On Watch with Peter Janssen

Science Explains the Waterspout that Sank the Bayesian

By George Day on August 22, 2024 On Watch With Peter Janssen, On Watch with Peter Janssen

One of the lead news stories of the week was the tragic and somewhat baffling capsize and sinking of the 183-foot yacht Bayesian near Porticello, Sicily, with the loss of seven souls. Fortunately, 15 of the 22 people on board survived. The consensus among Italian officials has solidified on the likelihood that the yacht was hit by a very local and very powerful waterspout that forced it over onto its side leading to massive flooding and ultimately, in minutes, to its sinking into 180 feet of water. Everyone has the same question: How could this have happened? I have cruised…

First Look at Hunt Yachts’ New Ocean 56

By George Day on August 8, 2024 Boat Reviews, Cruising Life, On Watch with Peter Janssen, On Watch With Peter Janssen

Here’s some good news. Hunt Yachts of Portsmouth, RI, has introduced the design for a new 56-footer in their Ocean series. The Hunt Associates design, with its patented Deep-V hull, includes all of the classic qualities that have made Hunt Yachts renown for their superb seakeeping abilities in all weather, high cruising speeds and elegant fit and finish. The 56 joins the Ocean 63, 68 and 76. The 56, which is in the final stages of the design process, will be offered with either a flybridge or as a coupe. The flybridge model will have a hard top for protection…

Hinckley Unveils New Picnic Boat 39, First Ever with Forward Seating

By George Day on July 24, 2024 Boat Reviews, On Watch with Peter Janssen, On Watch With Peter Janssen

This week, Hinckley Yachts, which is celebrating both its 100th year in business and the 30th anniversary of the first Picnic Boat, announced the launch of the new Picnic Boat 39, the first model in the line with forward seating. The new model offers owners and guests an unique boating and social environment in the three distinct but adjoined seating areas – the cockpit, helm area and now the forward lounge—which are perfect for entertaining family and friends. The access to the forward seating area has been ingeniously engineered with a sliding window mechanism that easily and conveniently opens the…

Outer Reef Introduces New 650 Classic Motoryacht

By George Day on July 17, 2024 On Watch With Peter Janssen, On Watch with Peter Janssen

This week, Jeff Druek, President and CEO of Outer Reef Yachts, announced the introduction of the new, re-engineered Outer Reef 650 Classic Motoryacht, which is the smallest model in the company’s M Class yachts. Druek noted that the 650’s sistership, the 700 Classic Motoryacht, has long been the most popular model in the series. Yet, he and his team had often heard from owners and customers the need for a smaller version. “For those who desire the attributes of the 700 in a smaller yacht,” he said, “whether due to slip size, itinerary restrictions, handling preferences, and more, Outer Reef…

Uber Europe Expands Its Yacht Share Services

By George Day on July 11, 2024 Charter, Cruising Life, On Watch with Peter Janssen

Now, here’s something new from the market disrupters at Uber. Uber Europe, which pioneered facilitating Uber users to book yachts for day trips or more, announced this month that the service would be expanded to deluxe resort areas in Ibiza, Venice, Paris and Greece. A typical Uber Yacht experience in Ibiza would get you and up to seven friends aboard a private Sunseeker for eight hours of touring the island as well as swimming and other water sports. It would cost $1,600 for the day and comes with a complimentary bottle of champagne. Uber also noted that the ride sharing…

Tiara Yachts Has Reasons to Celebrate in 2024

By George Day on July 11, 2024 Cruising Life, On Watch with Peter Janssen

This year, Tiara Yachts has many reasons for celebration. The family owned and run company is marking the 50th anniversary of the Tiara brand and the new Tiara 54 EX, introduced at the 2024 Miami show, was named a Top Product by Boating Industry magazine. Tiara, based in Holland, Michigan, was launched by Leon Slikkers in 1974 as a premium powerboat brand. It soon became one of America’s leading lines of center consoles and weekenders. Tiara was not the first brand introduced by Leon Slikkers. He learned the boat building trade while working at Chris Craft in the early 1950s…

Thank You, Peter, and Grand Banks Previews New GB 62

By George Day on July 11, 2024 Boat Reviews, On Watch With Peter Janssen, On Watch with Peter Janssen

Peter Janssen is absent from On Watch this week for the first time in almost eight years. He has retired at the venerable age of 88. As the co-founder and editor of the newsletter, he produced 400 editions and wrote more than four thousand articles. For a seasoned journalist, that is a lot. For a man already in his eighties when we founded Cruising Odyssey, the achievement is legendary. So, as I take the helm and steer Cruising Compass into its next chapter, I want to offer Peter my gratitude and appreciation for all he did and all he does.…

Riveting Video of Ferry Docking in Greece

By Peter Janssen on June 25, 2024 Cruising Life, On Watch with Peter Janssen

Don’t try this at home. But here’s a can’t-look-away video of a large ferry almost crashing into the bow of another ferry that’s already docked in the port of Tinos, Greece. The video starts with the sleek Super Runner Seajets ferry entering the harbor on its run from Mykonos, a popular route. Then the captain spins the Seajets around to make his stern-to docking, swinging cross the bow of an already docked red-hulled Fast Ferry Andros. The starboard stern quarter of the Seajets seems to pass just inches away from the Andros’ bow, as passengers watch from the foredeck. Social…

Sabre Building New 51 Salon Express

By Peter Janssen on June 18, 2024 On Watch with Peter Janssen

Sabre just announced that it’s making a new 51 Salon Express that will be launched in the fall of 2025. The Sabre 51 carries all the classic low-profile, long-sheer Downeast lines that mark the entire Sabre fleet, which now runs consists of a 38 , 43, 45, 48 and 58. The new 51 features social spaces from the cockpit to the foredeck providing lots of room for relaxing or entertaining on a sunset cruise or a two-week vacation. In a large yacht touch, there’s even a forward bench seat and a sunbed on the foredeck, while the cockpit has aft-facing…

CO Tests the New MJM 42 Express Cruiser

By George Day on June 13, 2024 Boat Reviews, On Watch with Peter Janssen, On Watch With Peter Janssen

By George Day Part One: Running fast and efficiently on the Pamilco River In early June, I travelled from Newport, Rhode Island, to Washington, North Carolina, to visit with our friends at MJM Yachts and to test drive the new MJM 42. Washington is an old southern town and port that sits on the edge of the Pamilico River. And, it is a boat building mecca. It has lovely late 18th Century architecture –rebuilt after Northern troops burned the town during the Civil War—and a picturesque waterfront with several marinas and a waterfront park. It was in a marina at…

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