Matinicus: A Solo RIB Trip to Maine’s Far-Out Island Facebook sent me to Matinicus. When former Soundings editor-in-chief Mary South posted a stunning photo of the island she sometimes calls home, I impulsively told her I might run my RIB out for lunch. I should have done more homework first. I knew Matinicus lay well … Read more

Yemeni Fishing Crew Finds Rare Ambergris Worth Millions in Gulf of Aden Yemen, long afflicted by conflict and widespread poverty, is home to many coastal communities that depend on the sea for their livelihoods. In a remarkable turn of events, a 35-person fishing crew from Yemen discovered a life-changing treasure while working in the Gulf … Read more

Century-Old Message in a Bottle Reunites Family with Memory from 1926 On the Friday before Father’s Day weekend, Captain Jennifer Dowker was diving in the Cheboygan River, Michigan, performing routine maintenance on the hull of her glass-bottomed tour boat, Yankee Sunshine. The vessel, used for summer shipwreck tours, often requires divers to scrape barnacles and … Read more

Fourth of July Boating Safety: Practical Tips for New and Seasoned Boaters Fourth of July weekend is one of the busiest times on the water. Many boaters head out to watch on-the-water fireworks displays, join large raft-ups with friends, and enjoy crowded anchorages at popular boating hotspots. That increased activity makes thoughtful preparation and cautious … Read more

Teenagers Race to Rescue After Boat Overturns in Long Island Sound Three local teenagers sprang into action last week when a nearby boat suddenly began taking on water and then capsized, throwing its occupants into the chilly waters of Long Island Sound. The quick response by the teens helped save five older men who were … Read more

Courageous — Legendary 12 Metre America’s Cup Winner Now for Sale The famous 12 Metre yacht Courageous, one of only three boats to have won the America’s Cup twice, is being offered for sale. Launched in 1974, Courageous earned its place in sailing history by claiming the Auld Mug in both 1974 and 1977. This … Read more

Many boat owners choose to donate their vessels as the boating season winds down or at year-end. Donating a boat is a generous act that supports charitable programs, and it can also provide federal tax benefits. However, timing matters: waiting until the last weeks of the year to donate may reduce or delay the tax … Read more

Michael Packard was diving for lobster in 45 feet of water off Provincetown, Massachusetts, when he said he “felt this huge bump and everything went dark.” He initially believed a great white shark had struck him, but when there was no pain and no sign of teeth, he began to suspect something far larger: that … Read more

Blackfin 33 Combi: A Compact Offshore Fisherman’s Classic Carl Herndon began his career at Bertram Yachts in the 1960s, at a moment when the Bertram 31 and its revolutionary deep-V hull were reshaping small-craft design. In 1973 Herndon left Bertram to found Blackfin Yacht Corp. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, determined to refine the deep-V concept. … Read more

What We’re Watching VINTAGE MOTORS The Pine Tree Chapter of the Antique Outboard Club of America brings together a lively group of collectors, restorers and tinkerers—mostly from Maine—who share a passion for antique outboard motors. Many of these engines are rare, historically significant and in some cases more than a century old. Members collect, restore … Read more