Yachting May 2023

IN ADVERTISING, REPEATED MESSAGES are the most impactful ones. Generally speaking, if a person is exposed to the same advertisement three times, the ad can start having the desired effect. I experienced this phenomenon—sort of—at the Miami International Boat Show in February. ¶ As many yachting enthusiasts have seen in recent years, the power catamaran has gained a solid foothold in the marketplace. When I started in this business more than 20 years ago, a power cat would be here or there, but the style was more of a novelty than a movement. While everyone could appreciate the volume and livability, the American boater’s palate just wasn’t ready to consume power catamarans on a large scale. ¶ That has changed. At this year’s Miami show, I saw four new power…

WHENEVER A SHIPYARD comes under new management, there is always concern about how day-to-day operations might change. That’s especially true at a facility like Brooklin Boat Yard in Maine. Founded in 1960 by Joel White, and managed since 1990 by his son Steve White, the yard has earned a reputation for combining traditional craftsmanship and modern technology on new builds, refits and restorations alike—sometimes with classic and smaller boats that no other yard has the willingness or expertise to take on. ¶ Earlier this year, Steve White stepped down as company president. That role is now held by Brian Larkin (shown at right), a former project manager who has been with Brooklin Boat Yard since 1987 and who says he has every intention of keeping the facility engaged in classic,…

With the WiLder 60, Italy’s Wider Yachts is introducing more than a new model. It’s launching the first design in a whole new brand of boats. The aluminum design is described as a hybrid between a chase boat and a performance cruiser, with reported 40-knot speed and a customizable platform for one-off orders. Power is a pair of twin 1,300 hp MAN V-8s. The first hull is already in build and scheduled to launch this summer, with a draft of 3 feet, 4 inches that should make the boat usable in skinny-water destinations. Hull No. 1 will have three staterooms and two heads for weekends with friends or family at anchor. For easier maneuvering in close quarters, the boat will be outfitted with Quick Marine bow and stern thrusters. 62'…

Lazzara Yachts is building this LPC 70 power catamaran for an owner who expects to cruise in the Mediterranean. There are five guest staterooms board, including a master slightly abaft amidships that has a starboard-side fold-out balcony. The main deck has a day head, and the galley is locateds forward on the lower deck, with stairs leading to the main-deck dining table Aft, there’s relaxation space for guests, along with a garage that can house. an 18-foot tender and two personal watercraft. When the tender and toys are deployed, the space becomes a beach club. Lazzara is projecting a top speed of 20 knots and a cruising speed of 18 knots with twin 550 hp Volvo Penta D8s. Twin 1,000 hp Volvo Penta D13s are optional. 70' LENGTH OVERALL 29'…

The Vicem 65 Classic Flybridge is a Down East-style boat with a reported maximum speed of 32 knots. The builder says the light-blue hull color in the photograph below is proving popular, though owners can choose whatever color they wish. Accommodations include an amidships master stateroom with a king-size berth and a forepeak stateroom for guests. Both are en suite, and they’re separated by a galley and dining space, giving everyone their privacy. The dining space can convert to a sleeping area for extra guests. Alfresco dining is up on the main deck. Vicem says the 65 Classic Flybridge can be built in fiberglass, but cold-molded construction is available as well. Lithium-ion batteries can power the boat for 15 hours without generator use. 66' LENGTH OVERALL 18' MAXIMUM BEAM…

45'7" LENGTH OVERALL 13'6" MAXIMUM BEAM WHAT A SHAME that I had only an afternoon to play with Axopar’s new flag-ship, the 45 XC. When I first saw it the day before, the boat was tied to an outer pontoon at the Cannes Yachting Festival with a kayak and an electric mountain bike strapped to the coachroof rack, unwashed salt glistening in the early autumn sunshine. The 45 XC looked liked it had just returned from an epic voyage. These Finnish-designed crossover vessels look adventure-ready. ¶ Outwardly, all Axopars share the same design cues: slightly reversed stems, a glimpse of hull steps at the waterline, high bulwarks and deep walkaround decks. On the bigger models, there are also cabins with an explorer-style, raked-forward windshield. ¶ The XC in this model’s name…