Successful anchoring depends not only on reliable ground tackle but also on choosing the right anchorage. Most boaters already know the basics: you want shelter from wind and waves and enough room to swing through a full 360 degrees without fouling other vessels or shorelines. But beyond those essentials there are several less obvious factors … Read more

Wally the Walrus: Why He’s Causing Problems for Dinghies in the Isles of Scilly A large walrus known as Wally has been drawing attention across Western Europe for months, and his recent visits to the Isles of Scilly have put him at odds with local small-boat owners. While his presence delights wildlife watchers, Wally’s size … Read more

Bruce Kirby, Designer of the Laser, Dies at 92 Bruce Kirby, the Canadian designer best known for creating the Laser—the single-handed dinghy regarded as one of the most successful production sailboat designs in history—died on July 18, 2021, at the age of 92. His death marked the loss of a towering figure in small-boat design … Read more

Rare Glass Octopus Filmed in Deep Waters off the Phoenix Islands A rarely seen glass octopus was recorded on camera by an underwater robot during a 34-day research expedition in the Central Pacific Ocean. The sighting occurred in the remote region of the Phoenix Islands, roughly 3,200 miles northeast of Sydney, Australia, and offers a … Read more

Father and Son Rescue Drifts, Recover Unmanned “Ghost” Boat and Save Exhausted Fisherman 40 Miles Off North Carolina On July 5, a routine day on the water turned into a tense search-and-rescue when Andrew Sherman of Roanoke, Virginia, and his son Jack encountered an unmanned 23-foot Parker Pilothouse drifting roughly 40 miles off the North … Read more

The pandemic did little to slow Maine’s boatbuilding industry; if anything, demand has accelerated. A recent tour of six Maine yards revealed packed boatsheds full of new builds and refits. From custom traditional work to modern cold-molded and composite designs, Maine continues to draw buyers from across the U.S. and around the world seeking high-quality … Read more

Back Cove Introduces the 372: An Evolution of the Popular 37 Downeast Cruiser Since 2003, Back Cove Yachts has earned a reputation for building practical, attractive Downeast-style cruising powerboats using thoughtful, high-quality construction methods. One of the company’s most successful models has been the Back Cove 37, more than 200 of which were built after … Read more

The used-boat market can yield unexpected treasures. Ted Boynton discovered one such find: a neglected racing sloop that became the centerpiece of a restoration project and later a winner at a major East Coast classic yacht regatta. Boynton’s 36-foot sloop, Dagger, is one of several prototype racing boats drawn by designer Ray Hunt in the … Read more

Lake Tahoe Marina Installs First Marine CCS Electric-Boat Charger in the U.S. In mid-May, Homewood Resort’s marina at Lake Tahoe became the site of a milestone for electric boating: the installation of what appears to be the first marine CCS (Combined Charging System) rapid-charging station in the United States. The installation drew excitement from industry … Read more

Any sailor who has dropped a spinnaker in a close race—whether sailing a small Blue Jay or a grand J-boat—recognizes the electric moment captured in Willard Bond’s watercolor painting “The Drop.” It is the instant when the cockpit and foredeck synchronize, when sheets and guys are handled in a blur, and the helmsman weaves through … Read more