Pilar, a faithful reproduction of Ernest Hemingway’s 1934, 38-foot Wheeler sportfishing boat of the same name, is now on the market. Built and restored by Shannon Boat Co. under founder and president Walt Schulz, the project took two years and a meticulous approach to mirror the original Pilar. The restoration included replacing the cabin, raising … Read more

Powerboat Team Sets Sights on Around-the-World Circumnavigation Record Ask Chris Fertig what he dreams about and he answers without hesitation: he wants the record for the fastest powerboat circumnavigation. Fertig has already taken a major step toward that goal. In September, he and partner Tyson Garvin set the Bermuda Challenge record, a non-stop powerboat sprint … Read more

MV Golden Ray Salvage: How the Capsized Car Carrier Is Being Recovered In September 2019 the MV Golden Ray, a 660-foot car carrier loaded with more than 4,000 vehicles, capsized in St. Simons Sound off Brunswick, Georgia. The immediate priority was life and environmental safety: a Donjon-Smith salvage team quickly rescued four engineers who had … Read more

Baja 26 Outlaw and Pro-Line 23 Sport Hemingway Edition: New Releases from Baja Marine Baja Marine drew considerable attention at the fall boat shows with the introduction of the Baja 26 Outlaw, the brand’s first outboard-powered sportboat and the company’s first non-sterndrive design. The move represents a notable shift for Baja, offering the performance and … Read more

Today’s electronic navigation tools make voyaging easier and more convenient, but they are not infallible. Good seamanship still depends on fundamental, time-tested skills that will keep you safe when equipment fails or conditions change. The books highlighted below offer practical guidance for boaters who want to strengthen their basic navigation knowledge, tackle restoration projects, or … Read more

Five Boats Sink During Lake Travis Trump Boat Parade; No Injuries Reported Five boats sank Saturday during a large boat parade on Lake Travis, Texas, that was organized in support of former President Donald Trump. Officials say there were no reported injuries. Firefighters and first responders pulled multiple people from the water, although authorities have … Read more

Mariners are often labeled superstitious because so many things can go wrong on a boat. I disagree. Boats are inanimate. I’m educated enough to know they don’t respond to spells or rituals. Still, after years aboard, I’ve learned to listen to my boat—she communicates in practical ways, not omens. When I follow those signals, things … Read more

Steve Weiss: A Semiplaning Yacht Designer Focused on Efficiency, Comfort and Quiet Many thoughtful boaters have been searching—sometimes without realizing it—for the right yacht designer to match their priorities. Steve Weiss is that designer for many. Grounded in traditional sail- and powerboat design and early CAD techniques, Weiss brings an aesthetic that favors harmony with … Read more

Voyaging Couple Helps Cruisers Gain Knowledge and Confidence to Expand Their Horizons John Harries and Phyllis Nickel prefer to call their work and lifestyle “voyaging” rather than “cruising.” To them, the word cruising suggests aimless wandering, while voyaging implies purpose, preparation and intentional exploration. Over 15 years together at sea, they have focused less on … Read more

Rare Beaked Whale Washes Ashore in Wellington, New Zealand A large, unusual whale carcass has washed ashore on the coast near Wellington, New Zealand. Experts believe the animal may be a Spade-toothed whale, a little-known type of beaked whale for which there are no confirmed live sightings and for which population numbers remain unknown. The … Read more