I have always had great fun and wonderful boating experiences in Nor-Techs. I remember the Daytona Poker run in 2008. In the 50 foot Turbine powered “Canada Thrust” we got pulled over by the water cops and issued a speeding ticket for doing 34 MPH in a 30 MPH zone. (Every boat got a ticket that day. It was a real cop sting operation). We were then the last boat to leave the inlet and way behind, we throttled up and passed every boat on the way up to St Augustine, we then turned around and ran back to the last boat, turned around again and ran to St Augustine. After all that we were at the dock a full 30 minutes ahead of the next boat ,Tony Mondozee in his 46 Cigarette American Muscle II. I think I have more fun stories in Nor-Techs than any other boat, and way more fun stories rolling around the Poker Run Fun with Tron, Terry, and the boat owners.

Nor-Tech has also had the ability to sense the shift in the economy and the market and be nimble and lean enough to move quickly when appropriate. More importantly, unlike other builders the Band of Brothers at Nor-Tech have always told me the truth about what was happening in the boat business. If business was bad they said it was. So when Mr. Sobo speaks I believe him because they can back it up. I also know this because they are cold calling all my friends trying to get them to go to work for them.

The bulk of the new sales are Center Console’s. A mix of fish boats and Non Fishing Fun Craft. The recent Quad 300, 344GT ran over 85 MPH and according to Nor-Tech, the boat features four hi back bolsters and a high performance shortened T-Top. Top speed was recorded at 85 MPH.

Buy it now and sell it next year. Nor-Tech may very well be on the way to model what Intrepid has mastered. A dedicated stream of owners who have a perpetual build slot on the new model year list.

The recent news of the U.S. Marine imprisoned in Mexico reminded me of someone I knew. I quickly remembered the last time I saw him. Key West Poker Run 2010, I was riding the 50 Statement Turbine Cat and the Coast Guard didn’t like the 150 MPH Harbor Pass. When we hit the dock and were preparing to be boarded. “Stinky” came to mitigate and I didn’t even have to throw my get out of jail free card. Steven Knight “AKA” Stinky” the man behind the Yacht Clubs of America and the first 80 Foot Nor-Tech Performance Yacht had a tall presence everywhere and with everyone. Once you met him you would never forget him. We fast forward about a year later just before the Key West Poker Run we learned Steven got stuck in a “Sticky” spot in Mexico. It seems there was a misunderstanding about the sale of the 80 Nor-Tech and according to his US based attorney at the time it was all “just a major misunderstanding”.

It was early November of 2011 and Knight had been in Mexico since October 25 closing the boat deal, as he readied to leave the country with hundreds of thousands of dollars, reported to be $950,000,00 in small bills in a suitcase. He was with 41-year-old Walter Stevens who was along as the boat captain. Knight’s attorney, Dan Barks, says Knight sold the boat to a buyer in Mexico and made the first trip to Mexico to pick up a large deposit. Bark says after that trip, he came back with the proper paperwork and without any problems. The money was even deposited into a bank. But, Bark says, it was on the second trip to collect the rest of the money and deliver the boat that Mexican authorities picked him up. When they went back to finalize the deal and just doing what he had done before – declaring the money properly – he was detained and the money seized. Mexican authorities stopped both men after they boarded a private jet in Mexico bound for Texas and the $950,000 was discovered on board in a suitcase. The men and the plane, a Lear 25, and the pilot were taken into custody, I was told the plane and the pilot had been released sometime later. Barks was working with attorneys in Mexico and said Knight could be held for up to 30 days while the Mexican government formalizes charges. That was well over a year ago and he is still in a Mexican Jail.

My attempts to reach attorney Daniel Barks and others for updates went cold fast. But I felt it was a good time to bring the story back because who knows what could happened on the wake of the visibility surrounding the Marine and others who remain incarcerated in Mexico. I will continue to seek out additional information and look for updates about the status of our Powerboat friend stuck in a Mexican Hell.

Insurance is a large and important part of our Powerboat life. Powerboat Nation now has the credible STAFF of Total Dollar Insurance onboard to guide us all through the myriad of insurance options and issues that come up. So now we can enjoy the colorful online antics of Mr. Sy Goldberg in addition to having the entire firm as a information resource for Powerboat Nation members. Under the Leadership of Arthur Buhr III, Total Dollars’ Full Throttle Program brings an experienced and versatile staff of marine insurance experts. TOTAL DOLLARS boat department knows the difference between a Rhumb Line and a Dock Line. They insure all boats and yachts but have a particular specialty in the performance boat insurance with their Full Throttle Program.

 

Sometimes the best of intentions just don’t have luck on their side. A simple desire to escape the north winter cold and have their their 64-foot Power Yacht brought south to the sunny side of south florida ended in a compilations of falures leaving this beauty run ashore. The US Coast gaurd was dispatched Dec. 16, 2012, as the boat landed up on Vilano Beach, Fla. The boats captain was relocating the vessel, from Boston to Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

The response operation for a 64-footer took place on the shoreline at Vilano Beach, Fla., involving the Coast Guard, St. Johns County Fire Rescue, St. Johns County Sheriffs, commercial salvage and environmental response companies drew a large crowd of curious spectators Sunday morning.

The captain of the boat, Rays the Bar, was moving it from Boston to Fort Lauderdale when the boat struck bottom, damaging the propellers, near the St. Augustine Inlet during heavy seas and dense fog on Saturday afternoon.

The captain anchored the vessel and made a call for help, but in the heavy seas the anchor broke free of the vessel, causing it to drift and eventually wash ashore at Vilano Beach.

St. Johns County Fire Rescue responders were on scene when the boat landed ashore on Saturday evening and helped the captain and her daughter escape to dry land where emergency medical technicians were at the ready. Both women were taken to a local hospital and later released without injuries.

Coast Guard pollution responders arrived on scene with the vessel before sunrise Sunday to determine if there was any environmental impact. The vessel did not appear to be leaking fuel. The Coast Guardsmen continued to monitor the boat as an environmental response company pumped the majority of the boat’s fuel, about 450 gallons, off the vessel. A commercial salvage company attempted to tow the yacht out to sea at high tide Sunday morning, but rough seas made it unsafe and the operation did not continue.

The owner of the yacht has contracted a different salvage company, which will attempt to remove the vessel at high tide Monday morning.

The Coast Guard is asking beach goers and spectators to stay clear of the vessel since it may be unstable as a result of waves and changing tides, making it unsafe for those nearby.

The yacht’s captain reported dense fog, rough seas and complications with the boat’s radar were all contributing factors for the accident.

(U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Lauren Jorgensen)

Saturday Night December 15th in Fort Lauderdale a small group of PowerBoat Nation Boating enthusiasts gathered at a member’s intercoastal home to take part in the 41st Annual Fort Lauderdale “WINTERFEST” boat parade. This gathering reminded and reinforced my thoughts and feelings that the true spirit and enthusiasm for what we do is with the people we surround ourselves with. While the Boat, Bikes, and Cars initially bring us together, the people we share this with is what keeps us together and ultimately feeds the machine. I also believe many of the core companies in the powerboat world don’t really understand this well enough and could do a much better job growing Powerboating by investing in the boat owners that pay huge amounts of hard cash to keep the machine feeding.

2013 is fast approaching and sitting on the dock at during this holiday with some of my great friends who just happen to be powerboat enthusiasts reinforced my cup half full of great optimism. 2013 is going to be an incredible year. We look forward to spending the coming year celebrating with and supporting all of you enthusiasts that choose to roll with us.

General Colin Powell teaches us “Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier. We can change things here, we can achieve awesome goals, we can be the best.” And we will, next year for the 42nd Annual WINTERFEST boat parade I look forward to participate on the water as PowerBoat Nation with the 100 or so other powerboats that create such a wonderful holiday gathering.
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas !

Powerboat Nation

More about Fort Lauderdale’s WINTERFEST boat parade:

The Celebration primarily involves a series of events scheduled for December. Florida residents and visitors eagerly anticipate WINTERFEST each year. The events make the holiday season come alive in sunny South Florida. The WINTERFEST Celebration has grown throughout the years to include the Winterfest Boat Parade, The Winterfest Black Tie Ball, the Shoreline Decorating Extravaganza, the Grand Marshal Reception, Winterfest White Party, Golf Tournament and many other receptions and events. Winterfest is recognized as the 7th largest spectator event in the country and the largest event in Florida based on number of attendees. The Parade attracts over one million parade spectators and is televised nationally to millions of homes. Winterfest has had an economic impact on Broward County of over $42 million per year.

1 of 10
fl-holiday-boat-parade02 - The sailing ship Lynx, a 122-foot-long replica of an 1812 privateer gets ready to set sail along with other boats. The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade started on the New River in Fort Lauderdale and travelled to the Intracoastal north to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach. The festivities were expected to be viewed by over one million spectators with boats adorned with hundreds of thousands of lights. Mike Stocker, Sun Sentinel

By knew and understood the science of propellers and who had the ability to break it down and explain it to the rest of us. After 12 years with Mercury Marine’s service department and managing Mercury Racing’s legendary propeller laboratory, Brett opened the doors of BBLADES Professional Propeller in 2004. Along with Bob Lucht, a 30 year propeller artist and veteran of both Kiekhaefer Aero Marine and Mercury Racing’s labs, BLADES offers 80 combined years of professional propeller design, boat set up, propeller sales, modifications, and repair.

Anderson and his staff are well known for offering propeller performance and set up diagnostics in a one-on-one phone analysis BBLADES has become the elite go-to propeller facility for the performance minded boating enthusiast. With over 9000 square feet of propeller laboratory, BBLADES has the knowledge and equipment to provide any applications with the products and set up information you need.

BBLADES carries the complete line of their own propellers as well as the full line of Mercury, Hering, Hydromotive, Turbo, Signature, Stilleto and Acme propeller as well as many accessories and hardware.

Now you have the opportunity to get all special propeller information you need , directly from the best. Ask the questions to PBN’s “Ask the Pro’s”

Before leaving California Power Boat Nation stopped by DCB and caught up with the crew while they were finishing up the final touches on the M41. Waiting for tailpipes and running the final speaker wire for the stereo is about all that remains for this High-Tech Carbon Fiber Epoxy Masterpiece.

Now I have always been partial to the attention to detail that has come from almost all of the West Coast shops. The gelcoat sparkles, the trailers are immaculate, the trucks, rhinos, and sand rails are all painted to match. The art for the most part has always been in the graphic applied to the outside of the boats.

This trip out to DCB – Well, when I REALLY looked at this new boat and listened closely to the passion and heartfelt “all in” commitment from Dave and his crew it finally hit me. The art at DCB is in the build and it always has been. I am convinced (and this is a huge statement coming from me) there is no other builder that puts attention to detail, into, attention to detail like they do. The tooling on this boat reflects in the finished product. When you look down the sides of this one color hull, you see perfectly flat lines and absolutely perfect reflections in the GelCoat. The sharp lines on all edges and contours are perfect and perfectly matched port to starboard. The measurable difference is not left to the eye but is actually measured and less than 20 thousandths corner to corner. This is a rack measurement that some builders can’t get within inches let alone 20 thousands of an inch. Class A surfacing typically found in the automotive process to verify the fit and exterior finish of Bugatti’s and other high end automobiles is exact and used to bring these spectacular results. Each nut, bolt, washer, and billet piece is thought out, sourced from the very best, and polished before it is goes in the boat. The custom tilt trailer from Lugo Manufacturing, Inc was sent down, fit tested and exercised perfectly and then send back for finishing.

The M41 has an LOA of 41′ 1″, the 10’10” beam, and 66 inch wide tunnel is deeper than the other two M boats and has wider sponsons. The front wing extension will provide greater compression and the boat will offer some cabin configuration options for customer preferences. I expect the M41 to run hard in water that some traditionalists would believe it can’t run in. I also believe the boat will produce great numbers with the installed Mercury Racing 1350’s Turbo Charged Engines and M8 drives.

When DCB hits Miami for the boat show in February I look forward to being able to rip down Biscayne Bay and give this West Coasts Masterpiece a proper introduction to the east coast scene. If my pressure and persistence is convincing enough they will stick around for the Florida Powerboat Clubs Miami Boat Show Poker Run and the high end Cat group will have a new leader taking the pack down to Islamorada.

Congratulations to the entire crew at DCB and the new owner. We also note the tooling for the new M29 is completed and look forward to the full line of M boats-M29,M31,M35,M41 from DCB

http://dcbperformanceboats.com

Maybe boats are next for Costco who is now selling the Ultimate Garage Package Including Car for $89,999, Engine and Transmission Sold Separately.

Auto-enthusiasts and collectors have been known to pour millions of dollars to create a garage where they can safely park their expensive and exotic cars. Now for the likes of such car enthusiasts and Hot Rodders who would like to upgrade their garages to a professional level, Costco.com offers the Ultimate Hot Rodder’s Garage Package. Billed as a dream come true garage package, it features the Motofloor garage tiles to give your garage a more professional look, and a 2-ton capacity breakdown engine crane with high-tech jack stands and a jack, along with the all handcrafted aluminum Kirkham Motorsports 427 KMS/SC component vehicle.

The Kirkham Motorsports 427 KMS/SC roadsters were originally developed in a former Polish MiG fighter factory, where skilled craftsmen had generations of experience in fabricating high-performance fighter jets. But it should be noted this powerful ride doesn’t include an engine and transmission.

The Ultimate Hot Rodder’s Garage Package includes a NewAge 6pc storage cabinets, 456 sq. ft of black & white Motofloor Garage tiles, with the choice of color, one BigHorn 36 ECB safe, one FlowWall ladder hook, a Racor Extreme ladder lift, and one Trinity 41″ stainless steel toolbox, along with one 2-ton capacity breakdown engine crane, jack stands and one 3.5 ton capacity low lift height jack.

If you’re like many and are simply amazed at the speeds coming from so many of the industry’s new performance boats featuring the popular Mercury 1350 twin turbo engines, then maybe there is more to the story. Let’s look at Bob Bull’s rocket like performance at Lake of the Ozarks Shoot Out in a 48′ MTI or the Gasse racing team at Key west. Fact is Mercury Racing has been testing, refining and tuning the durability of the 1350 Turbo engine, upping the boost and raising performance levels substantially. Until now this privilege was available only to a mere few special boat owners so they could give Mercury Racing the ability to truly dazzle in the eyes of the public. While it could clearly be stated that this is straight from the rumor mill, a very reliable inside source leaked last week that Mercury will indeed debut a “1700HP Race Version” of the engine based on the 1350 Twin Turbo architecture during the 2013 Miami Boat Show. This 1700HP race version will require race fuel as it will not be designed to run on normal pump gas. This is sure to up the ante in the the performance engine wars as Mercury Racing has thrown down the gauntlet to it’s challengers, if there are any!

Have a boater on your gift list? BBLADES Professional Propellers has unique and affordable gift ideas that are sure to bring a smile to the boater in your life and an invitation for the next boating excursion.

From accessories to new propellers, BBLADES offers something for every boater and every budget, and is offering special holiday pricing on two of its most popular propeller accessories; gifts that show you understand a boaters needs.

Demonstrate you recognize the investment your boater has made in propellers by giving a gift of extra protection. The exclusive BBLADES BSAFE Propeller Lock offers unparallel prop protection through a recessed lock device shielded by a stylish, hard-anodized aluminum hydrodynamic cone. The cone is secured to the prop hub assembly with an additional locking mechanism that requires a specially designed key for removal.
The cone body shields a sealed, water-tight brass and stainless steel locking mechanism that offers protection 24/7. For the holidays, the BSAFE Propeller Lock is specially priced at just $69.99.

Protecting a prop while in transit is a challenge BBLADES meets head-on with a variety of propeller covers and carriers. And right now, the popular BBLADES Propskin Prop Cover is available for only $29.99. Constructed from 1/4″ neoprene and laminated on both sides with tough polyester and adhesive reinforced stitching that is impervious to gas, oils and other common solvents, the Propskin is available with the BBLADES logo in blue or black, a plain white front, or for an additional price, a personal photo or the logo for your business! BBLADES PropStop Cover is a heavy-duty nylon “bag” that is mold, mildew and stain resistant.

For bigger, heavier props, there is the rugged, high-impact polyethylene, BBLADES Shipping Case.

When you beach the boat for some on-shore fun, the BBLADES Beach & Lawn Drink Caddy keeps beverages close at hand while keeping hands free during a close competition. Made in-house from hardened steel to last a life time, it comfortably holds 4 drinks, or can be customized in color and size to meet personal requirements.

And, for a limited time, the Lawn Drink Caddy is on sale for only $20!

And for the “extra-special” boater on your list, who wouldn’t want a new propeller or a gift certificate for lab-finishing to maximize a boat’s performance? Check out the truly unique gift ideas for boaters on-line (www.bblades.com) or call the propeller professionals at BBLADES at 920-295-4435.

Based in Princeton, Wisconsin, BBLADES Professional Propellers is a full service propeller company offering consultation, inspection and repair of any aluminum, stainless steel, nibral and brass propellers; “Lab-Finishing” or “Blueprinting” of stainless steel propellers; competitive pricing on new props from Mercury, Hering, Hydromotive, Acme, Stiletto and Turbo; its own line of performance propellers and the most comprehensive propeller testing program in the marine industry.

If you are asking the question or wondering why we may have some answers for you.

Authenticity-We run the forum after we are done running our boats, bikes, cars, and wrenching on our motors.

Passion-The business model is to be successful because we are truly passionate about powerboating and we wanted a place to hang out where others can share the same passion

NO BS or Whining-The true technical knowledge and information passed from our Subject Matter Experts to the members brings value that you can’t buy anywhere.

If you want to participate in the growth of this incredible on line community, all we ask is join us. If you want to brand your participating then it’s a tiny throw of $4.99 and we will ship you a $15.00 T-shirt. To us it’s really not about the money as much as welcoming you to the Club. Your online contribution drives the passion for us to deliver more back to you that anyone else.

Throughout 2013 we will continually have new features coming at you all the time. We want to share our passion for Powerboating with all of our friends and supporters.

Well if you asked yourself WTF? (Where’s the Fun?)

Power Boat Nation will cover more PowerBoat events and functions with actual staff and membership Coast to Coast. Actual Staff with be On Scene. We won’t just pay for content from pooled journalists. If you enjoy like minded boaters that are at the heart of the boating scene then there is no other place to go than Power Boat Nation.

What’s so different about Power Boat Nation?

Just Powerboaters I mean REAL powerboaters. This may sound crazy but were owned, operated, managed, and run by all boaters, boaters so driven and inspired to provide the ultimate boating resource to all of us. I mean boaters who are in the know and at the heart of the industry, and who have got their ears in the water and committed to give back more to this industry through this forum than anyone ever has before.

  • The Leader in Tech Support
  • The Leader in Powerboating News
  • First at behind the scenes stories
  • Unlimited photo and video coverage
  • Inter-active Member support

Power Boat Nation Membership is your chance to be part of something that makes a difference and gives it all back to the membership.

Welcome Home!!!

If you aren’t a member yet click the button below. (You will have to log-in or register a user account first)

Join PBN Today!

Thanks!

Prev1...163164165...166Next Page 164 of 166
Powerboat Nation is the world's leading resource for Powerboating Videos, Photos, News and more!
There's no better place on the web to live the powerboating life!
Contact us: support@powerboatnation.com

PBN's FINEST

POPULAR CATEGORIES

© Copyright 2015 - Powerboat Nation