Dead Reckoning Explained: Hands-On Navigation Techniques

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I could pretend I’m not old enough to remember Loran-A or the eerie beeps of radio direction finders, and I might deny the old navigator’s trick of shutting down the engine to listen for buoys in fog. But those memories remain useful reminders that reliable navigation doesn’t always depend on the latest gadget. Today’s market … Read more

What Makes a Great Motorsailer? Insights from Mark Bruckmann and Mark Ellis

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Mark Bruckmann and Mark Ellis, Bruckmann Yachts, Mississauga, Ontario. www.bruckmannyachts.com Many cruisers hesitate to consider a motorsailer because they expect to trade sailing performance for power-driven convenience. In reality, the modern motorsailer is meant to offer the best of both worlds: efficient, comfortable passage-making under sail or engine, excellent seakeeping, and simple handling. For bluewater … Read more

Sailing New England in February: Weather, Routes and Safety

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Oliver on the move Rhode Island’s future tall ship, the Oliver Hazard Perry, was towed from Newport, R.I., by the tug Hope. The 132-foot hull will undergo extensive steel and mechanical work this winter at Promet Marine Services in Providence, R.I. When rebuilt and rigged as a Class A tall ship, it will measure 207 … Read more

The Flying Tanker: A Skyborne Adventure

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Why a Tanker Appeared to Hover: The Science Behind Superior Mirages Advances in foiling and marine design have enabled boats to rise above the water on hydrofoils, but those craft are still firmly in the airless realm of physics. So when a resident of a hamlet in Cornwall watched what looked like a tanker hovering … Read more

Boston Whaler Montauk Review: Performance, Features and Price

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Why I Still Love My Boston Whaler 17 Montauk After a lifetime spent on the water and hundreds of boats seen—from canoes to yachts—one model has always stood out to me for its dependability and practical design: the Boston Whaler Montauk. My pride and joy is a 1985 Boston Whaler 17 Montauk, powered by a … Read more

Cruisers Yachts Unveils New Cantius 42

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Cruisers Yachts Debuts the Cantius 42 at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show Cruisers Yachts introduced the Cantius 42 at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in November, extending the brand’s long-running Cantius line with a model that emphasizes roomy interiors and intelligent use of space. Replacing the Cantius 41, the new 42-foot express cruiser … Read more

Compact Smartphone with Extended Network Coverage

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TerreStar Genus: A Dual-Mode Cell and Satellite Phone Built for Boaters and Outdoor Enthusiasts The TerreStar Genus combines cellular and satellite communications in a single handheld device, delivering a unique option for boaters, skiers, hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts who need reliable voice and data connectivity beyond traditional coverage areas. Slightly larger than a BlackBerry, … Read more

New Road to Florida Keys Opens: Travel Update

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New $330 Million “18‑Mile Stretch” on U.S. Highway 1 Linking Florida City and Key Largo Is Complete A newly completed $330 million roadway that connects the South Florida mainland with the Florida Keys has reached completion. The project, commonly referred to as the “18‑Mile Stretch,” is a renovated segment of U.S. Highway 1 between Florida … Read more

Rigid Inflatable Boats Come of Age: New Trends and Uses

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I have owned a RIB for nearly a decade. I’ve taken it across the Great Lakes, through Chesapeake and Penobscot bays, and even ran it from the Jersey Shore across Raritan Bay to Manhattan on one of the roughest days I can remember—flying off ocean swells, safely landing in the troughs and arriving in the … Read more

Facebook Group Unites Boaters to Fight Boat Theft

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South Florida attorney Bruce Marx posted a message on his Facebook page one April, asking friends to share the email addresses of local dockmasters. “It’s time that a marina community watch be established,” he wrote. The post masked how angry he really was. Thieves had removed a Garmin chartplotter from his 31-foot Contender while the … Read more