Cruising Life

Coast Guard Saves 95-foot Yacht in Mona Passage

By Peter Janssen on November 17, 2021 Cruising Life

Two ships and a helicopter from the Coast Guard saved a 95-foot yacht from sinking in the Mona Passage, about 26 nm west of Rincon, Puerto Rico. The Coast Guard says that the yacht, Current Sea from Fort Lauderdale, reported it was taking on water and the bow was riding low in the water. The captain of the yacht transmitted a Mayday call at 8:54 a.m., which was received by the Coast Guard in San Juan. The bow was damaged when the anchor reportedly came loose and punctured the hull in two areas. The bilge was flooding. The Coast Guard…

Boat Sinks, Two Aussies Fight Off Crocodile

By Peter Janssen on November 16, 2021 Cruising Life

Two Australian fishermen survived for three days in the outback after their boat capsized and they were attacked by a crocodile. They ended up drinking their own urine for fluid until they were rescued by a passing fishing boat. The men, 32- and 33-years old, were on a fishing trip on a remote section of the Daly River, about 60 miles south of Darwin in the Northern Territory. Their boat hit a submerged object, they don’t know what, and they were thrown into the water. Almost immediately, they were attacked by a crocodile. This part of the river is known…

New Okean 80: Space, Light, Innovation

By Peter Janssen on November 15, 2021 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life

The prize-winning, head-turning Okean 80 just made its U.S. debut at the Fort Lauderdale show. The flagship of the Okean fleet, the 80 was joined by a 50 Fly, the Brazilian builder’s first boat that was launched in 2017, and a 55. The 80, with an unusual and innovative open plan, where balconies expand from the salon and aft cockpit and a wall of glass surrounds the main deck, won the Revelation of the Year award at the World Yachts Trophies in Cannes last year. With an almost plumb bow, modern lines and luxurious fit and finish and furnishings, the…

Icom Launches New SSB at METS Show

By Peter Janssen on November 15, 2021 Cruising Life, Electronics

Icom just unveiled its new state-of-the-art SSB at the big METS marine trade show in Amsterdam. Designed for offshore cruising, the new Icom IC-M804 provides long-range MF and HF radio communications designed to keep you safe anywhere in the world. The new Icom has a DSC radio that scans six distress signals, a distress call button and an integrated GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) providing global coverage through a constellation of satellites. The Icom conforms to the latest European and international standards. SSB radios have been used in offshore vessels for generations. (When Eric Schweikardt, the photographer, and I drove…

Why You Need AIS. A Primer

By Peter Janssen on November 15, 2021 Cruising Life, Electronics

Here’s a good primer about why you should have AIS on your boat, from America’s Boating Compass and the US Power Squadrons: AIS, or Automatic Identification System, can make your boating safer. Consider the following scenario: You have an AIS system on your boat. You are on watch, 20 miles off the coast, sailing in hazy conditions. An AIS alarm sounds on your chart plotter. Upon scanning the horizon, you see nothing. When you return to your display, you see a target 5 miles ahead traveling at 23 knots and heading toward you. The AIS information data box shows that…

New Holiday Gifts for Safe Boating from BoatUS

By co_admin on November 14, 2021 Cruising Life, Gear

It’s that time of the year again. What to give your favorite boat owner, or crew? Here are some great ideas about holiday gifts that will keep everyone on board safe for years to come. ANNAPOLIS, Md., Nov. 12, 2021 – Bulky, square orange life vests have given way to more comfortable belt- or harness-style inflatable floatation devices, yet many recreational boaters still carry only the former aboard. Are boaters up-to-date on today’s newest technology-inspired boating safety gear? With the holidays around the corner, the nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water offers a buying guide for technology…

Cruisers Find 7-Foot Python on Board

By Peter Janssen on November 14, 2021 Cruising Life

A seven-foot-long Burmese python apparently hitched a ride on a 42-foot boat from Indian Key in the Florida Keys to Marco Island, on the Gulf coast of Florida, about 90 miles away. One of the people on board found the snake when she opened the door to the head after the boat was tied up at a transient slip at Rose Marina on Marco Island. It was coiled up in the shower. The Marco Island police responded and took a picture of the snake coiled around an officer’s forearm (see above). They then transferred it to a local wildlife handler.…

New Monte Carlo 52: A Smart Luxury Cruiser

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

The all-new Beneteau Monte Carlo 52 is a luxury three-stateroom, two-head cruiser that’s made for easy living on board whether underway or on the hook. With a completely new design by Nuvolari & Lenard and Andreni Design, the yacht is filled with light, space and social areas all around. Power comes from twin 480-hp Volvo IPS650 pod drives. Top speed is 28 knots; at 8 knots, range is more than 500 nm. The Monte Carlo 52 is filled with nice touches: One is that there’s a third helm station on the starboard side of the cockpit, with controls for the…

Kadey-Krogen Doubles Down With New 60 Open

By Peter Janssen on November 10, 2021 Cruising Life

Although Kadey-Krogen is branching out with its new line of Summit Motoryachts, it also is staying close to its roots. Indeed, the company is doubling down on its Open line of displacement trawlers, and is working on a new 60 Open based on the acceptance of the 50 Open. Kadey-Krogen introduced the Summit line, with slippery hulls designed by Michael Peters, of Michael Peters Yacht Design in Sarasota, Florida, to appeal to younger buyers. It displayed the Summit 54 Motoryacht at the fall shows, and is now working on a 54 Coupe as well as planning a 62 Motoryacht. At…

St. Lucie Lock To Close for Three Months

By Peter Janssen on November 10, 2021 Cruising Life

Here’s some bad news for anyone planning to cruise around Florida this winter, or those hoping to tackle the Great Loop. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will close the St. Lucie Lock on the Okeechobee for three months, from January 2 to March 31, for repairs. That means that anyone wanting to cross from the Atlantic to the Gulf coasts will not be able to cut across the lake, but instead have to go all the way around, down to Key West, or cut across at Marathon in the middle of the Keys. The time and cost differential, depending…

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