Sunreef 70 Powercat

Sunreef Yachts in Gdansk, Poland, recently launched its first powercat, a resin-infused 70-footer.

According to the builder, this catamaran can be powered by twin 870-hp diesels engines, which should help the vessel top out at 30 knots (34.5 mph). However, if you're into long-range cruising, the 70 can also be outfitted with smaller 370-hp diesels, which provide a cruise speed of 12 knots(13.8 mph). Her range at 15 knots is said to be 4,000 NM.

This cruiser sports more than 500 square feet of living space as well as a sizable flying bridge, which, in addition to an upper helm (there's a lower helm, too), offers areas for lounging and dining. The cockpit is the centerpiece of the 70's entertaining space with 320 square feet of party platform.

There's also a lounge with a bar, and a staircase leads to the galley and guest cabins within the hulls.

Not Niagra, But Close

Last December in our annual Destinations section, I wrote about how nothing compares to New York City. Well, if you need further proof, there are four manmade waterfalls around town that you really can't appreciate unless you get up close to them by boat.

That's what I did Sunday; I took the photo here of the waterfall beneath the Brooklyn Bridge. The other three are west of the Brooklyn Heights promenade in Brooklyn, just north of the Manhattan Bridge in Manhattan, and at Governor's Island (near the Statue of Liberty). They're actually an art exhibit, and the water is pumped straight from the East River, cascading 90 to 120 feet back down into the river.

To learn about the art project, which runs through October, click here. You can visit them day or night; I definitely plan to go back at night to take more pictures, since they're lit up. If you live and boat in this area, make The Waterfalls a must-see. If you'll be visiting The Big Apple but without your boat, never fear; you can charter a boat from Surfside 3 marina in the Chelsea neighborhood.

In the Middle of Nowhere

Tired of fighting crowds of boats at the local anchorage or waterfront pub? Want to really get away from it all? Then do what I did and head for The Sea of Cortez. The Moorings has a base in La Paz, at the southern end of the Sea from which you can charter--bareboat or captained—a very well-equipped 44-foot power catamaran. The scenery is unbelievably striking, like a lunar landscape surrounded by the bluest water you can imagine. And there's virtually no other boats there.

To give you some idea of just how untouched this area is, check out this video. I shot it from the top of a tiny islet called Isla Coyote (excuse the feet), on which 20 to 30 fishermen somehow live. How's that for an unspoiled vista? Right at the beginning you'll see a small, white building. That's the island's church. Right after that you'll get a quick look at our charter boat off in the distance, and then at the end you'll see a small outboard-powered panga. It belongs to the fishermen, who are headed out to get us a lobster. The cost? About $10 for a 12-pounder.

Look for a feature story with lots of photos in the July issue of PMY.

Desirable Destination

It's always a thrill to receive a letter from a reader when he/she likes something you've written. This morning I had just that experience when Mark Allen of the Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May, New Jersey, e-mailed me to say how much he enjoyed my November "Megayachts" column, in which I urge yacht owners to expand their horizons and explore places other than the same spots they go to year after year.

Here's what Mark had to say:

We’ve been actively trying to entice the larger motor yachts to visit our marina here in Cape May for the past couple of years. We can handle up to three in the 110’ range at one time and have plenty of water underneath. And we have a great town for both crews and owners as well as a year-round service facility at our nearby sister marina.

But we can’t seem to get the "desirable destination" message out.

Consider the word out, Mark. As for you yacht owners: Consider yourselves educated. Being a Jersey girl, I can attest to how beautiful Cape May is. A few of our other editors have been there, too. And if any of you have, feel free to share your knowledge here.

Cruise With a President

Well, sort of. This Friday marks the first of a few opportunities that wine enthusiasts will get to experience cruising aboard the famous Presidential yacht Potomac.

The "Floating White House," as the yacht has been nicknamed for some time, has hosted San Francisco Harbor tours and special events for a few years. But she's no dinner cruises ship; she's a registered National Historic Landmark and maintained as a memorial to FDR, who entertained dignitaries and family alike onboard.

The wine tasting, called the Foggy Bridge Wine Cruise, will showcase selections from northern and central California, but of course still allowing attendees to learn about the yacht. The Foggy Bridge Web site, mindful that some people may never have been aboard a boat, wisely states that everyone should wear proper shoes and even adds, "dress as if you are having Sunday brunch with the President on his yacht."

If you can't make the cruise, you can learn more about Potomac by picking up a copy of the November issue of Power & Motoryacht, which hits mailboxes and newsstands in mid-October. Potomac is included in our annual exclusive feature "America's 100 Largest Yachts."

Pledge Per Paddle

Some people canoe or kayak for fun—but Margo Pellegrino is doing it for her children’s future.

Pellegrino, a New Jersey mom of two, is in the midst of an 11-week, Miami-to-Maine trip in a 20-foot-long kayak. Her goal is to raise money for groups trying to solve coastal environmental problems, including the Surfrider Foundation, Oceana, and the Mordecai Island Land Trust. She’s been an active canoer and kayaker since she was a preteen, but the birth of her children, ages five and two, as well as some articles about our collapsing fisheries refocused her concern about what we’re doing to our nation’s waterways. “My kids have inspired me,” she told New Jersey Monthly recently. “There’s no way that they will be able to enjoy a healthy ocean, clean beaches, and an abundance of seafood if we continue to degrade the ocean at the rate we’re going. Like any parent, I want what’s best for them.”

Paddling an average of 25 to 35 miles per day, Pellegrino is subsisting on energy bars and water packs stowed aboard her 18-inch-wide craft, but she’s also enjoying normal meals and some good nights’ rest at the homes of sponsors and other supporters along the route.

You can track her current position, read about her progress, and donate to her cause via her Maimi2Maine blog.

Hungry? Dock and Dine!

Imagine the following scenario: You've been out all day on your boat having a great time, when you start to get hungry. Naturally you head below decks to grab something from your galley’s fridge, only to discover there’s some cheese you probably should have thrown out last weekend and a couple of bottles of flat soda. There’s still a bag of unopened Doritos, but that’s just not gonna cut it. What do you do?

Never fear, Discover Boating is here! The program, a national awareness campaign created by the National Marine Manufacturers Association to promote boating, surveyed boaters and on-the-water dining enthusiasts to come up with a Top 10 list of dock-and-dine spots:

1. Bali Hai Restaurant, San Diego, CA. The South Pacific meets Southern California, complete with Mai Tai cocktails (only for your guests if you’re driving, of course).

2. Captain Dave’s Dockside Restaurant, Murrells Inlet, SC. Regional favorites like Low Country Shrimp & Grits have been keeping people coming back since 1975.

3. Carrol’s Creek, Annapolis, MD. Right on Chesapeake Bay, serving up Maryland Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes—what could be better?

4. Cousino’s Navy Bistro, Toledo, OH. On the Maumee River, the restaurant ages its own steaks. You can dock at The Docks, a “parking lot” serving Cousino’s and other waterfront spots.

5. Dockside Restaurant, Wilmington, NC. After you’re done eating seafood and Southern dishes, you can “feed” your boat, as the restaurant is at Dockside Marina, which offers fuel.

6. Finz Waterfront Grille, Stuart, FL. Twenty-three boats can fit at Finz’s dock. Make sure you pull in for the weekend “deck jams” and order the Tilapia Imperial.

7. Flatwater, Chicago, IL. Fusion cuisine featuring Asian, Spanish, and Indian flavors, in the shadows of the Windy City’s skyscrapers.

8. Rafferty’s Dockside Restaurant, Muskegon, MI. Yachts to 70 feet can tie up here. Dishes include Pretzel Crumb Walleye.

9. Rockafeller’s, Virginia Beach, VA. A private dock can accommodate you, but call the restaurant at least two days in advance to make sure you can get a spot. The grilled tuna is back on the menu due to popular demand.

10. Waterway Café, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. No time to stop? Radio in a pick-up order for Rajun Cajun Pasta or other dishes.

Have you been to any of these places? Tell us about your experience—or about your own favorite dock-and-dine spot.

Downeast Diva

Hard by Maine's Somes Sound, John Williams Boat Company is one of several Mount Desert Island boatbuilders featured in the May 2007 PMY article “Boatbuilding, Downeast Style.” As the image above shows, the builder’s latest launch, Survivor, is a looker; she’s a Stanley 36, named for its designer Lyford Stanley. Her exterior is reminiscent of a lobster boat but with lots of teak: teak pilothouse sides, a teak trunk cabin, and teak grab rails on the pilothouse and foredeck all compliment her black hull. Also note the teak butterfly hatch on the foredeck.

She’s powered by a single 440-hp Yamnar diesel mated to an Evolution Company marine shaft system; according to Williams boat company, she's reportedly capable of a 18-knot (20.7 mph) cruise speed and a top end of 22 knots (25.3 mph). More info on Survivor is available on the company's Web site.

Boat Insurance Demystified

Stories of the sea are often deal with myths: Atlantis, the Bermuda Triangle, Moby Dick (although the Melville novel is based on a true, tragic event), and the yarn that many fisherman like to spin, the one that got away. Recently, Progressive Insurance surveyed more than 1,000 boat owners and found out that one of most wide reaching, on-the-water myths that many boaters share is about their boat insurance.

Some of these myths are the most basic, requiring policyholders to read the fine print on their policies:

“Our survey shows that many boaters aren’t aware of insurance coverage limitations, especially when it comes to location,” says Progressive’s boat product manager Dominic Mediate. “Some boat insurers define navigation limits on a policy, so it’s important for all boaters to clarify this with their insurance companies,” he adds.

Some other common myths among boaters that Progressive’s surveys revealed are:

•Boaters throughout the entire U.S. are NOT paying higher insurance premiums because of hurricanes. According to the survey, 74 percent believe that all boaters are paying more due to recent, damaging hurricanes.

•Homeowners insurance cannot offer the same protection policy that specialty boat insurance can. One-third of those surveyed (33 percent) mistakenly believe that by adding their boat as an endorsement on their homeowners policy, they would be covered no matter what occurs.

•Bundling policies don’t necessarily mean better rates. While 45 percent of those polled felt that this was the case (and it may be for them) it has been shown that shopping around can lead to better rates.

With dockage at a premium in many areas of the country and the hurricane season approaching, are you properly covered this season? Have you seen your boat insurance rates go up? Stay the same? Let us know here.

Your Boat Tips Wanted. Prizes Offered!

The smiling man you see above is Capt. Joe Barbara with his new Edson PowerKnob. Barbara was photographed by his wife at the helm of his 38-foot Ronin Sportfish just off Manalapan, Florida. He was the winner of Power & Motoryacht's monthly Tip of the Month Contest last February for recommending the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser as “the best small detail a boater needs to keep aboard.”

Want a chance to win this great product? Post your best tips here and send them to jeffrey.moser@primedia.com today.

President Sarkozy Goes Yachting

Remember the old TV commercials after the Olympics and other big sporting events where an unseen interviewer would ask the star atheletes, "Now that you've won, where are you gonna go?" to which the response was always, "I'm going to Disney World!" Well, with all due respect to the Mouse House, these superstars may want to rethink their vacation destination by borrowing a page from the newly elected French president. Nicolas Sarkozy flew to Malta this week to cruise aboard the charter yacht Paloma, a classic canoe-stern beauty. The 198-footer, one of the world's largest private yachts, was built in 1965 and extensively refitted in 2003 and 2004. Wonder if he and his family will put the karaoke system or waterskis to good use?

A "Yacht" of Fun in the Sun

Here's your first look at Sun Chaser, a 142-footer delivered by Richmond Yachts a few months ago. True to her name, she's been heading for horizons all over the place: Cabo San Lucas in Mexico (where Neil Rabinowitz photographed her for us), the famed Atlantis resort in the Bahamas, and the States' own megayacht mecca, Fort Lauderdale. And that's just since January.

With exterior styling by Ward Setzer, and in com-
pliance with both ABS class and the MCA Code, Sun Chaser has been chased after, too—in a good way. In fact, we're told that during her stay at Atlantis, in one day alone three people inquired about which yard had built her and wanted further details about the British Columbia-based Richmond, which has delivered three yachts to date and has two more under construction.

As for this 142-
footer, she features six staterooms, including a bridge-deck VIP. The master is on the main deck and two feet longer than the same stateroom aboard Richmond's 138-footers. Neither Sun Chaser's owner, a businessman from Arizona, nor his guests need to venture to their staterooms to freshen up if they're enjoying the Jacuzzi or the half-moon shape bar on the flying bridge (which Richmond aptly also calls a spa deck), as there's a day head up here. And the crewmember serving drinks need not trek all over the deck, either, as the bar is conveniently nestled between the Jacuzzi and a handful of stools.

Expect Sun Chaser to keep fulfilling her name—and to be one of the stars in our upcoming 2008 Megayachts of the Year calendar. As for Richmond, expect to see another 142 splash this August. We'll have a story on that yacht in the pages of Power & Motoryacht.

Poker Run Fun

When my parents bought a vacation home in Punta Gorda, Florida, about 20 years ago, the place was so sleepy that the residents practically rolled up the sidewalks at 8 p.m., and Dad's 21-foot Sea Ox could smoke most of the boats cruising past Fisherman's Village, a collection of shops, restaurants, and slips within walking distance of my parents' place. Times have changed dramatically since then, and my visit this past weekend underscored just how much. A poker run, complete with chase helicopter, came to town, with several dozen speedsters built by Cigarette, Fountain, Donzi, and others throwing roostertails that proved they took full advantage of the relaxed speed rules in the channel (raised to 80 mph). While they stopped at Fisherman's Village just long enough to refuel and enjoy lunch, it was long enough for me to snap some shots. Enjoy!

In a Blue Mood

These beautiful (or should I say blue-tiful?) shots are of the 110-foot charter yacht Island Time, which was just fitted with underwater lights from OceanLED. To be specific, she features 33 of the company's Super Blue lights, which work to great effect. The owners of Island Time (who also happen to crew her) can now do what lots of other boaters do with underwater lights: marvel over the masses of fish that'll be attracted at night, or simply set a cool mood.

Rounding Cape Horn, Part Deux

Talk about adventures in cruising...

Nordhavn announced this morning that, last week, the Nordahvn 57 Ice Dancer became the company's second vessel to successfully round Cape Horn, the southernmost tip of South America. The news comes just three weeks after the Nordhavn 46 Egret did the same—the first-ever Nordhavn to do so.

Due to the challenges posed by strong winds and currents, icebergs, and large waves, few production boats make it to Cape Horn, according to Nordhavn. And, interestingly, rounding Good Horn was not something that the crew on either vessel had intended to do; in fact, it was an afterthought for Egret's crew who, while cruising South America from the Med, fell so in love with the area that they decided to postpone cruising to their final destination of New Zealand in favor of exploring the region further. "We simply can't leave this last unspoiled cruising area...without spending time here," the owner said.

Is Cape Horn the next hot cruising ground? That remains to be seen, but Nordhavn's Jim Leishman sure thinks so. "A fabulous cruising ground awaits those inclined and equipped with the right vessel," he said, adding, "I think next year we'll see our boats in Antarctica."

Stay tuned...