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.

We had the opportunity to take a sneak peek of the first Integrity 496 to arrive on the East Coast. This trawler features a variety of details and design elements that will appeal to the weekend warrior or long distance cruiser alike.

Altima’s latest launch is also their smallest. But the 45 incorporates many features that make her larger sisters well-suited cruisers.

We don’t think it’s that far of a leap to say that essentially P.A.E, builders of the Nordhavn series, created the passagemaker production boat segment when they introduced the Nordhavn 46 in the 1980s. This single engine pilothouse model made headlines by crossing oceans, and circumnavigating. In fact, one recently went around Cape Horn. We challenge you to find another powerboat brand with as many bluewater miles under its keel than Nordhavn.

“They’re calling for ten footers outside of Man O’War cut,” I reported back to my friend Mark Mitchell, “but we gotta get going!”

“George, are you sure?” he cautioned on the other end of the line from Ft. Lauderdale, “that’s heavy stuff.”