Solar-Powered, Uncrewed Vessel Crosses Atlantic: A Milestone for Autonomous Boating Imagine a future in which two people can share a long ocean passage and both sleep safely through the night because their boat is powered by solar energy and protected by reliable autonomous systems. That future is arriving sooner than many expect. Pieter-Jan Note, co-founder … Read more

Beware of Third-Party Renewal Notices for USCG Certificate of Documentation Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatU.S.) is warning vessel owners to be cautious when they receive renewal notices in the mail that appear to be from the U.S. Coast Guard National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC). While the Coast Guard does send official renewal … Read more

Pilot Whales Swim Alongside Tourist Boat in the Maldives A boatload of tourists aboard Shadowpalm Tours in the Maldives received an unexpected marine encounter when a pair of short-finned pilot whales began swimming close to the vessel’s bow. What started as a routine sightseeing trip turned into a memorable wildlife moment as the whales paced … Read more

Vita LION Electric Flagship to Be Built at Historic Hodgdon Yachts in Maine Electric boat manufacturer Vita has confirmed that its 10.5-meter (34 ft 5 in) flagship, the LION, will be constructed at Hodgdon Yachts in East Boothbay, Maine. Hodgdon, founded in 1816 and still family-owned, is the oldest continuously operating shipyard in the United … Read more

Trawlerfest Anacortes 2022 — A Complete Guide for Cruising Enthusiasts Trawlerfest Anacortes 2022 brings together both new and pre-owned cruising powerboats, hands-on demonstrations, and in-depth education for captains and crews. This gathering is designed for anyone who enjoys long-range cruising, passagemaking, or simply wants to learn more about the latest marine products and services from … Read more

He had enormous hands, fingers as thick as quarters: scarred, scratched, calloused and rough. A handshake felt like grabbing a catcher’s mitt. Yet with those hands he could tie intricate fishing knots, repair almost anything, and drive whatever vehicle was in front of him—whether it flew, floated or rolled. He opened an autobody shop when … Read more

FortNine Acquires Defender Industries, Bringing Modern E-Commerce to a Marine Mail-Order Icon In February, Canadian online retailer FortNine announced the acquisition of Connecticut-based Defender Industries, a long-running supplier of boat gear, inflatables and outboard motors that has served boaters since 1938. At first glance the match may seem unusual—FortNine is best known as a top … Read more

Once confined to chores like trolling and powering tenders, electric outboards are increasingly available with higher horsepower, bringing greater speed and capability to larger boats. But how far can electric outboards realistically take us? Advances in motor design are clear, yet battery capacity, cost and range—especially at high speed—remain the key hurdles. Electric outboards offer … Read more

Origins of OSTAR: The First Single‑Handed Transatlantic Race The single‑handed transatlantic race known today as OSTAR (Observer Single‑handed Transatlantic Race) began as a bold idea in the mid‑20th century. Credited to Herbert “Blondie” Hasler and organized under the auspices of the Royal Western Yacht Club of England, the race set out to test human skill, … Read more

Dangerous Weather: Jim Griffiths’ Maritime Painting of the Clipper Cromdale On a storm-tossed sea, the topgallant sail of the 19th-century clipper Cromdale has snapped, leaving the crew scrambling to secure rigging and protect the ship. Jim Griffiths captures that tense, dramatic moment in his painting Dangerous Weather, where roughly twenty sailors rush across the deck, … Read more