Brechin Morgan’s Suzanne: A Wooden-Hull Oyster Boat on Long Island Sound In this evocative oil painting, Brechin Morgan captures the wooden-hull oyster boat Suzanne as she works the waters of Long Island Sound out of Bridgeport, Connecticut. At first glance the scene reads as calm and almost photographic: a quiet sea, steady light, and the … Read more

Look back through the history of watercraft—tall ships, dugout canoes, fishing dories—and you’ll find moments when a single innovation changed how we travel and work on the water. From sails to steam, each leap improved speed, range or convenience. Today, a new shift is reshaping many designs under 30 feet: the widespread adoption of modern … Read more

A barracuda glides past our catamaran as we lie at anchor. It’s a blistering day in Bimini, and the fish seems to be seeking shade between the Leopard 53 Powercat’s two hulls. In the distance, a lone sea turtle breaks the surface in intermittent breaths. The water is so clear that every movement is visible, … Read more

“Social distancing” has entered our everyday vocabulary, and one of the safest, most restorative ways to practice it is by heading out on the water. The Northeast and New England coastlines offer many anchorages that are ideal for socially distanced boating—fresh sea air, dramatic scenery, and the choice to encounter as many or as few … Read more

It was early April at the height of the Covid-19 outbreak when news of my upcoming yacht delivery reached family members. They urged me to turn down an offer to deliver a boat up the East Coast—from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, to Stamford, Connecticut—arguing that everyone had a responsibility to stay home. Their reasoning was … Read more

Nordic Tug 26: The Trailerable Pocket Trawler That Started a Trend The Nordic Tug 26 is one of the most recognizable small trawlers on the water. With its pronounced hull, upright wheelhouse and distinctive “smoke stack,” the 26-foot Nordic Tug introduced the concept of a trailerable, pocket trawler and helped create a new niche in … Read more

Boating in a Pandemic: Challenges, Adaptations, and Why the Water Still Calls These days, cruising brings fresh challenges. Many longtime boaters describe recent outings as more complicated and, at times, surprisingly stressful since the coronavirus reshaped life both on and off the water. Travelers who normally spend summers hopping between ports are altering plans as … Read more

How a Mid-20th Century Postcard Helped Build Florida’s Fishing Legacy A whimsical mid-20th century novelty postcard from Florida did more than amuse vacationers — it helped entice anglers to the Sunshine State and contributed to the growth of Florida’s world-class recreational fishing industry. These brightly colored cards captured the imagination of out-of-state fishermen and painted … Read more

Okean 50X: A Versatile Explorer Yacht Finding Its Stride in the U.S. Market Now in its fourth year on an increasingly competitive U.S. stage, Okean’s family of shapeshifting yachts is maturing into a coherent design language. The latest addition, the 50X, continues the brand’s mission to deliver open, functional boats that broaden the typical brief … Read more

What we’re Watching Chisels, Plywood and Frames There is a particular satisfaction in watching raw materials—sheets of plywood, lengths of timber, and a scatter of frames and fastenings—slowly become a functioning boat. The transformation is deliberate and exacting: lofting the lines, scarfing seams, planing timbers, chiseling joints, sanding surfaces, and applying protective finishes. On his … Read more