The Vicem Yachts Cruiser 67 is built in Turkey in the epicenter of boat construction near Istanbul. Several positive things result from that concentration of builders including an abundance of skilled old-school joinery workers. Take a look at the inset image above: The three diagonal planks have West System epoxy between them and on the outside. They will then be covered with a sheet of fiberglass and more epoxy to create what is arguably the strongest hull in class.

Advantages of cold-molding over fiberglass hulls are numerous: 1) The strength-to-weight ratio is better; 2) It is far more puncture-resistant; 3) It deadens the slap-slap-slap sound when running; 4) It insulates the boat from cold water better; 5) Hulls are stiffer and don’t need as many stringers, among other things. Vicem uses mahogany wood from managed forests. See our video to learn about this boat and the build process. More...  

The crew at Palm Beach has tested its PB70 flagship with three different engine packages, all using the Volvo Penta D-13 engine. The 900-hp IPS pod drives come standard. The 1,000-hp IPS drives and 1,000-hp straight shaft systems are optional. Since no one drives at top speed and best cruising speed depends on the conditions, look at range at 21 knots, which is a reasonable compromise between range and speed. 

The PB70 has a 1,585 gal. (6,000 L) fuel capacity. At 21 knots, the PB70 has a range of 840 nautical miles with the 900-hp IPS and the straight-shaft 1,000-hp D-13 engines, according to the builder. At 21 knots, she covers 969 NM with the 1,000-hp IPS, says Palm Beach. All ranges are given with a 10% fuel reserve built-in. The 1,000-hp IPS also goes the fastest at 34.4 knots, compared to 33 knots for the other two systems. 

The twin 1,000-hp Volvo Penta inboards with a Twin Disc joystick that linked control of the engines with the bow and stern thrusters give the boat the same maneuverability as the pod drives. Palm Beach CEO Mark Richards tells us that the pods actually cost more than the engines themselves. We should add that the repair costs after a severe grounding should be far less with straight shafts and it is easier to carry a set of spare props. 

To see our test of the Palm Beach 70, click here...

When offshore anglers first approached Fountain Powerboats founder Reggie Fountain II about building center consoles like the 38LS, it wasn’t because they wanted the fastest boat. They were more interested in the efficiency they were hearing about with his offshore performance boats and their twin-stepped Positive Lift bottom design. Our test boat topped out at 75.7 mph with triple 400-hp Mercury Verado outboards. Equally impressive, she got 1.3 mpg at 4000 and 4500 rpm, giving her a range of 503 miles at the latter and 492 at the former. More...  

When Boston Whaler replaced the 220 Outrage with the 230, one of the first things we noticed was the feeling of more interior space. Whaler pushed the coamings farther out, creating the added real estate. The cockpit measured 3’5” (1.04 m) by 6’4” (1.9 m) and there’s an easily deployed bench seat that folds in from the stern. The backrest for the leaning post has an adjustable backrest that can actually be lowered to convert the seat to aft-facing, which is rare in class. More...  

Riviera Yachts started the Belize series for experienced yacht owner/operators and the 66 Daybridge is the line’s flagship. She handles like a performance boat and exhibits meticulous attention to detail throughout. She is a bespoke experience from bow to stern. She’s a long-range motoryacht with a tender garage, dual-cockpit control stations and optional crew quarters. We’d like to say that she’s a jewel, but that sounds too much like smoke, so serious buyers should see our video and decide accordingly. More...  

In a tough sea, the way a small boat is handled can make the difference between capsizing and just getting soaking wet. Each sea condition needs to be approached appropriately. A captain must remain alert, focused, be confident and think ahead. That being said, we offer the following tips for running in rough weather. More...  

The new BlueNav BlueSpin system could be a solution for an owner that wants to add part-time electric propulsion without having to do major modifications to his/her boat. BlueSpin is a self-contained retractable electric motor that can be added to many boats with little or no structural work required. Once installed, it lets the pilot switch from fossil fuel to electric propulsion at the touch of a button. More...  

There are many situations where trim tabs can help a boat. For example, as she slows from maximum speed, she begins to settle at the stern or “squat,” creating an inefficient, untrimmed condition. But that's just the beginning. More...  

A veteran cruiser and DIYer decided to replace the batteries in his 2006 Nordic Tug 54. The existing six-volt Lifeline AGM batteries were strung in a series/parallel network giving a usable capacity of 220 amps at 24 volts. He replaced them with Trojan T105-AGM units. When he hooked up the new batteries he got a spark — which should not have happened. Join us as the author troubleshoots the problem.

More...  

For many cruisers, self-reliance is a mantra that applies to system repairs, food supplies and health care. One would think that installing a device that magically takes the foulest water and makes it pure would be complicated. Not. Find out all you need to know here. More...  

Are you tired of a beginners' boat club? Sick of waiting for a flat-calm day to be able to go outside and having to come back almost as soon as you get to the beach to beat the four-hour alarm bell? It sounds like it’s about time to step up to a premium boat and a “like-ownership” boating experience. Want to raft up with friends at a sand bar on a quiet Sunday or go out 50 miles to the grouper grounds? Go when you want in a boat you can be proud of. More...