January 11, 2011
Grand Banks 41 Heritage EU
For more than half a century, Grand Banks has delivered salty looks, spacious accommodations and impressive fuel economy to cruisers through its line of trawler yachts. The new Grand Banks 41 Heritage EU is powered by Cummins MerCruiser Zeus pod drives and while all the traditional virtues are there in spades, this yacht has gained a whole new level of performance and economy.
December 30, 2010
Buzzards Bay 33
We were pacing along side a nice new deep vee express cruiser heading deep into Halifax harbour. We were making an easy pace for the water conditions but the express cruiser was dragging a huge wake with its bow way up. The Buzzard's Bay 33, at the same speed, was leaving a wake like a 14-foot aluminum boat would with two fishermen aboard.
December 24, 2010
PDQ 41
While this yacht may not have been designed to suite every taste, long range cruisers and live-aboard couples have taken to the PDQ 41 Power Catamaran with enthusiasm. This Canadian-made cat hails from the Whitby area in Ontario but PDQ cats have found loving homes in harbours around the world.
December 20, 2010
Sea Ray 330 Sundancer
The big guy blasts it out of the park. When you are the big guy like Sea Ray is, the world expects a lot and luckily, the new 330 Sundancer is a home run, with plenty of "big boat" features packed into a size that is affordable and manageable. By manageable, we mean that this is a boat that is both easy to handle around the docks and at the bank.
December 15, 2010
Sea Ray 350 Sundancer
It is a brilliant move on Sea Ray's part to make its 350 Sundancer standard with the new Axius 360 Control Propulsion System. It's just what owners want and having Axius really sets this boat apart from earlier models from before the introduction of Axius Joystick manoeuvering.
November 3, 2010
Restoring Darling
The air in O’Rourke’s Boat Repairs on Penetang Bay is thick with white dust. A grinder churns across the fly bridge, spewing showers of tiny particles in its wake. Raw fingers of fiberglass cloth protrude from the bare hull. The rear deck plates have been removed revealing decades of grime, unfinished surfaces and the skeletal stringers.
June 23, 2010
60′ QuadZeus.com
I don't remember the last time Canadian Yachting reported on a big yacht that was just in the development stages but that's exactly what our QuadZeus.com test boat is – an experiment by the Cummins MerCruiser people to showcase a Quad Zeus installation. It features four Cummins QSC 8.3 600 HP high tech diesel engines with ZF Zeus pod drives that push this big sport fishing yacht.
June 18, 2010
Grady-White 330 Express
Here is an express cruiser that may stimulate the rethinking of what a cruiser could be here in Canada. Saltwater fishermen in the US are quite prepared to spend big money for sportfishing boats but these rigs are less common in Canada. We've got excellent fishing in the Great Lakes as well as along our coasts, so the Grady-White 330 Express will be attractive to people who are into fishing, but we think the Grady-White 330 Express represents a whole cruising lifestyle alternative.
June 14, 2010
Chaparral Signature 350 EC
The jet black hull sides of our Chaparral test boat were impressively free from ripples or imperfections which is a hallmark of a well-built fiberglass boat; the black color minimizes the height while the white decking which sweeps up from the swim platform and arches towards the bow gives the boat a racy appearance.
May 26, 2010
Rinker 330 EC
Rinker Boats are part of the Nautic Global Group of boat companies and Rinker has a history that dates back to 1945. Their latest line of express cruisers is right up to date and our Rinker 330 EC test boat offers a compelling value proposition. The 330 EC is, in fact, 35'8" long on an 11'4" beam. The deep vee hull has 18 degrees of deadrise for a soft ride. It is a conventional mid-cabin express cruiser but Rinker has added some appealing new features to boost your enjoyment onboard.
May 21, 2010
Marquis 40SC
You can tell what time of day it is perfectly well with a Timex. So why do so many people wish that they owned a Rolex? It's the same kind of comparison you might make between the Marquis 40SC and any other 40-footer that's on the market today. Italy's Nuvolari Leonard designed the Marquis 40SC and it combines genuine, cutting edge European flair with American-style muscle to produce a boat that is breathtaking both visually and in terms of its performance.
May 19, 2010
Sea Sonic 270 Centaur
Power and elegance has always been a winning combination when it comes to building a boat that people will walk down the dock to take a second look at. This is exactly what British Columbian craftsman, Chris Casparis, has achieved with the 28-foot, Sea Sonic Centaur – a boat that people actually do walk down the dock to see and take pictures of at boat shows and launch ramps around Okanagan Lake.
May 12, 2010
Larson 370 Day Cruiser
As soon as we stepped into the cabin of the Larson 370 Day Cruiser, we knew we had found something special. There are quite a few express cruisers out there, especially in the 30-40 foot range. Frankly, the competition is fierce so it's refreshing – even surprising – to see somebody take an all whole new approach to cruising boats, but Larson has done that with this boat.
April 30, 2010
Campion Explorer 822
I confess that I rarely go out fishing. It's not my thing. So, you may be surprised that I am so pumped about what is basically a fishing boat. What excites me about the Campion Explorer 822 is that it is so much more than just a fishing boat that it literally changes my reality on cruising. Honestly, this boat could make me fall in love with fishing!
February 23, 2010
The Whaly – Functional, Practical and Affordable
Long time family friend Tom Wharton and his Partner the well respected yachtsman Heider Funck recently invited me to join them and TSCC's director of sailing Brian McLennan to test their new boat being imported into Canada. On an overcast rainy day they introduced me to the Whaly and despite its different utilitarian look it's a winner for anyone running a sailing program or requiring a functional rugged boat. I think their goal was to get this old racing sailor hooked on their new boat and to that end they have a new disciple. I wish I had one of these when I was instructing rather than the old heavy boats we had back then that tended to be more a liability than a tool…
November 14, 2009
Sabre 38 Hardtop Express
One glance tells you this is a traditional looking, down-east yacht; the kind you see around Cape Cod or Annapolis. The bow cuts gracefully through the water and it looks smooth and comfortable…but probably not fast. Wrong. We maxed out at 38 mph which is really cooking along for a 38-footer.
November 14, 2009
Regal Window Express 3360
I was looking forward to my test day with the Regal Window Express 3360 after seeing the photos. Finally, somebody has added some cabin windows to an express cruiser! Express cruisers are popular because they are good-looking, cost-effective and provide a lot of accommodation, but I'm a traditional guy and I like to see some windows in the cabin. It's summer and I'm out on the boat for heaven's sake! I want sunlight. Styling is always subjective but for my taste, Regal has done a brilliant job of making this boat both handsome and distinctive.
November 14, 2009
Luhrs’ Ovation 52
Any new 52-foot boat would be special but the introduction of a new brand is even more so. In early November, following the public launch at the Fort Lauderdale show, Canadian Yachting traveled to Miami to run hull number one of the brand new 52 Ovation. And yes, it is special.
November 14, 2009
Monterey 340 Sport Yacht
The brass at Monterey Boats in Williston Florida were no doubt bursting their buttons when they learned that they had just been awarded their 4th CSI award in as many years. Such recognition in the Sterndrive and Express Boat category speaks volumes about Monterey’s attention to quality and customer satisfaction.
November 14, 2009
Monaro 255
Monaro Marine will soon become a household name east of the Rockies now they have appointed Pat Sturgeon Yachts as their Ontario-based dealer. Monaro’s high quality, semi- production build philosophy has stood the test of time for this Richmond, BC builder of wonderful cruising boats that are built to take rough seas and heavy water.
November 14, 2009
Marquis 50LS
From the very first glimpse, the styling of the Marquis 50LS will draw the eye and stand out from the other yachts in the basin. The test boat had a metallic Brandywine paintjob that was stunning. Stepping onboard from the pier is best at the sides and onto the wide side decking. From a floating dock, step onto the swim platform. Either way, the expanse of real teak decking makes quite an impression.
November 14, 2009
Jeanneau Prestige 50S
The name Jeanneau might seem new to our powerboat readers but it's very familiar to the sailors in the group. Henri Jeanneau, who was fascinated by all things mechanical, including airplanes, automobiles and boats, founded Jeanneau in France in 1957. He built his first fibreglass powerboat in 1961 and launched his line of sailboats in 1964.
November 14, 2009
Formula 31 PC
Express cruisers have certainly been the dominant design on the Canadian power cruising scene for a long time now. From the smallest sizes at about 26 feet up to 60 feet or more, the express cruiser layout continues to attract buyers.
November 14, 2009
Cruisers 520 Sports Coupe
Showing considerable European styling inspiration, Cruisers Yachts has been one of the pioneers in evolving the express cruiser style into a closed roof, almost like a sedan. The 520 Sports Coupe is a new model for 2008 and we think they've hit the “sweet spot” for the high-end power yacht market.
November 14, 2009
Cruisers Yachts 420 Coupe
One of Cruisers Yachts newest designs, the 420 Coupe is a major step forward in this size range. Actually, it’s a step up too. First the obvious: this yacht features a hardtop that is enclosed on three sides by massive glass areas. Cruisers Yachts calls this its Coupe design. We have spent time aboard other Cruisers Coupe models and found them really comfortable.
November 14, 2009
Sea Ray 270 Sundancer
Sundancer is the model name given to express cruiser models made by Sea Ray and you might be surprised to learn that for 2008 there are 15 Sundancer models ranging from the 240 up to the flagship 60. In virtually any size and price range, Sea Ray has a boat for you but in 2008; however, there was no 270 Sundancer.