North Pacific 59/590 (NP59) — A Sturdy, Comfortable Flagship for Serious Cruising The North Pacific 59/590, often referred to as the NP59, serves as the flagship of North Pacific’s lineup and is engineered for committed cruisers and liveaboard owners. Built to meet CE Class A stability standards, the NP59 is designed to provide confidence and … Read more

Maximizing Your Chances of Nighttime Rescue: Lessons from a Coast Guard Operation A Coast Guard aircraft commander explains how to increase your odds of being found and rescued during a nighttime maritime emergency. Shortly after midnight on April 17, five crewmembers aboard the 58-foot commercial fishing vessel Seafarer were forced to abandon ship. They transferred … Read more

When I served in the U.S. Coast Guard I learned to be precise with safety guidance, and that is why the commonly repeated slogan “Always wear your life jacket” frustrates me. Wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) is usually good advice, but the word “always” masks nuance and can make the guidance feel meaningless. When … Read more

Selby Bay Yacht Club Cruises for Children The members of Selby Bay Yacht Club generously donated their time and vessels this summer to host families and children for cruises in the Baltimore Inner Harbor. The annual “Cruise for Kids” program gives club members an opportunity to reach into the community and offer boating experiences for … Read more

How to Buy a Boat Without Letting Looks Cloud Judgment There’s an old adage: life’s too short to own an ugly boat. While good lines and attractive styling matter, an appealing exterior can tempt buyers to overlook serious shortcomings. To avoid buying a vessel that becomes a burden instead of a joy, approach the search … Read more

Ode to an Active Herreshoff Schooner An impressive box-set publication celebrating one of the most elegant chapters of yachting’s Golden Age is available just in time for the holidays. This deluxe volume will appeal to sailors, historians, modelers and anyone who appreciates fine maritime photography and classic yacht design. Mariette & the Herreshoff Schooners (price: … Read more

After a long, cold winter, the idea of getting back out to the region’s favorite fishing and boating spots is irresistible. It’s always nice to hear the weatherman say spring has arrived on the calendar, only to be reminded by one last wet, heavy snowfall and then a string of chilly, rainy weekends. Still, warmer … Read more

Coast Guardsman Killed When Suspected Smuggling Panga Rams Law Enforcement Boat off Channel Islands One Coast Guardsman lost his life and another was injured in the early hours off Southern California’s Channel Islands when a suspected drug-smuggling panga deliberately rammed a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RIB) carrying a law enforcement boarding team. The collision occurred in … Read more

The America’s Cup has long been a theatre for cutting-edge technology, strategic intrigue and oversized egos — a contest where enormous wealth and relentless ambition collide. Winning the Auld Mug requires not only skill on the water but the resources to assemble the best designers, sailors and engineers. Even losing can be ruinously expensive: Sir … Read more

If you cruise enough, eventually you will face heavy weather. Preparing in advance is ideal, as I described in Part One (February issue) on how to ready a boat and crew for an approaching front. But if you are offshore when conditions deteriorate, you must manage what comes at you. The tactics you choose depend … Read more