Even the best-maintained boats can suffer serious failures if small problems go unnoticed. A peaceful day on the water can turn quickly when a hidden issue finally breaks loose. Boats are complex systems with many potential failure points—metal parts exposed to stray electricity, cooling passages that clog over time, vibrating fuel lines, aging hoses, and … Read more

Shenandoah’s Next Chapter: Preserving a Martha’s Vineyard Tradition of Sailing Education For more than half a century Captain Bob Douglas and Black Dog Tall Ships have introduced generations of Martha’s Vineyard fourth- and fifth-graders to life at sea aboard the schooners Shenandoah and Alabama. Since the 1990s alone, well over 5,000 island children have sailed … Read more

Connecticut Fall Boat Show Debuts Oct. 7–9 in Branford Active Interest Media, the parent company of Soundings, will present the inaugural Connecticut Fall Boat Show on Oct. 7–9 at Safe Harbor Bruce & Johnsons Marina in Branford, Connecticut. The three-day event is positioned centrally on Long Island Sound, offering easy access for coastal boaters and … Read more

Rick Brawner: Painting Door County’s Tugboats and the Spirit of the Great Lakes For many marine artists, a deep connection forms between place and practice. Whether drawn to the jagged coast of Maine, the turquoise Caribbean, or the sheltered shallows of Chesapeake Bay, artists often find a singular region that resonates with their eye and … Read more

A23a: The World’s Largest Iceberg Is Finally on the Move A23a, the largest iceberg on record, has begun moving for the first time in more than thirty years. Covering roughly 1,500 square miles—slightly larger than the U.S. state of Rhode Island—the block of ice calved from the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf in West Antarctica in 1986. … Read more

Photo by Billy Black — Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II, 300mm, f/8, 1/800s, ISO 160 IMAGES – Photo by Billy Black Camera: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II ISO: 160 Lens focal length: 300mm Aperture: f/8 Shutter speed: 1/800 second Date: November 2012 About this image This photograph, credited to Billy Black and taken in November 2012, demonstrates … Read more

Windjammers: Maine’s Classic Sailing Workhorses Windjammers were the rugged, dependable cargo ships of the late 19th century, built to carry large volumes of freight across oceans using prevailing winds. Typically constructed of iron or steel and rigged with three to five masts and square sails, these vessels prioritized cargo space and endurance over speed. They … Read more

Vote for Your Favorite Dock-and-Dine Waterfront Restaurant Few pleasures rival arriving by boat to a waterfront restaurant, stepping off the dinghy or tying up at the dock, and sharing a memorable meal with friends and family. Dock-and-dine experiences combine the freedom of boating with great food, scenic views, and the ease of skipping parking hassles. … Read more

One of the strongest reasons I pick up a rod and reel is the satisfaction of providing world-class protein harvested with my own hands for family and friends. From my earliest fishing trips, my father emphasized the almost ritual pleasure of eating what we caught; it felt like an act of respect for the sea. … Read more

Norwegian Krysser: Traditional Herring and Cod Boats in Tromso Harbor A Norwegian Krysser is reflected in the waters of Norway’s Tromso harbor. These boats, rooted in long coastal traditions, remain a visible and practical part of life along Norway’s northern shores. The Krysser evolved from earlier working hull types such as the Skoyte and the … Read more