Solar panels offer a quiet, sustainable way to power systems on board. A well-planned marine solar installation keeps batteries charged, reduces dependence on noisy generators and shore power, and supports longer, more independent cruising. This guide outlines the essential components of a boat solar system so you can design a setup that meets your energy … Read more

When most people picture an electric boat, they imagine a catamaran plastered with solar panels or a high-tech hydrofoil. The Sialia 57 Deep Silence defies those expectations. Visually it reads like a refined Northern European weekend yacht, yet under the skin it is driven by electric motors, a substantial battery pack and a dedicated range … Read more

The fresh southeasterly wind died off briefly, then returned with a vengeance from the opposite direction. Conifers groaned as they bent under the onrush of air, while the rapid staccato of a plastic tarp ripping announced the wind’s fury. The tarp had been draped over a tired-looking long keeler that sat next to a rusted … Read more

“I grew up as a farmer,” says Jose “Joe” DaPonte, the Azorean-born president and owner of C&C Marine, builder of recreational fishing boats and the maker of NorthCoast Boats. At first light, we’re trolling daisy chains for bluefin tuna south of Block Island aboard Hull No. 1 of the NorthCoast 415HT. “My hometown sat high … Read more

Discoveries at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show: Onslow Bay and Fabbro Any experienced skipper knows that no matter how much time you spend on the water, there is always something new to learn. I was reminded of that truth while wandering the docks at Bahia Mar in Fort Lauderdale. After a long day at a … Read more

Gar Wood and the Albany–New York Speed Run: The Story of Baby Gar IV and V In the early decades of the 20th century, motorboat technology and public fascination with speed advanced together. American entrepreneur Garfield “Gar” Wood emerged as one of the sport’s most influential figures, staging headline-making runs that showed how far engineering … Read more

Discovery of a Giant Coral Colony in the Solomon Islands Eric Brown was aboard the 130-foot Argo, finishing the day’s work with the rest of the crew, when Manu San Félix asked to talk. “It was a classic day,” Brown told Soundings. “But when we came back that night, Manu came up to me—I’m the … Read more

No boat owner wants a vessel that behaves poorly. Thanks to the rise of adaptive vessel attitude control systems—often marketed as “smart trim tabs”—boats up to about 50 feet can now maintain much better pitch, roll and yaw control with little or no input from the captain. These systems use sensors and digital control to … Read more

At last fall’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Sea Ray unveiled two new models in its SDX lineup: the 2025 SDX 270 Outboard and the SDX 250 Outboard. These outboard-powered deck boats are part of Sea Ray’s broad redesign of the SDX series, which covers models from 25 to 30 feet, and introduce a fresh … Read more

Tom Stokes was aboard his Pacific Seacraft 36, reflecting on why he and his wife were spending so much time motoring. “We had one trip, I don’t even think we put the sails up,” he recalls. “We were motoring at least half the time. It seemed crazy to think about a powerboat, but I started … Read more