Author George Day

The launch of the Absolute 52 Fly , following the introduction of her sisterships the 56 and 60 Fly, enlarges the builder’s Flybridge line to six models. All of the Fly range share the same snub bows, complex hull forms, voluminous interiors and distinctive hull glazing. Built in Podenzano, Italy the new 52 Fly is a Mediterranean family cruiser designed for indoor-outdoor living and relaxing vacations. Connecting cruising families and friends to the natural world and seascapes around them, especially during the Med’s hot summers, is a popular design trend in Europe that Absolute embraces. The main outdoor living spaces…

Focus Yachts has carved out a special niche in the express-cruiser and day-boat market in Europe and now has a distributor in the U.S.A. The new 38-foot 3x, just launched this summer, combines exceptional performance with luxury and style that you might equate with a Maserati or Aston-Martin motorcar. One could easily imagine James Bond and a special Bond girl chasing villains in one of these. But, we digress. The new 3x is the latest design to be introduced by this family-run boat building business based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. It joins four sister ships from 37 to 50 feet…

Offshore Yachts, one of America’s oldest and most respected boat builders, has launched a new series of modern cruisers under the CE series label from 65 to 72 feet.  For the first time, the Newport Beach, California, builder has partnered with a European design firm for the naval architecture of the new CE series. Baracuda Yacht Design, based in Spain, worked closely with the Offshore team to create a more modern and slightly European looking styling that also will improve fuel efficiency and seakeeping qualities. The new CE 65 has all of the Offshore DNA, based on a boat building…

The new Glacier 48 from the Latvian builder Glacier Yachts is an intriguing new design from the offices of Guido de Groot.  This all-aluminum build has a purposeful, expedition-yacht look from the bow. But as your eyes sweep aft you pick out a lot of subtle and interesting details that show how versatile this design can be. The 48 has a central saloon with open side decks running forward on both sides. These are contained by high bulwarks and there are sturdy handrails so you and your guests will feel secure moving forward to moor or anchor the boat or…

YOT Catamarans, based in France, is a new brand in the power cruising market. It launched the business last year with an attractive, modern 36-foot cruising cat designed by Slovenian design wizards JnJ Yacht Design. The cats are built in France by the famous Catana yard, which is known for its high-quality performance sailing cats. Catana also builds the Bali line of charter cats. The brief behind the design of the YOT 36 takes two concepts seriously, efficient performance and spacious indoor-outdoor living. On the performance side of the equation, it is worthwhile pointing out that power cats are inherently…