Matthews Martinique Express and the Classic 42-Foot Hull The Matthews Boat Company began in Bascom, Ohio, in 1890 and moved to Port Clinton in 1906 after Scott J. Matthews and his family completed a remarkable 9,000-mile Great Loop cruise aboard a 74-foot, double-ended cruiser that he had built. For six decades the company earned a … Read more

Spot Launches “Seven Safety Tips” Campaign to Improve Recreational Boater Safety Spot, a recognized name in personal satellite messaging and emergency communications, has introduced a public safety initiative called the “Seven Safety Tips.” This campaign is designed to raise awareness about common risks on the water and to remind recreational boaters of practical, high-impact steps … Read more

New England Coast Guard Rescue Report — May 2010 HEAVY-WEATHER TOW — The 55-foot fishing vessel Wahoo, home-ported in Kodiak, Alaska, nearly disappeared beneath a large swell on May 3 while being towed by the Coast Guard cutter Roanoke Island. The tow took place about 14 miles south of Pearl Island in 20-foot seas with … Read more

Richardson Boat Co. and the Aluminum-Planked Phantom Motor-Yachts In the early 1960s, a time when boatbuilding was in transition, Richardson Boat Co. stood out by pursuing an unconventional path. While many yards were adopting new materials like fiberglass and experimenting with cold‑molded plywood, Richardson embraced aluminum. The company partnered with an aircraft manufacturer to adapt … Read more

Captain and Fishing Charter Rescue Seaplane Passengers in Mississippi Sound Captain Kyle Johnson and his fishing charter were en route to the remote Chandeleur Islands, off Gulfport, Mississippi, when they witnessed a seaplane struggling to land in the rough waters of the Mississippi Sound. Recognizing the danger, Johnson and his clients quickly altered course to … Read more

The Star: How a One-Design Keelboat Redefined Racing What began as a modest one-design called the Bug evolved into one of the most influential keelboats in sailing history. The Bug was William Gardner’s 1906 design for a simple, affordable 17-foot one-design that cost just $140. George “Pop” Corry, commodore of Larchmont Yacht Club, appreciated its … Read more

Release Boatworks and the 43 Gameboat: A Modern Take on Classic Sportfish When Jim Turner was growing up learning the ropes at his family’s busy Ritz Bakery in Manasquan on the Jersey Shore, he watched the region’s rich tradition of sportfish boatbuilding from nearby. South Jersey was long a center for builders who set the … Read more

Raymarine Quantum 2: Solid-State Doppler CHIRP Radar for Safer Marine Navigation The Raymarine Quantum 2 is a solid-state marine radar that combines Doppler target identification with CHIRP pulse compression technology to give skippers clearer, more reliable situational awareness at both long and short ranges. Built to detect motion and distinguish moving targets from stationary objects, … Read more

In a world of niche markets and specialized branding, we often distinguish between true classics and contemporary interpretations of classic designs. Some boats preserve the original spirit and form, appealing to purists who favor authentic retro styling. Others mimic the classic look but incorporate modern engineering to improve performance and ease of use. Both approaches … Read more

It was a gray day off the coast of California. Under a thinning blanket of fog, the Pacific yawned and stretched toward morning, its surface barely rippled. Aboard the J Class yacht Endeavour — a 130-foot steel leviathan displacing roughly 160 tons — the small residual swell translated into a gentle, noticeable roll. Endeavour flew … Read more