Author: Bonnie Schultz

How To Make Surprisingly Delicious Minimalist Meals

Minimalist Meals

Simple dishes to make using five ingredients or fewer.

Since we do not live aboard, I often look for ways to minimize what we carry on and off the boat by cooking ahead or making simple dishes with few ingredients. These minimalist meal recipes, using no more than five ingredients (many of them shelf-stable), are some of my favorites. All recipes serve four.

Great Guacamole

2 ripe avocados, mashed

3 Tbsp. of your favorite salsa

4 tsp. lime juice

Optional: salt, pepper, chopped jalapeños, chopped cilantro

Mash avocados and with salsa and lime juice. Taste and add optional ingredients, if desired. Serve with chips.

French Fish Mousse

5 oz. canned fish in oil (or water), drained
(e.g., tuna, sardines, mackerel, trout, salmon) 

4 oz. butter or cream cheese, softened

2 anchovy fillets

1 Tbsp. capers

½ tsp. lemon juice

Optional: sprinkle of pepper or paprika, chopped dill, or parsley

Drain fish and add to a bowl along with remaining ingredients. Mix until smooth. (While easiest done in a blender or food processor, a rustic version mashed by hand is equally delicious.) Serve at room temperature with crackers, bread, or raw veggies.

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Grilled Teriyaki Chicken and Pineapple 

8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts

8 pineapple rings, fresh or canned

1 cup jarred teriyaki sauce (or optional teriyaki recipe, below)

4 cups cooked rice (brown or white or wild)

Marinate chicken thighs in teriyaki sauce for 2-3 hours in refrigerator. Heat grill on high (or sauté on the stove top or bake in oven on high heat), then remove chicken from marinade and place on the grill for 4-5 minutes. Turn chicken over and add pineapple rings. Cook chicken and pineapple for 5 more minutes, flipping pineapple rings halfway through. Serve with rice.

Optional Teriyaki Sauce Recipe

1 cup soy sauce

½ cup brown sugar

1 cup mirin (seasoned rice vinegar)

½ cup sake (or sherry)

Mix ingredients, heat, and simmer until thickened.

Fruit Slump 

Topping: 

1 cup flour

½ cup brown sugar

2 Tbsp. flour

½ cup cold butter, cut into pieces

4 cups fresh or canned fruit, drained 

Optional: 2 Tbsp. sugar (if using unsweetened fruit)

Optional: ice cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Chop fruit into bite-sized pieces. Mix with 2 tablespoons of flour and 2 tablespoons of sugar (if using) and place in an oiled 8-inch by 8-inch baking dish. Mix topping ingredients and sprinkle over fruit. Bake for 30 minutes until lightly browned. Serve warm with ice cream.

Three-Ingredient Nutella Brownies

5 eggs

3 cups Nutella 

1 cup flour

Optional: ½ cup chopped nuts or 1 tsp. coarse salt

Optional: ice cream

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or foil and coat with oil. Whisk eggs in a mixing bowl. Remove the foil top from the jar(s) of Nutella and place the jars in hot water on the stove top to soften. Add Nutella to eggs and mix well. Add flour and mix until no white streaks are visible. Pour into a prepared baking dish, stirring in optional nuts or sprinkling top of brownies with salt. Bake for 25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Serve brownies cold from refrigerator (they become fudge-like when cold) or warm with ice cream.  

-by Lori Ross

Expert Guide to Diamond Jig Lures for Striped Bass

The Art of Jigging: Mastering Diamond Jigs for Trophy Striped Bass

Thwack! My rod doubled-over as my silver slab of metal came to a jarring stop some 40 feet below the port gunwale. I was diamond jigging for striped bass (aka rockfish) that were hounding sand eels along a sharp nearshore edge and the action was smokin’. All I had to do was free-spool my four-ounce jig until it hit the bottom, engage the reel, and quickly crank up 10 turns before repeating the process. Earlier, I had released six fish to 32 inches on six consecutive drops, most inhaling my lure by the time I’d hit turn number seven.

You’ve got to love the feel of a big predatory fish smacking a diamond jig, especially during the height of a feeding blitz. Most anglers are familiar with the slim-profile metal lures. After all, they’ve been tempting fish for as far back as any of my piscatorial cronies can remember, and some of those guys had pet triceratops. Simple to use, diamond jigs get to the bottom quickly, catch species ranging from tuna to sea trout, and are a great tool for introducing novice anglers to the use of artificials.

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Several attributes combine to make diamond jigs so productive. For starters, most feature thin profiles and provide plenty of flash underwater, making them a perfect match for silvery baitfish like sand eels, bay anchovies, and various “rain baits.” Made of lead and coated with chrome or a hard, shiny finish, they are nearly indestructible, even when inhaled by ferocious predators with solid shoulders and big, sharp teeth. Because diamond jigs are heavy for their size, yet aerodynamically designed, they cast great in a stiff wind and cut quickly through the depths to get down where the biggest fish swim. Choose a style with a single hook as opposed to a treble for a safe and quick release when getting it back from toothy combatants.

Most anglers are familiar with the standard diamond jig retrieve called “squidding,” described above, but there are a lot of other ways to put these lures to good use. For fish feeding on or near the surface, a fast, unbroken retrieve keeps the target high in the water column while eliciting “reaction strikes” as your quarry has to make an instant decision to engage or pass. This is a great retrieve for tempting fast-moving, roving species like Spanish mackerel, false albacore, bonito, and bluefish.

For working tightly packed schools of predatory fish at a known mid-depth like weakfish or sea trout, a jigging or “yo-yo” retrieve can keep your lure constantly in the strike zone. With this technique, snap the rod upward to quickly raise your offering and then immediately lower the rod tip all the way to the water, allowing the diamond to flutter unfettered on a slack line. You won’t need to wonder if you’ve had a bite while retrieving these lures as predators often stop them dead in their tracks. 

Keep in mind that large jigs weighing four to six ounces or more are often needed to tangle with big fish in strong currents while smaller diamonds tempt school fish in calm inshore waters and inside the bays. Some jigs come with tube-tails and some come plain. Both work fine, but my preference is for the tubeless style as I feel it looks more natural sliding through the water. As a rule, green and white tails work best in shallow water and red is the color of choice for digging down deep.

One trick that can also increase your score is to nick new diamond jigs before putting them to use. Simply bang two jigs together a couple of times to dent the shiny coating. This breaks up the flash of these lures, giving them a more life-like appearance that even the leeriest trophies find hard to resist. 

-by Tom Schlichter

See What Happens With Boat Bottom Cleaning Efficiency

The Secret to Speed? A Spotless Boat Bottom

Below the waterline of your boat is one big target for sea creatures. These barnacles, sea grass, tube worms, and general slime can quickly grow into a fuzzy carpet that slows your glide. A clean boat bottom not only looks nicer but can be the difference in fuel and equipment efficiency. So what’s a boat owner to do?

Let’s start with clear terms to understand how speed is affected by a clean bottom. Miles Per Hour (mph) is more accurately known as your speed in knots. Miles Per Gallon (mpg) considers the amount of fuel burned to cruise at an optimum speed. It helps to understand what is optimum versus the speed that you desire. If you are lucky, this may be the same.

WOT is Wide Open Throttle, often wasting fuel and not necessarily getting the best mileage possible. Many boat owners will consider slowing a bit less than WOT to achieve better fuel economy. If you reduce the rpms a mere 200 or so, then you may slow about 1 knot. Does that really matter?

So what else can you do to make your boat slide across the water easier? You may think that since water is wet and slippery, how can we improve on that?

Hull Preparation 

The hull on planing boats starts with a V to cut through the waves. Then it flares out in the stern to a flatter concept. This allows the boat to get up on top of the water to go faster depending on the horsepower aboard. The hull design and horsepower contribute to the builder’s designed speed—at perfect conditions right from the factory. Now consider the condition of the hull itself. 

Dirt and slime create more resistance to that slippery water your boat is running through. The most pristine waters can foster marine growth. Barnacles are obvious, but what about algae or seaweed? Choose an anti-fouling paint that works well for the waters you call home port and lasts longer than the lower price alternative.

Barrier Coat and Anti-fouling Paint

When hauling the boat for seasonal bottom job cleaning, check the existing paint for wear and adhesion. Is it smooth or has the bottom of the boat been painted too many times without taking the old paint off entirely? If the paint shows too many moon craters or high and low spots, then the bottom may have to be blasted to remove everything down to the original gel coat. 

Now that your hull has been properly prepped, it’s time to apply a barrier coating and, finally, good anti-fouling paint. The decision of what type of paint to use is dependent on the local waters in which you plan to boat and the kind of sea creatures that grow in your area. Ask other boaters what anti-fouling paint they favor. Check with your local yard experts too. 

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More Than the Hull

Don’t forget that your running gear includes props, rudders, shafts, and trim tabs which all need protection from marine growth too. But here you will use a different coating than the hull anti-fouling paint. Think about friction of the water rushing under the hull which can wear off fresh marine growth. The friction on the rotating propellers is much greater than the hull and requires a different type of anti-fouling coating. 

An etching primer is followed by a fouling-release coating applied to the running gear to reduce the chances of marine growth attaching to the surface. If they do attach, the growth will slip away once the boat is underway. Proper prep includes having the running gear roughed-up with an 80 grit sander to remove all old paint and marine growth. Clean off any dust and oil before applying a two-part etching coating. The final clear coat is the magic that reduces marine growth from attaching.

Use It or Clean It

The best way to keep your hull clean is by driving away from your dock. But if you can’t find the time to keep those critters from settling in, then a diver can do a little maintenance in between. In addition to a gentle cleaning of the hull and running gear, a diver can also keep the depth gauge transducer free of marine growth. 

Underwater lights are attractive and can attract bait fish to the stern of the boat. Ask the diver to keep the lenses clean too.

Your bottom is clean, and the hull and running gear are properly prepped. Get the boat up on plane, feel the ride, and watch the SOG (Speed Over Ground) compared to the rpms and fuel consumption. Adjust your trim tabs, angle the boat across the wave action, and experiment with the rpms. A clean bottom will improve your speed efficiency, letting your boat perform as it was designed. It is now up to the helmsman to achieve best results. 

– by Chris Caldwell

Visit Captain Chris’ Website Here

 

Majesty 111 Superyacht: Redefining Luxury with Dutch Design Brilliance

The Majesty 111 Superyacht: A Dutch-Designed Haven of Seascape Luxury

Crafted through a collaborative effort between Gulf Craft and the Dutch studio Phathom, the Majesty 111 superyacht epitomizes the fusion of bold exterior lines and refined interior aesthetics. She is designed for optimized livability and a seamless indoor-outdoor connection, and features expansive glazing, flooding the interior with natural light. Configurable furniture arrangements on the open deck and a panoramic skylounge contribute to the yacht’s social versatility.

Explore Gulf Craft’s Pinnacle of Nautical Innovation

The Majesty 111 boasts a six-stateroom layout, accommodating up to 12 guests across two-and-a-half decks. The lower deck has five luxurious cabins, and the massive forward VIP cabin—rivaling the master suite in its size—redefines the superyacht experience.

The main deck houses a sophisticated salon and dining area finished in dark marble and natural matte woods. Adorned with minimalistic lighting fixtures, the salon creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. The owner’s stateroom, a testament to opulence, features a king-size island berth that faces an enormous TV on the wall and a huge ensuite with LED-framed mirrors.

Beyond the luxurious amenities, the Majesty 111 offers unique social areas, with the foredeck lounge being a highlight. Comfortable seating provides a private space to relax, complemented by a large glass-bottom plunge pool. Positioned just above the owner’s suite, this Jacuzzi doubles as a skylight in the master cabin. It’s not only a statement piece in décor but also creates a calming effect in the room. 

The flybridge offers both indoor and outdoor spaces, featuring a large wet bar, alfresco dining, and modular furniture for sun lounging—a perfect setting for entertaining guests.

Setting a new standard in energy-efficiency, the Majesty 111 is equipped with state-of-the-art CFD simulation tools to ensure superior hull performance, achieving high speeds with minimal consumption at cruising speed. An optional heat recovery system enhances the yacht’s sustainability, providing climate control and hot water without consuming electricity.

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The Majesty 111 represents more than an average superyacht. She is a vessel that seamlessly blends opulence and innovation and is available to both private owners and the charter market. 

SPECIFICATIONS

LOA: 110′ 10″ 

Beam: 23′ 7″

Draft: 5′ 6″

Displacement: 140 tonnes (approx.)

Fuel/Water: 5,333/1,630 U.S. gals. 

Engines: 2x MAN V12 1900 @ 1,864-hp

Contact: Majesty Yachts

majesty.gulfcraftinc.com

A-Sea Lifted: Revolutionizing Boat Care with Smart Raw-Water Supply

Keep your boat cool and healthy while on the hoist.

Running the air conditioner, chiller plates, icemaker, livewells, and spooling up the gyrostabilizer all require a raw-water supply. That usually means the boat has to be in the water so the intakes can feed the various systems. When Mark Boettcher of Summit Marine Technology passed a brand-new 42-foot boat regularly in a New Jersey marina that had been sitting on a lift for two summers, his thoughts kept feeling for the boat.

“I wasn’t only thinking of adhesives coming apart in the cabin, I was thinking of woods getting milky, soft goods getting musty and mildew, and just felt sorry for this boat,” he says. He had an idea of how to solve such a situation, but wasn’t sure how many boats really needed this type of product, so he kept his focus on another raw-water issue he was trying to fix on his boat and filed the idea away. Fast-forward four years and a chance encounter with Matt Woonton of B&M Marine brought that idea back to life, especially when Woonton commented how many inquiries he received each day with that on-the-lift problem. Boettcher and Woonton worked to solve the issue, and in 2023, a partnership was born, and A-Sea Lifted became a reality.

Introducing A-Sea Lifted: The Intelligent Raw-Water Supply System for Elevated Vessels

“What we are is an intelligent raw-water supply source for boats on lifts,” explains Boettcher. “We use the word intelligent because we read the raw water relays on a boat with our own relay. Once we capture that closed circuit that is going to the boat’s raw water pump, we transmit a signal through the 902 MHz frequency to our dockside pump controller to energize our pump. In other words, when the air conditioner on the boat or any raw-water device on the boat that we’re monitoring kicks on, we see that in real time and transmit that signal to the dock to mimic the same things to our pump.” So, the water begins to flow and the boat’s equipment operates as if the boat was in the water. The same happens when the equipment reaches its shutoff threshold. “The device sends an open circuit to its own pump and then we read that and the signal shuts off our pump at the dock.”

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The A-Sea Lifted system allows the captain or the boat owner to utilize all their chosen raw-water systems while the boat is on the lift. Of particular benefit is running the air conditioning. Boettcher probably wouldn’t have felt so bad for the 42-foot boat in New Jersey knowing the air conditioning was preventing mold and mildew and keeping the boat healthy. It’s also nice for the owner and guests to get on a boat that’s already cool and comfortable when the summer heat is in full effect, and even have the gyro spooled up and ready to go. Anglers can also benefit from the system because the ice chipper can have a load of ice ready, keep bait frozen or beverages cold, and they can run the livewells. “On one of our recent installs, a Valhalla fifty-five, the owner is running the entire chiller system for his vessel and is always trip ready,” says Boettcher.

How it Works

A-Sea Lifted has one patent and another one pending. The technology requires minimal space and power on both the boat and at the dock. “We have two different types of pumps used for the dock,” says Boettcher. “Our standard unit is a submersible pump that floats up and down with a float on a slide [attached to a dock piling], and we have our high-volume unit for larger boats that is in a dock box but still activated and deactivated in the same fashion.”

To keep the water as clean as possible, the snorkel or tube that’s in the water is set below the surface. “The standard unit is always floating with the tide up and down. That’s always taking water about twenty inches below the surface,” says Boettcher. “The high-volume unit is usually set about two to three feet above the sea floor of the slip. It’s not getting the silt off the bottom, and it’s not getting the stuff off the top.”

On the boat, hydrants are installed to connect the hose(s) from the dock. From the hydrant, a hose connects to the sea strainer (or the sea chest strainer) before connecting to the accessory. A small relay box with the transmitter is installed to complete the setup.

One of the challenges was a reliable signal between the boat and the dock. “We originally looked at Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to try to make that communication path between the boat, but the testing I did found it very unreliable,” says Boettcher. “We found a company that made a product using the 902 MHz band which is good up to three hundred feet…. The main thing we wanted to do was get that communication path so we only sent water to the boat when the boat asks for it, which is why we call it the intelligent raw-water supply.”

The single system can put 16 gallons of water per minute to the boat, while the high-volume system can provide 28 gallons a minute. “We could actually go bigger for bigger vessels if they require,” says Boettcher. It does provide lift manufacturers the option to build larger lifts. Providing raw water to your boat while on the lift not only protects it from interior overheating, but gets systems up and running before heading out for the day. a-sealifted.com 

-by Jeremy Peters

ILIAD Catamarans Set for U.S. Premiere at Miami International Boat Show

ILIAD 53F: A New Era of Luxury Power Catamarans Arrives in the U.S.

ILIAD Catamarans will make its U.S. premiere at the 2024 Miami International Boat Show from February 14-18 with the ILIAD 53F on display. ILIAD Catamarans has been making waves in the U.S. market with its long-range luxury power catamarans, including the ILIAD 53S, ILIAD 53 Hybrid, ILIAD 62, and the grand ILIAD 75. Visit B Dock in Herald Plaza during the Miami International Boat Show to see the ILIAD 53F in all her glory.

What sets the ILIAD 53F apart? Well, for starters, she boasts one of the highest bridge deck clearances in its market segment. With a high freeboard, this yacht ensures a comfortable passage even in challenging conditions.

Step aboard and see the extraordinary volume of the interior living space. The forward lounge, optional helm station, and dining area for 6-8 people create a luxurious atmosphere. The accommodation is generously sized, with the master suite taking up an entire hull. It features an oversized island queen berth, panoramic windows, and a spacious ensuite. The galley is a chef’s dream, fitted with the finest European appliances, an island bench, a full-size refrigerator and freezer, and clever storage solutions.

But it’s not just about the interior. This catamaran excels in outdoor spaces for entertaining and relaxing, too. The cockpit has a bar area and dining table for up to 10 guests. The flybridge features a galley with a bar, refrigerator, and barbecue, as well as a comfortable helm area that seats two. And for those who love water activities, the optional tender platform provides easy water access for swimming or diving, doubling as a great sunbathing spot when the tender is deployed.

Powering the ILIAD 53F are robust 440-hp Volvo or Yanmar engines (Cummins optional), allowing for an impressive top speed of 21 knots. Cruising at a leisurely pace, this catamaran offers a staggering range of more than 3,135 nautical miles. The ILIAD 53F showcased at the Miami International Boat Show comes equipped with 550-hp Cummins QSB 6.7 engines and is available for immediate delivery.

ILIAD Catamarans is also expected to reveal details about its new U.S. dealer at the event. Stay tuned for more updates! (See Specifications Below)

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Specifications

LOA: 53’ 7”

Beam: 25’

Draft: 4’ 1”

Displacement: 55,115 lbs.

Fuel/Water: 925/211 U.S. gals

Contact: ILIAD Catamarans

info@iliadcatamarans.com

iliadcatamarans.com

 

2024 Miami International Boat Show Preview

Get your mood boost by checking out these new boats at the 2024 Miami International Boat Show.

The 2024 Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show is the serotonin boost that every boater needs. If you live where the snow is currently keeping you off the water, the sea of boats and superyachts in sunny Miami gives hope that spring and a new boat are on the way.

Set for February 14-18, the Miami International Boat Show takes place at six locations in the Miami area. The main show is held at the Miami Beach Convention Center and Pride Park returning to South Beach in 2023 after temporarily relocating to Miami Marine Stadium. The in-water show is set for Herald Plaza and Venetian Marina in downtown Miami, Museum Park Marina, and SuperYacht Miami at Yacht Haven Grand Miami.

Wednesday is a preview day for the media and public, requiring an extra $21 for a Prime Time Preview ticket in addition to a single-day ticket ($43 per adult, $16.50 child) or a two-day pass ($75). The Superyacht Miami experience is a separate ticket and costs $135 per day. The boat show hours are Wednesday-Thursday, 10AM-6PM; Friday-Saturday, 10AM-7PM; and Sunday, 10AM-5PM.

South Florida’s traffic is notoriously bad, but the good news is that the show organizers, the National Marine Manufacturers Association and producer Informa Markets, provide an extensive shuttle bus and water taxi system between venues. There is also a free golf cart shuttle service at Maurice Gibb Park and Herald Plaza.

-by Gregg Mansfield

Here Are Your 40+ MIBS Preview Links:

Riviera

Four Winns

Tiara Yachts

Marlow

Delta Powerboats

Formula Boats

Windy Boats

World Cat

Sōlace Boats

Sea Vee Boats

Everglades Boats

Scout Boats

Grady-White Boats 

Pathfinder Boats

Wally

Wellcraft Boats

Mystic Powerboats

Fairline

Pursuit Boats

Robalo Boats

Yellowfin 

Sunseeker

Vandal Marine

Sea Pro Boats

De Antonio

Fountain Powerboats

Wajer Yachts

Stingray Boats

Solaris Power

RIBCRAFT

Beneteau 

Palm Beach

Solara Boats 

Aquila Power Catamarans

Iliad

Princess Yachts

American Performance Marine

Boston Whaler

Intrepid

Regal

Bluewater Sportfishing Boats 

Easy and Boat-Friendly Pizza Recipes for National Pizza Day

National Pizza Day: Quick and Easy Boat-Friendly Pizza Recipes

Making pizza aboard is easy, fun, and flexible.

February 9th is National Pizza Day! Make pizza aboard in the oven or on the stovetop in the galley or on a grill on the aft deck using refrigerated pizza dough, ready-made pizza crusts, large flatbread, pita, naan, tortilla, or even french bread. Use classic Italian sauce, cheeses, and toppings, or get creative and try some of the following boat-friendly pizza recipes:

⊲ Buffalo Chicken Pizza: buffalo sauce, baked chicken, and mozzarella and blue cheese

⊲ BBQ Chicken Pizza: barbecue sauce, garlic, sautéed onions, cooked chicken, bacon bits, cheddar and mozzarella cheese

⊲ Greek Salad Pizza: tomato, onion, pepper, olive, oregano, and feta cheese

⊲ White Seafood Pizza: oil, garlic, pesto, cooked clams, shrimp, or scallops

Or set up a “pizza bar” with assorted sauces, toppings, and cheeses of your choice, and encourage everyone to “make their own pizza” which you can quickly cook.

In honor of National Pizza Day, the following are easy pizza recipes for onboard cocktail parties, lunches, or dinners. Servings depend on size of crust selected.

Basic Pizza with Ready-Made Pizza Crust, Flatbread, Lavash, Tortillas, Naan, Pita 

1 ready-made pizza crust or flatbread, lavash, tortillas, naan, or pita bread (e.g., Boboli, Stonefire, etc.)

4 oz. shredded cheese (mozzarella, Italian blend, or other melty cheese)

¼-½ cup sauce

¼ cup each of your favorite pizza toppings 

½ tsp. dried herbs, garlic, spices (optional)

1 Tbsp. oil per pizza if using stovetop

The secret to making delicious, prepared-crust or flatbread/pita pizza is to use a light touch with sauces, toppings, and cooking. Too much sauce or too many toppings make the pizza crust soggy and too high heat will burn the bottom.

Place prepared-crust or flatbread pizza directly on a hot grill set to medium-high (375-400 degrees Fahrenheit). The grill creates a smoky flavor along with grill marks and cooks the pizza quickly. Prepared-crusts, pita, and naan will take 4-6 minutes, while thin flatbreads will take 2-3 minutes. Remove from grill when cheese is melted, and edges or bottom are lightly browned. If you prefer, place pizza on stone or sheet pan directly on grill. 

Alternatively, cook prepared-crust pizzas or flatbreads on stone or sheet pan in the oven at 375-400 for 10 minutes. You can also use a covered skillet on the stovetop; just sauté each side of crust in 1 tablespoon of oil for 1-2 minutes on medium-low heat, add sauce, then toppings and cheese, and cover 2-3 minutes to melt cheese. Thin flatbreads will take less time.

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Basic Pizza with Refrigerated Dough (4-6 slices)

1 tube or 2 cups refrigerated pizza dough (Pillsbury, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s)

1-2 Tbsp. flour or cornmeal for cutting board and pizza stone or sheet pan 

8 oz. sauce 

8 oz. shredded cheese

½ cup of each preferred pizza topping 

½ tsp. dried herbs, garlic, spices (optional)

Set oven to 400-425 degrees Fahrenheit. Unroll the dough on flour or cornmeal-sprinkled cutting board. Starting in the dough’s center and roll or press out to fit the stone or pan. Spread pizza sauce evenly on crust to within a half-inch of edges, then add toppings and cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes* (or until top of pizza is bubbling and bottom of pizza is golden-brown). Cut and serve, offering extra Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper.

No oven? No worries! Bake pizza on the grill! Simply set grill to medium-high and place pizza on stone or sheet pan directly on the grill. Cover grill and cook 8-10 minutes until cheese is bubbling and crust is browned.**

NOTE: The exact timing of these boat-friendly pizza recipes will depend on your grill, oven, or stovetop heat, so start on medium-low, be patient, and keep checking.

* or according to package directions for baking.

** I do not recommend cooking raw dough on the stovetop as it may undercook or burn too easily.  

-by Lori Ross

Fountaine Pajot Power 67: This Is Luxury on Water

Fountaine’s Pajot Power 67 is all about living in the lap of luxury.

Not only is the world going to the cats, it’s also angling toward powercats where everything is a pushbutton affair and no sails need to be raised. Because the power segment is growing quickly, some builders are reformulating sailing models into powercats. This is the case of the Fountaine Pajot Power 67, which is based on the Alegria 67 sailing cat that was introduced a few years ago. The FP Power 67 aspires to playing in the realm of superyachts and is targeted at a discerning clientele used to a bit of luxury.

By the Numbers

Everything about the Power 67 is big. In terms of square footage, the flybridge is 345, the aft cockpit is 388, and the foredeck is 527 square feet or about two-thirds of the size of a pickleball court. The hydraulic swim platform is 70 square feet and can carry more than 1,000 pounds. And the master stateroom is 236 square feet with seven feet of headroom. The whole boat feels like Papa Bear’s chair.

On Deck

The Power 67 is mindboggling when you stand on deck. With a 32-foot beam, there’s acreage of teak as far as the eye can see, all bordered by a high stainless steel rail that adds security when underway.

The foredeck alone is the worth the price of admission. Accessed via the wide side decks or through a door that leads from the salon, the foredeck is pure decadence. To port, there’s a two-person hot tub (optional) and to starboard is recessed seating in the form of a straight sofa and L-shaped settee. There’s also access to the master cabin, and the bows contain optional twin crew cabins each with a head and sink. The forward deck is rigid rather than a trampoline, providing plenty of space for loose furniture like deck chairs or bean bags that make great lounging pods.

Since the center of activity on a catamaran is usually the aft cockpit, Fountaine Pajot dialed this one in. Come up the swim steps and take it in. A wide seat along the transom is nestled between a storage space to port and a summer kitchen to starboard where you’ll find a refrigerator, a sink, and a propane plancha grill. An electric shade connects the hardtop above to the transom backrest providing both privacy and a respite from the sun. The port forward corner is home to a dining table large enough for 8-10 people, and there’s a massive sofa to starboard just behind the circular stairs that lead to the flybridge.

Speaking of the flybridge, this is the third sumptuous outdoor space aboard and it doesn’t disappoint. The stairs end right behind the starboard helm and a dash binnacle that holds twin multifunction displays, engine screens, autopilot control, joystick, and throttles. You can sight down the starboard side when docking, but optional cameras are available as is another docking station in the aft cockpit.

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To port is a forward-facing sunbed and behind that is a U-shaped dinette. Another outdoor galley with a grill, sink, and fridge means you don’t have to run down each time you want cold drinks or a snack.

Just aft of all this is a walk-through with a sunbed on either side. High railings will keep occupants of these pads onboard even if they fall asleep and roll around. Most of the flybridge is covered with a hardtop that has an opening fabric sunroof in the middle. All the way aft on the bimini are two solar panels to help charge batteries and increase energy autonomy at anchor.

If you need another outdoor place to retreat from others on board, there’s the massive swim platform. It’s roughly 15 by 5 feet and lowers to the waterline where it makes a great teak beach to relax or don your snorkel gear.

Accommodations

A boat of this size has quite a few options in terms of layout. You can specify four or five cabins (each ensuite) as well as two locations to situate the galley. Our boathad the galley up on the main deck in the port aft corner of the salon. A sofa was in the forward port corner across from the lower helm. An L-shaped settee was placed starboard aft.

If owners opt for the galley down, there are twin L-shaped settees aft and the forward sofa becomes a wet bar while the galley moves down to occupy the space of one of the port hull cabins. The galley up has a five-burner cooktop (that can be propane or induction), a double sink, loads of storage, and a large central island which houses refrigerator drawers. For distance cruising or crewed charters with numerous guests, there’s also another freezer down in the hull for extra provisions.

The helm is more of a navigation desk than an actual helm station and has engine throttles and autopilot control. There’s no wheel here, but when it’s time to dock or maneuver, the captain will drive from up top anyway, so this area is more for tweaking navigation on passage than close quarters maneuvering.

Two things of note in the salon. The first is what looks like a compression post in the middle, which is odd on a powerboat and may be there to simply support the flybridge above. The second is a thing of beauty—the door that leads to the forward cockpit. It’s massive, watertight, and impressively designed.

The aft cabins each have direct access to the cockpit and are a mirror image of each other. The starboard hull on our boat had this aft cabin as well as the master stateroom forward. At nearly 400 square feet, this owner’s suite has a desk, a large head with his-and-hers sinks, and its own dedicated access to the foredeck as mentioned above. The bed is athwartships and faces the outboard hull window so you can wake up each morning to a beautiful view or watch the pop-up TV hidden in the bulkhead below.

Performance

Per company reps, this cat is all about distance voyaging and living in the lap of luxury. Because she offers the equivalent living space of a 75-foot monohull powerboat, she’s also likely to see some single hull boaters becoming cat converts. Standard power is provided by twin 300-hp D6 Volvo Penta diesels, but the boat in Miami was upgraded to 480-hp engines.

With the larger propulsion package, expect top speeds of 18-20 knots depending on load and conditions. That’s not bad given that this boat has a displacement of more than 100,000 pounds. At a 10-knot cruise, she’ll burn around 9 gph giving her a range of nearly 1,100 miles. If you slow to 8 knots, you can explore up to 1,700 miles in any direction.

Overall Impressions

Fountaine Pajot’s powercat range now includes four models with the Power 67 being the flagship. About 20 feet longer than the next model down, the Power 67 seems to leave the door open for a 50-something model in between, but rumor has it that an 80-footer is next on the drawing board. If the Power 67 is this posh, I can’t wait to see what the bigger sister will bring. (Fountain Pajor Power 67 specifications found below.)

-by Zuzana Prochazka

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Fountaine Pajot Power 67 Specifications:

LOA: 64′ 7″
Beam: 32′ 3″
Draft: 3′ 9″

Displacement (loaded): 104,278 lbs.

Fuel/Water: 1,057/277 U.S. gals.

Power: 2x Volvo Penta D6 @ 230-hp/
2x Volvo Penta D6 @ 480-hp (upgrade)

Top/Cruise Speed: 20/10 knots (upgraded)

Contact:

Fountaine Pajot

fountaine-pajot.com

See Mercury Racing’s V10 400R Outboard: Unparalleled Boating Power

Mercury Racing’s V10 400R Outboard is a compact beast.

Going big with a new outboard that delivers more torque and high-end horsepower might mean going bigger in size. While increasing the physical dimension of an outboard is impressive, it can add challenges to repower projects, and even new builds. That’s not the case with Mercury Racing’s new V10 400R outboard.

The naturally aspirated V10 5.7-liter (349 CID) powerhead originated from the stalwart V8 4.6-liter Mercury Racing 300R model. The 64-degree powerhead displaces 5.7 liters while maintaining the compact width needed for 26-inch center-to-center mounting on multi-engine applications. That makes for seamless installations on new boats and repower applications.

“Mercury Racing products are focused on delivering the highest power-to-weight ratio available,” explains Steve Miller, Mercury Racing’s director of customer experience. “This is important because today’s performance center consoles require a higher amount of engine torque combined with proper weight distribution throughout the boat to optimize performance.”

Center consoles are relatively agile for their size, so higher torque combined with an advanced digital control system such as Mercury Racing’s Digital Zero Effort controls means instant throttle response and extremely precise throttle control. Miller said both are critical for boat control at all speeds—from holding a boat on plane at slower speeds to wringing out that last mile per hour at the top.

Mercury Racing outboards also offer an enhanced Racing AMS (Advanced MidSection) with stiffer engine mounts and guide plates with tighter tolerances. This reduces steering play which, in turn, delivers a much higher level of precision handling and control at speed. Combine that with either a 5.44-inch HD or Sport Master gearcase (depending on the application) and Mercury Racing propellers and boat owners now have a high-performance driving experience optimized to their exact boat.

Regarding propellers, a selection of performance-proven Mercury Racing propellers is available for either gearcase to allow customers to realize the full potential of specific boat-and-engine combinations.

Mercury Racing will also bolster its lineup of custom-crafted propellers with a new series of 15-inch-diameter four-blade Ventera props to amplify the performance of the V10 400R outboard.

In addition, the Mercury Racing Quad Cam Four Valve (QC4) design features double overhead camshafts and four-valve aluminum cylinder heads. A proprietary 92mm throttle body and tuned intake work with the QC4 head to maximize airflow and power. A 6,000-6,600 wide-open-throttle rpm range enhances peak horsepower and provides a broad window for propping any performance hull type, and it runs on 87 octane (91 RON) fuel.

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“Mercury Racing engines are designed to deliver reliable power at all boating speeds while also being optimized to achieve the best possible combination of responsiveness, handling, and top speed,” says Miller. “Sea conditions are not always favorable to run full throttle safely, so our luxury sport customers will also spend a good deal of time just cruising with family and friends.”

The main difference with the cruising speed on a performance boat is that it is often close to or at full throttle on a non-performance boat application. For example, a center console capable of 90-100 mph will cruise comfortably and efficiently at 60 mph, or less if desired. Mercury Racing engines are designed to do this and are not overtaxed by not running full throttle all the time. Fuel efficiency is also optimized at cruising speeds.

“The Mercury Racing customers are what we classify as luxury sport boaters,” explains Miller. “They are looking for all the amenities for a premium boating experience, but they differ from the mainline consumer in that they have the ‘performance gene.’ They relish the thrill of going fast and having a setup that delivers rock-solid handling and precision drivability.”

It’s no secret that a lot of performance center console owners want responsiveness and strong acceleration throughout the power band. Oftentimes, you’ll see high-performance center console boats on the water where owners take 10 of their closest friends on a poker run or a day trip to the sandbar. Or maybe these new 400R engines will be behind an outboard catamaran for top-speed thrills. 

“The Mercury Racing consumer is also all about individuality and customization,” adds Miller. “He will
go to extreme lengths during the design process of the boat to create a combination of colors, textures, and amenities to create a true, one-of-a-kind statement piece that reflects his personality.”

The evolution of the center console from a hard-core fishing boat with a pair of outboards that maxed out around 30 feet to today’s triple, quad, quint (and beyond) 50-foot-plus luxury sport boats was made possible largely by the advent of higher horsepower outboards. 

“Mercury Racing’s introduction of the L6 400R in 2015 was one of the catalysts that ignited the performance center console expansion,” says Miller. “Today’s V10 400R and flagship supercharged 450Rs are the power of choice for performance boats surpassing fifty feet with up to six engines across the transom.

In addition, mainline Mercury Marine products have expanded to V12 six hundred-horsepower platforms capable of pushing even the biggest and heaviest of center consoles and fishing vessels efficiently.” mercuryracing.com

-by Doug Thompson

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Spicy Bahamian Seafood Recipes for a terrific Island-Inspired Feast

Delicious Bahamian Seafood Recipes

Turn up the heat with some spicy ingredients. Each recipe serves 4.

When we cruised the Bahamas, I was struck by the high quality and delicate flavor of the fish and shellfish, both at restaurants and at beach shacks. Simple fish soups were piquant with surprising finesse, as were the stuffed crab and grilled and fried seafood. I finally figured out that the combination of very fresh fish and shellfish, balanced seasoning, and minimal cooking are the secret. Don’t be afraid of the hot peppers—they become mellow when heated. Here are a few of my favorite Bahamian seafood recipes to try.   

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Bahamian Stuffed Crab

1 cup chopped onions

4 Tbsp. butter

½ cup celery, minced

½ cup sweet pepper, minced

¼ cup parsley chopped (or 1 Tbsp. dried parsley)

2 lbs. cooked crabmeat

1 Tbsp. Creole seasoning (jarred or see recipe below) 

2 eggs

1 cup breadcrumbs

On medium heat, sauté onions in butter for 5 minutes. Add celery, peppers, parsley, crabmeat, and seasoning, and cook for 2 minutes more. Cool mixture for 10 minutes, then add eggs and breadcrumbs. Stuff mixture into crab shells (or individual ramekins). Bake* at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.

*or grill on medium for 30 minutes

Creole Seasoning

5 Tbsp. paprika

3 Tbsp. salt

2 Tbsp. each onion powder and garlic powder

1 Tbsp. dried thyme

2 Tbsp. each dried oregano and basil

2 Tbsp. pepper

1 Tbsp. cayenne pepper

Combine all ingredients and store in sealed container.

Abacos Fish Soup

4 cups water

3 cups potatoes, peeled and diced 

1 cup onion, diced

4 slices of bacon, diced

½ tsp. each salt and pepper

2 small hot peppers (fresh or pickled), minced

½ cup carrots, sliced

½ cup celery, sliced

1½ lb. white boneless fish fillets, cubed 

In a large saucepan, bring the water to a boil and add the potatoes, onion, bacon, salt, pepper, hot peppers, celery, and carrot, until the potatoes are fork-tender, then add fish. Reduce the heat and simmer 3-5 minutes until the fish is just cooked and the soup is delicately flavored.  

Nassau Fish Cutlets With Devil’s Sauce

2 lbs. thin, boneless fish fillets

1 Tbsp. hot peppers (pickled or fresh), minced

2 Tbsp. lime juice

1 tsp. salt

4 Tbsp. oil or butter 

4 Tbsp. flour

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup cracker meal, breadcrumbs, or Panko

Place fish in a resealable plastic bag along with hot peppers, lime juice, and salt. Marinate for 30 minutes. Heat oil or butter in a frying pan. Dip fish in flour, then egg, then cracker meal. Sauté fish in hot oil or butter until golden-brown (2-3 minutes per side). Serve with Devil’s Sauce (recipe below).

Devil’s Sauce 

2 Tbsp. brown sugar

3 Tbsp. ketchup

1 Tbsp. pickapeppa sauce (or other hot sauce)

1 Tbsp. guava paste or jelly (or other fruit preserve)

¼ tsp. salt

3 Tbsp. vinegar

Mix all ingredients in a saucepan and simmer for 2 minutes. Chill before serving. 

Ginger Garlic Grilled Seafood

Four 6 oz. fish fillets, lobster tails, or skewers of shrimp

2 Tbsp. oil

2 Tbsp. lime juice 

1 Tbsp. ginger, grated or minced (or ½ tsp. powdered ginger)

2 cloves garlic, grated or minced (or ½ tsp. garlic powder)

1 scotch bonnet pepper, seeded and sliced thin (or other hot pepper)

½ tsp. each salt and pepper

1 lime, quartered

Bottle of hot sauce

Combine oil, lime juice, ginger, garlic, and hot pepper. Pour marinade over seafood and refrigerate for 1 hour. Preheat grill. Remove seafood from marinade. Season with salt and pepper, and place over medium heat until just cooked. Serve with lime wedges and hot sauce.  

-by Lori Ross

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Boating Log

Current Month: April

1–7

BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival

Nanny Cay Marina

Tortola, BVI

(284) 346-8292

bvispringregatta.org

 

10–13

Sailfish Series: Quest For The Crest – Final Sail

Biscayne Bay, FL

(954) 725-4010

bluewatermovements.com

 

12–14

Bay Bridge Boat Show

Bay Bridge Marina

Stevensville, MD

(410) 268-8828

annapolisboatshows.com

 

12–14

Pleasure Island Team Surf Fishing Challenge

Lazy Pirate

Carolina Beach, NC

(910) 452-6378

fishermanspost.com

 

15–21

British Virgin Islands Food and Wine Festival

Tortola, Jost Van Dyke, and Virgin Gorda, BVI

(954) 475-9068

Bvifoodandwine.com

 

17–18

Boat Electrical System Seminars with Nigel Carter

Hyatt Place Portland

Old Portland, Maine

(207) 370-9112

oceanplanetenergy.com

 

17–22

Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta

Nelson’s Dockyard

Falmouth, Antigua,

West Indies

(904) 729-7351

antiguaclassics.com

 

18–21

Charleston Race Week

Charleston Harbor Marina

Mount Pleasant, SC

(843) 628-5900

charlestonraceweek.com

 

19–21

Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing Florida Saltwater Weekend Seminar

VFW Post 1966

Fort Lauderdale, FL

(954) 475-9068

ladiesletsgofishing.com

 

Next Month: MAY

1–4

The White Marlin Roundup

Abaco Beach Resort & Boat Harbour Marina

Abaco, Bahamas

(954) 531-7985

skipstournaments.com

 

1–4

The Shootout: Production Vs. Custom

Abaco Beach Resort & Boat Harbour Marina

Abaco, Bahamas

(954) 531-7985

skipstournaments.com/the-shootout

 

3–5 

Florida Outdoor Expo

South Florida Fairgrounds

West Palm Beach, FL

(954) 522-5288

floridaoutdoorexpo.com

 

3–5

Tom Thumb Marathon Bull & Cow Dolphin Tournament

Marathon, FL

(305) 289-0199

marathonoffshoretournament.com

 

4–5

Keels & Wheels Concours d’Elegance

Lakewood Yacht Club

Seabrook, TX

(713) 521-0105

keels-wheels.com 

 

9–12

Orange Beach Powerboat Week

The Wharf

Orange Beach, AL

(954) 545-1414

flpowerboat.com

 

10–12

Virgin Islands Boating Expo

Yacht Haven Grande

St. Thomas, USVI

(340) 642-0656

vibe.vi

 

14–18

Hatteras Village Offshore Open

Hatteras Harbor Marina

Hatteras, NC

(252) 986-2166

hvoo.org

 

17–18

Emerald Coast Open Lionfish Tournament

HarborWalk Village

Destin, FL

(850) 487-0554

emeraldcoastopen.com

 

17–19

Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing Screamin’ Reels Tournament

Whale Harbour Marina

Islamorada, FL

(954) 475-9068

ladiesletsgofishing.com

 

22–25

Walker’s Cay Invitational

Walker’s Cay Marina

Walker’s Cay, Bahamas

(833) 869-2553

walkerscay.com/invitational

 

22–25

Georgetown Blue Marlin Tournament

Georgetown Landing Marina

Georgetown, SC

(843) 546-1776

georgetownlandingmarina.com

 

24–26

Red River Rumble F1 Powerboat Showdown

Shreveport-Bossier, LA

(318) 222-9391

F1powerboatchampionship.com

 

28–June 2

Cajun Canyons Billfish Classic

Cypress Cove Marina and Lodge

Venice, LA

(504) 214-0419

comefishla.com

 

Previous Months:

JANUARY

10–13

Silver Sailfish Derby

Sailfish Marina

Palm Beach Shores, FL

(561) 832-6780

westpalmbeachfishingclub.org

 

10–14

Discover Boating New England Boat Show

Boston Convention & Exhibition Center

Boston, MA

info@newenglandboatshow.com

newenglandboatshow.com

 

11–14

Atlanta Boat Show

Georgia World Congress Center – Hall C

Atlanta, GA

(312) 946-6237

atlantaboatshow.com

 

12–14

50th Annual Stuart Boat Show

Stuart, FL

(954) 522-5288

stuartboatshow.com

 

12–14

Bass & Saltwater Fishing Expo

N.C. State Fairgrounds

Raleigh, NC

(336) 855-0208

bassandsaltwaterfishingexpo.com

 

12–14

FXBG Boat & Water Sports Expo

Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center

Fredericksburg, VA

(540) 548-5555

tixr.com/groups/fredtickets/events

 

18–21

St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show

Duke Energy Center for the Arts Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin and Albert Whitted Park

St. Petersburg, Florida

(954) 463-6762

stpeteboatshow.com

 

18–21

Birmingham Boat Show

Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center

Birmingham, AL

(361) 446-4040

birminghamboatshow.com

 

18–21

Naples Boat Show

Naples City Dock and Sugden Regional Park

Naples, FL

(239) 682-0900

naplesboatshow.com

 

19–21

34th Annual Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament

Cheeca Lodge & Spa

Islamorada, FL

(305) 587-0574

cheeca.com

 

23–24

Al Flutie Over the Hill Rip-Off Sailfish Tournament

Islamorada, FL

(305) 289-4887

hawkscayrealty.com

 

23–27

Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Tournament

Viking Yacht Service Center

Riviera Beach, FL

(561) 909-7868

buccaneercup.com

 

24–28

Houston Boat, Sport & Travel Show

NRG Center

Houston, TX

(713) 526-6361

houstonboatshows.com

 

26–28

Downtown Richmond Boat Show

Richmond Convention Center

Richmond, VA

(804) 783-7300

downtownrichmondboatshow.com

 

26–28

Jacksonville Boat Show

Prime Osborn Convention Center

Jacksonville, FL

(904) 945-0197

boatjax.com

FEBRUARY

1–4

Chattanooga Boat Show

Chattanooga Convention Center

Chattanooga, TN

(423) 756-0001

chattanoogaboatshow.com

 

6–10

52nd Annual Gold Cup Team Fishing Tournament

Sailfish Club of Florida

Palm Beach, FL

(561) 844-0206

sailfishclub.com

 

8–10

The Sailfish Bowl

Marina Casa de Campo

Dominican Republic

marinacasadecamposailfish@gmail.com

marinacasadecampo.com.do

 

8–11

Mid-Atlantic Boat Show

Charlotte Convention Center

Charlotte, NC

(336) 855-0208

midatlanticboatshow.com

 

14–18

Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show

Miami Beach Convention Center, One Herald Plaza, Venetian Marina, Museum Park Marina, Yacht Haven Grande, Pride Park

Miami, FL

(954) 463-6762

miamiboatshow.com

 

15–18

Central New York Boat Show

NYS Fairgrounds

Syracuse, NY

(585) 526-5460

cnywinterboatshow.com

 

15–18

New Jersey Boat Sale & Expo

New Jersey Convention & Expo Center

Edison, NJ

(732) 292-1051

jerseyboatexpo.com

 

16–18

OC Seaside Boat Show

Ocean City Convention Center

Ocean City, MD

(443) 880-3602

ocboatshow.com

 

21–25

Sailfish Challenge

3-inlet format

Pompano Beach, FL

(954) 725-4010

bluewatermovements.com

 

23–25

Central Carolina Boat & Fishing Expo

Greensboro Coliseum Complex

Greensboro, NC

(336) 855-0208

greensborofishingexpo.com

MARCH

Feb. 28–3

Discover Boating Atlantic City Boat Show

Atlantic City Convention Center

Atlantic City, NJ

info@acboatshow.com

acboatshow.com

 

Feb. 29–3

44th Annual St. Maarten Heineken Regatta

Simpson Bay Marina

St. Maarten, BVI

(721) 544-2079

heinekenregatta.com

 

2

Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing Freshwater Bass Seminar

Bass Pro Shops

Dania Beach, FL

(954) 475-9068

ladiesletsgofishing.com

 

8–10

Biloxi Boat Show

Mississippi Coast Coliseum

Biloxi, MS

(251) 377-6328

gulfcoastshows.com

 

9–13

2024 Thistle Midwinters East Regatta

Fort Walton Yacht Club

Fort Walton Beach, FL

(256) 508-4636

thistleclass.com

 

14–17

Discover Boating Northwest Sportshow

Minneapolis Convention Center

Minneapolis, MN

(612) 332-1811

northwestsportshow.com

 

15–17

Saltwater Fishing Expo

New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center

Edison, NJ

(603) 276-4111

saltwater.sportshows.com

 

15–17

The Wharf Boat & Yacht Show

The Wharf

Orange Beach, AL

(850) 252-2592

wharfboatshow.com

 

21–24

Palm Beach International Boat Show

On the waterfront along Flagler Drive

West Palm Beach, FL

(954) 463-6762

pbboatshow.com

 

21–24

St. Barths Bucket Regatta

Gustavia, St. Barths

French West Indies

(781) 639-0203

bucketregatta.com

 

23–24

Geechee Sailing Club’s St. Patrick’s Regatta

Wilmington River/Wassaw Sound

Savannah, GA

(973) 296-8011

geecheesailingclub.org

 

23–24

Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing South Gulf Coast Saltwater Weekend Inshore Seminar

Bass Pro Shops

Fort Myers, FL

(954) 475-9068

ladiesletsgofishing.com

 

29–31

St. Thomas International Regatta

St. Thomas Yacht Club, USVI

(340) 998-3650

stthomasinternationalregatta.com

 

Sunseeker Ocean 182: Redefining Luxury on the Water

The Sunseeker Ocean 182 is a masterpiece of space, innovation, and elegance.

The Sunseeker Ocean 182 is a yacht that redefines luxury and space on the water. With an impressive 2,060 square feet of interior space spanning three decks, this vessel offers an unparalleled experience for those seeking the utmost in comfort and sophistication.

Her interior embodies the floating penthouse concept. With floor-to-ceiling sliding doors and windows on both sides, the main deck offers an unobstructed view. The spiral staircase has floating stair treads adding to the sense of spaciousness. The semi-open galley is well-equipped with Miele appliances and provides ample space and storage. The upper deck can be fully enclosed for a third indoor living space or left open for alfresco experiences. It’s also home to the helm console, freeing space on the main deck for lounging and socializing.

Also Read:

DENISON YACHTING ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE LISTING OF 88-METER PROJECT PEGASUS

The loose furniture concept allows for a blank canvas for customized specifications on both the main and upper decks. Whether it’s large U-shaped sofas or comfortable lounge seating in the main salon, owners can tailor the yacht’s interior to their preferences. Every inch of the yacht is finished to an immaculate standard, complete with ambient mood lighting, stainless steel trim, and specially designed feature bulkheads.

The Ocean 182 can accommodate up to eight guests in a four-cabin configuration, each with an ensuite. The owner’s cabin, positioned amidships, offers a luxurious escape, while the forward VIP cabin provides an equally lavish experience for guests. Additionally, the crew is well accommodated with four berths, a dedicated crew mess, and a day head.

Her exterior is designed to maximize outdoor space. The Beach Club, with its retractable sea-stair and bathing platform, provides easy access to the water. It can accommodate a tender and Jet Ski. The foredeck offers a social space with multiple seating arrangements, making it ideal for group gatherings.

Powered by twin MAN V12 1650 or 1900 shaft engines, the Ocean 182 can comfortably reach a top speed of 27 knots. At a cruising speed of 12 knots, the yacht boasts an extended range of 1,100 nautical miles, ideal for longer journeys. 

-by Bonnie Schultz

SPECIFICATIONS

LOA: 88′ 11″

Beam: 23′ 6″

Fuel/Water: 3,434/400 U.S. gals. 

Weight: 181,440 lbs. (@ half load)

Top/Cruise Speed: 27/12 knots

Range at Cruise: 1,100 nm

Power: 2x MAN V12 1650
or 1900 shaft

Contact: Sunseeker 

Sunseeker.com

Revolutionizing Boating Music: The Latest in Marine Audio Systems

Marine Audio Systems: The latest “source units” take control.

There are numerous marine audio systems available, and each has its own set of features, capabilities, and components to help make the most of your music preferences. Some have enough power to let every cottage or camp around the lake listen to your favorites, but building a sound system that doesn’t blow out at high volumes and is just as crisp and clear at low volumes is the trick.

Southern Boating provided a review of some of the best marine speakers in the May 2023 issue and to keep the components tuned together, we’re including six stereo receivers, or source units as they’re now known, built to withstand the harsh marine environment and are the centerpiece of the marine audio system. 

Clarion

Clarion’s CMM-30 is a full-featured, NMEA 2000 network-connected, all-in-one, multi-zone source unit that boasts an ultra-modern, weatherproof chassis (IP66-rated), and an ultra-bright, three-inch, full-color LCD display. Add to that the built-in AM/FM with U.S. NOAA weather radio, Radio Broadcast Data System global tuner, Bluetooth 5.0 streaming, auxiliary input and USB connection with iPhone album art support, and SiriusXM capabilities, the CMM-30 has all the functions you need on board. Large controls and an uncluttered interface with big text and backlit buttons make it easier to use when underway, and because it’s NMEA 2000 certified, control functionality is compatible with MFDs from Garmin, Lowrance, Simrad, and more. The CMM-30 offers boaters an excellent variety of must-have features. MSRP $479.99; clarionmarine.com

Garmin Fusion

The world’s first touchscreen marine stereo with the Apple AirPlay 2 software feature and built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, Garmin’s Fusion Apollo RA770 can customize audio profiles for each zone on your boat. Audio streaming with Wi-Fi technology provides high-quality audio with a faster data transfer rate as well as seamless superior streaming from your music app via AirPlay 2. The 4.3-inch touchscreen includes play, pause, and skip functions using touch display commands, and you can control your music from a compatible multifunction display, smart device, or Garmin watch. Built on the True-Marine design philosophy from Fusion, the Apollo RA770 stereo has an IPX6- and IPX7-rated water-resistant front panel and has been tested to a high level of protection against salt fog, temperature, vibration, and UV rays. When it’s connected to an NMEA 2000 network and has an appropriate speed sensor installed, selecting Speed vs. Volume from the stereo’s settings menu enables audio volume to be automatically adjusted based on your boat’s speed. Faster is louder; slower is quieter. Compatible speed sources include speed over ground, speed through water, engine rpm, or wind speed. MSRP $699.99; garmin.com

JBL

The JBL-R4500 from ProSpec Electronics is the face of JBL’s WAKE series of premium audio components. The mechless (meaning it doesn’t have a slot for a disc) source unit receiver features outstanding audiophile performance, and its most striking element is the full-color four-inch LCD screen. The unit has a five-way push-button and rotary controller that makes using the receiver easy, even while underway, and is protected with its IPX7 weatherproof faceplate. A key feature is the NMEA 2000-ready connectivity as playback can be controlled using a multifunction display. It also works with the JBL Click wireless Bluetooth steering wheel controller for key functions to play music from any digital device. Bluetooth BT5.0 with ID streaming allows connectivity up to 100 feet away with an ultra-fast transfer rate.

The built-in amplifier of the JBL-R4500 source unit produces 4 x 55 peak at 4 ohms, and with 2-ohm stability, up to eight 4-ohm speakers can be wired. Able to provide formidable, distortion-free volume to be heard over the roar of engines, it delivers crisp, clear, and accurate sound at standard listening levels. MSRP $449.95; prospecelectronics.com

JL Audio

JL Audio MediaMaster Marine Source Unit is a premium marine stereo receiver that offers advanced connectivity options and NMEA 2000 compatibility. The receiver is specifically engineered to withstand the harsh marine and powersports environment to deliver excellent sound quality. The MM105 is IP66-rated weatherproof and offers oversized controls and a super-bright, full-color, 3.5-inch LCD display, large, easy-to-use backlit controls, and customizable lighting themes for nonstop action day or night. The certified NMEA 2000 connectivity is included for direct integration with vessel networks, allowing control functionality from a variety of multifunction displays, including Garmin, Lowrance, Raymarine, and Simrad. Sound quality is the top priority for JL Audio, and the MM105 is not designed to drive loudspeakers directly, but offers 12 channels of audiophile-quality, preamp level outputs to deliver crystal-clear signals to the amplifier. The signals are setup to create four audio zones each with its own control options for volume, tone, subwoofer output, and volume limits. MSRP $699.99; jlaudio.com

KICKER

The KMC5 Premium Marine Media Center is KICKER’s top-of-the-line source unit that delivers 240 watts peak power to the speakers. More amplifiers will add power to the sound in the front, rear, subwoofer, and Zone-2 RCA outputs. The controller is IP66-rated weatherproof and features a color, non-glare, 3.5-inch LCD screen, Bluetooth, AUX RCA input, USB charging, thumb-drive playback, and a camera/video input operated by a trigger wire or push button. That’s right, an exclusive video input that can configure in a variety of ways, such as a backup camera or for watching skiers and riders. This six-channel unit powers up to 12 speakers and is NMEA 2000 compatible to work with other instruments. It includes an AM/FM/weather-band radio as well as being Sirius XM-ready. MSRP $599.99; kicker.com

Wet Sounds

The latest receiver in the Wet Sounds lineup is the WS-MC-5 with an AM/FM digital tuner, Bluetooth streaming, an auxiliary input, and a 2.7-inch LCD display. Connectivity options let you choose your favorite music through Bluetooth, radio, or Android and iOS devices, and is the perfect choice as an introduction to Wet Sounds’ media center product line. A 50-watt internal power amplifier with four 2-ohm max output drives speakers in the front and rear zones as well as Zone 2 preamp outputs. The front panel-mounted display has day and night illumination with dimming function and an independent secondary zone control for the full range or a subwoofer. It also has front and rear preamp outputs with fading capability. The WS-MC-5 shares the same compact design as the MC-2 which allows it to be the perfect solution for any marine or powersports application. An optional transom remote is in design and will be available soon. MSRP $249.99; shop.wetsounds.com 

-by Jeremy Peters

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Designing Your Custom Dock: The Best Features and Insider Tips

Key considerations and must-have features when designing a custom boat dock

Designing a custom boat dock is an exciting endeavor that allows you to create an inviting and functional space for relaxation, entertainment, and enjoyment of the great outdoors. To ensure a successful outcome, it’s important to take various factors into account, such as materials and safety features, and incorporate essentials that align with your specific needs, like seating arrangements and lighting. It also requires careful consideration and planning.

Location and Water Conditions

Choosing the right location for your boat dock and deciding between floating and fixed construction are crucial. Consider water depth, current patterns, and shoreline characteristics. Assess the water conditions throughout the year to account for fluctuating tides, storms, and wave actions. Understanding these factors will guide the construction of a dock that is stable and durable, providing safe and easy access to your boat.

Size and Layout

The size and layout of your custom boat dock design should be tailored to your specific requirements. Consider the number and size of boats you plan to accommodate, as well as the activities you’ll do. A layout with ample space for maneuvering and storage ensures convenience and enhances safety.

“One of the biggest mistakes we see is making the dock or slips too small,” says Daniel Miller, vice president of operations for Chattanooga Dock Builders in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

“Take the LOA of the largest boat you imagine ever using at the dock and add three to four feet to get the slip length. The extra three to four feet allows for some wiggle room so the swim platform or outboard motor aren’t sticking out of the slip. …Don’t forget to take into account head clearance on the dock and make sure your roof is high enough for bimini tops, wakeboard towers, and lights or antennas to clear.”

Material Selection

Choosing the right materials is important for the longevity and maintenance of your custom boat dock. Consider the climate and maintenance requirements when making your selection.

According to the pros at Duncan Seawall, Dock and Boat Lift, LLC, in Sarasota, Florida, the general rule is to pick high-quality and durable materials to build your dock. Typically, pressure-treated wood is one of the most popular options today. However, you can also experiment with other materials that could offer more benefits. These include:

HDPE: High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is durable and easy to work with since it doesn’t require special tools. HDPE doesn’t absorb water or liquid, meaning it is rot-resistant. This material is best used for the understructure and the actual dock plank. 

Aluminum: Aluminum is a lightweight and long-lasting option for dock-building. Its durability and strength are a couple of reasons why aluminum is a popular option.

Wood: Wood can be an affordable option if you are on a budget. Wood is aesthetically pleasing and easy to work with. However, it requires a lot of maintenance, including annual painting, staining, and replacing rotted or warped wood planks.

“Composite decking is perfect for family docks,” adds Matt Greenfield, a writer for Today’s Homeowner who specializes in home improvement projects. “Homeowners won’t need to worry about water damage, scuffing, or splintering. The wide range of color options that come with composite decking can be a real bonus for homeowners who want their dock to match their home.”

Each material has its pros and cons, including durability, cost, aesthetics, and resistance to weather and water-related damage. 

As for dock pilings, Miller says depending on the application, site condition, and budget, the preferred materials are composites, treated wood, and steel. “Fiberglass rosin pilings like Fortress pilings are a great corrosion and rot-proof option, but typically cost three to four times as much as wood and twice as much as metal,” he says. “Steel pipes, H-beams, or square tube are more frequently used for spud poles or pilings on floating docks. Wood, due to its buoyancy, is not suitable for spud pole anchoring. Spud poles and pilings can be bare steel or hot-dip galvanized. An engineer should be involved in critical structural applications to determine the corrosive conditions at the site and the appropriate metal coating or corrosion allowance. Keep in mind that protective metal coatings can be scraped off during pile driving installation or from repetitive motion of pile guides or sleeves on floating docks.”

Aesthetics and Personalization

Custom boat dock designs can be an extension of your personal style. Consider the aesthetics of the surrounding environment and choose a design that complements it. Add personalized touches such as seating areas, observation decks, or storage compartments to enhance the overall experience. Choose weather-resistant furniture and place it in an area where your view isn’t obstructed. 

Deck lighting is especially important both for aesthetics and safety. Miller recommends motion-activated flood lights with integrated cameras on the corners of the dock to help deter theft. Underwater LED lights can be added for fishing or for that extra wow factor if they are colorful and bright.

“If the dock has a long walkway, it is also advised to install warning lights along the walkway, so boaters don’t try to navigate around the shore side of the warning lights on the dock, thinking it’s another boat, and hit the walkway,” he adds. “Warning lights should be connected to a photocell, so they automatically come on at night. If you incorporate a switch into the warning light wiring, make sure it is clearly marked ‘leave on’ and in an out-of-the-way area so it isn’t accidentally turned off.”

Safety Measures

Speaking of safety, it should be a top priority whencustom designing a boat dock. As well as adequate lighting, other important safety features to incorporate include sturdy handrails and nonslip surfaces. Install bumpers or fenders to protect both the boat and the dock during docking and mooring. Additionally, consider adding ladders or gangways to secure easy access for passengers.

“Keep in mind that docks that are in shallow water may benefit from a safety railing along the walkway to ensure accidental falls into very shallow water close to shore are avoided,” says Greenfield.

Check with your city, county, and state building code authorities for mandatory guidelines regarding dock electrical systems. Electrical shock hazards are one of the major concerns on docks. Keep in mind just because your dock is wired properly there can still be a risk from a neighboring dock or stray current from lines on shore. Miller recommends every dock have a current sensor and alarm device installed.

Incorporate utility options to enhance convenience and functionality. Install power outlets for charging boat batteries and providing electricity for various equipment. Consider adding freshwater lines for cleaning and maintenance purposes. Moreover, ensure accessibility for people with disabilities by integrating ramps or lifts that meet ADA regulations. “Select a high-quality sloped ladder or water stairs, especially if you have guests with physical challenges, elderly, or pets that use the dock,” says Miller.

A well-designed boat dock enhances functionality, safety, and aesthetics. Some may want to take it on as a DIY project, but Miller says when it comes to actually building on the water, it can be a much trickier environment than you would think. “You can’t have your lumber yard just drive up and dump materials on the ground like you can when building a house,” he says. “A professional dock builder will be setup with the knowledge, equipment, and manpower to make your project a success.”

-by Bonnie Schultz

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