NEW ENGLAND REGION Ballard’s, New Shoreham, RI Established in 1956, Ballard’s is a longtime favorite for live music, local seafood and a classic Block Island atmosphere. Located close to the Block Island Ferry, the restaurant and beach attract day-trippers as well as boaters staying for a few nights. Ballard’s Marina features Mediterranean-style floating docks with … Read more

My inbox at Soundings is one of my favorite places to drop anchor. It’s where readers stop by to share their on-the-water stories, ask questions and tell us about the boats they love. I’m always grateful when people take a few minutes to write — those messages often reveal memorable moments, practical lessons and the … Read more

Fleming 55: The Yacht That Redefined Long-Range Cruising The first Fleming to arrive in the United States was unloaded in Long Beach, California, in November 1986. That initial boat measured 50 feet and was built from the same hull mold later used for the Fleming 55. Early on, a dam was inserted into the mold … Read more

At Marine Weather Center, a client recently asked why a computer model forecast showed small seas on the windward side of Saint Martin, when in reality they were experiencing strong winds and large waves. The explanation lies in how weather models are built, what they can resolve, and where they fall short. Weather forecast models … Read more

Why We Chose a 23-Foot Caribiana Sea Skiff: A Practical Powerboat for Trailerable Cruising After years of sailing, my wife Jackie and I decided in 2013 to move from sail to power. We wanted something smaller, easier to handle and trailerable so we could spend more time enjoying the water and less time maintaining a … Read more

In Extremis: A Photographer’s Portrait of America’s Historic Ships By Jeanne Craig In 2012, while leaving an Ikea parking lot in Philadelphia, photographer and journalist Pim Van Hemmen happened upon an imposing ocean liner whose hull bore rust and whose funnels were streaked with peeling paint. It was the SS United States, once the pride … Read more

There’s growing interest in “adventure boats,” but what exactly do people mean by that term? In simple terms, adventure boats are typically pilothouse designs with upright styling and seaworthy hulls, built for boaters who want to get offshore and explore even when weather or schedules are tight. These boats prioritize protection, range and practical deck … Read more

In 1811 a group of frustrated English textile workers smashed mechanized looms and other weaving equipment in Nottingham. They became known as Luddites—named after Ned Ludd, a weaver’s apprentice who was said to have done the same two decades earlier. Their protest was aimed at industrial technology that displaced skilled labor. I sympathize, not out … Read more

The call came around noon. “I’m at the marina,” my longtime fishing partner Adam said. “Stripers were blitzing out in Buzzards Bay this morning. I’m heading back out.” I didn’t wait for an invitation. “I’ll meet you at your boat in half an hour,” I answered, grabbed three light-tackle rods, and headed to the marina. … Read more

More Women Are Becoming Commodores as Yacht Clubs Modernize Across the country, yacht clubs are seeing a steady rise in the number of women elected to the role of commodore. Many of these new leaders say the increase reflects important, overdue structural changes in how clubs operate — adjustments that have opened the door for … Read more