Preparing Boats and Marinas for an Above-Normal Hurricane Season and More Short-Fuse Storms The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which began on June 1, is expected to be busier than usual. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts 17 to 25 named storms this season, including four to seven that could reach category 3 or … Read more

Cruising the Carolina Loop: A Scenic, Short Coastal Route for Boaters Short on time but eager for a safe, rewarding cruise, many boaters find the Carolina Loop an ideal choice. This well-marked, roughly 110-mile circuit around eastern North Carolina combines rivers, sounds, canal passages, locks and bridges, abundant wildlife and welcoming towns — all without … Read more

Thomas Point 43: Where Classic Downeast Lines Meet Modern Powerboat Performance The Thomas Point 43 blends the best qualities of traditional Downeast and workboat design with contemporary engineering and systems. The boat’s aesthetic nods to New England lobster boats and Chesapeake Bay deadrise workboats, while its underbody, systems and accommodations reflect modern expectations for cruising … Read more

A cruising couple finds their new smaller boat to be big on comfort and convenience Story and photos by George Sass Sr. After more than a decade and more than 12,000 safe, comfortable miles aboard a custom 43-foot Down East–style cruiser, we decided to simplify and downsize. Our goal was to continue cruising while reducing … Read more

Smith Island Crab Skiff Race to Run at Solomons Island Pavilion The Smith Island Crab Skiff Association will stage a race of their distinctive 18-foot skiffs at 11 a.m. on May 14 at the Solomons Island Pavilion. Known for their speed and history on the Chesapeake, these crab skiffs represent a unique regional craft and … Read more

Last month I reviewed how planing, semi‑planing and displacement hulls behave in rough water. This month I’ll cover practical offshore boat‑handling tactics: how to approach steep and breaking waves, the role of speed and hull form, running down‑sea and through inlets, and how trim tabs, rudder design and steering response affect control. Meeting steep waves … Read more

A thorough dockside inspection and sea trial will put you on the right course to find the boat that fits your needs If you’ve just spent a significant sum on your dream boat, the last thing you want is to discover major flaws early in ownership. Perhaps the boat struggles to get on plane with … Read more

Shifting shoals and changing markers make even the newest navigational data uncertain, but cruising the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) remains an unforgettable journey. Why the ICW demands constant vigilance Some of the biggest mistakes newcomers make on the ICW come from relying on a single guidebook — or from not reading any at all. Conditions … Read more

Crossing Between the U.S. and British Virgin Islands by Charter: A Practical Guide Chartering a boat to explore both the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) and the British Virgin Islands (BVI) is a rewarding adventure, but it requires understanding two separate customs and immigration systems. Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, entry procedures on … Read more

Reflections from Ashore: Choosing the Next Boat Anyone who has spent time without a boat knows the odd, persistent ache of boatlessness. It’s not simply missing an object; it’s a running commentary in the back of your mind. A storm on the forecast and you’re imagining extra lines. A sudden cold front and you’re picturing … Read more