A decade ago, extended ocean passages were most commonly the realm of retirees: couples with time, savings and the health to spend months or years aboard exploring distant horizons. Today that profile has broadened dramatically. Jenny Stern, marketing director for Nordhavn, says the roster of owners making serious ocean crossings now includes a much wider … Read more
Father of the 8-year-old killed in a collision on San Diego Bay calls dispositions to date ‘disappointing’ The court-martial for the Coast Guard petty officer who was piloting a patrol boat involved in a fatal collision on San Diego Bay in 2009 was scheduled to begin in early March. The crash claimed the life of … Read more
The first time I sight-cast to a cobia I was aboard a 25-foot center console in the Lower Chesapeake Bay with Capt. Ben Shepherd. He was a young captain then, and I was an aspiring outdoor writer discovering a relatively new fishery. We left Lynnhaven Inlet and ran to Thimble Shoal Channel, where Shepherd invited … Read more
Magonis Wave e-550: A Compact Electric Outboard for Quiet Cruising The Wave e-550 is the debut model from Magonis, a Spanish‑Italian boatbuilder that unveiled the 19‑foot electric outboard at the Venice Boat Show in May 2021. Headquartered in Barcelona with production in Sabaudia, Italy, Magonis aims this compact cruiser at owners who want a modern, … Read more
Two Essential Timekeepers for Boaters: Calendars and Weekly Planners For boaters who want to keep track of tides, trips and nautical trivia while organizing their year, two compact, well-designed publications stand out. Both combine practical planning space with maritime charm, making them useful tools for powerboaters and sailors alike. The Nauti-Benders Page-A-Day Boater’s Calendar (Penchant … Read more
April 23–25 Spring Boat Show in Essex Brings New and Used Vessels to an Intimate, VIP Experience Soundings Publications is the exclusive media sponsor for the Spring Boat Show taking place April 23–25 in Essex, Connecticut. The event will showcase a diverse selection of new and brokerage boats in a relaxed, boutique atmosphere that emphasizes … Read more
Rare Pristine Coral Reef Discovered in Mesophotic Zone Off Tahiti After a string of alarming environmental events—from volcanic eruptions and tsunamis to severe winter storms—there is encouraging news for ocean watchers and conservationists: deep-sea explorers mapping seafloor habitats off Tahiti have documented a remarkably pristine coral reef. Its delicate formations have been likened to a … Read more
Lobster Crate Races: A Beloved Portsmouth Tradition on the Piscataqua River The photograph above captures a moment from June 1988: a young man sprinting across a string of lobster crates anchored between the commercial fishing piers at Pierce Island and Four Tree Island near Portsmouth, New Hampshire. A nearby sign warns “Run at your risk,” … Read more
Photograph by Billy Black — Technical Notes and Visual Approach Photo by Billy Black Image Details and Publication This photograph, credited to Billy Black, was published in the May 2013 issue. The accompanying technical data provides a concise snapshot of how the image was captured, and those settings reveal a deliberate balance between sharpness, depth … Read more
As we prepare to cast off from the Miami International Boat Show aboard the Mag Bay 42 Express Sportfish, I ask Mag Bay President Mike Howarth if he’ll take the helm. “Ain’t no way I’m driving this boat,” he replies. “I haven’t driven a boat in years.” Howarth has been in boatbuilding for more than … Read more
