Nordhavn N51: A New 51-Foot Offshore Trawler Built for Comfort and Capability Shortly after the introduction of the Nordhavn N41, the builder has unveiled a larger sibling: the Nordhavn N51. Designed for owners who want the proven Nordhavn pedigree with more living space and additional onboard amenities, the N51 expands on the N41’s successful formula … Read more
Captain Amy Bauernschmidt Named First Woman to Command a U.S. Navy Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier The U.S. Navy announced on New Year’s Day that Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt will become the commanding officer of the Nimitz-class USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), marking the first time a woman has been selected to lead one of the Navy’s nuclear-powered … Read more
Custom Boats, Craftsmanship, and the Allure of a One‑of‑a‑Kind Design My experience has been with production boats — reliable, well‑made vessels that meet my family’s needs without necessarily stealing the spotlight in every anchorage. Still, whenever a truly special custom boat slips into view, everyone on deck stands up for a better look. We all … Read more
TugZilla 26: A Personal Working Tug Built by Sam Devlin Many boat enthusiasts daydream about owning a commercial-style vessel, but few follow through and build one for themselves. Sam Devlin, principal of Devlin Designing Boatbuilders in Olympia, Washington, turned that dream into reality by designing and completing his own compact working tug, the TugZilla 26. … Read more
Improving E15 Warning Labels to Protect Boaters and Outdoor Equipment Owners As newly elected officials arrive in Washington, D.C., marine-industry advocates are presenting fresh data to push the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for clearer consumer warnings about ethanol-blended fuels. The focus is E15—the gasoline blend that can damage marine engines and many types of small … Read more
Essential Knots and Seamanship Habits Every Boater Should Master I learned to tie knots the hard way as a young crewmember on a two-person delivery. The captain asked for a rolling hitch and I responded with rolling eyes. He drilled me until I could perform bowlines behind my back and wrap clove hitches on everything … Read more
What We’re Watching John Harris is a true practical artist — a trained musician with a wide appreciation for music who also founded Chesapeake Light Craft, a company that specializes in kit boats and boat plans. Chesapeake Light Craft offers a broad range of stitch-and-glue kits and plans for everything from kayaks and rowboats to … Read more
Geoffrey Huband’s “Benbow”: A Winter Blockade in the Baltic The scene is set in 1800, when Britain is engaged in hostilities with Denmark and a Royal Navy squadron is sent to enforce a blockade in the Baltic. At the center of Geoffrey Huband’s painting is the deck of the 74-gun flagship Benbow, commanded by Rear … Read more
I’ve long admired the clean, uninterrupted lines of traditional lobster boats. Like many purists, I was skeptical when builders started fitting Downeast-style hulls with outboards. But the Back Cove 34O, introduced in 2018, softened my stance. It looked right, handled well, and even earned the award for best new powerboat under 35 feet at the … Read more
Power Ski and the Evolution of Personal Watercraft The Power Ski, shown above, occupies an important place in the evolution of personal watercraft. Though less well known than later machines such as the Kawasaki Jet Ski, the Power Ski represents a clear technological and cultural bridge between the early aquaplanes of the 20th century and … Read more
