Chapman Piloting & Seamanship, 70th Edition — Edited by John Wooldridge Soundings contributor John Wooldridge. Courtesy Hearst Home Books In 1983, John Wooldridge was working as an editor at Motor Boating magazine when Executive Editor Dan Fales asked him to help deliver a large powerboat from Annapolis, Maryland, to Miami. Wooldridge admits he hesitated—he’d never … Read more

Rockport Marine Launches Ouzel, a 95-Foot Custom Sailing Yacht Rockport Marine has added a notable new project to its portfolio with the launch of the 95-foot custom sailing yacht Ouzel. Built at the yard in Rockport, Maine, the yacht recently completed sea trials on Penobscot Bay and has moved into the next stage of commissioning. … Read more

Nordhavn 100: The Natural Evolution of a Proven Line The story of the Nordhavn 100 is, at its core, the story of incremental evolution — of owners and designers seeking just a little more of what already works. The N100 didn’t arrive out of thin air; it grew from the N96, which in turn evolved … Read more

Paul Johansen: From Norwegian Rescue Ship to Ocean-Ready Expedition Home Dave and Amanda Abrams know what it takes to turn a strong idea into a precise, working reality. When the couple — both seasoned travelers and experienced boat owners — had the chance to buy a former Norwegian rescue vessel, they recognized an opportunity to … Read more

When I first encountered the Aquila 45 Sport at its U.S. debut in spring, I felt an immediate grin. Stepping aboard again for a sea trial a few weeks later reinforced that first impression: this is, unmistakably, a boat built for purposeful use. The design centers on a roomy, robust deck configuration that feels solid … Read more

The waters of the U.S. Northeast have long nurtured some of the country’s most cherished maritime traditions—from varnished wooden runabouts and hardworking lobster boats to storied waterfronts and shipyards. In this photo essay, award-winning photographer Onne van der Wal of Jamestown, Rhode Island, focuses on the boats, builders, and coastal scenes that give this region … Read more

Photography by Andrew Chin The sun hadn’t yet set on the first day of the Marblehead to Halifax Race when Crazy Horse had already covered 90 miles. It was a downwind sled run across the Gulf of Maine: the Baltic 50 was surfing at double-digit speeds under a red A3 spinnaker, keeping pace with modern … Read more

From Ship’s Chandlery to Editor: A Maritime Career Forged in Annapolis In 1990 I returned from a gap year after high school, drifting from one friend’s couch to another and searching for direction. That year I’d learned to sail with my father—the sailboat arrived with his new marriage—and the hobby quickly became an obsession. My … Read more

Family Memories Made on the Water Ask a group of boaters about their favorite family memories and you’ll rarely hear them start by naming a specific boat. Instead they recall the child who caught their first fish, the teenager who learned to dock, or an unplanned stop in a quiet harbor that turned into a … Read more

U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Historic American Engineering Record Lowell’s Boat Shop: The Birthplace of the New England Dory Lowell’s Boat Shop in Amesbury, Massachusetts, has crafted seaworthy wooden boats for more than two centuries. Founded in 1793 by Simeon Lowell, it stands as the oldest continually operating wooden boat shop in … Read more