Cruising Life

Chris-Craft Builds New 42-Foot Cabin Cruiser

By Peter Janssen on June 3, 2016 Cruising Life

One of the most famous names in boating, Chris-Craft will launch its first cabin cruiser in many years, a 42-foot Commander, at its dealer meeting this July. The new 42 also is the first in a new joint venture between Chris-Craft, based in Sarasota, Florida, and Austin Parker, the stylish boat builder in Pisa, Italy. With Chris-Craft’s distinctive lines, the Commander 42 will be powered by twin Volvo IPS 600 drives and 435-hp Volvo diesels. It will feature two cockpit areas for entertainment – one in the open area aft, and one under the hardtop, which can be fully…

Boat Crashes off Trailer on Salem, MA Bridge

By Peter Janssen on June 2, 2016 Cruising Life

For the owner of this 24-foot Wellcraft, the Beverly-Salem Bridge in Salem, MA, was one bridge too far. After a sharp turn leading to the bridge, the boat tipped off the trailer, landing on its side in the road. A used boat, the Wellcraft was on its way to a sea trial. For more: http://www.salemnews.com/news/local_news/boat-flips-on-beverly-salem-bridge/article_6492f717-7aff-5244-ae90-5c70a5297f25.html

Logs, Swirling Currents on Erie Canal

By Peter Janssen on June 2, 2016 Cruising Life, On Watch with Peter Janssen

Several cruisers have reported problems on the Erie Canal in the past few days, the result of heavy rain and flooding in the areas of Locks 9, 10 and 11 near Amsterdam, NY. Locks 10 and 11 were closed for a while at the start of the Memorial Day weekend, although they have reopened. And one captain reported on the America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association blog that “the swirling current going 9 was vicious.” Another, Clay Logan on SaSea Sally, a Mainship 43, said he encountered “LOTS of logs and debris” in the area. On Seasons, a Tayana 42 trawler, John…

Wall Street Journal Discovers the Great Loop

By Peter Janssen on June 1, 2016 Cruising Life

Here’s a terrific story about the Great Loop from the Wall Street Journal.http://www.wsj.com/articles/on-the-water-going-around-in-circles-sounds-like-a-plan-1464629037

First Cruise on Nordhavn 76

By Peter Janssen on May 26, 2016 Cruising Life

This video of a new 76-foot Nordhavn, from christening to her first trip from West Palm Beach to the Bahamas, is the next best thing to being on your own boat right now. Take a look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CX1b51viuJs&sns=em

Aussies Tackle Great Loop; Winning So Far

By Peter Janssen on May 25, 2016 Cruising Life, Destinations, On Watch with Peter Janssen

This isn’t exactly the New York Yacht Club annual cruise, but it is two Aussies on a leased C-Dory 26, with a single 150-hp Honda outboard, doing the Great Loop. They started this spring in Florida and they’re now in Canada. Good on ’em. Here’s their daily blog. http://balakera.com

Third Trip Down the ICW on Ranger 27

By Peter Janssen on May 25, 2016 Cruising Life

Ranger Tugs have a growing and enthusiastic group of owners, including this Annapolis couple who are on their third trip to Florida on the ICW. Here they are in Fort Myers; you’ll love these people. (I’ve done two cruises on Rangers myself in the San Juans and the Canadian Gulf islands and enjoyed them greatly.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH-E3tTQhZo

Trust Your GPS But…

By Peter Janssen on May 19, 2016 Cruising Life

The police said it was a dark and stormy night in Ontario, Canada, when a 23-year-old woman, trusting her GPS, missed a right turn and drove straight down a boat ramp into the water of Georgian Bay. Fortunately, the woman rolled down the window of her Toyota, climbed out, swam to shore and then hiked to a hotel to call for help. The car was declared a total loss. (Photo from ABC News)

52-foot Boat Sinks in ICW; Two on Board Rescued

By Peter Janssen on May 14, 2016 Cruising Life

A good Samaritan boater picked up the two people on board a 52-foot Downeast powerboat from Coinjock, NC, after it took on water. See a picture and the early story here:http://outerbanksvoice.com/2016/05/08/vessel-sinks-in-currituck-sound-fellow-boater-takes-two-aboard/

How to Use a GPS

By Peter Janssen on May 12, 2016 Cruising Life

No matter how long you’ve used a GPS it never hurts to get a refresher course. And if you’ve never used one, here’s a good way to start. Now the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water and the United States Power Squadrons have developed a new online course, “How to Use GPS,” to help all of us get where we want to go safely. The course is clear and makes GPS seem easy; it also can be taken anywhere – your office, your home, on your boat – when it’s most convenient for you. You can stop and…

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