St. Pete City Updates include news on the new pier
The new St. Petersburg Pier finishes later this year. The signature view will be a rippling, waving net sculpture inviting all to come by land or by sea.
Called Bending Arc, the wind-blown artwork will be 80 feet high and 425 feet long. Artist Janet Echelman released color sketches of Bending Arc and says it will transmit a message of inclusion “embracing everyone to come to this place.”
Echelman’s works are installed in Australia, Holland, the United Arab Emirates, and other international locations. As a Tampa native, she says a major work in Tampa Bay is like a dream come true.
The St. Petersburg Pier will reach 1,350 feet out over Tampa Bay, and the city forecasts
1.7 million visitors to the new pier each year. To accommodate more boaters, the city
will be installing additional transient vessel space near the pier and as well as full-service
megayacht docks in the Port of St. Petersburg. newstpetepier.com
The new pier district will be a big deal, but it’s only one piece of the Sunshine City’s master plan that includes redesigned waterfront parks. City marinas will add 25 new transient vessel slips, build full-service megayacht docks and install state-of-the-art breakwaters parallel to the pier, marinas, parks, and Port of St. Petersburg.
In September 2014, researchers noticed that certain stony corals along the Florida Reef Tract weren’t doing so well. The Florida Reef Tract stretches approximately 360 miles in an arc along the Florida Keys and southeastern Florida. It’s currently the world’s third largest reef.
In Miami-Dade County, of Virginia Key, corals were showing “small circular or irregular patches of white, exposed skeleton devoid of tissue,” explains Dr. Andy Bruckner, research coordinator for Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. From there, the tissue would slough off, leaving the stark white skeleton exposed until algae colonized it. The disease, he explains, “radiates across the colony and outward.”
Click the image to watch the sad progression of stony coral tissue disease along Florida’s East Coast.
And spread outward it did—the stony coral tissue loss disease has since been found in the Lower Florida Keys.
This spells trouble for the reefs, and for the creatures and people who depend on them. The reefs of the Florida Keys provide food and recreational opportunities for residents and vacationers alike, and they can protect coastal communities since they serve as a buffer for hurricanes and other storms.
Worldwide, coral reefs support approximately 25 percent of all known marine species. Reefs provide homes for more than 4,000 species of fish, 700 species of coral, and thousands of other plants and animals.
The architects of coral reefs are hard corals. Unlike soft corals, hard corals have stony skeletons made out of limestone that are produced by coral polyps. When polyps die, their skeletons are left behind and used as foundations for new polyps. An actual coral branch or mound is composed of layer upon layer of skeletons covered by a thin layer of living polyps.
Scientists believe the disease is likely caused by a bacterial infection carried by currents, but little else is known.
As Joanna Walczak, southeast regional administrator at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection puts it, “this is an all hands on deck situation, requiring an unprecedented effort and response.”
Partners from universities, nonprofits, and government agencies have joined the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to understand the disease and how it can be stopped.
What can we do?
To stop the spread of contamination from one dive site to another, experts have a few recommendations for divers/snorkelers and swimmers.
Dos
Inspect dive gear equipment and remove any debris between each dive
ALWAYS Sanitize non-sensitive gear with a bleach solution
For sensitive gear, wash with copious amounts of fresh water
Move from “healthiest” site to “dirtiest” site
Always decontaminate regulators, gauges and computers
Use a reef-healthy sunscreen
Don’ts
Never leave any debris on dive/snorkel gear
Don’t move from a diseased site to a healthy site
Don’t dispose of disinfectant or waste into the ocean or a storm drain
“This collaborative response effort is vitally important,” says Sarah Fangman, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary superintendent. “The broad knowledge provided by all our partners working together has resulted in the development of a variety of interventions.” Together, these partners hope to develop an effective treatment.
The infamous red tide algae on Florida’s southwest coast has died or moved offshore, so beaches are open to visitors again.
Data gathered during the 2018 event is showing why those blooms originate offshore, when they form and their routes to the shoreline. Researchers dispatched and steered a robotic minisubmarine with sensors that picked up the red tide scent way offshore and then tracked it to the coast. Computer simulations with the new data showed that the spring or summer timing of ocean currents make a big difference.
Typically, offshore loop currents and eddies push up against the West Florida continental shelf in the spring. This causes an upwelling which moves nutrients to the surface. In most years, the red tide algae (Karenia brevis) remains offshore on the bottom and, without a supply of nutrients, remains quiescent.
In 2018, however, Gulf loop currents pushed up against the shelf later than usual, in mid-July, but by then K. brevis cells were already gorging on nutrients and blooming. Ocean
currents and winds then brought the algae to the shoreline. A team led by Dr. Robert Weisberg at the College of Marine Science at the University of South Florida in St. Petersburg has published the findings in the Journal of Geophysical Research.
But below the surface, marine life took a big hit. Snook and redfish, two nearshore gamefishes, are of major concern. Recently, new initiatives were announced to help the cause.
One is Adopt a Snook, a collaboration of Coastal Conservation Association-Florida,
Mote Marine and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
The plan is to raise and release 10,000 juvenile snook into brackish tidal creeks in
2019 and 2020.
To protect stocks and to maximize future spawning success, FWC has extended the
catch-and-release calendar for snook and redfish from Pasco County south to Gordon
Pass near Naples. Until May 11th, anglers in that zone must release all snook and
redfish. After May 11th, redfish regulations return to normal and anglers may keep one
redfish between 18 and 27 inches. The regular fall snook season starts September 1st.
Anglers may keep one snook between 28 and 33 inches until the end of November.
Another initiative directly tackles water quality to benefit all marine life. Sarasota
Bay Watch (SBW) is more than doubling down on planting native clams to help filter out
unwanted nutrients that make algae blooms worse. In 2017 and 2018, SBW volunteers
planted close to 250,000 native clams in Sarasota Bay. Those clams survived the 2018
red tide bloom, giving the nonprofit a green light to proceed with a new, long-term
plan to raise funds, enlist volunteers and plant another one million clams to filter out
unwanted nutrients.
What Happened?
So far, a million pounds of decaying marine life have been disposed of, including hundreds of sea turtles, dozens of dolphins, over 100 manatees, and even a whale shark. A noticeable stench was often present, and many beach-goers fell victim to respiratory stress including breathing difficulties and coughing. And we have red tide to blame for it.
Sludgy blue-green algae invades the shores of Martin County.
What is it?
What exactly is red tide? It’s one-celled algae called Karenia brevis commonly found in the Gulf, and typical blooms (rapid increases in numbers) cause little problem. In high concentrations, however, the algae turn the water a reddish-brown color (hence the name). But because this event has nothing to do with tides, scientists prefer to call it a harmful algal bloom (HAB). Similar situations occur in other areas around the world with a variety of algal species. But this particular HAB is especially noted along the Gulf shores of Florida and Texas and can be extremely harmful.
K. brevis emits a toxin called brevetoxin, and excessive blooms can fill coastal waters with it. Shellfish are immune, but they accumulate the brevetoxin in their bodies, which makes them hazardous to eat. Other aquatic life succumb to the poisonous waters. For people, problems arise through skin irritation and rashes after swimming in it or when, according to Kristie Anders, education director of the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, “Crashing waves turn the toxin into an aerosol which people breathe in.” Those already with chronic respiratory issues are at particular risk. There may even be long-term health effects.
To put numbers on the problem, background concentrations of K. brevis are 1,000 cells per liter of water or less. At concentrations of 5,000, shellfish, if eaten, can cause illness, and harvesting beds are closed. Fish kills and human respiratory problems can start when concentrations of this algae reach 10,000 (still classified as “Low”). This year, levels surpassed one million (“High”) at the coastline. Concentrations some distance offshore are even worse with readings in the tens of millions.
What do the experts say?
Marc Suddleson, program manager of NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science Monitoring and Event Response for Harmful Algal Blooms Research Program, says that the red tide algal blooms typically start in late July, often 10 to 40 miles off the coast. K. brevis can actually move, primarily with the wind and currents. Patches of the algal bloom then drift toward the shoreline where concentrations increase due to the shallower water’s lower salinity and increased nutrient levels, notes Dr. Robert Weisberg, professor and director of the University of South Florida’s Ocean Circulation Group. Occasionally, the blooms “explode,” and that’s when problems occur.
The current event actually began in October 2017. Anders points out that rainfall from Hurricane Irma in September caused nutrient-rich runoff water to flow into the estuaries and mix with offshore waters enough to stimulate a K. brevis bloom. This moved ashore and intensified and by the end of the year, dead fish were reported in Charlotte, Lee and Sarasota counties. Later in the winter, cooler water temperatures blunted the bloom, but with the warmer temperatures of summer, it came back with a vengeance.
The major questions are: What causes the explosive K. brevis blooms, and what can we do to stop them? It is widely believed that the culprit is nutrient pollution from inland agricultural runoff. There is a major push to do something about this.
What does it mean for today?
From anecdotal evidence, we know that red tide events that produce fish kills have been occurring in the Gulf for hundreds of years, even as far back as the 1700s. With limited data, we have no way to compare those events to today. In any case, Suddleson claims that red tide events now seem to start earlier, last longer, occur more frequently, and are more intense. He also adds that nutrient pollution may be a contributing factor but is not a significant factor. In fact, a long-term research project sponsored by NOAA concluded in 2014 that there is no direct link between nutrient pollution and the initiation of red tide.
So, what is the cause?
Algae are very simple, mainly aquatic plants that need sunlight, nutrients in the water and a proper water temperature and salinity, all of which vary with species. Variance in any of these factors can affect algal growth. Clouds of dust which have traveled across the Atlantic from the Sahara Desert can block some light.
Also, if one species of algae blooms earlier, it can block the sunlight from other, slower developing species. Nutrients in the water come from a variety of sources. Anders points out that large phosphate deposits and mines have existed for years in the area around the Peace River, which empties into Charlotte Harbor located north of Ft. Myers, Florida. She also notes that in this rapidly developing region, there are many sources of nutrient pollution, including lawn fertilizers.
Dr. Weisberg has his own theory on red tide events. He believes the Loop Current, which dominates the circulation of the Gulf, varies in exact location. At times, the circulation produces strong upwelling off Florida’s west coast. If this happens in the spring or summer, these nutrient-rich bottom waters feed other types of algae which can then suppress K. brevis. Red tide events occur when K. brevis outcompetes other algae. Using past data on Loop Current position and red tide events, Dr. Weisberg noted a near perfect correlation, and the model is used to predict future outbreaks. Once an event is ongoing, Weisberg’s group sends out forecasts of movement going out for several days
How will we know what’s going on?
In terms of the water itself, one lab-based study showed that the K. brevis algae had an increased growth rate when both the water temperature and carbon dioxide level in the water increased. We know that both of these are occurring. However, Suddleson points out that there is a limit to this and if water temperatures continue to increase, K. brevis may not fare well.
Red tide is monitored closely. NOAA uses satellite observations to detect K. brevis blooms while they are still far offshore. Water samples along the coast are analyzed for the algae’s presence. When an event has developed, NOAA will issue forecasts twice weekly which include actual conditions and expected impacts. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission sends out a weekly Red Tide Status update which includes a forecast done in conjunction with USF.
Although scientists may disagree about the impact of agricultural runoff for red tide but can agree that red tide causes additional problems. Blue-green algae outbreaks and red tide should be controlled. Red tide is an extremely complex problem still being studied for both its cause and the solution, neither of which offers simple answers.
The two sister beaches of Sanibel and Captiva are some of the prettiest in the world.
It’s 7:30 and the sun is already well above the horizon. As I step out onto the dock, an osprey circles above a school of sea trout holding in a nearby channel. There’s a decision to be made now, and I carefully consider my choices: Do I pull up a chair on the bay side with a beautiful view of Pine Island Sound or walk 100 yards to the Gulf shore to see what new seashells have washed up overnight? It’s a tough choice, I know, but I’m happy to have options, which is what the beautiful Floridian isles of Sanibel and Captiva are all about. This morning, I’ll look for shells.
A Likely Pairing
Wedged between Charlotte Harbor to the northeast and Estero Bay to the southeast, Sanibel and Captiva are the largest in a chain of barrier islands that come across as super-tourist yet surprisingly laid back. Relatively long and narrow, they offer easy access to the Gulf of Mexico for serious offshore fishing adventures and open-throttle cruises. At the same time, this is where Florida’s Gulf Coast Intercoastal Waterway (ICW) begins, allowing boaters to tuck inside Pine Island Sound where waters are generally mellow but some routes run shallow. Between these entertaining access routes, Sanibel stretches for roughly 12 miles while Captiva sprawls for another five. Both offer sandy beaches, amazing shelling, fine dining, plus a small-town feel that belies bountiful amenities and provisioning potential.
Historically speaking, Sanibel and Captiva have endured a few weather bumps over the years. A pair of hurricanes tore through here in the 1920s and Hurricane Charlie, a
category four storm, crushed the area in 2004. So bad was the devastation after Charlie that many marinas, resorts, and businesses had to completely rebuild. In doing so,
however, most reset the bar with significant upgrades. The local community also decided to work hard at balancing their tourist-based economy with a deep respect for the
environment. That choice turned out to be a winner as the islands bounced back with a vengeance, their tourism buoyed by the recognition of how big a role access to clean water and abundant wildlife plays in attracting visitors.
Arriving
Getting to both Sanibel and Captiva is fairly straightforward. Both are accessible by land or boat. Since there are no marinas residing seaward on the Gulf front, the vast majority of boaters approach from the ICW in Pine Island Sound. If you’re coming from the open Gulf, however, you can tuck inside to easily reach Sanibel Marina at Point Ybel, or slide through Redfish Pass to reach the marina at South Seas Island Resort on Captiva. Note that Blind Pass, another passage to the ICW, carries a low clearance designation on the charts.
Once on the inside route, Jensen’s Captiva Island Beach and Marina Resorts, McCarthy’s Marina and the marina at ’Tween Waters Inn Island Resort & Spa provide easy access
to Captiva. From any of these, you can walk to the Gulf-side beaches, or grab a cab or bike to reach other destinations. To access Sanibel Island, opt for either Sanibel Marina or
Port Sanibel Marina. While seas are generally mild on the inside approach, be aware that some cuts outside of the main channels have water depths of five feet or less at mean low
water. Thus, if you have a deep-draft vessel you might want to rent something smaller to cruise around after tying up your primary rig. Either way, watch out for manatees, which are plentiful throughout the system.
What we talk about when we talk about leisure
Once settled in, let the fun begin. Outdoors lovers and fitness buffs will absolutely love this area; opportunities to get out and do your thing are not only widely available, they are often enhanced. On Sanibel, for example, you’ll find 25 miles of paved bike paths. Captiva has no official bike routes, but you can cycle the main road from one end to the other, and Cayo Costa State Park, a short boat ride to the north of North Captiva Island, features six miles of wooded biking/hiking trails plus nine miles of open beach for walking and running.
If you would rather stay on the water while getting in a workout, fear not. Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) are widely available. At Sanibel Pilates and Ambu Yoga you can meditate on the beach or try SUP yoga. To tour by paddle power, head over to Adventure Sea Kayaks at ’Tween Waters Inn on Captiva and enter the small cove in Buck Key to find seahorses, jumping mullet and all sorts of bird life. More adventurous paddlers can hook up with Tarpon Bay Explorers at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. There, an hour-and-a-half kayak tour leads through one of the largest
mangrove ecosystems in the country. It is magnificent.
Feel like trying something completely different? Sanibel and Captiva are among the top shelling destinations in the world. What’s shelling, you ask? It’s just as it sounds; you
walk the beach gathering interesting and beautiful seashells. The difference here is that beaches like Bowman’s Beach on Sanibel or Blind Pass (Turner Beach) on Captiva will find
you ankle-deep in shells. More than 250 varieties wait to be discovered here, some of which are exceedingly rare, of scientific significance or even worth a few bucks. A large junonia shell, for example, can bring $150 at a local shell shop; someone finds one nearly every week. When you’ve finished collecting for the day, be sure to check out the
Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum.
Happy as a Clam?
For some shell collectors, the best shell on the beach is not the perfect shell but rather one with a flaw, a little round hole and a true story that goes with it. That clam was murdered in cold blood. The clam was the victim of a carnivorous sea snail, and it wasn’t
a fair fight. The sea snail used its tongue as a secret weapon. The tongue, called a radula, drilled a small, round hole through the clam. Then its multitasking tongue sucked the nutritious life out of that mollusk.
You’re right; it’s a shell-eat-shell world out there. Buried-in-sand bivalves can be
found on all Gulf barrier islands. Pensacola Beach has a lot. Some shell collectors string them up as necklaces. The beaches of Sanibel Island near Fort Myers have shell abundance and variety, including many murdered clams.
Sanibel’s South Florida geography helps. Unlike other barrier islands in this area, Sanibel Island has an east-west beach that traps sought-after shells from southern waters, including the Caribbean.
Anglers, too, have plenty of options in these waters. Sea trout, redfish, and snook abound inside Pine Island Sound. On the Gulf side, tasty tripletail hang near buoy chains, sheepshead surround rock piles, and king mackerel cruise nearshore waters. Offshore, snapper, grouper, mahi, and tuna are on the menu while jack crevalle, summer flounder,
and snook can be caught at most passes. Boca Grande Pass to the north of Cayo Costa is famous for its tarpon run in late April and May. Capt. Ryan Kane at Southern Instinct
Fishing Charters can put you on the fish.
Dining Options Abound
As for dining out, it’s hard to go wrong here. Among dozens of fine eateries, The Lazy Flamingo has restaurants on both Sanibel and Captiva. Catch your own fish and they’ll
cook ’em three different ways. Doc Ford’s Rum Bar also has establishments on both islands. This is a great family retreat with a unique, Caribbean menu. Try the Yucatan Shrimp, with real butter, garlic, mild Columbian chilies, cilantro, spices, and key lime juice. On Sanibel, the upscale Sweet Melissa’s is a heathy choice that sources locally, while the Blue Coyote Supper Club is a golf club bistro serving steaks and other
American fare.
Additional places to dine on Captiva include the romantic Mad Hatter, plus Old Captiva House at the oft-mentioned ’Tween Waters Inn. In addition to great eats, the latter spot
has hermit crab races! There are also five Captiva restaurants on Rossi Lane, just a short stroll from both Jensen’s and McCarthy’s marinas. All are worth a visit.
For dining right on the water, Sanibel-Grandma Dot’s serves up terrific sandwiches and salads in an open-air setting at Sanibel Marina, while the Green Flash on Captiva offers a
nice selection of appetizers and soups, fresh grouper, salmon, Mahi, and tripletail—plus choice ribeye steaks and veal chops.
The best time? Anytime
While Sanibel and Captiva can be enjoyed year-round, March/April and October/November are ideal weather months and therefore see the most visitors. Afternoon thunderstorms are typical in the summer and September is usually the quietest month, but be advised—many of the island’s businesses operate on reduced hours or shut down completely in late summer for renovations and vacation.
Regardless of when or where you tie up in this secluded neck of the woods, you’re in for a rare treat. Sanibel/Captiva isn’t a destination you land on by mistake. It’s a special excursion to be premeditated for sure, but once you’ve arrived, odds are you’ll make the same effort to return over and over again, each time turning over a new leaf—or seashell, as it were.
Glancing at your charts, Sanibel and Captiva might look like nothing more than a couple of big sand spits, but they certainly pack a punch as standout boating destinations. The
townsfolk are friendly, the marinas are professional, and the great outdoors are front and center every day, everywhere. Indeed, there’s no way to fully cover these gems in a single short visit, but as I mentioned at the outset, it sure is nice to have choices.
Cruiser Resources
MARINAS
Jensen’s Captiva Island Beach and Marina
Resorts, Captiva
Vessels up to 40 feet
(239) 472-5800 gocaptiva.com
McCarthy’s Marina, Captiva
Vessels up to 24 feet
(239) 472-5200
Port Sanibel Marina, Sanibel
Vessels up to 65 feet
(239) 437-1660 portsanibelmarina.com
Sanibel Marina, Sanibel
Vessels up to 100 feet
(239) 215-2445 sanibelmarina.com
‘Tween Waters Inn Island Resort & Spa, Captiva
Vessels up to 130 feet
(239) 472-5161 tween-waters.com
The Jupiter 43 SF was designed to take the best fishing elements of a sportfish and blend them with the best features of a center console.
After a first glimpse of the pre-production version at the 2018 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, Jupiter launches its 43 SF in Miami as the newest production model. With a “fish first” design emphasis, the fully customizable center console was developed to blend the best fishing elements of a top sportfisherman and a center console. Performance is also a priority. The company’s trademark hull design creates a stern lift that increases efficiency and speed yet offers a smooth ride.
The port and starboard dive doors with removable ladder are a nice standard feature is. A Seakeeper gyrostabilizer is optional.
A fuel capacity of 602 usable gallons offers an excellent range. She cruises at a comfortable 40-plus mph. The Jupiter 43 SF tops out at 60-plus mph with quad Yamaha F350 outboards.
Westport Yachts 112 and 125 will debut at the Miami Yacht Show in 2018.
The Westport Yachts’ 112 features a wide 23’9″ beam (111’8″ LOA) that creates a dramatically open and spacious salon further enhanced by expanses of view windows. An elegant dining area allows formal meal service for eight, plus four spacious staterooms to accommodate eight owners and guests.
Powered by twin MTU 16V2000 engines, she cruises 2500 nm at 12 knots and has a top speed of 25 knots. Also at the show, the Westport 125 raised pilothouse motoryacht (125′ LOA, 26’2″ beam) is powered by twin MTU 16V2000 engines and tops out at 25 knots.
The 125 sleeps 10 guests in five staterooms, including a full-beam master stateroom on the main deck forward with his-and-her baths and wardrobe closets.
The Schaefer 400 (40’2″ LOA, 12’7″ beam) features a hardtop that opens to the sky. A generous deck with dining space strengthens Schaefer Yachts’ tradition of maximizing the external space. With the lofty ceilings of the cabins, the 400 offers comfort and refinement.
The Schaeffer 400 has a top speed of 35 knots, cruises at 25 knots and has a range of 174 nm. Designer Marcio Schaefer will be on hand in Miami to personally answer questions and says his most notable design accomplishment is that he designed these boats to best accommodate the captain.
The Ranger Tugs R-27 (31’4″ LOA, 8’6″ beam) is outfitted to cruise, fish, and play in comfort and style. Powered by a single Yamaha F300 outboard motor, the new R-27 allows for more cruising in less time. The R-27 is equipped with the Garmin 7612 chart plotter, solar panel, bow thruster, LED lighting, private stateroom, enclosed head with shower, full galley with propane stove and refrigerator/ freezer, outdoor electric grill, and sink, ice box, and concealed ski tow.
The curved front windshield and overhead glass atrium provide beautiful 360-degree views and generous light throughout the salon. Open the aft glass bulkhead in tandem with any of the hatches, windows, or port lights to deliver a fresh breeze throughout the cabin. Chefs will be delighted to cook in the full galley or to simply grill on the removable electric Kenyon grill.
The Pursuit DC 365 (37’11” LOA, 12′ beam) features instrumentation and controls at the
helm that are ergonomically engineered. An optional Garmin electronics suite makes the DC 365 a joy to operate. The cabin is easily accessible with a single-piece fiberglass door and features solid wood accents with modern finishes, a forward berth, and a comfortable aft berth. You can overnight in your favorite cove with essential amenities including A/C, standup head, and microwave.
Other features include a large tempered-glass windshield with a walkthrough, wide pathways from bow to stern and plenty of large storage compartments to hold dive tanks, a portable cooler and fishing rods. Powered by triple Yamaha F300s, the DC 365 delivers a top-end speed of 50-plus mph while cruising at approximately 35 mph. Expect to get 1.0 MPG under normal operating conditions.
Viking Yachts debuts two models: the 68 Convertible (68’7″ LOA, 19’2″ beam) and the 44 Convertible (45’1″ LOA, 16’4″ beam). The 68 C is a four-stateroom, blue-water convertible with advanced propulsion and boat control technologies. The 68 C is designed and engineered to function equally as well as a tournament ready offshore runner and a cruising yacht. The optional Seakeeper gyro stabilizer heightens the level of comfort, and anglers do battle in a 176-square foot cockpit, guests watch from an air-conditioned mezzanine. Running on Viking’s proven hull shape with a 12.1-degree transom deadrise, she has a 35-knot cruising speed and a top end approaching 40-plus knots.
Also new, the two-stateroom 44 C features a raked bow, sloping sheer and swept-back deckhouse with a black-masked windshield. With nearly six feet of freeboard, the 44 C’s bow shoulders aside the seas with ease. The boat’s wave-slicing entry gradually flattens moving aft where the deadrise provides lift and support for exceptional performance. The chines and strakes knock down spray, but also contribute to lift and stability.
The Fairline Targa 63 GT (LOA 65’4″ beam 17’2″) features the combination of Italian styling, rigorous and proven naval architecture by renowned Dutch firm Vripack and the handcrafted, made-in-Great-Britain quality of Fairline’s skilled craftsmen.
The Fairline Targa 63 GT is powered by twin Caterpillar C18 shaft-driven engines and promises a top speed of 31 knots, with a cruising speed of 27 knots at a range of 300 nm. The GT variant features an extended salon for those where a light and spacious interior space is paramount. The boat features a fully glazed panoramic roof and a large sliding, glazed sunroof adding to the overall sense of space and light.
See the Cheoy Lee Bravo 72 at MYS. The Bravo 72 (72′ LOA, 19’10” beam) is a blend of the top technologies found in the marine industry. Owners will appreciate the spacious layout inside with four staterooms. There is also ample deck space with an oversized, covered flybridge. Outstanding performance and fuel efficiency is a result of an optimized hull design combined with latest Volvo Penta IPS technology, advanced composite hull structure, and lightweight, honeycomb-cored interior.
Technology additions continue with a Kohler Decision-Maker 3500 auto-parallel twin-generator system providing 46kW of power automatically when required. The Volvo Penta IPS 1050 power package drives the Bravo 72 to a top speed of 28 knots, with a cruising speed of 22 knots and a 453-nm range.
The new Cruisers 42 Cantius (43’2″ LOA, 13’8″ beam) is a coupe-style yacht crafted in the USA. The main deck is designed on a single level to have the cockpit, galley and salon become one when the large sliding door is open. The barbecue/wet bar area is situated at the transom to allow for a full-beam cockpit area with L-shaped seating.
At the helm, 360-degree visibility is excellent. The accommodations deck features two open (master-like) staterooms. Each has a spacious, private head with stall shower. Standard power in the 42 Cantius is Volvo Penta IPS 500 with the option to upgrade to IPS 600. Top speed with IPS 500 engines is 30 knots.
Scout Boats introduces two new models 355 LXF and 235 XSF.
The Miami Boat Shows mark the debut of the 355 LXF (34’11” LOA, 10’9″ beam) and the 235 XSF (23’8″ LOA, 8’6″ beam). The 355 LXF is built on Scout’s epoxy-infused, double-stepped, fuel-efficient hull. With triple Yamaha 300-hp outboard engines, the cruising speed is in the mid-30 mph range, while the top speed is in the mid 60-mph range. Built to accommodate a Seakeeper 3DC gyro stabilizer, the model also showcases optional hardtop-mounted solar panels that provide a trickle charge to the batteries.
The 235 XSF runs to a top speed in the mid 50-mph range and a cruising speed in the low 30-mph range when powered by a 250-hp outboard engine. One notable feature is that Scout did away with the splash well at the transom by extending the outboard shaft allowing for a level platform across the entire swim platform. The model offers a standard powder-coated T-top hardtop with LED spreader lights fore and aft, and a fully integrated windshield.
The Outer Reef Yachts 700 Motoryacht (71’6″ LOA, 18’6″ beam) features handling that is effortless for any owner/operator. She cruises from 9 to 18 knots, and has a top speed of 13 to 22 knots, depending on the propulsion package.
The Outer Reef Yachts 700 is a part of an award-winning motoryacht series with classic style, exhilarating performance and the largest flybridge and boat deck of any yacht in her class. The panoramic windows of the main salon provide inspiring views, just steps away from an expansive swim platform.
