Cruising Life

Back Cove Reimagines Popular 37 Down-East Cruiser

By Peter Janssen on March 13, 2021 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life

Back Cove just announced that it was giving a facelift to the popular 37-foot Down East Cruiser that it first introduced in 2009. The new boat, called the 372, will still have the same lines as the original, but it also will have some new amenities and improvements that will make both cruising and living on board easier and more appealing. The original Back Cove 37 was a classic cruiser, with a single diesel, low profile and modern lobster-boat lines. The problem was, it was too popular. Back Cove, in Rockland, Maine, has sold more than 200 of them; the…

Aquila To Debut New 70 Flagship in Palm Beach

By Peter Janssen on March 10, 2021 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life

The new, massive and luxurious Aquila 70 flagship power catamaran will make its U.S. debut at the Palm Beach International Boat Show, starting March 25. Aquila designed the new cat to look like a yacht, trying to avoid the more squared-off look of some large power catamarans. Lex Raas, the Aquila president, said the company interviewed many customers before they designed the 70, and they said “it needs to look like a yacht, not like a box.” As a result, the 70 has flowing lines and a luxurious aesthetic. The customers also said they wanted performance, Raas said. The 70…

New ICOM VHF: First Handheld with AIS

By Peter Janssen on March 9, 2021 Cruising Life, Electronics

ICOM just launched its new breakthrough IC-M94D handheld VHF, the first in the world with built-in AIS. Combined with DSC (Distress Signal Calling), AIS (Automatic Identification System) is a boon to boating safety and secure navigation. Until now, AIS was limited to larger VHF units and helm-mounted display screens. With the new Icom, you can have all the safety and communications features (receive only) of AIS in the palm of your hand. You can use it on a smaller boat, a dink or simply as a back-up system on a larger vessel. The M94D is a significant VHF even without…

New Linssen Sturdy 40.0 Sedan, 8-Knot Cruiser

By Peter Janssen on March 9, 2021 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life

Linssen just introduced its new Sturdy 40.0 Sedan Intero, an upgraded version of its 40 Sedan that was named the European Power Boat of the Year in the displacement category at the Düsseldorf show three years ago. The new Sturdy 40.0 has larger windows, a redesigned engine room, an improved helm station (with a sliding door to the port side deck), and Linssen’s “softchine prestressed” hull. Powered by the standard single 110-hp Volvo, the boat still travels at a displacement speed of 8 knots, but it also delivers a range of 500 nm. From its yard in Maasbracht, The Netherlands,…

Vineyard Wind Gets Approval from Interior Dept.

By Peter Janssen on March 9, 2021 Cruising Life

There’s probably going to be a lot of activity in the Atlantic south of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket for the next few years. The Interior Department just finished its environmental review of the Vineyard Wind project there, clearing the way for the first commercial-scale offshore wind farm in the U.S. The Vineyard Wind project is about 12 nm south of both Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, and about 15 miles off the coast of Massachusetts. It is a massive project. When it is completed, it will deliver clean, renewable power to more than 400,000 homes and businesses in Massachusetts. The new…

A Complete Spring Commissioning Checklist from BoatU.S.

By Peter Janssen on March 8, 2021 Cruising Life, Maintenance

It’s that time of the year again, and you need to start thinking seriously about getting your boat ready for the water, assuming you’re not one of the fortunate people who live far enough south that you can keep boating all year round. For the rest of us, here’s a very comprehensive spring commissioning checklist from BoatUS: SPRINGFIELD, Va., March 8, 2021 – Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) offers its updated Spring Commissioning Checklist to help boaters start the season right. The nation’s largest advocacy, service and savings group also offers BoatUS.com/Spring, a new one-stop-shop for everything…

Technohull Launches New 80-knot RIB

By Peter Janssen on March 8, 2021 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life

You probably don’t want to take it on the Great Loop, but it sure would be fun to drive the new Technohull 47 Omega flagship around Miami, or Catalina, or Block Island. Wherever you’re going, you probably won’t be late. Indeed, with four 450-hp Mercury Racing outboards, the new Technohull is said to hit a top speed of about 80 knots. Technohull has been making high-end RIBs in Greece since 2004. The 47 combines high-speed performance with a superyacht finish, and it has the company’s largest cabin yet; it includes a large double V berth, a full-height shower and lots…

Converted Ferry Now a Luxury Liveaboard

By Peter Janssen on March 8, 2021 Cruising Life

If you’re looking for a large liveaboard, or an explorer yacht with a 10,000-nm range, you might want to consider Dot, a converted 154-foot Hong Kong ferry. It has one unique advantage: You don’t have to worry about turning around; it has props at each end, so the traditional notion of bow and stern are irrelevant. Dot was the flagship of the Hong Kong Star Ferry fleet when it was launched in 1988. It was built to handle 200 passengers. Its current owner, a Brit living in Hong Kong, was one of them, and commuted on it every day for…

New Leen 56: Long-Legged French Trimaran

By Peter Janssen on March 7, 2021 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life

Leen just launched its first power trimaran in La Rochelle, France, an innovative 56-foot explorer cruiser with hybrid power. It will have its official unveiling on April 10. Although the Leen 56 is the French yard’s first power tri, it’s hardly its first boat. Indeed, the company has been making well-received sailing trimarans for more than a decade under the Neel label. Leen is simply Neel spelled backward. Taking advantage of the trimaran’s volume (the beam is 27 feet), the Leen 56 makes creative use of the main deck. A large galley, dining area and lounge are on the port…

City Approves Palm Beach Show, Opening March 25

By Peter Janssen on March 3, 2021 Cruising Life, Palm Beach Boat Show

Here’s some good news: The City of West Palm Beach just officially approved the Palm Beach boat show that starts March 25. Read the story from the Palm Beach Daily News: The City of West Palm Beach on Monday granted final approval for the 35th annual Palm Beach International Boat Show, which is scheduled for four days starting March 25 along Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach. Organizers last month announced dates for the show with the caveat that the city needed to review and OK the boat show’s COVID-19 plans before giving the event the official go-ahead. Strict safety procedures that event…

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