In a world defined by water, the foundation of an enjoyable boating life is a boat that is well-built, well-maintained, safe and reliable. A solid, dependable vessel is what turns unsettled days into memorable ones; everything else is merely peripheral. Sadly, poor workmanship, inadequate repairs and ill-conceived systems remain the flip side of excellence. Sloppy … Read more

Beetle Cat Boat Shop: Preserving a Century of Classic Wooden Sailing Bill Womack doesn’t look like the stereotypical structural engineer turned boatbuilder. With a white Imperial-style beard, wire-rimmed glasses, a baseball cap and flannel shirt, he resembles the familiar faces you see around New England docks and boatyards. But beneath that unassuming appearance is a … Read more

Low Country Waterfront Home on the Intracoastal Waterway near Beaufort, NC Ollie and Nancy Dixon selected an exceptional spot for their dream house: deep, protected water on the Intracoastal Waterway, situated roughly 10 miles south of the mouth of the Neuse River and about 10 miles north of Beaufort Inlet. Their Low Country–style, two-story residence … Read more

Matthew Stackpole: A Life at Sea — From Nantucket to Mystic Raised in a family steeped in whaling history, Matthew Stackpole has spent a life shaped by wooden decks, sea air and historic ships. His career blends hands-on seamanship with museum stewardship and historic vessel restoration. Few people stumble into a lifelong calling the way … Read more

Dismasted at Sea: A Night of Damage Control in the Caribbean It was Thursday, January 24, two days out from Puerto Rico and roughly 200 miles north of Colombia when everything changed. I came off watch at 1600 into a perfect afternoon: the ship was driving hard under a full canvas—main and fore t’gallants, main … Read more

Jensen Marine MSR3012 Stereo — Compact, Boat-Ready Audio with Modern Connectivity The Jensen Marine MSR3012 stereo was developed with boaters in mind, combining straightforward operation with the essential features most owners expect from a marine audio system. With a rated output of 160 watts, this compact stereo delivers ample power for small to mid-size boats. … Read more

Sta-Bil Diesel Formula: Protecting Modern Diesel Engines and Fuel Systems Today’s reformulated ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) and biodiesel blends are often blamed for clogged fuel filters, hard starting, poor engine performance and shortened component life. These issues have become common talking points among diesel owners, particularly for marine, recreational and agricultural equipment that may sit … Read more

When your boat is connected to shore power or running a generator, onboard battery chargers keep the battery bank topped off. When you’re underway and don’t need the genset, the engine-driven alternator is the primary source of charging. Knowing whether your alternator is doing the job and spotting early signs of trouble helps you avoid … Read more

Boat Dogs: Life Aboard with Canine Crew If there’s a canine in your cockpit, there better be biscuits on the boat. The dog on our cover this month is Pickles, a purebred Jack Russell terrier who is unmistakably a boat dog. With more than 30,000 ocean miles under her paws, Pickles is a seasoned sailor. … Read more

Moses Lake Memorial Day Incident: Boat Harassment Followed by Sudden Fire On Memorial Day at Moses Lake, Washington, a group of boaters who say they were harassed for flying LGBTQ Pride flags experienced a sudden and frightening turn of events when the other vessel involved caught fire. The confrontation, which survivors say included shouted slurs … Read more