Safe Disposal of Expired Marine Flares: What Boaters Need to Know Boaters operating on U.S. coastal waters and the Great Lakes are required to carry U.S. Coast Guard–approved visual distress signals that are rated for both daytime and nighttime use. Many mariners rely on pyrotechnic flares because a single device often meets both requirements. However, … Read more

How to Prepare Your Boat for Winter Storage Proper winterizing and storage protect your boat’s appearance, lower maintenance costs, and preserve its resale value. Putting a boat to bed for the season involves far more than switching off the batteries and locking the hatch. A careful, methodical layup will prevent common off-season damage and make … Read more

Harrison Boatworks 28 Center Console Sportfisherman: Carolina-Style, Cold-Molded Performance With its distinctive broken sheer, flared bow and cold-molded construction, the Harrison Boatworks 28 Center Console Sportfisherman captures classic Carolina lines while delivering modern performance and efficiency. Design Intent and Seakeeping Patrick Harrison, owner and operator of Harrison Boatworks on Roanoke Island, N.C., designed the 28 … Read more

The Christina O: From World War II Escort to Iconic Luxury Yacht Built originally as a Canadian anti-submarine and convoy escort during World War II’s Battle of the Atlantic, the 325-foot vessel that would become known as the Christina O followed one of the most remarkable transformations in maritime history. Purchased after the war by … Read more

Cakewalk: A 281-Foot Superyacht Built in Connecticut by Derecktor Shipyard The 281-foot Cakewalk, launched this summer from Derecktor Shipyard in Bridgeport, Connecticut, is more than an impressive yacht: it is a clear example of high-end American shipbuilding. With a steel hull, aluminum superstructure and richly finished interiors in wood, stone and wrought iron, Cakewalk was … Read more

How to Remove Fiberglass Dust and Itch After Repairs If you’ve ever spent a day cutting, grinding or sanding fiberglass, you know the aftermath: tiny glass fibers and a fine dust that cling to skin, clothing and tools. That prickly, scratchy sensation is more than annoying — it can make you uncomfortable for hours or … Read more

Nanoplastics and the Hidden Threat to Marine Life Nanoplastics are tiny fragments of plastic pollution that have infiltrated oceans, rivers, and coastal waters around the world. These particles are often measured in nanometers — some as small as 20 nanometers — and they originate both from the breakdown of larger plastic debris and from products … Read more

Fortier Boats: The Fortier 33 and a Family Legacy of Handcrafted Powerboats Rod Fortier, owner of Fortier Boats in Somerset, Massachusetts, is a pragmatic, hard-working boatbuilder who prefers to let his work speak for itself. He rarely grants interviews and declines to be photographed. Those tendencies echo his late father, Roger Fortier, the company’s founder, … Read more

Jeannette Memorial at the Naval Academy Cemetery: Current Condition and Conservation Needs The Jeannette Memorial, erected in 1890 and located in the Naval Academy cemetery, has been assessed repeatedly by architectural conservation experts and was determined to be in poor condition during surveys in 1994 and again in 2008. Despite its historical significance and striking … Read more

He never wanted to fight a swordfish, but then the skipper ordered him into the chair To be honest, I never set out to catch a swordfish. I had written about the rise of daytime swordfishing—landing broadbill swordfish in full daylight off Islamorada in the Florida Keys—and seen it done enough to appreciate the skill … Read more