Doug Ryan There’s a special kind of silence that falls over a group of old salts when somebody pulls into the anchorage on one of *these* boats. You know the silence. It’s not rude. It’s the silence of people choosing their words carefully. The silence of a man who once did a survey on one of those … Read more
When I was shopping for a chart plotter two years ago, I kept asking myself the same question: “Is this really the best we can do for something that costs $1,000 or more?” For the most part, chart plotters have been stuck at the level of a 2000s-era car GPS — sold at the price … Read more
Owning a sailboat is a dream for many people—but the reality behind the dream often surprises new owners. In a new book, The Four Seasons of Boat Maintenance, marine professional Christopher Birch, the article explores one of the most common questions boat owners ask: Where can I cut back on maintenance? After four decades working … Read more
Sailing has always attracted a certain kind of person. It requires patience, independence, and a willingness to face the unpredictable power of the sea. Over the years, some very famous people have fallen deeply in love with sailing—actors, musicians, billionaires, kings, and even presidents. For many of them, sailing wasn’t just a hobby. It was … Read more
You find a sailboat for sale. It’s 30 or 40 years old. The pictures look great, the teak is glowing, and the owner assures you, “She’s solid.” The asking price is only $10,000. You start imagining yourself sailing it. Then someone says, “You should get a survey before you buy it.” Suddenly you’re wondering why … Read more
For decades, boating in America had two very different faces. There was the polished yacht club version — manicured docks, six-figure boats, gated marinas, and waterfront condos with wine glasses clinking at sunset. And then there was the other side. The quiet anchorages. The older sailboats with faded gelcoat and mismatched sails. The couple living … Read more
Sailing YouTube has quietly become the modern waterfront bar where we all hang out. Some channels are pure bluewater adventure. Some are boatyard sweat and fiberglass dust. Some feel like sunset cockpit conversations after a long reach offshore. And whether you’re dreaming from your couch, restoring an old fiberglass classic in your driveway, or already … Read more
I keep hearing this story over and over again, especially from boat owners in Florida the southern east coast. “I got a letter in the mail last October. My boat insurance renewal. And I want you to look at this with me for a second. Same boat. Same marina. Same coverage. My premium jumped 47% … Read more
Picture this. It’s 1995. You’ve just bought your first sailboat, a 28-footer. You’re living the dream. Your marina slip costs you $180 a month. You go home, crack a beer, and think: this is the life. Fast forward to today. That same slip, in that same marina, if it’s even still independent, will run you … Read more
When I asked what you learned to sail on, I figured we’d hear the usual names — Sunfish, Hobie Cats, Optimists — and we did. But what I didn’t expect was more than 1,500 stories rolling in from every kind of shoreline imaginable. Alongside the classics were forgotten fiberglass relics, quirky one-designs, and plenty of … Read more