[ notes on afloat ]
Summer Season to Close with Fall Boats Afloat Show in Lake Union
A summer season full of high temps and abundant sunshine for cruising will soon draw to a close, but the party is still going this month with the return of the Boats Afloat Show at the Lake Union Piers area of South Lake Union. As of early August, Boats Afloat said at least 125 models of new motor yachts will be on display September 12-15 during the event.
New this year will be an Opening Day ticket, giving attendees a choice of a beverage (beer, wine, or non-alcoholic drink) included in the price of the discounted $20 ticket. The offer will be available online only for the September 12 admission and will be redeemable at the event’s Breakwater Bar.
As the Northwest’s largest on-the-water boating show, the 2024 Fall Boats Afloat Show will showcase a variety of power boats, sailboats, high-end cruisers, personal watercraft, fishing models, and boating equipment from Pacific Northwest and Western Canadian vendors. Presented by the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association (NYBA) since 1978, the event features informational boating seminars on topics such as boat maintenance, new technology, and safety, plus a Dockside Marketplace that offers boating-inspired goods, clothing, and art.
On Friday, September 13, Boat’s Afloat will celebrate Women’s Day, honoring the growing involvement of women in recreational boating. On this day, women can purchase discounted tickets ($10 online or $11 at the door) to enjoy the exhibits, seminars, and other events. On any day, attendees can also bring along the kids for family-friendly activities, such as a build-a-boat tent, where children can become junior shipwrights. The show is free for children 12 and under and tickets are just $5 for teens aged 13 to 17. Even well-behaved dogs are welcome at the event but are not allowed on board actual boats on display.
In addition, a raffle will be held to support the Salmon For Soldiers program, a nonprofit group that arranges fishing trips for veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and active-duty military members. Throughout the four-day event, ticketholders can enjoy casual dining choices, local food vendor stands, beverage options, and live music from top local artists.
While NYBA said no new commercial or retail businesses are expected to open during Boats Afloat at the Lake Union Piers development, attendees can see the rapid progress being made on the property, including exciting new restaurants that are coming later this year. The Ackley Brands group of area wineries plans to open a new tasting room, called The Cove, which will offer the region’s best varietals. The eatery Pinstripes plans to open a location at Lake Union Piers and offer Italian cuisine, plus gaming areas that include bocce courts and a bowling alley.
For more information on obtaining tickets, all-access passes, show hours, lists of new boats expected to be on display, seminar schedules, and other planned events, visit: boatsafloatshow.com.
[ better, together ]
Aspen Adds Yanmar Inboards to Boost Efficiency of C100 Series
In a recent strategic partnership with Yanmar Marine International, Burlington-based Aspen Power Catamarans has included a single inboard diesel engine in its design of the popular C100 series, increasing the cat’s fuel efficiency by 32 percent at cruising speed.
Under the redesigned power train, the C100 can now achieve 4.1 mpg at 18 knots, Aspen said. Larry Graf, Aspen’s founder and chief engineer, called the Yanmar 4LV250 the most eco-friendly diesel engine the company has ever included in its products, able to perform at “twice the efficiency of a trawler at double the speed.”
While the C100 was designed for either a single diesel engine in one of two hulls or two gas-powered outboards of differing size, the new Yanmar configuration reduces the weight of the vessel by 40 percent, runs quieter than other engine systems, and limits drag by using only one propeller, compared to the twin-outboard arrangement.
The asymmetrical hulls of the C100 look identical from the outside but are quite different when seen in cross-section. With Aspen’s patented Power Proa design, the starboard hull has a deeper draft and is 35 percent wider than the port hull to accommodate the engine, but the hull’s hydrodynamic shape cuts drag in half and compensates for the Yanmar’s torque. Aspen’s SeaGlider system also ensures that the boat maintains a straight line without needing to rely on rudder corrections, thus improving the smooth flow of water through the central tunnel.
As with most catamarans, the 10-foot-wide beam provides plenty of room for amenities in the C100, including a 69-square-foot cockpit space. The dinette area seats four and can be converted into a double berth, while the galley is equipped with a propane stove, an oven, and a refrigerator, and a built-in, 96-quart Igloo cooler that can be used as a seat. Accommodations include a forward master suite with a king-size berth and a separate, enclosed head with shower. A
quarter-berth is located beneath the galley. For more on the Yanmar-equipped C100 series, go to: aspenpowercatamarans.com/aspen-c100/.
[ silent partners ]
Solar-Powered Silent Yachts Signs Deal with Oaksmith Brokerage
In a partnership that is likely to be seen but not necessarily heard, Silent Yachts will now be represented by the Oaksmith Yachts brokerage, which will be introducing some of the newest models of its solar-powered luxury catamarans. At press time, CEO Ben Oaksmith said there may be an appearance of the first Silent 62 electric yacht to arrive in the Northwest at next month’s Boats Afloat Show in South Lake Union.
As the first company to sail a production solar-powered yacht across the Atlantic Ocean in 2018, Italy-based Silent Yachts has been a vanguard of the solar yacht market, offering three model lines of powered catamarans: the 60 and 80 Series, and—new this year—the 120 Explorer super yacht, each of which features open-deck, closed deck, and flybridge variations.
“This partnership aligns with our commitment to sustainability and excellence in luxury yachting,” Oaksmith said. “Silent Yachts provides a unique combination of elegance, performance, and environmental stewardship, setting a new standard in the industry.”
The entrance of Silent Yachts in the Northwest market will bring a new level of eco-friendly cruising options for local boaters. Nearly every horizontal top surface of the electric vessels are covered in highly efficient solar arrays, which are used to charge high-capacity lithium batteries. The ability to recharge the batteries while under way makes Silent Yacht vessels ideal for extended ocean cruises without needing to refuel.
The smallest model line, the 60 Series, has a nearly 30’ beam, produces 16 peak kilowatts (kWp), and generates about 100 kWh of energy per day (kWh/d) in full sun. The mid-size 80 Series produces 26 kWp and around 160 kWh/d of energy generation and includes a spacious 35’10” beam. Both models have space for four to six roomy cabins and high-end amenities in large gathering spaces and full galleys.
The new 120 Explorer, however, is on another level of luxury. With an astounding 45’5” beam, the 120 has four decks and nearly limitless cabin-customization options. The massive solar arrays produce 40 kWp and daily energy generation of about 240 kWh/d. One of the top-end concept designs for the 120 even features a flybridge roof that can be split down the centerline to slide sideways over the water, revealing a helipad for aerial touch-and-go boarding—not something seen every day in Puget Sound marinas, for sure.
Another benefit of these all-electric yachts is the instantly available torque produced by their proprietary electric drivetrains for smooth acceleration and low vibration. In addition, the engines make almost no noise and create zero emissions, so there are no exhaust fumes to contend with. However, for extended periods without adequate sunshine or when longer sprints are needed, all Silent boat models are equipped with fuel-efficient diesel generators to recharge the batteries. For more on the Silent Yachts brand’s availability here in the Northwest, please visit: oaksmithyachts.com.
[ keep a weather eye ]
Seattle-Area Boater Purchases First Barracuda/Offshore CE Series 65
Enthusiasts of grace and power on the water should be on the lookout in the Northwest this month for a CE Series 65 yacht, a feat of Spanish-American engineering that was recently purchased by a Seattle-area owner.
A first-time collaboration of Spanish naval architecture firm Barracuda Yacht Design and California-based Offshore Yachts, the first CE Series 65 reportedly has been seen plying Puget Sound’s waters, featuring a mixture of Barracuda’s penchant for aggressive lines and super-yacht opulence and Offshore’s more understated trawler-style designs.
The resulting hybrid look is a handsome day cruiser with an almost-plumb bow and a low-drag, deep-V, double-chine hull. The flybridge and main cabin include tall, wide windows to flood the interiors with natural light. The salon blends subtly into the aft deck, as well, providing a sense of airiness and easy mobility in the open-plan layout.
According to Offshore Yachts, the local owners of the CE Series 65 said they are “extremely satisfied” with their new purchase and enjoy sailing the yacht regularly.
The roomy interior of the CE Series 65 makes full use of the generous 19’ beam, allowing for high flexibility in customizing the layout. Customers can choose the Explorer or Cruiser variations and decide whether they want to place the galley aft or midship, rearrange the socializing areas on the foredeck, or place the tender up on the flybridge or park it over the swim platform.
For interior designs, Offshore/Barracuda offers classic or contemporary styles for walls, ceilings, furniture, and fabrics that are suited to owners’ tastes. Accommodations can include the three luxury cabins with a beam-width VIP cabin option, which is rare in boats of this size. A four-stateroom option with space for up to eight berths is also available. An extra cabin can be laid out for either crew quarters, extra storage space, or a utility workshop. The CE Series 65 cruises at 12 to 24 knots and has a top-speed range of 20 to 30 knots, so be sure to catch this new Northwest resident zipping around the Sound this fall. More details on the vessel can also be found at: offshoreyachts.net.
