Eco-boat. Eco-paint. An overview of environmentally-friendly paints

December 27, 2011
Green
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Stringent government regulations are increasingly being imposed on the toxic substances allowed in boat bottom coatings, forcing yacht owners to change the way they both paint and maintain boat bottoms. On the other hand, boat bottom coatings need to have some level of “toxicity” (specifically, they create a zone of toxicity around the hull) in order to keep marine organisms at bay. After all, if barnacles, seaweed and algae are allowed to gain a foothold on the bottom of a boat, the resulting drag can decrease a boat’s ability to manoeuvre and its speed while increasing fuel consumption by as much as 30%. Worst, they will eventually penetrate and damage the hull.

Hence, a lengthy article about eco-friendly boat coatings and paint in WindCheck is well worth reading as the representatives of leading eco-friendly boat coating products were asked about their paint products. Specifically, the WindCheck article covered the following products intended for boats kept in the waters of the North-eastern USA:

  • Interlux. Interlux has paint products and paint system choices for most boaters and boatyards with its newest product being Pacifica Plus – a copper-free antifouling that uses a biocide called Econea to control barnacles and zinc pyrithione to control slime. Pacifica Plus pain will wear down with use. Hence, the longevity of the coating will depend upon the amount applied.

  • Pettit. Hydrocoat and Vivid are two popular eco-friendly boat bottom paints used by Pettit. Hydrocoat’s water-dispersion formula means that it comes with the lowest VOC (volatile organic compound) levels available – making it an attractive paint for boatyards and OEMs (original equipment manufacturers). Moreover, Hydrocoat’s low solvent content allows the paint to be applied inside without the accompanied harsh paint fumes. Meanwhile, Pettit Vivid contains only 25% Copper Thiocyanate and its small environmental footprint is a major reason why the company has been promoting it heavily for several years now and its considered to be fastest growing eco-friendly boat bottom paint on the market.
  • Coppercoat. Coppercat is compliant with current International Maritime Organization (IMO) and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. However and like other good antifouling products, it cannot be applied over existing bottom coatings.
  • EPaint. The ePaint Company is currently the only firm solely focused on developing and marketing environmentally preferred copper-free marine bottom paints which use a proprietary photo-active technology to keep boat hulls clean using sunlight. Moreover, ePaint’s products can be applied directly over existing boat coatings.
  • Aquaguard. Aquaguard’s paints still use cuprous oxide as its biocide but its paints also require less copper, contain no harsh solvents and can be applied indoors. Hence, Aquaguard’s water-based paint reduces the risk of toxic solvent exposure plus its approved by both the US and Canadian EPA.

Given that antifouling hull coatings with large amounts of oxide have been illegal for recreational boats in some northern European countries for several years while the USA’s EPA is recommending that boatyards and boat owners use non-toxic boat bottom paints, its definitely time to consider eco-friendly boat bottom coatings and paint. Hence, the entire (and very lengthy) article about eco-friendly boat coatings in WindCheck magazine is well worth reading.

Best of the web

December 23, 2011
News
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America’s Cup megayacht docking controversy reportedly resolved

After concerns were raised by a California government agency and environmental organizations, organizers of the 2013 America’s Cup in San Francisco along with city officials have reportedly reached a revised agreement on proposed megayacht moorings for the race. Specifically, a floating dock that would have been set up near Rincon Park to accommodate 26 yachts ranging from 100 to 250 feet (30 to 76 meters) has been scrapped in favour of megayacht moorings on the north edge of the basin along Pier 14.

Barcelona’s Marina Port Vell adding more space for megayachts by next autumn

Salamanca Marine and the Salamanca Group are redeveloping Marina Port Vell in Barcelona to feature more berths for megayachts. Specifically and by next September, there should be 150 slips for power and sail craft starting at 10 meters (33 feet) plus the marina will provide 30 berths for megayachts in the 60 to 90 meters (197 to 295 feet) range along with one or two berths for much bigger megayachts up to 180 meters (590 feet).

The best USA marinas for 2011

For US based sailors and boaters, Daily Boater has mentioned that Marinalife has recently announced the winners of the second annual Best Marina Contest. Specifically, the Nantucket Boat Basin and Twin Dolphin Marina (between Tampa and Sarasota, Florida) for the best transient marina award while Harbour Town Yacht Basin (Hilton Head, South Carolina) won as the marina with the best customer service with Orange Beach Marina (Orange Beach, Alabama) as the runner up.

Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012 chronograph released

The Portuguese Yacht Club Chronograph Edition “Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012″ has recently been released by IWC Schaffhausen, the sponsor of the Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team. The chronograph measures 45.5 mm and is made of titanium – meaning its more resistant to corrosion and salty water.

French yachting couple tell of their ordeal with Somali pirates

Bernadette and Jean-Yves Delanne, a French couple from Tahiti and the owners of Carre d’As IV, have recently recounted for the first time the details of their capture by Somali pirates off the coast of Yemen in September 2008 and their eventual rescue by French commandos. Six Somali pirates are now on trial for the attack.

A ferry will be turned into the world’s 4th largest private yacht

An unnamed billionaire has acquired the 146 meter (480 feet) fast ferry Capricorn, which was used from 1999 to 2011 to ferry passengers from Naples to places like Sardinia and Sicily, and plans to turn it into the world’s 4th largest private yacht. That would make the yacht larger than the ones owned by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, the Emir of Qatar, David Geffen and Paul Allen but still smaller than Roman Abramovich’s Eclipse, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Dubai and Sultan Qaboos of Oman’s Al Said.

Aston Martin boat concept

December 22, 2011
Design, News
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Aston Martin is the latest luxury brand to join the likes of Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and Lancia to lend its brand name to high-performance boats or yacht concepts. Specifically, Luiz de Basto, a Miami-based custom yacht designer, has recently unveiled the Aston Martin Voyage 55’ motor yacht.

Inspired by Aston Martin vehicles such as the DBS, Rapide, Vantage and Virage, the Aston Martin Voyage 55’ motor yacht concept was put together in order to see whether the Aston Martin’s signature luxury car design could be turned into a luxury boat.

The result? A boat whose lines, lights, ventilation and decorative details all reflect the Aston Martin automotive design and heritage.

Unfortunately, the Aston Martin Voyage 55’ motor yacht concept will remain just that, a yachting concept. While de Basto has obtained Aston Martin’s permission to use its brand name for his boating concept, there are no plans to put the boat into production.

Nevertheless, anyone interested in learning more about Luiz de Basto’ Aston Martin Voyage 55’ motor yacht concept should check out a lengthy article in CharterWorld.com where de Basto’ talked about how he came up with his design as well as his other passion for both cars and car designs.

Mega-yachts need mega-marinas

December 19, 2011
Opinion
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Despite the fact that the number of megayachts worldwide has more than doubled over the last decade, there remains a global shortage of berths for yachts that are 100 feet (30 meters) or more in length. This lack of “parking space” for luxury megayachts was on full display last summer after a Saudi prince docked his 265 foot (81 meter yacht in the last available slip at Millionaire’s Quay in Cap d’Antibes and forced Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich to keep his 533 foot (162 meter) $1.2 billion Eclipse offshore. This begs the question: Why have a megayacht at all if you won’t be able to conveniently moor it at a marina?

However and as Carol M. Bareuther recently noted in Yacht Essentials, the big international marina players are beginning to address this situation. Just some of the important megayacht marina trends mentioned by Carol included the following:

  • Megayacht Marina Location. Megayacht marinas are being built all over the world where calm waters can be found. And while this may seem like common sense, Carol quoted a Marina operator as saying that customers have told him they simply will not dock at certain marinas in order to avoid rocking all night at the dock. Moreover, megayachts need enough room to manoeuvre and hence, megayacht marinas need to have (at a minimum) 1.5 times maximum LOA fairways.

  • Megayacht Marina Design. Carol commented that important megayacht marina design trends include increased utilization of floating dock components and the provision of adequate and variable power as the power requirements of yachts can vary considerably. Other megayacht marina design trends include fast and efficient in-slip fuelling plus having a dock wide enough so that vehicles can be driven right up to the boat for ease of provisioning and passenger access.
  • Megayacht Marina Facilities & Amenities. Onshore facilities for megayacht crews are now an important consideration along with access to local accommodations and good restaurants plus access to ample parking facilities for both guests and for provisioning purposes. Carol also noted that security is increasing a consideration but the trick is to create a megayacht marina facility that still allows for easy customer and guest access without the look and feel of a prison.
  • Megayacht Marina Technology. Finally, technology is an increasingly an important megayacht marina design consideration. For example: Given that a megayacht can easily have a crew of 20+, megayacht marinas must have adequate wireless Internet bandwidth to ensure that they can handle every crew member (plus passengers) jumping on Skype at the same time. However, Carol also noted that marinas typically have difficulty providing both high speed and uninterrupted Wi-Fi thanks to high levels of interference plus the overuse of existing frequencies but WiMAX 4G does offer a solution to these problems.

Carol ended her article by predicting that green technology which addresses energy efficiency, waste reduction, the use of local or regional products/materials and better environmental stewardship will increasingly play important roles in the construction and operation of megayacht marinas.

Chevy Corvette takes to the water

December 19, 2011
Design
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Are you a Chevy Corvette owner or fan who also loves boats? Ever thought of combining the two? Performance boat manufacturer Marine Technology, Inc. has done just that by using actual parts from a genuine Corvette ZR1 to create the$1.7m ZR48.

Hence, the ZR48 has both the look and feel of a Corvette complete with genuine taillights but its body is made out of lightweight carbon fiber – making the boat as strong as metal but also lightweight (notwithstanding the pair of 1,350 horsepower twin-turbo Mercury Racing engines). It’s a long way from the frugal Greencat, but perhaps a little faster!

Inside the ZR48, the leather and suede interior is complete with six air-conditioned seats, an 8,000 watt sound system, built-in LCD displays with Apple TV and a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot plus custom dock and charging station for the Apple iPad. In fact, these entertainment features require a standalone Fischer diesel motor just to power them.

The 48 foot (14.6 meter) monster boat comes with a special display trailer with a matching paint scheme along with 5 TVs and LED display lighting. When the boat is being hauled in transit, it’s situated sideways so that no special highway permits are needed.

Best of the Web

December 16, 2011
News
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Introducing Yacht Carbon Offset

Own a megayacht but feel guilty about your impact on the environment? The Megayacht News’ leadership series has a lengthy interview with Mark Robinson, the founder of Yacht Carbon Offset – a program that gives yacht owners and crews the ability to offset greenhouse gas emissions by contributing to eco-focused projects around the world.

A 300-berth marina is planned for the tidal Thames

There are plans to develop a historic dock into a new 300 berth marina at Northfleet. The new marina will be just four miles east of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge and follows several similar plans for other areas along the Thames – including a £400 million project to build a 180 berth marina, housing and link road at Queensborough.

A £60 million floating garden on the Thames called a threat to navigational safety

The planned four-acre London River Park will stretch for half a mile from the Tower of London to the Millennium Bridge but the Port of London Authority (PLA) has stated that the proposed set of eight linked garden pontoons might be a threat to navigational safety.

Simpson Marine opens a flagship office on China’s Riviera

Simpson Marine, Asia’s largest yacht brokerage company, has recently opened a flagship office at the Serenity Coast Marina in Sanya, Hainan, to serve the growing Southern Chinese market. Simpson Marine has 8 marinas in operation plus more than 12 new marina projects have been identified on the southern coast of China and Hainan – China’s “Riviera.”

LVMH’s yacht building subsidiary enters the India market

Yacht builder Princess, which is also owned by luxury group LVMH, has announced its entry into India with Indian yacht retailer Navnit as its official distributor. Next year, Princess aims to sell up to five luxury yachts in India with prices that from $800,000 to $6 million. According to Navnit, demand for the super-luxury boats continues to be strong plus the company has already sold around 100 yachts of various sizes since its launch in 2002

SeaNet Fractional Yachts begins an international expansion

For eight years, SeaNet Fractional Yachts has been operating solely within the USA but now the company is going international with its new SeaNet International Fleet Program which will have a handful of Benetti Delfino 93 megayachts available in the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Mexico and the Mediterranean. Shares in the SeaNet International Fleet Program start at €1.735 million ($2,346 million) plus operating expenses.

Shining a light on GreenCat’s LEDs

December 15, 2011
Design, Green
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For GreenCat customers who opt for the Green Tech Yacht Automation Option, a complete lighting system with dimmers and LED lights will be installed in their catamaran while customers who opt for the Green Tech Navigation & Multimedia Option will have a multimedia system with large LED full HD screens installed throughout their catamaran. This will ensure that GreenCat customers achieve the maximum benefits that LED lighting on boats has to offer.

LED lighting should be an important consideration for boat owners, especially those who intend to live aboard their boats for long periods of time and want to keep their energy costs reasonable. In fact, LED lights can be incredibly energy efficient with Julius’ Renewable Boating Blog citing claims of 70% to 90% energy savings. Likewise, elementalLED.com has pointed out that LED lighting is ideal for locations (like boats) that may have limited access to constant electricity.

Other advantages of LED lighting on boats (as noted by Julius’ Renewable Boating Blog) include the following:

  • LED lighting has a very long life span. In fact, LED lights for navigation can last up to 50,000 hours.
  • LED lights are shock resistant – an important consideration if you intend to sail in the open ocean or in locations with rough weather.

On the other hand, LED lighting also has some disadvantages that must also be considered. The major disadvantages of LED lighting on boats include the following:

  • LED lights come with significant up-front costs, as they are expensive to purchase.
  • LED lights can be more sensitive to the electrical power supplied.
  • LED lighting is not well suited to provide area lighting.

Nevertheless, the benefits of LED lighting on boats will tend to far outweigh the disadvantages for most boat owners.

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