Preserving a Lighthouse Treasure: Moving and Restoring a Fresnel Lens In 1822, French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel introduced a new type of optical lens that transformed maritime navigation. Composed of precisely arranged glass panels, Fresnel lenses focused and projected light much farther than earlier lenses, prompting the installation of these brilliant assemblies in lighthouses around the … Read more
Autotether Wireless Kill Switch — Portable Boat Safety Device The Autotether is a portable, wireless alternative to traditional hard-wired lanyard kill switches. Instead of a physical cord, it uses a small transmitter and remotely paired immersion sensors to send a radio signal to a receiver that is connected to the boat’s ignition. If a sensor … Read more
Three Boats Built for Adventure: Coastal Cruising, Bluewater Passage, and Day-Trip Versatility If you’re chasing adventure, few things match the freedom of being behind the wheel of a boat. From summer cruises along Maine’s rugged coast to bluewater passages, reef diving in the Keys, paddleboarding in the British Virgin Islands or even an Arctic expedition, … Read more
Easterns are built the traditional way, hand-laid in open molds for a classic, durable finish. Bob Bourdeau proudly displays a photo of his five grandsons wearing orange foul-weather gear from Grundens. Like their grandfather, the boys are drawn to lobstering and the life on the water. “I run a 31-foot Eastern,” says Bourdeau, 57, who … Read more
Sea Vee 400Z Center Console Enters Production Florida-based builder Sea Vee Boats has announced that the Sea Vee 400Z center console is now in production. Designed with serious anglers in mind, the 400Z blends performance-focused hull design with a range of fishery-oriented features and upscale options. The stepped hull and integrated Speed Rails™ help keep … Read more
AC40 One-Design Class Enters Production The AC40, a scaled-down sister to the AC75 race yachts used in the 36th America’s Cup, has begun production. The new one-design class is intended to provide a high-performance, accessible pathway into America’s Cup-style foiling for a wider pool of sailors, including more women and younger competitors. Hull tooling for … Read more
How to Use VHF Radio Effectively in Crowded Ports Boating on wide open water is straightforward: you can often rely on sight and simple signals. But when you enter a congested harbor or navigate near commercial shipping lanes, situational awareness and competent VHF radio use become essential. Understanding how to listen, interpret, and communicate on … Read more
More builders are fitting pod drives as boat owners seek easier handling, better efficiency and modern joystick helm control. Pod propulsion has moved from niche to mainstream, adopted by production, semicustom and custom builders across a wide range of planing and semidisplacement boats. Manufacturers and owners point to several clear benefits: improved fuel economy, lower … Read more
For this young sailor, paying to crew around the world seemed the fastest way to learn I was trying to sell a book. That was the simple aim when I struck up a conversation with a trim young woman who seemed like the perfect reader for my new title, Sustainable Sailing. I asked what kind … Read more
Taco Marine Carbon Fiber Outrigger Poles — Innovation Award Winner Taco Marine’s carbon fiber outrigger poles earned an Innovation Award at the Miami International Boat Show in February, and the reasons are clear: improved performance, reduced weight, and a design focused on giving live baits and artificial lures a more natural presentation. These new poles … Read more
