Drift Wood: A Handbuilt Mahogany Tender by Kelvin Franks Kelvin Franks of Duson, Louisiana, estimates that his wife believes he spent about $30,000 and four-and-a-half years creating his 15-foot mahogany tender. Franks says the precise cost and timeline are fuzzy—he sometimes paused work for a month to take on other projects—yet the result is unmistakable: … Read more

When James A. “Jim” McCurdy of McCurdy & Rhodes designed the 38-foot cutter Selkie for his family in 1985, entering the Newport Bermuda Race was always part of the plan. “My father had been doing Bermuda races since the 1950s,” Sheila McCurdy explains. “Every two years he would disappear for a week or so and … Read more

Plastic twister-tail worms on board can be the key to catching fish on short notice. I used to give slide shows to fishing clubs and boating groups, and one slide that always drew a gasp showed a fellow holding a 47‑pound striped bass he caught before a planned flounder trip. He stopped at a nearby … Read more

Mike Perham Becomes the World’s Youngest Solo Circumnavigator Mike Perham has claimed the title of the world’s youngest solo circumnavigator, a distinction held for a short time by California teenager Zac Sunderland. Perham crossed the finish line between Lizard Point and Ushant, France, at 10 a.m. on Aug. 27, completing a 30,000-mile journey that began … Read more

Boston Whaler 285 Conquest — Redesigned for Improved Visibility and Seaworthiness The Boston Whaler 285 Conquest is a ground-up redesign of the model it replaces, the 280 Conquest. The new 285 focuses on improved helm visibility, refined lines, and greater flexibility for owners who want a comfortable, capable offshore cruiser. Boston Whaler’s product development team … Read more

What Owners Want: The Key Elements of an Ideal Trawler Today’s trawler owners are more interested in cruising than in constant repair and restoration. When asked what matters most in an ideal trawler, the answers from a dozen owners were remarkably consistent: simplicity, accessibility for maintenance, comfort and seaworthiness. “Easy does it” is a fitting … Read more

TRAC Ecological Descaler Mineral buildup inside cooling and circulating water systems reduces flow, impairs heat transfer and can eventually cause onboard engines and auxiliary equipment to overheat or fail. TRAC Ecological Descaler is formulated to remove those mineral deposits safely and effectively. It is a non-toxic, biodegradable and non-corrosive descaling solution designed specifically for freshwater … Read more

Standard Horizon HX150 Floating 5-Watt Handheld VHF: Compact, Affordable Marine Radio Standard Horizon’s HX150 floating 5-watt handheld VHF packs a surprising number of useful features into a compact, affordable package. Designed for recreational boaters and anyone who needs reliable marine communication without a large investment, the HX150 focuses on the essentials: clear VHF communication, NOAA … Read more

Stepping up in size is a familiar arc for many boat owners. For the couple who purchased this Grand Banks 60 Skylounge, moving from their previous Grand Banks 47 Europa in the Pacific Northwest was driven by a desire to live aboard more comfortably and to cruise farther afield. They wanted a yacht that functioned … Read more

Havana Harbor and El Morro: A Maritime Portrait A U.S.-registered steamer makes its way out of Havana, skirting the iconic Castillo de los Tres Reyes Magos del Morro, commonly known as El Morro. This massive fortress has dominated the entrance to Havana harbor since the late 16th century, erected by the Spanish to protect the … Read more