Last fall, when the successful Finnish builder Axopar celebrated its 10th Anniversary at the Cannes boat show, it did so by introducing two new electric-powered runabouts. This is no small statement for a company that made its bones building incredibly fast and muscular outboard boats with an attitude. Now, they’re building boats that purr. The electronic wave is definitely upon us. Battery technology and thus range improves every year to the point that new brand Sialia boasts their new day-cruiser can run at 25 knots for up to 70 miles. That was unthinkable five years ago. Advanced batteries in combination…
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…
Paolo Vitelli, Chairman of the Italian yacht building firm Azimut-Benetti passed away on December 31 after an accident in his home. He was 77. Azimut-Benetti reigns as one of the luxury yacht market’s leaders and remains one of the most innovative. And, Vitelli remained until his death a towering figure in yacht building. The Azimut-Benetti Group is regarded as the world’s leading mega-yacht builder, a position it has held for the last 24 years. The company is run by Vitelli’s daughter Giovanna Vitelli who joined her father in 2000 and ascended to the chairmanship in 2023. Over the last four…
The Italian builder Absolute offers three models, the Navetta line, the Flybridge line and the Coupe line and while all are successful and interesting, the Navetta designs are the ones getting the most attention recently. This year Absolute is launching two new Navetta models at BOOT Dusseldorf next week, the 53 and 64, and both show numerous tweaks and improvements to the otherwise established design theme of the past. We’ll look at the 53 here and then come back to the 64 down the road. The 53 has an expanded foredeck lounging area and higher bulwarks, with an attractive cut…
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 British-built Hardy 50DS is a businesslike offshore cruiser that is built to take on anything the ocean throws at it. The Hardy brand has long been associated with seakindly expedition yachts that have a good turn of speed and a huge range. But the yachts were more workboat than yacht finished. In 2020, the Hardy brand and assets were acquired by Cockwells in Falmouth, England. This builder of fine bespoke motor yachts and super-yacht tenders is known for the extremely high quality of their finish work. The marriage between Hardy and Cockwells has resulted in expedition yachts that a…
Finland has become a prolific builder of sport boats and express cruisers. You may have heard of Saxdor and Axopar, which have made a splash in the US as well as around the world. But you may not have head of Aquador, even though it has been building Scandinavian-style express cruisers for 30 years. To celebrate this milestone, the team at Aquador are launching an all-new 40-foot 400HT at BOOT Dusseldorf in January. The 400HT is the largest boat Aquador has ever built and is a proper family cruiser with three double cabins, a large head and plenty of storage…
The Sialia 45, introduced earlier this year, has won the Gustav Trouve award for excellence in electric boats as the top vote-getter in the over 8 meter/26-foot class. This year more than 150 electric-powered boats were entered in the contest that were voted on by 6,000 electric–boat enthusiast around the world. The International Panel of judges, comprised of 32 electric boat experts, contributed votes weighted at a ratio of 3:1 in the final tally. The Sialia 45 emerged as the top choice in its category, receiving the highest number of votes from the judges. This recognition underscores the builder’s achievement…
Tamas Hamor, the inspiration and driving force behind the Xquisite multihull brand, never does anything by halves. When he commits to a project, he’s in 110% and the results have been truly impressive. The success of his unique Xquisite sailing cats is a testimony to his tenacity and inventiveness. So, it is no surprise to see the launch of the new Solar Sixty Power Cat that recently went into production. Hull number one should be in the water in 2025. The solar designation for the boat comes from the builder’s desire to make the boat as self-sufficient as possible without…
Fleming Yachts announced in December 2020 that they were designing a new flagship to their esteemed fleet. The new 85 was conceived to be the world’s best raised pilothouse, semi-displacement motor yacht with trans-oceanic capabilities. Following the introduction, with only renderings of the boat to show, seven boats were sold. This was in the middle of the Covid pandemic when families around the country decided to get into boating as a safe, outdoor form of recreation. But that doesn’t explain the instant acceptance of the new Fleming 85. This handsome and wholesome cruiser was the boat that many existing Fleming…
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…
It’s that time of year again; your boat is calling, and it’s time to get ready for a new season. Here’s a thorough spring commissioning checklist from BoatUS to help you get underway: Before You Launch Check the condition of antifouling paint and repaint if necessary. Inspect all hose clamps for rust and replace as necessary. Double clamp fuel lines and exhaust hoses with marine-rated stainless-steel hose clamps. While not technically required, it’s wise to double clamp whenever possible on all hoses — especially those below the waterline. Inspect all hoses for stiffness, rot, leaks and cracking, and replace any…
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…
The Cruising Club of America is a private, not-for-profit organization that has a membership of experienced cruisers and sailors, both power and sail. For CCA members and many like-minded adventurous cruisers around the world, the Maine coast is hallowed ground. Maine veterans will tell you that it would take a lifetime of summer cruises to get to know all of the coast from Kennebunkport to Machias. There are hundreds of rivers, coves, harbors, islands and coastal villages to explore. Yes, there are millions of lobster pot buoys in every harbor and thorofare. Yes, fog is a regular occurrence, particularly in…
Here’s some good news for anyone cruising along the Gulf coast of Florida or even on the Great Loop. The City Council of Clearwater just voted to replace the aging Clearwater Beach Marina with a new one with about 165 slips, modern amenities and a waterfront promenade. For the Clearwater Beach Marina, location is everything. It’s on Clearwater Bay, just south of the Memorial Causeway leading to the mainland and with no bridges between it and the Gulf, basically just around the corner. The ICW is on one side, and the iconic Clearwater beach is just three blocks away on…
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.…
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…
If you’re looking for a cruising vacation where somebody else does all the work, you can always charter a wide variety of power and sail boats with a crew in most of the popular yachting areas around the world. But if you really want to kick back and relax, move up a notch and take a look at the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. Ritz-Carlton already has one ship, the Evrima, in operation, but it’s building a second one, the Ilma, that’s bigger and has more living and relaxing space, at a yard in Saint-Nazaire, France. It’s scheduled to make its maiden…