Boats, marine and boating trends

Portsmouth, England, 12 December month, 2007 - The Green Team will be the seventh entry into the Volvo Ocean Race. Double Olympic medallist Ian Walker is named as skipper. Reichel Pugh are the appointed designers and the Volvo Open 70 is already in build.

The Green Team has confirmed it will be the seventh entry into the Volvo Ocean Race 2008 -09, and British sailor Ian Walker is named as skipper.

Ian Walker's achievements in the last 12 years include two Olympic medals, four World Championships and being skipper and tactician for two America's Cup campaigns (GBR Challenge and +39). His most recent success has been as skipper of the TP52 Patcheswhere he worked alongside owner Eamon Conneely to secure the global championship in 2006.

As skipper of the Green Team entry in the Volvo Ocean Race, Walker will oversee both the design and build programme along with crew selection.    » read more »

Volkswagen Marine presents new engines. Cooperation with “Bootscenter Bielefeld”

Salzgitter / Bielefeld, 24 October 2007 - At the 48th international boat show Hanseboot in Hamburg (27. October until 4. November), Volkswagen Marine addresses the public on this important fair in co-exhibition and close cooperation with Bootscenter Bielefeld, a particularly experienced boat dealer with a history of more than 30 years in boat importation, sales and service.

Newly introduced into the market will be a turbocharged version of the particularly reliable, continuous power rated four cylinder marine diesel range, which achieves 55 kW (75 hp) at only 3.600 rpm along with a maximum torque of 155 newtonmeters at 2.000 rpm. Further on display will be the already announced TDI 265-6, a further improved version of the Audi-based 3,0 litre V6 common rail diesel with piezo controlled injection. In the already distributed and proven version TDI 225-6, that engine confirmed its reputation as an extremely silent "Business Class Engine", which readily suggests to offer the 265 hp version with its further increased torque (550 nm at 2.000 rpm) and 40 additional hp simply as "Business Class Express Service".    » read more »

October 4, 2007, TROY, MICH. -- Representatives from Delphi's (PINKSHEETS: DPHIQ) Powertrain division are making a trip to Florida to showcase the division's marine evaporative systems at the 2007 International Boatbuilders' Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) Oct. 10 -12 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

This is Delphi's first time participating in the show, and the company will showcase its 1.0 and 1.5L canisters developed specifically for marine applications.

"For more than 30 years, Delphi has been a leader in automotive evaporative emissions, and we are using that experience to develop effective solutions for the marine industry that will comply with future EPA regulations," said Sue LaBine, Delphi's chief engineer of canisters. "At IBEX, we'll be able to connect with the industry, its people, and specifically with those charged with implementing this latest technology."    » read more »

BENTON, Ky., July 30 /PRNewswire/ -- When National Guard pro Scott Martin of Clewiston, Fla., caught an 8-pound, 12-ounce bass on Lake Travis in Austin, Texas, at the first stop of the 2007 Wal-Mart FLW Tour, he knew he had a shot at winning the tournament's Snickers Big Bass Award of $1,000 in addition to winning the day's big bass award of $750. Little did he know, however, that the heavy-weight fish would ultimately rank as the biggest bass caught on the FLW Tour in 2007. As such, the bass earned Martin an extra $5,000 as the Snickers Big Bass of the year.

"I didn't think that my 8-pound, 12-ounce bass would win the Snickers Big Bass Award, but I knew that if I was going to catch a big bass it would be on Lake Travis," Martin said. "The funny thing is that I looked at this ledge during practice but never fished it until day two of the tournament, and that's when I caught the big bass."

Martin said he caught the Lake Travis beauty on a 7-foot Kistler rod spooled with 12-pound-test Berkley Vanish Fluorocarbon. He was working a 3/4- ounce All-Terrain Tackle Jim Moynagh jig in 25 to 30 feet of water near a steep ledge.

"I didn't realize how big it was until I reeled it closer to the boat," Martin said. "At first, I thought it was a 5-pound bass, and when I finally pulled it in, I knew it had to be at least 8-pounds."    » read more »

- Friday, July 13, 2007 At 9:00 a.m. Henderson Park Pit Area Opens Thunder On Detroit River Weekend

- Offshore Boats Powered By Engines Up To 3,700 Horsepower

DETROIT, July 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Mayor Kilpatrick will test-drive an Offshore Pro Series powerboat -- which range from 39 to 44 feet in length and are powered by automotive or turbine engines up to 3,700 horsepower -- Friday morning at 9:00 a.m. to kick start the 2007 Chrysler Jeep Superstores APBA Gold Cup Weekend.

This will be the first time Offshore boats have run on the hydroplane racecourse.

The roar of eight Offshore Pro Series powerboats adds a new dimension to the Gold Cup race weekend on the Detroit River, July 13 - 15.

"They finally got a boat that fits me," Mayor Kilpatrick said. "I've always enjoyed watching the race, but I'm really going to enjoy the ride of the river."

The test-drive will take place on the Detroit River as Mayor Kilpatrick runs a couple laps on the racecourse. Offshore boats raced as part of the Detroit events from 1979-1983.

The Offshore Boat pit area is in Henderson Park pit area, which is located near the MacArthur (Belle Isle) Bridge.    » read more »

- Trophy Honors Winner of Offshore Series Race During 'Chrysler Jeep Superstores APBA Gold Cup' Race Weekend

- Makes First Appearance Since 1970s at June 28th Media Luncheon

DETROIT, June 27 /PRNewswire/ -- A Detroit legend is making a triumphant return this year as the Gar Wood Trophy is reintroduced as the top prize for the winning boat of the Offshore series during the "Chrysler Jeep Superstores APBA Gold Cup" race weekend, July 13-15 on the Detroit River.

The trophy was given to the winner of the Unlimited Race held in Detroit during the 1970s, but was retired in 1977. The trophy is named after the legendary boat racer and native Detroiter, Gar Wood. It is making its return as eight Offshore Pro Series powerboats race as part of the Detroit events for the first time in more than two decades.

"The Offshore boats will be the biggest boats to race on the Detroit River since the days of Gar Wood," said DRRA President Tom Bertolini. "And they'll be racing on the same Detroit River that Gar Wood made famous. That's why we thought bringing back the Gar Wood trophy to honor the addition of the Offshore Pro Series to the race made all the sense in the world."

The trophy will make its first public appearance since the late 1970s at the 2007 Gold Cup Media Luncheon at Sindbad's restaurant in Detroit.    » read more »

Washington, D.C., June 20, 2007 -- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking information as it considers how to develop a water permit program for pollutant discharges incidental to the normal operation of commercial vessels and recreational boats. Discharges may include ballast water, bilge water, deck runoff and gray water.

As a result of a court ruling currently under appeal, vessel owners or operators whose discharges previously have been exempt from Clean Water Act requirements will require a permit on Sept. 30, 2008. In developing this program, EPA will seek to ensure that control technologies or management practices enhance environmental protection and are practical to implement.

Approximately 143,000 commercial vessels and potentially more than 13 million state-registered recreational boats and more than 25 different types of vessel discharges could be affected. The exemption from permitting requirements has been in place for more than 30 years.

The changes are the result of a recent U.S. district court ruling that found EPA exceeded its authority by excluding discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel from existing permitting requirements. The agency is appealing that ruling.    » read more »

11/06/2007 -- Maxi yacht Alfa Romeo was the first to cross the finishing line in the coastal regatta of the Giraglia Rolex Cup, ahead of its fast rival Wild Oats. Alfa Romeo and Wild Oats are both 30-metre boats with over 1,000 sq m of sail and masts over 40 metres tall.

At the end of the first regatta, Alfa Romeo confirmed that it is the “defender” of the maxi yachts in a competition in which 190 boats are participating.

Maxi yacht Alfa Romeo

The rivalry with Wild Oats was fierce even before the start was given. Alfa Romeo crossed the starting line at full speed, preceding Wild Oats by a length and it built on this advantage tack after tack, covering the rival boat at every turn and gybe. This coastal regatta was as fiercely fought as a match race.

The boat’s owner and skipper Neville Crichton navigated from a controlling position compared to Wild Oats, which tried several times to shake Alfa Romeo off.

The first of the 3 coastal regattas that precede the long 243 nautical mile regatta (St. Tropez – Giraglia – Genoa), underlined that Alfa Romeo is still the fastest and most competitive boat, but there are still numerous regattas to go and anything could happen.    » read more »

Unlimited Hydroplanes Cover Football Field in Less Than One Second At More Than 200 MPH with 3,000 HP Engines

DETROIT, June 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2007 Chrysler Jeep Superstores Detroit APBA Gold Cup Race heats up fun for the whole family. New attractions and longer hours of operation increases summertime fun on the Detroit River.

The Detroit River will become a fast-paced, exciting raceway during the annual race, which is scheduled this year for July 13-15. The race takes place on the Detroit River racecourse near Belle Isle, recognized worldwide as the premier site for hydroplane boat racing.

The Detroit River Regatta Association (DRRA), host of the race, and title sponsor Chrysler Jeep Superstores, join together again to produce the premier family water-racing event.

The Gold Cup -- considered the crown jewel by powerboat racers, dating back to 1904 -- is the oldest motorsports trophy in the world. These races define the greatest unlimited hydroplane drivers.

The three-day event features high speed racing action as 10 unlimited hydroplanes and 12 automotive-powered supercharged light hydroplane boats speed to the finish line. The unlimited hydroplane boats have 3,000 horsepower engines that reach top speeds of more than 200 mph and cover the length of a football field in less than one second.    » read more »

16/05/2007 -- Avon Inflatables, the UK’s leading RIB and inflatables manufacturer and a technical partner for the Gipsy Moth IV project will be joining in the welcome celebrations for the Gipsy Moth IV when she returns to Queen Anne’s Battery Marina, Plymouth on 28th May 2007 – 40 years to the day since Sir Francis Chichester returned from his record breaking voyage.

Avon’s luxurious four-stroke 490 Seasport De Luxe RIB has been selected to meet the Gipsy Moth IV and return the skipper to shore at 1500 hrs to be officially welcomed back by Giles Chichester MEP, son of Sir Francis Chichester, and the Lord Mayor of Plymouth. Avon’s inboard RIB will also be utilised as a spectator vessel for anyone wishing to view Gipsy Moth’s arrival from the water.    » read more »

Avon 490 Inboard