Despite growing up in landlocked Indiana, I have always been crazy about boats. As a teen, I cut my teeth on a wooden Sailfish and worked my way up to a 26-foot sloop, which I later sailed solo to Bermuda. Smartly relocating to Florida, I followed my

I’m looking at something so priceless, it seems borderline illegal. The feeling is not unlike breaking into a vault without lifting a finger. There’s the impenetrable door made of steel-reinforced concrete, cast aside on its hinges to reveal a gleami

Risk and reward are inexorably linked in many areas of life. Nowhere is this truer than in cruising. Reaching some of the world’s most beautiful, unspoiled cruising grounds often involves challenging open-water passages or narrow, difficult channels.

The hook has been dropped and set. Your crew is itching for a night on the town. Since no one is ready to swim ashore, the tender will have to be launched, but it is such a pain in the neck, the crew starts foraging in the galley and considers readin

For decades, shorthanded cruisers have easily managed boats in the 40- to 50-foot range, but two things have contributed to a sudden growth in shorthanding. First, new technology, from engines to electronics, is allowing shorthanders to cruise farthe

“Do you see that boat coming up on our right side?” I had not. Fortunately, my wife, Dori, warned me in time to make a turn to star-board and pass behind the boat, complying with our requirement as the give-way vessel in this crossing scenario. It is

Hull No. 1 in Outer Reef’s Azure series was a 640 that splashed half a decade ago at the Cannes Yachting Festival. The Côte d’Azur was the ideal backdrop for the model, which takes its design cues from the alfresco lifestyle of the Mediterranean coas

The workboats that ply the North Sea have made an indelible impression on the crew of our yacht design atelier. We draw constant inspiration from the high flared bows, beefy weather-proof cowlings and large pilothouses of the commercial fleets that e

Beyond all the folderol of sanding and stripping, buffing and waxing, varnishing and painting, refit time is perfect for creating an essential item for every boat: an owner’s manual. Chances are that you never bought a car—even a very used one—that d

1¼ cups all-purpose flour2 tablespoons granulated sugar2 teaspoons baking powder¼ teaspoon sea salt1¼ cups 2 percent milk1 large egg1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil¾ cup blueberriesblueberry or other syrup In a large bowl, stir together flour, sug

Completing the survey phase of a trawler purchase gives you a clearer picture of the boat’s overall condition and needed repairs. By this point, you’ve spent a lot of time and money. Unless the survey is so bad that you plan to withdraw your offer an

Recently, during a night passage between Hawaii and Guam, a boat’s steering failed. Moments later, the engine stopped. A quick check of the bilges proved there was no water coming in, so the crew shined spotlights off the stern. They saw the prop and

I have a confession to make. It’s an issue that has been bothering I’m a helm hog. Now that I’ve said it, I’m also ready to do something about it. And, whether you know it or not, you likely should be joining me. Like many cruising couples, my wife,

The Dutch yard Van der Valk describes its latest launch as a “pocket explorer.” At 77 feet, Felis is smaller than the builder’s typical displacement designs, but it has all the bona fides of a long-range cruising yacht: a steel hull and aluminum supe

Heather Brewer and Paul Bultema hadn’t spent much time thinking about the idea of working on board until the pandemic sent them both home from their tech-industry jobs. They decided to give it a try, and then, after getting a taste of the good life,

In comparison to the topsides, where everything is visible, thebilges can be a mystical world chock-full of equipment, hoses, wiring and other ancillary items. Boat owners who rarely inspect the bilge areas are often surprised when they need to go be

I was reading through some books that belonged to my grandfather when a 40-foot vessel caught my eye. Her workboat styling merged clean lines and a sense of simplicity for a no-nonsense look that I really liked. The boat dates back to the early 1940

To say that Bob Giles enjoys cruising is an understatement. Ask him where he’s cruised aboard his Nordhavn 96, VivieRae, and he’ll list countries and islands representing nearly every letter of the alphabet. There’s Australia, the Bahamas, Bali, Cost

La Conner, Wash., sits about an hour north of Seattle, nestled amid Fidalgo Island’s tulip fields and across the Swinomish Channel from the Swinomish Reservation. This boatbuilding hub with stunning views of Mount Baker has been home to American Tug

Picture this: You are anchored in a tranquil cove. The sun dips beneath the horizon as the crew gathers in the galley, entertaining one another with tales of the day. Now, imagine the salty sea air mixed with the enticing aroma of freshly baked pizza

It started with a daydream: take my boat, SeaHag, a 1996 Rosborough RF246 LSV, to the southern shore of Newfoundland. I was only three years into boating, and my experience was limited to the region around my home port of Cape Vincent, New York, wher

Several things conspired, like a perfect storm, to set me off. The first seemed innocuous enough: I rented a car at a far-away airport. No problem, except I couldn’t start it. “The key’s in the car,” the rental staffer said, pointing me to stall D-14

Nothing under the sun lasts forever. As things age, they tend to cry out for repair, replacement, reimagine or refresh, whether they’re mechanical, theoretical, cultural or biological. Dana Point, Calif.-based builder Nordhavn has made a habit of ref