Author Peter Janssen

Cruising Life
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Sudden Storm Sinks Tourist Duck Boat in Missouri Lake: 17 Dead. Questions About Regulations

Two tourist duck boats, modeled on the amphibious craft used in the Second World War, were out on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri, on a summer evening when the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning at 6:32. The boats carry passengers on an hour-long tour, starting on land, before they go down a boat launch ramp to start a 20-minute circle around the lake. The tours are popular with families; operators give children yellow duck whistles that make a quacking noise. About half an hour after the warning, one of the boats made it back to land.…

On Watch with Peter Janssen
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On Watch

The Leopolds Cruise Their Ranger Tug 27 Up the Inside Passage  to Alaska, All Three of Them (and Moxie) By Peter A. Janssen When Mark and Peggy Leopold drove a trailer with their 27-foot Ranger Tug out of their driveway in Anacortes, Washington, on June 2, heading for the launch ramp to start their 3,000 nm round-trip to Juneau, Alaska, they left the davit crane that they usually use to lift their daughter Nicole on board behind. Instead, given the uncertainty of docks they would be encountering along the way, they brought a two-person sling, with secure straps, to carry…

Cruising Life
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Stay Connected Throughout the U.S. and Up To 20 Miles Offshore with the New KVH TracPhone LTE-1

What are most people worried about when they’re starting a long cruise, say on the Great Loop, the Inside Passage or through coastal waters? In this internet age, everyone wants to stay connected. And they don’t want to worry about dropped connections, spotty Wi-Fi service at far-flung marinas, or a bundle of unexpected costs showing up in the bill at the end of the month. Now KVH says it has an answer to all that: The new KVH TracPhone LTE-1, a fast, extended-range mobile internet option that works throughout the U.S. and up to 20 miles offshore. It costs $1,699…

Boat Reviews
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Hunt Launches New 54 Express, Smallest in Its Prize-Winning Ocean Series

Hull number one of Hunt Yachts’ new 54 Express is just getting out of the test tank in Taiwan and is almost ready to ship. The smallest yacht in Hunt’s Ocean Series, which goes up to 84 feet, the new 54 Express carries all of Hunt’s legendary craftsmanship, elegant, clean lines, and the deep-V hull that has defined superior offshore performance for more than half a century. The new 54 has the same low profile, long sheer and classic looks that have made Hunts easily recognizable around the world. The first in this new series has a foam-green-colored hull, which…

Cruising Life
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The 5 Best Islands in Maine; Plan Your Cruise Now

The iconic, rocky coast of Maine, filled with finger-like peninsulas, hidden coves and welcoming harbors, is one of the great treats awaiting cruising boat owners. And then there are the islands. Here’s a look at five of Maine’s most beautiful islands from New England Today. If you’re cruising Down East this summer, you’ll want to visit at least some of them, if not all. My personal favorite is Monhegan, pictured above, a small (one square mile) outpost about ten miles off the coast at Port Clyde, which is a great destination in its own right. And it has a fairly…

Cruising Life
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12 Great New Summer Toys to Make Your Cruising Life Complete

In case you haven’t had your fill of summer toys, here’s a great list from Forbes to help you out. Forbes calls this a list of billionaire superyacht toys, but the title is misleading. Sure, some are a bit over the top: at $75,000, the Platypus Submersible Watercraft, pictured above, may put your toy budget under water (even though it sure looks like fun). But there 11 other toys, gadgets, bikes and vehicles on this list that could be just right for the rest of us. Here are a few with a lot of appeal. At just $2,799, the Gocycle GS…

Cruising Life
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Orca Whale Population Threatened and Declining in Pacific Northwest; Not a Single Calf Born in Last Three Years

The orca whale population in the Pacific Northwest is in trouble. Not a single calf has been born in the past three years; normally four or five would be born each year. The overall orca population, numbering about 100 in the last 1990s, is now down to about 75. And researchers are worried that female orcas are aging out of their reproducing years and can’t be replaced. The largest problem has been the disappearance of big Chinook king salmon. Orcas usually eat 30 of them a day.  And then there are man-made problems. The underwater world, particularly the Haro Strait,…

Cruising Life
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Historic Bloom of Toxic Algae Scum Spreads Over Florida’s Lake Okeechobee

A toxic green algae scum of historic proportions is spreading across Florida’s Lake Okeechobee and other waterways, invading marinas and consuming oxygen in the water. The algae, which smells like moldy bread, can be toxic of consumed by humans. It can irritate human skin, so officials say you should wash it off it you come into contact with it. The algae also can be fatal for dogs that swim in it or drink it. People in the area reported seeing dead fish, birds, even manatees as a result of the algae spread. An unusually large algae bloom has filled the…

Cruising Life
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The Best Beach Bars in the Caribbean, from The Abacos to St. Martin. See If Your Favorite Made the Cut

Wondering where to find a great beach bar in the Caribbean? Ponder no more. Here’s a list of eight of the best from The Moorings, the worldwide charter outfit, based on years of experience. They know about these things. If you’ve cruised or chartered in the Caribbean you probably have your own list. If so, compare it with this one; there are probably some new ones here (if not, you’ve already led a full life, so sit back and count your blessings). The Moorings has organized this alphabetically, by location, starting with the Abacos, and Nipper’s, pictured above, which is…

Destinations
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Port Washington, NY: Think Gatsby, Plus Great Marinas and Waterfront Dining

Here’s a story I wrote a while ago for Southern Boating, about Port Washington, New York, one of the best boating destinations on the East Coast. It has great marinas, waterfront restaurants, parks, easy train and car access to New York City, and a touch of literary fame and glamour as the setting for F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Here’s my review: If you’re cruising east of New York City this summer, think about a stopover at Port Washington, on Long Island’s North Shore. With its large marinas and mooring fields, waterfront restaurants and marine services, “Port,” as locals…

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