This year, Williams, the British builder of inflatable, jet-drive dinghies and sport boats, is celebrating 20 years in business. Over those two decades, Williams had become synonymous with high-tech, high-performance boats that are the class of the dinghy and tender market. The brand is so popular, builders of new boats often design dinghy garages and stern lifting planforms specifically for the Williams dinghy that will go with the new boats. To celebrate the anniversary, Wiliams is introducing three new models: the SportJet 460 and 520 and the DieselJet 625. The 460, at 15 feet is a suitable size tender for…

The Italian builder Persing, a member of the Ferretti Group, launched their new GTX 70 this week thereby adding a third member to the builder’s sport utility GTX line. The 70 joins the GTX 80 and 116. The GTX 70 is the creation of the Ferretti Group’s in-house design team in partnership with the  Product Strategy Committee, led by Piero Ferrari, Enzo Ferrari’s son. So, it’s no wonder that the 70  exudes supercar styling and performance. The new desig emphasizes the huge beach front area aft. The after deck is large and the swim platform can be lifted hydraulically to…

This week, Outer Reef Yachts circulated the first photos of their new 780 Adventure expedition yacht that is in the fitting-out stage at the Dutch shipyard where it is being built. Last September, when Outer Reef’s CEO and President Jeff Druek announced his company’s merger with the high respect Dutch builder Lynx Yachts, he noted, “Expanding our presence in the Netherlands and integrating the highly regarded Lynx Yachts management team into our operations marks a significant milestone for Outer Reef Yachts. This partnership aligns perfectly with our commitment to innovation and quality, enabling us to meet the growing demand for…

The new Prestige M7, whcih is to be intrpduced at the Cannes Festival of Yachting in September, joins the M48 and M8 in the now three-boat line of power cats. A flybridge liveaboard cruiser, the new design focuses on expansive outdoors spaces, fuel efficiency and a solar-powered silent mode. The designers have incorporated a wide platform aft between the catamaran’s sterns that becomes a kind of beach club with three levels and easy access to the water. Combine this with the outside lounge on the foredeck that has a sunken foot well and forward facing sofas and the almost 300…

In January, Aquador celebrated its 30th year in business and the completion of its 4,000th boat. But who is Aquador? Finland has become a prolific builder of sport boats and express cruisers. You may have heard of Saxdor and Axopar, which have made a splash in the US as well as around the world. But you may not have head of Aquador, even though it has been building Scandinavian-style sport boats and express cruisers for 30 years. To celebrate this milestone, the team at Aquador are launching an all-new 40-foot 400HT at BOOT Dusseldorf in January. The 400HT is the…

The Nordhavn 71 has been the topic of much excitement since the design was first released in 2023.  The 71 joins the 51 and the 625 as models that are delivered as complete boats with all systems, electronics and amenities built in. Not exactly “production” boats but semi-custom models that each has a strong family resemblance. But, each 71 is an owner’s own unique yacht that reflects their personal style and cruising preferences. In the photos of the 71 number three, you can see the southwestern, Texas tastes of the new owners who hail from the Lone Star State.  The…

With the success of the Finnish designs from Axopar and several others, it is not surprising that an enterprising Turkish builder would enter the fray, given their countrymen’s boat-building skills and their cost advantages. A new company called Aita has done just that. They hired a a Fiinnish yacht designer and have launched the new Wayfarer 38, which is n outboard-powered, center console walk-around with a large forward cockpit, a spacious aft cockpit, and a comfortable double cabin and head. As a new brand, Aita made the choice to offer the 38 in a wide range of configurations. This will…

Here’s something that looks interesting for eco-conscious cruisers, an electric-powered, jet-drive dinghy. Highfield is one of the world’s leading builders of advanced inflatable, rigid-floor tenders. With more than 54,000 dinghies sold in the last 13 years, the company pioneered aluminum-hull inflatables that are lighter than fiberglass and more durable. With the launch of the n EJET 330, once agin they display the innovative thinking behind every Highfield. Powered by ZeroJet MKII jet drive system, the 24-volt electric motor delivers 24-horsepower but less than half of an equivalent outboard more. And, it produces no carbon emissions. The battery pack provides 10.8…