First Boat Rides: Small Craft, Big Memories Soundings was just 11 years old when Steve Haesche’s photograph graced the cover in March 1974. That image captures a moment many of us remember well—the thrill of a first boat ride, the sense of freedom that comes from piloting a small craft for the first time. For … Read more

Frank Pembroke Huckins: The Visionary Behind the Quadraconic Hull Frank Pembroke Huckins is widely recognized as one of the pioneering powerboat designers of the 20th century. Often described as an irascible genius, he combined fierce confidence with a single-minded devotion to his ideas. That stubborn streak proved essential: Huckins insisted on doing things his way, … Read more

Sea Sense Introduces Weeklong Passagemaking Courses Aboard Trawlers The southbound migration of boats along the East Coast signals the start of passagemaking season, and Sea Sense is responding with weeklong passagemaking courses conducted aboard trawlers this fall. These hands-on courses are designed to teach practical skills and build the confidence necessary to move from day … Read more

Scout 251 XS: A Versatile Center-Console Fishing Platform If you fish a variety of species or boat in mixed conditions, the Scout 251 XS center-console offers a versatile option worth considering. Built as a hybrid between a bay boat and an offshore boat, the 251 XS blends shallow-water capability with the seaworthiness needed to handle … Read more

Practical Guide to Choosing, Using, and Maintaining a Boat The photo above shows a recreational boat at rest. Whether you’re new to boating or looking to upgrade your knowledge, this practical guide covers essential considerations for selecting the right vessel, staying safe on the water, and keeping your boat in top condition. The tips below … Read more

Marine radar has taken a significant step forward. Major manufacturers—Garmin, Furuno, Raymarine and Simrad—have released new solid-state radar systems and complementary electronics that give boaters the confidence to navigate safely at night, in fog or rain, and in busy waterways. Two of the new units, from Garmin and Furuno, incorporate Doppler processing to display real-time … Read more

How Breck Marshall Revived the Catboat In the 1960s boating entered a new era. Fiberglass construction, bolder styling and improved auxiliary propulsion combined to change both sailboat and powerboat design. As builders experimented with these modern methods, classic wooden workboats that had been developed and refined over generations began to disappear. Among those designs was … Read more

Nordhavn Owners Gather for Record Rendezvous in Poulsbo Bill Baker stood at a podium inside the Sons of Norway Lodge in Poulsbo, Washington, and looked out over the crowd. “What I see here is community,” he said, capturing the spirit of a gathering that marked the largest single assembly of Nordhavn yachts to date. The … Read more

Captain Virginia Wagner — A Life at Sea, Seamanship, and Service Virginia Wagner was a trailblazer among professional female captains. Over a 28-year career she logged more than 400,000 nautical miles and earned credentials in two countries: a 3,000-ton United States Coast Guard license and a Class 4 Ocean Master license from Great Britain. Her … Read more

Kru Elite 195 Personal Flotation Device — Overview The Kru Elite 195 is a new personal flotation device (PFD) introduced by Ocean Safety. Designed with a tailored profile for improved comfort and mobility, this PFD emphasizes a close, secure fit while offering rapid inflation when needed. Its form and features are aimed at users who … Read more