Cruising Life

Panama Posse Forming: 165 Boats So Far

By Peter Janssen on October 1, 2023 Cruising Life

This year’s Panama Posse, a flotilla of power and sail boats that cruise from southern California to the Panama Canal and on to the Caribbean and Florida, is forming. Indeed, the posse will hold its kickoff events from October 20 to 28 in San Diego, Shelter Island and Chula Vista. You don’t have to go the entire way; you can join the posse for a while and then set your own course. But if do want to stay for the entire journey, the itinerary includes Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Roca, Panama, the Panama Canal, Jamaica, Roatan, the Yucatan…

New Study: Gulf Stream Definitely Weakening

By Peter Janssen on October 1, 2023 Cruising Life

A new study confirmed that the Gulf Stream is definitely weakening, with implications for weather systems in the U.S. and Europe. In the new study, scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the University of Miami examined data measuring the volume of seawater carried through the Florida Straits for 40 years. Their conclusion: The amount of water has decreased by 4 percent. They say their findings represent the first “conclusive, unambiguous observational evidence” of a slower Gulf Stream. They say there’s a 99 percent chance that the slowing was not a random event. Chris Piecuch, a scientist from Woods…

Riva Launches New Diva 82 Flybridge

By Peter Janssen on October 1, 2023 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life

Riva just launched its new Diva 82-foot flybridge luxury cruising yacht at the Cannes Yachting Festival. It’s the smallest model in Riva’s flybridge lineup, which goes up to the 130 Bellissima. Riva says the new Diva, with an eye-catching, swept-back windshield, offers a “revolutionary approach to the use of space.” Even though the flybridge is located fairly far aft (the Diva has an elongated foredeck), it is large enough for the upper helm, a lounge with a dinette and bar and sunbathing areas forward and aft. A carbon-fiber hardtop offers some protection from the weather. The salon, with large windows,…

Top Boats at Annapolis Show

By Peter Janssen on September 28, 2023 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life

The only problem with boat shows is that there are so many new boats. So many boats, so little time. It’s easy to feel confused and overwhelmed; it’s hard to keep focused on the boats you really want to see. The Annapolis power show that starts on Oct. 5 is no exception; it will have more than 300 new boats on display on and around City Dock downtown. To help you make the most of your time, we’ve picked some of our cruising favorites that will be displayed there. Take a look: AMERICAN TUG 365: Made in LaConner, Washington, the…

New Endurance 630 Long-Range Cruiser

By Peter Janssen on September 27, 2023 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life

The 630 long-range cruiser is the newest member of the Endurance fleet, and you can order it with either a traditional flybridge or a fully enclosed skylounge. The new 630 is made for safe and comfortable cruising; the pilothouse has wraparound windows for visibility all around, and a Portuguese bridge provides some weather protection. The heart of a blue-water cruiser, the pilothouse has two Pompanette helm chairs, a dinette and a settee; aircraft-type doors open to the decks on each side. The aft deck is protected by the overhang from the boat deck above, and it has a sofa aft…

Axopar Building New 29 Range Line

By Peter Janssen on September 26, 2023 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life

Axopar, the innovative Finnish builder, created an entirely new genre of adventure boats when it launched its first model, a 28, in 2014. With its plumb bow and, long, low and lean minimalist lines, the 28 has been a big seller in Europe and the U.S.; so far Axopar has made 2,700 of them, and Axopar now makes several other models going up to 45 feet. Last week, Axopar said it would celebrate its tenth anniversary by replacing the 28 with a brand-new 29 Range line, with three models – Cross Cabin, Sun Top, and Spyder. The new 29s will…

Wally Launches 50 with IPS or Outboard Power

By Peter Janssen on September 25, 2023 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life

Wally just launched its new 50 with the builder’s elegant, minimalist and uber-clean lines at the Cannes Yachting Festival. The latest Wally, called the wallypower50, comes in two versions, one powered by twin 480-hp Volvo IPS pod drives, the other by four 400-hp Mercury Verado outboards, with four 500-hp Mercury Racing outboards as upgrades. Wally was not shy about touting the importance of the new 50. Indeed, Stefano de Vivo, the company’s managing director, said “The wallypower50 sets a new standard for being flexible, practical, dynamic and – of course – iconic. It is the ultimate example of the evolution…

How To Use RACONs for Coastal Cruising

By co_admin on September 25, 2023 Cruising Life

Here’s some great advice from Skipper Tipsabout how to use RACONs to help you navigate safely when you’re cruising along the coast: Imagine you are approaching the busy port of Miami on a pitch black night, in blustery winds and a choppy sea. When still 6 miles away, you turn on your radar and see a cluster of buoys, beacons, and vessels, and each target appears as a separate dot on the radar scope. Your eyes strain with fatigue as you scan the cluster of contacts, trying to pick out the Miami sea buoy, marking the entrance to the harbor.…

Candela Sets Electric Boat Distance Record

By Peter Janssen on September 24, 2023 Cruising Life

A 28-foot Candela C-8 Polestar electric foiling boat just set a record by covering 420 nm in a single day, a milestone accomplishment in the move to renewable energy. The previous record, set by a Voltari 260, was 79 nm in 20 hours. During its 24-hour run, the Swedish-built Candela ran at about 27 knots most of the time. It cruised in a circular 20-nm loop in the waters off Stockholm, stopping each lap to recharge with a fast Plug charger. Each charge took 18 minutes. “This feat shows that fast, electric waterborne transport over long distances is viable today,…

Bering Starts Line of Power Cats

By Peter Janssen on September 20, 2023 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life

Bering Yachts, the Turkish builder that makes rugged, go-anywhere, long-range explorer yachts, just announced that they’re working on a new line of power catamarans, starting with a 60 and then moving on to an 80. In making the move, Bering joins a growing list of powerboat builders that is either switching to multihull yachts or is adding multihulls to their traditional lineup. In Bering’s case, the cats will join its fleet of monohulls that runs from 65 to 145 feet. But the cats will carry on Bering’s goal of building aluminum displacement boats that are designed for distant adventure cruising.…

Browsing: Cruising Life