The late-morning fog had just lifted when I climbed on board Dasher, the just-launched hull number one of the Hinckley Picnic boat with Shep McKenney, the chairman of the company. A few lobster boats passed by the Hinckley dock in Southwest Harbor, Maine, as we cast off; he said their lines had inspired his idea for the boat. The Picnic Boat was a gamble for Hinckley. The company was suffering from the lasting effects of the 1990 luxury tax, which had decimated the recreational boating industry in the U.S. And the sailboat market, which had been Hinckley’s main business since…
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New Fairline Targa GT 50 High-End Cruiser
Fairline, the big British builder, is showing its sporty new Targa GT 50 at the Palm Beach show. It’s a two-stateroom, two-head, 33-knot cruiser with some luxury touches and contemporary lines. Once you walk from the wide, submersible, teak swim platform into the cockpit, the Targa GT 50 is one large entertaining space, from the transom to the helm. There’s an L-shaped settee and a high-low table on the port side, and an outdoor wet bar with a grill, sink and entertainment system to starboard. You can open three-part glass doors to the salon, where the galley is aft on…
New Prestige 460 Fly at Palm Beach Show
Prestige, the prestigious French builder, will have the latest version of its popular 460 Flybridge yacht on display at the Palm Beach show, which starts on March 21. The two-stateroom, two-head, flybridge yacht, now powered by twin 440-hp Volvo IPS600 pod drives, is designed for easy living inside and out, while at the dock or underway. You can climb on the 460 via the supersized teak swim platform, and you then can raise or lower it hydraulically, making it easy to enjoy water sports. But then you’ll find a surprise, when a mini outdoor galley, complete with sink and grill,…
Invictus Showing New 42 Outboard Model
Invictus Yacht will be showing its new, sporty and outboard-powered TT420S at the Palm Beach show, starting March 21. The new Invictus, with its distinctive lines and signature axe bow, is really an outboard version of the Italian builder’s most popular model. Powered by three 350-hp Yamaha outboards, it’s aimed specifically at the U.S. market. The original TT420 was introduced in Europe with inboard power from two 440-hp Volvos, but Invictus realized that outboards are growing in popularity here. The design, by Christian Grande, remains the same as the original, other than some tweaks aft for the outboards. The original…
Converting Waves to Electricity
By now, we all know what offshore wind farms look like, and there’s little doubt that we’ll be seeing more of them dotting the cruising grounds of the east and west coasts before too long. But here’s something new that just completed a six-months test in the Atlantic off Portugal, a 62-foot high, 30-foot wide Wave Energy Converter that’s also designed to deliver clean energy to communities and businesses near shore. CorPower, a Swedish company, is developing WECs that float and bob up and down on the ocean’s surface. The massive C4 test WEC looks like an anchored buoy. Waves…
New Powerful AquaDart 770 Dive Scooter
You may not know you need this, but the new AquaDart Pro 770 Xtreme dive scooter seems like a toy that’s just waiting to be used. The AquaDart’s builder, iAqua, says the 770 is the most powerful sea scooter in the world, and is so powerful that it can pull two boats full of passengers. More specifically, it produces more than 52 kW of power and has a thrust of 770 Newtons, so it actually can move a lot. It’s also fast, reaching a top speed of 15 mph in just three seconds; that would be fun indeed. The Chinese…
Ferry Rescues People from Stricken Axopar
A 362-foot-long Washington State ferry and the Coast Guard rescued six people and two dogs after a wave smashed the windshield of their 37-foot Axopar in the San Juans earlier this week, shorting out the boat’s electronics and cutting some of the passengers. The Coast Guard in Bellingham says it got a distress call from the boat asking for help just before their fixed VHF radio shorted out. The crew on the Axopar was able to give the Coast Guard their GPS position, which was on Rosario Strait near Decatur Island. The seas were running at 4 to 6 feet…
Parker Launches Versatile Sport Cruiser
Parker just launched its new 34-foot Sorrento, a versatile outboard-powered sport cruiser with an innovative second cabin located all the way aft. Parker is a proud Polish builder that traces its roots back to 1886. Its modern incarnation dates to the early 1970s. It now makes 12 models of family boats that have won prizes in Europe and are popular there. It unveiled the new Sorrento at the Düsseldorf show in January. You can order the Sorrento with twin outboards up to a total of 700 hp. With standard twin 300-hp Mercury outboards, it tops out at 46 knots; with…
Outer Reef Launches New 620 Trident EVO
Outer Reef just launched its first 620 Trident EVO long-range motoryacht, and it will be on display at the Palm Beach show starting March 21. The new 620 Trident EVO has been redesigned for performance and efficiency in collaboration with Volvo Penta. Outer Reef first launched a 620 Trident in 2014; designed by Ward Setzer, who has worked on everything from superyachts to Hinckleys, it had a distinctive plumb bow and contemporary cruiser look. Now, ten years later, the EVO version features Volvo’s Electronic Vessel Control system and the SeaTorque enclosed shaft drive. The result is smoother joystick controls, faster…
Shannon Unveils New Amphfoils
The Shannon Boat Company in Bristol, Rhode Island, recently unveiled its plans for a new series of Amphfoil hydrofoils that are designed to revolutionize boating. Shannon says it developed the Amphfoils after eight years of R&D and it has patented the design and technology in 40 countries around the world. They use new hydrodynamic and aerodynamic technologies to redefine a traditional hydrofoil and deliver speeds of up to 70 mph and a range of 350 nm. They also use 75 percent less energy than a traditional gas- or diesel-powered boat, according to the company. The Amphfoils combine the stability of…
Williams Launches SOLAS-Approved Tenders
Williams Jet Tenders just launched the first models of its 18-foot DieselJet 565 and 20-foot 625 models with SOLAS approvals, meaning they are fully certified rescued tenders under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea. The certification means the standard Williams tenders have been customized to meet the SOLAS requirements and testing, which include a three-meter drop, self-righting capability and an endurance trial. For owners, it means they can have all the advantages of a high-quality Williams DieselJet tender plus the safety and rescue capability recognized by the SOLAS certification. A yacht owner would not have to…
C-MAP Updates Charts for North America
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…
Quick Introduces New Series of Stabilizers
Quick, the Italian marine component company, just introduced its new Intercepta series of stabilizers at the Düsseldorf show. Designed for yachts from 50 to 130 feet, the new Intercepta X Series of stabilizers can be fully customized to fit any model and hull shape. They are part of Quick’s MC² brand that includes Viator fin stabilizers and Quick gyro stabilizers. Quick already offers a plug-and-play series of Intercepta stabilizers for boats as small as 20 feet. The new stabilizers come in four standard units, the X50, X65, X80 and X100, and the width can be customized to the centimeter. The…
New eLite Electric Outboard: 14.7 Pounds
ePropulsion, the major marine electric-propulsion company, just launched its new 500W eLite electric outboard motor at the Düsseldorf show. The new eLite is compact, less than three feet long, and lightweight, coming in at just 14.7 pounds, including the battery. It’s designed for the tender, RIB and smaller boating market, offering clean, quiet and eco-friendly propulsion. It has a direct-drive motor and an advanced propeller design, and it requires very little maintenance. Danny Tao, co-founder and CEO of ePropulsion, called the new eLite “a game-changer in marine propulsion. With its innovative features and commitment to sustainability, we believe the eLite…
Simrad Unveils New ULTRAWIDE Displays
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.…
Peter Island Resort To Reopen This Fall
Here’s some good news for fans of the British Virgin Islands (and I think that’s just about all of us). The new and improved Peter Island Resort is scheduled to reopen officially on October 3, and will be up and running for the rest of the year and the holiday season. The original Peter Island Resort was destroyed by the hurricanes in 2017. The six-year rebuilding has resulted in a major transformation and upgrading of the resort and its facilities. Not that there was anything wrong with Peter Island to begin with. I first sailed there many, many years ago…
Palm Beach Marina: Location, Location, Location
If you’re going to Palm Beach for the show on your boat later this month, or simply cruising in south Florida at any other time, take a look at the freshly renovated Town of Palm Beach Marina. You’ll be impressed. Most important is its location. It’s on the Intracoastal Waterway, just across Lake Worth Lagoon from the mainland and the show venue. In the other direction, it’s within walking distance of all the boutiques, galleries, restaurants and watering holes of Worth Avenue. The iconic Breakers hotel and resort is only eight-tenths of a mile away. It’s also just north of…
U.S. Issues Warnings for Bahamas, Jamaica
The State Department has issued travel advisories for the Bahamas and Jamaica, warning about crime and water safety in the islands. The advisory for the Bahamas was Level 2, meaning “exercise Increased caution.” The advisory for Jamaica ratcheted up to Level 3, meaning “reconsider travel.” The top level is 4, which basically means don‘t go there. The Bahamas advisory mentioned gang-on-gang violence, but said that “violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies and sexual assaults occurs in both tourist and non-tourist areas.” It said travelers should “be vigilant when staying at short-term vacation rental properties where private security companies do…
Miami: Beyond the Show
For years and years, Miami has been one of the most vibrant, lively and warm of all American cities, with people coming from all over the world for its culture, water, beaches and, in the middle of February, the boat show. But Miami is a great place to visit at any time. For cruising boat owners, it’s a destination in its own right or a waypoint on the Great Loop or the starting point of a cruise to the Bahamas, Caribbean or the Keys. Miami’s wide choice of restaurants will make you want to stay a while. For a waterfront…
Best New Electronics: NMEA Awards
The National Marine Electronics Association just named this year’s award winners at its annual conference in Orlando. The awards were chosen by NMEA members who voted online in 17 categories for Product of Excellence Awards, while a panel of judges named winners of the NMEA Technology Award and Best New Product Award. The Best New Product Award celebrates a new product that was introduced at the conference and that the judges thought was best in innovation, benefit to boaters, practicality and value. The winner: Furuno’s FCV800 fishfinder, which the judges said was “a real powerhouse of a standalone fishfinder.” The…
New Revolve Emergency VHF Antenna
The new Revolve emergency VHF antenna, a major safety device for serious cruising people, just won an Honorable Mention award at the Newport show. It previously had been nominated for a DAME design award at the big METSTRADE show in Amsterdam. The Revolve antenna is designed to provide you with the ability to communicate on VHF Channel 16 even if your regular antenna is down, or inoperable for any reason. The Revolve also comes with AIS compatibility, so that other boats with AIS (an ever-growing number) can find you quickly. It operates on 156-162MGz, is lightweight, and maintenance free. Based…
Garmin Unveils New, Faster, Chartplotters
Garmin just introduced its new flagship GPSMAP 9000 chartplotter series, with 4K resolution, edge-to-edge clarity and a processor that’s seven times faster than previous versions. The new touchscreen chartplotters come in 19-, 22-, 24-, and 27-inch displays, representing the largest size in recreational boating. Prices start at $9,999. They will be available next month. The new GPSMAP 9000 MFDs work with Garmin’s BlueNet gigabit network to provide comprehensive connectivity throughout the boat, connecting multiple chartplotters, radars, cameras and sonars. They also provide multimedia streaming and video, so users can play and hear the same video and audio over multiple screens…
Stay Safe: Set Up Your Boat’s MMSI
Here’s some great advice from America’s Boating Club, formerly the U.S. Power Squadrons, about how to set up your MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity), a major safety feature. Read on: If your boat has a dedicated marine radio, GPS or AIS, your boat systems are not complete until you also have a Maritime Mobile Service Identity, or MMSI. The nine-digit MMSI uniquely identifies your vessel, which is crucial in the event of an on-the-water emergency. “Each boat is unique. Beyond having a physical name that can be seen up close, each deserves to have its own MMSI that can be…
Moorings Starts New Power Charter in Croatia
The Moorings just announced that it will have power catamarans for charter at its base in Dubrovnik, Croatia, this season, including The Moorings 403PC, recently named as European Boat of the Year in its multihull category. That’s good news for power cruising enthusiasts, since the Adriatic coast off Dubrovnik offers some of the best cruising grounds in the world, with crystal-clear waters, secluded islands, white-sand beaches, and historic towns and villages that are all boater, and tourist, friendly. Dubrovnik itself dates to the 7th Century, and is often called the Pearl of the Adriatic. One of the largest tourist destinations…
Bering Starts Charters in the Bahamas
Bering Yachts, the Turkish builder of long-range explorer yachts, is just starting a charter operation in the Bahamas. The Bering charters are a bit different, because you don’t have to rent the entire yacht; you can charter a cabin or a group of cabins if you are traveling as a couple or a family. If you have a large group, you can charter the entire yacht. The program is starting with the 92-foot Papillon (pictured) and the 145-foot Heeus. The itineraries are flexible, and cover Nassau, the Exumas and the Turks and Caicos. One new five-day cruise, for example, covers…
Freedom Boat Club: 600,000 Trips Last Year
The Freedom Boat Clubs is a modern American success story – an idea whose time has come. Indeed, Freedom just announced that it delivered more than 600,000 boating trips to members last year in North America, Europe and Australia. The world’s largest boat club operator, Freedom is part of Brunswick, and is based in Venice, Florida. And it’s very pleased with the way things are going. “We are committed to providing a pathway for new entrants and all who seek to enjoy the on-water lifestyle through our subscription-based boating model,” said Cecil Cohn, president of the Freedom Boat Club network,…
The Moorings & Sunsail Buy 78 New Boats
There’s good news from The Moorings and Sunsail charter fleets in the British Virgin Islands, some of the best cruising grounds in the world. The Moorings and Sunsail, its sister company, already run the largest fleet of charter sail and power boats in the BVI. But now they’ve made a $70 million investment in new boats that will bring their combined fleet to a record 254 yachts. The $70 million accounts for a total of 78 new yachts – 19 sailing monohulls, 35 sailing catamarans, and 24 power catamarans – all arriving just in time for the peak sailing season in…