We were anchored in a sheltered Bahamian harbor when a 70-foot sailboat glided in from the ocean. Its size, finish and obvious quality drew attention from everyone ashore and on the VHF. People assumed the owner must be wealthy and experienced — how could you not be with a boat like that? The next day … Read more

Boat Wakes and Safety: How to Prevent Accidents and Injuries The U.S. Coast Guard consistently lists boat wakes among the top contributing factors in recreational boating accidents. In recent annual Recreational Boating Statistics reports it has been shown that over the past four years an average of 211 accidents per year were attributed to the … Read more

Sailing Firsts: A Long-Held Dream Comes True Ken Perry recently dropped me a note to share an experience he’d just checked off his bucket list. For decades he’d dreamed of sailing a recreational boat to distant shores—by which he meant literally harnessing the wind in sails and exploring new coasts. During a 30-plus year career … Read more

SeaVee 340i Pod: A Single-Pod Center Console Breaks New Ground ZF Marine and SeaVee Boats unveiled a 34-foot center console fitted with a single-pod propulsion system last fall at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. According to the companies, this is the first single-pod system introduced for the recreational marine market, designed to bring joystick-driven … Read more

Ice Cream Boat: Sweet Treats on the Lake It’s summer, the sun is high and the lake is full of people looking to relax and cool off. For many boaters and swimmers, nothing hits the spot like a cold ice cream or a scoop of gelato. Enter the ice cream boat — a simple, charming … Read more

Approaching my 77th year, I set out to make a cruise from my home port at the Seaford Yacht Club on the York River to Baltimore and back before I stopped doing lengthy passages. During the past decade I’ve done plenty of singlehanded sailing in the lower Chesapeake Bay, and I kept imagining a grand … Read more

You don’t need to wear out your knees and backside scrubbing real teak anymore. Synthetic or faux teak offers the look and secure footing of traditional teak without the relentless upkeep. It’s easier to clean, resists instant graying, and won’t stain after the occasional spilled glass of wine. While not inexpensive, high-quality faux teak typically … Read more

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) will soon present Her Helm, a photographic exhibition by Kristin Rutowski that spotlights the growing presence and leadership of women at the helm across the Chesapeake Bay. Rutowski’s portraits and interviews document women who serve in a wide range of maritime roles—from recreational boaters and charter skippers to tug … Read more

Lester Fagans: The 1959 Flybridge Motoryacht Cover and a Career in Marine Illustration A dramatic 1959 magazine cover by Lester Fagans captures a flybridge motoryacht powering through choppy seas. The image — bold, kinetic and precise — is representative of a long career in marine illustration that made Fagans a respected name in commercial and … Read more

Sport-Brella Beach Chair: Reliable Sun and Wind Protection for Beach Days The Sport-Brella beach chair combines a low-profile folding seat with an integrated umbrella lined with UPF 50+ fabric to help protect you from sun and wind while you relax on the sand. This design keeps you closer to the ground for stability and comfort, … Read more