PLACES Photos by Alison Langley Alec Brainerd speaks about classic wooden boats with a mix of philosophy, practical experience and business sense. As founder and owner of Artisan Boatworks in Rockport, Maine, he oversees a shop that builds, restores and maintains wooden vessels with an emphasis on craftsmanship and historical fidelity. The shop has become … Read more

Draken Harald Harfage: A Modern Replica of a Viking Longship Powered by both sails and oars, the 115-foot Draken Harald Harfage is a faithful replica of the seagoing vessels used by the Vikings more than a thousand years ago. As the largest modern Viking ship ever built, Draken Harald Harfage attracts attention for her size, … Read more

My first memories of boating are tied to a Boston Whaler. It was a simple Sakonnet with a wooden center console and a single Yamaha outboard—nothing like the modern powerplants you see today—but it reliably carried my family up and down the Rhode Island coast. That early experience shaped what safety and seaworthiness mean to … Read more

There are as many ways to build boats as there are ways to skin a cat. From hulking floating fortresses to sleek racing sloops, each craft reflects the materials and methods used to make it. Today many boats are mass-produced from the same molds to meet demand and keep costs down. That approach is efficient … Read more

Memories at the Herreshoff Marine Museum and a Classic Yacht Regatta When the Herreshoff Marine Museum opened in Bristol, Rhode Island, I was a rough-around-the-edges teenager from Montauk, New York. I didn’t yet understand the subtle beauty or engineering that make classic yachts exceptional. Still, my love of boats took me to an old yard … Read more

Thinking about upgrading to a larger family cruiser raises a lot of questions: how easy will it be to handle at the docks, how comfortable will it be for kids and guests, and how well will it perform on open water? A recent sea trial aboard the new Beneteau Gran Turismo 45 offered clear answers. … Read more

The parents of 19-year-old Danielle Wright have paused their private search for their daughter and six other crewmembers who went missing from the 84-year-old wooden schooner Niña after a severe storm in the Tasman Sea nine months ago. While Ricky and Robin Wright are stepping back from active search operations, family members, friends and supporters … Read more

North Haven 24: A Pocket Lobster-Boat-Inspired Cruiser by Sam Devlin Boat designer Sam Devlin, raised on the West Coast, draws inspiration from the heavy, seaworthy fishing boats that worked offshore and braved long ocean fetches. Yet Devlin has long admired the low, graceful sheer lines and nimble handling of traditional Maine lobster boats. Combining those … Read more

Cruising Club of America Honors Kristen Neuschäfer with 2023 Blue Water Medal The Cruising Club of America (CCA) has announced that Kristen Neuschäfer of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, is the recipient of the prestigious Blue Water Medal for 2023. The award recognizes Neuschäfer’s exceptional seamanship, endurance and determination during her 235-day solo circumnavigation aboard Minnehaha, … Read more

Atlantic Halibut: A History of Overfishing and Decline The Atlantic halibut stands as one of the clearest examples of how vigorous, unregulated fishing can transform a thriving population into a remnant of its former self. A large flatfish related to flounder, the Atlantic halibut can grow to extraordinary sizes—historical accounts report individuals weighing hundreds of … Read more