Mussel Ridge lobster yachts remain a favorite among commercial fishermen and recreational boaters alike for their wide beams, solid construction and dependable seagoing performance. Built by Hutchinson Composites in Cushing, Maine, these hulls and decks are prized for their commercial pedigree and are often finished by other yards around New England. One standout example is … Read more

I clearly remember the first time I worked out my position using celestial navigation. That neat cross on the chart meant more than just a location on a map — it marked the moment I felt like a real navigator. Celestial navigation carries a lot of mystique; early reading made it seem like you had … Read more

Boatbuilding Graduation at the International Yacht Restoration School in Newport, RI At IYRS, commencement isn’t about caps and gowns — it’s about launching the boats students built and restored. The graduation ceremony at the International Yacht Restoration School in Newport, Rhode Island, is a decidedly different kind of commencement. Rather than formal robes and mortarboards, … Read more

Buddy Davis 61: Iconic Carolina Sportfisher with Timeless Style and Offshore Performance Illustrated by Jim Ewing The Buddy Davis 61 remains one of the most visually arresting and highly regarded Carolina-style sportfishing yachts ever built. Its dramatic profile — an exaggerated bow flare, an expansive foredeck, tall outriggers and a meticulously detailed cockpit and action … Read more

Launch Day at Dauntless Shipyard, Essex, Connecticut — 1912 It is launch day in 1912 at the Dauntless Shipyard in Essex, Connecticut. In the left foreground of the scene, a newly built flush-deck power cruiser, trimmed with flags and bunting for the occasion, is poised to slide down the ways into the water. The atmosphere … Read more

George and Stacey Sass have decided it is time to downsize from their 43-foot boat, and now they face the question every cruiser must consider: what vessel will best suit their changing needs? Downsizing is about trade-offs—comfort versus manageability, cruising range versus efficiency, and onboard systems versus simplicity. For many boat owners moving to a … Read more

Time to Go Shopping There’s no better place to compare a wide variety of boats than at a boat show. With the fall show season approaching, buyers will have ample opportunity to see the newest models, propulsion systems and electronics in one place. If you’re thinking about buying, do your homework before you arrive at … Read more

Up for Repairs — J. Roberts Bateman and a Plein Air Study by Neal Hughes Parked on blocking in a Cambridge, Maryland, boatyard, the J. Roberts Bateman is emblematic of the region’s working waterfront. Built in Greenwich, New Jersey, for the Bivalve Packing Company and launched in 1928, she began her life rigged as a … Read more

It’s a bright October day when Paul Dobbins prepares to set out his kelp lines a little later than usual. He has been monitoring seawater temperature at his lease in sheltered southern Maine waters, waiting for the conditions to turn ideal for planting. Tomorrow he plans to deploy thousands of feet of line seeded with … Read more

Maryland Lifts Recreational Boating Ban; Social Distancing Still Required On Wednesday afternoon, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced the end of the statewide restriction on recreational boating that had been in place for more than a month. The decision allows boaters across the state to resume recreational activities on the water, including sailing, cruising and sport … Read more