Author Peter Janssen

Cruising Life
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With No Traffic, Clear Water Returns to Venice

Swans, in Venice? Well, anything is possible. Right now the water in Venice is clearer than it’s been in more than half a century. There’s no way to minimize the tragic toll that the coronavirus has exacted in Italy, where more than 5,500 people have died so far. But the story of clean water in Venice falls under the heading of the laws of unintended consequences. The first time I was in Venice I was 21 years old, and that was a very long time ago. The water in the canals was less-than-clear even then. The last time I was…

Destinations
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Eastport, Maine: All the Way Down East

If you’re cruising Down East this summer, you might want to think about heading all the way Down East, to Eastport, Maine. It’s as far as you can go in the United States, just across the bay from New Brunswick, Canada, and near the top of the Bay of Fundy, with its powerful currents and 23-feet tidal range. But if you want to experience real cruising, away from the crowds, where you can travel for hours without seeing another vessel, it’s the place to go. You won’t see many people either; Eastport’s population is only about 1,300, but you probably…

Cruising Life
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Miami Liveaboards Get Reprieve from Marina Closings There

The Miami-Dade mayor has some good news for liveaboards and some cruisers, in the midst of the coronavirus threat. The Mayor, Carlos Gimenez, just announced that marinas, fuel docks and boat ramps can remain open for people who live on their boats, who are removing their boats from the water or performing “emergency maintenance,” and who are returning from international cruises. He previously announced that all boat ramps and marinas would be closed. See the Miami Herald story below: Party’s over: Miami-Dade mayor orders boat ramps and marinas closed amid coronavirus BY SAMANTHA J. GROSS, AARON LEIBOWITZ, AND ALEX HARRIS…

On Watch with Peter Janssen
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New 25-Knot Summit 54 Flagship: A Solid, Spacious Cruiser

Hull number one of the Summit 54, the flagship of the new cruising brand from Kadey-Krogen, has just run down to Stuart, Florida, from Savannah, Georgia, and is ready for its worldwide debut at the rescheduled Palm Beach boat show, starting May 14. The Summit, with a hull by legendary designer Michael Peters, lived up to all its expectations, performing well throughout the speed range. Kadey-Krogen developed the Summit brand for people who wanted the well-established quality of a Kadey-Krogen but with a faster turn of speed. Summits are built at the Asia Harbor yard in Taiwan, which has launched…

Cruising Life
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France Bans All Boating; Lots of Changes in the U.S.

Things aren’t quite that bad in the United State, but French authorities just prohibited all boating activities, at least until March 31. The ban was designed to contain the spread of the coronavirus. In the U.S., many boating events – boat shows, fishing tournaments, owners’ rendezvous – have been cancelled or postponed. Some yacht clubs have closed, marinas have adopted restrictions, both Sabre and Back Cove had to postpone their big 50th anniversary celebration from this June to next year. The Palm Beach boat show, which was to have started on March 26, was postponed, as we reported last week.…

Boat Reviews
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New Sirena 58 Coupe: Made for America

The new, low-profile Sirena 58 Coupe just made its debut at the Miami yacht show, and the boat was made for the American market. It is the little sister to Sirena’s 58 flybridge, the most successful yacht in the Turkish builder’s fleet, and it was designed for buyers who said they wanted an “express” type boat with lower air draft for coastal cruising in the U.S. or even for cruising on the Great Loop. “This yacht is for anyone looking for a sleeker exterior profile or for couples who prefer not to have a flybridge but do admire the build…

Charter
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Charter Update from The Moorings: What’s Open/Closed

Here’s a charter and travel update from The Moorings, with a chart showing areas that are open for business as usual, that are experiencing some health issues, and that are closed for business. Click on the link at the bottom of the story to see the chart: Update from The Moorings As a leading member of the travel community we feel it is our responsibility to report on the global event currently unfolding accurately, and in a timely manner to help our guests make informed travel decisions. There is certainly no shortage of information available on COVID-19, but we invite…

Electronics
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New Furuno MFDs: More Power, More Depth, More Safety

Furuno just introduced three new multifunction displays, with more power, faster responses and larger sizes. They’re all the third generation of Furuno’s NavNet MFD series, and they’re called NavNet TZtouch3. Furuno says they are the three most powerful MFDs on the market; they all have a more powerful quad-core processor for a fast response. The new MFDs come in 12-inch, 16-inch and 19-inch displays. The 12-inch version is a hybrid, with a RotoKey you turn to help navigate in any sea condition. (I’ve often found that this is a big help. If I try to use my finger to set…

Gear
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New GoPro HERO8 Black: Great for Action Pictures

If you want to take some great pictures, videos or stills, of your cruising life this summer, take a look at the new GoPro HERO8 Black, a waterproof, super-stabilized, touch-screen action camera. GoPros have been popular in the boating and water-sports community since they launched their first HERO in 2004. Now the HERO8offers new features that should enhance GoPro’s legendary appeal. For starters, the HERO8 has been streamlined, so it’s easier to fit in your pocket – a very good feature when you’re bouncing around on a cruising boat. It has folding fingers at its base so you can swap…

Cruising Life
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To Relax in Turbulent Times, Try an All-Electric Duffy

If you want to put a smile on your face in these less-than-stellar times, take a look at a Duffy, the all-electric boats that have been giving a lot of owners some very good times since 1970. One way to relax is to take a short cruise with your family or friends on a Duffy at a flat-out 5 mph and watch your blood pressure drop and your cares fade away. With a Duffy, there are no boat issues to distract you – no noise, no fumes, no vibrations. And certainly no fuel costs. Their electric motor has exactly one…

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