PHOTO COURTESY INFORMASpace was tight in the tents and on the docks at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show yesterday as attendees took a look at the latest boats and equipment. One exhibitor in the marine electronics tent exclaimed, “Crowds abound!”
The Soundings Trade Only team is on-site to report on the latest company news and product launches.
PHOTO COURTESY COX MARINECox Marine
Diesel outboard manufacturer Cox Marine announced a new global distribution plan at the show. The announcement follows a period of restructuring that involved securing funds for future growth.
Cox’s U.S. distribution partner, Ring Power, will be the first to adopt additional territories as a new dealer network is redefined.
According to a statement, Cox’s original aim was to partner with 35 to 40 organizations globally. Under a new plan, the company’s distributor network strategy will be adopting a “Fewer, Bigger, Better” approach. The company believes that partnering with a smaller number of distributors that hold more power — the target is around 25 globally — will provide a better platform for further growth.
“The decision to consolidate and strengthen our distributor network will benefit us, our distributors and our customers,” Cox CEO Gavin Wesson said in the statement. “By empowering distributors like Ring Power to take on additional territories, our outboard will reach even more customers while maintaining high-quality service and support. The new distribution strategy will enable us to have more positive engagement and stronger partnerships with our distributors.”
The new agreement sees the addition of the following states to which Ring Power holds sole distribution: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
With the additions, Ring Power now holds sole distribution rights to a territory of more than 1 million square miles, according to Cox Marine.
“We are thrilled to be the first distributor to extensively expand our reach as part of Cox Marine’s restructuring of its distributor network,” said Patrick Bucci, vice president and general manager of the Cox Marine Division of Ring Power. “This new distribution strategy allows us to serve a broader customer base and work closely with Cox Marine to deliver powerful, reliable and eco-friendly propulsion solutions.”
IMAGE COURTESY EPROPULSIONePropulsion
Since its founding by CEO Danny Tao and four college friends 10 years ago, ePropulsion has grown to 350 employees. The Chinese electric propulsion manufacturer launched its X40 motor yesterday at FLIBS.
The 40-kW outboard has integrated electric steering so it can be rigged with fly-by-wire technology. The electric motor is housed in the lower unit to enhance cooling.
The company expects the outboard, which is intended for displacement and semidisplacement applications, to have a 5,000-hour life expectancy.
The X40 weighs about 220 pounds, and the company specifies that it should be packaged with three to four G-series batteries, which weigh approximately 120 pounds each.
The outboard has an estimated retail price of $15,000, while each battery is about $5,500.
PHOTO COURTESY NIMBUSNimbus W11
Swedish builder Nimbus took the wraps off its latest walkaround, the 40-foot, 7-inch W11. The twin-stepped hull supports a variety of power plants. Standard is a pair of 300-hp Mercury Verados, and twin 400-hp Verados are an option. Twin Volvo Penta D4 diesels rated at 320 hp also are optional. Fuel capacity is 224.5 gallons. Top speed with standard power is approximately 40 knots, according to Nimbus.
The deck, sporting an 11-foot, 4-inch beam, has aft seating and dining area abaft a grill and sink. Forward is a large sun pad and bow lounge area.
The helm has room for twin 12-inch multifunction displays. The area is protected by a hardtop with a powered shade that protects the aft seating.
A port entry accesses the accommodations below, which include a convertible V-berth, quarter berth, stowage cabinetry and an enclosed head.
PHOTO COURTESY MARITIMOMaritimo M60
FLIBS provided the backdrop for the North American launch of the M60 from Australian builder Maritimo Yachts. Design director Tom Barry-Cotter said the company is celebrating its 20th anniversary and has doubled in size since it was founded by his father, Bill Barry-Cotter.
“At the beginning of this project, it was made clear by Maritimo founder Bill Barry-Cotter that the M60 had to be a motoryacht that was truly special, as the 60-foot flybridge designation was something that he held close to his heart,” said Tom Barry-Cotter.
The M60 is focused on the long-range cruising niche, and like other models from the builder, it has an enclosed flybridge, which the company calls a Skydeck. The Skydeck includes an upper helm station and a pair of lounges — one L-shaped and the other U-shaped. An open aft area rounds out the flybridge spaces.
The 60-foot, 6-inch boat is powered by a pair of 800-hp Volvo Penta D13 diesels. Fuel capacity is 1,200 gallons. Performance figures were not immediately available.
The main salon is connected by folding glass doors to the cockpit, which has a U-shaped transom lounge and teak dining table. Inside, the salon has an aft galley, a dinette and ample stowage.
The boat has a two-stateroom, two-head layout, with crew quarters. The master stateroom is amidships, beneath the main salon.
IMAGE COURTESY SIRENA YACHTSSirena Yachts 78
Sirena Yachts said it has sold approximately $127 million worth of product to date, a 50% increase over the previous year. Sirena also reported that it has produced 46 hulls so far this year. The company is expanding its production facilities to accommodate larger models.
The Turkish builder introduced a 78-foot, enclosed flybridge model at FLIBS. Designed by German Frers, it’s available in three models: flybridge, enclosed flybridge and semienclosed.
According to Sirena, the boat has a range of 1,550 nautical miles at 10 knots and boasts a top speed of 27 knots with the standard twin 1,400 hp MAN diesels. Twin 1,550- or 1,800-hp MANs are an option. The boat carries 2,378 gallons of diesel.
There are four staterooms below, plus a crew cabin, along with three enclosed heads with separate showers.
IMAGE COURTESY WELLCRAFTWellcraft 435
Groupe Beneteau’s Wellcraft brand continues to expand its performance cruiser line with the 435, which rides a hull designed by Michael Peters Yacht Design.
“We’re thrilled to unveil the Wellcraft 435, a new game-changer for adventure performance cruisers,” brand director Nick Harvey said in a statement. “Our ultra-passionate clients demand the very best in performance and style, and the Wellcraft 435 delivers on both fronts.”
The boat measures 42 feet, 8 inches and has a 9-foot, 10-inch beam. It’s powered by triple Mercury Verado outboards to a total 1,050 hp.
The full-beam helm station is protected by a full-width windshield. Other features include a starboard hull-side door and two social areas in the bow, including a triple-wide sun lounge. The cockpit has fold-out bulwarks that expand the gathering areas with water-level terraces, plus a galley. Below, the 435 has two cabins with private heads that have separate showers.
Now in its 64th year, FLIBS runs through Sunday at 6 p.m. The show is staged at seven locations: Broward County Convention Center, Bahia Mar Yachting Center, Hall of Fame Marina, Las Olas Marina, 17th Street Yacht Basin, Pier 66 Marina, and Superyacht Village at Pier 66 South.
