Cruising Life

Sunreef 60: A New Power Cat with a Luxurious Master Stateroom

By Peter Janssen on January 31, 2017 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life

One of the larger and more luxurious power catamarans, the new 60 Sunreef Power Ocean’s 11 comes with a seaworthy hull, spacious public and private areas (inside and out) offering panoramic views, and a cruising range of some 3,000 nm. Sunreef was started in 2003 by Francis Lapp, who was then running a catamaran charter company; he wanted to build his own large custom cats to supply his fleet using the historic shipyard in Gdansk, Poland. Today, more than 90 large Sunreef cats, power and sail, are cruising in waters around the world. But the new 60 Sunreef Power Ocean’s…

Summer Cruise from Manhattan to Quebec City on a Cutwater 28: Great Video

By Peter Janssen on January 30, 2017 Cruising Life

Two years ago, George Sass Sr. and I drove a Cutwater 28 from New York City up the Hudson to Lake Champlain, into Canada and the Chambly Canal, and finally down the St. Lawrence to Quebec City. We took a week and, in a tribute to the easy livability of the 28-foot Cutwater, we were still as good friends at the end of the trip as we had been at the start. The first half of the Downeast Loop, this trip offers easy cruising through some beautiful countryside, great places to stay and even a bit of Europe once you…

Top Ten Tips for Boating with Pets

By Peter Janssen on January 25, 2017 Cruising Life

I still get twinges of pain in my back every time I remember lifting my 75-pound yellow Lab from the dock into the cockpit of my Grand Banks. And it was even worse in reverse, lifting him from the cockpit back up to the dock. Fortunately, labs are so good natured that he put up with all of this, eventually just curling up next to me on the boat. There’s no question that pets and boats can be a tough combination. But there are things you can do to make it easier for your pet – and for yourself -…

New, Retro Huckins 36: Coming Full Circle

By Peter Janssen on January 25, 2017 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life

Some boat designs are meant to last, to have the same appeal many years – or generations – down the road as they did the day they were first launched. That certainly is the case with the new Huckins 36 Sportsman, which the legendary company is calling the 36-36 Sportsman because the original Sportsman 36 was created by Frank Pembroke Huckins, the company’s founder, back in 1936. Today the Jacksonville builder is run by Huckins’ granddaughter, Cindy Purcell, and her husband, Buddy. They say that with the new 36 that Huckins isn’t jumping on the retro bandwagon – since they…

What To Do When Your Engine Dies Coming in to a Marina

By Peter Janssen on January 23, 2017 Cruising Life

It’s probably going to happen sooner or later. Just when you’re heading for a slip, or a fuel dock, your engine dies. Yikes. Here is some great advice from Captain John’s Skipper Tips about what to do next: Imagine that you enter a marina channel after a perfect day. All of a sudden – your engine sputters, shudders and dies! You press the starter button. Nothing doing! And there’s no room to anchor and no room to turn around. What now, skipper? You can bet that the best airplane pilots are always on the lookout for landing strips off the…

This Couple, New To Boating, Trade Up to Prestige 550, Cruise from Annapolis to Palm Beach

By Peter Janssen on January 23, 2017 Cruising Life

Three years ago Jonathan Murray and Desiree Van Welsum weren’t out to buy a boat. Instead, they were were living in New York City and were looking for a weekend home in the country. After several potential deals fell through, they decided to try a boat as a floating second home. They then moved to Washington and bought a 41 footer that they used just enough to decide they needed a bigger boat. Then came a 51 footer, and just last spring they traded up again, to a Prestige 550. They love the boating and cruising life, and here in…

Top 10 Spots to Snorkel: Go Now!

By Peter Janssen on January 18, 2017 Cruising Life

After you’ve dropped the hook, either on your own cruise or on a charter, one of the first things you’ll probably do is break out the fins and mask and go snorkeling. It’s easy, it’s fun, and almost everyone has a good time in or under the water. But where to go? Here’s a list from Coastal Living magazine about the ten best snorkeling destinations, from Florida to Catalina to Hawaii. See if your favorite snorkeling spot is here: http://www.coastalliving.com/travel/top-10-spots-to-snorkel

New 27-Knot Aquila Power Cat with Twin Outboards

By Peter Janssen on January 18, 2017 Charter, Cruising Life

http://aquilaboats.comAquila is launching a new 36-foot power catamaran that makes cruising or chartering easy, comfortable and fast. Indeed, the new Aquila 36 has two staterooms and two heads and is powered by twin 250-hp Mercury Verado four-stroke outboards that top out at 27 knots. If that’s not fast enough, twin 300-hp or even twin 350-hp Verados are options. With the standard 250s, the new cat cruises at 21 knots and delivers a 282-nm range. Performance is one thing. Cruising comfort is another. With its 14’7” beam, the Aquila 36 offers room to spare, inside and out. The staterooms in each…

How To Dock in a Cross-Wind: Video and Detailed Story

By Peter Janssen on January 16, 2017 Cruising Life

At some point, we’ve all been there. It’s time to back into a slip, but the wind is blowing and the bow wants to go one way and the stern another. Even if no one is watching (and they usually are) you don’t want to mess this up. Here’s a great video, plus a long story, showing how to accomplish this without an injury either to your boat or to your reputation. See the video first here: https://youtu.be/MmaYOXulaGM For the detailed story, click here: http://www.mby.com/maintenance/windier-berthing-32638

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