Ukrainian Chief Engineer Partially Sinks Russian-Owned Yacht in Mallorca An incident tied to the ongoing Ukrainian-Russian conflict unfolded in the Mediterranean over the weekend when a Russian-owned yacht was deliberately damaged while moored at a luxury marina in Mallorca. The vessel, the 156-foot Lady Anastasia, owned by Alexander Mikheev—CEO of Rosoboronexport, a Russian state-owned military … Read more

Boat shows are a prime opportunity for buyers, journalists, and industry professionals to sea-trial the newest models and marine technologies. At the recent Miami International Boat Show, however, the traditional buzz of eager brokers and prospective owners was interrupted by a very different kind of attendee: manatees. These gentle marine mammals appeared in and around … Read more

FortNine Acquires Defender Industries, Beginning a New Chapter for the Longtime Marine Supplier Defender Industries, a family-owned marine supply business that has served boaters for more than eight decades, is entering a new phase after being acquired by FortNine in partnership with private equity firm Novacap. The Waterford, Connecticut-based company built a reputation on dependable … Read more

Mercury Marine Introduces the Avator: Its First Electric Outboard for Pleasure Craft At the Miami International Boat Show, Mercury Marine unveiled the Avator, the company’s first electric outboard designed for pleasure craft. The Avator marks the beginning of a new product family that Mercury says will expand into several additional models in the coming months. … Read more

Ann Davison and Felicity Ann: The First Woman to Sail Solo Across the Atlantic Ann Davison is remembered as one of the most resilient and pioneering sailors of the 20th century. A trailblazer in multiple fields, she was among the early female pilots in the 1930s and later turned to long-distance sailing after a devastating … Read more

After more than 25 years with the same boat, I finally ordered a new Pathfinder 2700 Open—a hybrid that blends the handling of a large bay boat with the offshore capabilities of a midsize center console. I bought it with a matching Ameratrail trailer so I could chase fish by road when I wanted, but … Read more

International Folkboat (IF): History, Design and Enduring Appeal The International Folkboat—commonly referred to as the IF—occupies a distinctive place in small-boat history. Often confused with the earlier Nordic Folkboat, the IF is a separate fiberglass adaptation created to capture the seaworthiness and beauty of the older clinker-built design while offering the advantages of modern materials … Read more

Virtual Yachts and Marinas: Inside the Metaverse’s New Waterfront The metaverse is becoming a real marketplace for boats and marinas, even though many of the rules and norms that govern behavior in this virtual world are still being written. Early adopters can buy prized waterfront parcels and unique yachts, but they also face risks that … Read more

Seriously salty reads Bounty of the Sea Seafood, like many perishable foods we buy regularly, often arrives at our tables with little thought given to its origin, the people who harvest it, or the systems that bring it from ocean to plate. Because many species are available year-round in markets and supermarkets, it’s easy to … Read more

Once, mariners relied on paper charts and a magnetic compass to find their way. Today, GPS and electronic chartplotters dominate navigation, and many boaters rarely consult paper charts. But electronics can fail, and when they do, old rules like “red, right, returning” remain vital. Keeping red buoys to starboard while returning to harbor will usually … Read more