MasterCraft is known for its recreational boats -- the company leads the market in inboard skiing, wakeboarding, and sport craft. With the 30-foot, 4-inch MasterCraft 300 twin inboard (the platform adds another 3.5 feet) the company moves into the big boat business, and with its first offering wants to reset a boat buyer's expectations about how a day-tripper should make its owner feel.

The cockpit features big-boat electric equipment standard, but you can opt up for items like the Raymarine E80 and get a systems monitor with maps, radar and a 3-D terrain view of the ocean floor. And you'll be able to see it, and to stay cool behind the wheel, under the boat's tinted glass hardtop that is lined with a misting system. However, the folks lounging on the transom's adjustable seating will probably be having more fun than the pilot, with custom wetbars on either side and space for an electric grill or, even better, a waterproof flat screen TV.

The 300 is the first boat in the segment with a twin-tipped monohull, which opens up space in the interior cabin. Head below decks with your head up and your chest out, and you'll find customized hardwood cabinets and hardwood floors, ultra-leather fabrics, a galley with all the mod-cons, and a stand-up shower with a full-sized door. When it's time to get off your sea legs, the room in that twin hull provides you a bed big enough stretch out in, meaning that unless you're a Grizzlies center you don't have to sleep in the shape of a 'V.'

And once you're in bed, if you realize you forgot to turn off that "Songs of the Humpback" CD, don't bother getting up. Just grab the Contour Zone remote (or C-Zone to you, Commodore), which puts you in pushbutton control of all the boat's electrical systems. That way you can let the real humpbacks sing you to sleep.



[Source: MasterCraft]

What's the matter, was 1050 horsepower not enough for your taste? Then feast your eyes on this: the Lancia di Lancia. Although powered by two six-cylinder turbo diesels instead of the Powershore Abarth SP's three V8 outboards, the Lancia powerboat produced by the same collaboration with SACS Marine responsible for sister-company Abarth's speedboat offers up 1120 horsepower to the Abarth's 1050.

The motor launch from Lancia, as it's called, is also wrapped in a sleeker package, with inboard engines and a covered cockpit accessible through the retractable windshield and Martini Racing stripes recalling the company's historic rally victories. Like its sister-ship, however, the Lancia di Lancia is a Rigid Inflatable Boat – basically a hard hull with a rubber tube around it. The vessel measures over 40 feet long, weighs 8.5 metric tons and can reach speeds in excess of 55 miles per hour. The Lancia di Lancia is scheduled to debut during the upcoming 66th International Film Festival in Venice at the Grand Hotel Excelsior next month.

The new 41 Super Leggera from Rhode Island's Outerlimits Powerboats can do 100 m.p.h., costs $650,000 and is the closest thing we've seen yet to an oceangoing Lamborghini. The company constructs the awesome 41-ft. powerboat using aerospace technology, materials and engineering, centered on a carbon fiber deck and epoxy e-glass hull. Super fast, strong and light, the design is based on a World Championship race boat, but with all the comforts you'd expect from a craft of this caliber. The cockpit features a dash made of hand stitched leather and suede, a GPS chart plotter, and side-by-side stand-up convertibe bolsters. The full cabin features a shower, a plush V-berth, and plenty of storage for your other toys.

[via JamesList]

The CODE-X high-tech hybrid powerboat is one of the more avant-garde motoryacht designs we've come across. If it goes into production with anything like these killer looks and the performance promised, the Swiss company stands to make a mint. The CODE-X is billed as "Formula 1 performance meets solar power." It features a flexible solar hybrid propulsion system enabling both quiet, environmentally friendly cruising in ports and coastal areas as well as high speed racing on open waters courtesy of a pair of Ilmor Marine 710 hp V10 Formula 1 engines.

A touchscreen on the dash lets you switch in whole or part to a bank of photovoltaic modules supplying electric motors and/or lithium batteries. With the gas engines going the CODE-X can do 90 knots while on full solar power it can only hit 9, but is practically silent. The boat also features a GPS-controlled Virtual Anchor system to keep it stationary regardless of the wind speed or water current, as well as a Kevlar/carbon shell with phototropic-shaded screens and windows.

[via JamesList]

Chris-Craft, the Florida-based motorboat brand famed for its classic mahogany hulled runabouts first produced in the 1920s, is set to release a production version of its sporty Lancer GT concept developed in collaboration with GM. The company will soon be taking pre-orders for the 20-ft. powerboat (above) with an expected price of about $80,000. The Lancer GT employs "future engine technology" from Mercury Marine and comes equipped with a 377 Magnum engine producing around 325 hp for an impressive top speed of about 70 mph. The Lancer GT's state-of-the-art components include a digital dash and throttle, and its leather-upholstered cockpit is straight out of an open-topped sports car.

Oregon-based Edison Marine is now taking orders for its beautiful handbuilt 1940s-style electric mahogany powerboat, with whisper-quiet engines and zero emissions. The 17-ft. Edison Classic Cruiser (above) will be ready for spring delivery at a base price of $100,000 with a single propeller engine and $120,000 for a twin propeller model. Hand crafted from solid African mahogany, the surprisingly lightweight barrel-back craft can reach speeds of up to 30 mph with twin 85-hp electric motors. It can cruise for 8-10 hours at hull speed on one charge of the batteries, which are fully rechargeable using a standard AC/DC 110/220V outlet in just 3-4 hours. Options include a full leather interior and an on board gas generator for remote battery charging.

[via JamesList]

One of the challenges of owning a yacht can be finding a place to berth her. The Sensation yacht for sale through Edmiston comes with its own spot on the French Riviera. The Sensation package includes the 1999 Mangusta 80 -foot Sensation as well as a desirable berth in Camille Rayon in the town of Golfe Juan and a 2005 Sunriva sports boat. Sensation has light interiors with cream leather sofas, plush carpeting and rare woods. The yacht went through a refitting and upgrading in 2007 and can sleep 7 guests and 3 crew. On deck there is a large cushioned sunbathing area aft of the cockpit and forward on the bow. There is also a dining and lounging area on deck and the entire cockpit area is air conditioned with a retractable cover for shade and privacy. The package is listed at 2,950,000 euros and a week's charter starts at 37,000 euros.

[via Superyacht Times]

The latest yacht from Wally is the 64-foot WallyPower 64. The yacht sits at the smaller end of the company's yacht range. The WallyPower 64 offers wider decks than most boats of a similar size. It can be ordered with engines that can do 43 knots or ones that can hit 50 knots. You won't get too far though, the range is just 300 nautical miles.

It is available with several options for the interior with tow or three-cabin layouts. Each cabin has an ensuite shower room. There is a large social area with a dining table than can seat eight and a lounge with a coffee table and an expansive sunbathing area. Wally plans to build six of these new boats each year with the first two scheduled to be delivered by the end of June.

[via Classic Driver]

Pininfarina Extra, the product and interior design arm of Italian design house Pininfarina has worked with powerboat manufacturer, Challenger Powerboats to create the PF 36 Limited Edition Powerboat. The boat has a sleek racy look and has a A Duo-Delta Conic hull design that merges two hulls into one for optimal stability, handling and speed. It has twin Mercury EU662sci and 662HP engines and can hit a top speed of 90-95 MPH. The small cabin includes Cantalupi LED RGB adjustable indirect lighting controlled by touch screen, a flat screenTV, DVD and iPod ready sound system, a bar complete with sink/refrigerator and Dock Side air-conditioning all finished with Pininfarina styled upholstery and Pininfarina-styled Bolster seats in the cockpit. The boat also has electrically controlled Spoilers.

Are gas prices for another declining market? BYM News reveals the report from the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) that says registrations for new powerboats fell 3 percent in the third quarter of 2007 and 7 percent year-to-date through September. A total of 352,418 new powerboats were registered in the U.S. for the rolling 12-month period through the third quarter of the year. The Providence Journal reports that Thom Dammrich, president and CEO of the NMMA, speaking on National Public Radio Monday said that boat sales nationwide may have fallen more than 10 percent last year. The areas of the marine market that grew included ski/wakeboard boats and personal watercraft and the no-gas-required kayaks and canoes. The NMMA has found that more and more people are getting interested in boating, which could bode well for the industry once economic tensions ease.

Another tale of Russian spending for your consumption today. The picture above is from the launch of Areti I, a new 127-foot yacht from Burger. This yacht is the first of two identical tri-deck yachts being built for the same man, a young Russian businessman who has business in two different parts of the world and wants a yacht in both places. His solution was the Areti I and the Areti II, one yacht for the U.S., Bahamas and the Caribbean and one yacht for the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Aegean seas. The interiors are designed with recessed paneled Makoré and fluted column details throughout completing a color scheme of cream, rust and brown. Both yachts have a main deck level master suite and four large guest staterooms below decks. Areti II will launch later this fall.


[via Superyacht Times]

A luxury yacht that you can't get seasick on? That's the promise of the Ferretti 630. The Times Online reports on the yacht which uses a stabilizer system called Anti Rolling Gyro (ARG) to stop side-to-side motion. Here's how it works: there is a 154lb steel and aluminum gyroscope in the bottom of the hull with an electric motor, when the sea gets rough and the boat get tilty, the gyroscope spins against the lean and helps keep the boat on an even keel. The stabilizer not only has the benefit of keeping your guests from getting nauseous, it also can help objects stay put rather than pitching and rolling with the boat. The three-cabin yacht has other lovely details like a massage lounge in the owner's cabin and a padded sun lounge on the flybridge. The Ferretti 630 sells for around l £1.57 million and is currently on display at the Southampton boat show.

True North is a new 137-foot Newcastle Expedition yacht. The yacht is ready to cruise anywhere in the world and has two 3412 Caterpillars that burns 40 gallons per hour at 10 knots. The mahogany interior has five staterooms including a private master suite with a lounge yon the upper deck with a 270 degree view along with a private sun deck. There is also sun deck with a hot tub and a grill. Additional toys include a 32' diesel Novurania tender, three Yamaha Waverunners and a 18' Hobie Cat. The yacht is located in Fort Lauderdale and is listed at $19.95 million.

[via Superyacht Times]

I love the sleek silver and dark exterior of this 2005 Riva yacht. It looks like the type of yacht a fabulous villain in a movie might use in an oceangoing getaway. The rather dark exterior of this 68-foot yacht contrasts with a light and contemporary interior. The yacht has a deck saloon that can be enclosed and air-conditioned or left open to catch the breezes. The pictures are of a sistership but the Sante is for sale for 2.1 million euros.

Bradley is the newest catamaran launched by H2X Yachts and Ships. Bradley is an 85-foot yacht which has room for 14 people in five double cabins including a master cabin, with en-suite bathroom and private panoramic terrace. The yacht has a light interior using ceruse oak for the wall partitions and wenge wood for the floor area. The paint work is done in deep blue and silver gray and she has teak decks. The yacht also has a double spa and a well-shaded lounging area. She cruises at 10 knots on two Hamilton hydro-jets powered by twin MAN engines and has a range of more than 1000 nautical miles. A hydraulic lift facilitates the launching of her tender and jet skis. The yacht will be on display at the Festival International de la Plaisance de Cannes 2007 as well as the Monaco Yacht Show. After the jump, Bradley's elegant interior.

[via SYNFO]