Jessica Watson’s Solo Circumnavigation and the Story Behind True Spirit Australian teenager Jessica Watson attracted worldwide attention and sparked intense debate when she set out to sail solo around the world at just 16 years old. Her voyage, completed on May 15 aboard a Sparkman & Stephens 34 sloop, became a lightning rod for both … Read more

A mother’s lament after one of the most common accidents at sea: a man falls overboard and loses his life The sea is unforgiving, indifferent to skill or experience, and quick to turn a momentary mistake into a tragedy. Even the most seasoned boaters can be vulnerable to simple, avoidable accidents. One Nantucket family learned … Read more

Sirius Signal C-1002: A Safer, Sustainable Alternative to Traditional Marine Flares Responsible boaters routinely carry visual distress signals to meet U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) requirements and to summon help in an emergency. Until recently, that meant pyrotechnic flares. New alternatives, however, are changing the way recreational mariners signal for help. The Sirius Signal C-1002 eVDSD … Read more

Pocket cruisers have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity over the past decade. Driven in part by tighter budgets after the 2007–08 financial crash and by owners seeking more versatile, trailerable boats, the modern market now offers many compact cruisers that balance comfort, efficiency and style. Below are seven standout pocket cruisers and pocket powerboats we … Read more

Oyster Trails: Tasting Oysters at Their Source Now you can taste oysters before they ever reach shore. No delicacy divides opinion like the raw oyster. Some people dislike its texture; others find the briny flavor off-putting. Yet for many, a simple platter of iced, raw oysters is more desirable than almost any other dish. Indifference … Read more

Reviving a 1937 Classic: F. Todd Warner and Bill Prince Reimagine POSH for the 21st Century F. Todd Warner, a recognized authority on classic wooden powerboats and the owner of the original POSH, approached naval designer Bill Prince roughly two years ago with a clear goal: to develop a 21st-century interpretation of the 1937 John … Read more

Gig Harbor Boat Works: Traditional Rowing and Sailing Skiffs Built for Today Small boats built at Gig Harbor Boat Works feel like a meaningful return to an older, simpler style of boating—and they may point to a future that values practicality and craftsmanship. Located on southern Puget Sound in Gig Harbor, Washington, the shop produces … Read more

“What the @#$%! was that?” I yell, half to myself and half toward the wheelhouse, where Capt. Andy Dangelo’s head snaps around. He’s probably hoping it was me — his deckhand — and not a client who’s somehow managed to skewer himself with a jig hook. “What’s what?!” he shoots back. “That,” I reply, pointing … Read more

Key West Marlin Fishing: The 1971 Discovery That Rekindled a Tradition March 16, 1971 — Key West: a proud father and two young anglers posed with a marlin caught aboard the charter boat Cay Sal. Images like this, captured through the years, recall the era of big-game fishing immortalized by Ernest Hemingway in the 1930s … Read more

Classic Boat Spotlight: Bunker & Ellis from Southwest Harbor, Maine Since 2012, Soundings has celebrated maritime tradition by featuring a classic boat in every issue. Each selection is rendered as a delicate, evocative drawing by Jim Ewing and accompanied by a richly written description from Steve Knauth. Together their work honors the aesthetics, craftsmanship, and … Read more