2020 Newport Beaches 20 Most Interesting Yachts. POWER

By Len Bose

 This story is done in fun and to coincide with the 100 largest yachts, the world’s wealthiest people. I spent a couple of days cruising the harbor previewing boats that I have seen over this past season. My choices were made by what I feel are interesting and demonstrate the character of our harbor.  Most of the boats I have selected are custom and have been in the harbor for a long time. As you will notice I am a huge fan of Nordland, Hinckley and Hunt yachts. To be honest with you I am just hoping to get the listing on these boats or at least be invited aboard? 

I am splitting the list into 10 power and 10 sail. Next week we will be posting the 10 most interesting sailboats. Your comments are always well received, let me know which boats I should add next year?

No. 10 – “FORGER”

FORGER is a 74-foot vessel commissioned in 1988 at the German Bültjer Shipyard in Ditzum to a Beeldsnijder design. It is immediately obvious that she is definitely a different sort of motor yacht. Her iroko (a large hardwood tree from the west coast of tropical Africa that can live up to 500 years) topside gleam has countless coats of varnish. She came to town 10 years ago and is berthed on the end of Linda Isle.

No. 9 – “WASABI”

The 61-foot Nordland WASABI was built in 1983 and shows in better than new condition. Wasabi was originally custom built as hull #1 of this 61’ series.  The original owner (a very experienced yachtsman) met with Ed Monk several times in the process of creating his dream yacht.  With that said, three years after splashing ‘Karana’ he brought her back to the Nordlund yard to extend her hull seven feet to make her a better fishing platform.  The extension allowed for a 90 gallon bait tank in the cockpit and an additional 90 gallon slammer tank in the integrated swim platform.  Also, additional fuel tanks allowing for a total of 2,200 gals in 6 tanks.  The fuel capacity allows for a cruise from Newport to Puerto Vallarta direct without stopping in Cabo (unless desired). Today, she is berthed on a mooring in front of the Balboa Yacht Club and can be found at Whites Landing, Catalina in the summer months. Pride of ownership exudes, which keeps her as one of the best-looking yachts in the harbor.

No. 8 – “INVICTUS”

INVICTUS is a 216-foot, 7-inch luxury motor yacht. She was built by Delta Marine in 2013. With a beam of 42 feet and a draft of 13 feet, she has a steel hull and aluminum superstructure. This adds up to a gross tonnage of 1,485 tons. She is powered by engines of 2,575 HP each giving her a maximum speed of 17 knots and a cruising speed of 16 knots. The motor yacht can accommodate 12 guests in six cabins with an exterior design by Delta Design Group. This gorgeous megayacht really should not be on this list because she is not berthed in Newport Beach, yet when it is in the turning basin each summer she commands everyone’s attention. 

No. 7 – “LA FORZA del DESTINO”

LA FORZA del DESTINO splashed here in 2018. The 32-foot center console is built by Hunt Yachts and is a clear standout to the many center consoles starting to appear in our harbor over the last five years. It is kept at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club and features a Seakeeper gyro stabilizer, which midgets 95 percent of the ocean’s roll. She is powered by twin 300 HP Yamaha engines and can reach top speeds of 50 knots. She is a must have for any yachtsman wanting the best.

No. 6 – “SHENANDOAH”

This 44-foot Hinckley Talaria was built in 2004. How can this powerboat not catch a discerning yachtsman’s eye with her deep ocean blue color and seductive lines? She grabs one’s attention at first glance. Perfection is the first thought that comes to mind when viewing this Michael Peters design. SHENANDOAH is kept on an end tie just west of the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club. 

No. 5 – “VENDETTA”

This 57-foot Gatsby-era commuter yacht designed by Doug Zurn and built by Director in 2005 is absolutely stunning and will take your breath away. I am a huge fan of commuter-style yachts and had noticed VENDETTA as soon as she arrived in town. I immediately thought to myself how perfect she would be over at Catalina. With a reported speed of 47 knots, the new owner can make it over to the island in less than an hour and accommodate up to six guests. The original owner was musician Billy Joel. She can be found at the end of Balboa Peninsula.

No. 4 – “AIFOS”

A 73-foot Wally Performance Yacht, AIFOS features twin V-12 1650 HP Mann diesels complemented by KaMeWa jet drives with top speeds of 40 knots. Her unique styling separates her from the rest of the fleet. She is berthed in the harbor along Mariner’s Mile and can be found at Moonstone Beach in Cambria during the summer. Her open transom, huge cockpit along with the ease of operating offers the owner the perfect getaway.

No. 3 – “SHANAKEE”

This 78-foot Nordland Ed Monk design splashed here in 2008. Designed for passages off the Pacific Coast and the glacial runways of the Inside Passage, SHANAKEE was constructed with a high-tech composite structure and just screams perfection. Built with a sailor’s eye, her beauty will last longer than the best French wine. If she is in town, you can find her just east of the Newport Harbor Yacht Club.

No. 2 – “CAZADOR”

This 115-foot Nordland Expedition Yachtfisher is a long-range cruiser, with a main level master stateroom, three guest staterooms, three crew staterooms, a large salon and galley, and a top-level pilothouse. Specs include 3,200 HP from twin CATs, 7,000 gallons of fuel, 1,200 gallons of water and twin Northern Lights gen sets at 65 kw each. Dimensions: 115-foot length, 25-foot beam and 6-foot 2-inch draft. Splashed here in 2018, CAZADOR can be seen at the end of the Lido peninsula next to the Newport Beach Shipyard.

No. 1 – “FOLLOWING SEA”

This 56-foot Bertram is what Newport Beach is all about. The original owner was a member of Newport Harbor Yacht Club who commissioned Ray Hunt to design a 52-foot yacht for extended offshore cruising. Built by Dick Bertram in 1964, the construction was cold molded and was said to be the lightest and fastest cruising sport fishing boat on the west coast with a cruise speed of 20 knots. Restored to perfection by one of Newport’s best boat builders, FOLLOWING SEA can be found in the Newport Marina.

Sailboats next week!

Sea ya.

~~~~~~~~

Len Bose is a yachting enthusiast, yacht broker and harbor columnist for Stu News Newport.

Harbor 20's "Praise the Lord, now pass the nut's"

 

Sunday, November 15, 2020, Five Points area of the harbor. Harbor 20 “Praise the Lord, now pass the nuts” 14 boats showed up at one point during the afternoon racing. Racers were greeted with a light westerly breeze of 6-8 knots and plenty of warm sunshine to make for the perfect winter days sailing.

I have written before about feeling at one with the harbor, while the King Tide was ebbing one felt the tensions of 2020 were being released out to sea. There was little to no shouting on the racecourse with many of the competitors bringing crew who have never sailed before. With only one start there were races when B and C fleeter’s were leading the race at the first mark. You could almost feel their pleasure once they noticed just who they were competing alongside. In the first race Ross Watanabe, boat # 93, escaped from the pack to the right side of the course and crossed well ahead of the fleet and was not about to let anyone get past him. Unfortunately, Watanabe was OCS on the start of the second race while I was just on his weather hip at the leeward pin. “Did he call anyone over early?” Watanabe asked. “ I did not hear any sail numbers” I replied. “Neither did I, oh well,” Watanabe said. Watanabe finished the day with another first in the last race and I would have to assume he was smiling the whole way home.

I was very pleased with my race results never finishing out of the top 3 in all five races. Races three and four I was close on the tail of team Schupak/Tucker. In a two lap race I was on the verge of being swallowed up by the fleet during the first run and somehow escaped by the time  I reached the leeward mark. Two-thirds up the second beat Schupak pointed out the distance we had gained on the fleet which placed Team Deermount/Menninger in a whole other zip code and winning race three. In race four starting the second beat I found myself slowing down at the leeward mark in hope of getting a clearer lane on team Schupak/Tucker. We had a good lead on the fleet so I took a chance on the left and lost at least five boat lengths to them. In hindsight, I would like to take that one back and stayed closer to them and waited for the run to try to pass.

The whole day felt like hitting the “Pressure release button” and after finishing a cold beverage at the dock, taking in the last of the sunshine while looking up at the large private jet taking off I thought to myself I would not even consider trading places with the people in that jet at this moment.

Results are attached below and I will not be asking for a re-count and concede the race to team Deermount/Menninger. Now I understand better why they faced me on the beat of the last race.

Thank you to everyone that came out will see all of you at the NHYC Winter Series on December 6th for the racing and our annual awards presentation following the racing.

HUGE SHOUT OUT to Chris Killian for doing race management again!

Sea ya

2015 Newport Beaches 10 most interesting boats.

1970 69' Derecktor RHAPSODY

                                                     

I am taking a new approach this year by limiting the list to only 10 boats, the previous 4 years have been 20 boats, then combining power and sail together. To qualify, the boat must have resided in Newport Harbor for most of the year and was not on last years list. Not an easy task in todays time and with our recent city’s tideland rent increases. Most of the boats I have selected are custom and have been in the harbor for a long time. To be honest with you I am just hoping to get the listing on these boats or at least be invited aboard?

# 10 “DB Palomar” Her dimensions are 150’ X 54’ X 13’. You could not help to notice her this year dredging our harbor making those loud almost prehistoric noise’s this summer. It was fantastic to have her as a guest, she had her good moments and some bad. She served us well.

                                                                      

# 9   J 133 “TANGO” This years Newport Beaches High Point winner. She is kept in the Balboa Yacht Clubs Marina. The owner spars no expense in keeping the boat in top condition and keep’s one of harbors best helmsmen behind the wheel. Look for Tango to repeat in 2013.

#8  55’ Vic Frank “REFUGE” She was splashed in 1969 in the Pacific North West. Built from wood she has spent most of her life in Newport Harbor. Always kept in pristine condition at the end of Linda Isle. Most of the summer she can be found in Catalina at Moonstone. This style vessel always intrigues me and Refuge as been long overdue on this list.

#7 52’ 1992 Hinckley Sou’Wester Hull number #2 “Dauntless”. Hinckley made 17 of these 52's with only two of them on the west coast at this time. One is kept in Marina del Rey and is owned by Michael  Eisner the other is here in Newport Beach at the Balboa Marina. She is a Hinckley, you have to love it. 

# 6   53’ 1990 Nautor Swan “TOBOGGAN”. Owned by a past Swan owner she was completely restored and is in bristol condition. She has been seen sailing the harbor and outside most of the this summer. Unfortunately she recently migrated south to San Diego where the slips are half the cost.

# 5   44’ 2007 Farr “TABU”. Owned by her creators, this yacht is the best performance cruise I have ever seen. She cruised to South America and back an is in better than new condition. I’ve known one of the owners for some 36 years when we used to work together and I watched him build his first of 4 boats. Those boats are perfect also, she is kept on Lido Peninsula.

#4  2005 San Juan 48 “SALUTE”. I first noticed her in Catalina this summer at whites landing. Her gorgeous lines and dark blue hull is a real head turner. She is a twin diesel boat with two staterooms. My favorite feature are the two large settees in the cockpit that provide the perfect  Catalina experience. She is berthed off Harbor Island Drive.

# 3 2006 Northern Marine 84 “ISLANDER”. Expedition style trawler, The skipper is one of Newport Beach best who served as project manager during her build. She has cruised Alaska down to Mexico. Kept in pristine condition off of Lido Village.

# 2 “ SHANAKEE” 78’ Nordland Ed Monk design splashed in 2008. Designed for passages off the Pacific Coast and the glacial runways of the Inside Passage. She was constructed with high-techcomposite structure and just screams perfection.  Built with a sailors eye, her beauty will last longer than the best French wine.  If she is in town you can find her on the Lido Peninsula.

#1 1970 Derecktor 69’ “RHAPSODY” was originally built as the EXACT for Burr Bartram and was used as the New York Yacht Club's committee boat for the 1983 America's Cup races in Newport, Rhode Island. The famous vote concerning the Australian winged keel was held in her salon during that race. She built of aluminum and was refitted in 1997. She was seen most of the summer at the end of the Balboa Peninsula.

Well, thats it. I hope you enjoyed my selection this year. Please keep an eye to my blog site for my year end photo montage of the 2012 boating season.

Sea ya

On the Harbor: Catching up with OC Sheriff’s Harbormaster Lt. Chris Corn

On the Harbor: Catching up with OC Sheriff’s Harbormaster Lt. Chris Corn

By LEN BOSE

After the Trump fundraiser a couple of weeks ago, I thought it would be interesting to give OC Sheriff’s Harbormaster Lt. Chris Corn a call and check in with him. I did happen to bump into him during the fundraiser on the dock just next to Palmer Luckey’s home. At that time, I asked if it would be okay to give him a call and catch up. He said, “Anytime Len.”

Lt. Corn and I both estimated that there were more than 200 boats over 25 feet in the Five Points area of the harbor that day. I asked him to describe the events leading up to the arrival of President Trump.

“He was supposed to come into town a couple of weeks earlier, but he tested positive for COVID-19, so that delayed his first trip. We found out about his arrival about a day and a half before he arrived. It’s always challenging to communicate between the feds, city, state and county. At that point, we got a hold of the Secret Service, Coast Guard, Newport Beach Police and Fire departments. We all started talking on the phone to put a game plan together. Our concern was based around the harbor. Our mission was 100 percent the waterside. We then met with Secret Service the day before, on scene, then asked what they needed from us and what we can do for them with the outfits we would have available. For the most part, we worked with the Coast Guard keeping the security zone clear,” Lt. Corn explained. “The security zone was a 300-yard perimeter off of Mr. Luckey’s dock.” 

Thinking that some of you might be confused as to when you should call the City Harbor Department or the OC Sheriff’s Harbor Department, Lt. Corn reminded me: “Call us for just about everything, other than mooring rentals. Everything else such as law enforcement, marine firefighting, loud music at 2 in the morning, pretty much anything on the water we handle,” he said.

Now that winter is approaching, I thought it would be a good idea to review our moored boats before the Santa Anas or winter’s clearing westerly breeze kicks in. “Remember to check on your boats, mooring lines, bilge pumps, loose canvas. Just remember not to forget about the boat,” said Lt. Corn.

Last week the first Santa Ana hit. “I don’t recall the exact number of boats we had to rescue that broke free from one of their mooring lines, we had a lot of them, two boats broke free from their single point moorings and were adrift in the high winds. We noticed gusts of wind from 40-50 knots,” said Lt. Corn. “Perfect time to check your mooring tackle and look for any loose canvas, in fact, the forecast is for breeze this weekend.”

We all noticed how impacted the harbor was this summer and I wondered what Lt. Corn observed. “An increase of all types of boats, all areas of boating from megayachts to trailerable boats. With social distancing playing a big part in everyone’s lives, a lot of people returned to the harbor,” he said.

I was wondering if the OC Sheriff’s Department had any unusual responses this summer similar to a couple of years ago with someone tried to steal a large motor yacht and then go to Woody’s dock with it. “Recently we did have a person have a food reaction, on one of the large charter boats, who could not breathe, and our guys responded and gave him oxygen while our second team transported the fire department paramedics to the boat to stabilize him. We then transported him to Hoag from our docks. We had a couple of boat fires this year but nothing unusual. Pretty much what we do every year,” Lt. Corn said.

With the “William B” boat fire still singing in my head, I asked if the Sheriff’s Department has been training with the Spill Trailers granted from the state. “We do, we train every single month. Our training sergeant will put together our training scenario for the month. It varies from month to month, sometimes twice a month,” Lt. Corn said. “We constantly train, we never talked about this before Len, but did you know when a new deputy starts at the Harbor Department, they go through more than 600 hours of harbor department training before they start?” Lt. Corn brought up that the OC Sheriff’s trailer in Newport Beach was used a couple of months ago when the Pilgrim sank in Dana Point. “Everything went as planned while deploying the hazmat equipment containing all the hazardous materials. In response, the state awarded us the third trailer after reviewing the Pilgrim sinking,” Lt. Corn shared.

Lastly, I asked Lt. Corn if they have found any navigation lights for the Upper Bay channel markers. “We found the correct lights to use and have done so in Huntington Harbour. We plan on installing them in Newport very soon. We just need to meet with the City Harbormaster and the Harbor Commission to identify which county channel markers should have lights on them,” he said.

Over my 13 years as a harbor reporter, I have interviewed six OC harbormasters, and Corn has become one of the best among them, along with the same ranks as Long and Alsobrook. Corn is approachable, and he attends most harbor meetings from Huntington to Dana Point. I tease him about the nine different yacht club opening days he attends in the hot sun and in full dress uniform each year. He’s a good one, and if we are lucky enough to keep him for the next two years, our harbors will most certainly benefit.

Sea ya.

~~~~~~~~

Len Bose is a yachting enthusiast, yacht broker and harbor columnist for Stu News Newport.