Yachting April 2025

THE VOICE WAS WRAPPED IN STATIC, BUT IT WAS AUDIBLE. It was a skipper whose boat was adrift. The captain and his friend were offshore in a mid-20-foot center-console, and the boat lost all power during a fishing tournament. They were transmitting on the only thing that was working: a handheld VHF radio. And it’s a good thing too because the next stop for the duo on board was England. ¶ Our five-man crew was relatively close by, and we could communicate with the disabled boat’s helmsman. He gave us their position before they lost power, and we made our way to assist. ¶ The mid-June weather had been iffy all day with significant fog, overcast skies and on-and-off rain. On deck, it was the kind of cold that goes…

NOAA FISHERIES has withdrawn its proposed North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule, which would have imposed 10-knot speed limits on recreational vessels larger than 35 feet along the US East Coast from northern Florida to the Northeast for up to seven months of the year. According to the withdrawal notice, approximately 90,000 public comments were submitted on the proposal, which was introduced August 1, 2022, as an amendment to the current right whale vessel speed reduction rule, which remains in effect. ¶ According to the NOAA announcement: “The comments received addressed many different aspects of the rule and reflected views on all sides of the issues addressed. Despite its best efforts, National Marine Fisheries Service does not have sufficient time to finalize this regulation in this administration due…

HIGHFIELD’S Classic 400 is a RIB with a sturdy aluminum undercarriage that’s affixed to Orca Hypalon (or PVC) tubing. This model is powered by a single outboard that delivers up to 50 hp, with a 20-degree deadrise for a smooth ride, a full-length keel guard for beach visits, and a sturdy rubbing strake for docking. The Classic 400 can be ordered as an open boat or with an owner’s choice of options, such as Highfield’s FCT XL open helm or the company’s SDS helm and built-in forward seat. The RIB is available in black, dark gray, light gray and white, all of which come with a brushed-foam teaklike deck, a bow locker, a dry bag, lifting points and towing eyes. An optional roll bar allows the Classic 400 to moonlight…

MAHOGANY, MAPLE and aluminum are materials more typically associated with shipyards than with speaker manufacturers. Many of today’s portable speakers are plastic cubes and torpedo shapes that, when displayed on shelves, look about as artistic and distinctive as rows of water bottles at a roadside convenience store. Sure, they’ll blast out everyone’s favorite tunes, but they don’t always look or sound good doing it. For many brands, the idea of upscale materials being incorporated into the designs seems almost laughable. ¶ But that is not the case with Riva. The Italian yacht builder—which has made forays into everything from home furnishings to fashion in recent years—joined forces with the high-end audio company Bang & Olufsen to create these speakers that echo the characteristics of Riva’s yachts. ¶ The idea is…

THE GALEON YACHTS 480 FLY’S increased main-deck space and sun-filled interior are two key traits at the heart of its design. The 47-foot flybridge cruiser was introduced at the 2024 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show as the latest model in the builder’s flybridge series of eight models from 38 feet to 83 feet length overall. Naval architect Tony Castro helped pen the 480 Fly’s design. ¶ The main-deck interior combines light upholstery and an array of windows to make the space feel large and bright. The galley is positioned aft, letting the host entertain guests in multiple parts of the yacht at once. Some options regarding the interior color palette include dark walnut or beechwood with a matte finish. Salon lounge seating is amidships with a bench seat to starboard,…

EVERY DECEMBER, THE WORLD’S LEADING charter brokers gather on the Caribbean island of Antigua for an industry-only boat show. Yachts display the best elements of their charter programs, and some enter the chef and tablescaping competitions, which highlight crews that are creating some of the best dining and entertainment experiences afloat. ¶ This year, the crew from one yacht—the Oceanco Wheels—absolutely dominated, winning first prize for food and decorating alike among all the superyachts that entered. ¶ Chef Leny Belin and chief stewardess Emily Birkett led the effort. Belin had to incorporate two secret ingredients that judges foisted on him—caviar and tamarind—in a way that worked with the carnival theme Birkett and her team organized. ¶ “It’s not an easy theme to design a menu for, but he did it…