The Western Flyer: Rescuing a Literary and Scientific Icon What appeared at first glance to be nothing more than an abandoned, deteriorating workboat on Swinomish Indian Reservation land in Washington state turned out to be a vessel with deep literary and scientific significance. The 76-foot boat, known to many as Gemini and long showing peeling … Read more
I was livid. Stranded on I‑5 with a flat tire, missing a critical part, I had to call for a tow — not just for the delay but for the humiliation of asking someone to rescue me. That sense of helplessness is exactly what Derk Wolmuth faced at sea, only his problem was far worse … Read more
Vanquish 26 Center Console: Doug Zurn Hull Now with Forward Cuddy and Enhanced Comfort Vanquish Boats has introduced an updated version of its Doug Zurn–designed 26-foot center-console, now featuring a forward cuddy cabin and a collection of comfort-focused refinements. Built primarily for day cruising with family and friends, the refreshed model blends the clean lines … Read more
After the Hurricane — Winslow Homer’s Masterful Watercolor of Sea and Storm A veil of rain and receding storm clouds lift away from a dark, restless sea, leaving the aftermath of a tropical hurricane in their wake. On the shore a lone sailor sits among the broken timbers of his boat, while pale blue-green waves … Read more
Let’s take a 45-foot DWL yacht. The commonly used rule of thumb for estimating the theoretical maximum hull speed of a displacement hull is 1.34 times the square root of the waterline length (DWL or LWL) in feet. This formula gives a practical upper limit for a displacement hull before it begins to climb its … Read more
Panga Skiffs: Practical, Efficient, and Growing in Popularity A Panga may not win any beauty contests. Its bow sits high, the beam is relatively narrow, and the basic versions used by small-scale fisheries in developing countries often amount to little more than a simple hull with no frills. Yet the Panga’s strengths are practical and … Read more
One week into the fourth leg of the Volvo Ocean Race, the fleet is being tested by extreme conditions: sustained winds approaching 50 knots and towering seas with maximum wave heights reported at 46 feet. These raw elements push both boats and crews to their operational limits, turning routine sailing tasks into high-stakes decisions where … Read more
WELCOME TO THE FLEET John R. Leopold, Anne Arundel County executive, formally christened the hull of the 35-foot emergency-response vessel Arundel Patriot on Sept. 24 during a commissioning ceremony at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, Md. The Arundel Patriot is the first aluminum catamaran placed in service as a joint asset for the Anne … Read more
If you’re new to saltwater fishing or want to sharpen your skills, consider the Boaters University course Angler’s Bootcamp: The Basics of Saltwater Fishing. Sign up today — use code SOUNDINGS for 15% off. For me, the connection with fish goes beyond predator and prey or a meal on the table. Releasing the fish I … Read more
First Recorded Fatal Shark Attack in Maine Kills Swimmer Near Bailey Island Shark encounters along the coast of Maine are uncommon, but on Monday the state experienced its first recorded fatal shark attack. The victim, 63-year-old Julie Dimperio Holowach, a New York City resident who spends summers in Maine, was swimming near Bailey Island when … Read more