Silverton Marine, www.silverton.com, is the latest company to incorporate the Volvo IPS drives into a new design. The company's new Ovation yacht series uses triple IPS drives. One of the many benefits of the IPS drives is that they allow the engineers to move the engines farther aft since there is no need for long shaft runs. On the Ovation 52, 30-inches of usable space is created. Belowdecks, there are three staterooms, including a forward V.I.P.

One of the highlights on the fall boat show circuit has been the sweet Ocean Yachts 37 Billfish. While other builders are coming out with larger and larger craft, Ocean identified the market demand for a 37 footer designed solely to raise fish. The styling and single purpose mission will remind boaters of similar boats of the 1960s. While the sleek 37 Billfish sports a bridge, it incorporates standard features that distinguish it from other Ocean models. The most noticable is the absence of an after saloon bulkhead. Just as noticable is the prescence of a full windshield.

I’ve chartered boats in the Virgin Islands almost every year for the past 12 years and enjoyed a variety of experiences on each trip. I’ve cruised with small groups, large groups, with kids, without kids, you name it, I’ve signed up for it.

The Australian boatbuilder Riviera is a growing presence in the U.S. with a sales, parts and service network managed by its subsidiary Riviera Yachts of  the Americas. The builder specializes in open and enclosed-bridge sportfishing convertibles, Euro-style express cruisers and a new series of sport yachts, 36- and 47-foot sedan models.

Regulator, known for building quality center consoles, has introduced a 30 Express. It's the company's first in an expanding line of models that the North Carolina builder hopes will appeal to the serious angler who also wants a little more creature comfort.