| Netherlands. Moonen sells first two megayachts in new 94 Alu series |
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| Tuesday, 10 January 2006 | |
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Boat builder news: Moonen Shipyards, the well-known Dutch builder of high-quality “pocket superyachts,” is pleased to announce the sale of the first two vessels in its all-new “94 Alu” Series. Both sales, completed long before the shipyard began cutting metal, were based on the strength of the new concept, with design and general arrangement by René van der Velden and naval architecture by Stolk Marimecs and the Moonen team. The idea for the “Alu” Series evolved out of the extraordinary success of the Moonen 84, a displacement cruiser with classic lines and popular four-cabin layout of which six have been sold since 2001. Several clients asked for a similar, somewhat larger model, but with significantly higher speed. René van der Velden then styled the exterior of the 28.65-metre “94 Alu” with a more aerodynamic shape, extending the horizontals to give it a more sporty, masculine flair. Stolk Marimecs shaped a semi-displacement hull form, of about 110-ton displacement, with a top speed of 25 knots. Because good seakeeping, comfort, manoeuvrability, and fuel economy are still the hallmarks of Moonen yachts, the round-bilge hull has a moderately higher length to beam ratio than the Moonen 84, to reduce resistance at cruising speeds and provide a softer ride at higher speeds. The shipyard is installing controllable-pitch propellers running in high-efficiency tunnels in the first yacht; the second will have conventional fixed propellers. The “94 Alu” will also be configured for MCA compliance, which will include watertight bulkheads fore and aft. The interior layout of the “Alu 94” is similar to that of the Moonen 84 and the interior styling is being created by the Dutch firm Art Line, which has also styled the fifth Moonen 84 introduced at the 2005 “boot Dusseldorf” and several other Moonen yachts. Together, the design team has taken advantage of the extra length to enlarge the forward accommodations, and allow for a longer engine room to include the more powerful Caterpillar diesels required. They have also added a longer swim platform and larger lazarette to house the laundry. A considerably advanced programme of noise and vibration abatement will assure silent running at all speed. Though Moonen is usually thought of as a builder of steel-hulled displacement cruisers, it is a fact that since 1981 about one-third of its yachts have been all-aluminium fast cruisers. One of the finest of these fast cruisers is the Moonen 89 “My Issue” which combines high speed with extreme comfort. The instant off-the-drawing-board success of the Moonen “94 Alu” means that the market is seeking such yachts, of Moonen quality, and the shipyard already has in development larger and smaller “Alu” models. The two “94 Alu” yachts on order are for delivery in April and June 2007. |
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 10 January 2006 ) |
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