Cruising Life

New Jaktar 30 “Ready for Adventure”

By Peter Janssen on March 5, 2024 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life

The striking new Jaktar J30 adventure boat from Sweden just made its U.S. debut at the recent Seattle boat show. The new all-aluminum Jaktar, with its strong, functional looks, is made for adventures and exploration in the far north. Indeed, the company says it is both “ready for adventure” and “engineered for exploration.” For his part, Bart Bouwhuis, a partner of Vripack, the Dutch design studio, calls it “the utility knife of boats.” With room to sleep four people, a small galley, enclosed head and shower, and fully enclosed helm deck, the Jaktar is ready to take a family on…

C-MAP Updates Charts for North America

By Peter Janssen on March 4, 2024 Cruising Life, Electronics

C-MAP just announced that it has updated its charts for North American with enhanced images and more detailed information. Founded in 1985, C-MAP has become a leader in digital marine cartography and cloud-based mapping. Its C-MAP App makes planning and navigating simple and easy. It’s made for your smart phone, tablet or personal computer, and you can personalize a chart with the layers you want and view it any time you want in the palm of your hand. You also can check the weather, create your own route, or rely on C-MAP’s Autorouting to do it for you. Now, the…

Two Oceans Launching 870 Blue-Water Cat

By Peter Janssen on March 4, 2024 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life

Two Oceans is almost finished building its new 870 blue-water, power catamaran in its plant in Cape Town, South Africa. Powered by twin 715-hp Cummins diesels, the new Two Oceans is designed as a luxury home on the water that can cross oceans and carry its owners safely to destinations around the world. Two Oceans Marine Manufacturing was founded in 1989. For the past three years, their smaller catamarans, as well as an ECLIPSE line of 50- and 60-foot outboard-powered, express cruisers, have been sold by HMY Yacht Sales in the U.S. If you think, correctly, that a three-deck, 87-foot…

Brunswick Using AI for Self-Docking

By Peter Janssen on February 29, 2024 Cruising Life

Brunswick, the largest boat builder in the United States, is using artificial intelligence to develop autonomous docking systems in its boats. Indeed, it has formed a partnership with Apex.AI to develop autonomous technology throughout its boat lines. The new collaboration means that Brunswick will incorporate Apex.AI’s Apex.Grace and Apex.Ida products into Brunswick’s existing autonomous system. The Apex products have been certified for safety. The Apex software will be applied to current – and future – sensors in Brunswick’s own docking technology. Jan Becker, the Apex.AI CEO, said the software will “enhance the safety, functionality and convenience of recreational boating.” Apex.AI…

New Fjord 39 Heading for Palm Beach

By Peter Janssen on February 29, 2024 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life

The new Fjord 39XP, with the German company’s aggressively styled minimalist lines, will make its world debut at the Palm Beach boat show, starting March 21. Andrea Zabonini, the product director of HanseYachts AG, Fjord’s parent company, said the new 39 “embodies our commitment to innovation and luxury.” Designed by Patrick Benfield, the British naval architect, the new 39 offers a mix of head-turning looks, performance, and understated luxury. It has joystick control for easy low-speed maneuvering and docking, while two 400-hp Mercury Verado V10 outboards provide the power. The new 39XP cruises at an easy 25 knots, and tops…

Living the Dream, Until…

By Peter Janssen on February 28, 2024 Cruising Life

Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel had been married for 27 years. He was 66 and a retired financial advisor; she was 70 and a retired real estate agent. They had lived in Alexandria, Virginia, until years ago when they decided to retire and live on their 48-foot St. Francis catamaran named Simplicity. Then they followed their dreams, spending summers in New England and winters in the Caribbean. Warm and popular, they made friends everywhere. Practicing Christians, they made a prayer before dinner every night, giving thanks for their blessings. Last fall, they joined the Salty Dawg Sailing Association rally from…

Iliad To Show New 53 Cat in Palm Beach

By Peter Janssen on February 28, 2024 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life

Iliad Catamarans, the up-and-coming Australian builder, will show its new 53 Flybridge long-range cruiser at the Palm Beach show, starting March 21. It just introduced the 53 to the U.S. at the Miami show last month. The new cat has already been nominated for a 2024 Multihull of the Year award. The new Iliad 53 has high freeboard for protection from challenging conditions on long blue-water cruises. The ride is soft and safe. Power comes from either 440-hp Volvo or Yanmar diesels, with a top speed of about 21 knots. At lower speeds the cat has a range of more…

New Sirena 48 To Debut in Palm Beach

By Peter Janssen on February 27, 2024 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life

Sirena Yachts just announced that its new entry-level 48 flybridge will make its U.S. debut at the Palm Beach show, starting March 21. The 48, designed, like all previous Sirenas, by the acclaimed Argentinian naval architect Germán Frers, made its global debut at the Cannes show in September. Since then, Sirena has sold 27 of them, including 13 to American buyers. The new 48 is the smallest Sirena to date, in a fleet that includes a 58, 68, 78 and 88. “This expansion into the 40-foot sector will complete our lineup in the most competitive area of the market,” said…

Aquador Launches 250 HT Pocket Cruiser

By Peter Janssen on February 26, 2024 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life

Aquador has launched a new 250 HT (for hard top) pocket cruiser that offers almost all-weather protection for a couple or small family and is powered by a single 250-hp Mercury outboard. The 250 HT is the latest in the Finnish builder’s “next generation” of boats, following the successful reception of its 300 HT. A 380 HT is coming later in the year. The 250 has a relatively low profile and a wide internal helm deck that stretches out almost full beam. The Eco Teak side decks are fairly narrow as a result, but they have high stainless steel railings…

Riviera Unveiling New 46 Sports Cruiser

By Peter Janssen on February 26, 2024 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life

Riviera, the large Australian builder, will display its new 46 Sports Motor Yacht at the Palm Beach show, starting March 21. The 46 is a luxury family cruiser with three staterooms and two heads, a large aft galley in the salon and lots of room aft for relaxing on board and enjoying water sports. The new 46 is the entry level model in Riviera’s Sports Motor Yacht series, which already includes a 50, 68, and 72. Standard power comes from twin 600-hp Volvo IPS800 pod drives, with fingertip control from the joystick for easy maneuvering around a dock. Top speed…

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