The Halo compact life raft is available in four different sizes that can accommodate from two to eight people.
The Superior Life-Saving Equipment Halo is a liferaft intended for smaller vessels used for coastal work. The result is that it is not as expensive as those made for transoceanic vessels. The Halo is the only vacuum-sealed liferaft in its class. This allows for three-year service intervals in line with the rest of Superior Life-Saving Equipment’s lineup. Each Halo comes standard with an insulated floor and offshore ballast system to provide safety and additional stability on the water. FYI – the EU requires life rafts for all boats going offshore. While the USCG does not, prudent boaters know what to do. More...
Today is the last day for concerned citizens to give the Canadian government input on its proposed 10% luxury tax on new boats sold for more than CAD$250,000 (US$198,000). The eight dealerships in Canada shown above have a total of nearly 20 locations. They are just a sampling of the businesses across Canada that will be laying off employees and at worst will shut down if the luxury tax is instituted as planned.
These eight dealerships sell the following brands: Cruisers Yachts, Regal, Pursuit, Cobalt, Greenline, Monterey, Sea Ray, Crownline, Boston Whaler, Malibu, Blackfin, Nimbus, Azimut, Princess, Robalo, Chaparral, Chris-Craft, Fountaine Pajot, Monte Carlo Yachts, Princess, Beneteau, Jeanneau, Prestige and Sunseeker.
A reduction in sales in Canada will affect every future buyer of the brands above, as well as many others not listed. These builders’ fixed costs will simply be spread over fewer units, raising the price for all. So you may think the Canadian luxury tax is not your problem — but it is if you plan to buy a new boat in the future. Even smaller boats not subject to the tax will see price rises as a result.
We urge all BoatTEST members, no matter where they live, to take a few moments to write the two people most responsible for this travesty.
We all know that if humanity is to save the planet for our grandchildren, we must stop burning fossil fuels. Electric-powered cars will be ubiquitous eight years from now. As that happens, regulations on boat engines are sure to follow. It has already started in Amsterdam – and guess what? It has created a whole new industry there with lots of new jobs.
Sooner or later, you will have to learn a whole new lexicon of terms, such as Newton meters, joules, coulombs, and calories, so we all might as well start now. Thanks to Jeff Butler, editor of Plugboats.com, we will be running a 10-part course covering the basics of electric propulsion in boats. So as not to overload our members with homework, we will present you with just one installment a day. Pay attention, please, because there will be a quiz at the end. More...
When we tested the Cruisers Yachts 42 GLS, we had one of those memorable days that served up real-world conditions in the form of 4’ to 6’ (1.21m to 1.82 m) seas. On one hand, the seas kept us from getting the optimum numbers for speed and efficiency. On the other, we got to experience the boat in a less-than-ideal environment, which is what most people would rather see anyway. Let’s just say Capt. Steve came away impressed. Click to find out what he liked the most.
On the Absolute Navetta 52, the flying bridge is sure to be a popular gathering area because it’s so large. The aft boat deck alone is 10’ (3.28 m) wide and more than 7’ (2.13 m) fore to aft. Forward to starboard, there’s a J-shaped lounge around a table that’s supported by two heavy-duty posts that prevent wobbling. The outboard lounge alone is 7’10” (2.39 m) and the headroom beneath the hardtop is 7’8” (2.34 m). The bar to port comes standard with an ice maker and a refrigerator. An owner can add a grill, which would make for a handy lunch. More...
The Fleming Yachts 55 has been around since 1986 and since that time, many other companies have tried — unsuccessfully, in our opinion — to duplicate her striking profile. She has a high flared bow, raked stem, a raised pilothouse and Portuguese bridge. Among the long-term cruising crowd, it’s a look that draws oohs and aahs to this day. Her salon has a practical, open feel with radiused corners on the joinery and large windows and she’s adorned in teak throughout for a classic, upscale feel. More...
If an owner wants an outboard engine to last, it needs to have the right propeller.
It is known that the choice of the propeller directly affects the boat’s performance. But how many of one of the major factors that affect the engine’s life is the correct propping?More...
How much do you know about your fishfinder? Most of us only make use of a few of the functions, but why not go all the way and learn just how amazing the modern units are? They are structure finders, position indicators and target finders. While they certainly show fish on the screen, they do much more. To understand everything about fishfinders, let’s start with the basics. More...
The sextet of perforated clamps shown here are severely corroded; they are on the verge of failure. They should be replaced without delay.
Conventional stuffing boxes leak. They are supposed to — it’s how they are lubricated and cooled. The trick is to adjust them so they leak just enough to stay cool, but not so much that they become a flooding problem. The water that leaks from the stuffing box can only leave the boat by one means, the bilge pump. More...
Sovereign Boat Club is expanding to Southeast Florida. This is a ground-floor opportunity because it will only have a few boats in the Miami to Palm Beach area. If you have a new boat or like-new boat from 27’ to 40’ (8.2 m to 12.1 m), SBC’s “shared access” program can earn money for you. Club members’ dues pay for your annual operating expenses and mitigate their depreciation. Contact us hereor at 727-200-3474. Just say uncle sent you.
Photo Of The Day
Statler Park in Boston showing solidarity with Ukraine.
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