For the students from Tennessee Technical Center-Nashville and Nashville State Community College, waiting is the hard part. Having finished their critical role in the Infiniti QX56-powered Boat Project – removing the powerful 400-horsepower 5.6-liter V8 from the donor Infiniti QX full-size SUV and working with instructors and Infiniti personnel to get it operational outside of the vehicle – they are anxiously looking forward to the day when they can experience the engine’s full power on the water. All that’s missing, it seems, is the boat.

A little over 1,000 miles away in Freeport, Maine there is indeed a boat, resting upside down in a well-heated craftsman’s workshop – stripped of its engine, hardware, wiring, interior and hull planking. It is, as the students might say, not even the shell of its former self. More like the skeleton. But that’s the good news. The second phase of the project is well underway.

Hot Rodding a Classic Chris-Craft

The concept of “hot rodding” – putting a newer, more powerful engine in a classic chassis – is not limited to motor vehicles alone. As much as its history can be traced, the new Infiniti QX56 V8 will be at least the fourth engine to ride between the rich mahogany wooden hull sides of the 1962 Chris-Craft “Holiday” that is serving as the body for the transplant. Previous engines have included a 431-cubic inch Lincoln plank head marine engine and a pair of 440-cubic inch Chrysler Hemi marine V8s, including one with a high-performance dual-quad carburetor set-up.

“The use of the powerful Infiniti QX56 V8 is fitting with the history of this particular craft,” explained George “Dodo” Brockman, owner of Freeport Boat Outlet, who is overseeing the build of the Infiniti boat project. The Infiniti V8 is actually lighter than all of the previous powerplants and won’t require any special bracing or hull modifications to fit it into the original engine bay.”

After its removal from the original QX56, the engine was sent to Bracket Marine in Westbrook, Maine for a trial fitting and modification of the engine’s bell housing for use with the ZF/Hurth marine transmission. The engine was then sent to a shop in Alabama for “marinization” – a process that involves fabrication of water-cooled exhaust manifolds and the adaptation of a closed cooling system. The big 5.6-liter V8’s next stop will be back to its birthplace, the Infiniti engine facility in Decherd, Tennessee, where it will be run on the dynamometer to make sure its horsepower and torque are still up to factory specs. Finally, the engine will be returned to Maine for final installation in the hull. But first, a total restoration of the hull is in order.

“Before the future Infiniti lake cruiser can return to the water, we’ve had to tear it down to virtually nothing and start building it back up with fresh wood,” said Brockman. “Once we removed the current engine and interior, we turned it upside down on a special cradle and started working on removing the hull planking to expose the inner framing. Ultimately it looks like we’ll have to replace nearly 85 percent of the original wood, one piece at a time, due to age and rot. Some pieces you could put your fist right through. When it’s done, however, it’s going to look just like new – only better with the Infiniti engine, upholstery, audio system and other luxury components.”

The other thing Brockman is quick to mention is when finished, the boat will take to the water like an Infiniti sport sedan takes to the road. “When the 20-foot Chris-Craft Holiday model was introduced in 1962, it was said to be one of the best performing Chris-Craft hulls ever produced. It cornered well, was easy to come on plane and was often used in nationally sanctioned competition water skiing events for just those reasons. We can’t wait to see how this classic design performs with the new engine.”

Brockman estimates that when the hull and decking restoration is complete, he and head craftsman Jimmy Martin will use more than 600 board feet of high grade sustainably harvested mahogany to cover the framework, hull, transom and deck. For the hull and deck, they start with two-inch thick boards, cut them down the middle, and then mill to half-inch planking to create book-matched pieces for each side. The inside wood, even the parts not visible to the eye, goes through a similar handcrafting process. Assembly of the new wood pieces follows the original process, only with modern bonding agents (in addition to the screws) providing improved structural integrity. Eventually 15 coats of special marine varnish will be applied over a period of 25 to 30 days.

After the wood restoration is complete, the third phase, reassembly, will begin. The plan is to reupholster the original seating with new Infiniti QX semi-aniline leather, with XM® contributing a NavWeather™ system and Bose® providing a speaker and subwoofer system similar to an Infiniti QX. A custom boat trailer, painted to match a 2012 Infiniti QX56, will also be constructed.

Project updates with teaser photos will be available at facebook.com/infiniti and twitter.com/infinitinews. Fans and followers of these sites will also have an opportunity to name the Infiniti-powered boat.

Acknowledgement : Nissan

This custom boat features hand-applied AMG ALUBEAM silver and AMG Designo Mystic White paint in a bold design echoing the AMG logo.

Inside, the boat features marine-grade upholstery that resembles the two-tone AMG Designo porcelain and white Nappa leather offered on the SLS AMG.

Here are the photos.

Acknowledgement: Mercedes-Benz

Interior includes four double and very large staterooms, heads, reception, salon areas and crew cabins.

There are 52″ LED TV’s and Bang Olufson sound systems in all rooms.

The most stunning feature on this yacht is a special handcrafted supercar [Tender] powered by a 880hp twin turbo V12 engine with top speed of 375 kmh that can housed in as a tender in the stern garage.

Specs.

Engines : 2 x MTU 16V4000 4610 Hp

Drives : 2 x Rolls-Royce KaMeWa 71S3

Top speed : 43 knots

With Booster: 55 knots.

Length: 38 M

Width: 7.5 M

Draft: 1.4 M

Weight: 120 T

Fuel: 20000L

Water: 3000L

Acknowledgement: Strand Craft, Gizmag

Ancona, Italy. September 22, 2009. WHY, Wally Hermès Yachts, today unveiled a revolutionary approach to cruising in motor yachts with the presentation of a full size model of its first born, an innovative 58 metre-long 38 metre-wide yacht, in Ancona’s shipyard.

Wally Hermès Yachts: a joint-venture.

WHY is the result of the joint-venture signed in June 2008 between Hermès and Wally, to develop a new type of motor yacht redefining the art of living on the sea. The iconic Parisian house and the iconic Monaco yacht brand formed an equal partnership whereby each company is fully involved in all aspects of the conception and design of each project. Pierre-Alexis Dumas, Artistic Director of Hermès says : “When we met, in autumn 2007, Luca Bassani Antivari, President of Wally had thought about asking Hermès to accessorise the interior of one of his boats. I was impressed by the daring of his projects. My instinct was to get on board with him and go and seek out new territories in yacht design, but I had no interest in speed.”

Luca Bassani Antivari explains: “What I’ve always liked about Hermès, aside from its intrinsic quality, is its audacity and radicalism; its desire to go beyond trends, to make no compromises and to maintain the authenticity of the house. Wally shares the same values, ‘Hermès-on-Land’, ‘Wally-on-Sea’: inevitably our paths had to cross.”

WHY 58×38

The common values of the two brands have led to a first yacht that offers an unparalleled living space at sea. WHY was developed to give life to this concept assembling a team of dedicated talents in design, engineering, and naval architecture. Then the tried and tested Norwegian Ramform hull characterised by exceptional and unprecedented stability and volume and spotted by Luca Bassani Antivari, revealed itself as the ideal choice to be adapted to the WHY 58×38 project. Following this unique adaptation, the decks and the interiors were developed in accordance with the fundamental credo of WHY, ‘form-equals-function’. Thus were born other innovations in the world of mega yachts: patios generously flooding the interior with natural light, photovoltaic panels on the glass hull sides, as well as on the roof opening, like Venetian blinds, a 25 metre-long forward end swimming pool, and a 36-metre aft deck beach. WHY 58×38 offers comfort, privacy, stability, space, independence and sustainability.

Sustainability

“We are very interested in creating a yacht that will have a low environmental impact”, says Pierre-Alexis Dumas. “Its relationship with the sea must be respectful and easy. WHY intends to offer a new way of moving over water by creating an innovative way of managing and recycling its sources and uses of energy.” “If you want to go totally ecological, the only solution is sailing. The reality is that today, 90 % of the market is powerboats, echoes Luca Bassani Antivari. Our aim is to reduce diesel consumption per year and per yacht: 20 to 30 % for propulsion and 40 to 50 % for generation.”

Thanks to its specific hull, WHY 58×38 requires less power at cruising speed than a boat of equal size. Its diesel-electric propulsion is the most efficient motorisation today, and the surface of the photovoltaic panels, almost 900 square metres, covers most of the boat’s auxiliary system needs. WHY Research and Development plan to optimize this project’s energy consumption by improving the isolation of the yacht and the heat recovery of its engines, and is also investigating the latest wind energy production and wind propulsion system technologies.

In comparison to a yacht of the same size, WHY 58×38 has been conceived to reduce drastically its energy consumption, saving up to 200 tons of diesel per year. The WHY R & D program includes tank testing for hull stability in the SSPA facilities in Sweden, and the construction of a full-scale mock-up in order to allow the design team to fine tune the living areas correctly in accordance with the hull’s unique shape.

“The WHY 58X38 yacht looks very unfamiliar but it remains on a human scale. Space is the greatest luxury on the sea, but I believe the new luxury will be the time to enjoy it”, concludes Pierre-Alexis Dumas.

Here is a video we found:

WHY 58×38 Main technical specifications

Dimensions & capacity

58 m length 38 m beam 2,400 tons displacement
12 guests 20 crew 3,400 m2 living areas

Performance

12 knots cruising speed 14 knots maximum speed Constant cruising speed up to Sea Force 4 Long range autonomy 4 Atlantic crossings

Promenade on deck 130 m long x 3 m wide Swimming pool with thermo regulated water 25 m long

Green Energy

900 m2 Thermophotovoltaic panels 2,000 kWh stored energy Last-generation batteries (LiFePO4) Renewable energy production 500 kWh/day Lost thermal energy recovered 1,500 kWh/day Annual equivalent fuel saving 160,000 liters

WHY Design Team

Pierre-Alexis Dumas Artistic Director, Hermès
Luca Bassani Antivari President and CEO, Wally
Gabriele Pezzini Design Director, Hermès
Mauro Sculli with Claudio Cicconetti Naval Architects
Roar Ramde, Ramform Naval Engineering
Denis Montel, RDAI

Acknowledgement: WHY, Artefactorylab

The new owners were convinced that the design factor would need to play a decisive role in establishing a successful realignment of the company. With the aim of repositioning the company in the market and generating more growth, BAVARIA commissioned DesignworksUSA with the development of a new design strategy. “We could have employed a genius from Italy to design some beautiful looking boats for us,” comments Andrés Cardenas, CEO of the BAVARIA GmbH. “However, it’s not just about drawing pretty lines but also about integrating design into our manufacturing process. This is why we choose DesignworksUSA as they have the necessary know-how to achieve a harmonisation between design and series production,” Cardenas adds. The president of BMW Group DesignworksUSA, Laurenz Schaffer, praises the consequent reorientation of the company by its new leadership team: „Since 2008 BAVARIA has impressively changed from a production driven shipyard to a company regarding design as an integral part of their business strategy to create products that can compete in the market through independent design”.

Design as a cornerstone of the corporate strategy.

Together with its client, DesignworksUSA launched a comprehensive strategic reorientation of BAVARIA’s range of motor boats and sailing boats in successful cooperation with Farr Yacht Design. Not only were existing boat lines and types modernized, but each line was given a concise character that can be transferred to all boat classes and also permits a great deal of variability in the final production stage. While a clear differentiation between each line was the main focus, it was at the same time crucial to secure design consistency within the lines to offer the customer a familiar orientation and strengthen BAVARIA as a brand. In January 2009, the two companies together took an even further step into the future by giving potential BAVARIA customers a glance at what can be expected of the Giebelstadt-based company in the years ahead. Customers can look forward to an entirely new boat line, positioned above the established two lines and representing a considerable leap in the direction of progressiveness, superiority and motor-boating pleasure. However, the initial task was not only to define an updated exterior design for the existing models, but also to put functionality to the test. Moreover, during the entire process the designers focused on harmonizing the new design strategy, which aims at achieving maximum design quality with BAVARIA’s existing series production processes.

Knowledge of the production process – a crucial key to success.

Due to its close ties with the automotive industry and its cross-industry knowledge, DesignworksUSA is in a position to conceive the most discerning design solutions for implementation in the most diverse production processes. Regardless of the product, be it an individually produced high-end premium computer or a series-produced yacht that is built in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. “The quality of design consulting is characterised not only by designing creative concepts. In today’s economic climate it is more than ever the task of a design consultancy to offer comprehensive expertise with regard to processes and production methods in order to render intelligent design successful, above all when it comes to complex products such as those found in the mobility sector. The mixture of brand fascination, product understanding and market-driven implementation are the key factors for success, and this is precisely where our greatest strength lies,” emphasises Niko von Saurma, head of DesignworksUSA’s Munich studio, from where the new BAVARIA design strategy originated. Thus, just two years after the commencement of the company’s reorientation, BAVARIA is boasting a discerning new design while offering a better choice, optimized spatial concepts as well as enhanced quality at familiar prices.

Three boat lines, three different characters, one single demand: Emotional design that works.

First of all, as part of the new design strategy, the new face of the Cruiser Line and its largest sailing yacht, the Cruiser 55, was introduced. The smallest motorboat, the Sport 28 succeeded, and a glance into the future was granted with the presentation of the firstling from the entirely new Deep Blue line. With this mix, BAVARIA opened a new chapter in its corporate history in January 2009. And after almost a year it became obvious that the new models from the existing line were achieving substantially better sales figures at the Autumn Fairs than in times of a booming yacht market. Consequently, BAVARIA’s well-timed actions and a design-focused approach to realigning the company has paid off, allowing the boat builder to successfully respond to the critical trend in the boat industry.

The CRUISER line: For sportive sailing in high winds.

The CRUISER line concept is a consistent further development of its predecessor. It represents a reorientation towards a concise architectural design vocabulary and a symbiosis of innovative impulses with highest functionality and premium styling. With a deck that dispenses with all superfluity and a well-organised arrangement of all functions, the line offers sheer sailing pleasure of a truly new dimension.

The SPORT line: For a sportive but relaxing sailing experience.

The design of the new SPORT line is an evolutionary further development of this successful line which aims to serve both the BAVARIA core target group, new target groups and last but not least the future orientation of the brand. The design features a sculptural, bullet-shaped hull that implies tension and speed as well as dynamic contours that give the boat a sporty, vibrant and agile appearance. The outstanding characteristics of the new Sport Line include significantly enhanced functionality, an generous spatial concept and a new, high-class surface quality. With a pilot-oriented cockpit and a generously conceived lying and seating area, the Sport line is designed for maximum convenience onboard. As a whole, the design creates a significantly increased perception of quality.

The new Deep Blue line: For those who already have the future in mind.

With the addition of the Deep Blue line, BAVARIA will be extending its portfolio. The line is characterised by an uncompromising symbiosis of sporty dynamics, powerful-looking aesthetics, a generous and innovative spatial concept and a supreme appearance. The classic boat design with its dynamic exterior contours, concise visual orderliness on deck and a harmonious composition of deck and superstructure give the Deep Blue its very individual and distinctive character. Impressive proportions and sculptural exterior surfaces additionally underline the boat’s power and emphasize its sophisticated silhouette. With the design of this line, BAVARIA is targeting future and potential customers and strategically following up its process of modernization.

Awards for the new BAVARIA design
Cruiser 55 – Good Design 2009
Cruiser 55 – iF Award 2009
Deep Blue 46 – Good Design 2009
Deep Blue 46 – “Powerboat of the Year 2009” awarded by jury of six European Yachting Magazines
Deep Blue 46 – Voted “Boat of the Year” at the Croatia Boat Show 2009
CRUISER 32 – Nominated “Yacht of the Year 2009”
SPORT 28 – Nominated “Powerboat of the Year 2009”

Acknowledgement: BMW Media

22 year old Katie Spotz is all set to embark on an adventure of a lifetime – a solo row across the Atlantic Ocean!

After 2,500 miles and 70-100 days alone at sea, she will become the youngest person ever to row an ocean solo and the first American to row from Africa to South America.

But this row is about more than ocean adventure, world records and personal challenges. It’s about something much more important: safe drinking water.

She has partnered with the Blue Planet Run Foundation, a San Francisco based non-profit that funds sustainable safe drinking water projects all over the world.

The Boat.

A specialized ocean rowing boat will be Katie’s new home for the duration of the trip. The boat was constructed by Rhode Island boat builders Aquidneck Custom from a design by Phil Morrison, an accomplished rowboat designer. These seaworthy boats are self-righting and have braved 30 ft waves and hurricanes. A sealed cabin will provide enough space to sleep and to take cover during storms.

The 19 ft vessel has enough shelter for one and can hold several months of provisions. Hatches line the deck providing storage for 70-100 days worth of food and gear. Freshwater tanks are used for ballast and can also be used as an emergency water supply. Solar panels mounted to the boat will power all electronics including the desalinator, satellite phone, VHF radio, and the radar enhancer.

You can catch up on her and follow her progress here.

Acknowledgment: RowforWater.com, Photo credits – David Andersen with The Plain Dealer and Lucian Bartosik

Same goes with hiking. Not content enough waking on the banks of the river – drop your 24 pound backpack. 10 Minutes and you are on your way down the stream.

History:-

A dream child of Phil Cotton – armed with a degree in Product Design from North Carolina State University, a stint in US Navy and a career in Textiles; Phil purchased Folbot in 1983 and began redesigning the Folbot line using his background in textiles and engineering.

Phil introduced the first of the modern generation of Folbot kayaks in 1990, moving away from the original wood design to using polycarbonate and aluminum components. More innovations soon followed. A fortuitous conversation with David AvRutick’s wife at a neighbor’s holiday party led to the sale of Folbot to AvRutick and Tony Mark. And Phil finally gets to just do what he really wants to do as Folbot’s Chief Designer.

A couple of note worthy points on FolBots:-

Folbot produces folding kayaks. Thus, Folbots should be differentiated from rigid kayaks.

Because they are collapsible, Folbots give kayakers the ability to travel with their boat using modes of transportation that are unable to transport rigid kayaks (airplanes, subways, trains, etc.).

Folbots are ideal for those with limited storage space, e.g., apartment or condo dwellers. Folbots are also able to be securely transported or stored in a car trunk, also eliminating the need for a roof rack.

A Folbot is intended for flat water paddling. They strongly recommend against using it in rocky conditions or surf over two feet (swells are fine).

The lastest:-

The Citibōt has just been unveiled and is the lightest weight boat in the 75-year old company’s line of quality kayaks.

The Citibōt weighs 24 pounds and is priced at $1,094. The 10’ boat fits into one bag with a shoulder harness, making it easy to transport on public transit or fit into a car trunk or backseat. It has a capacity to hold up to 210 pounds and is available in eight colors (www.folbot.com/kayaks/citibot).

Watch a video of the Citibōt being assembled and paddled

Like all Folbot kayaks, the Citibōt comes with a lifetime warranty and will be sold online at www.folbot.com or by phone (800.533.5099).

Acknowledgment:- Photos and material in this article sourced from Folbot.

The new boat has been developed jointly by four Italian companies:

• Sacs, who produce luxury RIBs;
• FPT, an engine manufacturer in the Fiat Group, and
• Martini, regular partner of Lancia in the field of racing.

The model features a 13.10 metres hull, with a broad beam of 3.83 metres and two N67-560 engines by Fiat Powertrain.

The fuel tank has a capacity of 1000 litres, giving sufficient autonomy even for long crossings.

Cruising speeds range from 15 to 45 knots, while top speed under ideal loading conditions tops 55 knots. The Lancia Powerboat can carry up to 11 persons. Below video includes general views of the powerboat.

Acknowledgment:- Music is from The OnClassical compilation – Classical music by OnClassical used under creative commons license.