Author Peter Janssen

Boat Reviews
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Bruckmann Plans New Abaco 47: As Elegant as the Abaco 40, but Bigger

Based on the performance and popularity of the Bruckmann Abaco 40, the Toronto-based builder is now planning a larger version, the Bruckmann Abaco 47, with more accommodations and space for long-range cruising and living aboard. The new 47, like the 40, is designed by Mark Ellis, and it still has the classic Downeast lines, straight-forward, traditional interior and fuel-efficient hull of the smaller boat. The Abaco 47’s hull is designed to perform well throughout the speed range; the boat comes up on plane at 12 knots. It can be powered by a single or twin diesels. With a single 1136-hp…

Boat Reviews
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Doug Zurn-Designed Duffield 58 with Downeast Lines Launched in Newport Beach, California

Marshall “Duffy” Duffield, the owner of Duffy Electric Boat Company, finally has the cruising boats of his dreams. His new Duffield 58, designed by Doug Zurn, of Zurn Yacht Design of Marblehead, Mass., was just launched in Newport Beach, California, and it’s a beauty, with Zurn’s trademark low profile, narrow beam, low CG and lightweight construction. As a result, the new Duffield, with a single 600-hp CAT C-12 diesel, mounted well aft with a V-drive to keep noise levels low, tops out at 27 knots and cruises at 18 knots. Fuel-efficient, the Downeast-style Duffield burns 29 gph at cruise. Duffield…

Cruising Life
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Which Is Better: 34′ Nordic Tug or 27′ Airstream? An Owner’s Report

Which vehicle has more living space: A 2013 Nordic Tug 34 or a 2010 Airstream 27-foot RV? Not many of us have a chance to compare the two. But Laura Domela, a Portland, Oregon, photographer, and her husband, Kevin Morris, editor of “Electronic Engineering Journal,” have spent hundreds of nights on both. Each one, as it turns out, has its own advantages – and disadvantages. Here’s her report: http://slowboat.com/2017/03/interior-living-space-compared-27-airstream-vs-34-nordic-tug/

Cruising Life
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How To Read Your Charts: 7 Signs of Danger

As the old adage goes, if you say you’ve never run aground, either you haven’t been cruising enough or you’re not telling the truth. But there’s a big difference between running aground on the mud, say, and running into a coral reef. That’s where your charts come in. How well can you read them? Do you remember the different symbols for a wreck, an obstruction or an islet? If you do, great. If not, or if you just want a fast refresher, take a look here: http://www.skippertips.com/public/831.cfm

Cruising Life
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Mykonos Beckons: Azure Water and a Glamorous Nightlife

It would be hard to find a cruising or chartering destination with a richer history – or more beautiful surroundings – than the island of Mykonos in the Aegean. After all, according to Greek mythology, the island was named after Mykons, who was either the son or grandson of Apollo (the records are sketchy). But now, as then, the azure waters are gorgeous; the white sand beaches long and inviting. Today, Mykonos also has a thriving waterfront restaurant, bar and nightlife scene, known to be one of the best in the Med. If you’re interested in that sort of thing,…

Cruising Life
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Rogue Waves: Tales from Those Who Survived

“The Perfect Storm” is one thing; a rogue wave is another, and their destructive force is simply a disaster in the making. Here are stories from some survivors, with the idea that if we more accurately understand what happens, then we can be better prepared if we see one coming. Rogue waves may happen more often than we think, and there is no doubt that they are terrorizing. One survivor described an 80-foot wave, “breaking at the top and stretching from horizon to horizon.” Another recounted “a Niagara-type roar.” Read more here: http://www.yachtingworld.com/special-reports/rogue-waves-real-life-stories-destructive-power-sea-106135

Cruising Life
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How To Keep Your Boat from Sinking

Unfortunately, this happens a lot more than we’d like to think. Small boats, big boats, all kinds of boats. Lots of times there are things you can do to keep your boat afloat (like not hitting that reef in the first place) before you get in serious trouble. The point is, seconds count; so do strong bilge pumps. Here’s some great advice about what you can do once things start to go south: http://www.boatingmag.com/how-to/how-to-prevent-your-boat-sinking#page-7

Cruising Life
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Dog Days of Summer: Great Pics of Man’s Best Friend on Board

It’s still early spring but it’s not too soon to think about the dog days of summer, particularly the days that involve real, panting, four-legged dogs.  If you do cruise with your dog, chances are good that you take a lot of pictures so you can enjoy those days all year long. Here are some terrific pictures of a great variety of dogs – all seeming to be having a great time on board. Take a look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qcdKT5WxAU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qcdKT5WxAU

On Watch
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On Watch

The Manatees, and the Manatee Zones, Are Here to Stay There’s good news for the manatees, Florida’s official marine mammal. They are no longer an “endangered” species; instead, they’ve been downgraded to just “threatened.” The U.S. Interior Department, which is in charge of such things, announced the change just after Manatee Appreciation Day. (Who knew? It’s March 29, in case you want to celebrate next year.) Manatees, which can live 60 years or so, have been around for the past 45 million years. They move slowly, spending most of their time eating seagrass or sleeping, although they can swim four or…

Boat Reviews
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Sabre’s Latest: Dirigo 66 Flybridge, Now Heading for Florida

Sabre has just completed the first flybridge version of its 66 Dirigo, and the Maine-built boat is on its way to its new owners in Florida. The company launched the very first 66 (pictured above) more than a year ago and I was fortunate enough to be on the final leg of its delivery, also in Florida. My conclusion: That Downeast beauty is one of my favorite boats, both for its overall cruising performance and comfort, and for its classic good looks, inside and out. I wrote at the time that the first Dirigo was ready for superlatives, since…

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