When Hurricane Michael struck the Florida Panhandle with sustained winds topping 150 mph, a boat warehouse near Panama City failed under the force of the storm, collapsing like a house of cards. The dramatic image of metal, wood and fiberglass strewn across the lot became a stark example of how quickly severe wind and storm … Read more

Winter boating isn’t for everyone, and I understand why some people haul their boats out and wrap them up. But many of us keep sailing through the cold months — chasing wind, targeting winter cod and pollock, or just enjoying the clear, brisk days offshore. Whatever your reason for being on cold water, remember one … Read more

Solar Sal 27: A Quiet Electric Launch for Northwest Summers Many boaters tell me they love the moment they shut down the engine and hear only the water. I feel the same way—there’s a calm that comes when the mechanical noise fades and the hull slips through the water. In the Northwest, however, summer winds … Read more

Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) Sets Sail from Las Palmas to St. Lucia Sunday marked the start of the renowned Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC), organized by the World Cruising Club. The rally brings together a diverse international fleet for a classic trans-Atlantic passage, combining serious offshore sailing with a strong cruising and community spirit. … Read more

Cruising guides for the new year The 2012 editions of Dozier’s Waterway Guides—covering the Chesapeake Bay, the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, the Southern coast, and the Bahamas—offer thorough, mile-by-mile coverage for cruisers navigating from New Jersey to Texas, and extending into the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. These guides are designed for boaters who … Read more

Harold Burnham’s passion for wooden boats keeps a tradition alive For master shipwright and charter captain Harold Burnham, building and sailing traditional wooden boats is more than a craft — it’s a way of life and a mission to preserve Essex, Massachusetts’s maritime heritage. Burnham, an 11th-generation boatbuilder and a 2012 National Heritage Fellowship recipient, … Read more

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