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

Nordhavn 75 Expedition Yacht Sinks at Slip in San Jose del Cabo After Failed Tuna-Tube Fitting The Nordhavn 75 expedition yacht Melanie Jeanne sank at its slip in Puerto Los Cabos marina, San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, after a PVC fitting on a bait-fish “tuna tube” plumbing system came loose and flooded the engine room … Read more

What We’re Watching Second Wind: The Snoek Refit Many readers of boating magazines will recognize the work of Onne van der Wal. Born in the Netherlands and raised in Hout Bay, South Africa, van der Wal learned to sail at an early age and developed a lasting relationship with the sea that would shape his … Read more

Nighttime Striped Bass Fishing: Anchor, Cast, and Catch Summer evenings are some of the best times to be on the water. For many anglers in the Northeast, fishing for striped bass after dark is a seasonal highlight. The combination of big fish, comfortable weather and schedules that allow evening trips makes night striper fishing a … Read more

How the COVID-19 Pandemic Upended Boat Movement and Hurricane-Season Insurance The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted countless routines — from supply chains and elections to how families work and learn at home. One less-visible disruption has been to the seasonal movement of recreational boats. Where owners and captains normally reposition vessels each spring and early summer, … Read more