Alfred Tennyson’s poem “Crossing the Bar” uses the image of a bar — the shallow seam between river and sea — as a metaphor for dying. The comparison is apt: for boaters, crossing a bar can be one of the most intimidating and hazardous parts of a voyage. Many mariners, myself included, have watched steep … Read more

XO Boats EXPLR 44 — New Flagship Adventure Yacht XO Boats has introduced its new flagship, the EXPLR 44, which debuted on a private island in the Finnish archipelago just outside Helsinki. Built as an out-and-out adventure yacht, the EXPLR 44 measures 43 feet overall, with a beam of 12 feet 1 inch and a … Read more

Eastern Boat Works: The Story of a Downeast Builder Known Across New England If you spend time on the water in the Northeastern United States—particularly in northern New England—you’ve likely seen an Eastern boat. Eastern Boat Works is not just the Eastern brand; the company also builds Rosborough and Seaway models, making it a familiar … Read more

The Seapiper 37 is the kind of boat that turns heads not simply because it’s pretty, but because it’s different. Originally introduced as the Seapiper 35, the model has generated a lot of online chatter—helped along by the builder’s 2023 merger with Seattle Yachts, a dealer and brokerage with operations in the United States and … Read more

The main building at Bridgeport Boatworks stretches seemingly without end. When I arrive at the guardhouse gate, owner Harry Boardsen welcomes me and guides me inside, where the scale of the operation immediately impresses. Two giant catamaran commuter fast ferries sit end to end, and a full-sized tugboat rises above us, all supported on blocks … Read more

Stepping into the compact maritime gallery on Water Street in Stonington, Connecticut, visitors are immediately transported by evocative paintings of ships and yachts at sea—some serene, others caught in peril. J-Class yachts heel over under full sail; a lobster boat fights a frothy chop; and a chilly colonial Boston waterfront is crowded with merchantmen anchored … Read more

Bruce Kessler, the Loss of Zopilote, and the Hidden Danger of Seamounts Tributes continue to arrive for offshore cruiser Bruce Kessler, who died in April at age 88. Kessler was a pioneering figure among powerboat cruisers, one of the earliest to circumnavigate by power and a major influence on the modern community of offshore power … Read more

Nonskid decks used to be viewed as purely functional and, frankly, a bit dull. That perception has changed over the past decade thanks to a marine flooring revolution sparked by adhesive-backed foam nonskid products. What began as small pads and swim-platform kits has evolved into full-deck solutions that combine safety, comfort and custom style—a trend … Read more

Boating attire has changed dramatically over the last six decades. Where sailors once relied on cork life jackets, canvas shoes and heavy wool, modern boating gear blends performance fabrics, safety technology and timeless style. Below is a concise look at how we dressed in the past and what commonly appears on decks today, from regatta … Read more

Cruising the New Hampshire–Maine Coast: A Week on the Gulf of Maine Summer cruising along the northern East Coast offers some of the most varied and scenic waterways in New England. If you have a week or more to explore, the stretch of coast around the New Hampshire–Maine state line is an ideal choice. From … Read more