What We’re Watching
The Art of Boatbuilding — Bob Emser is an internationally recognized artist and sculptor whose work draws deeply on the forms, lines and techniques of traditional boat construction. On his YouTube channel, The Art of Wooden Boatbuilding, Emser shares a thoughtful, visual exploration of the craft as seen through the dual lens of artist and maker. Filmed in his studio-turned-boatbuilding shop, the videos guide viewers through fundamental elements of hull design and assembly, from keels and garboard planks to the careful shaping of timbers and the use of hand tools. Emser also presents detailed, practical demonstrations of tools and techniques—planes, mallets, reefing hooks and other classic implements—while reflecting on the aesthetics and history that make wooden boats enduring objects of beauty and function.
More Salty Reads
Coastal Culture — Photographer Caryn B. Davis offers a photographic celebration of shoreline life in her coffee-table book Connecticut Waters: Celebrating Our Coastline and Waterways. Across some 232 color pages, Davis captures the working and recreational rhythms of Connecticut’s estuaries, bays and shorelines. The images document livelihoods connected to the sea—lobstering, boatbuilding, oystering and fishing—while also framing the region’s visual landmarks: lighthouses, historic ferries, rocky islets and the stately homes that overlook the water. Beyond single images, the book provides a sense of coastal culture through scenes from antique boat shows, sailing regattas, sculling competitions and traditional gatherings such as shad bakes. With an emphasis on place and community, the collection underscores the ways waterways shape daily life and regional identity. (Paperback, 232 pages, $28, Globe Pequot)
Surf’s Up — Originally written for surfers, sailors and ocean scientists, Willard Bascom’s classic Waves and Beaches: The Powerful Dynamics of Sea and Coast has been revised for a modern audience by author Kim McCoy, whose updates bring contemporary climate-change context to the book’s established explanations of coastal processes. The revision highlights how shifting sea levels, changing storm patterns and evolving coastal infrastructure affect cities, vessels and maritime commerce. New text and photographs illustrate major events that shaped public understanding of coastal vulnerability, while chapters on wind, wave mechanics and the dynamics of beaches and dunes remain central to the book’s appeal. This edition connects foundational science with current concerns about resilience and adaptation in seaside communities. (Paperback, $30, Patagonia)
Now Playing
Reading while operating a vehicle or keeping watch aboard a vessel can be unsafe; for hands-free access to curated maritime content, consider audio. Soundings readers can listen to selections from the magazine through the podcast Talkin’ Boats with Soundings. Each episode features stories and features drawn from the print and digital magazine, read aloud by Soundings editors, and episodes are released regularly. The podcast is available for listening and download on major podcast platforms, offering an easy way to stay informed about boat reviews, industry trends, coastal culture and practical seamanship while on the move or at sea.