Think you can take a great photo, too? Grab your camera and start shooting for our “Real Boats, Real Boaters Photo Contest.” Chasing Storms: A Photographer’s View of the Velux 5 Oceans Fleet Just hours into the grueling Velux 5 Oceans solo around-the-world yacht race, the fleet was slammed by a fierce Bay of Biscay … Read more

FDR’s Houseboat Years: The Larooco Log During the Roaring Twenties, a politically ambitious young man disabled by polio bought a houseboat so he could cruise the warm coastal waters and pursue treatments for his damaged legs. After Franklin Delano Roosevelt was struck by polio in August 1921 at age 39, he retreated from public life. … Read more

How to Avoid Using a Firearm While Cruising: Practical Advice from John Price John Price, a retired Army National Guard colonel and longtime Episcopal priest who now serves as an FBI chaplain, has thought deeply about self-defense while cruising. A Houston resident who has spent much of his adult life sailing, Price shared practical guidance … Read more

Like duct tape, bungee cords have been relied on for decades to make everyday tasks easier. Yet while traditional bungees and simple elastic straps have their uses, many people have long wanted something more versatile, safer, and built to last. Knotbone adjustable bungees are an evolution of that concept: they offer adjustable length, improved materials, … Read more

Geoff Hunt’s paintings are instantly recognizable to readers who have followed the sea‑faring adventures of Jack Aubrey and Dr. Stephen Maturin in Patrick O’Brian’s historical novels. Hunt’s carefully rendered marine art became the chosen cover imagery for many editions of O’Brian’s books, and his name is closely associated with that definitive visual world of the … Read more

The Famous Jibe: Livonia vs Columbia — America’s Cup, 1871 One of the most talked-about moments in early America’s Cup history is the dramatic jibe that cost the British entry the lead in the 1871 race. Marine artist Russ Kramer captures that instant in a vivid painting, focusing on the human drama as much as … Read more

Sound Experience, a Puget Sound, Washington–based nonprofit that uses the 97-year-old schooner Adventuress to demonstrate the vital role oceans play in the environment, is urging the public to cast online votes as part of an indirect fund-raising effort to raise $125,000 to restore the vessel’s stern. The Adventuress is one of 25 historic regional sites … Read more

Teenage Solo Circumnavigators: Watson’s Collision and Dekker’s Court Challenges Two teenagers who have claimed the title of “youngest solo circumnavigator” this year—Zac Sunderland and Mike Perham—have captured public attention, while two other young sailors with similar ambitions face significant setbacks before they can begin their voyages. On Sept. 9, 16-year-old Australian sailor Jessica Watson was … Read more

HeatMate 5200 Portable Alcohol Heater: Reliable Warmth for Cold-Weather Boating Cold-weather boating can be highly rewarding, but staying comfortable and safe aboard starts with managing interior temperatures. A compact, dependable source of heat can make a major difference. The HeatMate 5200 Portable Alcohol Heater is designed to provide a simple, efficient option for boaters who … Read more

Interlux Introduces Three New Varnishes: Perfection Plus, Schooner Gold, and Compass Interlux has expanded its marine-finish lineup with three new varnish products designed for woodwork and exterior trim: Perfection Plus, Schooner Gold, and Compass. Each formulation targets specific needs—long-lasting protection, ease of application in warm climates, or a balance of durability and fast drying—so boat … Read more