Charles W. Morgan and the Rise of Historic Ship Preservation Worn and weathered, a sailing ship squeezes under a drawbridge on the Mystic River in Mystic, Connecticut, in 1941. The image of that tired hull and rigging makes it difficult to imagine that the vessel would later become an American icon—one of the most recognizable … Read more

Coast Guard Decommissions Loran-C at Jupiter Inlet: Why Losing a Terrestrial Backup Matters On January 7 the U.S. Coast Guard announced it will decommission the Loran-C navigation program and terminate the Loran-C signal broadcast from Jupiter Inlet, Florida, effective February 8. Federal leaders cite technological progress—most notably the widespread use of the Global Positioning System … Read more

Sabbath at Sea — Charles Peterson’s Marine Painting of Faith and Work Sailors have always answered to the wind and the weather, navigating an environment that is beautiful, relentless, and sometimes unforgiving. The old maxim about having only a “two-inch plank between them and eternity” captures this sense of vulnerability, and it reflects the blend … Read more

Tom Slikkers grew up around new boats, starting at 13 working for his father, Leon, the founder of S2 Yachts. Today Slikkers is CEO of the company, whose portfolio includes the Tiara Yachts brand. He says the response to the new Tiara 48 LS is exceptional. After decades in the industry and numerous successful launches, … Read more

Jon Wilson and the Revival of Wooden Boat Traditions The story is part legend, part coastal craftsmanship: in September 1974 Jon Wilson launched WoodenBoat magazine from a remote cabin in North Brooksville, Maine—without electricity or running water. That first issue, printed and produced in rustic conditions, laid the foundation for what would become a central … Read more

All Knotted Up If you think knowing three or four ways to secure a line is enough, consider expanding your knot-tying repertoire with The Chapman Deck of Essential Knots by Pat Piper. Published in 2009 by Sterling Publishing Co. and priced at $9.95, this compact learning resource takes a practical, hands-on approach to the essential … Read more

Oyster Trails by Boat: Dockage, Dining, and Where to Discover Local Oysters If you’re planning to explore oyster trails by boat, this guide highlights dockage options, recommended restaurants, and oyster farms or trails to visit in the areas covered. Each entry includes practical contact details so you can call ahead for slip availability, seasonal hours, … Read more

Sideways is not a direction anyone wants a refit to take, yet it’s a familiar outcome on many projects. Owners looking to update their boats—whether for small improvements or complete overhauls—often run into avoidable problems. Experts from three well-regarded Maine shipyards—Lyman-Morse, Front Street Shipyard and Brooklin Boat Yard—say many of these issues stem from choosing … Read more

Wanderbird: A Sturdy North Sea Trawler Turned Expedition Yacht Photos by Onne van der Wal Salty, seaworthy and built to last, Wanderbird is a 90-foot former North Sea fishing trawler refitted as an intimate expedition yacht. Captains Rick and Karen Miles outfitted the vessel for comfortable, adventurous passagemaking, combining classic wooden interiors with modern voyaging … Read more

Vendée Globe turmoil: Half the fleet forced to retire after brutal Southern Ocean conditions The 2008–09 Vendée Globe, often described as the Everest of solo sailing, saw an extraordinary wave of retirements after severe weather in the Southern Ocean. By early January, half the starters had withdrawn from the nonstop, solo, around-the-world race, many after … Read more