Today’s electronic navigation tools make voyaging easier and more convenient, but they are not infallible. Good seamanship still depends on fundamental, time-tested skills that will keep you safe when equipment fails or conditions change. The books highlighted below offer practical guidance for boaters who want to strengthen their basic navigation knowledge, tackle restoration projects, or … Read more

Five Boats Sink During Lake Travis Trump Boat Parade; No Injuries Reported Five boats sank Saturday during a large boat parade on Lake Travis, Texas, that was organized in support of former President Donald Trump. Officials say there were no reported injuries. Firefighters and first responders pulled multiple people from the water, although authorities have … Read more

Mariners are often labeled superstitious because so many things can go wrong on a boat. I disagree. Boats are inanimate. I’m educated enough to know they don’t respond to spells or rituals. Still, after years aboard, I’ve learned to listen to my boat—she communicates in practical ways, not omens. When I follow those signals, things … Read more

Steve Weiss: A Semiplaning Yacht Designer Focused on Efficiency, Comfort and Quiet Many thoughtful boaters have been searching—sometimes without realizing it—for the right yacht designer to match their priorities. Steve Weiss is that designer for many. Grounded in traditional sail- and powerboat design and early CAD techniques, Weiss brings an aesthetic that favors harmony with … Read more

Voyaging Couple Helps Cruisers Gain Knowledge and Confidence to Expand Their Horizons John Harries and Phyllis Nickel prefer to call their work and lifestyle “voyaging” rather than “cruising.” To them, the word cruising suggests aimless wandering, while voyaging implies purpose, preparation and intentional exploration. Over 15 years together at sea, they have focused less on … Read more

Rare Beaked Whale Washes Ashore in Wellington, New Zealand A large, unusual whale carcass has washed ashore on the coast near Wellington, New Zealand. Experts believe the animal may be a Spade-toothed whale, a little-known type of beaked whale for which there are no confirmed live sightings and for which population numbers remain unknown. The … Read more

The Grand Banks 60 made an impressive world debut at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show in Queensland, Australia. True to Grand Banks heritage, this model blends classic, sea-proven lines with a contemporary, refined aesthetic. Built for extended cruising, the 60 carries a CE Category A rating and a quoted range of roughly 2,000 nautical … Read more

The ship will retrace the 1831–1836 voyage that produced the naturalist’s “On the Origin of Species” One of maritime history’s most famous vessels, the HMS Beagle, played a central role in shaping Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. In commemoration of Darwin’s 200th birthday in 2009, plans have been announced to build a full-scale replica of … Read more

Upgrading Boat Refrigeration: From Block Ice to Solar-Powered 12V Systems Providing reliable refrigeration aboard a cruising boat is a common challenge. Early on, my family made do with a 25-pound block of ice, but over the years I gradually moved toward a dependable, solar-powered 12‑volt refrigerator system that would support long cruising days without constant … Read more

Going offshore in a small boat delivers both deep satisfaction and occasional frustration. Last winter, on a passage to the Caribbean, my wife and I ran headlong into that balance — and it wasn’t always pretty. We prefer sailing our Valiant 40 in warm waters to shoveling snow in New Hampshire. Our jobs allow us … Read more