Infrastructure Bill Brings Major Funding for Boating Access, Marinas and Safety Through 2026 Boaters across the country can expect noticeable improvements to access and services as a result of the $1 trillion infrastructure bill signed into law in mid-November. Funding through 2026 will support a wide range of projects, from upgraded roads and parking areas … Read more

Coast Guard coxswain faces more than a decade behind bars after fatal collision in San Diego Harbor during holiday boat parade The U.S. Coast Guard has charged the coxswain of a 33-foot patrol boat with involuntary manslaughter and negligent homicide following a December 2009 collision in San Diego Harbor that killed an 8-year-old boy during … Read more

Electronics expert Al Herum is a longtime electronics evaluator and former Florida Keys charter captain who tests marine electronics in real-world conditions for his site www.marine-electronics-reviews.com, which he launched in 2007. A resident of Tavernier, Fla., Herum, 53, uses his 1992 Contender — a 25-foot center-console powered by a 250-hp Suzuki four-stroke — as his … Read more

Dr. Dawg: David Ross Brings Chicago-Style Hot Dogs to Manitowoc After a long career in the yacht business, former Burger Boat Company co-president David Ross has launched a strikingly different second act: serving authentic Chicago-style hot dogs in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Better known for overseeing multimillion-dollar yachts, Ross now operates Dr. Dawg, the only Vienna Beef … Read more

Photos by Onne van der Wal Warm breezes, easy smiles, rum punches and steady reggae—these are the familiar comforts that draw sailors and travelers to island life. Yet beyond the music and hospitality, it is the water itself that exerts the strongest pull. The shallow bays, the rippling turquoise, the mosaics of sand and reef—all … Read more

Long-distance cruising does not always mean crossing oceans. For more than 6,000 boaters, the Great Loop—a roughly 5,000 to 6,000-mile circumnavigation of the eastern half of the United States—offers a highly achievable and rewarding adventure. The route delivers scenic waterways, rich history, and a community of fellow cruisers ready to share advice and hospitality. Those … Read more

Paul Spencer and Spencer Yachts: Carolina Craftsmanship Meets Modern Propulsion Under a tin shed in Manns Harbor, North Carolina, with no electricity or plumbing, Paul Spencer founded Spencer Yachts in 1996. Today his Wanchese-based company builds custom sportfishing yachts from 37 to 87 feet, blending classic Carolina flare with contemporary Florida styling. Spencer Yachts produces … Read more

weBBoat 4G Plus: Coastal 4G LTE and Wi‑Fi Antenna for Boats The weBBoat 4G Plus is a compact coastal internet antenna designed for recreational and commercial vessels that need reliable connectivity while operating near shore. It captures distant shore-based Wi‑Fi and 3G/4G cellular signals—reported to reach up to about 20 miles in optimal conditions—then amplifies … Read more

New sludge vessel joins NYC fleet The New York City Department of Environmental Protection has added the sludge vessel Red Hook to its collection of waste-transport ships. Built in Brownsville, Texas, the vessel measures more than 350 feet in length and about 53 feet in beam. Red Hook carries eight storage tanks with a combined … Read more

Chumming is the practice of tossing cut bait, ground bait or scented liquids into the water to draw game fish toward your boat. Though often dismissed as an unsporting shortcut, chumming is a highly effective tactic that, like any method, rewards knowledge and discipline. Done correctly, it can produce fast, thrilling bites; done poorly, it … Read more