FLLLAAAAASSSSHHH ! - Riding the 'Blade' (BladeRunner) !!

90 Knots (160 KM/H) on water! Specially designed for MAX speed with its trademark SPONTOONS!! More than half a tonne of horsepower under the throttle!!! 35 Feet of Red and White Livery!!!! - WHAT IS IT!!!?


Ladies and gentleman...or rather...divas and playboys...if SPEED excites you and if 'FORM with FUNCTION' means anything to your world of Versace-s and Jimmy Choo-s...INTRODUCING THE BLADE-RUNNER!!!

It's not the first time that we are speaking about this firestarter on water...BUT HOLD YOUR BREATH - the conjoining lines talk about a hands-on, one-on-one encounter with this beautiful beast!


Ava Marine's Phiroze Contractor took Team GIIRA for a 'speed-scapade' in this multi-award winning, world renown power-boat!

SHOWTIME

Back to our favorite Pier 5 at the Gateway of India, a tender vessel awaits to take us 4 and Phiroze to the star of this show.

As we approach the BladeRunner 35's mooring Phiroze gives a little knowledge and understanding of what we are in for and we just admire the boat's silhouette on water.

We hate using the term 'boat' to refer to her - it's more like 'jet-fighter on water'. Infact its capability to 'fly' on water has prompted the US Forces to have a version specially equipped with automated machine guns for combat purpose in its marine fleet!

As we get closer...we just cant wait getting even closer...

FITS LIKE A GLOVE

FORMULA 1 - probably thats the first thing that would come to your mind about this boat externally and internally.


But surprisingly - once onboard, we are amazed how easy it is move about and fit into the seats which remind you of F1 cars and the minimal console and RADAR screen.


Surprise! Surprise !! We see a small door - which hides a cabin behind it. Wonder how they are able to package a cabin with a bed into such a sleek design - another example of fabulous 'form + function'.


No need to speak here about fit, finish, quality or upkeep - you are guaranteed that on an Ice Marine boat.

A bigger surprise is when Phiroze tells us that the engines have already been running and there is infact a pin-drop silence and no vibrations. The Mercury Verado Twin 275s are 'up-n-running' ! The console that holds the throttle is adjustable in terms of its position for the convenience of its driver.

With speakers for every seat, an i-Pod compatible music system and the latest tracks running on the FM in the background...we were sure that we were in for a SUPER-RIDE!

FLAAAAAAASSSSHHHHHH

Phiroze then ensures that we are all seated...and slightly touches the throttle...and our backs are pressed to the seats...the Verado's are as torquey as the are silent.

Soon the entire scenery seems to be zooming past us and the horizon is fast getting closer and closer...the specially designed for speed form of the boat alleviating that feeling since its SO STABLE at high speeds. Not a single vibration...just a gliding (almost hovercraft-like) feeling...nor even a single 'bump' due to a wake in the water spoils your need for speed!


Surely IceMarine believes in 'with more speed comes more safety' as we are alerted by a loud BEEP when a ferry is half a kilometer away on our path!

Phiroze's style of driving the BladeRunner showed a lot of maturity and experience in his able trained hands. He said that promoting the BladeRunner is not about speed but its the passion it fires within him when onboard.


Owning a BladeRunner ensures that you are a part of the their Training Program that teaches you how to drive this machine to its fullest and its best.

AWAKEN THE SENSES

We suggest that you go buy the latest Ferrari or the Porsche 991 Turbo...but then what's next?!...Where are the roads that will let you floor the accelerator and reach exhorbitant speed??

Your best option would be...get your hands on to a BladeRunner...you will never run out of space needed for the speed and if you want an illustration about how ecstatic it is to do that on water - we could end up writing pages for that!


Top speeds on the BladeRunner that we were on have been in the range of 90 Knots. Captain Ashfaque informs us about their first run between Gateway of India (GoI) to Mandwa jetty trip in 4 MINUTES FLAT!

With a range of 220NM (Nautical Miles), it can take you to Goa in 4 HOURS FLAT! (albeit with a single stop to refuel since Goa is a good 240NM far)...we bet you that this is faster than taking a flight if you consider time taken to reach the airport and then your hotel or villa in Goa once you alight.

With a draft of ONLY 1.5 feet you can beach the BladeRunner and alight onto your private beach.

MORE...

Looking for boosting an otherwise staid image?...Or you have run out of all options to excite your senses...Or simply speed thrills you till the extent that it doesnt kill you...then the BladeRunner should surely be your choice over your next Ferrari!


We were so thrilled with the experience that Phiroze shared with us that we have given a new meaning to the BladeRunner in the Giira Sea Dictionary ie :-

BladeRunner (n) - opulence with luxury, extra-ordinary, procuring superiority, power personified
Read more...

'Italian-made' in India - by Ava Marine

Sober sunshine, a calm fishing jetty, small waves hitting a silent beach-shore, boats scattered in red and white...sounds like the perfect setting for your beach-home considering that all this in Goa!

But that was the perfect setting for Ava Marine's shipyard..a multi-crore facility that has an integrated Italian factory and is home to India's very own speed-boat (that is comparable in terms of form and function to what international players offer).

Team GIIRA was lucky to be invited by Ava Marine's Maneck and Firoze Contractor to have a detailed look at their operations and their insights about Ava Marine's and the Indian Yachting Industry's future.

If Italian passion and worksmanship could be put into one shipyard in India, it was definitely this one.

BACK TO BASICS

Formed as long back as 1989, by Captain (IN-Retd) Soli Contractor, Maneck and Phiroze Contractor - Ava Marine Services has come a long way in the plethora of functions it offers.

The focus of the company is consulting, managing, maintaining and operating motor/sailing Yachts and other water crafts on behalf of owners. Their services include staffing, fuel monitoring, maintaining logs, cleanliness and routine maintenance, repairs, monsoon layovers, etc.

The thorough professionalism involved in the operations and the layout of their shipyard spoke volumes about their commitment towards the industry.

AVAMARINE'S BELIEF

Ava Marine believes that your time on the water is precious and always ensure that each moment spent onboard is enjoyed to the maximum. Their services cover all aspects of Yacht operations so you merely step on and off your Yacht fully satisfied.

Ava Marine strives to become your complete stress buster on water and provide you, your own private water world.

AVAMARINE'S GOA OPERATIONS

Ava Marine has a fully-integrated Italian yacht-making factory within their premises at Goa. This part-by-part fully imported assembly line allows them to cater and manufacturer to all sorts and sizes of boats.


The famous Miss India 2007, that Indian superstar Saif Ali Khan has made famous through his quick getaways to Alibaug for his shoots with beau Kareena.

PARTNERS

AvaMarine is famous for being the dealers for the BLADERUNNER. That makes them definitely the most exciting people on the water in terms of flat-out speed in the harbor.

They also assemble boats made with Chinese parts - particularly speedboats which have been received well by the market due to their price advantage. They re-badge these with their own brand name and look forward in increasing the output of these in the near future.

THE SEA FARER 32

The best and most advanced offering from this boatyard is the Sea Farer 32. A 32' speedboat - made with the best engineering and designing techniques available in India.



Though executed in India, these techniques are in line with the latest used by manufacturers internationally. Hence there is no compromise on quality.

Maneck has ensured that the quality of worksmanship is at its best by retaining his staff over many years and training them regularly with the latest boat-bulding operations - right from making moulds, setting the hull, forming the super-structure, finishing and detailing, painting and installing the engines.


But something unique about Sea Farer 32 is a hull specially designed for India. Due to the salinity and viscosity factors experienced in Indian waters, the hull has been designed to cut through the water in such a manner that reduces drag (whereby increasing fuel efficiency) and reducing the 'bounce' effect that is faced in almost all other designs - local or internationally.

Also, this 32 footer can be fitted with any engine specification of its owners choice and at the same time is highly customisable with some models coming with a small cabin in front also.

FUTURE PLANS

Apart from concentrating on its vast range of self-built products, Ava Marine plans to market the BladeRunner even stronger. Apart from that they will be developing and making a lot of catamarans and trimarans from moulds that have been imported. Apart from the mainstream market, they want to cover a wide range of one-offs that cater to exclusive owners.

Their forte being maintenance and upkeeping of boats....we wish Ava Marine all the best!

'See you on the water...Cheers!!'

Read more...

Fastest Luxury Speedboat In The Mumbai Harbour: Power Boating with the Bladerunner

There were many gigantic luxury yachts parked at the SMIBS Marina this year. Undoubtedly the one who stole the show was the Bladerunner! It was present on the last day, and that too just for a couple of minutes, but that was enough time to pull in the crowd. All eyes were on this speed-demon as it whisked to the marina, picked up it’s guests and sped away in no time.


Bladerunner's eye-catching styling is more than a mere novelty. Here's a craft that performs like a racer but also pushes the boundaries of leisure cruising.
Are you ready for the design…the machine…the experience?
Read on for more of the Bladerunner…


Raceboat performance and everyday practicality are usually considered to be mutually exclusive properties. You can have one but not the other.
However, this is most certainly not the case if you’re responsible for developing a completely new design of powerboat at ICE Marine…


Together with a team of highly respected high performance offshore racing professionals in design and engineering, the company ICE Marine, started out on its mission to not only improve the performance, efficiency and handling of high speed offshore powerboats, but to also generate a much safer, softer riding and leisure friendly platform for the sports boat market.


What emerged after an extensive period of development, wind tunnel testing and sea trials, was one of the most technically advanced hull forms in the world, the Bladerunner.


With over 30 years of extensive development and technical expertise behind the company combined with a comprehensive 10 year development program for the Bladerunner ‘Air Entrapement Monohull’ design, the Bladerunner Series now ranges from 35’ to 51’, with a number of very credible World and national records under its belt, including the outright Round Britain World Record!


The Bladerunner hull form was conceived by Britains’ most successful and experienced offshore racing professionals in both design and engineering. Head of design at ICE Marine is Naval Architect Lorne Campbell, a quietly spoken man with over 30 years experience in designing class winning high performance powerboats and an enviable 100 race wins and 20 World and National championships to his credit. First launched and raced in the 1998, the RS6 ICE raceboat (Blade 001) was an immediate hit on the demanding 6 litre circuit, winning the Cowes classic 3 years in succession.

Stay tuned in as Team Giira discovers what it feels like to ride in the bladerunner in the coming posts.
Read more...

Entrapped By The Bladerunner: One ‘Hull’ Of A Design !

Behold the Bladerunner. It is an ‘Air entrapment monohull’ or AEM.

Between the devil and the deep blue sea this speed demon hits center point!

Pioneered by ICE Marine the AEM is radically different to a conventional monohull, with dramatic twin tunnels that flare out either side of the extremely slender twin stepped hull finishing with sharp knife like sponsons at the sides...


. This unique combination gives a Bladerunner phenomenal aerodynamic lift, which improves performance and significantly softens the ride over conventional monohulls by compressing the air inside the tunnels adding a cushioning effect. A further advantage is that the centre of lift is located much further aft than a comparative high performance catamaran, providing a safer and more level ride in rough seas. The sharp keels of a Bladerunner’s sponsons cut effortlessly through the waves, which is a stark contrast to the wide flat chines of a conventional monohull that impact hard on the surface of the water. They also form the outer walls of the tunnels, which is essential for air compression and the resulting aerodynamic lift.

The Bladerunner is kept stable and level in a straight line and when turning by a combination of the sharp keels and the pressurised air in the tunnels. These same sharp keels also provide superior directional stability to avoid any unforeseen sudden changes in direction (hooking) to the left or right that high-speed monohulls and catamarans are prone to.

The net result of all this is a quicker, safer and more efficient hull that has superb rough water capabilities with inherent soft riding characteristics.
If this leading-edge design technology sounds amazing on paper, you only have to experience a Bladerunner for a short time to understand what it means in reality.
The all new Bladerunner 51 is the current flagship model to the Bladerunner Series. Powered by twin 1000hp Caterpillar C18 inboard engines combined with a pair of Arneson surface drives, with a top speed in excess of 65 knots (74 mph) in full leisure format, the all new Bladerunner 51 is one of the fastest luxury high performance sports cruisers in production in the world today. In late 2005, this remarkable boat smashed the Round Britain World Record in an astonishing 27hrs and 10mins at an average speed of 63.5mph, proving its astounding offshore capabilities.

The all new Bladerunner 35 is the latest edition to the Bladerunner Series, replacing its awarding winning and world renowned predecessor, the notorious Bladerunner 34. A complete evolution of the previous 34’ model, it now incorporates a number of revised modifications and updates inside and out to help even further to improve comfort, ride stability and hull efficiency. With her specially developed ‘Air Entrapement Monohull’ and an overall length of 35ft, this is a craft that will take a wide variety of sea conditions in her stride.
Catch her before she's out of sight at the Mumbai International Boat Show 2008, 29Feb to 2March at the BKC!
. Read more...