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2022 Cruisers Yachts 34GLS

• By Capt. Chris Caswell
• April 6, 2022

The new Cruisers Yachts 34GLS is the latest iteration of the popular GLS series from Cruisers Yachts, which persists in claiming that GLS stands for Grand Luxury Sport. But I like to think it stands for Great Little Ship. This yacht defines family fun—if you look up “family fun” in the dictionary, you’ll find a picture of the 34GLS. Well, not really, but you get the idea.

The 34GLS is aimed at day outings and occasional overnight adventures, and it has enough speed (45 mph) with twin Mercury Verado outboards to satisfy all the towed water-toy needs.

Outboards generally preclude a usable transom platform, but the 34GLS has two “wings” extending alongside the engines as well as a comfortably wide walkway forward of the outboards, with all the plumbing and connections hidden so no one will trip. Like the rest of the cockpit, the area is covered with SeaDek for a cushy nonslip surface.

Interior and Accessories

The cockpit seating is offset to allow a rear-facing seat to port, the outdoor galley console, and a settee with a back that flips to become either a companion seat or aft-facing lounge. To starboard is an L-shaped settee, also with a flipping back for facing aft or forming a sun pad when folded flat. Cruisers gets credit not just for two perfectly finished tables (standard), but also for providing dedicated stowage (in a bag for varnish protection).

The mini galley includes a sink, but be sure to order the optional grill, fridge or ice maker for serious outings, and maybe even the fridge drawer under the helm seat. A standard fiberglass hardtop covers the cockpit, and our boat had both the optional SureShade to stretch the sun protection and an opening sunroof.

The skipper gets a well-arranged throne with a bench seat (adult-plus-kid size), and a Simrad electronics package with twin 9-inch displays in an eyebrowed dash to prevent reflections.  

The bow seating is via a passage to port, with a closing windshield and wind door to protect the cockpit. This is an area where parents worry, but Cruisers made the coamings high at 33 inches. The cockpit is even deeper at about 40 inches for safety.

There’s nothing unusual forward, with wraparound seats, a pedestal table that becomes a sun pad, and a 48-quart cooler. The forward-facing seats have flip-down armrests with beverage holders. The windlass ($7,355) tucks under a flush foredeck hatch, with push-button controls at the helm and at the bow.

Going below, I was impressed by the sliding screen door and usual fiberglass door. One night of dodging no-see-ums and you’ll also appreciate them. Cruisers managed to jigsaw all the important things into the living area, with a pair of settees that convert to a 77-by-48-inch double berth using the dining table, and our test boat had the optional fridge and microwave for morning coffee. A second cabin is just aft, with a single 6-by-3-foot berth tucked athwartships—perfect for a kid or mother-in-law.

A strong selling point for the 34GLS is the enclosed head with a Dometic electric flush toilet, and a counter with a vessel sink and Euro faucet. It’s a wet head with a wraparound shower curtain, a shower wand, and an opening port to vent the steam.

Cruisers also gets points for paying attention to details, such as the fully finished lockers. Lift a hatch and you find all the plumbing carefully secured and labeled in a white-finished bilge for easy cleaning. A sump handles the shower and sink so soapy water doesn’t go into the bilge, and Cruisers doesn’t cut any corners on construction with the 34GLS. The all-fiberglass hull is reinforced with rot-free foam and glass stringers, plus numerous molded sections for monocoque strength. I was also impressed by the deep gutters in the deck hatches, which should easily handle enthusiastic washdowns or downpours without water leaking belowdecks.

Our test boat had the standard Merc 300 Verados with Joystick Piloting, but you can up the ante to 350, 400 or even 450R outboards if you have a need for speed. For the Great Lakes, the 34GLS can also be fitted with Volvo Penta or MerCruiser sterndrives up to 350 hp each, but you’d lose the immense utility room under the cockpit sole. With outboards, that cavern can handle a 5 kW Kohler diesel generator, although our 34 boasted the inverter ($6,740) that can power the air conditioning ($6,235) for up to six hours.

The 34GLS has hydraulic trim tabs as standard, but the boat came up flat and fast during our test without needing a nudge from the tabs to get onto plane. Because we ran flat at speed, I suspect the tabs are there to balance the boat when Aunt Edna parks to one side.

The bottom was designed by Ocean Five naval architects, a growing force in production boats, and it sliced neatly through wakes and chop with its 21-degree transom deadrise without throwing spray everywhere. The 34GLS is fun to drive too, and the skipper is going to have people lined up saying, “My turn, my turn!”

If you’re looking around, check out the Scout 350LXZ ($551,000), which is a foot shorter but offers triple outboards.

Whether you’re entertaining a bunch of friends or getting away for a lazy weekend, the Cruisers 34GLS fulfills the promise of grand luxury sport; even better, it’s also a great little ship.

How We Tested

• Engine: Twin 300 hp Mercury Verado V-8s
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/16″ x 16.5″ Enertia 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.85:1 Fuel Load: 200 gal. Water on Board: 0 gal. Crew Weight: 400 lb

High Points 

• Immense finished stowage throughout, including for large items such as fenders.
• Clearly labeled and user-friendly dash, with shifter and throttles, joystick, and trim-tab controls in the armrest.
• Wide walkway to the bow from the cockpit with high coamings.
• Deep hatch gutters with rubber seals and double drains.
• Needs more handrails for moving around the cockpit safely, and the strange knee-high rails on the seats are too low.
• Getting into the aft cabin past the stairs requires a bit of wiggling.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

Cruisers Yachts – Oconto, Wisconsin; 800-743-3478; cruisersyachts.com

• More: 2022 , 30-40ft , boat tests , Boats , Cruisers Yachts , Cruising Boats , May 2022 , outboards

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• Cabin Cruiser Boats

The Best Cabin Cruiser Boats in 2024

We gave our Boating Team one job: To find the best and most popular cabin cruisers and review them.

Our writers and editorial team conducted interviews, researched specs and drew upon our collective expertise to write unbiased reviews.

A cabin cruiser is a great choice for families and those who want to cruise a little further . For those of us who love being on the water and by the water, this type of vessel is great for entertaining and getting away.

It hits the mark between an RV and a floating luxury hotel room. Although they give you many comforts of larger yachts, they cost much less and are easier to operate.

In this guide, we’ve rounded up the best cabin cruisers money can buy in 2024.

Notice the different sizes and pay attention to some of the really smart features. Check out some videos in the guide at the bottom.

See our quick top 15, or go further down and read our in-depth reviews.

The Top 5 Cabin Cruiser Boats in 2024

All the cabin cruiser boats we've tested, sea ray slx 400 ob.

Where to buy:

Where to buy sea ray slx 400 ob:.

Sea Ray’s flagship is the SLX 400 OB, a 42-foot platform with outstanding use of space and basic accommodations, that embodies bowrider performance and social options with cabin cruiser comfort.

All told, this boat has seating for up to 22 people and can reach 60 mph.

The SLX 400 is “The Entertainer,” dubbed for the copious space for lounging and hanging out on deck. The starboard side features a fold-down swim terrace extending the boat’s beam by three feet and adding room to the swim platform. A well-appointed wet bar galley with electric grills stands opposite a huge L-shaped settee and table.

If you’re worried that driving this 20,000-pound boat might feel sluggish, think again. The Mercury V-8s get the boat to plane in just under five seconds. The ride is solid and comfortable, with automatic trim tabs and an optional Seakeeper gyro stabilizer. When it comes time to head home, the Mercury joystick steering makes even the trickiest docking scenarios easy as cake.

• Length: 42 feet, 2 inches
• Beam: 12 feet, 1 inch
• Draft: 45 inches max, 32 inches engines up
• Weight: 20,678 pounds dry
• Capacity: Yacht Certified
• Fuel Tank: 375 gallons
• Water Tank: 50 gallons
• Engine: 3x Mercury 300 Verado V-8 outboards with joystick (upgradable to twin 600-hp V-12s )
• Top Speed: 45 knots (51.8 mph)

Things we like:

Things we don't like:, axopar 45 xc.

Where to buy Axopar 45 XC:

The latest boat from Finnish builder Axopar is nothing short of a bigger, better adventure machine. The Axopar 45 XC Cross Cabin features a glorious upper pilothouse and salon, terrace seating, a customizable aft deck, and the option for two cabins and two heads.

A wave-cutting V-hull shape puts the performance of this adventure boat in focus, but the surprising amenities crammed into this platform impress equally as much.

Dive into the in-depth to investigate the details surrounding the Axopar 45 XC, and see why these boats are becoming so popular worldwide.

• Length: 45 feet, 7 inches/13.9 meters
• Beam: 13 feet, 6 inches/4.11 meters
• Draft: 3 feet, 3 inches/1.0 meters
• Weight (without engines): 15,433 pounds/7,000 kg
• Power: 3x Mercury Verado V-8 300 outboards
• Passengers/CE: Certification B:12/C:16

Tiara Yachts

Tiara 43 LE

Where to buy Tiara 43 LE:

The Tiara 43 LE is the first in the company’s new series of performance cabin cruisers. If it looks fast, it’s because it is fast. This boat, powered by twin Mercury V12 outboards churning out a combined 1,200 horsepower, gets up to 30 in about 11 seconds and tops out around 54 miles per hour.

As is expected from a brand like Tiara, this small motor yacht is beautifully appointed and well-equipped. The entire port gunwale opens into a large swim platform, opening up the cockpit space for water-fun or entertaining.

Down below, the boat has a large island berth forward and a separate double stateroom to midship. The pilothouse is enclosed with tempered glass all around and provides awesome visibility and all-season comfort.

All in all, the Tiara 43LE is a cabin cruiser that drives with power and elegance. Unlike other vessels in the class, however, this boat lacks a common area to work and eat, like a large cockpit table or a dinette in the pilothouse. The seating arrangements work great for socializing on the water, but you might want to look at the 48LE for overnights or longer-distance voyaging.

• Length Overall (LOA): 43'6"
• Dry Weight: 23,300 lbs.
• Draft: 3'5"
• Fuel Tank: 400 gal.
• Water Tank: 60 gal.
• Holding Tank: 40 gal.
• Power: 2x Mercury 600 Verado V12 Outboards
• Top Speed: 47.4 knots (54.6 mph)
• Cruising Speed: 37.4 knots (43.1 mph)
• Fuel Burn at Cruise: 61.6 gph
• Range at Cruise: 219 nm (252 mi)
• Grand Banks

Eastbay Yachts

The Grand Banks Eastbay 44

Where to buy The Grand Banks Eastbay 44:

The Eastbay 44 from Grand Banks is the company’s smallest Downeast cabin cruiser. It’s one of the first boats released by the brand under the leadership of CEO Mark Richards.

In a world filled with production boats, here is a moving work of art—a boat built as good as it looks that can carry you and your family to distant shores with comfort and ease.

A joystick control and widely-spaced engines make docking in tight spaces easy. Responsive throttles and the deep-vee hull make shooting even the roughest inlet a non-event.

But the resounding virtue of the Eastbay 44 is its build quality. This brand prides itself on pursuing perfection, and the Eastbay 44 might be the closest thing to it in the small motor yacht or cabin cruiser categories.

The Eastbay draws on the heritage of the Maine lobster boat. She’s beamy for a spacious interior and a stable ride. Her attractive, low-profile design contrasts the angular and tall flybridge offerings of her competition. And her beautifully appointed pilothouse is perfectly sheltered from the elements when you want to be. But, with the push of the button, the windows open, and the space has as much fresh air as you’d ever want.

• Length Overall: 48'10"
• Length On Deck: 43'7"
• Beam: 14'7"
• Displacement: 36,883 lbs.
• Engine: 2x Volvo Penta D6-IPS 650S (480 hp, six-cylinder, pod-drive diesels)
• Top Speed: 33 knots (38 mph)
• Cruise Speed: 28 knots (32 mph) at 27 gallons per hour
• Cruise Range: 492 nautical miles
• Fuel Tank: 581 gal.
• Water Tank: 194 gal.
• Holding Tank: 41 gal.

Jeanneau US

Jeanneau Worldwide

Jeanneau Merry Fisher 1295

Where to Book:

Where to book jeanneau merry fisher 1295:.

All new for 2023, Jeanneau has introduced the Merry Fisher 1295 Fly, also called the NC Weekender 1295 Fly. At just over 40 feet, this true three-level yacht boasts three staterooms, two heads, tons of comfortable seating and lounge space, and enough storage to bring all your stuff with you.

Beyond helm features for easier docking, this cabin cruiser is designed to carry you and your family comfortably. There’s not really another 40-foot flybridge that offers as much as the 1295 for the same price point.

The spacious salon level features sliding glass doors that open onto the aft cockpit. The aft galley is fully appointed and allows for the perfect flow for socialization during meals and hanging out. The cockpit features a walkthrough boarding door to port and a large fold-down swim terrace to starboard.

Finally, the staterooms and heads are large and comfortable, with plenty of storage and headroom below.

• Length: (Overall/Hull) 41 feet, 2 inches/12.56 meters; 39 feet, 1 inch/11.92 meters
• Beam: 12 feet, 6 inches/3.80 meters
• Draft: 2 feet, 6 inches/0.76 meters
• Hull Weight: 18,031 pounds/8,181 kilograms
• Bridge Clearance: 16 feet, 5 inches/5.0 meters
• Fuel Capacity: 310 gallons/1,174 liters
• Engines: 3x 300 horsepower Yamaha outboards
• CE Category: B10/C12

Rinker Boats

Rinker 270 Express Cruiser

Where to buy Rinker 270 Express Cruiser:

The Rinker boat company may have gone the way of the dinosaurs, but the 270 Express Cruiser will be around for a while. Polaris has assumed ownership and support for these agile cruisers.

Enjoy 6’5” cabin headroom, a fully equipped galley, a head with wet shower, and sleeping quarters that can stretch 4 people if it has to.

Rinker has designed a smaller boat that has designs that make it seem bigger. Step inside and see how functionality isn’t compromised by a more streamlined setup.

An older, discontinued model, but a good one.

And the Express Cruiser certainly loves to move, meaning you got the amenities in something that motors like a speed boat.

Wakeboarding and tubing is quite a reasonable thing to do with the 270.

Choose either the MerCruiser SeaCore Drive or the workhorse Volvo Penta OceanX Drive for gasoline or diesel motors respectively.

As an update, this model seems to be discontinued, but as a used boat for sale with low running hours, it could be an affordable way to satisfaction.

• Length: 28’10”
• Dry weight: 7,085lbs
• Capacity: sleeps 4
• Motor : Inboard MerC (gasoline) or Volvo Penta (Diesel)

Regal Boats

Regal 42 Fly

Where to buy Regal 42 Fly:

This spacious flybridge yacht is one of Regal’s flagships. It’s a cabin cruiser that flirts with the lifestyle aboard a larger motor yacht.

She’s already spacious, but the large windows add an incredibly open and light-filled feeling to all the spaces below.

The flybridge has a welcoming open layout for hanging out in the sun with 4-6 friends, and the upper salon, with its fully appointed galley, makes meal prep easy. Below decks, you’ll find two large staterooms, one with a queen-sized island berth and the other with an even larger king that can convert to two twins.

There’s a choice of adding an extra head instead of the lower galley and adding privacy walls. Performance-wise, driving this boat with Regal’s high-quality gauges and consoles will be a pleasure.

• Length: 41 feet, 11 inches
• Beam: 13 feet
• Draft: 44 inches
• Dry Weight: 27,400 lbs.
• Fuel Tank: 258 gal.
• Water Tank: 73 gal.
• Power Options: 2x Volvo D6 diesel with IPS drive (870 hp)

Back Cove Yachts

Back Cove 34O

Where to buy Back Cove 34O:

The perfectly balanced combination of performance, comfort, and downeast seaworthiness make the Back Cove 34O a cruising couple’s dream.

Her entirely new hull features Trailing Edge Lifting Surface (TRELIS) *D* design technology and is fitted with a standard bow thruster. The 34O delivers cruise and top-end speeds approximately 10 knots faster than the traditional single diesel Back Cove.

Built with entertaining in mind, the cockpit boasts an elegant salon with a versatile and comfortable settee along with a fully equipped galley. The aft-facing seat converts into a helm deck U-shaped dinette or second berth.

We’ve been seeing the double outboard motor solution on bigger boats in the last few years, and the Back Cove 340 does it pretty well. With twin 300hp Yamahas (or upgrade to 350hp with optional Suzuki), the performance of this cabin cruiser seems like a ski boat when it gets the chance to stretch its legs.

A couple of highlights of this cabin cruiser is the inventive helm step that provides excellent visibility as well as loads of storage space below the helm deck—large enough to fit all your water toys and fishing gear.

When dusk turns to dark, head over to the spacious master cabin where you’ll find a large and comfortable bed as well as a separate head and shower.

• Length: 38’11”
• Beam: 11’10”
• Dry weight: 17,000lbs
• Motor: 2 outboards

Azimut Yachts

Azimut Magellano 43

Where to buy Azimut Magellano 43:

The Azimut Magellano 43 deserves a place in our list for her unparalleled mix of solid-performance with uber-luxurious surroundings. It’s a cabin cruiser built for long-range yachting. You’ll want to just keep sailing on.

It features three decks of pure sophistication and attention to detail. It comes with three cabins, two full heads, a fully equipped galley, and loads of room to walk around, entertain, and relax.

Designed for luxury cruising, this trawler-inspired vessel comes with the unique Dual Mode hull, which ensures comfortable navigation and excellent seafaring even in choppy, deep-sea conditions.

This cabin cruiser, like the Grand Banks in this list, challenges the category and will likely be referred to by their owners and spectators as a beautiful yacht . That’s where this model fits on this list: a cabin cruiser boat that’s bigger in every way, including style and price.

It’s designed for extended voyages on bigger seas, but it’ll generate attention in the marina. The Magellano’s size will, however, make finding a slip difficult, so bear this in mind.

• Length: 43’10”
• Beam: 14’5”
• Dry weight: 38,800lbs
• Capacity: sleeps 5+
• Motor: 2 Inboard

Intrepid Powerboats

Intrepid 41 Valor

Where to buy Intrepid 41 Valor:

One of the most recent additions to the Intrepid Powerboats line-up is the 41 Valor, a cabin cruiser designed for performance.

Despite the temptation of doing the next Key West Poker Run, it features a clean and crisp design and offers you and your guests loads of comfort and space for a memorable day of cruising or a pleasant overnight stay.

The large wraparound cockpit lounge is great for entertaining. Add the optional wet bar and the party is complete.

The private retreat below the cockpit includes a large queen-size berth in the aft, a galley on the starboard side, a private head with shower stall on the port side along with a V-shaped settee that can also be converted into a berth with the optional Hi-Lo table and filler cushion.

As with all Intrepids, it also features the company’s signature stepped hull, which delivers a smooth, dry ride with unmatched performance. With 2 or 3 outboard motors to choose from–including Evinrude 200 up to Mercury 450R–the Poker Run is calling!

• Length: 41'85'’
• Beam: 11’9”
• Motor: 2 or 3 outboards

Regal 33 Express

Where to buy Regal 33 Express:

One of the best cabin cruisers we know of, the Regal 33 Express has everything you need to spend as much time on the water as you like. No small feat considering its diminutive size.

This boat has a spacious cockpit with well-thought-out seating options making it maneuverable and more  manageable than bigger cruisers.

Everyone will fight over their spot on the “UltraLounge,” an electrically activated four-position seat on the stern that is comfortable no matter how you use it. A cockpit bar-style galley has space for a fridge and electric grill.

Down below, the 33 Express has an enormous king-sized midship berth that can convert to two large twins. There’s a dinette built around a small galley and a convertible bunk forward that folds up and out of the settee. The head is large and features an electric toilet and a separate shower.

• Length: 34 feet, 3 inches
• Beam: 10 feet, 4 inches
• Draft (min/max): 21/37 inches
• Dry Weight: 13,200 lbs.
• Fuel Tank: 150 gal.
• Water Tank: 36 gal.
• Power Options: 2x Volvo V6 (560 hp) or 2x Volvo V8 (600 or 700 hp); or outboard power on the Regal 33XO

Sabre Yachts

Sabre Salon Express 38

Where to buy Sabre Salon Express 38:

Classic Downeast lines paired with all the right features make the Sabre Salon Express 38 “a boat that boaters recognize.”

This pocket cruising yacht —ideal for a couple or a small family—boasts an open, elegant, and inviting salon which opens up to an equally spacious and comfortable cockpit, great for entertaining and al fresco dining.

The cabin below comes with a fully equipped galley, a lounge, a master berth, as well as a full head. Add plenty of stowage to this cruiser and summer voyage is both realistic and uncompromising.

The classic profile, thrilling performance, and low sound levels make the Sabre SE 38 an icon of nautically sensible design.

• Length: 41’9”
• Beam: 13’4”
• Dry weight: 21,000lbs
• Capacity: Yacht certified
• Motor: 2 inboards

Jeanneau America

Jeanneau NC1095 Fly

Where to buy Jeanneau NC1095 Fly:

The NC1095 Fly is the culmination of a practical approach to a cabin cruiser with intelligent design spawned by a modern interpretation of what cruising is all about. This is an amazing 3 stateroom, 35-foot boat that can so easily be called a home away from home.

This is a plus model option to Juneau’s 35 foot flagship NC1095 that adds the flybridge for those lovely sunny days when you can lavish in getting closer to the sun. It has ample space in the aft section of the cockpit with a movable sofa seat when tilting the two outboard motors.

The salon itself is full of storage cubbies, a long galley table with sink and stove and a modular table that doubles as an additional berth. With the cockpit enclosure around the aft seating area, the living space becomes that much more impressive in a 35 footer.

The Fly is easily big enough for a family or a small party to while away a weekend or a summer playing cards, reading, while cruising to another horizon.

As a performance vessel, the NC1095 Fly handles like a bowrider . It’s twin Yamaha outboards are quiet but insistent and the controls–including bow thruster–make turning, docking, navigating intuitive and responsive. Powered by Garmin instruments with optional auto-pilot solutions, even less-experienced mariners will feel more at ease behind the wheel.

Speaking of space again, the recessed starboard side deck makes for quick access for laying out fenders and moorings, while access to the boat’s mechanical, power and fuel systems makes visual inspection and maintenance that much easier.

The V-berth stateroom has a lot of natural light and smart storage. The second berth has plenty of space with standing room too, while the third stateroom–a little smaller–still has a double bunk and an optional second fridge.

Built in the Cadillac, Michigan factory the venerable Juneau Yacht company has joined its artisan past with its desire to adapt and improve. The flydeck variant of their motor boat flagship is testament to Juneau’s history of understanding what works and doing it even better.

• Length: 34’3”
• Dry weight: 11,685lbs
• Capacity: Sleeps up to 8

Sea Ray Sundancer 320

Where to buy Sea Ray Sundancer 320:

In many ways, it was the Sundancer that made Sea Ray famous. With their classy blend of speed and overnight accommodations, these express cruisers are the perfect size for most boaters looking to get out on the water and enjoy a second home away from home.

Sundancers in the 31 to 32-foot range have long been the best sellers. It’s the Goldilocks boat that is neither too large nor too small. The current Sundancer 320 is available with either Mercruiser sterndrive or Mercury outboard power.

The Sundancer features some of the great technology you’ll find in other Sea Rays, including the submersible swim platform and plush seating. The bow now features a clever sun lounge with a walkway and removable table, making a much more functional space compared to similar cabin cruisers of the past.

• Length: 32 feet, 10 inches
• Beam: 10 feet, 7 inches
• Draft (max/min): 41 inches/30 inches
• Weight: 14,000 pounds
• Power: 2x Mercruiser 6.2L MPI ECT Bravo Three X (300 hp each)
• Number of people: Yacht Certified
• Fuel: 158 gallons

Jeanneau Leader 33

Where to buy Jeanneau Leader 33:

Cruise in functional style aboard the Leader 33. A moderately sized cabin cruiser with surprising space and plush interiors, the Leader 33 is a good entry boat into touring.

Available in two versions: an Open version with an arch and a Sport Top version with an electrically opening hard top, the Leader 33 boasts a spacious and functional layout which makes relaxing and entertaining a breeze.

Long windows in the hull offer beautiful sea views along with plenty of natural light in the cabin below. Also, two galleys, two sleeping berths, and an expansive head with a separate shower stall make the Leader 33 the ideal boat for a weekend getaway.

Junneau is a well-established name and there are plenty of solid used options for this model. When you find one for sale at a dealer or marina, take it for a spin.

• Length: 34’8”
• Dry weight: 10,829lbs

Regal 38 SAV

Where to buy Regal 38 SAV:

The Regal 38 SAV defies being put in a category. It looks like a simple center console, but it has the amenities of a fully-furbished cabin cruiser. It will thrive in the warm Gulf waters and the Caribbean.

The SAV stands for Sports Activity Vessel. In other words, it’s an SUV on the water with the functionality to match its name. Adjustable seating and the ability to go to the beach and go on a blue water cruise will keep the whole family happy, whether fishing, cruising, tanning, or playing in the water.

If you’re in the market for a boat that can comfortably entertain a crowd or take the family on a comfortable cruise, the 38 SAV is worth a look. While not as performance-oriented as other options, it offers features and a layout comparable to the Tiara 43 LE or Sea Ray SLX 400 but at a friendlier price point than either. If you want something with a fully enclosed cockpit, check out the Regal LS36 .  

• Length: 39 feet, 3 inches
• Beam: 11 feet, 11 inches
• Draft (min/max): 23/31 inches
• Dry Weight: 18,800 lbs.
• Fuel Tank: 340 gal.
• Power Options: 3x Yamaha 300 hp outboard

Related Reviews

Read full review

A Quick Guide to Cabin Cruisers 

They need a little more than just a cabin under the deck to be called a cabin cruiser. Think  bowrider or runabout  and expand outwards with a mind toward extending your daytrip so it potentially never ends. That entails more space and comfort like you get with your typical luxury yacht combined with performance associated with the bowriders.

The cabin cruisers we have on the list are designed with a maritime intelligence that incorporates deep and fundamental logic required to make recreational sailing as a lifestyle both safe and enjoyable. A model like the NC1095 Fly is a great example of a modern interpretation of a cabin cruiser that really embodies the maritime equivalent of a newer RV.

When deciding what vessel is right for you, figure out how much space you need, how long you’re going to be cruising and pay particular attention to how comfortable you feel navigating tighter waterways and docking. Smaller craft like the Chris-Craft 34 are easier to wrap your head around and if your needs and horizons are closer to home than this is a good vessel for cruising shorter overnight excursions and even navigating smaller waterways like river systems.

The bigger boats, like the Grand Banks 44, will appeal to longer voyages further out at sea. These are vessels that could even traverse the Atlantic–for the intrepid mariner–and have a great go of the Mediterranean.

While size will increase the challenges when navigating and docking (make sure to use boat fenders when docking), these modern cabin cruisers have been designed so well in order to make the pilot seem a steady, old hand at the helm.

Consider the need for bow thrusters, whether you want inboard motors or outboard motors (the latter tend to be cheaper and easier to maintain), air conditioning/heating, where you can get a boat slip and how readily available guest slips are for boats with the different beams (width).

These boats are still relatively easy to operate but they can go quite fast on the water. Remember to observe the customs and rules on the waves. Most importantly: enjoy.

Take a look at these videos that demonstrate some of the models on our list:

Continue reading our Boat Reviews:

• 7 Best Regal Boats 
• 8 Best StarCraft Boats
• 13 Best Lowe Boats
• 7 Best Center Console Boats

Frequently asked questions

A cabin cruiser is a type of powerboat that typically ranges from 25 to 45 feet in length. Because they come with sleeping, cooking, and bathroom facilities they are a top choice for weekend trips but also manageable enough for quick day trips.

These are some of the best cabin cruiser brands on the market today:

• Cruiser Yachts

Prices will vary depending on the size as well as the included amenities.

A cabin cruiser usually costs between U$100,000 to U$700,000. However, more sophisticated models, like the  East Bay 44  can go for as much as U$1 million.

Cabin cruisers are very similar to larger yachts. They can cruise long distances and they offer many facilities that help keep passengers comfortable during long haul trips, but unlike a large yacht, a cabin cruiser boat does not require a professional crew aboard.

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Love it! It would be fun to test drive each!

It’s possible to test a lot of them at a boat show. Board and check out the interior and, if you’re lucky, join along for a sea trial.

This is great feedback, and we’ll take it into account when updating our guides.

This is a great list. I keep coming back to them to discover more manufacturers and models. Is it possible, however, to add cost ranges to these models or generic $$$ cost brackets. The boat companies all like to hide the cost and not knowing the brands I am spending most of my time trying to figure out which one is the best value. You mentioned a range of $100k to $700k but I have yet to find the $100k model

What are the best “hardtop Express Cruisers in the 36′ LOA range with OB engines and a fully enclosed weatherproof helm/salon area? I would like a boat that can sleep six adults.

Hey Keith. Thank you for your service. Some of the boat makers have military discounts like Crestliner (for fishing boats mainly: https://www.crestliner.com/specials/military-discount/ ), but talk to the guys at your local marina. I’ve found that they do reward service with a price cut sometimes. Check out these guys too: https://www.harborsidemarinesales.com/

Hello Is there a disabled veteran discount?

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Princecraft Vectra 21 RL

Igloo Marine Ultra Cooler

Yamaha Recreation Series

Lowe Roughneck 2070SC Jon

Gallery of cabin cruiser boats review.

A variety of Cabin Cruiser boats on water

Photo courtesy Tiara Yachts.

The Axopar cross cabin is an adventure boat with overnighting options.

The Merry Fisher 1295 Fly jumps on plane and tops out at about 40 knots.

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The 19 best motor yachts at the Southampton Boat Show 2024

• Southampton Boat Show
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It’s a packed line-up, but if you don’t have the time to see them all, we’ve picked out a some of the boats that we think are especially worthy of your attention at the 2024 Southampton Boat Show . Keep scrolling to read more, or click on the links below to jump to the boat you want to see.

Best motor yachts at the Southampton Boat Show 2024

Sunseeker Ocean 156

Unquestionably the biggest boat making its global premiere at the Southampton show is Sunseeker’s all-new Ocean 156. Unlike last year’s Ocean 182, which started life as an Ocean 90 before having an enclosed hardtop tacked on top, the 156 was designed from the ground up as a tri-deck model. The result is a more considered and, we would argue, better looking craft. Given that it’s also considerably shorter with an LOA of 82ft 6in (the 156 in its name refers to its Gross Tonnage), that’s no mean feat.

As with all Ocean models, it’s also unusually beamy. A maximum width of 26ft 6in exactly matches that of the Sunseeker 95 Yacht and the result is a really spacious craft, relative to its length, with a broad choice of layouts. Crucially, that includes the option of a main deck owner’s cabin with all the benefits that incurs, such as bigger windows, better views, quieter nights, increased privacy and direct access to the bow lounge. That still leaves room below for four more double cabins, including a large full-beam suite amidships.

The alternative is to keep the main deck as a vast open-plan entertaining zone with the galley at the centre of the action and a variety of dining, seating and bar options filling the spaces on either side of it.

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Fairline Targa 40

Southampton will be playing host to one of the world’s most exciting sportscruisers. With lofty topsides, an upright bow and a wide beam that extends a good way forward, Fairline tells us this boat is 20% more voluminous than the old Targa 38. But while it’s clearly designed as a genuine mini-cruiser, the styling is also a delight. The snub-nosed semi-plumb bow comes with backlit stainless steel logos; the foredeck sunpad is framed by fibreglass ‘spears’; and the long plunging hull windows are dramatically mirrored in what appears to be a virtually mullion-free superstructure.

On the inside, the practical ingenuity of the cockpit is also brilliant. The aft deck is split by a pair of broadly symmetrical sunpad-cum-bench units. There’s space for a partially inflated 2.7m tender inside the port unit, as well as a hinged table to keep the deck space clear. On the starboard side, a ‘power-down beach club balcony’ extends the cockpit outwards and to make very best use of that, there’s a bench that can be reversed to face out across the water.

Princess X95 Vista

The largest boat at the show is also one of the most interesting. As an adaptation of the starkly distinctive X95, the vast interior spaces on both the open-plan, helm-free main deck and that trademark ‘Super Flybridge’ still cover virtually the entire length of the yacht. It still claims to deliver 10% more outdoor space and 40% more indoor volume than a traditional motor yacht of the same length.

And it’s still the same pioneering platform that inspired so many other builders to follow suit with their own interpretations of the long-range, explorer-style sub-100ft ‘superyacht’. But the Vista variant updates the concept in a couple of ways, firstly with a new full-length single-piece hull window, and secondly, with a new foredeck design that opens up the bow structure to provide uprated views, both through the main deck’s forward window and the exterior foredeck seating.

Though second in size to the flagship 46, the new 41 is probably the best boat in the entire fleet. Modest innovations include plenty of firsts for Targa – proper hull windows, bonded pilothouse glazing, larger side doors and cockpit boarding gates. But it’s the fact that the 41 is playful, as well as practical, that’s so pleasing.

The cockpit, for instance, features symmetrical L-shaped seating sections at the transom, opposite an aft-facing bench at the back end of the pilothouse, all ramped up with the option of flip-down seats, drop-down tables and sunbed infills.

There’s another sunbed forward plus a convertible C-shaped dinette up on the flybridge – and you even get space to sleep up to seven people, thanks to two cabins and a convertible wheelhouse dinette.

Norway’s Marex will be taking its award-winning flagship to the Southampton Boat Show in its optional (and for most people, preferable) ‘Gourmet Cruiser’ guise. This uses a massive aft galley that dominates the internal space and projects out into the cockpit with an optional bar.

You can spec this boat with the more conventional internal saloon of the ‘Scandinavia’ variant instead but rigged like this, the kitchen is very much the hub of the dayboating zone with plenty of space to cook and eat, plus four huge chest fridges in and around the galley area, so you can spend long spells at sea without returning to shore.

Back aft, the big cockpit is hemmed in securely and lined on all sides by bench seats, creating an alfresco lounge big enough for ten. You can turn this into a four-season space with tensioned canvases; and the accommodation is flexible too, thanks to a two or three-cabin layout with a pair of cleverly conceived bathrooms.

Whether you want IPS drives, sterndrives or V-drives, the 440 again offers plenty of choice, but what is really likely to put a smile on your face is the way it combines classical elegance with striking design intelligence and delivers it all in a package you would feel very proud to own.

Nord Star 33+

Southampton will host the first outboard-powered Nord Star 33+ to hit UK shores – and like the inboard variant, it looks like a very cruise-friendly boat. It features deep, wide walkaround decks with opening side gates built into the railings amidships, plus sliding doors on both sides of the pilothouse. The tinted windows are all bonded in, helping narrow the mullions for uprated views from the main saloon – and in the optional ‘Cruiser Layout’, the starboard galley comes with a full-height fridge, a gas-free stove and wide aft patio doors.

Down below, a striking full-beam mid cabin with twin beds and hanging storage is neatly accessed via a hinged seat and there’s also a permanent double in the forward cabin. In Cruiser form, it’s the central section that really shines. By putting the galley up top, it frees up the space for a wetroom on one side and a starboard heads on the other. Alternatively, you can spec both sides with a loo and shower; use the port compartment as a walk-in wardrobe; or you can opt for the standard fit-out with the galley below and larger dinette in the saloon.

Absolute Navetta 48

The smallest of Absolute’s Navetta range does a superb job for a sub 50-footer. As on the larger models, the plumb bow, raised foredeck, generous beam and trawler-style superstructure mean plenty of volume for a boat of this length. It’s big enough to sleep six adults in remarkable comfort, thanks to a pair of generous midships guest cabins and a supremely bright and spacious owner’s bow cabin.

Pocket doors and long, panoramic windows make the space feel very generous, and the bed is set on the diagonal for maximum floor space around it. That still leaves room for a couple of decent bathrooms and an additional ensuite crew cabin that you can access directly from the stern platform.

Having forged its reputation over the last 50 years through the creation of premium ocean-going sailing yachts, Rustler’s first ever motor boat will be taking centre stage in Southampton. Designed very much in the fashion of a classical gentleman’s launch, it uses a sheltered main deck saloon with twin helm seats that back onto a fully featured galley. Opposite that, a U-shaped dinette can be converted into a third double berth to supplement the owner’s bow cabin and the midships guest double.

From here, aft doors lead to a sociable outdoor cockpit with L-shaped seating in each quarter and a wet bar with additional seating forward. A central through-transom door gives access to the swim platform and further forward, side gates and walkaround decks make onboard movement equally easy.

Cormate Chase 35

Making their UK debuts in Southampton will be a couple of extremely attractive new Cormates. The Utility 27 is an ultra rapid high-end weekender with lovely looks – but with its extra length, day space and weekend cruising potential, it’s the new Chase 35 that is likely to be the bigger draw.

Extended by a foot with a revised hull for extra efficiency and stability, the new boat comes with the extraordinary option of twin 565hp Mercury Racing engines for a claimed 82-knot top end. But such is the efficiency of the hulls that even the basic twin TDI V6 270 diesels will deliver performance in the region of 46 knots, alongside cruising efficiency of less than 1.2 litres per nautical mile.

It achieves that by means of a narrow beam (around 25% of the overall length), a hull monostep and stiff, lightweight vacuum-infused construction that sees this boat tipping the scales at just 3,000kg.

Greenline 45 Fly

This is the first chance for showgoers to see the 45 Fly on UK shores since it was launched back in 2019. And we reckon this is Greenline’s most appealing boat yet.

Much of that comes down to its clever design and packaging – it looks good inside and out with a lovely bright saloon and aft galley on the main deck and three good cabins below with exceptional levels of natural light, especially in the forward VIP.

There’s also some smart thinking on the engineering side with a wide range of Yanmar or Volvo engines to choose from and the option for varying degrees of electric hybrid power. Even the base boat comes with a li-ion battery pack plus an inverter and solar panels on the saloon roof to give you mains power at anchor without the need for a noisy, smelly generator.

Balt Yachts SunCamper 31

Possibly not the fastest, prettiest or most luxurious boat at the show, but we challenge you to find a better value one than this SunCamper 31. Built by Polish yard Balt Yachts, which also manufactures craft for some much more prestigious brands, it looks like being a great little waterways cruiser for buyers on a budget.

Powered by either a single petrol outboard or small shaftdrive diesel engine, it should be just as cheap to run as it is to buy. For as little as £129,226 inc VAT you get a really bright, spacious wheelhouse with a well-equipped galley and convertible dinette, as well as sleeping space for an astonishing seven people. There’s a double cabin forward with an extra single berth under the saloon and another double aft – and we’re told the heads compartment has lots of headroom too.

Show visitors in search of a boat that marries offshore potency with stylistic flair would do well to check out the new Sargo flagship. In addition to the promise of a soft, dry ride on long offshore passages from that rigorously proven Sargo hull, the new 45 makes everything really simple.

From the easy-access fender stowage and the impeccable helm station to the wide-gauge fuel fillers and the side-opening engine bay, the basics have been really well executed on this flagship model.

In terms of its cruising credentials, it comes with a convertible dinette, an ingenious ensuite mid-cabin, a pair of forward cabins and a generous day heads, so you could feasibly sleep eight people on this boat in really decent comfort.

Enjoying its UK debut at the Southampton Boat Show is the smallest of Fjord’s elegant daycruiser fleet. It comes as standard with twin helm seats offset to starboard behind the large central console. There’s also a large aft bench and a big open deck to make the most of the boat’s fluid zero-step walkaround design. As a high-end Med-style party platform it’s a very easy boat to customise too.

There are six alternative upper deck layouts, revolving around the use of aft benches, a galley and a T-top. There are also two lower deck arrangements that subtly tweak the base layout’s bow cabin and starboard heads. But for us, this boat looks best with three helm seats, backing onto a transverse galley, with a large central dinette and an aft sunpad.

Windy 29 Huracán

New to the Southampton Boat Show will be one of the smallest Windy boats to inhabit the brand’s classical (and still much sought-after) sportscruiser format. Slotting neatly between the 27 Solano and the 32 Grand Zonda, the Windy Huracán 29 ticks all the usual Windy boxes with a step-free deep-vee hull, a choice of petrol or diesel inboard engines, a deep, wide cockpit and an aggressively raked foredeck with a step-through screen.

The deck layout is also classical Windy, thanks to an asymmetrical cockpit arrangement, featuring a pair of rotating helm seats that back onto a starboard dinette and a facing corner seat to port. Behind that, a sunpad adjoins the aft end of the dinette, with a sliding backrest for extra flexibility.

Prestige F4.9

What was originally the Prestige F4 has become the Prestige F4.9 to better reflect its 49ft length – but it’s good to see that the boat remains the same because there’s some ingenuity to the deck arrangements that makes this latest-generation Prestige flybridge cruiser feel extremely gratifying.

The ‘Ocean View Galley’, for instance, adopts a transverse layout way aft, enabling it to straddle the zone between saloon and cockpit to great effect, while also putting your eyeline at the same level as that of the seated saloon guests on the other side of the low-level glass screen. But there’s even better thinking at the bow, where the raised forward cabin takes great advantage of the extra breadth in the upper, less tapered, section of the hull, while creating natural separation from the two guest cabins further down and aft.

Make no mistake. The 68 Fly on Azimut’s Southampton show stand is a fully-fledged luxury cruising machine, brimming with light and space, opulent upholstery, designer detailing and sensible storage solutions.

But it’s also a proper driving machine. The slippery medium-V Pierluigi Ausonio hull is coupled with a pair of Volvo Penta 1,000hp IPS-1350s for a 32-knot top end and a really comfortable long-legged cruise at speeds as low as 19 knots. The weight is also kept good and deep, thanks to the use of carbon fibre in the superstructure, hardtop and deck mouldings and the agility of the handling fully reflects that.

It’s particularly pleasing then that when you step away from the helm, there’s such remarkable space and volume on offer…

Beneteau Antares 12

After nearly five decades in production, the capacity of the Antares line to imbue modestly sized platforms with big versatility is well known – and that’s nowhere more evident than on the flagship 42-footer.

While its spacious flybridge, expandable cockpit and beamy bow lounge all function very effectively as independent open-air dayboating zones, the lower deck is pretty well arranged for extended cruising too.

The owner’s bow cabin and the primary twin cabin both come with ensuite bathrooms and, while the latter is shared as a day heads, there’s still space for a modular third cabin that can be specced as a single berth, a double berth or a dedicated storage room.

Quarken 35 Cabin

After much anticipation, the Quarken 35 Cabin has done exactly what fans of the award-winning 27 had hoped. It features a twin-stepped hull with a fine entry and a flared bow, very much in line with previous models, alongside a pair of Yamaha F300s for a top speed of around 46 knots.

Like its smaller sibling, it also features an asymmetrical wheelhouse to maximise internal space, while leaving room for a deeper, wider side deck to starboard. But with its extra scale come all sorts of additional benefits. In the pilothouse, for instance, the forward-raked windscreen, plunging windows and large sunroof make both brightness and visibility very strong; and with an aft door, as well as a side door, movement around it is first-rate too.

Saxdor 400 GTC

Saxdor’s 400GTC made a brief appearance at the British Motor Yacht Show earlier in the year but Southampton will still be the first chance for more occasional showgoers to see it properly.

It’s well worth making a beeline for Saxdor’s marina berths, if only to witness the 400’s brilliantly clever convertible wheelhouse in action. With huge sliding glass doors on both sides in addition to drop-down side platforms, bi-fold rear doors, a lifting rear window and a large central sunroof, it transforms from a fully enclosed pilothouse boat to a big open party platform in a matter of seconds.

It’s no slouch either; when we tested it last month its stepped hull and twin 400hp Mercury outboard engines pushed it to a top speed of 43 knots and would have gone quicker still if the wind and water had been a bit kinder. The choppy conditions did, however, give us the chance to explore its seakeeping manners and despite all those moving parts, it acquitted itself remarkably well, punching confidently through the waves without excessive shake, rattle and roll.

Perhaps best of all, prices start at £323,995 in the UK – surprisingly reasonable for a 40ft boat with so many strings to its bow.

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New Boats at Southampton Boat Show: Greenline 45 Fly

New boats at southampton boat show: azimut 68, new boats at southampton boat show: fjord 39xl, latest videos, princess s65 sea trial and tour: £2m sportsfly ticks all the boxes, watch: beneteau swift trawler 54 sea trial – £1.4m cruiser is the ultimate home, watch: parker sorrento sea trial: 50-knot cruiser with a killer aft cabin, watch: virtue v10 sea trial: €272k weekender.

Cruisers Yachts 50 GLS

The 50 GLS for sale at your local dealer is the flagship in the adventure-seeking GLS series of sport luxury bowriders. The 50 GLS features relaxing bow seating, dinette seating accompanying an ample exterior galley, and a generous cockpit complete with dual beach doors. The accommodation level features a forward queen size berth, a mid-berth sleeping area, and a head with a separate shower.

The 50 GLS’ cockpit features a midship galley and opposing L-shaped seating area, two aft-facing L-shaped seating areas, and additional bench seating. The transom area features a standard grill, sink, and storage.

The 50 GLS OB is powered with triple 600 Mercury Verados. The joystick piloting allows you to navigate with ease at a top speed of 56 mph.

Beach Doors

Expand your swimming area by lowering both sides of the 50 GLS to convert them into a swim platform. The easy to access controls and safety mechanisms allow for endless family fun.

Cockpit Galley

The galley features a fiberglass inlay sink, fridge, and storage. There is also an option for a second refrigerator. The galley is located in the cockpit for easy flow of conversation to guest sitting at the dinette. There is an optional pop up 55’ TV.

Luxury Finishes

Cruisers Yachts incorporates numerous intricate details for superior finishes. 316L-grade stainless steel metal components enhance durability throughout the vessel, reinforcing key elements such as deck cleats, rail stanchions, arch legs, and sump and bilge pump foundations. Cutting-edge machines and hand-sewn techniques create high-quality upholstery. Top-quality materials are used for a classic and durable interior look. Exotic woods are meticulously selected, machine-sanded, and finished to withstand marine environments.

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Specifications

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Get access to the full features list for the 50 GLS for a complete list of specifications, accommodations, and options.

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Russia submarines and naval ships cross into buffer zone off Alaska, U.S. Coast Guard says

Updated on: September 17, 2024 / 9:19 AM EDT / CBS/AP

The U.S. Coast Guard said Monday that it tracked a group of Russian naval vessels, including two submarines, as they crossed into U.S. waters off Alaska in an apparent effort to avoid sea ice, a move that is permitted under international rules and customs.

Crew of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Stratton witnessed the Russian military vessels cross the maritime boundary and venture 30 miles inside an area extending beyond U.S. territorial waters known as the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, the Coast Guard said in a news release.

The Russian vessels consisted of two submarines, a frigate and tug boat, the Coast Guard said. The encounter took place nearly 60 miles northwest of Point Hope.

"We are actively patrolling our maritime border in the Bering Sea, Bering Strait, and Chukchi Sea, with our largest and most capable cutters and aircraft, to protect U.S. sovereign interests, U.S. fish stocks, and to promote international maritime norms," said Rear Adm. Megan Dean. "Coast Guard Cutter Stratton ensured there were no disruptions to U.S. interests." 

The Coast Guard said the Stratton, a 418-foot legend class national security cutter, is "patrolling under Operation Frontier Sentinel, an operation designed to meet presence with presence when strategic competitors operate in and around U.S. waters," the Coast Guard said.

There have been several similar encounters in recent months. Last month, a U.S. Coast Guard cutter on routine patrol around Alaska's Aleutian Islands came across a Russian ship in international waters but within the U.S. exclusive economic zone.

 On July 6, the Coast Guard while on patrol  spotted four Chinese military ships  north of the Amchitka Pass in the Aleutian Islands in international waters, but also within the U.S. exclusive economic zone, officials said.

And on July 24,  the U.S. military intercepted  two Russian bombers and two Chinese bombers flying together in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone. The bombers were intercepted by U.S. and Canadian fighter jets and were not seen as a threat, according to North American Aerospace Defense Command. 

However, a U.S. defense official told CBS News this was the first time that Russian and Chinese aircraft had jointly entered the Alaska ADIZ. It marked a new show of expanding military cooperation that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at the time raises concerns.

While the Alaska ADIZ is considered part of international airspace, it is defined as an area where sovereign U.S. airspace ends but "that requires the ready identification of all aircraft in the interest of national security," according to NORAD. 

Military activity by the U.S., Canada, Russia and China has ramped up in the Arctic. In July, Moscow said it  scrambled fighter jets  to intercept two U.S. military long-range bomber aircraft that approached the Russian border over the Barents Sea in the Arctic. 

• United States Coast Guard

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