Great story about Tangier Island in the lower Chesapeake, which is being threatened by rising sea levels, in The New York Times Magazine today. The future there seems pretty bleak. I took the picture above four years ago on Smith Island, just a few miles north of Tangier, which is facing the same fate. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/10/magazine/should-the-united-states-save-tangier-island-from-oblivion.html
It’s made in Turkey, but the new Reliant 40 Commuter, with its gorgeous tumblehome, long sheer, low profile and wide teak decks is just about as Downeast as they come. It also is developed by two of the most respected names in the U.S. marine industry: David MacFarlane, the former president and CEO of Alden and head of Cal, Ranger and Rampage, and Jim Ewing, the former president of Trumpy and executive VP of Alden (and now also an illustrator for Soundings). Together they formed Reliant Yachts, based in Newport, Rhode Island, to develop the new line of semi-custom boats.…
What are the most exclusive yacht clubs in the United States? Well, it’s probably not too hard to figure out number one. Spoiler alert: It’s on West 44th street in Manhattan (the Model Room is pictured above.) But take a look at the others: http://www.riyachting.com/programs/most-exclusive-yacht-clubs-in-america?utm_source=Multi-lead+List&utm_campaign=19b759f8ed-Wednesday_+July+7+_2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c884307d0f-19b759f8ed-336878677
Take a look at this just-launched Palm Beach 42, with some of the most graceful lines, not to mention most gorgeous tumblehome, of any boat on the planet. It’s the first new model since Palm Beach Yachts, in Australia, was acquired by Grand Banks Yachts, in Malaysia, in 2014, and it’s heading for the fall boat shows in the U.S. I tested the first Palm Beach to be imported into the U.S. six years ago, and I was knocked out by the thoroughly modern but classic lines, the elegant fit and finish, and the world-class quality of the boat then.…
The Moorings, the world’s premier yacht charter company since 1969, has just come up with a new idea: The Ultimate Dive Vacation in the British Virgin Islands. This sounds like a natural to me, a combination of a luxurious Moorings 5800 catamaran with a seven-day dive charter in some of the most beautiful water on the planet.
Evinrude’s parent company, BRP, just announced a new line of cleaner, fuel-efficient outboards for a wider range of boats. The new 150- and 200-hp E-TEC engines use intelligent design and cleaner combustion technology; in fact, they deliver up to 30 percent more torque, better fuel economy and 75 fewer total regulated emissions compared to standard four-strokes, according to the company. The sophisticated two-stroke E-TECs are available with power steering and trim for optimal performance at any speed or in any sea condition. They do not require any break-in period, and they are covered by a five-year warranty, including corrosion, and…
Knowing how to use flares in an emergency could save your life, but it isn’t as easy at seems. Here are some expert tips; read and remember them now so you’ll be prepared if you ever need them. http://www.skippertips.com/public/1708.cfmhttp://www.skippertips.com/public/1708.cfm
At first thought, this doesn’t seem like a logical partnership: Doug Zurn, who’s designed the sleek, fast MJM 50Z; the sleek, fast Shelter Island Runabout 38, and the sleek, fast 57-foot Vendetta for Billy Joel, has joined forces with John (Jock) Williams, who designs and builds the most traditional of all Maine lobster boats, originally for commercial fishermen and now for well-heeled owners who appreciate the “lobster yacht” aesthetic. But come together they did, with the new Williams 38 as the result – a classic-looking lobster boat above the waterline, with a state-of-the-art hull design below. The visible part of…
Here’s a first look at Nordhavn’s new 59 Coastal Pilot. a boat that makes cruising easy. This is from the company that took its 40-footer around the world, and then organized the Nordhavn Atlantic Rally in 2004 (when I joined company vice president Jim Leishman on his 57-footer from the Azores to Gibraltar, an all-time-winning trip). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZCahkD7hcE&feature=em-subs_digest
This is one of the best Coast Guard rescue videos ever. It’s all in a day’s work for these people, but here a Coast Guard helicopter crew put their own swimmer the water in Alaska to hoist four fishermen to safety as their boat sinks behind them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S12DrHyQXUg