The Jersey Speed Skiff: New Jersey’s Compact Speedboat Legend Compact, nimble, and surprisingly powerful for its size, the Jersey Speed Skiff has earned a reputation as a true speedboat classic. Built along the New Jersey coast, this small runabout combines a long regional history with an active present-day racing scene. At roughly 16 feet in … Read more

Snow Goose Refit: New Windlass, Mantus Anchor, and Cabin Restoration The original Vetus windlass on Snow Goose, Onne van der Wal’s 1986 Grand Banks 32, had seen better days. Although the boat still carried a 35-pound CQR anchor, Onne chose to replace it with a Mantus anchor, a brand he’d used and trusted on a … Read more

What We’re Watching Onne’s New Goose — Onne van der Wal, the internationally recognized marine photographer, has taken on another hands-on project that will appeal to boat owners, refitters and cruising enthusiasts. After fully refitting Snoek, his 1972 Pearson 36 — a project that was featured in a PBS special — Van der Wal and … Read more

John Condon paused to confirm the figures. At first glance it seemed almost unbelievable that calls to TowBoatU.S. for on-water assistance rose by 43.9 percent in just two years. Yet the numbers were real. In 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic prompted a surge in boat purchases not seen in over a decade, TowBoatU.S. recorded a … Read more

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