Miami International Boat Show &
Strictly Sail; Miami Beach Yacht &
Brokerage Show Preview (pictured)

71^st Annual
Miami International
Boat Show & Strictly Sail

What do you get when you bring millions of dollars worth of boats, yachts, gear and electronics to one of the most cosmopolitan beachfront cities in the country? It can only add up to the Annual Progressive Insurance© Miami International Boat Show, held this year from February 16-20.

Featuring three locations (Miami Beach Convention Center; Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center in-water displays; and Miamarina at Bayside—Strictly Sail Miami returns to Bayside) for 2012. It’s one of the biggest gatherings on the boat show circuit.

But there’s more to it than boats and gear. After a successful introduction in 2011, the interactive Discover Boating Resource Center is back and better than ever, providing attendees of all ages and skill sets with a multitude of opportunities to get on the water and discover the excitement of the boating lifestyle through hands-on education and adventure. Guests can register for an assortment of complimentary, daily courses on topics ranging from close-quarter handling and offshore cruising, to sailing for beginners and boating safety.

“We’re thrilled to bring the Discover Boating Resource Center back to the Progressive Insurance© Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail so cruisers of all ages and levels can learn more about navigating the waters and experience the benefits of boating first-hand. There’s truly no better destination to discover the many ways that life is better with a boat!” said Cathy Rick-Joule, Show Manager.

In addition: 

-Visit the best dive and travel feature in the U.S.,the Dive & Travel Harbor presented by U.S. Dive Shows located on the first floor at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

-Celebrating its ninth year, the Big Game Room returns with all of your favorite events! Have a drink at the Marlin Bar while waiting for the next educational seminar to begin. Take a walk over to the Bait Rigging Station and improve your rigging techniques. And of course you’ll see the latest in products for the fishing world and destinations with the best sport fishing in the world. Don’t forget to sign up for the Exhibitor Prize Give Away.

-Feed your need for speed! See the show’s fastest and sleekest race boats from Cigarette Racing Team, Nor-Tech, Marine Technology, Velocity, GTMM, Skater and Outer Limits Powerboats. You’ll find these great race boats outside next to the Pavilion Tent.

-Boating enthusiasts and art aficionados can meet the newest member of the International Game Fish Association Fishing Hall of Fame and world-renowned artist, photographer, diver and scientist, Dr. Guy Harvey, by visiting the Guy Harvey Artist Pavilion located in room 2700 at Miami Beach Convention Center. There they’ll also find the largest collection of Guy Harvey artwork, apparel and merchandise ever available.

-Sunday the 19^th is Marlins Day. Meet Miami Marlins players on Convention Center Drive along with Billy the Marlin and the Mermaids on hand to sign autographs and take pictures. There will be tickets to opening week games in the brand new Miami Marlins Ball Park. Stop by the Marlins Van and take your chance on the prize wheel all day Sunday.

For full information, visit: miamiboatshow.com.

24th Annual
Yacht & Brokerage Show in Miami Beach

February 16-20 will see the 24^th Annual Yacht & Brokerage Show in Miami Beach along Collins Avenue featuring yachts and superyachts from the world’s most extraordinary custom boatbuilders. Not to be confused with the Miami Boat Show, this show is free and open to the public. This year’s show will feature more than 500 new and pre-owned vessels valued at more than a billion dollars and covers more than 1.2 million square feet of space over a mile-long strip of the Indian Creek Waterway in the heart of beautiful Miami Beach. It runs along Collins Avenue (S.R. A1A), from 41^st to 51^st Streets, situated directly across from landmark hotels including the Fountainbleu, Eden Roc and Miami Beach Resort and Spa.

Take advantage of the show’s new smartphone app, MyBoatShow, launched in October 2011 at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show with tremendous success. It’s a free app, available on iPhone and Android platforms, designed to help navigate the show’s docks, land areas and tents. Attendees will be able to access show maps and search for exhibitors, manufacturers, product categories and boats by specifications and size. The app also provides the show schedule, seminar information, show transportation schedules and maps, food and drink locations, restroom locations and emergency services.

Another inaugural development to this year’s show is TrawlerPort, a true show within  a show. Located at the north end of all the action, TrawlerPort will offer an impressive display of sturdy long-range cruisers offered in lengths from 35 to 90 feet, all built for long-term cruising to regional and worldwide destinations. Participating TrawlerPort boats will be easily identified with banners and flags.

The show’s Yacht Equipment Pavilion and Sportfishing Pavilion offer attendees the perfect setting to experience the latest in marine gear, sportfishing tackle and equipment, electronics and gadgets, as well as seminars by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA).

Once again, Shake-A-Leg Miami will be the beneficiary of the annual Boat Show Kickoff Party, held February 15t^h between 6-9PM at the Miami Yacht & Brokerage Show Cocktail Barge, just prior to the start of the show.

For complete information on ticket sales, times, transportation and parking, visit: showmanagement.com

It all adds up to more than just the sum of its parts during Vintage Weekend at Ocean Reef Club.

Some of the most successful ventures occur primarily because there is a synergistic component present in the process. Keeping this in mind, one doesn’t have to wonder too hard why Vintage Weekend at Ocean Reef Club (ORC) on Key Largo just celebrated its 17th year, enjoying ever increasing success as it begins closing in on a two decade run of it.

Originally conceived to fill a void in the pre-season social calendar, Vintage Weekend featured classic yachts, cars and aircraft, showcased against the backdrop of one of the most understatedly graceful and refined settings in South Florida.

The collections featured in the event are not flashy and opulent in the modern sense that one would equate to fashion—which comes and goes with time. It sometimes even repeats itself as those who need something new and different start regurgitating that which was popular in the past. Rather, the yachts, cars and aircraft on display were timelessly classic in style, like a woman’s little black cocktail dress or a man’s gold-sleeve buttoned blue blazer. There was no ostentatious opulence at Vintage Weekend, just rarified gracefulness. It’s rather akin to attending the Masters at Augusta national. True, there are more dramatic and challenging links, but none that are more genteelly refined.

But back to the synergy at Ocean Reef Club. What began as a modest and remote fishing camp back in 1945 has grown and evolved into a singularly special sort of place with casual and laid-back elegance, where attention to detail and the preservation of an “Old Florida” feel takes precedence over constant reinvention and one-upmanship.

Yes, it’s all meticulously groomed and maintained, but you’ll see little guilt edging and gold fixtures in the buildings, and don’t expect to encounter the sort of landscaping which a gardener spent hours forcing to conform to his crafting. It’s this matrimony of timeless classics, on display and where they’re displayed, that has become the hallmark of Vintage Weekend. held the weekend following Thanksgiving each year, things kicked off on Friday with a drive-about—The Reef & Road Rally. It went to, of all places, the rustic Alabama Jack’s where such beautiful cars in such a bucolic location elicited a feeling of whimsically delightful disparity. Attendees were transported via bus, everyone had a grand time of it and thus the tone was set for the next day.

There were 58 vintage automobiles that participated in the Concours d’elegance event which kicked things off Saturday morning. ORC member and Vintage Weekend committee member, Ron elenbaas—a car aficionado himself—provided lively and thorough commentary on each car and the respective owners. Between Ron and his wife nanette, three of their cars were showcased. The Off Brothers Collection contributed the oldest automobile, which was a 1910 Thomas Flyer, and Derek Wachob brought the newest, a 2003 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible.

Back over at the water’s edge there were 20 classically archetypal yachts docked stem to stern and in Bristol fashion, where people could feel free to take off their shoes, step over the red carpet that indicated visitors were welcome to board, and get a self-guided tour of each vessel. Paul and Tracy Berger were the owners of builder John Trumpy’s Washingtonian, built in 1939, the oldest yacht there. When we asked Robert Meierhoff, owner of Diane, (Burger Boatworks steel hull #1) if he actively used the boat, he replied, “Oh no, I just love to restore and preserve her.” It’s that sort of motive that seems to permeate this event. Make no mistake about it, yes, many of the participants are financially well-heeled, but at the same time that affords them the luxury of not only preserving such classics, but also altruistically presenting them to the public merely for pure enjoyments sake.

As part of the festivities on Saturday there was a Chuckwagon luncheon on the beach where an airshow took place. Registered guests were able to partake in a delicious buffet spread on a beautiful winter day while also enjoying aero acrobatics from noon until 2PM. There were 19 aircraft featured at the show ranging in pedigree from 1906 (a replica, actually) to 1995. Shortly following the show, over at the Ocean Reef Airport, was a tour and commentary on the aircraft. A favorite amongst the crowd was a 1945 DC-3. As shown (top right), she’s not cosmetically a princess of the skies (although quite structurally sound), but is still in regular service flying to the The 1945 DC-3 was a crowd favorite, owned by Julio Castro. Bahamas five days a week. On that point, owner Julio Castro of Miami, Florida quipped, “You can tell, she’s no hanger Queen.” (Don’t you just love flyboys?)

Later that evening, the Wild West themed dinner dance got into full swing over at the Town hall, complete with hay bales and a country band which later kicked things up several notches with more modern dance tunes, and the feeling of camaraderie and fellowship in the hall was palpable. Yes, drinks flowed, yet—despite the prevalence of all them pistol packers— no blood was spilled.

Before the dance, we spent cocktail hour with the VP of Sales and Marketing, Richard Weinstein, and the Director of Communications, Molly Carroll, in the Reef Lounge for a nosh and some cocktails. Amidst the gentle background strumming of a jazzy bassist accompanying a female vocalist (whose dulcet voice could make you swoon), the lively conversation ranged upon any number of topics. At one point we mistakenly referred to ORC as a resort, to which Richard quickly retorted, “Oh no, please don’t say that; we’re not a resort, we are a club.” We stood corrected, and rightfully so. The members are the owners here, not some far-off disconnected corporate entity dishing out mirror ceilinged rooms and endless all-you-can-eat buffets for a package price.

Sunday dawned with a northeasterly bluster huffing in off the Atlantic, swaying the Royal Palms and lending a bit of drama

to the radio-controlled sailboat regatta taking place out on the saltwater pond of Buccaneer Island. From our vantage point on a balcony of the Dolphin residence, with light sweet coffees in hand, we watched the diminutive vessels tack and jibe around the marks, and run the downwind leg, wing-on-wing. But that was about the only aggressive or competitive thing we observed throughout the entire sublimely debonair and cultivated weekend.

There’s scant doubt this event will continue to thrive and endure, perpetually bolstered by the intrinsically sound premises on which it was established: fun, sociability, community, a preservationists nod to the past and a celebratory glance to what the future will bring.

While less than five percent of those currently holding a captain’s license are women, in my experience it’s still useful to have the knowledge that comes along with the “ticket,” even if you’re not planning to take a job in the Caribbean as master of a charter vessel. According to a survey done by The Triton (magazine for “nautical news for captains and crews”), many women in the yachting industry have never really considered pursuing their captain’s license for three main reasons:

1) The rules and regulations for acquiring sea time through the United States Coast Guard (USCG) system can be confusing;

2) The career options within the marine industry for female captains are often overlooked, and;

3) There’s often no one to turn to for support, guidance and encouragement.

While some women may be interested in taking a few classes, you may dream of someday getting paid to do what you love and perhaps even entertain the thought of NOT leaving the boat over the winter but rather, making it available for charter. There’s no secret that it’s better to combine what you love with your income-production. To that end, your USCG captain’s license is a potential revenue resource. It may also make a difference in your future as a cruiser. Get that license now so that when the economy does start to improve, you’ll be ready to take full advantage of the throngs of vacationstarved families ready to take a boating vacation.

You may be asking yourself this: “I’m not a professional, so why would I need a captain’s license?” Well, as a recreational cruiser, you may never really “need” the license, but it is still worthwhile to have what comes with it: namely training and knowledge. Another good reason—a captain’s license will lower your vessel’s insurance costs. Almost all major insurance companies now require basic training that goes beyond the standard boat safety course currently required in almost every state.

As far as classes go, there are many to choose from: courses in bareboating, basic coastal cruising, offshore passagemaking, liveaboard sailboat cruising, blue water tactics, and now there’s even trawler training available. Generally however, it all begins with the basic OUPV (Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel), formerly known as a “six-pack” captain’s license. When it finally came time to put my four years of cruising ocean miles to good use, I concluded that I might as well get one of my own. But where to take the course?

Fortunately, I live by the water in South Florida where there’s a plethora of courses available. SeaSchool, based in St. Petersburg, Florida, has schools located throughout the southeast and Gulf Coasts. My husband is an alumnus so I decided to follow in his wake and go with a known entity. SeaSchool is very laid back, but they get the job done and have been around since 1977. But if you’re not near a major boating area, there are excellent programs offered online.

Our instructor—John, a long-time Fort Lauderdale resident and charter fisherman—was adamant in telling us on the first day that everyone would pass. John made the lectures fun by interjecting his “fish stories” and sharing his top secret fishing holes with the lucky fisherman in the class.

I do need to add here how hard it can be to work all day at your job and then attend class from 6-10PM through the weekend. And, unless you live in a major boating area, you may not have an available class nearby, nor the time it takes (usually two full weekends plus five nights to satisfy the 64-hour requirement for classroom instruction), to complete a USCGapproved course. If your time is limited or you don’t care to take a learning vacation, SeaSchool offers all of their courses online. Courses are also offered in Spanish.

SeaSchool began offering online “distance learning” captain’s license courses back in 2009. They’re the same courses you can take in their classrooms, but are designed especially for older mariners or those who don’t usually spend their days in front of a computer screen. They’re especially easy to read, easy to navigate and less complicated than most other online offerings.

According to Len Wahl, SeaSchool’s Training Director, “Our online courses aren’t complicated. My father designed the first course for those not so familiar with computers.” Students will see ‘Walk Ons’ by instructors, who actually appear to walk onto the screen to describe things. Once you’ve read the supplied course book or reviewed the required PDFs, you’re ready to log in to access the course online. You’ll see review highlights on the screen, before you take the online quizzes. Once you’ve passed, credit is given for that section. “The average total computer time is generally about 65 hours to cover all the material for the OUPV,” Len added. The OUPV captain’s license is just $395, a considerable savings over the classroom course price of $550.

The final exam

No one really enjoys the exam at the end, but in order to get your ticket you must pass nonetheless. There are four parts to the test: Rules of the Road (COLREGS), Deck General, Navigation and Chart Plotting. Rules of the Road tends to be the most difficult and you must pass it with a score of 90 percent or better. You can pass the other three with a grade of 70 percent or better. The Chart Plotting takes the longest. I had a period of four hours to pass the tests which was more than enough and actually more time would have been made available if needed. The good news is that if you can take your exams directly after you finish the course then all you have to do is regurgitate all that information and… voila, you’re done!

SeaSchool offers exams every Tuesday and as far as their guarantee goes, if you don’t pass an exam (you get three tries), you only have to sit through that part of the class again and you can retake the test. Not a bad deal. Classes are generally small; ours had only 10 students, but generally speaking, classes are usually between 15-20. SeaSchool also offers you assistance with the complicated Coast Guard application so that yours doesn’t get caught in USCG Purgatory.

New course and exam – all online

“SeaSchool’s renewal course is the only course of its kind available online. It was just approved by the USCG,” Len told us. And there’s some good news: the final exam can be taken online, in lieu of an open book final exam with the Coast Guard. For those who spend more time onboard cruising or for working mariners, this can be very convenient; however, studying and training online isn’t for everyone. You must be very disciplined and set enough time aside to go through all the material, take the quizzes and final tests. For those of us who spend a significant part of our lives online, it’s not a big leap, but for others… well, it may not spin your prop. If you prefer a live expert in front of the classroom—drilling the information into your head and where you can interrupt and ask questions or interact with fellow students—then you should choose the classroom option. Either way, the Coast Guard describes the topics and degree of difficulty, as well as the amount of time spent in class. If you take the online course, you’re still required to take the final exam in the classroom of your choice.

Besides the traditional OUPV and higher grade licenses, SeaSchool also offers endorsements such as sailing and towing. License applicants must also pay for the SeaSchool’s First Aid/CPR course.

Once you’ve passed your exam, taken your CPR course and paid your fees, you have to have logged a minimum of 360 days experience on board a boat starting from age 15, with 90 of those days occurring over the last three years, before you can get your ticket. Keep in mind that four hours on a boat can be considered one day and in one 24-hour period, you can claim just one day of sea service time. If you own the boat yourself, you sign-off your own time. If your time was spent on boats belonging to friends or family, they can sign-off for you. Your time does not need to be signed off by a licensed Captain and in fact, you don’t even need to be operating the boat for the time to count. At least for the moment, the entire sea time sign-off process basically works on the honor system where the Coast Guard will accept your best guess, and you are no longer required to submit logbooks.

There’s a relatively new document now being required for all captains. It’s called the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) administers it. This document requires that you appear before the TSA for security clearance, including digital fingerprinting, which would then be shared with the USCG.

Whatever your mode of learning there’s a captain’s course for you. You’ll be surprised just how easy it is, thanks to great programs like SeaSchool. As for your support network, there are plenty of great resources available online for women who love to boat. Websites dedicated just to the ladies include womenandcruising.com, womensailing.org, womanship.com, seasenseboating.com, sailsistership.com.

For more information about the entire USCG licensing process, you can visit uscg.mil/STCW/new-begin.htm or seaschool.com.

Contact: Seaschool – 1-800-237-8663; seaschool.com. Locations throughout the northeast, southeast, Gulf Coast, USVI’s and Puerto Rico.

The “No Yelling” School of Fishing.

There was a literal “Lights! Cameras! Action!” aspect to my President’s Day weekend in Islamorada, Florida where I attended the “Ladies’ Let’s Go Fishing!” (LLGF) course as a beginner.

During the three-day event—from November 11-13— Betty Bauman, the Founder of LLGF, struck a good balance between sit-down and interactive learning throughout the seminar. Friday night (Veterans Day, which happened to fall on 11-11-11) kicked off the weekend with a welcome reception and networking party. On Saturday, it consisted of morning seminars and afternoon skill stations, followed by a dinner party at an art gallery. Sunday closed the diverse weekend by giving us the opportunity to go on one of several “Party Boats” where we could apply all that we’d learned out on the water with fishing rods in hand.

There were 60 ladies who participated (35 beginners and 25 advanced). They came from all over North America, including Canada, California, Michigan and of course, Florida. Of the 60 ladies, 40 went out on the water on Sunday to fish and caught a total of 333 fish—an average of 8 fish per angler.

Jane Tomlinson Photo

On the first of three action-packed days in the Keys, I met Elizabeth Schmitt and her film crew. She was there to both attend the seminar and to film it for her new TV show, Pushing the Limits—a show that is about the different types of fishing out there—which is set to be released sometime this year.

Elizabeth said she has never been let down by the course, which is why she has taken it three times. “I’ve always loved the seminars and there is always something new to learn. The lecturers are well-picked and are very knowledgeable. I absolutely love picking their brains. I have never walked away disappointed or without learning a new technique or theory.” This is particularly noteworthy since Elizabeth has been fishing from the time she was a little girl and has even contributed to fishing magazines on several occasions.

On the second day, Betty planned it so that the morning consisted of seminars from several experts in the field, featuring male and female captains, fisherman, etc. Our lunch buffet was held on the roof of Holiday Isle (our host hotel), overlooking the Atlantic. Shortly after lunch, the class went outside by the pool to watch Betty reel in a “human fish,” guest-starring a man in a wetsuit named Larry. She did this to show the ladies how to reel in even the strongest fish while standing up, no matter how little or much she might weigh.

Afterwards, the ladies walked to water’s edge to participate in several exhibit/skill stations. That’s where I learned how to gaff (using a grapefruit) and flyfish. Other ladies learned how to correctly throw a net, operate a boat, tie knots and so forth.

Maria de los Angeles, an Award-Winning freelance writer, was also there to cover the event. She’s a professional blogger who edits and writes for MiamiBeach411.com. Though she enrolled in the Beginner’s class, Maria used to fish on and off every weekend in the Everglades with her then boyfriend. However, it has been 10 years since she’s held a fishing rod because after they parted ways, going fishing was harder to do on her own. Maria said she remembers that when he and she would go fishing, they never used fishing terminology, but just enjoyed the experience.

Laura Dunn Photo

After she took the seminar, Maria said it was actually helpful to know the science of fishing. She was particularly grateful for the hour-long “Fishing Basics” seminar with Captain Lee Lavery on Saturday morning, because it helped her learn those once-foreign fishing terms.

Happy to come back to the world of fishing, Maria describes fishing like this: “There’s a particular smell—kinda sweet—and birds are waking up and flying around and the water is peaceful. There’s a Zen to it that makes you relax.” (She got in touch with Betty after watching a River Monsters marathon with “extreme angler,” Jeremy Wade, and realized how much she missed fishing.)

It’s no wonder why the Ladies’ Let’s Go Fishing! seminar celebrated their 15th anniversary this year. There are now 20 companies providing sponsorship; $3,500 was raised during their raffle and silent auction, the proceeds of which go towards the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation, a co-partner of the seminar.

Pictured are two of the outdoor skill stations on Saturday afternoon. Jane Tomlinson Photo

Betty intuitively plans each weekend so that each lady— regardless of her skill level at the beginning of the course—can become more confident and passionate about what she is doing while fishing. Thanks to LLGF, I am among those growing number of women who can. ladiesletsgofishing.com

Answer: There’s Nothing Exact About It!

When speaking of boats, the term “cruiser” is about as well defined as a shoreline with considerable tidal swings. Chapman’s defines it as, “…a type of boat with at least minimal accommodations and facilities for overnight trips” while the Cornell Maritime Press Encyclopedia of Nautical Knowledge offers, “…a motor yacht fitted with living accommodations.” So we can suppose that a more specific definition is to be determined by your own personal budget since some folks are happy in a small V-berth with an ice chest, one burner stove and a Porta-Potty, while others insist on a king berth with 1200 thread-count sheets, full-sized fridge, and an oversized Jacuzzi tub spritzed with exotic bath salts. But for the sake of discussion here, let’s call a cruiser a boat with more than minimal accommodations, but something short of all out dockside decadence.
Each year, what were once thought of as “luxury options” become more and more compact and affordable, thus taking more and more of the “roughing it” aspect out of boating. Once a rare thing on the equipment list, microwaves, water makers, generators, air conditioning (in the cabin or even in cockpit spaces now) and ice makers have become almost standard… not to mention flat screen TVs for entertaining and modern navigation systems that make staying in the channel child’s play. Throw in a bow thruster and “it ain’t your father’s cruiser anymore.”
In recent years we’ve seen the word “sport” preceding “cruiser” more and more, suggesting that an evolution of sorts has occurred when it comes to defining this upgraded class of vessel. Additionally, the size range for this vessel classification is also shallowly defined, but a review of various manufacturers’ product lines and categorizations would suggest that the new crop of sport cruisers generally ranges in sizes from 30-55 feet.

In this range of boats, the possibilities are seemingly endless as to hull form and performance, styling, above deck amenities, below deck comforts, power options, and water toy accommodations. With the advent of the new pod propulsion systems freeing up more below deck space, even a heretofore “smaller” cruiser offers more and more room now.
But pod propulsion systems offer more than just room. Their efficiency delivers a considerable leap in speed at both cruising and top end levels, while also vastly improving fuel economy. When it comes to close quarters maneuverability, you can’t beat a joystick control (although joysticks are not exclusive to pod systems), especially when interfaced with the GPS and a magic box that takes over the station keeping control.
Following the automotive trend of the past decade or so, sport cruisers can be compared to the modern SUV. Though not a Winnebago, there needs to be ample room for storing a variety of equipment and toys. It must make a good turn of speed for getting a good distance from a homeport since most people don’t have weeks and weeks to make the trip—maybe just an extended weekend at best. The boat must also be relatively seaworthy, not something you’d be afraid to run out an inlet on during anything but “Chamber of Commerce Day” weather and sea conditions. And it must have creature comforts for more than just a cruising couple since the younger kids may not be out of the nest yet, the collegians still don’t mind hanging out with Mom and Dad if it means a nice trip to a fun destination via water, and you’ve finally discovered another cruising couple that you actually don’t mind having aboard for more than just an afternoon cruise.
To paraphrase Mark Kellum, Marketing Manager for Regal Boats, this type of craft can be and do so many things. “With the touch of a button or two to open windows and slide back enclosures, you can go from sun and wind in your face to being fully enclosed… the trend is definitely moving away from canvas; people just don’t like it.”
Asked about pod systems he chimed in: “We like them! And we’ve installed more Volvo IPS systems than any other builder, so we know them pretty well by now. Pods have had a tremendous effect in moving people into larger boats. Pods make handling a 50-plus-footer easy enough for a crew of two. We’ve even seen a major gender role reversal… with a pod/joystick system, when docking, the woman now takes the helm while the guy handles deck duty.”
Russ Davis, Director of Marketing and Sales, KCS International, Inc., parent company of Cruisers, Inc. shared his thoughts; “We consider a sport cruiser to be only those boats that literally get the wind in your face and you need canvas to go up for protection. Sport cruisers are express-style boats. Size-wise, we feel boats from the 26-27-foot to the mid-50-foot range contain this class of boat. We build up to a 56-footer and you still get the wind in your face. We call enclosed models like our new Cantius line sports coupes, not cruisers.
“In terms of trends, our research has shown that the majority of people prefer a galley up configuration in their sport cruiser, and believe it or not, 80 percent of our boats being sold now have a pod propulsion system.” Russell Forkert, President of Yacht World, Inc., the Florida and Great Lakes dealer for Cranchi Yachts, shared, “‘Sport cruiser’ is a very broad classification that includes a lot of things. The boats can range up to 60 feet or so in length, but there are three primary features: people want a full-beam master cabin; cab forward design; and an up and aft galley.
“I can also tell you that pod propulsion systems have changed everything in this class of boat. All of our serious customers—in fact it’s almost become a prerequisite—want a boat outfitted with pods. One other trend, people are getting tired of canvas. They want to close the door, turn the key and go.”
Ryan Jacobs, also of Yacht World, wrote, “Some of the new features in the 56 ST that make it stand out are the convertible soft tops made by Webasto (BMW, Rolls Royce convertibles) that are very rugged and insulated, but retract to give 80-90 percent open air versus maximum 50 percent on a hard top. Another feature is the huge cockpit space with unique seating, pop up TV and blue safety glass bar to starboard—it is the best sport cruiser of this size I have seen for entertaining. The center helm is very comfortable and well designed (sports car-like) for driving. It feels like you are in a car.”
Lauren “Jake” Fabre, V.P for Powerboat Sales, America Jenneau related, “The words ‘sport’ and ‘express’ have some cultural differences. While speed is more important in Europe, the American market is looking for a dayboat with both comfort and performance. Either way, a cruiser has to provide liveability. Even at 30 feet, you have to have cabins separated by bulkheads, not curtains. And the American market wants bigger cockpits and outdoor cooking.”
So there you have a (albeit, not 100 percent) consensus as to just what a modern sport cruiser is and what one can do to enhance and improve your time spent out on the water.

Flags are still an important part of communication between vessels.
Fly your signals proudly, but correctly!

One of the oldest maritime traditions is the flying of the flag. Back in 1998 the United States Power Squadron, the worlds largest boating educational organization, developed an updated code for displaying flags on boats. This code, written in consultation with the U.S. Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, New York Yacht Club and other yachting authorities, eliminates confusion and will help you show proper respect for each flag and pennant you fly.

Position is everything
The most senior position for a flag on a vessel is reserved for the ensign. It is displayed as close to the stern of the vessel as possible and denotes the nationality of registry—not necessarily that of the owner. Generally, the national ensign should be displayed at the peak of the gaff (i.e., the outer end of the spar extending aft from the mast of your vessel) if your boat has a gaff. If it does not, fly it from the flagstaff at your boat’s stern. If your boat has an overhanging boom or an outboard motor, your flagstaff may be offset to starboard from your boat’s centerline. On a sportfishing boat where a stern staff might interfere with the gear, fly the ensign from a halyard rigged amidships on the after part of the superstructure. Note that the Euro Zone flag should not be used, since it doesn’t refer to a nation. The name ensign is derived from the French enseigne and Latin plural insignia.

Courtesy flags
When you visit foreign waters, your boat should display a courtesy flag (the civil ensign of the country you are visiting) whether your U.S. national ensign is displayed or not. However, when operating internationally, once in foreign waters you are required to fly the yellow “Q” Flag or “Quarantine Flag” until you have cleared customs. This flag should be hoisted on the starboard spreader. If you are on a powerboat with no mast, the “Q” flag can be displayed on the bow. The customs observed in various foreign waters differ from one another, so check ahead for the correct procedure for the country you are entering.

The Burgee
If there’s one flag that gets the most questions from mariners and landlubbers alike, it’s the burgee. The burgee takes the next most senior position on the vessel which is the main masthead, and only one burgee may be flown at a time. (See Figures 1 & 2, above)
The starboard spreaders are used for signaling. This is where both a national courtesy flag and the Q flag should be flown. It is now common practice to fly the burgee at the starboard spreaders, however, no other flag may be flown above the burgee on the same halyard. You also may not fly any other flag above a national courtesy flag on the same halyard. If you fly your burgee at the starboard spreaders and are sailing in the territorial waters of another country, you have a dilemma. However you choose to solve this, unless you fly your burgee at the top of the mast, you will be contravening one or another element of flag etiquette.

Dressing ship
From time to time on national holidays, at regattas and on other special occasions you may wish to dress ship. Flags and pennants are bent on alternately.
Since there are twice as many letter flags as numerical pennants, the practice is to follow a sequence of two flags, one pennant, two flags, one pennant, throughout. Except in a parade or ceremonial excursion, you should not get under way while dressed ship. (See Figure 3)

Half-staffing flags
The only authorities who may direct that all national ensigns be flown at half-staff (sometimes called “half-mast”) are the President of the United States or the Governor of a state. The length of time for which the ensign is to be flown at half-staff is determined by the deceased person’s position and the directive of the President or Governor. This normally lasts from 1 or 2 days to as many as 30 days. To properly fly your national ensign at half-mast, hoist it as high as you can (sometimes referred to as “chock-a-blocked” or “two-blocked”), then lower it ceremoniously to the half-mast position. When you are taking it down at the end of the day, two-block it again and then lower it ceremoniously from there. When the ensign is at half-mast, all other flags remain two-blocked. When it is half-masted ashore, fly only a private signal or club burgee at masthead of a gaff-rigged mast with it.

Some final considerations
Avoid flying more than one ensign from a single halyard or antenna. On the other hand, if the preferred positions for a club burgee or officer flag are not available, you may fly these from your sailboat’s spreader halyards with more than one on a hoist if necessary. In such instances, however, you should observe the proper order of precedence. If you must multiple-hoist these flags, no more than one flag of the same type or stature may be flown from the same halyard. Each flag must be senior to the one below it. When neither the preferred location nor a spreader halyard is available, a radio antenna may be used. The sizes and condition of flags are important. They should not be tattered and should not hang in the water, but should still be large enough to be seen.
Giving the right signals will keep you clear of insult at home or abroad and ensure that you’re not communicating something you do not intend to. More seriously, not getting it right could result in a fine for breaking the law.

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Steve Brownell’s Nautical Boards may be the perfect gift for your favorite “nauti-gal or guy” this Holiday Season. Designed and crafted by Steve himself right on the southern shores of Massachusetts, these serving trays and cutting boards are made of American hard maple and sapele wood (a dark wood similar to mahogany but denser), and some designs feature marine stainless cleats for handles. Boards can be custom-built in longer lengths as well as with laser engraving for logos, brands, initials or perhaps an image of your boat. $100 to $170. Call 781-293-9721 or visit nauticalboards.com.

The Chelsea Clock Company, famous for making the finest American clocks, offers a variety of styles under their nautical line. Consider the new Carbon Fiber Collection, featuring a fine watch face design with carbon fiber and solid forged brass cases. The series includes clocks, barometers and tide instruments.
The Ship’s Bell Collection features the distinctive rich-sounding, gentle chimes—eight bells at 4, 8 and 12 o’clock—to mark the end of a mariner’s four-hour watch. Each come with a hand-silvered dial, many of which that are plated in gold and 11 jewel movements. They are all made in Chelsea, Massachusetts and come with a five-year warranty. $175 and up. chelseaclock.com

Sea Tow Services International  offers the best gift for the mariner who has, well… the boat and everything that goes with it!  A Sea Tow membership provides your precious boat lover with 24/7 Peace of Mind on the Water™, knowing professional marine assistance is only a VHF shout or phone call away.
The gift of a one-year Sea Tow Gold Card Gift Membership is just $169 and comes in a special Sea Tow gift box. The Gold Card covers the recipient on every boat he or she owns, rents, charters, leases or borrows. It entitles the member to an unparalleled number of privileges, including but not limited to: Priority service, free towing, jump starts, fuel drops, disentanglements and covered ungroundings, free dock-to-dock tows for the member’s primary vessel, no distance or dollar limits in the member’s home area (the geographical area served by his or her local Sea Tow franchise), Universal Towing Coverage, which covers members in regions not yet served by a Sea Tow franchise by providing an industry-leading $5,000 out-of-all-areas coverage, navigational assistance, sea condition reports, radio checks, float plans, tidal and community information, plus 24/7 access to experienced Sea Tow Captains for help and advice, exclusive member benefits, including deals and discounts on valuable goods and services through Sea Tow’s extensive Advantage Network™.
To order a Sea Tow Gift Box Gold Card Membership, call a Sea Tow customer service representative at 800-4-SEATOW, or visit seatow.com/membership/give_gift.asp.

VERs Wood iPad/iPhone Cases. We love the look and feel of real wood—onboard or at home—and now you can encase your iPhone or iPad in fine wood. The Vers Slimcase line was created with the same passion for sound, beauty and sustainability. For each tree they use in production, 100 are re-planted through a partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation and the U.S. Forestry Service. “Use a tree – plant a forest; and go beyond achieving sustainability to actually helping to restore the environment where it’s needed most,”
says David Laituri, Creative Director, CEO and Founder of Vers. The iPad case comes with a metal foot stand for landscape or keyboarding. Both come with a durable UV and moisture-resistant VOC-free coating. The Vers Slimcase for iPhone 4 and Vers Slimcase for iPad 2 are offered in Walnut, Cherry and Bamboo. $19.99 to $79.99. versaudio.com

Maritime Maryland, by William S. Dudley,  is not merely a coffee-table book, although it would beautifully grace any tabletop. It’s a poetic dedication to the state and its maritime traditions. We found the information on the founding of Fells Point and its importance to shipbuilding quite interesting as will anyone who spent their formative years there.
Other chapters examine how marine life provides income to the watermen through means such as crabbing and oystering; the decline of working sail; pleasure boating and racing; and cultural resources (e.g. museums, the U.S.S. Constellation, Pride of Baltimore, lighthouses). The author also discusses the evolution of recreational boating—yachting, cruising and racing—and the role of underwater archaeology in uncovering Chesapeake Bay’s shipwrecks. It’s an important story that Dudley tells and is resourceful for anyone looking for insightful prose and stunning illustrations. Published by The Johns Hopkins University Press. $50.

Lemon & Line makes its debut with a line of bracelets that captures the essence of nautical living. Handcrafted in Rhode Island using authentic marine grade line, Lemon & Line’s bracelets remind you of your love for boats and boating. With styles named after famous maritime ports like Nantucket, Newport and the Vineyard, the bracelets make a great gift for your favorite sailor. They are available in a wide range of colors and sizes from XS – XL to fit all wrists. $25. lemonandline.com

The Cruising Guide to Abaco: Bahamas: 2012 – 23rd Annual Revision.  This Guide has been helping cruisers and fishermen to safely navigate the waters of Abaco for 23 years. This newly revised cruising Bible of the Abaco Islands has 16 updated charts of the 78 navigational charts and maps, over 90 color aerial and satellite photographs and expertly written information on harbor entrances and other challenging passages, just like the previous versions. Produced by Steve Dodge and his sons, Jon and Jeff (who each have over 35 years of experience in Abaco), this book is the best-selling guide to the most popular cruising area in the Bahamas. The nautical charts are based on recent on-site hydrographic research by the Dodges, and are the most accurate charts available for the area—far superior to the charts produced by the United States and Bahamian governments.
The 2012 edition will include the very first chart showing the new harbor at Schooner Bay Village. Located about halfway between the Little Harbour Cut and Hole-in-the-Wall, this is the only harbor of refuge on the 50-mile, sometimes hostile, coastline of southeastern Abaco. You’ll find out all about this new development, plus how to approach and clear it, and much more information about this cruisers’ paradise. $24.95. wspress.com

It was 1971 when three unemployed aerospace engineers designed their famous Therm-a-Rest air-mattress cushion and came to the rescue of many a weary climber, camper, outdoorsman and sporting event enthusiast. Today, Cascade Designs is still a family-owned company and now they make all kinds of great gear. Our favorite: the WideMouth Carry-On. This versatile, weatherproof bag would make a terrific ditch bag. It loads easily thanks to its wide-mouth design, and its waterproof roll-top closure system ensures dependable protection from the ravages of even the harshest voyages. Shoulder and hand straps offer multiple carrying options, and an external pocket keeps essentials handy. Made in the U.S.A. from super-durable 19-oz. scrim-reinforced vinyl, a 30-oz. scrim-reinforced vinyl bottom and RF-welded seams. $75. cascadedesigns.com

Keeping a clean bottom saves you fuel and allows you to go farther faster. Why not make the bottom cleaning almost effortless with the new Waveblade (by Waveblade), the world’s first marine hand-held power barnacle remover. The Waveblade is so lightweight and easy-to-use that it will save time, money, effort and will not damage your paintwork. It runs on 12 volt DC and plugs into a cigarette lighter. The Waveblade has been designed with both above and below the water users in mind as it is completely waterproof and rated to 15-foot depth. It clears barnacles effortlessly using vibration and comes with interchangeable blades that allow you to get into thru hulls, small crevices and tight spots. The simple-to-change mechanism allows blades to be switched out in seconds and only requires a quick turn with an allen key (supplied).
The package includes the Waveblade with a 45-foot cable, a 3-inch black steel blade, a black steel flat chisel blade, additional foam filters, safety glasses and safety gloves that all come in a handy Waveblade carry bag. $400. waveblade.com

Find what lies beneath… Got a budding oceanographer on board? With the Aquabotix HydroView, you’ll be able to shoot video in full 1080p HD, as well as stills which can be easily downloaded and shared.
Aquabotix HydroView is a remote-operated underwater vehicle (ROV) that beams a live high-def view back to the surface. You control it using an iPad, smartphone or laptop. Use it to inspect the hull, anchor or prop, or find items lost overboard. HydroView could be a great addition to the family yacht, providing hours of entertainment for the little ones and treasure hunting for all. $2,995. aquabotix.com

MagnaLight LED Spot Larson Electronics’ newest addition is the HML-5M-LED Handheld Spotlight with magnetic base designed to provide reliable and powerful illumination under any condition. This is one bright light, producing 3,600 lumens and pulling only 1.6 amps on 24 volts for up to 50,000 hours. Operating on any voltage from 9 to 32VDC, this LED spotlight produces a 1600-foot long by 120-foot wide beam and will withstand operation under highly demanding conditions. It’s the spotlight of choice for the Military and now you can have one onboard to light the way or temporarily blind intruders. Equipped with Magnalight’s waterproof PAR46 solid state LED bulb, this spotlight produces more light while consuming less power. The rugged weatherproof and UV resistant housing and LED lamp provides excellent durability and reliability, while a 100 lb. grip magnetic base provides simple and secure mounting to metal surfaces, should you have one. It is available in blue, green, amber and red colors in a variety of power connections, including: 16- and 25-foot straight cords with a cigarette plug or 21-foot straight cord with battery clamps; 16-foot straight cord with battery ring terminals; and 16-foot coil cord with cigarette plug. Both the housing and LED lamp are “Made in the U.S.A.” compliant. $473.00. magnalight.com

We nautical folk are an individualistic bunch. We like things tailored to fit who we are. MaraMAPS recognizes this, so they created a high-quality table with a nautical chart incorporated on the tabletop. This Florida-based company constructs these sturdy tables right here in the U.S.A. with all marine-grade materials, and are made to withstand the marine environment and even protect your boat deck with non-skid rubber feet on the table legs. Plus, they even fold up to store flat. There are dozens of stock chart designs to choose from, but if you mention Southern Boating Magazine, you can get a free custom chart or map image on your table… a $25 value. You can also have an image of your boat printed directly onto the tabletop. Now that’s what we call “personalized!” $150 to $350. maramaps.com

Rapala does it again by wowing anglers with the introduction of their newest lures: Clackin’ Crank (shown) and Clackin’ Minnow. The Clackin’ Crank comes in two sizes: 53, which is 2 inches long, weighs 5/16 ounce and has a running depth of 3 feet; and size 74, which is 2-3/4 inches long, weighs 5/8 ounce and has a running depth of 4 feet.
“The Clackin’ Crank’s angled fat lip and rounded body style produce a wide rolling action, all while portraying a large profile as it works its way through the water,” explains Tom Mann Jr., Rapala Pro-Angler. “On the pause, the Clackin’ Crank slowly rises, triggering the strike.”
What makes it “clack,” you ask? The new Clackin’ Crank and Clackin’ Minnow feature a single stainless steel ball that transmits a loud cadence rattle that fish not only hear, but feel, as it transmits vibrations through the water. Built for long casting, the Clackin’ Crank sports a translucent textured body with internal holographic foil and is available in 16 color patterns.
The Clackin’ Minnow is shaped just like its namesake: a minnow. It was designed as a lure that imitates baitfish found all over the world and for long casting. Anglers can simply reel in a steady retrieve and let the lure do the work as it darts from side-to-side with a twitching or jerking action. Want to lure more business or just impress your fishing buddies? If you purchase a minimum of 500 stock lures, you can get your custom logo or boat name imprinted on them. Clackin’ Crank ($12.99-14.99), Clackin’ Minnow ($13.99). rapala.com

Kona Deep Premium Bottled Ocean Water We all need water (a couple of quarts a day for most people) to survive and thrive, and bottled water is the best way to guarantee that the water we drink is clean and safe. Unfortunately, most bottled waters are just purified tap water. But now there’s a bottled water rarer than anything else on the shelves. Kona Deep is pristine, ice-cold, natural glacier water from Greenland that sank into the ocean thousands of years ago, settling into a slow-moving undersea current known as the Global Conveyor Belt. This endless source of ancient glacier water journeys from the north Atlantic Ocean to the remote Hawaiian Islands, deep in the Pacific Ocean, one of the most remote archipelagos in the world.
How can you tap into that? Off the Kona Coast of Hawaii, a pipeline extends 3,000 feet down to draw the water to the surface. An advanced, double-pass, reverse osmosis process desalinizes the water before it’s bottled and even the plastic used is of the highest quality, so no contaminates leach into the water. Kona Deep preserves nature’s deep ocean ratio of electrolytes and nutrients, is naturally free of pathogens and chemicals, and rich in nutrients and minerals that are readily absorbed by the body. $65.99 per 24-bottle case. Order on Amazon.com. NOTE: For Southern Boating readers, at checkout enter coupon code SBOATING and get $20 off when ordering between December 1-24! gotdeep.com

Platypus Platy Preserve Wine Preserver. Storing wine onboard can pose problems not found in other environments… not to mention it can turn sour in as little as two hours if left unattended. But now you can solve wine storage issues plaguing floating wine connoisseurs once and for all. This inexpensive bottle limits oxygen and light exposure to already-opened wine, preserving it and allowing you to bring it anywhere other bottles can’t go. Just decant an unfinished bottle, seal the air-tight cap and it will last up to several weeks with no ill effects. Made in the U.S.A. $9.95 (or a 4-pack for $29.95). platypreserve.com

Of course, you’ll need the right wine glasses to enjoy your newly “re-corked” delights. The Rolf Glass line includes a wide range of nautical styles, ranging from ocean themes like a compass rose and seashells, to sailboat or pirate designs. And Rolf Glass is the only line of affordable cut and etched/engraved glass made in North America. Available in stores throughout North America as well as online. rolfglass.com

Style Newport Discovered just last year, Style Newport offers some of the loveliest nautical jewelry this side of the Atlantic. Designer Karen King’s original designs are based on nautical signal flags so you can wear your initials, someone else’s initials or create a piece that is uniquely your own. King has added some very special new items to the line just in time for your Holiday shopping. Check out the “Love” ring, the “Shackle” ring and bracelet, stud earrings, pearl earrings, cuff links and their classic monogram necklace. Prices range from $75 to $730. stylenewport.com

Up Country Regatta Canine Collection We haven’t forgotten the most important member of the crew! Dress your dog in any of the Regatta line of collars, leads and harnesses: sailboats, skulls and crossbones, salt water fish, Union Jacks, lobsters and buoys. Ribbon collars are made in Rhode Island from high-tensile strength nylon webbing with sewn on polyester/nylon ribbons. Ribbons are stain and fray resistant and designed to last a lifetime. All collar and lead hardware are cast, not welded brass. The Quick-Release buckles are Coast Guard approved for high weight hold. Up Country’s collection comes in a wide variety of lengths and in three widths. Collars are $21 and leads are $20 or $21.
upcountryinc.com/catalog/regatta-c-1_59.html

Get out and explore on your personal watercraft, kayak or go fast without the fear of getting lost and while protecting your eyes at the same time! How, you ask? Zeal Optics has just introduced new goggles that come with built-in GPS. The GPS enables users to capture their position anywhere. Record where you’ve been, measure your speed, altitude, even the temperature. These cool goggles also help protect your eyes with enlarged polarized in-molded anti-fog lenses that may reduce 99.9 percent of the sun’s glare to reduce eye fatigue.
You can control the goggles with a wireless remote that you wear on your wrist or arm and later you can download all your gathered information to Windows and Mac computers, which can then be plotted and played back on 3D Google Earth and shared on Facebook and Twitter. Will the iPhone app be far behind? MSRP: $549. You can purchase from Zeal Optics or at specialty retailers and other online stores worldwide. zealoptics.com

It’s the time of year again when you’ll be joining that flotilla of aquatic snowbirds heading south. A lot of boat owners, especially those with time constraints, prefer to hire a delivery captain and be done with it. Still others make the trip themselves but spend as much time offshore as possible to, well, save time. But should your schedule permit and you haven’t yet done so, spend some time traveling the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) through North Carolina, particularly the middle portions of Pamlico Sound and up the Pamlico River.

If you’ve ever known someone from the Tarheel State, you know they have a certain independent countenance about them, no doubt an historically cultivated attitude harking back to the early 18th century when the ‘Bretheren of the Coast’ boldly sailed the area under the ‘Brave Black Flag’ in relative safety. Pirates brought much needed (albeit, often stolen) goods to the region which they would sell to the local communities, but the rogues would then turn right around and spend their ill-gotten gains in the area’s public houses, brothels and the like, so it was a win-win economic situation for the locals and thus pirates were welcomed. Some of the more sober buccaneers actually managed to save their money, then purchased farmland so as to be able to retire from sailing ‘On the Account.’ These pirates-turned-landsmen also relieved many a local father from the trouble of further providing for their daughters (usually by marriage, but not always), causing yet another economic boon. But old habits die hard and some former pirates became distillers. Some of the first alcohol tax revolts were started in this region, no doubt eventually leading to rum running and ultimately, NASCAR. The area has always been associated with a bit of a rebellious and piratical spirit and (with all due apologies to those residing in the grand Commonwealth of Virginia), it’s where “the South” really begins.
After transiting Albemarle Sound in the northern littoral region inside ‘OBX’ and down Alligator River, it then intersects with Pamlico River to the west and the region to the northwest known as the non-tidal “Inner Banks.” A cruise up-river will take you to the historic towns of Bath and Washington. Bath is the oldest town in North Carolina, founded in 1705. The first settlers were French Protestants from Virginia. A library sent to St. Thomas Parish in 1701 became the first public library in the colony. In 1707, a grist mill and the colony’s first shipyard were established in the town. By 1708, Bath consisted of 12 houses and about 50 people. Trade in naval goods, tobacco and furs was important, and Bath became the first port of entry into North Carolina. The parish also established a free school for Indians and Blacks. Bath was also one of the haunts of the most notorious pirate of them all, Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard, and to this day you might see someone digging around for buried treasure. It remains a small village and restoration efforts in Bath have saved the St. Thomas Church, the Palmer-Marsh House (a National Historic Landmark), Van Der Veer House (c.1790), and the Bonner House (c.1830). The original town limits are the boundaries for a National Register historic district.
Another 12 miles upstream lies Washington. Founded in 1776, the town of Washington, North Carolina, was the first city in America to be named for General George Washington. Because of this, the city is still occasionally referred to as “Original Washington.” When Beaufort County government moved there in 1785, Bath lost most of its importance and trade. With a beautiful and historic downtown, Washington is known for the stately homes and lovely gardens that make up its residential area, as well as the ornate brickwork featured on the vintage commercial buildings of Main Street. Located directly on the water, Washington’s downtown is the perfect place for an overnight stay or a weekend getaway, and the town offers free dockage to cruisers along the face dock at the revitalized town waterfront.

Cats are still king. Charter the new Moorings 393 Powercat or stay close to home on a powerboat on the West Coast of Florida.

What’s New in the Caribbean?

Summer has come and gone, which means that you’re probably starting to think about winter boating vacations. Some think of the Caribbean, some the Bahamas, and most simply think of being somewhere warm with blue skies and crystal clear azure water. The U.S. and British Virgin Islands are still the largest charter market in the Caribbean, with St. Maarten second. But no matter where you go, there’s fun to be had.

MarineMax Vacations

MarineMax, the largest recreational boat and yacht retailer in the nation, has just announced the introduction of MarineMax Vacations, offering premium sail and power yacht charter vacations as well as a yacht ownership program for their charter fleet.
MarineMax will set up its new charter company in Tortola, the charter capital of the world, and add more locations over time. “We are fortunate to have Raul Bermudez, the Vice President of MarineMax Vacations, who brings over 10 years of charter industry experience to lead our efforts, helping to ensure that our vacation charters are a premium, hassle-free experience,” said William H. McGill Jr., Chairman, President and CEO.
MarineMax Vacation’s expert team members will offer personalized attention, helping you arrange your charter along with travel accommodations, boat and charter briefings, provisioning, activities and tours.
“With our extensive boating knowledge and experience, you can expect many extra services and our attention to every possible detail. It’s our mission to provide the world’s best charter vacation to experienced charter customers and to introduce more people to chartering with MarineMax Vacations,” said Bermudez.
Partnering with Dufour Yachts, they hope to expand on the brand’s reputation for building premium sailboats. MarineMax is currently developing custom power boats for the fleet as well. The first charters are scheduled to begin this December in the British Virgin Islands. marinemaxvacations.com

British Virgin Islands—Powercat Charters

The Moorings has recently added a luxury powercat to their extensive fleet of charter vessels. Their fleet of new generation and easy to use 47, 39 and 37-foot powercats offers the perfect platform for family and friends to enjoy beautiful cruising grounds in one of nine exotic destinations. As the world’s premier yacht charter company with over 40 years of experience, the Moorings is well trusted to provide your best vacation ever.
You don’t need years of experience to charter a Moorings yacht—it’s easier than you think. No certification is required and their experienced Vacation Planning Specialists can help you determine a plan that’s best for you and your crew, whether you are a capable captain or just starting out. Take the helm, hire a skipper, or enjoy a two-day “Learn & Cruise” course before your charter.
The 3-cabin/2-head 393 Powercat is arriving in the British Virgin Islands this month. You can be one of the first to experience a luxury charter yacht with features including a roomy saloon and galley, along with a spacious and luxurious master suite. Among the many ammenities: a generator, air conditioning, upgraded electronics with color chart plotter, flat screen TV/DVD and MP3 connection all add to this yachts style and comfort.

Footloose Sailing Charters

The Footloose 4600, a 4-cabin catamaran custom-built by Robertson & Caine has just been added to the Footloose Fleet and is now available for charter from their base in Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
Cheryl Powell, COO of Footloose, said, “This is a significant addition to our fleet, and we’re excited to now offer such a spacious, comfortable performance cruiser for your sailing vacation at Footloose’s great charter rates.”
Touted as the ideal cruising platform, the spacious and comfortable 4600 has an expansive a 24-foot beam which allows for a cockpit that easily accommodates 12 people for meals with numerous seating options provided by reversible settee and aft sun/sea seat. The expansive forward deck with trampoline offers a large area for relaxation under sail, reading at anchor or just simply soaking up the sun.
The Footloose 4600 configuration features luxurious amenities such as four air-conditioned private staterooms, each with an en suite head and shower, a fully fitted modern galley located adjacent to the spacious saloon and full size navigation station. The signature “walk-through” access to the roomy cockpit and aft bathing platform, connecting the two transoms completes this exciting new model.
The Footloose 4600 is available for charter from the Footloose base at Wickham’s Cay II Marina in Road Town, Tortola starting November 1, 2011. Contact Footloose at 800-814-7245. footloosecharters.com

St. Lucia

Based in St. Lucia in the Eastern Caribbean, Helen Island Yacht Charters Inc. (HIYCI) owns and operates Seaquel —a 39-foot Mainship Trawler Yacht, which is offered for both captained and bareboat charters, depending on your qualifications and boating experience.
St. Lucia is located approximately four hours cruising distance from the idyllic waters of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and has the benefit of an international airport with direct service from a number of US cities, supplemented by daily American Eagle flights from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
For the winter season, 20011/12, HIYCI is offering exclusively to readers of Southern Boating their discounted summer rate of just $3,999 for a one-week charter.
Seaquel can sleep up to six guests in the master stateroom (queen divan), saloon (queen convertible sofa) and guest stateroom (twin berths) and features fully equipped upper and lower helms, head with shower, a well-equipped galley with stove, fridge-freezer, microwave and coffee-maker and a spacious flybridge.
The islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines offer superb cruising, fascinating shore excursions and your choice of excitement or tranquility. The holiday of a lifetime awaits you in one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful cruising grounds. hiyci.com

U.S. Charters – Southwest Florida

For those who would prefer a domestic getaway this season, you can find great cruising grounds and big savings with Southwest Florida Yachts’ 30th Anniversary promotion. Co-owner and Manager, Barb Hansen, tells us, “If you set up a three-day or longer cruise between December 15th and April 30th, you’ll get one day free!” The celebration, called “Berth Day,” will last through 2014, so there are even more specials to come.
“Our motto is ‘See the USA–Cruise our Way,’ ” said Hansen. “And for the record, the only oil in our cruising area is what’s in our engines.” Take advantage of deep discounts for winter charters and for students taking liveaboard courses at their Florida Sailing & Cruising School. With their special 11 percent discount on a three-day charter aboard SWFY’s twin-engine Grand Banks 36, you can save $283, reducing the cost to only $2,297.
With bases in Fort Myers and Punta Gorda, you can choose to cruise the barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva, or the scenic and protected Gulf channels around Pine Island. Southwest Florida is ranked as one of the best cruising areas in the world for its ambiance, beaches, friendliness, restaurants and scenery. swfyachts.com

Superyacht Barge

Paragon 94
This 94-foot composite motor yacht has an interior finished out with exquisite satin mahogany. She has three large staterooms, two of which are full beam; a captain’s stateroom aft with crews quarters; and utility room to port of the captain’s. There is easy crew access from the swim platform aft or from the main deck saloon if the weather gets rough. Forward of the 27-foot long grand saloon is a large open galley equipped with a wall of refrigeration and a Viking gas range. Forward of the galley is the pilot house with open visibility aft, but an electric bulkhead can be raised to cut off the galley for navigating. Up from the pilot house is an enormous flybridge that offers great entertaining areas with a walk-up bar, Jacuzzi, Viking grill, several seating areas in or out of the sun and enough room on the boat deck for two tenders. Forward on the main deck and bow section there are two large trunks for storage and a large lounge area that converts into seating with a table. Engine and autopilot controls can be used here for anchoring. The aft deck has a free-standing overhead, making for great uninterrupted viewing, a settee for alfresco dining, a reefer and storage. The swim deck has a hydraulic swim ladder, stern windlass, pop-up cleats, large bollards, hands-free shower and a freeman door accessing the engine room and crew spaces. She carries 4000 gallons of fuel, 700 gallons of water and is powered by two Cat C32 1550-hp engines. There is a 20kw and a 30kw genset and 8kw worth of power through inverters for any electrical needs. There’s nothing short of the best possible equipment throughout this vessel. paragonmotoryachts.com

Chris-Craft Corsair 36
The first thing you will notice is the bold new full length sky light, followed by additional skylights located over the galley and in the head. Moving aft, the all-new re-styled helm station follows the new trend established on Chris Craft current lines with the individual gauge pods along with the flowing upholstered brow. The helm and passenger seats have been re-styled with the stainless steel exposed, polished for a tailored and upscaled. On the interior you will find custom cherry cabinets with additional storage. In the cockpit is an icemaker to port with a sink above, and a refrigerator to starboard with storage above. When you need a table, push a button and an electronically activated platform will rise, first as a cocktail table, then it can be raised fully for dining. Opening the newly designed aft engine hatch, you’ll notice the Mercury 8.2 DTS CATALYST FWC engine and generator with full access to all parts. The newly-designed power-assisted bimini top is also included. chriscraft.com

Grand Banks 46FB
Although one is not available for the show, the highly-acclaimed, Zeus-powered 46 Eastbay is now available from Grand Banks in a new flybridge model. Down below, the 46FB is much like her predecessor which will be on display: great visibility, generous accommodations, signature handcrafted furnishings. Now on the 46FB, up top you’ll find a large and well-designed flybridge with a centerline Stidd helm seat and room for an optional second one to starboard. A large L-settee surrounds a handmade teak table at the aft port quadrant of the bridge, and the entire overhang provides a good measure of protection to the cockpit below—while still leaving plenty open to enjoy the sunshine. grandbanks.com

Horizon PC58 Catamaran
Horizon is proud to announce the launch of the first Horizon PC58, a highly refined and technologically advanced luxury cruising power catamaran which is designed, engineered and built to meet the demands of the most discerning cruising yachtsman. The Horizon PC58’s features are those normally found on much larger motor yachts, including her tank-tested advanced hull design; spacious and luxurious accommodations and large deck areas; but with 20kt cruising speed, shallow draft, ease of operation and excellent maneuverability. This three en suite cabin layout includes a lavish on deck master cabin with full walk-around King bed, separate head, shower, vanity plus dressing area, with full height closets and numerous draws and cupboards. The large, elegantly finished en suite VIP cabin has a partial walk-around Queen bed and ample storage space. The third cabin has two twin beds that can convert into an oversized King, plus a separate bathroom that doubles as the day head. The saloon, bar and gourmet galley integrate beautifully to form a large and comfortable area for entertaining. The cockpit, with teak deck, and flybridge are spectacularly large and offer a host of entertaining options. The latest in a propulsion management system has also been installed, namely the ZF Joystick Maneuvering System (JMS) and the ZF Fly-by-wire SteerCommand, ensuring effortless and precise handling. horizonyacht.com

Parker/Seaway 18 & 20
Born in Miami and raised in the Bahamas and Cayman Islands, Ole Parker grew up around boats. As a former professional yacht captain he started Parker Yacht Management which has morphed into a yacht tender and small boat repair facility that caters to the yachting industry, restoring older fiberglass boats to better than original condition, yet still keeping that classic style. Parker is now representing Seaway Boats, a Down-east-style craft that dates back over 30 years, focused on composite construction hulls with sea-keeping capabilities that perform well with low-horsepower fuel-efficient engines, finished off to suit the most discriminating buyer and built tough enough to withstand the commercial user. In Center Console or traditional classic configurations, they offer a soft, dry, fuel-efficient ride, built with New England craftsmanship and sturdiness.
•Seaway 21’ Sportsman: Length: 21’; Beam: 8’ 2”; Weight 1800# (Dry, no motor); 115-hp Yamaha Four Stroke Outboard, 50 gal fuel
•Seaway 18’ Sportsman: Length: 18’; Beam: 8’; Weight 1200# (Dry, no motor); 90-hp Yamaha Four Stroke Outboard, 40 gal fuel
seawayboats.com

65 Fleming
Since her introduction in 2005, the Fleming 65 Pilothouse Motoryacht has earned “Best Boat” in her class at Cannes in 2006, and proved her seaworthiness with well-publicized cruises to Galapagos and Iceland. She carries the same, unmistakable elegance and engineering as the well-established Fleming 55, but her larger size extends her 3-stateroom layout with comfort and sophistication. Equipment list is comprehensive and includes the latest in electrical and mechanical systems. Standard power is twin MAN 800-hp Common Rail diesels offering exceptional performance versatility with a realistic range of 1500nm and speeds as high as 18 knots. She is NMMA certified (using ABYC standards) and CE Ocean Class A. flemingyachts.com

SeaRay 410 Sundancer
Designed around flexibility and owner input/choices, it comes with a fiberglass radar arch (standard) or hardtop or fully enclosed bridge (optional). Powered by V-drives (standard) or Zeus pod drives (optional) it boasts a cockpit entertainment center with icemaker (standard) and optional 22″ removable TV, grill and icemaker (optional: fridge in lieu of icemaker). Below decks, one stateroom and two heads, or two staterooms and two heads (optional). In standard arrangement, dinette/mid-berth converts to double bed with privacy curtain, while in optional arrangement the dinette area becomes  a private stateroom with full privacy door. Offered in six wood interior choices, including new Walnut finish, plus large, extended hull side windows and skylights for great interior light. For a production boat, you’ll notice yacht-caliber interior fit and finish. searay.com

Riviera
This Australian builder will debut four boats: the new 4400 Sport Yacht Series II, new 53 Enclosed Flybridge, the 5000 Sport Yacht, and the new 43 Open Flybridge. The new 53 features a full-beam master suite plus two other guest cabins, two spacious and luxuriously appointed bathrooms, large flybridge that is a real sky lounge, huge saloon and generous sized cockpit with aft galley and opposing lounges. Riviera calls it their “space ship” because of its huge internal space and its space-age technology with joystick docking control, fuel-efficient IPS pod drives, resin-infused hull construction and digital switching.
Riviera’s new 4400 Sport Yacht Series II will be showcased for the first time in the United States. It features IPS as the standard engine package or the option of Zeus pod drives and twin 480-hp Cummins engines. Plus, there’s additional cockpit seating, a new extended hardtop, greater headroom in the aft cabin, LED lighting, and the 4400 Series II is the first in the Sport Yacht range to introduce large hull windows, similar to those in the company’s new 53 and 61 Series II Flybridge models. Aside from functionality, the new hardtop, targa and hull windows all add enhanced aesthetics to this extremely popular model. hmy.com/riviera

Vicem 72
This boat is part of Vicem’s heralded Classic Series of stylish luxury motor yachts that embody a timeless sophistication and flair for elegant boating, yet are relaxed and comfortable enough to truly enjoy. The flybridge level features a helm station together with built-in seating and BBQ grill, making for a wonderful “al-fresco” entertainment experience. The main deck is dedicated to the saloon and wheelhouse. The aft section has a large cockpit that can welcome eight guests. Inside, the yacht features what you would expect from the outside: a very large, airy, comfortable and nautical yacht. A few steps down to the lower deck you will find ample living accommodations, including a large gourmet galley and dinette. The VIP stateroom (forward) has a built-in vanity table and King-sized bed, then the twin guest cabin with two single beds, and a twin crew cabin (aft of the engine room).
The Master stateroom also offers a King-size bed, an entertainment system and two big windows which absolutely affirm that you’re out on the water. All staterooms and the crew cabin feature en suite heads. Clients may opt for a four-stateroom arrangement, where the dinette area would be replaced with a bunk cabin. Twin 900-hp MAN diesels (optional engine choice of twin V12-1550-hp MAN) deliver a smooth ride and exhilarating speed of 24 knots; a cruising speed of 19 knots; and range of 1,000 nm at 10 knots. The areas onboard such as the flying bridge, the cockpit, the two saloons and the dining area create different environments and will make the experience on this yacht unforgettable for up to 12 guests. vicemyacht.com

Hunt 52 IPS
All-new, this Hunt 52 Express features twin IPS drives with joystick control and dynamic positioning for the ultimate in comfort, safety and maneuverability, and she’ll make nearly 30 knots.
Automated moon roof, flush aft deck for one-level livability from the helm aft, three staterooms/two en suite heads, and a dingy garage are just a few of the features you’d expect from a builder like Hunt—and there’s even a flybridge version available. Make her your very own with the multiple interior arrangement plans and accessorizing choices available. huntyachts.com

Horizon E54 Aero
Although not available for the show, this vessel features innovative Volvo IPS drive technology, an eco-friendly design and immense interior volume, all combined for an efficient and comfortable ride. Driven by environmental awareness in both manufacturing and operation, this vessel is a lesson in modern yacht design. The Dual Volvo 900 IPS engines work together with the design for improved performance, with a projected maximum speed of 34 knots and cruise speed of 28 knots—all while reducing fuel consumption and minimizing emissions output. This advanced drive system also provides an extended cruising range, meaning more time spent enjoying all the boat has to offer. The three stateroom/two head layout is comparable to a much larger yacht, with thoughtfully-designed accommodations that maximize space while retaining an open feel. Full-beam master with a walk-in closet, master head and room to spare for either a desk or seating. A guest stateroom with twin bunks is forward and to starboard with a shared head to port, and the highly spacious VIP cabin completely forward. For entertaining with a view, the flybridge features sun pads and alfresco dining for eight, while a newly designed helm station with dynamic positioning system makes maneuvering and docking a breeze. The aft deck seating area contains dining for six with the option for an aft galley location that provides easy access to the deck. A hydraulic hi/lo swim platform and transom trunk storage proves ideal for a multitude of water sport activities. horizonyacht.com

Viking 66 Convertible
Sharing the sleek, aggressive stance of its new generation siblings, the profile of the Viking 66 Convertible bespeaks power, speed and grace. The yacht’s interior is an expansive display of hand finished teak joinery. Viking benchmarks abound including a granite-topped island with 360 degree egress, bar stools and under counter refrigeration in the galley opposite a roomy dinette, and an aft L-shaped sofa with abundant stowage beneath. Below, four staterooms—each with its own head and fiberglass shower stall—team up with restful spaces (with large, comfortable spring mattress berths) for comfort and privacy. The master suite with its Queen-plus size berth flanked by end tables and his-and-her maple-lined hanging lockers, is particularly inviting. Cleverly designed crew quarters include private access to and from the engine room. The flying bridge is a proven tournament design featuring a center console helm with electronic controls, superb visibility, plus amenities that include: Murray Products teak ladder back helm seats; port, starboard; and forward lounge seating; refrigeration; and an Atlantic Marine Electronics navigation and communication package. The expansive 174-square-foot cockpit with an observation mezzanine is protected from wind and spray by the flying bridge overhang. Viking’s proprietary VIPER power-assisted hydraulic steering features programmable independent rudders. At flank speeds the 66 Convertible will turn in 2 boat lengths with your fingertips on the wheel. When combined with its MTU V16 Series 2000 M91 engines, the new 66 C will provide 40+ knot performance with horsepower to spare for better efficiency and longer range than its competitors. Standard power is MAN V12 1550 CRM diesels. Engine packages are custom matched with S-class propellers to enhance performance. vikingyachts.com

Yellowfin 39 Center Console
This fishing machine features an extra large console with access through a large door to port where you’ll find an electric head, stand up shower and a teak and holly floor, plus loads of dry storage for all your offshore gear. There’s also easy access to the back of the console thanks to two large hatches. The business side of the console features a large helm area with ample room for a full electronics suite including two large displays. There are several hardtop, tower and leaning post/rocket launcher options to choose from. Forward of the helm seat is a large insulated box below, plus four vertical rod holders on each side.
Storage abounds and rightly so in this 39-footer. Forward you’ll find an in-deck storage box plus the optional coffin box which covers the massive 530-quart macerated-fish box/storage compartment. Aft of the console are two additional storage/fish boxes, plus a lazarette with access to fittings, pumps, filters and valves. The transom houses a 70-gallon live well, and an optional leaning post is available with an additional 80-gallon live well below it. Other standard features include Rule 1100 GPH live well pumps, hydraulic power steering, console and coaming cushions, high performance trim tabs, flush mount cleats, pop-up bow light, under gunwale lighting and raw water washdown. yellowfinyachts.com

Cutwater 26 & 28
Cutwater Boats is a new line of trailerable pilothouse cruisers from Fluid Motion, LLC, the designers and builders of the popular line of Ranger Tugs. The Cutwater 26 and 28 are Express style designs that provide flexibility for fishing, entertaining and cruising. Cutwater hulls are a revolutionary and innovative Keel Stepped design, blending a semi-displacement hull shape with reverse chines and a keel, all combined to provide superb handling and performance. A high pressure ‘bump’ in the hull allows the engine to be mounted lower, contributing to a low center of gravity and, when combined with the prop pocket, keeps the Cutwater’s draft at just 28 inches. The low engine mount also creates a shallow six degree shaft angle allowing for more net thrust with less horsepower, translating into greater fuel efficiency. This combination of design details contributes to stability, speed and fuel economy. Cutwater Boats are ideal for couple’s cruising, with a full beam V-berth master stateroom and en suite head. The living area of saloon, galley and helm are all in the pilothouse space with 360-degree visibility through quality Diamond/Sea-Glaze windows. The saloon and cockpit are on the same level allowing for ease of movement from one space to the next, separated by a weather-tight hinged door. The forward windows are raked so water easily streams off and for better visibility when running at speed. Cutwater Boats also come standard with bow and stern thrusters for ease of operation and maneuverability. cutwaterboats.com

Nor Tech 340 CC
Following up on the success of the 390 CC, Nor-Tech has released the first all new 340 CC. Utilizing most of the interior features of the 390, the 340 can be customized to fit your boating lifestyle and needs. The 340 will still be offered with the popular sun lounge and mid cabin/head compartment similar to the 390, and the boat can be equipped with your choice of power in twins or triples. The first boat tested was set up with Twin Mercury 300-hp Verados and has a top speed in the upper 60 mph range. nor-techboats.com

Axcell 65 Catamaran
The New Axcell 650 Catamaran Sport Yacht with HybridAir Technology lifts half of the boat’s weight on an air cushion, producing 40+ knots and half the fuel burn of other craft of similar size. The pilothouse offers a 360-degree panoramic view and the port, starboard and aft drop windows combine with a massive sunroof giving an open, airy, convertible feel. Axcell provides space usually found only on larger vessels: three staterooms with Queen beds, three full heads, large galley with full-sized appliances, dining saloon and laundry/crew quarters. The twin Caterpillar C-15 (C-18 optional) engines have easy walk-in access with full headroom and generous lighting. Another unique feature is a fully garaged 15-foot RIB tender with 60-hp. axcellyachts.com

Palm Beach 55
For almost two decades, Palm Beach Motor Yachts of Australia has been building the most finely finished, semi-custom Downeast-style motor yachts available. You’ll find no bulky engine boxes, awkward stairs or narrow companionways as you walk from the extended swim platform through the expansive cockpit and into the spacious saloon. There’s 360 degrees of visibility from almost every seat along the way. Interior décor includes handcrafted Burmese teak, solid surface countertops, custom carpet and fine leather upholstery, all speaking to the highest standards. Innovative comfort features including power windows, power steering, joystick engine controls and customizable seating arrangements all heighten your enjoyment. Advanced lightweight composite materials combined with Volvo IPS POD drives deliver performance, maneuverability and fuel economy unmatched in this class. pbmotoryachts.com

Regal 24 FasDeck
Independent testing has shown the FasTrac Hull on this new Regal can provide 26 percent higher cruisng speeds while increasing fuel performance by 30 percent. This boat offers the family-style layout of a deck boat and the performance of a sport boat, making it uniquely suitable as an SUB (Sport Utility Boat) without compromise. New features include a fiberglass dash with color coordinated, heavy duty French stitched vinyl wrap. The dash is available with the RegalVue multi-functional touch-screen monitor that can provide engine data, performance information, depth, programmable speed control, chart plotting GPS and engine faults in plain language. The Regal 24 FasDeck has a comfortably accessed fully-enclosed head with sink and fresh water faucet. Storage is plentiful and the swim platform is mounted only inches from the water for easy boarding. The optional Regal PowerTower makes the 24 FasDeck even more flexible. With the all-in-one navigation light and sport pylon, available board racks and speakers, you are ready to take on any water sport. The PowerTower also features electrically-actuated, touch-of-a-button lowering which makes accessing boat houses, dry stack storage, putting the trailer in the garage or slipping under a bridge, a breeze. regalboats.com