Cruising Life

Garmin Has the Swiss-Army-Knife of Hand-Held GPSs: The GPSMAP 86sci

By George Day on March 20, 2025 Cruising Life, Electronics, Gear

In the last few years as I’ve been making offshore trips as crew for my friends, whether back and forth to the Caribbean from New England or across the Atlantic, it seems that a lot of the crew aboard show up with their own hand-held GPSs and an InReach or a satphone. This is a “just-in-case” level of preparation by sailors who have in fact been on boats that were hit by lightning or suffered a battery bank collapse that meant built-in marine electronics were no longer working or reliable. Garmin has long been a leader in hand-held GPSs and…

Highfield Launches new 11-foot Electric-Powered, Jet-Drive Dinghy

By George Day on March 20, 2025 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life

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…

Family Rescued after Running 58-Foot Yacht onto Charleston Harbor Jetty

By George Day on March 20, 2025 Cruising Life

Early on Tuesday morning, March 18, a couple and their 9-year-old daughter missed the channel into Charleston, South Carolina’s harbor and ran their 58-foot motor yacht up onto the stone jetty where it began to sink. Luckily, the Charleston Harbor Pilot boat was nearby. Charleston Pilot Launch Captain Montgomery Stafford maneuvered the 75-foot Pilot Launch Fort Moultrie close to the jetty, while Harbor Pilot Doug Logan and Apprentice Stephanie Kelly rescued the family. Coast Guard Station Charleston, which had received a distress call from the family, were soon on scene and took the survivors off the pilot boat for transport…

Maritimo M600 Offshore Flybridge Has American Debut at Palm Beach Boat Show

By George Day on March 20, 2025 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life

Australian builder Maritimo kicked off this week’s Palm Beach International Boat Show on Wednesday with the gala debut of the new M600 Offshore Flybridge motor yacht. This stunning addition to the Maritimo fleet reflects the builder’s dedication to innovation and excellence that has propelled the company since it was founded 22 years ago. We’re really excited to showcase the M600 to our North American customers,” says Keith Teynor, Maritimo’s Managing Partner for the Americas. “It really showcases what makes every Maritimo so special from the accommodations, fit and finish, volume, and seakeeping ability.” Maritimo has long been a leader in…

Marex Launches in USA at Palm Beach Boat Show This Week

By George Day on March 20, 2025 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life, On Watch With Peter Janssen, On Watch with Peter Janssen

The Norwegian builder of fine family cruisers has a fleet of its unique and innovative designs at the Palm Beach International Boat Show this week as they launch Marex USA with American partner Chris Hughes. In the fleet at Palm Beach, the Marex 330 Scandinavian is a perfect example of what makes the Marex line so special. First of all, at 35-feet overall, the 330 packs a huge amount of living space and relaxing areas into a relatively compact envelope. This is accomplished in a number of subtle ways. The hull form has full sections forward and fairly high freeboard…

Volvo Hybrid IPS Drives Enhance Performance and Fuel Efficiency

By George Day on March 14, 2025 Cruising Life, Electronics, Engine Room

Volvo Penta has been working on electric propulsion and hybrid diesel-electric systems for a decades. The diesel-electric system coupkled to IPS drives is now available for commercial and recreational use and provides an elegant and proven technology that will allow boats to run silent and carbon free. The electric motor in the system fits between the main engine and the IPS pod and is engaged with a clutch. The motors run off a bank of lithium-ion batteries that can be sized for each boat’s specific tasks and requirements. “A hybrid provides a flexible solution, one that maintains the high efficiency…

Maritimo 75 Flybridge Flagship Debuts at Palm Beach Show

By George Day on March 14, 2025 Cruising Life

Next week at the Palm Brach International Boat Show, America is going to have a special treat, the first showing of Maritimo Yachts’ flagship, the stunning 75 Flybridge. This Australian builder of high performance, sport-fish style motor yachts, has had a long and successful presence in North America. Now the queen is making a visit. Like Australians and Australia itself, the new 75 Flybridge does not hold back, does not shy from going all in and to compete at a world-class level in design and build quality. The 75’s lines and strong pedigree evoke long offshore runs to favored Australian…

U.S. Flagged Tanker Chartered to Defense Department Struck by Ship and Sunk off English Coast

By George Day on March 13, 2025 Cruising Life

On March 10, off the North Sea coast near Hull, the United Kingdom, the U.S. flagged oil tanker Stena Immaculate was stuck in a T-bone collision by the Portuguese flagged container ship Solong. The Stena Immaculate was loaded with A1 jet fuel and the two ships burst into flames. One Solong crew member went over the side and is presumed lost. The Stena crew took to their lifeboats and abandoned ship after several of the tanker’s fuel tanks exploded. All crew were rescued safely. The ship was destroyed. The accident occurred in limited visibility as a low bank of wispy…

Hinckley Feeds the Need for Speed, Introduces 53-knot 41 Outboard

By George Day on March 13, 2025 Cruising Life, On Watch With Peter Janssen, On Watch with Peter Janssen

This week, Hinckley Yachts of Portsmouth, Rhode Island Introduced a Hinckley Picnic Boat on steroids. The new 41-footer, based on the successful launch of the 39 last summer, has all of Hinckley’s classic Down East looks with the gleam of an impeccable hull finish and the teak trim and tables shining with a dozen coats of varnish. But it also has three outboards that will give it a top end of 53 knots. “The Hinckley 41 is for those who desire the thrill of outboard power while embracing the artistry and pedigree that define our brand,” said Gavin McClintock, CEO…

Nimbus Introduces 495 Flybridge Express Cruiser

By George Day on March 13, 2025 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life

The Swedish builder Nimbus has launched more than 12,000 boats from their yard near Gothenburg since it was founded in 1968 and most of those have been svelte speedsters, day boats and weekenders. So, the introduction of the new 495 is an entry into the larger express cruiser or fast trawler market. And, it’s a stunner. The hull is thoroughly modern looking by European standards with a sharp bow, double chines, big square windows and lots of angles. Note the aggressively angled Targa-style arch over the flybridge and the overall low profile of the bridge. It nests on top of…

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