Trade schools are working to reshape the marine industry’s image as they help address a widening skills gap John Headley had only limited experience with boats—sailing as a child and the occasional powerboat outing as an adult—but that did not stop him from making a major life change. After eight years at his job in … Read more

Annapolis Sailing School Celebrates 50 Years of Teaching Sailing with Fun and Safety When founder Jerry Wood opened the Annapolis Sailing School five decades ago, he built it around a single guiding principle: learning to sail should be fun. That simple philosophy helped the school grow into a longtime local institution on the Chesapeake Bay. … Read more

Marine tech for beginners John C. Payne is both a sailor and a professional marine electrical engineer and surveyor who understands what keeps boats running — and what causes them to fail. He is the author of several books, including the well-known Marine Electrical and Electronics Bible, and he has expanded his “Understanding …” series … Read more

Ariel Pared is vice president of sales and marketing for SeaVee Boats in Miami. In 2008 SeaVee became the first company in the United States to produce a center-console boat with pod-drive propulsion, a 39-foot model that helped establish the company as an innovator in propulsion technology. Pared, 43, and his partners Ralph Torres and … Read more

Safe Disposal of Expired Marine Flares: What Boaters Need to Know Boaters operating on U.S. coastal waters and the Great Lakes are required to carry U.S. Coast Guard–approved visual distress signals that are rated for both daytime and nighttime use. Many mariners rely on pyrotechnic flares because a single device often meets both requirements. However, … Read more

How to Prepare Your Boat for Winter Storage Proper winterizing and storage protect your boat’s appearance, lower maintenance costs, and preserve its resale value. Putting a boat to bed for the season involves far more than switching off the batteries and locking the hatch. A careful, methodical layup will prevent common off-season damage and make … Read more

Harrison Boatworks 28 Center Console Sportfisherman: Carolina-Style, Cold-Molded Performance With its distinctive broken sheer, flared bow and cold-molded construction, the Harrison Boatworks 28 Center Console Sportfisherman captures classic Carolina lines while delivering modern performance and efficiency. Design Intent and Seakeeping Patrick Harrison, owner and operator of Harrison Boatworks on Roanoke Island, N.C., designed the 28 … Read more

The Christina O: From World War II Escort to Iconic Luxury Yacht Built originally as a Canadian anti-submarine and convoy escort during World War II’s Battle of the Atlantic, the 325-foot vessel that would become known as the Christina O followed one of the most remarkable transformations in maritime history. Purchased after the war by … Read more

Cakewalk: A 281-Foot Superyacht Built in Connecticut by Derecktor Shipyard The 281-foot Cakewalk, launched this summer from Derecktor Shipyard in Bridgeport, Connecticut, is more than an impressive yacht: it is a clear example of high-end American shipbuilding. With a steel hull, aluminum superstructure and richly finished interiors in wood, stone and wrought iron, Cakewalk was … Read more

How to Remove Fiberglass Dust and Itch After Repairs If you’ve ever spent a day cutting, grinding or sanding fiberglass, you know the aftermath: tiny glass fibers and a fine dust that cling to skin, clothing and tools. That prickly, scratchy sensation is more than annoying — it can make you uncomfortable for hours or … Read more