Cruising Life

Apollonian 52: A Totally New Raised Pilothouse Yacht

By Peter Janssen on March 1, 2021 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life

Meet the new Apollonian 52, a three-stateroom, solidly built, affordable raised pilothouse motoryacht that’s built for the owner-operator. Apollonian Yachts, a totally new brand, is the result of a collaboration between storied naval architect Howard Apollonio and veteran broker Vic Parcells. Built in Shanghai, China, hull number one has already been sold in Seattle, and hull number two is ready for viewing there. Apollonio has been designing yachts for more than 50 years; his credits include Diaship/Heesen, Hampton/Regency, Cheoy Lee, Christensen, Westport, West Bay/SonShip and many others. For his part, Parcells is a partner at Crow’s Nest Yacht Sales in…

New Study: Gulf Stream Weakest in 1,000 Years

By Peter Janssen on March 1, 2021 Cruising Life

A new study says the Gulf Stream is now the weakest in more than 1,000 years, with major implications for future storms in Europe and sea-level rise along the east coast of the United States. Some of the world’s leading experts studied the circulation patterns of the Atlantic Ocean, including the currents of the Gulf Stream flowing from south of Florida up to Greenland, and published their results in the journal Nature Geoscience. The circulation, they said, is now “in its weakest state in over a millennium.” Their research showed that the current has slowed by 15 percent since 1950,…

NOAA Starts Transition to All Electronic Charts

By Peter Janssen on February 27, 2021 Cruising Life

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is starting its transition to all electronic charts. It announced its Sunsetting of Raster Nautical Charts in the Federal Register in 2019, spelling out a five-year plan to gradually end production of traditional paper and raster charts starting this year. The sunset plan starts this month with the end of the current paper chart, number 18665, of Lake Tahoe, on the California/Nevada border. After August, NOAA’s electronic chart will be the only NOAA chart of the area. NOAA says the electronic charts are easier to update and maintain than paper charts and they will…

After a Year in Mexico, Tangaroa Heads North

By Peter Janssen on February 24, 2021 Cruising Life

Tom Campbell and Beth Davidow have spent the past year cruising, diving and filming on their Maritimo 51 in Mexico, primarily in the Sea of Cortez. Now, the couple (he’s 80 and a wildlife and underwater cinematographer, she’s a scientist and documentary filmmaker) are heading north, up the Pacific side of the Baja Peninsula, ready to pursue the next stage in their five-year cruising adventure. Campbell and Davidow bought their new Maritimo, named Tangaroa, last February from Bill King of Maritimo Yacht Sales in Newport Harbor, California. They decided to live aboard full time, cruising and producing documentaries, starting in…

S&S Redesigns Classic Downeast Peapods

By Peter Janssen on February 24, 2021 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life

Sparkman & Stephens just redesigned the iconic Downeast Peapod double-ended row boat and tender, and they launched the first one in Newport, Rhode Island, on Valentine’s Day. It was S&S Design Number 2838. The boats are called peapods because they are shaped like a pod of peas with a stem at each end. They were first used by Maine lobstermen in the 1800s for inshore work because of their shallow draft and easy maneuverability. The lobstermen often rowed them standing up and they could row easily in both directions. In subsequent years, peapods became popular as recreational rowing boats and…

Captain Blames Chief Officer for Ship Grounding

By Peter Janssen on February 23, 2021 Cruising Life

Who’s in charge here? In a hearing to determine how the 984-feet-long Wakashio bulk carrier ran aground in Mauritius last July, the captain said he set a course near land so the crew could pick up a cell phone signal to call home. But then he blamed the Chief Officer for changing course and running aground. More than 1,000 tons of heavy oil leaked from the vessel. Here’s the account from gcaptain.com: By Vel Moonien in Mauritius – The captain of the ill-fated bulk carrier M/V Wakashio told a Mauritius court that he navigated the ship closer to land to allow…

Swimming Coach, 21, Youngest Woman To Row Across Ocean

By Peter Janssen on February 22, 2021 Cruising Life

Jasmine Harrison, a 21-year-old swimming teacher from the landlocked town of Thirsk, North Yorkshire, UK, just became the youngest woman to row solo across any ocean. She finished the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, some 3,000 miles from the Canary Islands off Africa to Antigua in the Caribbean, in 70 days, 3 hours and 48 minutes. Harrison stumbled when she took her first steps off her boat in Antigua’s English Harbour, but race officials caught her. She then said she was headed for a cold drink, a burger and fries. Oddly enough, Harrison’s story ended where it began. She was in…

New Award-Winning Saxdor 200: Built for Fun

By Peter Janssen on February 22, 2021 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life

Tired of feeling homebound by the pandemic? Want to feel the wind in your hair, and maybe some salt water on your face? Take a look at the new Saxdor 200 Sport. You don’t want to take it on the Great Loop, but you certainly could have a lot of fun around your local harbor. Think of it as a great second boat; no hassles, no problems. Enjoy it and put it away. The Saxdor 200 Sport has already won awards in its size range, as European Powerboat of the Year and Best of Boats awards, and it was a…

Pardo Building New Endurance 60 Long-Range Cruiser

By Peter Janssen on February 21, 2021 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life

Until now, Pardo, the Italian builder, has established a worldwide reputation for clean, fast walkaround boats with striking ultra-modern lines. Indeed, it has built more than 100 Pardo 38s, 43s, and 50s in just the past two years. Now, the yard is expanding its reach, making the Pardo Endurance 60, a long-range luxury cruiser, while still paying homage to its family lines and aesthetics. The new Pardo Endurance 60 is a three-stateroom, three-head cruiser with the minimalist Euro style (and the iconic Pardo bow) that have defined the company. Standard power comes from two 550-hp Volvo IPS700 pod drives; with…

Bavaria Launches New Vida 33, Its First Outboard

By Peter Janssen on February 21, 2021 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life

Bavaria, the large German builder of power and sailing yachts, just launched its first Vida 33, an outboard-powered weekender with sport styling and performance. If it brings to mind the looks of the Greenline NEO 33, it should. Bavaria acquired the rights to the NEO recently, after Greenline, the Slovenian builder, decided that outboard power didn’t fit in with its eco-friendly positioning. The NEO had solar panels to provide on-board power. For its part, Bavaria did not have an outboard boat in its powerboat lineup, which ranges from 29 to 55 feet. The new Vida 33 comes with standard twin…

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