Florida Marine Blog

Maria Mia, a Sun Odyssey 42 DS Story.

Since I first sail my new Sun Odyssey 42 DS Maria Mia, I found that it was a fast cruising boat, and even do I bought it for family crossing, I start exploring all the boat’s potential.

First I bought a Genaker from North Sails and after a couple of months, I decide to install  the Selden spinnaker pole to start racing some local PHRF regattas.

I was great surprise with the boat performance, that even with a cruising rigging and Sails we manage to win one of the most important long distance races, the Miami to Key Largo Cup 2012, where 124 boats participate. http://www.bbyra.net/2012/2012%20results/2012%20Miami-Key%20Largo%20Race%20final%20results.pdf

After this victory I decide to change all the running rigging for better performance and we obtain the third place on The Mango Cup http://www.biscaynebayyachtclub.com/sheets/LimeCupResults2012.pdf

And second place on the “ KBYC 46th Annual Ed Willman Memorial Round the Island Race”  http://www.bbyra.net/2012-2013/2012-2013%20RESULTS/102012_KBYC_RoundIslandRace.pdf

We achieve all this and we still using the factory Sails, and with and adverse PHRF rating of 129, and that maybe the reason why after each race every competitor want’s to visit our boat to investigate how we sail so fast, how we rigged the boat, what kind of amenities and weight we have, what is our weight etc. My team includes very experienced racers, but the true is that the 42 DS is a very fast hull that still no many people know about it.

Our next big challenge is to participate on the 2013 Key West Sailing Week, one of the biggest events of the season with more than 100 very competitive Teams and boats. We can race on PHRF 2, and Maria Mia we will be the only Jeanneau on the event, but we need support for this is expensive race, we need to paid the registration, docking, air tickets for the crew, and new Sails !

(*The boat that you see on the presentation is the one we use on the Mediterranean )

We appreciate the opportunity of presenting our Team

Alex Sastre

Saiola Sailing Team

Te 305-206-8168

matthew morrision Boater's Marketplace

NEW  Boats

Fountaine Pajot’s NEW 2013 HELIA 44

he Florida Yacht Group, official Dealer, had CEO Dave Sell, Brokers James Fachtmann & Katy Gibson attend the annual Fountain Pajot’s 2012 International Dealer’s Conference in La Rochelle, France for the unveiling of the HELIA 44 on June 27^th.  Fountaine Pajot, a leader in cruising catamaran technology and design for over 30 years, has again raised the bar with a $2.5 million R&D investment in a new blue-water sailing catamaran called the Helia 44.  The Helia 44, with its name derived from the Greek term for “Ray of Light”, is the result of an in-depth collaboration with the Berret Racoupeau architects office and Fountaine Pajot’s high-tech manufacturing facilities in La Rochelle, France.

The boat builder says the Helia 44, it’s 19^th model, “is set to be the most exciting blue-water cruising catamaran of its size in the world market today”.  Their press release went on to say:  “Impressive offshore performance, optimal safety and ease of handling are at the forefront of the Helia 44’s design.  There are many features that set new standards in the cruising catamaran market.  Clerestory windows bathe the expansive living areas in natural light, while the cabins are fitted with generous windows to afford unprecedented panoramic views. The high volume saloon and accommodation areas are complemented by an elegance and contemporary design”.  After seeing the Helia 44 first-hand in La Rochelle, James Fachtmann had this to say, “I was astounded by how the design team could make this Helia 44 look and feel like her sisters the Salina 48 & Sanya 57 with an incredible use of light, volume, and comfort, all this while at the same time keeping true to their history of proven performance & value.  Only the unique industry expertise of Fountaine Pajot could pull this off—an excellent balance between Comfort, Volume & Performance all at a GREAT PRICE!  With her RTM & Infusion Technology along with composite bulkheads, the Helia 44 is 31% lighter than her competitor, the Lagoon 450.  This allows the Helia 44 to reverse the vicious heavy-boat-drag cycle and thereby reduce the need for heavier sails, mast, fittings, engines, and fuel tanks which gives it a 25% SAIL SURFACE to WEIGHT ratio advantage over the Lagoon 450. (Helia 44: 10.65m²/ton vs. Lagoon 450: 8.58m²/ton)  Her high bridge deck clearance, one of the best in the industry, allows her to ride over the waves to remain safe & comfortable.”

Most importantly, a lower boom & her 3 person helm station design, versus a fly bridge, keeps her crew safer and more comfortable by:

• better protecting them against wind & waves
• keeping better accessibility to other parts of the yacht by having tri-level line-of-sight communication (Cockpit, Saloon, & Solarium) instead of being isolated from the rest of the crew with a fly bridge.
• 360 View including better rear visibility then with a fly bridge
• More stability with a lower center of gravity by having less weight aloft (in height) & better access to the main sail

What impressed James most about the Helia 44 was:

• her unprecedented panoramic horizontal & vertical skylight views in not only the Saloon & cockpit areas but her Island bed cabins as well.
• Her Amazing volume of space, head room, and natural lighting!
• The extra large sliding door & sliding window openings between her saloon & cockpit
• All Halyards & Sheets come back to the winch station
• Her dedicated anchor locker with integrated windlass and bridle
• Her Dinghy davits that can accommodate kayaks and surfboards at the same time
• Her amazing lounge deck & integrated solar panels are just 3 steps from the Helm station
• Her Eco Cruising AGM Batteries & WATER GENERATOR & WIND GENERATOR systems

Local Fountaine Pajot dealer: Florida Yacht Group is now taking expressions of interest in the Helia 44.

The Helia 44 will be available for viewing at the Annapolis Boat Show this October.

FOUNTAINE PAJOT – HELIA 44 – (QuickSpecs)
LENGTH: 43.5ft
BEAM: 24.3ft
WEIGHT: 10.8 tonnes (dry)
FUEL: Approx 470lt
WATER: 2 x 375lt
ENGINES: 2 x 40hp diesel
SAIL AREA: 753.5ft² (mainsail); 484.4ft² (genoa)

matthew morrision Boater's Marketplace

From the words of Richard Brohammer, M.D

“I am the proud owner of a 2012 Sun Odyssey 379, which I purchased at the Miami Boat Show and took delivery at my dock in Fort Lauderdale on Monday, March 5th.The reason the boat was purchased at this time after I walked away from the offered deal at the Boat Show, was due to the persistence and personality of your salesman, Captain Fachtmann. I am not in the habit of writing letters of commendation unless something is outstanding and I thought you should know what a good salesman you have working for your company. For 40 years I have bought and sold boats and frequently after the sale is made the salesman’s friendly warm personality changes to less warm and friendly. This has not occurred with this salesman and I appreciate it enough to take the time and effort to write you this letter of appreciation. You have a good sincere man in Captain Richard Fachtmann.” Sincerely, Richard Brohammer, M.D.

Limted Edition Oceanis 31, 34, & 37

Oceanis – the ultimate expression in the fine art of cruising is now available in an exclusiverun of Limited Edition models created for those seraching for supremacy in cruising comfortand luxury. These made in the USA Oceanis sailboats are equipped with an impressive list of features including full Simrad® electronics, autopilot, windlass and unequaled Beneteau seaworthiness; all at an unheard of value. The Limited Edition also offers elegant, exceptional finishes including a beautiful grey hull with white stripes, Ultrasuede® cushions, a choice of decor packages and Jenna® solid surface galley counters. Discover the possibilities! The Limited Edition Oceanis 31, 34 or 37 are available for a short time with special pricing. Contact a broker for more info

Featured Broker, Bob Deresz

Bob majored in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at the University of Michigan. He held the position of head Counselor and Instructor managing the Sailing and Boating Program and staff at Camp Michigania, the University of Michigan’s Alumni Family Camp facility.In 1974 Bob was licensed by the State of Florida as a Yacht and Ship Salesman with Miami’s most prestigious firm. Bob prospered into the 1980’s assisting many sailors purchasing their yachts, accomplishing their dreams and adventures. Today, Bob is a Licensed Florida Yacht and Ship broker and holds a United States Coast Guard 100 ton Master’s License with a Sailing Endorsement. Contact Bob at bderesz@floridayacht.com

Tech Tip – Proper Battery Maintenance

HOW TO MAINTAIN A DEEP CYCLE BATTERY Inspect the battery for damage. Look for fluid on or around it to indicate if it is leaking. Replace any leaky battery. Check for damage and good connections on the terminals, connectors and cables. Look for corrosion and clean it off with a warm water/baking-soda mixture. Use 1 lb. of baking soda for every gallon of water. Use a post and clamp cleaner to clean the battery terminals and the cable clamps on their insides. Check the battery’s electrolyte level on a monthly basis. Check it every 2 months if you leave the Boat plugged in with the converter battery charger charging the battery. Add water by removing the vent caps, checking the electrolyte level and using distilled or another mineral-free water. If the level is below the plates, fill it just until it covers the plates. Add no extra water until the battery is charged, then fill it no higher than 1/8 inch below the fill well. Test the battery’s state of charge by measuring the voltage with a digital DC voltmeter. A 100-percent state is 12.73 volts for a 12-volt battery and 6.37 for a 6-volt. Seventy percent is 12.37 or 6.19; recharge the battery if it is below this level. Don’t discharge a battery that is below 40 percent (11.96 or 5.98). Use a three-stage charger if possible that gives the battery a bulk charge, absorption charge and then a float charge. Use a charger whose charge rate is between 10 to 13 percent of your battery’s 20-hour AH capacity. Recharge the battery immediately after use. Charge it in a well-ventilated area with no sparks or flames around. Check the electrolyte levels before and after you charge the battery. Disconnect the batteries and store them if you are storing the Boat. Smart Yacht Ownershipby David Sell Boats can be expensive to own but there are several things you can do to reduce the expense and time required to maintain a boat. The simplest is to put it in a charter fleet. If you’re buying a new or used boat you’ll immediately save sales tax and get some very substantial tax deductions.Even if you already have a boat, the charter income will offset most if not all of your dockage, insurance, and basic maintenance expenses. You also get to spend more time having fun on your boat because the charter staff will clean and maintain it before and after each use. Rumors that charter use beats up a boat are greatly exaggerated. Good charter companies maintain their fleet because charter clients won’t come back if the boats are not well maintained. Charter boats in well managed fleets are often better maintained than private vessels because they are professionally managed.Not all boats are alike and some charter out for more money and more frequently than others. You should discuss the prospects with each charter company when you interview them. That’s right, you should interview several charter companies and make sure you feel comfortable they will perform for you. Its just like you were hiring an employee because in effect that is what you are doing. A good company will let you sleep better at night, generate some nice income for you, and make your time on the water more enjoyable. Want more info: 561 844-1100 Learn More Here 2012 Tax Planning Chartering for Fun in the Keys The Florida Keys is not just a destination…it’s a way of life. If you’ve never lived there it may be extremely difficult to explain the “Keys Lifestyle”. There is no place on earth like the Florida Keys. With its beautiful sandy beaches, cool sea breeze and warm Florida sun, the Keys is perhaps the most harmonious medley of entertainment and development on the planet.In the Keys, there is no shortage of activities, yet you can lie and relax all day if you so desire; there is no shortage of employment and still it is the perfect vacation spot; you can run away from it all or you can bring it all with you. This unique, accommodating lifestyle allows a wide array of choices to you, and no matter what you are doing there, it’s always the best place to be.The Florida Keys is truly a great place to sail. Yacht owners and small boat owners frequent the same bars, swap gossip at the same marina stores, and wear real clothes….worn, wrinkled, and sometimes even slightly soiled! When locals raise a cold beer and devour a warm hotdog, you can’t help but wonder what they were before they got “Keys Disease”, a local malady often involving too many margaritas and a marked loss of time management skills! Water is what makes the Florida Keys what they are. Although you can enjoy the Keys without boating, you wouldn’t want to. If you don’t own your own boat you can charter one. Call Kay West (yes, that’s really her name), at 305-293-0800 for Florida Yacht Group Charter information.

matthew morrision Boat Shows & Events, Boater's Marketplace