Last fall, aboard their 1986 Grand Banks Snow Goose, Onne and Tenley van der Wal set out for Florida with a goal: explore quieter, lesser-traveled places. Below are the highlights of their favorite stops along the Intracoastal Waterway and nearby rivers, each offering distinct scenery, wildlife and local character. Tangier Island, VA Onne had long … Read more

On a cold November morning in Little Compton, Rhode Island, three fishermen sit in a field, patching the worn net of a large floating trap. The season for hauling has finished weeks earlier, and the months of mending and preparing nets are nearly done. This quiet end-of-season work is part of the long seasonal rhythm … Read more

Jamestown: A Photographic Tribute by Onne van der Wal When you boat in the northeastern United States, few destinations are as inviting as Conanicut Island in Narragansett Bay. Locals know the island simply as Jamestown. It’s a compact, accessible spot that draws sailors for its reliable anchorages, protected coves, and dramatic shoreline. Sheltered harbors such … Read more

John and Jennifer Scanlon live in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, and have enjoyed freshwater boating on Green Bay and Lake Michigan for most of their lives. Both born and raised in the Midwest, their passion for being on the water only deepened after they met and married in 1990. For several years a Chaparral 2350 met … Read more

Edwin Pierpont is surprised to discover that an 8-inch blade on his Sawzall will cut right through the deck of his latest build. He had expected the deck to be thicker, but the cut goes cleanly and he isn’t worried—the deck is more than sturdy enough. Edwin works as an outside machinist at Bath Iron … Read more

Tiara Yachts Introduces the 39 LE: A Compact Luxury Express Cruiser Tiara Yachts, the family-owned builder based in Holland, Michigan, has expanded its Luxury Express (LE) line with a new compact model: the 39 LE. Scheduled for its public debut at the Miami International Boat Show in February 2026, the 39 LE brings Tiara’s hallmark … Read more

It was overcast, pitch black and drizzling — the kind of night when search-and-rescue becomes painfully difficult. We were in a helicopter, combing a 16-square-mile bayou near Delacroix, Louisiana, and everyone on board had the same thought: a 10-year-old boy in an open skiff must be freezing. Rescue crews take every missing-person call seriously, but … Read more

How to Navigate Safely in Fog: Practical Seamanship and Common-Sense Tips Moisture dripped from the rigging and the sky sat heavy and gray. As the depthsounder slowly registered the bottom, I asked my mate, “Let me know when you see the beach, okay?” From the bow came a startled reply: “The beach! Oh my God, … Read more

Island hopping might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Newport, Rhode Island, but Newport itself sits on Aquidneck Island and Narragansett Bay contains roughly 40 islands and islets. From calm coves ideal for swimming to lively harbors with services and nightlife, a short cruise from Newport opens a … Read more

KEY TAKEAWAYS Target cool, structured areasDuring hot summer months, striped bass move to deeper, cooler water or shaded structure—ledges, holes, bridge pilings, reefs and breakwaters provide thermal relief and ambush points. Tide movement is criticalStripers feed when water moves. Without current, fish often refuse to bite. Use tide charts or apps to find flowing water … Read more