As we approached the boat tied to the dock, Ben Knowles didn’t lead with its dramatic lines or the deep-V hull that slices through a chop. He didn’t dwell on the square-shouldered pilothouse, either. Instead he pointed out something more elemental: the wide side decks. For captains who cruise with family or run short-handed, those … Read more

Courtesy Boston Public Library-The Tichnor Brothers Collection Before waterskiing became the dominant tow sport on lakes and coastal waterways, aquaplaning captured the public imagination. Emerging around 1910 as small recreational motorboats grew more powerful and affordable, aquaplaning quickly became a favorite summer pastime. This vintage postcard, dated between 1930 and 1945, shows a wooden launch … Read more

Dana Point and Laguna Beach, California Adobe Stock Thanks to a mother-in-law who lives in Dana Point, I’m lucky enough to be semi-bicoastal. The short stretch of coastline from Laguna Beach down to Dana Point and San Clemente is one of my favorite coastal cruising corridors. Dana Point Harbor, opened in 1971 and home to … Read more

DiMillo’s Yacht Sales Takes a Leading Role with Hunt Yachts Courtesy DiMillo’s Yacht Sales Chris DiMillo’s affinity for Hunt designs began with a used 25-foot Hunt Harrier and deepened after he commissioned a 26-foot Harrier in 2020. Each winter, he takes that 26-foot boat from his New England base to cruise around Fort Lauderdale, Florida, … Read more

Willard Bond: Painter of Sailing, Speed and Light Courtesy J. Russell Jinishian Gallery, jrusselljinishiangallery.com Setting the Spinnaker — Motion Captured in Color In Willard Bond’s 28- by 30-inch watercolor-on-board painting Setting the Spinnaker, a moment of high drama is distilled into a single, powerful image: a red, white and blue sail abruptly billows against a … Read more

Six decades of continuous family ownership have not diminished Viking Yacht Company’s drive to improve their boats every day. That dedication is clear in the new Viking 50 Convertible. Although the convertible line extends up to 90 feet, the 50C is the smallest model in that range and a strong demonstration of Viking’s expertise in … Read more

Courtesy Groupe Beneteau A chilly, windy, rainy afternoon in South Florida was hardly ideal for a sea trial, but it proved the Antares 12 Coupe is built to perform in real-world conditions. Beneteau’s newest coupe—making its U.S. debut at the 2026 Miami International Boat Show—showed why it’s a true all-weather family cruiser, offering comfort, protection … Read more

Photos by Jessica Haydahl Richardson It’s mid-July, the heavy, humid dog days of summer, and the breeze on our faces as we run at 25 knots is a relief. My friend and I are heading to a small island off southern New England that will stay unnamed. The seas are calm, the resident stripers have … Read more

Photography by Debbie Egan-Chin During the American Revolution, Caleb Brewster spent much of his time in whaleboats on Long Island Sound—skirmishing with British forces and, crucially, carrying secret messages between Long Island and Connecticut as part of George Washington’s Culper Spy Ring. To mark the United States’ 250th anniversary, volunteers in Port Jefferson, New York, … Read more

New cruising permit fees for all boaters visiting the Bahamas took effect on April 1, marking the second major fee revision in 10 months. Unlike the previous increases, which many boaters said were excessive, this new schedule has been welcomed as a return to more reasonable costs. The July 1, 2025 fee changes had dramatically … Read more