Just six weeks ago, Hurricane Ian tore through Southwest Florida, uprooting communities and disrupting wildlife across the region. According to CNN, the storm displaced thousands of residents and was blamed for the deaths of at least 130 people. The environmental consequences, while less immediately visible, are shaping the recovery of native species and local ecosystems. … Read more

IYRS Holiday Auction: Unique Maritime Gifts, Artwork, Travel and Experiences The holiday season is fast approaching — a perfect time to find thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gifts that support a great cause. The IYRS Holiday Auction offers an eclectic selection of maritime treasures, original artwork, handcrafted jewelry, travel packages and live experiences. IYRS (the International Yacht Restoration … Read more

Since the early 1970s, Jock Williams has built hundreds of boats from his yard, John Williams Boat Company, on Mount Desert Island in Maine. This summer his team launched a Williams 28 Bass Boat called Sea Shepherds. Tied up at the boatyard’s dock on Somes Sound—a yard carved from an old stone quarry—the 28 blends … Read more

“View of New York from Brooklyn Heights” (1849): Frances Flora Bond Palmer’s East River Scene The 1849 lithograph “View of New York from Brooklyn Heights” by Frances Flora Bond Palmer captures a bustling, ship-filled East River at midcentury. Schooners, clippers, sloops and paddle steamers crowd the water while people on the Brooklyn Heights shore look … Read more

Standing in Fort Myers, Florida, Mike Root took in a scene that made little sense at first glance: a 40-foot boat swept roughly 100 yards inland by Hurricane Ian, now lodged between a private home and a large tree. The boat’s precarious position raised immediate, complex questions about recovery and liability. “What do you do … Read more

Before Onne and Tenley van der Wal cruised the Intracoastal Waterway aboard their 1986 Grand Banks 32 Snow Goose, Onne insisted on bringing the boat’s systems up to modern standards. His biggest concern was the electrical system, which he found inadequate for reliable cruising. The original Grand Banks instruments included 12‑ and 110‑volt analog meters, … Read more

Black Knight: A Striking Race Committee Boat from the 1983 America’s Cup At the opening of the 25th defense of the America’s Cup off Newport, Rhode Island, in 1983, the cannon was fired from the deck of Black Knight. Loaned by a member of the New York Yacht Club, this visually arresting vessel — with … Read more

Over the years I’ve delivered dozens of boats from New Jersey to Florida, using both offshore routes and the Intracoastal Waterway. On favorable runs a fast boat and good weather can put 1,000-plus miles behind you in four long days. Other trips take much longer: my longest delivery stretched over three weeks even though the … Read more

Review: Aspen Carbon Cat — A Lightweight Carbon-Fiber Tender Built for Durability and Comfort At the Annapolis Powerboat Show I stepped down from the dock onto the side deck of the 11-foot Aspen Carbon Cat and immediately noticed how solid and secure the footing felt. SeaDek covers the coaming and main deck, providing a nonslip … Read more

During its 12th ceremony on November 5 in Newport, Rhode Island, U.S. Sailing welcomed thirteen new members into its Hall of Fame. The induction honored a wide range of contributors to the sport—competitive champions, designers and builders, instructors, record-setters and advocates—whose achievements helped shape sailing in the United States. “Recognizing sailors who history would otherwise … Read more