From February 12 through the 16th, the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show takes over the city of Miami and Miami Beach to create one of the world’s largest in-the-water boat shows. The show is produced by Informa Markets and owned by the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association and the International Yacht Broker’s Association. The show expects more than 100,000 people to attend over the course of four days. More than a thousand brands will be on display and attendees will have a chance to climb aboard and ogle over a thousand boats, both in the water and on dry land.…
The Kadey Krogen family of owners, past owners and want-to-be owners is large, active and loyal to the brand and the boats. In the past 45 years Kadey Krgoen has actually built and launched 650 boats and counting. That’s a big family. And, Kadey Krogens can be found all around the world cruising safely and surely. Owners are encouraged by the builder’s team to send in stories of their cruising lives and many of them do. They are almost always on how buying a Kadey Krogen set them on the path to fulfill long held cruising dreams So, we want…
At the end of their third week adrift in the North Pacific, they were out of water, food and fuel. They had lost their rig and outboard during four storms that swept them farther out to sea. And, they were down to their last flare. But at last, luck came their way on January 17, when the pilot on a passing cargo ship saw their parachute flare. Interviewed later, Captain Hans-Peter Jessen said, “Just a matter of right place, right time. Very fortunate. Jessen was piloting a Chinese cargo ship up British Colombia’s inside passage when he thought he saw…
At the end of January, Aspen Power Catamarans announced that the builder of unique, proa-style power cats was hard at work on hull number one of the brand new Aspen C128. The new boat will have twin Suzuki 300-horsepower engines each with twin counter-rotating stainless steel props. The C128 is now Aspen’s flagship and demonstrates resoundingly just how much room, quality and performance can be engineered into an innovative 44-foot power cat. The new design is based on Founder and CEO Larry Graff’s patented asymmetrical proa catamaran hulls. By making one hull narrower than the other, the design reduces drag…
Silent Yachts, which pioneered the solar-powered, all-electric propulsion system for their cruising cats announced last week that the company is on track to deliver nine new Silent 62s this year. This comes after a year in which they delivered six 62s. The company is now on such solid footings that they can expand their line with a new 80-foot model. Silent Yachts employs the highest tech solar generation and battery management systems. And the company works closely with battery manufacturers to arrive at storage capabilities that improve every year. Silent is still the only builder of all-electric yachts to have…
On Thursday January 23, the U.S. Coast Guard announced that four sailors had been rescued in their life raft by the combined efforts of the Coast Guard, the container ship El Coqui and the fishing boat Bonanza, pictured above, in the Silver Banks waters north of the Dominican Republic. The incident occurred when the sailing vessel Mariposa, which was en route from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Island to Portofino, Texas, struck a rock and eventually rolled over in the large swells and sank. The men were able to deploy their life raft and initiate an SOS with their EPIRB. The…
Sirena Yachts, based in Turkey, announced at BOOT Dusseldorf that the builder was launching the design of a new Sirena 60. The new boat will replace the Sirena 58 that has proven so successful in the mid-range cruising market. Sirena celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2024 so they are kicking off their second decade with a stylish new 60 footer. The new yacht, designed by German Frers, carries all of the design DNA that has made the company such a world-wide success, including the plumb bow, extended swim platform and huge dark glazing that contrasts dramatically with the gleaming white…
At the Ft. Lauderdale boat show I had the chance to climb aboard the Sialia 59 Weekender which is now the company’s flagship. The boat is nothing short of jaw dropping for several reasons. First it is drop-dead beautiful in a modern, muscular way much like a Porsche 911. It doesn’t have any odd or gratuitous angles or strangely shaped hull glazings. Its look is sleek, purposeful and the curved front windshield and cockpit cover gives the impression that it is already speeding past you. Second, the boat is all electric and the system is the product of a highly…
The Nordic Tug 44 is one of those classic cruising boats that will never go out of style. Introduced in 2017 and still in production, the 44 is an upgrade and replacement for the NT 42, which was and is a terrific coastal cruiser. But there were a couple of issues in the 42 that owners and the builders wanted to address. The 44 is the result of their input and labors. A two-cabin, two-head design, the 44 has a larger master cabin and the salon has been extended by a couple of feet. This additional space makes a lot…
In February at the Miami International Boat Show, Aquiia Catamarans will introduce the new Couple 42 and Coupe 46. But, here’s a sneak peek at what Aquila has in store for us. Both cats are sleek outboard or inboard-powered speedsters with a low air draft and spacious forward cockpits. With two staterooms and en suite heads, both are proper cruising boats that will blow your hair back as you jet from one cruising landfall to the next. The new designs make good use of Aquila’s trademark double-stepped hull configuration and the Hydro Glide Foil System. The hulls are configured to…
It should be no surprise that Poland has become a leading yacht builder. It was at the Gdansk Shipyard in 1980 that shipbuilder Lech Walesa founded the Solidarity Union, which led the way a decade later to independence from the dying Soviet Union. Today, more than a dozen Polish yacht yards build hundreds of new boats ever year, many for brands based in Scandinavia and Europe. But one of its home-grown brands, Cobra Yachts, has an expanding reputation for delivering interesting family cruising boats from 37 to 48 feet, that combine modern Italian-yacht design with the great value to be…
Most of the modern fast cruisers that run at planing speeds have trim tabs that are adjusted manually to level the boat off and make it run more comfortably and efficiently. Adjusting trim tabs takes practice and skill and affects trim slowly, not dynamically. Swedish inventor Niclas Olofsson, who has a PhD in hydrodynamics had a better idea. In 1994, while on a business trip to Fremantle, Australia, the boat builder he was calling on had a problem. The Chinese company that had ordered several small fast ferry boats had rejected the products because the ferries could not reach the…
The Slovenian builder of efficient motor yachts from 39 to 58 feet announced this week that is is offering a new option that will eliminate the need for generators on all of their diesel-powered boats. A genset has been an integral part of traditional diesel technology but Greenline now has a better solution. On all of their models with diesel engines, they now are adding the Responsible Power Pack that includes huge solar arrays and large lithium battery banks that replace the need for a separate generator. When the boat is at anchor, the panels charge the batteries with enough…
Of all the natural phenomena that we run into out on the water, lightning may be the most worrisome. A direct strike can blow a thru-hull right off the boat creating a gaping hole, it can fry your electrical panel and battery bank and it can start a fire. Even near misses can create a mess inside marine electronics and the autopilot, or in the alternator and starter motor on your engine, or it can blow up an inverter-charger. Lightning works in mysterious ways so you can never predict where it will go and what damage it can do. That…
Since its founding in 2019, Skyhawk has become a leader in wireless, battery-operated, cellular-connected monitoring devices. Last year, the company came out with its Oversea models designed for boats and they earned both an Innovation Award at the 2024 Miami Boat Show and a place on the NNMA’s Top 100 New Products list for 2024. Oversea monitors keep an eye on all the important aspects of a boat that has been left untended for a length of time. Monitors have specific responsibilities, so you can mix and match them as you deem necessary. You can have monitors for your battery…
The Great Loop circles the eastern half of the United states and is comprised of 6,000 miles of connected rivers, waterways, canals and lakes. It can take nine months or more to complete a full circuit of the loop and along the way you’ll explore the whole east coast, the Great Lakes, the mighty rivers running south to the Gulf of Mexico and both coasts of Florida. Such a journey has long been on the bucket lists of many a cruiser, yet it is a big bite of the adventure apple to undertake with many challenges to impede your progress.…
Ed and Elaine describe their cruising adventures aboard their Ranger Tug R-27 as they explored the Intracoastal Waterway from Maryland to Florida. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH-E3tTQhZo&t=2s
Now here is something different for adventurous travelers, a boutique-style charter on mini-cruise vessels in Indonesia. The outfit is called Rascal Voyages and they have two vessels Rascal and Rebel, each with five cabins, that will take you to the most pristine islands, reefs and beaches on the planet. Indonesia is a vast country made up of thousands of islands. It is also one of the world’s most populous countries but most of the people live on Java and very few live on the outer islands where there is no infrastructure, no airports and no bridges. The only way to…
The Newport International Boat Show is only three weeks away with the kick-off on Thursday September 12. There are many reasons for coming to Newport for the show. It is the largest in-the-water show in the Northeast and features a broad selection of both sail and powerboats. Plus, acres of tents house hundreds of marine vendors of all types, many of whom offer great show discounts on their products and services. If you are coming to the show, you are also coming to the City by the Sea that is considered the sailing capital of America and has a new…
Furuno has unveiled a new series of MFDs that feature AI-assisted routing to take you on the best, safest and most direct path to your destination. And if an obstacle appears along the way, Furuno’s AI Routing will create a new route around it in real time. The new AI feature is part of Furuno’s new NavNet TZtouchXL series of multi-function devices designed for the helm of cruising powerboats. The AI routing uses Furuno’s new TZ maps to create routes along channels and to inlets and marina entrances using the draft of your boat, chart data and other safety parameters.…
There’s no doubt that an EPIRB could save your life if you have a problem while cruising offshore. But new ones are expensive. BoatUS now offers an affordable program where you can rent one for $65 a week, plus $25 for shipping. Read about it here: SPRINGFIELD, Va., March 25, 2024 – The majority of the nation’s nearly 12 million recreational boaters don’t often travel far offshore, beyond cellular or VHF range. But for those who only do on a rare occasion, having an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is important, allowing you to summon rescuers if there’s a…
C-MAP just announced that it has updated its charts for North American with enhanced images and more detailed information. Founded in 1985, C-MAP has become a leader in digital marine cartography and cloud-based mapping. Its C-MAP App makes planning and navigating simple and easy. It’s made for your smart phone, tablet or personal computer, and you can personalize a chart with the layers you want and view it any time you want in the palm of your hand. You also can check the weather, create your own route, or rely on C-MAP’s Autorouting to do it for you. Now, the…
Simrad just introduced its new NSX ULTRAWIDE MFD that it says is the world’s first ultramarine display with all the features. Simrad says the new display has all the benefits of dual screens in one place, and is 63 percent wider than previous models. The NSX ULTRAWIDE results in an elevated-dash look that offers easier, faster and more efficient installation for OEM or existing boat owners with fewer cables and less set up. It is available in 12-inch and 15-inch screen sizes. The ULTRAWIDE will make its first appearance at the Düsseldorf show, starting Jan. 20, and in the U.S.…
This week, MarineMax Vacations announced its recognition as a recipient of the 2024 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award. This coveted honor celebrates businesses that consistently deliver exceptional experiences, placing MarineMax Vacations among the top hospitality companies worldwide. This achievement reflects the dedication and passion of the MarineMax Vacations team, whose mission is to provide unforgettable charter experiences in some of the most beautiful destinations on earth. From the British Virgin Islands to other idyllic locations, MarineMax Vacations has become synonymous with luxury, adventure, and seamless customer service. “We are incredibly honored to receive the 2024 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award,” said Raul Bermudez, Vice President of MarineMax Vacations. “This…
Now, here’s something new from the market disrupters at Uber. Uber Europe, which pioneered facilitating Uber users to book yachts for day trips or more, announced this month that the service would be expanded to deluxe resort areas in Ibiza, Venice, Paris and Greece. A typical Uber Yacht experience in Ibiza would get you and up to seven friends aboard a private Sunseeker for eight hours of touring the island as well as swimming and other water sports. It would cost $1,600 for the day and comes with a complimentary bottle of champagne. Uber also noted that the ride sharing…
The Moorings, the worldwide charter giant, is adding a new location in La Paz, on the tip of the Baja peninsula in Mexico. The Moorings new base there, with sail and power charter boats, will open in time for the 2025 season. La Paz is at the entrance to the Sea of Cortez, which Jacques Cousteau called “the world’s aquarium” – for good reason. Also known as the Gulf of California, it’s one of the most biodiverse ecological regions in the world, and its warm waters and low surfaces protect coral reefs, plankton and algae. The area was declared a…
Beneteau just announced that it’s signed a 100 million Euros contract with Le Boat to supply it with a fleet of 400 new Delphia boats for its international boat rental fleet over the next ten years. Both companies said they wanted to expand their business in North America; Le Boat, which claims to be the largest boat rental company in Europe, already has an active boat rental and ownership program in Canada. Delphia is a Beneteau Group brand in Poland that makes river-cruising boats. The announcement said that Delphia will deliver 100 new boats to Le Boat in the next…