This spring, Riviera, the Australian builder of fine, robust cruising boats, launched the all-new 4300 Sports Express at the big Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. A two-cabin, one head coupe, the new design looks like an ideal couple’s cruiser. We immediately thought that this new boat would be perfect for Great Loop or inland waterway cruises. It has a bridge clearance of only 15-feet, 4-inches which is four feet less than the lowest fixed bridge on the entire Loop. With twin Volvo D6 IPS drives, each rated at 440-horsepower, the new 4300 has all the moxie it needs for fast…

As we reported briefly ast March, the new Turkish builder Aiata launched their new Wayfinder 38 at the 2025 Dusseldorf Boat Show in Germany. The builder of these Finnish-designed, walk-around, center console express cruisers made a real statement by displaying three versions of the boat side by side. The most obvious innovation that Aiata is bringing to market is the unique square bow above the V-shaped entry that provides an expansive forward cockpit and deck area. Plus, the 38 has an indoor-outdoor salon with a large retracting sunroof. But the real innovation that sets the Wayfinder 38 apart lies in…

This week MJM Yachts, under the new ownership of Seolta Holdings since late 2023, took the bold step to reintroduce their entire line with new model names and a host of upgrades to the yacht finish of the boats, to the standard equipment list and to the owner’s option list. MJM also announced that new boats ordered by July 31, 2025 can qualify for up to $200,000 in discounts. So, if you are in the market for a sport day boat or family cruiser, now is the time to pull the trigger. The promotion MJM sent out emphasizes that their…

Bart Van den Hoven has been building high quality steel and aluminum cruising boats for discerning owners since 1992.  In those three decades, the Dutch yard has launched only 55 boats or roughly two a year. The first five he built by himself. But, in 1999 Van den Hoven “professionalized” the yard and brought on a growing team of highly skilled craftsmen. Today, he has 80 people on staff yet still only produces a few boats a year. Not seeking a large production audience, Van den Hoven instead offers extremely well-built and finely finished semi-custom yachts for owners who are…

Bering Marine, which is a subsidiary of Bering Yachts, the Turkish builder of large expedition yachts, recently introduced the new BM50 SE. The SE stands for Swift Explorer and being 14 feet larger than the next model in the line, the BM50 is the company’s new flagship. Berinig Marine builds recreational cruising catamarans of aluminum in rugged, working craft style. The designs all have hydrofoils between the hulls that provide lift and improve fuel efficiency. The foils also act as stabilizers that keep the twin-hull designs from pitching and yawing. The builder’s intention is to combine the larger living spaces…

This week, Tiara Yachts of Holland, Michigan, announced that it is adding the new 39 LS to the Luxury Sports line. The new model fits neatly between the 34 LS and the 43 LS and offers the same combination of sporty performance with comfortable weekend accommodations. Powered by twin 600-horsepoer Mercury Verado engines that have the Mercury Joystick maneuvering and docking capabilities, the 39 LS power system is integrated with the Garmin navigation electronics for maximum performance. “Performance and innovation continue to define the Tiara Yachts’ brand, and the 39 LS is a testament to that legacy,” said Tom Slikkers,…

Here’s a new 41-foot family cruiser from the Polish builder Cobra that packs a huge amount of living space into a family cruiser that is also a great value for money. The Campione sports high topsides, a full-beam salon, an expansive cockpit/swim platform and a full flying bridge that extends aft over the cockpit. The combination provides extra volume in the forward cabins, room to swing a cat in the salon, a real beach-front porch aft and two spacious lounging areas up top. And, then there’s the sunning area on the fore deck. The Flybridge transforms Cobras’ 41 Coupe into…

The Revolution Marine Group, based in Ft. Lauderdale, announced this week that they were launching a new 60-foot power catamaran that will be electric and solar powered.  This is a market segment long dominated by Silent Yachts, but it looks like the new Oceanwalker S60e, will give them a run for their watts. The S60e will be powered by twin 200-horsepower electric motors that will deliver a top speed of 12 knots and an economical cruising speed of 8 knots.  The motors will be powered by a sophisticated lithium-phosphate battery bank that not only will run the motors but will…

Around the country the various regions have developed over the generations yacht and boat designs with regional characteristics and builders who specialize in delivering boats of these types. We all know of Down East style yachts in the Hinckley-Sabre-Jarvis Newman style, designs that are famous around the world. But there are also the trawler and tug styles that are popular in the Pacific Northwest and the modern express cruiser designs in the Midwest and Great Lakes. One regional style that may be less well known comes from the Chesapeake Bay and is based on the local working craft that evolved…