Sept 10, 2020
The Oceanis Yacht 54, younger sister of the Oceanis 62, embodies the innovation that has always been a hallmark of the Beneteau brand, while continuing to remain loyal to the Yacht range ethos: elegance, luxurious accommodations, and unrivaled performance. Capitalizing on experience gained with the enormously popular Oceanis range, as well as the trend-setting new First Yacht 53, her architects, Roberto Biscontini and Lorenzo Argento, have created a masterpiece that seamlessly blends form and function into a yacht that is exhilarating under sail, easy to shorthand, and comfortable both at sea and in port.
The yacht features cutting-edge technology such as Ship Control (a simple interface that accesses all the boat's systems); Dock&Go Joystick harbor-side maneuvering); and Harken's AST (automatic sail trimming), all of which firmly set Beneteau at the vanguard of the industry. By incorporating a standard feature of the Oceanis range - the mainsail arch - the OY54's cockpit is completely open, allowing for intuitive movement, comfort, and space; indeed, the flush cockpit occupies more than a third of the full deck area. Passage from the companionway down the centerline to the side-decks is absolutely unimpeded, and transit to the foredeck is made safe by the boat's high bulwarks and lifelines, as well as the generous width of the catwalks.
To simplify maneuvers both at the harbor and underway, Beneteau has e9uipped the Ocean is Yacht 54 with the invaluable Easy Sailing navigational aids. Ship Control is standard on the yacht and provides user-friendly intuitive control of all the boat data and components (batteries, tanks, engines, lighting, etc.). The well-proven Dock & Go system is also available to facilitate engine-powered maneuvers in a limited space, using a straightforward joystick control which operates a bow drive and a 360° rotating saildrive pod. You can use the amazing Harken AST (assisted sail trim) to trim the sails automatically in line with the apparent wind and trim the jib when you need to change tack. The AST system is controlled from a display in the cockpit.
The Oceanis Yacht 54, destined for the cruising life, is available with two different draughts (2.5 m as standard,1.95 m on option) and two types of masts (standard or in-furling). In both cases, Easy Sailing will make all maneuvers much easier, so that the crew can focus on the real pleasure of sailing.
LIGHT OAK OR WALNUT INTERIOR WITH THREE CABINS
Lorenzo Argento's watchword in designing this yacht was to create a warm modern atmosphere with as much natural light and ventilation as possible. The Oceanis Yacht 54's interior layout offers a chart desk and large saloon table which easily accommodates six adults. The interior can be built in two different wood tones, light oak or the more traditional walnut.
Two versions are available: three cabins and two heads, or three cabins and three heads with an extra-large forward master cabin, in which it is easy to walk around the double bed (1.6 m wide.)

By Andy Adams
Over the years Canadian Yachting has had the pleasure of doing several boat review articles on new Neptunus models and we are familiar with the qualities that Neptunus is famous for. They have all been exceptional yachts, but this is the one I would most want to own myself. It’s a personal choice and a matter of taste as to whether you would prefer to have a sedan express model or a flybridge but in my opinion, the flybridge layout offers some wonderful attributes.
We met with Neptunus Managing Director Jan Willem De Jong this past fall to take the new Neptunus 650F out in Lake Ontario.
Read More

By Mark Stevens
I was first seduced by the United States Virgin Islands during a ferry ride from St. Thomas to Tortola to begin one of our earliest British Virgin Islands charters nearly twenty years ago.
A perfect sunset off St. John with St. Thomas views for backdrop.
Clearing Pillsbury Sound, surrounded by voluptuous emerald mountains as the ferry sliced through royal blue waters, I was struck by the unspoiled ambiance of St. John, the island gliding past our starboard beam and the irresistible charm of a village called Cruz Bay visible from our quarter stern.
Read More

Story and photos by Matt Bera
We settled Svala into what my family and I had come to think of as the most desirable anchorage on Lake Ontario, on a sunny summer afternoon. With an abandoned settlement, an old schoolhouse full of swallows, giant snakes and a rum-running past, Main Duck Island had it all.
That we had to sail past the Psyche Shoal, a magnetic disturbance, and into the middle of the rumoured Marysburgh Vortex made an even better sea story. It had taken us two attempts, two years, two boats and a new sort-of experimental engine to get there.
Read More

By Zuzana Prochazka
Never chartered? No problem. Here’s how to plan, execute and enjoy a vacation on a charter yacht where life is easy and the sunsets can’t be beat.
Decide on a crewed or bareboat charter
A crewed charter means you have a captain who manages the boat and maybe a chef or mate as well. Crewed charters ensure a safe and comfortable vacation with most everything done for you. The chefs are usually outstanding so if you’re a foodie, you’ll be in heaven and you may be able to pick up new recipes too. Larger crewed yachts may also have a mate who works with the captain and will do things like getting toys (kayaks, SUPs, snorkel gear, etc.) ready for you to use so you do very little work.
Read More
On November 15th 2022, Mercury Marine, a division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), introduced the industry’s first ever V10 outboard with the official launch of its all-new 5.7L 350 and 400hp Verado® outboard engines.
Consistent with the award-winning Verado brand, the new V10 engines are the quietest and smoothest in their class running 45 percent quieter than a leading competitor at cruise. In addition to NVH, the new Verado’s are not only compatible with the latest Mercury SmartCraft® technologies but will also be offered with an optional dual-mode 48V/12V alternator to seamlessly pair with Navico Group’s Fathom® e-power system, an integrated lithium-ion auxiliary power management system, providing boaters the opportunity to eliminate an onboard generator system.
Read More