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Garcia Yachting Exploration 45

• By Cruising World Staff
• Updated: September 24, 2014

Designed with input from world-cruiser Jimmy Cornell, the Exploration 45 from Garcia Yachting features an insulated aluminum hull, and watertight ­bulkheads and hatches for ­off-the-milk-run ­cruising. A comfortable deck saloon ­offers panoramic views at anchor. garcia-yachting.com

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Garcia Explocat 52

If you have your heart set on long voyages, you will be looking for a cat that is capable of knocking out high miles-per-day averages. And if you want to go off the beaten track into higher latitudes, you will need a yacht that is rugged and capable of taking knocks.

Aluminium yachts are nothing new in the monohull world, so I guess it was just a matter of time before someone launched an aluminium catamaran capable of exploring most corners of the planet safely and comfortably. Lucky for us, that someone is Garcia Yachts from Cherbourg, France and Pierre Delion who are the team behind the Explocat 52 . This yacht is competing with the likes of the Windelo 54 , but it promises safety in higher latitudes.

Garcia (part of Grand Large Yachting Group who also own Outremer and Gunboat) developed the Exploration 45 with Jimmy Cornell. The Explocat is their follow up on 2 hulls to this successful monohull.

The idea? A comfortable, safe long-distance catamaran that can be handled by a couple and that cruises at above average speed. And all that with a finish that you might expect on something out of the Privilege catamarans range.

Photos: Garcia Yachts and Jermoe Houyvet.

Construction

Let’s talk about how the Garcia Explocat 52 is built as this is one of her key USPs.

She’s built in aluminium of course. This material gives you better strength/weight ratios at this length – she comes in at 18.9 tonnes light displacement – slightly heavier than a Fountaine Pajot 51, for example, but you end up with a stiffer, more robust boat with a more powerful sail plan: the Explocat prioritises seaworthiness over flybridges.

You will squeeze more performance out of an Outremer 51, but the Garcia 52 is the more robust yacht. We are talking fibreglass versus aluminium, remember? The Garcia Explocat will always be heavier than a comparable fibreglass or carbon catamaran (read our Balance 482 review as an example). that is your trade off for strength, durability, sustainability and resale value.

The thinnest plating of the Explocat 52 is 5mm, which builds to 8, 10 and 12mm, reaching 14mm at the bottom of the hulls.

Fixed keels are welded to the bottom of the hulls (another safety feature for when you are off the beaten track). They are deeper and protect the rudders, allowing you to dry the boat out at low tide like a Prout.

Other safety features include fore and aft watertight bulkheads and skegs in front of the saildrives.

• Aluminum structural bulkheads
• Aluminum forward beam, composite forward longitudinal beam
• Chain plates and reinforcement plates welded directly onto the hull and deck structure
• Watertight forward and aft bulkheads welded directly onto the hull and deck structure

The aim on the Explocat 52 is to average 250 nm a day in decent conditions and with a steady breeze you should be hitting double figures with her powerful sail plan.

Even in lighter airs, the Explocat will get going quickly with a Code 0 or gennaker up. You won’t be matching TWS like you would in a Marsaudon, you’ll be around 2 knots slower, but this is still a nippy yacht.

Options of the rig include:

• Carbon mast with kevlar rigging
• Furling boom
• Lighting in spreaders

This means the lines are shorter and there is less friction from being routed around blocks. Simpler is better in this case. There is also an option to run these back to the helms if you prefer.

There are options on the helm position. One owner has gone for twin aft helms, while the standard set up is a swivel (pendulum) helm at the main bulkhead- a configuration that first came to market on Balance catamarans.

The Mainsheet and traveller are handled on the aft crossbeam, while the genoa, solent and gennaker/code 0 sheets, plus furling lines, are managed with electric Lewmar 65 winches on either side of the cockpit.

Garcia have done a great job of helping you to keep the working areas tidy with big bags for your ropes to keep the yacht ship-shape. Reefing lines come back safely to the helm, (there is an option to manage these at the mast if you prefer shorter lines).

The rig has two headstays, with an overlapping furling jib on the main forestay, and a self-tacking furling solent.

Add the furling spinnakers and lighter wind sails, and you have a flexible package that will optimise your sail plan in most conditions with minimum fuss. There is a safety fuse on one of the mainsheet blocks to the boom. When this blows, the mainsail is depowered.

The forward cockpit is a safe area to work when working on your halyards, topping lift and lighter wind sails (gennaker, Code 0 etc), and it offers great visibility for ice or reef spotting, and for working the anchor windlass.

And just like a Gunboat, if you throw the door open in warmer climes when you are on the hook, the breeze flows nicely through the boat. It also makes a great spot for a sundowner.

Living Space

This catamaran has a lovely finish inside and down below thanks to Darnet Design. This is the same team that is behind the interiors of the Privilege Signature 580 and there are a lot of similarities in the look. It’s warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

If you are heading into the higher latitudes, you will appreciate the air extraction system that cycles air from the living area without having to open hatches.

The forward saloon windows have demisters, and there are lockers for your wet weather gear with ventilation and heating.

Up in the the saloon, the visibility is impressive and the whole area is bright. It’s a comfortable design with a sofa tucked in starboard forward and a galley with plenty of storage aft port of the saloon.

In pride of place is an ample forward facing nav station- this is a sailing boat after all.

Down below, various option are available on this semi-custom cat that boasts 2m headroom throughout.

There is space for one master cabin and two guest cabins in the standard version. Or go for the four cabin version.

Another option is to convert one of the forward cabins into a skippers cabin.

The aft cabins are soaked in natural light thanks to two hull windows, plus a wide aft window and opening ports aft and overhead.

Standard Specification

• Aluminium hull and deck
• Forefoot chain plates for towing, also works a a bumper and ice breaker
• High bridge deck clearance for heavy seas
• Forward and aft watertight aluminium bulkheads
• Seacock valves above waterline
• Rudders have sacrificial end-fittings
• GRP coachroof and hardtop bimini gives you thermic and acoustic insulation
• Thermic and acoustic insulation thanks to foam panels above waterline, and insulated floor
• Swing helm with 2 steering positions : a high position for the marina and fair weather,  a low cockpit for rough weather
• Optional inside steering, within the saloon
• All sheets controlled from the aft cockpit for safety
• Sail handling area (halyyards, reefing lines) in forward cockpit
• Solid watertight door gives you access the forward cockpit

This is a robust catamaran designed for sailing and living onboard in both higher latitudes and tropical waters.

With it’s powerful sail plan and safety features, she’s been designed for sailing safely with a high degree of comfort in the roughest sea conditions. This is a catamaran that sits on its own in the market- there’s not much competition.

Is this the best aluminium catamaran on the market? Probably.

How much does a Garcia 52 Explocat cost? What is the price of this catamaran? With our usual disclaimer that it depends on your options, you will be starting the conversation off at around €1.3 m. Add more budget for a carbon mast with kevlar rigging, furling boom, light wind sails plus fittings, hydranet mainsail, tempered glass, joystick on nav station, updrade to 75HP engines, genset, hydrogenerator, solar panels, lithium batteries, water maker, and so on. There are a lot of options to choose from. Fire up your spreadsheets!

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GARCIA 60 Exploration: the all-terrain vessel of the sea

• April 12, 2023

Garcia is fearless in its path; its distinctive aluminium cruising yachts have gained a strong reputation over the past 50 years. The latest model, the Garcia 60 Exploration , is a shoal-draught expedition yacht that will take you anywhere around the globe. As I discovered, sailing in more confined waters, she is also responsive and incredibly fun.

“Nowhere you can’t go” is the philosophy of the French shipyard Garcia. Jean Pierre and Jean Louis Garcia in 1974 founded the brand for bluewater aluminium yachts. In 2011 the new Exploration yacht was the result and influence of a long-distance navigator Jimmy Cornell and the passion of the Garcia team.

Jimmy Cornell , Yachtsman and bestselling author of World Cruising Routes , said, “I was looking for a sailing boat adapted to my trips that combined sailing at high latitudes and in the tropics, but was unable to find a solution on the market. I decided to design a new boat that would come close to being the perfect cruising sailboat. I was immediately very enthusiastic; they were the best builders of aluminium yachts in France, and they had with them one of the greatest naval architects Olivier Racoupeau. Without a doupt they were going to build the boat of my dreams.”

Discovering the Garcia 60 Exploration

It’s mid-March, and a few storms have hit France, so when Grand Large Yachting invited us to test the Garcia Exploration 60 , we were excited; it’s not often you get to try a sailboat in moderate wind.

We arrived bright and early in Cherbourg, France, jumping at the gate to climb aboard and get underway. What struck me first was the size of this aluminium beast; she’s 19.5 meters long by 5.4m in the beam , an absolute monster and by far the most significant sailboat I have tested to date.

I spent some time with the skipper familiarising myself with the technical workings of this Garcia 60 Exploration before we set off; it is something I like to do on all sailboats. It’s an excellent task, but Garcia has made this easy with its intelligent systems and ergonomic cockpit design.

All systems can be operated from both port and starboard helm pedestals. The central hydraulic servo system runs your forward sails fullers, windlass, centre board, genset, and vang. Time to go; we expect winds from the southeast between 15-20kn gusting to 28kn, so a good breeze to get this 33T lady moving. Manoeuvring out of a marina with twin rudders is not my favourite sport. Still, with the bow and stern thrusters, my five-year-old would make it look easy. If you’re worried, The aluminium hull is 5 to 12 mm thick. It is charitably dimensioned right down to its ribs and stringers, assuring foolproof impact resistance. For even more peace of mind, the structure includes a watertight bulkhead at the front and the rear, upstream of the steering system. A fin protects the shaft. The rudders are made of aluminium and preceded by a protective skeg; They also have a composite sacrificial zone in their upper part. In case of a violent shock, if the rudder stock should bend, the hull is protected, and the rudder remains functional. you don’t pierce your hull if you hit anything, don’t forget this is a first-class blue water sailboat, after all.

I appreciate with a potential shallow draft of 1.50 m; shallow anchorages stay accessible to such a sailboat. Moving away from tourist areas and choosing less frequented zones is possible. Going up rivers or rias is also likely. And most explorers will also be able to adventure into areas that still need to be appropriately mapped. It is reassuring the possibility of being able to reach shelter zones. With its modern and stable hull – designed by “ Olivier Racoupeau ” – and its generous sail plan, the Exploration 60 has high average speeds that shorten distances. The centring of the weights (chain wells at the foot of the mast, centred tanks) limits the Boat’s pitching and supports its seaworthiness and sailing comfort. Sailing downwind with the centreboard up, speeding up on the wave remains safe, and the movements are smoother without any hooking effect. Similarly, I expect the Boat to move freely between the waves in extreme sea conditions, less exposed to their power, but I have yet to find out.

While we are on the subject of stability, The Garcia 60 Exploration holds up to 800 litres of fresh water and 2,200 litres of diesel, and all the tanks are fixed centrally in the hull. You add 450KG of Anker chain by the mast and spare parts and copious amounts of stowage; all the technical equipment is grouped in a dedicated area, a properly Soundproofed engine room, easily accessible for maintenance and any repairs. This provides comfort for those living aboard.

The Garcia 60 Exploration also has an actual workshop. The tools and spare parts storage area is spacious enough to work in and care for the Boat. With its many interior storage spaces, large sail compartments and voluminous exterior storage spaces, the Exploration 60 has an exceptional carrying capacity of 4 tons. Water sports equipment such as paddle boards and scuba tanks can be taken on board for leisure or exploration.

Below decks

As she settled into her rhythm, it was time for a well-earned cup of tea and a little poke around below decks to see what this lady had to offer.

Moving forward, I found my spot for passage-making. In the raised salon (port side), you will find one of the USPs of Garcia, The chart table; it is like a wheelhouse, with all your instruments and engine controls. I have a 270° view here looking straight out the Double glazed windows. Whatever the weather conditions, the boat can be piloted from the inside, and the inverted shape of the roof prevents reflections. I can feel myself daydreaming about all the possible places we could adventure with this sailboat. I have never liked the cold, but imagining the look on my daughter’s face seeing an iceberg for the first time makes me smile and think of the possibilities and destinations. 

This full-width cabin can be set for two classic cabins or a double cabin and a technical area. You can customise this area as much as you like, but I would like it like this. There is more storage than you need, and every drawer has a sea bar lock so that nothing will open by itself. This owner had asked for an on-sweat head fitted to the starboard side of their cabin with a separate rain head shower. The volume of the boat is impressive, with a minimum under-ceiling height of 2 m everywhere. With portholes more than 40 cm high around the roof, light is everywhere inside the Exploration 60. The materials are chosen with taste and assembled with care.

Below the saloon, a double cabin can complete the sleeping space for guests or be reserved for a crew member. The owner can thus accommodate a skipper or a crew member to accompany them on their voyages. 

Time to get some sea air again

The cockpit is protected by the elegant hard-top that runs far aft, which is my second favourite spot on this boat; as it started to rain, I can tell you it was out of the weather, but you feel part of the action, especially as once again you have a dedicated area to starboard with all your instruments so keeping watch hear will be a dream for most sailors like me.

Our cockpit area was fitted with side covers for added protection and insulation, making it feel more cosey; It is an additional living space, a natural second saloon, with a neat design, accessible by only three steps from the interior space. All too soon, it was time to gybe and head back to port. I feel robbed as we change course; this boat invites you to daydream about what might be possible on your adventures through life and unlimited destinations.

Garcia 60 Exploration: in Conclusion

This is a boat-borne of considerable experience and attention to detail , taking a proven concept and refining it to a new level . There are many small but clever touches that may take time to be noticeable but make a difference to life on board. So it offers a big step forward compared to the other blue water sailboats on the market. In particular, the more significant owner’s cabin makes living on board for extended periods more civilised. At the same time, the more oversized cockpit will work just as well in the tropics as at high latitudes. It’s a supremely capable yacht with long legs that effortlessly puts in good daily mileage when crossing oceans. Yet, it will also be fun to sail in your home waters. However, what’s unique is the combination of Garcia’s Four signature features:

• Rugged aluminium construction.
• Shoal draught with the ability to dry out.
• The protection offered by the cockpit area.
• Compleat autonomy on Expeditions

This latest edition to the Garcia fleet is a credit to their passion and expertise in building ultimate explorer sailboats. I am sure other shipyards will watch Garcia closely and adapt their sailboats to catch up.

This boat has left me wanting to sell everything I own, pack my family on board and see where this magnificent blue water sailboat will take us.

4 Responses

Having read closely this article written by a sailor with passion I am in a dream like state. This wonderful yacht is just that, a floating home to claim ones wander lust. This is undoubtedly the finest yacht to fulfil those aspirations. I concur with the writer. Sell up and explore the world. One has one life , just do it. .

Thank you, Mike; I am glad you enjoyed the article. Yes, the Garcia 60 is a real game changer; if it were within budget, we would be planning our world expedition. We feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to review this magnificent sailboat.

Great boat great article. Some errors in the copy possibly due to language not fully translating. I can find nothing regarding the power source. Is it a gen set powering electric drivetrain. Is it a normal engine driven prop. Does it regen using the prop to generate electricity to replenish battery banks? Where exactly is the laundry room?

Great review of an amazing boat – this ticks so many boxes for remote exploration and diving trips, both tropical and high latitude. Thanks!

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Garcia Exploration 45: Review and test

Every now and again, for sailing today’s monthly boat test, something completely different crops up. something that’s aimed with unerring accuracy at a specialist market and bears no relation to the average white blobs that crowd today’s boat shows, marinas and charter fleets. the exploration 45 is such a boat..

This is an excerpt from a longer test by Peter Poland, which appears in Sailing Today issue 210. Buy a copy of the  magazine here .

Garcia Yachting is a French company that has specialised for 40 years in building aluminium-hulled custom craft from 50ft to 115ft. Some 300 Garcia yachts cruise the world from the Arctic to the Antarctic. In 2010 Garcia joined the Grand Large group that also owns Outremer (builder of award-winning GRP cruising cats) and Allures Yachting (famous for its aluminium-hulled shoal-draught cruisers).

Garcia builds the hulls and Allures finishes them in its factory in Cherbourg. I tested an Allures 45 a while back and was impressed by the fairness and strength of its aluminium hull, the quality of its semi-custom finish and the versatility of its shoal-draught performance.

While volume producers stick to bread-and-butter fixed keel or stub keel and pivoting plate boats, specialist builders sell many internally-ballasted centreplate cruisers. After all, you can visit a lot of places in a 45-footer that draws just 1m with the plate up. And it’s widely accepted that an internally ballasted yacht with its plate raised will slide safely sideways in extreme conditions while a fixed-keeler is prone to tripping on its keel.

With its near-plumb stem, elegant sheer and unique coachroof line, this boat looks like no other. The roof is low and incorporates a reverse-raked panel round the front and a raised ‘wedge’ doghouse at the aft end, removing the need for a sprayhood.

For our test day, we were lucky with the weather. The sun shone and the wind blew between 15 and 19 knots. The optional bow-thruster and near-silent Volvo D-275 extracted us from a tight berth then we set sail under full Solent jib and single-reefed main. With more wind, we could have opted for the smaller staysail. That’s the joy of the optional cutter rig (c£5,400).

To windward, the 45 settled into an easy, restful gait. Speed varied between 6 and 7 knots at around 34° to the apparent wind. The helm felt positive without being heavy and with the solid aluminium NACA section centreplate fully lowered (drawing 2.9m), there was little leeway. The ballast of 4,540kg and the central weight of tanks, engine etc, gives a pleasant, solid feel. Sheets cracked onto a reach, we exceeded 9 knots on occasions. This boat will clearly cavort down the Trades at speed and in comfort.

Even after a short sail, it’s clear that the Exploration will revel in a seaway and gobble up the miles. Even if she is far from cheap, you get what you pay for: in this case a special boat that can take you anywhere.

The Exploration 45 has been designed to set sail on high latitude and tropical bluewater adventures. The extensive input supplied (from the word go) by one of today’s most experienced and respected long-distance cruising sailors – Jimmy Cornell – is priceless. And it’s evident throughout the boat.

Such details cost more, but Garcia believes the expense is justified. Put simply, there’s nothing quite like the Exploration 45 on the market. Yet those who just want a coastal cruiser with a swing keel that can nudge into shallow creeks as well as sail through heavy weather in comfort will also find much that appeals. Provided they can afford the bill!

The advantages of semi-custom finish, an options list as long as your arm and a tough aluminium hull with shoal draught capability are obvious. And a degree of exclusivity is assured because only 10 can be built each year, so few will be lucky enough to own this fine yacht, even if their budget permits.

Tech Specs: Price: From c£404,000 ex-works LOA: 46ft 7in (14.2m) LWL: 41ft 3in (12.6m) Beam: 14ft 7in (4.4m) Draught up/down:  3ft 9in/9ft 6in (1.1m/2.9) Displacement: 14.6 tonnes (32,214lb) Upwind sail area: 979sqft (91m²) Fuel: 700lt (154gal) Water: 500lt (110gal) Berths: 4/6/8 Engine: Volvo D2-55. stainless-steel shaft; 3-blade prop (feathering an option) Designer: Berret/Racoupeau Builder: Garcia Yachting

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Dubai: The New Playground For The World’s Superyachts

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Its 22 marinas and top-notch maritime services support a thriving yachting ecosystem.

Dubai is attracting some of the world's most impressive superyachts.

Dubai’s marinas have hosted some of the world’s most impressive superyachts, owned by tycoons, royal families and celebrities. Notable superyachts spotted in U.A.E. waters over the past season (October 2023 to June 2024) include the 141-meter Nord , estimated to be worth US$500 million, and the 136-meter Flying Fox , featuring two helipads and the first cryosauna ever installed on a yacht.

The annual Dubai International Boat Show, which has been pivotal in shaping the emirate’s maritime ambitions for the last 30 years, continues to showcase the finest fleet of superyachts, attracting fans, manufacturers and industry experts from around the globe. This year, the show recorded a 30% jump in visiting superyachts and significant high-value sales, cementing its position as a global yachting hub.

With its strategic location, world-class yachting infrastructure and seamless entry procedures, as well as comprehensive commercial and private aviation connectivity, Dubai is rapidly gaining popularity as an ideal yachting destination for the luxury traveler.

Rich Maritime Heritage

The U.A.E.’s maritime heritage dates back thousands of years, long before the discovery of oil. From pearling and fishing to shipbuilding and trading, the maritime industry served as a lifeline for the community and contributed significantly to the local economy. From a small trading port, Dubai has transformed into a global city with top-notch infrastructure, a vibrant economy and a high standard of living. In fact, the “Pearl of the Gulf” emerged as the leading city in the Middle East in the Global Power City Index 2023, securing a place in the top 10, along the likes of London, New York, Tokyo, Paris, Singapore, Amsterdam and Seoul.

The traditional dhow offers tourists a glimpse of Dubai's rich maritime history.

Today, while traditional dhows (wooden sailing boats) still ply the Dubai Creek, offering tourists a glimpse of Dubai’s rich maritime history, a growing number of superyachts are docking at Dubai’s luxury marinas, positioning the emirate as a premier yacht tourism destination.

Yachting Crucial To Tourism Economy

Under the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the U.A.E. and Ruler of Dubai, the emirate has unveiled a comprehensive 10-year economic framework, referred to as D33, which aims to double its economy by 2033 and secure its position as one of the top three global cities for business and leisure, and the best city to visit, live and work in.

The tourism sector plays a crucial role in this economic expansion. In 2023, Dubai welcomed a record 17.5 million international visitors, representing a 19.4% increase from 2022. This growth trend has persisted into 2024, with 9.31 million visitors recorded from January to June, up 9% from the same period in 2023. Dubai has bagged several accolades along the way, including the No. 1 global destination ranking in Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards 2024 for the third consecutive year, making it the only city to achieve this milestone.

All this bodes well for the yachting industry, a key pillar of Dubai’s tourism economy and central to the diversification of the tourism sector. “Yachting contributes to Dubai’s economic growth not only via direct expenditure from docking vessels, but also through attracting new audiences to the city, including investors and high net worth individuals,” says Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, part of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.

The yachting industry is central to the diversification of the tourism sector, contributing to Dubai’s economic expansion.

The yachting industry in the U.A.E. continues to enjoy remarkable growth. From October 2023 to June 2024, 64 yachts over 28 meters visited the U.A.E., the highest number ever recorded, showing a 12% increase over the previous season, according to the U.A.E Yachting Market Insights 2024 published by IR Yachts. The report also found that larger yachts are visiting the U.A.E.

To support the growth of the industry, the government has continued to invest significantly in developing its maritime infrastructure. For example, a road infrastructure project to improve access to Dubai Harbour is in the works. This AED431 million (US$117 million) project will see the construction of a two-lane bridge spanning 1.5 kilometers, extending from Sheikh Zayed Road to Dubai Harbour. When completed, it will improve the flow of traffic and reduce travel time from 12 minutes to three.

World-Class Infrastructure And Services

Dubai’s world-class maritime infrastructure, including 5,000 berths across 22 marinas, supports a thriving yachting ecosystem, and significant investment has led to the development of luxury services such as waterfront entertainment and state-of-the-art maintenance and repair facilities, ensuring a seamless experience for yachting enthusiasts. Popular marinas include Mina Rashid Marina , Dubai Harbour Marinas , Bulgari Marina and Nakheel Marinas . Well-placed fueling stations are available across the city’s marinas, allowing for convenient refueling for longer voyages. All this is complemented by the city’s abundance of attractions, cosmopolitan atmosphere, diverse gastronomy, privacy and unique lifestyle experiences. Additionally, yacht owners have greater peace of mind knowing that they can safely navigate around Dubai and the Gulf region, as the U.A.E was named the second safest country in the world in 2023 with a safety index of 84.9.

“The outlook for Dubai’s yachting industry is increasingly optimistic, and significant investments are being made to enhance maritime infrastructure and facilities, in addition to streamlining industry regulations,” says Kazim.

Key developments include the expansion of Nakheel Marinas Dubai Islands, which will accommodate 13 superyachts and house 248 wet berths for vessels up to 47 meters and 40 dry berths for trailers up to 20 meters. Mina Rashid will be transformed into a luxurious waterfront residential community , and anchorage points will be expanded across the emirate.

He adds: “Partnerships and collaborations between key stakeholders, a seamless arrival experience for foreign-flagged vessels, and visa options to simplify entry procedures are being prioritized to appeal to yacht owners from a diverse range of markets. Dubai is also positioning itself as a leading hub for the superyacht industry, with a focus on attracting key international players to establish offices, branches and manufacturing facilities here, further boosting our local economy.”

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Ferretti Yachts and Riva to attend Moscow Boat Show 2013

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Written by Zuzana Bednarova

To be represented by Premium Yachts, Ferretti Yachts and Riva , two prestigious brands of the Ferretti Group, will be present at the Moscow International Boat Show 2013, displaying motor yacht Ferretti 530 as well as Riva Iseo yacht tender.

Luxury motor yacht Ferretti 530

Luxury yacht Ferretti 530 was very keen to undertake in collaboration once again with AYT – Advanced Yacht Technology, Ferretti Group Engineering Division and Studio Zuccon International Project . The compact dimensions, 16 meters long and almost 5 meters wide, allow the 530 yacht to deliver grand Italian luxury and cruising immersed in such comfort until now unheard of in a yacht of this size.

Ferretti 530 yacht boasts three revolutionary innovations: the full beam master cabin with chaise longue and two large open view windows that make it a real suite at sea level bathed in light, tones and the natural essences of teak. Moving the galley from the center to the aft section creates a unique open space that includes the saloon, galley, cocktail bar and the dining area, the cockpit area continues thanks to the tilting window. The roll bar free sky lounge and the spoiler allow the 530 a sporty appearance combined with elegantly formal lines.

Ferretti 530 Yacht - Interior

Riva , the iconic Ferretti Group brand, presented a new model at the historical Lake d’Iseo shipyards in July 2011. Featuring elegance and ease of transportation as its distinctive characteristics, Iseo superyacht tender , a 27 foot runabout, is destined to become a must-have for those who love cruising on both lakes and the sea, and, most importantly, design enthusiasts. It is also perfect for anyone wishing to enhance their yacht with an exclusive tender that will never go unnoticed.

Riva Iseo superyacht tender

Due to its ease of manoeuvrability and size, Iseo yacht tender is also ideal as a tender for large yachts. Innovative and elegant, it can also guarantee comfort in bad weather conditions. Besides the electrohydraulic bimini top, it was also designed with a waterproof, automobile-style soft top which protects those on board against water and the wind during cruising.

Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "Ferretti Yachts and Riva to attend Moscow Boat Show 2013".

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Fitzpatrick and Garcia-Heredia share first-round lead in Crans Montana

Alex Fitzpatrick and Spaniard Alfredo Garcia-Heredia both produced flawless rounds of 63 to share the first-round lead at the Omega European Masters .

Both were among the late starters who benefited from the calmer conditions in the Swiss Alps, with Fitzpatrick rolling in seven birdies during his bogey-free card on Thursday.

He is the younger brother of former U.S. Open Champion Matt Fitzpatrick, who has lifted the trophy here at Crans Montana on two occasions in 2017 and 2018.

Fitzpatrick, who is still awaiting his first DP World Tour victory, is heading in the right direction as he led a logjam at the top of the leaderboard at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club.

However, he was not on his own as Garcia-Heredia timed his charge to the summit to perfection as he rolled in an eagle and five birdies to reach seven under to sit alongside the Englishman.

The pair are one clear of a chasing pack which includes Matt Wallace, Swede Henrik Norlander, Australia's Jason Scrivener and Dutchman Daan Huizing.

Two of the best from @FitzAlex99 as he co-leads the Omega European Masters 🏌️‍♂️ #OEM2024 pic.twitter.com/zXhtgQaVIZ — DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) September 5, 2024

"I got the nice side of the draw to be honest, this morning was brutal and luckily the last eight or nine holes there was not much wind so it was nice to capitalise on the opportunities I had and hopefully the same tomorrow," Fitzpatrick said.

"The wind was a difficult factor for putting, later on in the day the greens, with how much its rained, were fairly soft and having three-footers on these greens with the wind was pretty tricky.

"I was happy to nudge them close as much as I could. Just happy to have a good back nine and finish the the way I did."

Fitzpatrick got his round going from the second hole when he drained a 36 foot birdie putt.

His next chance came at the seventh after he found the green with his tee shot before lagging up his first putt for a tap-in gain.

At the next, his tee shot found the greenside rough but he only needed one more effort as he holed out his bump-and-run chip to reach the turn at three under.

A stunning tee-shot to concessional range at the par-three 11th saw him improve his score before adding another birdie at the next to sit one adrift of clubhouse leader Wallace.

Fitzpatrick found the par-five 14th in two and he only needed two blows with the putter to join Wallace and Garcia-Heredia at the summit at six under.

He followed suit at the next 15th hole and when he left his eagle putt to within two feet, he tapped in for birdie to become the outright leader at seven under.

The only trouble he suffered was at the last when he pulled his tee-shot into the trees, which resulted in him chipping out into the fairway.

Fitzpatrick found the green with his third shot but still had 18 feet left to salvage par and maintain his clean card, which he did with ease.

Garcia-Heredia went out in the penultimate group of the day which started on the back nine and it was there where he made his charge.

The Spaniard had to wait four holes to make his mark, but then there was no stopping the 42-year-old Spaniard.

A birdie at the 13th hole was followed by a stunning second shot at the par-five 14th, where he stuck his approach to three feet.

He rolled in the eagle putt before adding a gain from five feet at the next to reach four under through six holes.

Garcia-Heredia maintained the momentum with a 22 foot birdie at the 17th and he finished his front nine in 29 shots after picking up another gain at the next.

He parred his way to the eighth, where he joined Fitzpatrick into joint leadership after draining a birdie putt from eight feet.

"I played really solid. You know I got lucky with the draw, no rain, a little bit windy, but I played really solid on the par fives, hitting greens, my irons were good. It was one of those rounds were everything flows," Garcia-Heredia said.

"My putting has really improved since BMW International, my strength in the game is normally playing solid with my driving irons, the weakness has been my putting.

"But the last few weeks everything was off except the putter, so this week we were working with my coach the last couple weeks and my game looks back on track."

Wallace, who endured difficult wet conditions in the morning, went out in 32 and came home with the same score in his bogey-free 64 to set the clubhouse target before being usurped by Fitzpatrick and Garcia-Heredia.

Norlander mixed an eagle, five birdies and a dropped shot to climb to six under, Scrivener picked up seven shots and a bogey, while a bogey at the eighth - his penultimate hole - saw Huizing slip back from the leading group.

Swiss pair Nicola Gerhardsen, who is an amateur, and Cedric Gugler sit two off the pace at five under alongside Germany's Nicolai Von Dellingshausen, South Africa's Brandon Stone, Welshman Stuart Manley, England's Andrew Johnston and 2012 Champion Richie Ramsay.

Axelsen edges ahead in Germany

John Axelsen posted a bogey-free eight under par round of 64 to claim the first round lead of the Big Green Egg German Challenge powered by VcG at Wittelsbacher Golfclub.

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Lightning near-miss forces Louis Vuitton Cup Day 5 racing to be abandoned

• Toby Heppell
• September 3, 2024

Only one race was completed in today's America's Cup Challenger Selection series, the Louis Vuitton Cup day 5, after a lightning strike nearly hit one of the boats

With the first Round Robin of the America’s Cup Challenger Selection Series , the Louis Vuitton Cup concluded, teams moved onto the second Round Robin today, Tuesday 3 September. This second Round Robin will run through to Sunday 8 August at which point the Challenger with the fewest wins against fellow challengers will be evicted from event and will see their hopes of making the America’s Cup itself over for this cycle.

In short, from here on things get very, very real.

Conditions for this fifth day of Louis Vuitton Cup predicted another light day with a maximum windspeed of 10 knots from the east with relatively flat seas. However, the easterly breeze was actually significantly stronger than that with a lot of clouds and rain around and the breeze was up into the high teens for parts of the day.

All of this made for winds fluctuating between 10-18 knots and oscillating a fair bit as clouds and weather fronts blow down the course, making for very tricky varied conditions for the AC75 sailors.

Key takeaways from Louis Vuitton Day 5

• Alinghi get a point on the board
• Luna Rossa looks as strong as ever

Photo: Ian Roman / America’s Cup

Race 16 Alinghi Red Bull Racing Vs Orient Express Racing Team

Skippers Alinghi Red Bull Racing:  Arnaud Psarofaghis  & Maxime Bachelin Orient Express Racing Team: Quentin Delapierre & Kevin Pepponet

This first race of the day was set to be a big one. Alinghi Red Bull Racing are yet to score a win from their Louis Vuitton Cup racing so far. Their competition, Orient Express Racing Team had secured just a single win so far – the first race of the series when these two last met. So this battle was key for both team, who will desperately want to avoid becoming the single team to be knocked out of the competition come Sunday’s conclusion of the Round Robin Series.

It was a slightly odd start sequence between the two team and in the shifty and puffy weather it looked as though neither team particularly wanted to engage. Alinghi led back to the start and actually dropped off their foils briefly on their way back to the line, but this was far less of an issue in today’s windier weather than it has been in the racing to date and they easily popped back up on the foils to hit the mid-line at pace at the gun.

The French looked as though they wanted to accelerate along the line and harden up at the start gun to start to windward of Alinghi at pace, but if that’s what they were aiming for, the messed up the timing and were still in the process of hardening up when the gun fired.

From there it was pretty simple for Alinghi to hold their lane all the way to the left hand boundary and when both boats tacked Alinghi had the advantage. But during the tack the French looked to get a little too high on their foils and their rudder ventilated. They were able to save the boat from a huge spinout but by the time they were fully back in control they had lost a great deal of distance.

A similar incident happed again to the French up the first upwind and they splashed down off the foils too. They then took an age to get their windward foil raised and it became clear they were sailing with some technical issue.

Whatever gremlins there were in the French boat seemed to slowly dissapear but the race was already long gone, with Alinghi picking up a much needed win. “We struggled to sail the boat in the first upwind as we hd some issue,” confirmed Delapierre after the finish. “The Swiss took the advantage and we were not able to close the gap. The technical issue was there till the end.”

What we learned from Luis Vuitton Cup Race 16

We’ve seen that if they get everything right, the French boat is probably faster in a straight line than Alinghi. However, the French have a great deal less time in an AC75 than the Swiss and this inexperience has often shown itself in the French manoeuvres.

It’s hard to draw too many conclusions from this race given the French has some sort of technical issue, and without knowing the exact nature of that issue it’s even harder. But Orient Express looked pretty lose today again, as they have done on other days.

Luna Rossa get across the bow of the Kiwis in the ore-start. Photo: Ricardo Pinto / America’s Cup

Race 17 Emirates Team New Zealand Vs Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli

Skippers Emirates Team New Zealand:  Pete Burling  &  Nathan Outteridge Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli:  Jimmy Spithill  & Francesco Bruni

There’s a long way to go before the America’s Cup itself takes place in October, but many observers think when we do finally get there, these are the two teams who are mostly likely to be racing for the Auld Mug. As such, this might not officially count – as America’s Cup Defender , Emirates Team New Zealand’s results are discounted from the Challenger Selection Series results – but there’s plenty to learn for both teams in this racing.

With the breeze up to 18 knots as a big rain system blew across the course, these two teams looked to be gloves off in the pre-start with the Kiwis leading back to the start. Luna Rossa bore away to try to get around the transom of New Zealand, the Kiwis matched them and when Luna Rossa finally luffed back towards the line, the Kiwis duly followed and looked as though they might be able to lock the Italians out of the windward end.

“Be prepared for them to push again” was the call from Outteridge on the Kiwi boat, but Spithill and Bruni had other plans, with the Kiwis a little slow and high, the Italians powered up and managed to sail around the bow of the Kiwi boat. With only a handful of seconds to go until the start the Kiwis were force to effectively follow Luna Rossa, footing down the startline gaining speed until the gun. “It was really a power race there and our guys did a better job,” said Bruni of that moment after the race.

“I thought we were in a strong position but we didn’t manage to accelerate the boat as quick as I though we could and they just managed to get over the top of us,” agreed Burling.

Instead of just following the Italians in dirty air, the Kiwis elected to drop their windward board and roll straight into a tack but with the speed they were going it looked as though they got rudder ventilation and as they boat spun they dropped off the foils.

From there the two teams looked pretty evenly matched in the windier conditions and, barring a little moment where Luna Rossa got too high out of the water after a tack, both teams were looking pretty polished.

By the final lap with the Italians a way out in the lead and the front passing over the course, the wind started to rapidly die away and was down to 8 knots by the time both teams rounded the final windward gate.

Thunder had been rumbling around the course for a while but on the final downwind, a lightning strike hit the water in worryingly close proximity to Luna Rossa. Deciding discretion was the better part of valour, the Kiwis decided to leave the race course. They were quickly followed by the Italians and they were quickly followed by the announcement that racing would be abandoned for the rest of the day, with this race being awarded to Luna Rossa.

Lighting, carbon masts, carbon hulls and electronics do not mix…

What we learned from Luis Vuitton Cup Race 17

It might not matter in terms of the results but that was a clear win for Luna Rossa. Spithill and Bruni got the better of Outteridge and Burling in the pre-start and the Italian boat looked a fair bit quicker downwind and possibly upwind too.

When the wind dropped and things got very shifty the Italians also did a better job of picking their way through the tricky conditions – admittedly that is a lot easier to do from the lead.

Follow all of our  2024 America’s Cup coverage

Mike Garcia campaign runs misleading ad on the House Republican’s role in Violence Against Women Act

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In its first advertisement for the general election season, the campaign for Rep. Mike Garcia, a politically vulnerable Santa Clarita Republican, offers a misleading description of the congressman’s role in passing the Violence Against Women Act, which provides aid for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

The 30-second advertisement, titled “Voices,” was released Tuesday. It features an unnamed female constituent who says: “Mike co-sponsored the Violence Against Women Act to protect us against domestic violence. That’s why we need Mike Garcia in Congress.”

Garcia made the same co-sponsorship claim at a Santa Clarita town hall event last month, calling his support “a big deal” because “not very many Republicans” had sponsored reauthorization of the landmark 1994 law.

But in 2021, Garcia voted against a version of the reauthorization measure that was passed by the Democratic House majority, joining conservatives who protested provisions that expanded protections for LGBTQ+ people and tightened gun access for people convicted of abusing or stalking a dating partner. Instead, Garcia co-sponsored a Republican-led stop-gap measure to renew the act for one year, minus the new provisions, that failed to move forward.

He was not a co-sponsor of the amended reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act that Democratic President Biden ultimately signed into law the following year as part of a wide-ranging federal spending measure. It is that version of the act that remains in force today.

The Garcia campaign did not respond to requests for comment.

Garcia’s Democratic opponent, George Whitesides, also released his first ad on Tuesday. The 30-second TV spot, titled “Experience,” highlights Whitesides’ time as a NASA chief of staff and a chief executive of Mojave-based Virgin Galactic.

“I’ll use my business experience to solve problems instead of playing politics,” Whitesides says in the ad.

The race between Garcia and Whitesides to represent Congressional District 27 in northern Los Angeles County, including the Antelope Valley, is one of the most competitive — and consequential — in the country.

Erin Covey, an analyst for the Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election handicapper, said the race will be crucial in determining whether Republicans maintain their narrow majority in the U.S. House. Although Garcia has been elected three times, he represents a district where Democrats hold a significant voter registration advantage, and which President Biden won by double digits in 2020.

“I think this is going to be a race to watch,” Covey said during a roundtable discussion at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago last month. “It’s suburban. It’s diverse. It’s a race where [Vice President Kamala] Harris should really be a boost.”

The new ads by Garcia and Whitesides mark the start of a major advertising blitz that will inundate Southern California airwaves through election day.

The Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC that supports Republicans running for the House, has reserved $18.2 million for advertising in the Los Angeles area this fall, with a focus on the 27th District.

The House Majority PAC, which backs Democrats, has booked more than $22.4 million in television and digital ads in both English and Spanish in the Los Angeles media market, one of the country’s most expensive.

The House Majority PAC said last year that it would spend $35 million in California, roughly triple what it spent on the 2022 midterm campaigns in the Golden State, when Democrats underperformed in some districts that had been expected to be strongholds.

Santa Clarita Congressman Mike Garcia says his job is to keep U.S. from becoming California

GOP Rep. Mike Garcia, running for reelection in a battleground Antelope Valley district, held a three-hour town hall this week. His job, he said, is to “prevent the country from turning into what California has become.”

Aug. 8, 2024

The new advertisement from Garcia’s campaign leans into his military credentials. The congressman, a former Navy fighter pilot, flew in more than 30 combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom before spending 11 years as an executive with defense contractor Raytheon.

“While I’m no longer in the cockpit, my fight for you and the country never stops,” he says in the ad, wearing a brown leather flight jacket.

Constituents chime in to say that his “new mission” includes lowering prescription drug costs and “fighting the career politicians” to lower costs for families. The ad does not specify which costs.

The new ad for Whitesides says he created more than 700 jobs in the Antelope Valley and Santa Clarita while leading Virgin Galactic.

Those jobs included positions for engineers, technicians, accountants, human relations professionals and others, with a focus on early-career development for recent high school and community college graduates, Whitesides said in an interview this week.

Whitesides, a first-time candidate, said his first ad focuses on job creation because so many of the district’s residents endure long commutes to work in Los Angeles while living in the Antelope Valley, where housing is more affordable.

“People are hungry for local job opportunities so they don’t have to spend four hours on the road,” Whitesides said.

Can Democrats unseat a thrice-elected GOP congressman in this battleground L.A. County district?

George Whitesides, a former NASA chief of staff, is challenging Republican Rep. Mike Garcia in a decidedly “purple” Antelope Valley district. The race will be crucial in determining whether Republicans maintain their majority in the U.S. House.

Aug. 3, 2024

In the ad, Whitesides also says people are struggling with crime and that he will “get more funding for police.”

Whitesides has come out in favor of Proposition 36, a statewide ballot measure that calls for stiffer penalties for some drug and theft crimes.

The measure, called the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act, asks voters to partially unwind Proposition 47, a controversial ballot initiative passed in 2014 that reclassified some nonviolent felonies as misdemeanors.

Proposition 36 has been endorsed by the California Republican Party.

Democrats are split on the measure. It has been endorsed by some big-city mayors, including San Francisco Mayor London Breed and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. But Gov. Gavin Newsom and some top Democratic leaders in the state Legislature have spoken out against it, alleging it would return California to a draconian tough-on-crime era that swelled the state’s prison population to unconstitutional levels.

Whitesides said he’s “one of the few Democrats who have come out in favor of the reform measure” because residents want to get smash-and-grab robberies under control and are “rightly concerned about public safety.”

In his town hall meeting last month, Garcia said he, too, supported more funding for law enforcement. He said Proposition 47 needed to be nixed and that state Democrats had been pushing too many “pro-criminal” policies.

Times staff writer Noah Bierman contributed to this report.

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Hailey Branson-Potts is an enterprise reporter on the State Team who joined the Los Angeles Times in 2011. She reports on a wide range of issues and people, with a special focus on Northern California and the Central Coast. She grew up in the small town of Perry, Okla., and graduated from the University of Oklahoma.

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