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
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
