Nautic is also a major event for the motorboating. And here again, the trend is of course towards economy, but also towards the development of an increasingly specialised and segmented offer.
For example, Mercury Marine is launching a new 150 hp outboard motor this year. It seeks to be the market’s cheapest 4-stroke engine, but it is also the 3rd engine of this power in the U.S. manufacturer’s ranges: a light and responsive two-stroke Optimax with direct fuel injection, an in-line 6-cylinder Verado ultra sophisticated and quiet, and lastly this new economic 4-stroke. Thus RIBs, racing hulls or massive day-fishing boats will each find a motor best suited to their use and budget, for the same power.
Salon Nautique International de Paris 8 to 16 Dec. 2012 Paris - Porte de Versailles
What’s new in engines?
Outboard Trend
Lots of new models are putting the outboard motor back on the board, up to the new small launches or big day fishing boats, until now the preserves of diesel.
On the one hand, modern outboard motors have made impressive progress in reducing fuel consumption and noise. On the other hand, their purchase cost has become very competitive (for example the new 150 hp Mercury). Finally, their installation and maintenance is a whole lot simpler than a heavy diesel engine.
At Bénéteau for example, several new models are powered by outboard motors, like the Antarès 7.80 and 8.80 or the new Barracuda 9. The latter is
interesting for several reasons, because it comes in outboard despite its significant size and weight, but also because it comes in a segment held until now by the Swedish or Norwegian specialists. But at Bénéteau prices!
The major shipyards are therefore tackling the niches head on, with irrefutable arguments.
Jeanneau is expanding its range of Cap Camarat opens from the top with its 8.5 CC, and completes the group’s offer with outboard launches with the economic Merry Fisher 755 HB as well as a genuine cruiser, the Merry Fisher 855 offering two independent cabins.
Other important new models at Jeanneau, the NC9 - little sister to the NC11 presented in 2010 - seems to confirm that this New Concept of launch undoubtedly has a bright future ahead of it. For the price of a maid’s room, you can give yourself today a small ocean loft with a magnificent view of the sea!
The largest vessels will be just as numerous at Nautic 2011. Bénéteau is going to unveil its impressive Flyer Gran Turismo 44 and 49, as a challenge to the fierce Italian competition, which is getting colour back into its cheeks with for example the new Sessa 43 Fly. Bavaria, the German challenger, is going to present its Sport 43, with an always remarkable quality-price ratio. As for Prestige, Jeanneau’s upmarket range, it is showing its new 500 Fly at the heart of a now well established range.
Lastly, the Greenline phenomenon is developing. After the stunning success of the 33 (already more than 180 vessels sold!), the first new generation hybrid solar launch, the Slovenian shipyard is bringing Paris the new Greenline 40, even more living space, while offering a propulsion that is still ultra-economic and clean. Certainly a new way to sail a motorboat…
On the one hand, modern outboard motors have made impressive progress in reducing fuel consumption and noise. On the other hand, their purchase cost has become very competitive (for example the new 150 hp Mercury). Finally, their installation and maintenance is a whole lot simpler than a heavy diesel engine.
At Bénéteau for example, several new models are powered by outboard motors, like the Antarès 7.80 and 8.80 or the new Barracuda 9. The latter is
interesting for several reasons, because it comes in outboard despite its significant size and weight, but also because it comes in a segment held until now by the Swedish or Norwegian specialists. But at Bénéteau prices!
The major shipyards are therefore tackling the niches head on, with irrefutable arguments.
Jeanneau is expanding its range of Cap Camarat opens from the top with its 8.5 CC, and completes the group’s offer with outboard launches with the economic Merry Fisher 755 HB as well as a genuine cruiser, the Merry Fisher 855 offering two independent cabins.
Other important new models at Jeanneau, the NC9 - little sister to the NC11 presented in 2010 - seems to confirm that this New Concept of launch undoubtedly has a bright future ahead of it. For the price of a maid’s room, you can give yourself today a small ocean loft with a magnificent view of the sea!
The largest vessels will be just as numerous at Nautic 2011. Bénéteau is going to unveil its impressive Flyer Gran Turismo 44 and 49, as a challenge to the fierce Italian competition, which is getting colour back into its cheeks with for example the new Sessa 43 Fly. Bavaria, the German challenger, is going to present its Sport 43, with an always remarkable quality-price ratio. As for Prestige, Jeanneau’s upmarket range, it is showing its new 500 Fly at the heart of a now well established range.
Lastly, the Greenline phenomenon is developing. After the stunning success of the 33 (already more than 180 vessels sold!), the first new generation hybrid solar launch, the Slovenian shipyard is bringing Paris the new Greenline 40, even more living space, while offering a propulsion that is still ultra-economic and clean. Certainly a new way to sail a motorboat…
Day Cruisers, Opens, Runabouts and Consorts
In this market, the offer is still very dynamic, firstly with the giants Bénéteau and Jeanneau. The latter is completing its famous Cap Camarat line this winter with an 8.5 CC.
The Americans are coming back to Europe in force, their market being sluggish and the dollar still shy. Examples include the Glastron GT160, a pretty retro runabout less 20,000 euros designed by Christophe Lavigne.
Further still, the Bayliner 175, available for the perfect price. The giant Brunswick is also playing a more European card with its new range Quicksilver Activ, of which the 645 Cabin is going to be unveiled in Paris.
The French specialists have been busy too, with a number of day-fishing boats, a French speciality, or further still White Shark which is presenting its new 206.
Rhéa Marine, renowned for the quality and finish of its boats that resemble real trwalers, is unveiling a new ultra chic work at Nautic: the Open 23. In the same very high-end philosophy with a French touch, Nautic will see the return of the Nantucket, now built by Armor Boat.
No need to be very big to win over at Nautic, just to be chic…
The Americans are coming back to Europe in force, their market being sluggish and the dollar still shy. Examples include the Glastron GT160, a pretty retro runabout less 20,000 euros designed by Christophe Lavigne.Further still, the Bayliner 175, available for the perfect price. The giant Brunswick is also playing a more European card with its new range Quicksilver Activ, of which the 645 Cabin is going to be unveiled in Paris.
The French specialists have been busy too, with a number of day-fishing boats, a French speciality, or further still White Shark which is presenting its new 206.
Rhéa Marine, renowned for the quality and finish of its boats that resemble real trwalers, is unveiling a new ultra chic work at Nautic: the Open 23. In the same very high-end philosophy with a French touch, Nautic will see the return of the Nantucket, now built by Armor Boat. No need to be very big to win over at Nautic, just to be chic…
Rigid Inflatable Boats
World leader in this sector, Zodiac has reorganised its RIB ranges and production.
The Pro series are now available with a choice of configurations, offering the customer the possibility of choosing his equipment, colour and the materials used for the floats.
The French boatbuilder is moreover tackling the high-end Italian RIBs by deploying a whole N-Zo range, designed by Vittorio Garroni, which will be unveiled in Paris.
The other major player in the RIB market, Valiant (a subsidiary of Brunswick), is responding by modernising the design of its boats and logo, while retaining a very agressive quality-price ratio. Here again, the company has divided its offer into two product lines: Sport and Comfort.
The other French companies remain very active and creative, like 3D Tender which is presenting an FX 588 equipped with a wave piercing bow and a hull designed by Tanguy Le Bihan, or further still ProMarine which has been developing its range, as have the very professional Zeppelin and Sillinger, and course Caribe and its excellent boats and annexes.
The Pro series are now available with a choice of configurations, offering the customer the possibility of choosing his equipment, colour and the materials used for the floats.
The French boatbuilder is moreover tackling the high-end Italian RIBs by deploying a whole N-Zo range, designed by Vittorio Garroni, which will be unveiled in Paris.
The other major player in the RIB market, Valiant (a subsidiary of Brunswick), is responding by modernising the design of its boats and logo, while retaining a very agressive quality-price ratio. Here again, the company has divided its offer into two product lines: Sport and Comfort.
The other French companies remain very active and creative, like 3D Tender which is presenting an FX 588 equipped with a wave piercing bow and a hull designed by Tanguy Le Bihan, or further still ProMarine which has been developing its range, as have the very professional Zeppelin and Sillinger, and course Caribe and its excellent boats and annexes.
