Yachting June 2023

AS AN AVID OFFSHORE ANGLER AND RESIDENT OF THE NORTHEAST, I love this time of year. June is when runs out to the deep start in earnest, to chase pelagics worthy of a Hemingway novel. The coldness of winter and the wetness of spring are in our wake, and now it’s time for long, warm days; relatively predictable weather; warm-cored eddies spinning off from the Gulf Stream; and, if all goes well, screaming drags and bent reels. ¶ As a new season starts, I think back to memorable catches, and I wonder: Can our crew best those memories this season? ¶ A couple of years back, we were looking for blue marlin while trolling in about 1,500 fathoms of water out in what we call the “deep deep.” It’s a…

PAT HEALEY, THE president and CEO of Viking Yachts, minces no words about the situation facing owners of boats 35 feet and longer: “If this would go into effect, it shuts down boating on the whole East Coast from November 1 to anywhere from the middle of April to the end of May.” ¶ He’s talking about a proposal from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that would impose a 10-knot speed limit along much of the coast for much of the year, as a way to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales. The highly controversial proposal has drawn the ire of recreational boating and fishing groups, which say the idea poses an existential threat to all recreational boaters. ¶ Since the rule-making process began last summer (see sidebar below),…

VIKING YACHTS made more than a few anglers happy with its Viking 92 model, delivering 21 of those boats to new owners in a span of seven years. But then, a few years ago, eco-minded regulations came into play that would have required additional equipment on board—equipment that was problematic in so many ways that the builder decided to design a new model instead, one that was just a bit smaller to avoid the regulatory size cutoff. That new model is the 90C, which premiered at the Miami International Boat Show in February. As of early April, 16 of the 90Cs had already been sold. ¶ “We designed it right under 24 meters,” says Pat Healey, president and CEO of Viking Yachts. “We took 13 inches out of the beam,…

THE HYFOIL 22 IS A wolf in sheep’s clothing. Its RIB-style appearance hints at its speed potential, but the boat’s true genius—a single dihedral-based main hydrofoil and twin stern foils—remains quietly concealed between its catamaran-type hulls. Light up the outboards, however, and the Hyfoil 22 quickly yields a dry, comfortable and fuel-efficient ride. The Hyfoil 22’s three foils partially lift the hull from the water to reduce hydrodynamic resistance and bolster fuel efficiency while rewarding the driver with a well-mannered helm. ● Whom It’s For: Boaters who want a fuel-efficient ride that delivers high-performance grins while still being able to negotiate skinny water or even slide up onto a beach. ● Picture This: San Francisco Bay is running rough, but there’s sailboat racing to watch. You and your friends load…

THE CAPOFORTE SQ240i is a silent, electrically powered dayboat that provides a lot of lounging space and a sizable swim platform. The boat’s plumb bow flares widely as it rises to meet the deck, and these lines carry aft to create additional beam. The center-console’s open layout includes a V-shaped settee that converts to a dining area once the table is slipped into place. There’s walk-around space from the console to the stern, and the boat can accommodate up to 10 people. ● Whom It’s For: Boaters who want a silent, DC-powered dayboat that doubles as a swimming, lounging and socializing platform. ● Picture This: It’s a perfect day in Miami. You load up your Capoforte SQ240i, silently spin your family over to Nixon Sandbar, and throw the hook for…

ALLIED FEATHER + DOWN is not a company that most boaters know, but it plays a role in many of the brands that boaters buy. The California-based firm sources the materials that go into products sold by Vineyard Vines, Under Armour, Sail Racing and more. If you like the way a particular jacket stays warm but not too hot, materials from Allied Feather + Down may be at least part of the reason. ¶ Since about 2010, the company has been trying to solve the problem of down having a bad relationship with water. “For boating and water sports in general, down has always been considered not applicable because of the high levels of moisture, from rain to humidity,” says Creative Director Matthew Betcher. “So even with a brand like…