Looking back on summer 2016 — we had a blast meandering about the Sunshine State. Sure, it was hot, but the entire East Coast was reporting sizzling temps. Hurricanes? Heck, they’re not just for Florida anymore. Most cruisers had migrated north, leaving Florida’s marinas fairly open and available. From Jacksonville to Key West, we enjoyed Read More
It is a familiar sight at marinas everywhere. As a boat owner is leaving their boat, they turn around one last time to look. A boat is a prized possession for most owners. It’s not just another toy they’ve acquired. It’s the realization of their dreams. It’s no wonder owners take that last long look Read More
Properly maintaining a boat can be a daunting task, yet most boat owners keep up with the major items fairly well. It’s the small less obvious items that tend to get overlooked. One particular small item left unattended can have disastrous consequences — the thru-hull, seacock, sea water strainer assembly. For as long as boat Read More
Whether it’s a day cruise to anchor and picnic off your favorite island or the start of a blue-water passage, boaters watch the weather intently to know if it’s going to be a safe and enjoyable day on the water. Fortunately, there is more weather information available today than ever before, but a certain amount Read More
Liquids on board to keep you running smoothly A walk down the aisles of any marine store will present a boater with more chemicals for cleaning, protecting and lubricating than one could ever imagine. Many of these products work well, and many are as worthless as snake oil with their exaggerated claims. It is also Read More
The captain’s ability to know where on Earth the yacht is at all times is the essence of navigation. Situational awareness, a key trait of a competent captain, means understanding how the wind, current and sea are affecting the planned route and the vessel’s ETA. Once navigators know where their vessel is leaving from (the Read More
If you’re MacGyver, all you need to keep your boat running is a Swiss Army Knife, some wire and duct tape, but lacking that resourcefulness, it is best to keep a good set of spare parts aboard the boat. Like so many things in boating, how a boat will be used drives many of the Read More
Wowie! What a blast we just had cruising the Tennessee River! spectacular fall colors, wide-open waters and a 90-foot lock to keep a little challenge in our spirit. When the GPS hiccuped, we traced our route on the paper charts close at hand. Our next adventure has us zooming out into the Atlantic from Charleston Read More
Expert Advice from an Annapolis Maritime Lawyer For many of us, our boats represent a sense of adventure hard to duplicate elsewhere in our lives. We purchased them with dreams of cruising to distant harbors and exploring waters far from home. Or many have purchased their boats to become their homes, freeing themselves of a permanent address. So what happens to the dream Read More
Keeping it Safe Imagine being out on the water with family and friends and having a scary encounter with a large ship or tugboat. Not only can this ruin your day, it can severely compromise the confidence of your crew. As a ship pilot on the Chesapeake Bay for 41 years, I have had numerous close encounters with recreational Read More
