North Haven 24: A Pocket Lobster-Boat-Inspired Cruiser by Sam Devlin Boat designer Sam Devlin, raised on the West Coast, draws inspiration from the heavy, seaworthy fishing boats that worked offshore and braved long ocean fetches. Yet Devlin has long admired the low, graceful sheer lines and nimble handling of traditional Maine lobster boats. Combining those … Read more

Cruising Club of America Honors Kristen Neuschäfer with 2023 Blue Water Medal The Cruising Club of America (CCA) has announced that Kristen Neuschäfer of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, is the recipient of the prestigious Blue Water Medal for 2023. The award recognizes Neuschäfer’s exceptional seamanship, endurance and determination during her 235-day solo circumnavigation aboard Minnehaha, … Read more

Atlantic Halibut: A History of Overfishing and Decline The Atlantic halibut stands as one of the clearest examples of how vigorous, unregulated fishing can transform a thriving population into a remnant of its former self. A large flatfish related to flounder, the Atlantic halibut can grow to extraordinary sizes—historical accounts report individuals weighing hundreds of … Read more

Barcelona Confirmed as Host City for the 2024 America’s Cup Barcelona, Spain, has been chosen to host the 2024 America’s Cup, prevailing over competing bids from Málaga (Spain), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), and Auckland (New Zealand). The decision, made by the current title holders — the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and Team New Zealand — … Read more

Florida Manatee Crisis: Causes, Protections, and How Boaters Can Help Florida’s manatee population suffered a catastrophic loss in 2021, with 1,101 recorded deaths — nearly double the number documented in 2020. This sharp rise in manatee mortality has raised alarm among wildlife managers, conservationists, and the public, highlighting a combination of environmental stressors and human … Read more

“We love the water, and this house is such a fun place to live,” Nora Spradlin says of the family waterfront home where the Coan River meets the Potomac in Virginia. Perched at the tip of a point, the property delivers wide water views from nearly every room, a draw for owners who value privacy, … Read more

What began as a legal ambiguity ended with a clear ruling: Club Náutico Español de Vela (CNEV) does not qualify as a proper yacht club under the terms of the America’s Cup Deed of Gift, and therefore cannot serve as the challenger of record for the 33rd America’s Cup. On April 2, the New York … Read more

From the Editor: Reporting From the Water and Working Remotely The Soundings editorial team thrives on getting out where the stories happen. For Executive Editor Pim Van Hemmen, that meant heading to the Damariscotta River in Maine to report on a local oyster-harvesting operation before winter closed the waterfront. On a bitter December morning, Pim … Read more

Rich Wilson’s Solo Vendée Globe: Endurance, Injuries, and Resolve Rich Wilson sits at home in Marblehead, Massachusetts, carrying a head full of memories and a body marked by the cost of a single-handed circumnavigation. Wilson, who turned 59 in April, became only the second American to complete the Vendée Globe, the notoriously demanding solo round-the-world … Read more

Pride of Baltimore II remains one of the world’s most revered tall ships, delighting crowds wherever she sails. We will use 2018 to reassess the ship’s future, working closely with our partners in the public and private sectors to make sure we don’t witness the end to Pride’s wonderful history. – Pride of Baltimore Inc., … Read more