Australia is a tough country, facing four seas with a coastline that offers few protections. Yachts arriving Stateside from Down Under tend to be just as tough as the conditions. The Riviera 6800 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition is certainly tough, but it also has a luxurious side that surprised me, if only because it’s hard to say tough and luxurious in the same sentence.

Luxury is not just about posh seating; it’s also about subtle touches of class. All the high-gloss walnut woodwork is book-matched, so the grain flows seamlessly across locker doors and drawers. All the towel racks are heated, like in five-star hotels. The bolstered helm seats are from Italy, clearly nicked from a Lamborghini. A niche is inset into the bulkhead of the owner’s suite for a coffee maker, so the boss can reach for morning espresso without having to move.

The 6800 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition is available with three or four staterooms. The hull that I got aboard had four, along with three heads. I prefer the four-stateroom layout because you get the extra stateroom instead of a couch in the lower foyer, and why would you not enjoy the spectacular view from the salon? A fourth stateroom also gives everyone extra stowage if it’s not being used.

In layout, this yacht is clearly set up for entertaining. The cockpit has the traditional bench-seat arrangement aft, but a surprise is an L-shaped settee tucked in the port corner with a dining table for alfresco meals. Opposite are an oversize grill, two fridges, a sink and an ice maker.

Open the salon door, push a button to raise the window by the galley, and you are still as open as the Australian Outback. The U-shaped galley is to port, with Miele appliances and acres of counter space. Chef’s touches include a three-element induction cooktop, a dishwasher and instant hot water. I’m clumsy in the kitchen, so I appreciated the splash rail forward (to protect the dinette upholstery) and the canal surrounding each counter (to contain my spills from dribbling to the sole).

Opposite the galley is a full-height fridge backed up with two fridge drawers, plus a bar area with a wine chiller for a dozen Australian Penfolds chardonnays. Just forward is a wraparound settee with a beautifully built teak dining table, and opposite is a smaller couch facing the 65-inch pop-up TV for end-of-day relaxation.

The “pilothouse” is clever, since the usual companion bench seat opposite the helm is reimagined as an L-shaped settee, allowing guests to face the helm or look through the twin windshields. The helm is black carbon fiber (no windshield reflections) with triple 19-inch Garmin multifunction displays for navigation and systems. Just abaft the helm seat is a pantograph door to the side deck, and overhead is an electric moonroof with shades. The skipper has the Volvo Penta joystick controls for docking and position holding, with a Side-Power bow thruster and Humphree Interceptor trim tabs.

The companionway to the lower level has sturdy handrails, and the owner’s suite spans the full beam aft with a king-size walk-around berth. This is truly a serene getaway with oversize windows on each side and high-gloss walnut all around. A couch is to port, while the bureau to starboard is topped by a fold-up vanity with a mirror. Riviera gets points for the full-height cedar-lined lockers, so dresses and slacks won’t get rumpled. The en suite head has dual sinks with Euro faucets, and an oversize shower with shelves for toiletries.

Forward, the VIP stateroom has sizable windows and a walk-around queen berth. The en suite head sports a shower and doubles as the day head with access from the hallway. Two staterooms are off the companionway, with the one to port having direct entry to the day head. That stateroom has twin berths that slide together into a double, while the starboard stateroom has crossover singles.

A bonus cabin off the engine room can be fitted out for crew (or a teenager) with a single berth, a head and a mini galley. Alternatively, it can be used as a utility and laundry space with a workbench and separate washer/dryer.

Speaking of the engine room, it has more than 6-foot-6-inch headroom. Walk-around space is good on each side of the 1,000 hp Volvo Penta D13 IPS1350 pod-drive diesels. The 6800 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition that I got aboard also had twin Onan gensets: the primary at 29 kilowatts and a 13.5-kilowatt secondary unit, with full access to each. A mix of lithium (house) and low-maintenance (cranking) batteries are fed by a 3,000-watt inverter/charger. Humphree zero-speed stabilizer fins are optional.

As you’d expect from a boat that faces the Coral Sea en route to the Great Barrier Reef, construction is, as the Aussies say, “bonzer.” The entire yacht—hull and house—is infused isophthalic resin with independent compartments, including a foam-filled bow section with a watertight collision bulkhead.

Underway, this sport yacht exudes sturdiness. Even with a lumpy mishmash in the Gulf Stream, the 6800 jumped on plane flat and fast, and then didn’t seem to notice the leftover swells from a recent nor’easter. Nothing seemed to intrude on the implacable ride. We topped out at around 33 knots with full tanks. A 25-knot cruise is a delight with 40-plus tons of yacht.

For entertaining on open water or in any port of call, this yacht impresses. Whether an owner wants rugged thunder from Down Under or a luxuriously appointed Sheila (that’s Aussie for a beautiful woman), the Riviera 6800 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition should be on the short list.

Anchored Delight

The foredeck is an entertainment space with L-shaped seating, twin tables, and double-hinged sun pads that morph into fore- or aft-facing chaises, all covered by a removable awning.

Water Toys

The transom opens to reveal a garage for a 12-foot-7-inch tender with a dedicated launch system, plus space for underwater scooters and dive tanks.

No Tripping

A thoughtful touch is the teak insert in the nonslip whenever there is a step on the deck, so guests can’t overlook the height change and stumble.

Safety First

The 18- to 20-inch side decks are protected by 39-inch rail-topped coamings for secure passage fore and aft.

Take the next step: rivieraaustralia.com

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Bodrum, located on the “Turkish Riviera,” has long been a magnet for well-heeled European cruisers. This sun-soaked escape on the western Aegean draws in visitors with its turquoise waters, plentiful picturesque beaches, lively fine dining scene and intriguing glimpses of the region’s history.

Attractions

Much of the action in Bodrum happens along the water. This is Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, after all, and its cruising grounds offer lots of little islands and lagoons to explore.

Bodrum’s bountiful beaches are a major draw, with a stretch of sand for every clientele. Camel Beach (aka Kargi Bay), a favorite among locals and visitors for its pure sand and calm waters, is the launching point for kitesurfing and windsurfing expeditions. Families prefer Bitez Beach for its sheltered bay and Blue Flag status, marking it as one of the cleanest beaches in Turkey. Near the expanded Yalikavak Marina, refined beach clubs such as Miya Beach and Xuma Village attract the upscale set with gourmet food, creative drinks and evening entertainment.

Read More: Set a course to see and be seen in Sardinia

Bodrum is far more than just a tourist resort, though. Romans, Persians, Byzantines and Ottomans all have left their mark on this crossroads of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas. The location’s rich history is on full display at Bodrum Castle, built in the 15th century by the Knights Hospitaller on a rise overlooking the city’s twin harbors. As you stroll the grounds and garden, stop at the chapel mosque, its glass floor providing a peek at the archaeological excavations below. The grounds also house the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, which is home to the world’s oldest excavated shipwreck and other fascinating finds discovered along the Turkish coast. Learn more about Bodrum’s seafaring history at the Bodrum Maritime Museum.

Food and Drink

The restaurant at the Maçakizi Hotel is just one reason the world’s elite favor this glamorous retreat. It has earned a Michelin star for its new take on Aegean cuisine and wide-ranging wine list with an impressive selection of Champagnes.

Orfoz Restaurant, recommended by Michelin and Gault & Millau guides, is known for its great wine list too, along with fresh seafood dishes and stunning bay views. Bahce Restaurant earns raves for its authentic and flavorful Turkish fare as well as its relaxing garden setting. Karnas Vineyards, which focuses on zinfandel wines, serves everything from small bites to a multicourse tasting menu with such dishes as Aegean paella and slow-cooked braised lamb. At Bodrum Müdavim, located along what’s known as Bodrum Bar Street, enjoy a great view of Bodrum Castle as you select from an array of meze (appetizers), ranging from smoked eggplant to grilled artichokes to octopus salad.

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In 2017, when Custom Line launched its third iteration of the Navetta 33, the builder created a layout that keeps the interior and exterior spaces connected.

The Navetta 33 can sleep up to 10 people with its on deck master suite and four staterooms belowdecks.

Standard powerplants for the 108-foot yacht are twin 1,400 hp MAN V-12s, which can deliver a top speed of 15 knots with a range of 1,500 to 1,900 nautical miles at cruise speed.

At press time, there were 13 Custom Line Navetta 33s available, from $4.4 million to $15.99 million.  

From the Archive

“She’s timeless, but not dainty. She’s solid and architectural, even. Credit for the exterior and general arrangement goes to Zuccon International Project in Rome, which has been responsible for every Custom Line launched. Bernardo Zuccon says one of his studio’s keywords translates to live. ‘Boats are not objects,’ says Zuccon. ‘They are spaces for people. Our job is to find better solutions for them.’”

— Yachting, January 2018

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In 2013, I purchased a 27-inch Apple Thunderbolt display, which I’ve used as a docking station for multiple generations of Mac mini black-box computers. The monitor still looks great, but more important is its longevity and the relatively affordable price of Mac minis. I’ve enjoyed better, faster computing without purchasing new glass. And should my trusty display fail, I only need to replace the monitor, not the entire setup.

I’m sure Apple’s marketing department would love to claim credit for inspiring my setup; however, it’s more likely that I got the idea from the marinized black-box computers and stand-alone displays that I’ve seen aboard high-end yachts.

Marinized computers come in two forms: all-in-one multifunction displays, and black-box chart plotters that use a separate networked display. While MFDs work well, black-box chart plotters allow owners to refresh their yacht’s computational powers without replacing compatible glass, which can be expensive and sometimes complicated to install.

Furuno and Garmin both have newer black-box offerings. Let’s start by looking at Furuno’s.

Furuno TZTBBX

In early 2024, Furuno released its line of NavNet TZtouchXL MFDs. Now some eight months later, the company has released the NavNet TZtouchXL Black Box Chart Plotter ($4,100).

“The TZTBBX is a compact processor with the same processing capacity as other TZtouchXL-series MFDs,” says Matt Wood, Furuno’s national sales manager. The TZT2BB has dual processors and dual video outputs in one housing. Its single hexacore processor and single video board allow it to drive a single touch-enabled display.

That last bit means users can also buy off-the-shelf splitters, allowing TZTBBXs to run multiple or mirrored screens.

Wood says the TZTBBX is “by far” the smallest black-box chart plotter that Furuno has built across six generations of black-box offerings. “It has a single HDMI output [and input], which can drive an 8-inch marinized display up to a 75- or 80-inch TV,” he says. “It’s light and easy to install.”

The TZTBBX’s smaller form factor, he adds, makes it suitable for well-appointed center-consoles along with superyachts: “It’s small, but it punches above its weight.”

In addition, the TZTBBX has all the same features as Furuno’s flagship TZtouchXL MFDs. “There’s no gap in functionality,” Wood says. Features include Furuno’s eye-pleasing TZ Maps, which are built using data sourced from official hydrographic offices and supplemented with privately sourced data. They currently encompass Australian, European and North American waters.

TZTBBXs also have Furuno’s AI Routing feature, which determines safe routes using chart data and vessel-specific parameters such as draft and air draft. If a TZTBBX is paired with a Furuno DRS-NXT radar, the black-box chart plotter also delivers Furuno’s Risk Visualizer feature, which color-codes targets based on their threat level, and AI Avoidance, which calculates safe routing in real time around potentially dangerous targets.

While TZTBBXs come with TZ Maps, Wood says, owners of bigger yachts can run networked blended systems that involve a black-box chart plotter or an MFD along with a Windows-based PC running Timezero’s TZ Professional or TZ Navigator software. With this setup, the PC is often the primary navigation tool, while the black-box chart plotter provides networked sensor input to the Windows-based computer.

“It’s the best of both worlds,” Wood says. “If we take the computer offline, or if we get the Windows blue screen of death, we can still navigate on our dedicated device.”

Garmin GPSMap 9500 Black Box

When it comes to big glass, Garmin’s 27-inch GPSMap 9000-series MFD leads the market. This series has impressive features, including large-format 4K screens, built-in Global Navigation Satellite System receivers, embedded LiveScope and Panoptix sonars, and the ability to support three downstream black-box sonars and to display Garmin Navionics+ cartography. Its four BlueNet ports, which hustle data at 1 gigabit per second, are most impressive.

More recently, the Olathe, Kansas-based technology giant released the GPSMap 9500 Black Box ($5,000). “It’s a GPSMap 9000-series MFD, but without the display,” says Dave Dunn, Garmin’s senior director of marine and RV sales. “The guts are exactly the same.”

Dunn says Garmin designed the GPSMap 9500 for owners of large yachts who use large marinized displays or TV screens and want more flexibility with their dash layouts and screen sizes.

“MFDs are great, but customers are limited to the screen sizes we offer,” he says, noting that each GPSMap 9500 Black Box can drive one touch-enabled screen.

This same flexibility, it turns out, makes the GPSMap 9500 Black Box attractive to owners of other vessels, including small boats. For example, Dunn says, some bass-boat owners are installing large-format displays on their bows that they network with GPSMap 9500 Black Boxes. The setup allows them to view Garmin LiveScope sonar returns.

“We’re seeing GPSMap 9500 in places we didn’t expect,” Dunn says. “They are a fraction of the cost of an MFD.”

Like the GPSMap 9000-series MFDs, GPSMap 9500 Black Boxes come with four BlueNet ports. “If you’re running more traffic on your network, BlueNet will shine,” Dunn says. BlueNet architecture can easily support Garmin’s Surround View Camera System, which uses six factory-installed cameras to deliver live bird’s-eye and 360-degree imagery around a yacht, plus distance markers for docking as well as third-party thermal-imaging cameras, digital-switching systems, radars, black-box sonars and other downstream instrumentation.

“We tried to be as expandable as possible,” Dunn says. “If you run out of BlueNet ports, you can expand your system with a network switch.”

Also, GPSMap 9500 Black Boxes can be added to existing Garmin ecosystems using Garmin Marine Network adapter cables.

The GPSMap 9500 Black Box’s BlueNet ports, Dunn says, create a future-proof system that can handle heavy data loads. BlueNet’s 1 Gbps bandwidth—one can imagine—will also be important if and when Garmin releases autonomous docking or autonomous navigation features.

GPSMap 9500 Black Box systems also come with high-bandwidth digital content protection distribution, allowing customers to enjoy the same multimedia content across all networked screens.

Alternative Interfaces

Furuno’s TZTBBX and Garmin’s GPSMap 9500 both support third-party touchscreen displays, but touch-based user interfaces don’t always pair well with sloppy seas. Furuno’s optional MCU006 and MCU006H (horizontal) controllers have RotoKey and buttons, while Garmin’s optional Wireless Remote Control (GRID 20 Vertical and GRID 20 Horizontal) offers hard-key user interfaces. 

The post Furuno and Garmin Black-Box Computers appeared first on Yachting.

Platform engineering—using the same basic hull form and powertrain, but with different interpretations above and belowdecks—can speed up the development of new yacht models. Sunseeker Yachts is using this technique in the 55-foot range with the Superhawk 55 sport cruiser that debuted in 2023, the 55 Sport Yacht coming later this year, and the Predator 55, which is the new entry-level model in the Predator lineup.

This Predator 55 should not be confused with the old Predator 55 or the 55 Evo model that Sunseeker built from 2020 until recently. This Predator 55 is a true sistership to the Predator 65 and 75 that are now part of the builder’s lineup.

Like the Superhawk 55, the Predator 55 is pulled along by twin Volvo Penta D11-725s and IPS950s. Those diesels max out at 2,550 rpm, producing a top speed of about 37 knots at half-load. There’s about a 1-knot difference in top speeds between the two, with the Predator being slower because of the extra superstructure weight and glazing.

I got aboard Hull No. 2 of the Predator 55 just after its UK debut at the Southampton International Boat Show, when the boat had to be moved in deteriorating weather back to Sunseeker headquarters. It’s not a long trip from the western end of the Solent across Poole Bay, but the sea was getting lumpy as the windspeed edged up over a building tide. We’d also have to deal with running into darkness. The main concern was the lobster-pot markers, which can foul a prop or worse.

In those conditions, the best we could do was just under 35 knots. According to our numbers, the 55 will run all day at 2,000 rpm and around 25 knots with a range of 250 nautical miles. At 30 knots, fuel burn is similar, just under 2 gallons per mile for an ultimate range of 230 to 240 nm. During most of my time on board, we maintained a comfortable 18-knot cruise in 5-foot seas. The 55 heels into turns, a reminder that Predators are meant to be sporty and driving them should be enjoyable. A Seakeeper gyrostabilizer and Trim Assist are there for skippers who want them.

On the main deck, a sofa, table and sun pad are forward. In the cockpit, there are two sofas: an L-shaped booth to port and a long one with its back to a central transom sun pad. Steps on each side connect with the hydraulic swim platform and the garage at the stern.

Inside, the main salon can be configured as a lounge or as a half-lounge, half-galley. The starboard-side helm has good visibility forward and to the sides, with a one-piece windshield and reasonably slender A and B pillars. There are two Aras helm seats, along with an opening side window and the sunroof framed in carbon fiber for more light and fresh air.

The lower deck—accessed from a centerline staircase that descends beneath the windshield—has two en suite staterooms in the standard layout. The full-beam owner’s space is amidships with a forward-facing double berth, stowage to port and a full-height closet. To starboard, there’s either stowage with a vanity or a breakfast booth. The forepeak VIP stateroom also has a double berth. Owners can choose a third stateroom (with bunks), a lower lounge or a lower galley. Headroom on the lower deck is about 6 feet, 6 inches where it counts in the master and VIP.

On the Predator 55 that I got aboard, the owner had chosen the galley-up, three-stateroom layout with a fetching shark-gray gelcoat hull, light half-gloss oak veneers, a white-oak sole and, most strikingly, smoky blue doors on the galley cabinetry. A wide spectrum of styling combinations are available for owners to personalize their yachts.

There have been 34 Predator models during the past 30 years. Some of the older ones topped out above 40 knots, but these newest designs prioritize comfort as well as function. They still have top speeds between 35 and 40 knots, super-sweet lines, and a satisfyingly sporty feel at the wheel, and they add a lot to like in the relaxation areas.  

Above or Below

One of the big options for Sunseeker Predator 55 owners is the ability to have the galley up or down. With the galley-down arrangement (shown above), accommodations are two staterooms. If owners go with the galley-up setup, the lower deck can be ordered with a third guest stateroom or a lower lounge. 

Key Features

One of the Predator 55’s notable traits is that it’s a quiet ride. With all the doors closed at 18 knots, we measured 64 decibels at the helm, about the level of normal conversation. Also notable is the yacht’s tender garage, which accommodates a Williams Turbojet 325 tender. The Volvo Penta IPS powertrain can come with Active Ride Control, a Dynamic Positioning System, Joystick Docking and a Glass Cockpit.

Take the next step: sunseeker.com

The post Sunseeker Predator 55 Reviewed appeared first on Yachting.

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 as a watersports platform.

Read More: At-Sea Adventure with the Highfield Sport 800 RIB

Whom It’s For: Multihull sailors seeking a medium-size tender that’s lightweight enough to hang from davits aboard a catamaran.

Picture This: You and your family are enjoying a rest day in Antigua’s Falmouth Harbour. The kids are fired up for some fun, so you load your Highfield Classic 400 with water toys and zip over to Pigeon Point Beach for an afternoon of snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing and water-skiing.  

Take the next step: highfieldboats.com

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The Fountainebleu Hotel in South Beach, Miami, is an iconic design—a near-perfect match for the Pardo GT75’s sleek, modern lines. I had first seen the shipyard’s new flagship when it was introduced to Americans at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, where two things about the build stood out: the flexibility in the interior layouts, and the performance promised with the triple Volvo Penta engines. Now I’d have a chance to give this model a more thorough look, at the dock and at wide-open throttle.

I entered the GT75’s salon from twin curved-glass sliding doors aft, and it was clear that I was in the primary entertaining space. With 80 inches of headroom, the salon can be fully shaded and air-conditioned for tropical climates, or opened with power sliding-glass windows on each side and a slatted power sunroof overhead. Skippers can open the pantograph doors on each side of the helm to further increase airflow and allow easy access to the bow.

Naval architecture is by Zuccheri Yacht Design, with Nauta Design handling the exterior and interior design. Cantiere del Pardo wanted a yacht that would appeal to clients worldwide, which is why the design has so much flexibility.

In the first GT75, the open salon has a wet bar and refrigeration just abaft the helm and plenty of seating. The galley is belowdecks, along with a VIP stateroom forward and a master aft. An island for stowage and prep hides a flat-screen television for the U-shaped lounge area opposite. The galley is equipped with a full-size refrigerator/freezer and a four-burner Miele cooktop. There is 78 inches of headroom throughout.

In this configuration, the GT75 feels more like a supersize dayboat, ready for fast cruises and island hopping with the occasional overnighter thrown in. Pardo’s optional layouts move the galley to the salon while adding one or two staterooms belowdecks for family cruising and more frequent nights aboard.

Back at the helm, a trio of 22-inch Garmin displays provided all the information we needed as we warmed up the engines for departure. The 21-inch-wide side decks kept the crew moving fore and aft safely, with guest space at the bow’s U-shaped lounge and table, and a sun pad. Aft, there’s a second lounge with a shaded overhang two steps down from the salon deck. From there, it’s another two steps down to the swim platform and enclosed tender garage.

I stuck to the helm, where Pardo’s distinctive raked windshield significantly reduces glare and complements the vessel’s plumb bow. More than a few onlookers paused to enjoy the view as we slid down Miami Beach’s waterways en route to the open Atlantic.

With light winds and a rolling 3-foot groundswell off Government Cut, conditions were perfect to gauge the vessel’s performance. Triple Volvo Penta IPS1050s are standard, but this boat had the optional IPS1350s. They delivered a top hop of 37 knots with approximately 400 gallons of fuel and six people on board, and the Quick gyrostabilizer and interceptors operating normally. That’s impressive for a vessel displacing more than 106,500 pounds. Even better, there was virtually no bow rise and no pounding or hobbyhorsing as we traversed the widely spaced seas at speed. Steering was light and highly responsive.

The GT75 is a blast to run, and it can be fairly economical too. Slowing to 27 knots at 70 percent engine load, the diesels burned 86 gallons per hour. That’s good for a range of 322 nautical miles with a 10 percent fuel reserve. At 9 knots, fuel burn was just 15 gph, which allows for more than 600 nm between fuel stops.

Construction and soundproofing are also impressive. At idle speeds, I registered just 68 to 70 decibels, about the same as normal conversation. The reading was only 78 decibels at wide-open throttle, with no creaking, pounding or jarring.

Fast mega-dayboat or luxurious long-range family cruiser? With the Pardo GT75, the answer is yes. And it comes with top-notch performance, rugged construction and head-turning good looks. A worthy new flagship, indeed.  

Behind the Brand

Cantiere del Pardo embodies the Italian spirit of boatbuilding, with the cornerstones of style, performance and quality. Spanning 50 years of history, Pardo has established itself as a builder of luxury sail and power vessels that are comfortable and easy to handle. The yard’s philosophy is based in large part on its roots in Emilia-Romagna, which is also home to renowned automobile brands Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati. 

Changes in Latitudes

With cooler air temperatures and less humidity, Europe is far different from South Florida. The GT75 is built to enjoy both regions. Open the sunroof, side windows and aft sliding doors to enjoy the sea breeze, or crank up the air conditioning in the tropical heat. Pardo worked closely with the Miami dealer on the “chill factor,” as well as on upgraded sound systems and features that Americans prefer.

Take the next step: pardoyachts.com

The post Pardo GT75 Reviewed appeared first on Yachting.

SeaNXT’s Elite is the world’s first carbon-fiber underwater scooter. Elite scooters ($13,000) come in black, blue, green, gold or red, and are driven by twin 4.4-kilowatt electric motors with enclosed propellers. The motors offer four operating modes—Shark, Sport, Cruise and Eco—that deliver top speeds of 11.3 knots. Depending on the mode, the 24-amp-hour lithium-ion battery yields run times of 27 minutes to two-plus hours. The scooters have a 5.5-inch LCD screen for offline navigation and LED bow lights; they also have 6.6 pounds of positive buoyancy, and the modular design allows them to be serviced out in the field.

The biggest challenges faced when creating the Elite scooters were finding the balance among weight, speed and autonomy, as well as blending in technology. The solution required repeated sea trials to ensure that the scooters performed up to expectations.

The Specs

SeaNXT Elite scooters weigh about 50 pounds and can operate at depths down to 130 feet. Elite scooters ship with a 10-amp charger, which has a recharge time of about two hours. However, users can add SeaNXT’s Elite Variable Charger ($845), which has an adjustable output of 1 to 15 amps. For safety, the scooters come with fireproof aluminum cases.

Take the next step: sea-nxt.com

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The Tasmanian tourist board has a pithy, catchy slogan to attract visitors to Australia’s rugged island state, some 150 miles south of the continent’s southeastern coastline: “Come down for air.” Last winter, I paid my fourth visit to the wild isle widely referred to as “Tassie,” which is saying something, as most mainland Aussies consider it too remote and give it a wide berth. That pure, fresh air is certainly a selling point, but for me, the allure has always been a different element: I come down for the water.

From the open Tasman Sea (named for Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, the first European to lay eyes on it, in the 1600s) to the picturesque River Derwent to the fetching D’Entrecasteaux Channel (one of the world’s most underrated cruising grounds), there’s a word for all that water: magnificent.

The capital of Tasmania is Hobart, and it’s also the finish line of one of the world’s great ocean races. Commencing every year on Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, the Sydney-Hobart Race was always on my personal bucket list. In 2007, I scored a ride aboard a 35-footer called Morna, one of the fleet’s smallest participants. That year the race played out in usual fashion: a spinnaker run down the coast from Sydney, a stretch of nasty weather in the open water of the Bass Strait, a long upwind beat along Tasmania’s shore, and one final agonizing stretch up the Derwent and into Hobart. After a little more than four days, we took second in class and then downed about a hundred beers. I’d surely gotten off easy.

Read More from Herb McCormick: Ireland’s Wicklow Sailing Club is Warm and Welcoming

A decade earlier, in my previous foray in and out of Hobart, that wasn’t the case. I’d been recruited by an old pal, Australian explorer Don McIntyre, to join the crew aboard a 60-footer called Spirit of Sydney for a round-trip sail from Tasmania to Antarctica to pick him up after he’d spent a yearlong expedition on “the white continent.” I had always wanted to sail through the storied waters of the Great Southern Ocean, and McIntyre granted my wish. We had a relatively easy 10-day trip south, but the return voyage was one I hope never to repeat. A trio of westerly gales, with gusts topping 60 knots, stacked up seas down which one could ski; long surfs with boatspeed topping 20 knots were recurring events. After nine sporty days out there, we gratefully eased into Tassie’s protected and far calmer waters. I’d gotten the Southern Ocean out of my system.

By comparison, my latest trip was a happy lark that included a lazy boat ride through Storm Bay out to Bruny Island, where on a pretty beach I came across a rock with this inscription: “Resolution Creek. Capt. Cook’s Ship Watered Here, 27-28 June 1777.” Afterward, we tied back up in Little Oyster Cove Creek, where the docks were full and a fleet of salty cruising boats swung on moorings. My mate spun tales of all the Sydney sailors who were now keeping boats in Tassie, where the costs were low and where the beautiful, empty anchorages were almost endless. I’d always come to these waters for adventure, but he had my full attention. Two words came to mind: “Why not?”

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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, abaft the lower helm station, and a U-shaped settee and dining table to port.

Belowdecks, Galeon managed to fit a three-stateroom, two-head layout on this sub-50-foot cruiser. Amidships, the full-beam master stateroom has the en suite head forward to port with a built-in settee and stowage to starboard. The forepeak VIP stateroom has a centerline queen berth and an en suite head, while the third guest stateroom is to starboard with over-under berths. The oversize windows in the staterooms are a nice touch, filling the spaces with natural light.

On the flybridge, the captain has a view through the reverse-raked windshield that cuts the wind as well as reduces glare and reflections off the water. The upper helm station is forward and to starboard with a bench seat for two people, while a U-shaped dinette is directly to port. Aft is an L-shaped settee for additional lounge seating. Abaft the upper helm station is a wet bar for libations and lunch.

Exterior entertainment spaces continue on the flybridge. The U-shaped settee on this deck can seat six people with broad views of the surroundings.

The 480 Fly can be ordered with twin 600 hp Volvo Penta D8 diesels and a V-drive transmission. This combination will push the vessel to a reported 29-knot top hop and a cruise speed of 24 knots, plenty fast to get the whole family feeling the wind in their hair.

Additional options for the Galeon 480 Fly include a Seakeeper gyrostabilizer, a hydraulic swim platform, an electric grill on the main deck aft and a stern thruster.

With its 480 Fly, Galeon Yachts has created a notable owner-operator cruising craft with multiple outdoor lounge areas, accommodations for the growing boating family, and the kind of power that makes a decent amount of exploring possible during a long weekend voyage. This midsize flybridge cruiser should prove a capable entertaining platform for friends too.

Change of Scene

On the main deck, two spaces can become one with the sliding glass doors open aft. The galley and cockpit merge, facilitating an indoor-outdoor dining and entertaining experience.

More Deck on Demand

Galeon enhanced the cockpit space with foldout terraces on both sides, a feature the builder calls Beach Mode. It creates more room for watersports and sunbathing when the yacht is at anchor.

Getting Social

The Galeon 480 Fly has a trifecta of exterior areas for guests to maximize alfresco activities, including the flybridge, cockpit and foredeck.

For the Onboard Chef

The galley is on the main deck, positioned for entertaining guests with amenities that include a Corian countertop, a two-burner cooktop, a microwave, a refrigerator, a sink, and stowage for serving trays and more.

Take the next step: galeonyachts.us

The post Introducing the Galeon Yachts 480 Fly appeared first on Yachting.