Soundings is the news and feature publication for recreational boaters. Award-winning coverage of the people, issues, events -- and the fun -- of recreational boating. Check out our generous boats-for-sale section and our gunkholing destinations.
It’s no secret that readers of Soundings are sharp. The joke among our staff is that when it comes to boats, these salty and seasoned subscribers are so knowledgeable and resourceful we sometimes wonder if we belong in the same wheelhouse with this crowd. And that’s just one of the things that makes this work so enjoyable. We’re constantly learning things from the people who read this magazine. Just this week, I was reviewing the story on page 52 of this issue, about the owner of a Rosborough RF-246. I knew the boat had a good backstory as it was one of the first “pocket trawlers” on the production boat market when it was built in 1987 by Bob Rosborough in Nova Scotia. I also knew that after about 25…
Countless boaters bring their dogs aboard to do everything from simply standing at the bow—nose eagerly pointed into the breeze and floppy ears flapping—to participating in water sports such as paddleboarding and kaya-king. Many dogs, mutts and purebreds alike, love boats and the water. Given the chance and the right training, they can safely and happily participate in everything from dinghy rides to water sports, enhancing their time on board with the family as well as the experience of the humans at the helm. Here are some things you can do to ensure the safety and comfort of your pet. The most important step is getting your dog safely on and off the boat, according to Mike Valtaro of BoatUS. “Give them something they’re confident with,” he says. Valtaro actually…
Eric Jay Dolin was flipping through an old book that included snippets about maritime stories. A tale from the early 19th century that involved a man named Charles Barnard caught his eye. The more Dolin learned, the more the story refused to let go of his imagination. Barnard was the captain of a New York-based ship that was hunting seals in the Falkland Islands. He discovered the survivors of a British ship that had wrecked, and agreed to rescue them—even though, the castaways were surprised to learn, their respective nations had gone to war. Despite the American’s humanitarian gesture during what became known as the War of 1812, a British warship arrived, and its commander seized the American ship. He declared the Americans prisoners of war and intentionally left…
In addition to celebrating its 45th anniversary, North Carolina’s Albermarle Boats is adding a new model to its line of sportfishermen. The 45 Carolinian Fish Around Express, measures 45 feet LOA with a beam of 13 feet, 6 inches and rides on a Carolina-style hull. It’s slated to launch in 2025. “The fisharound layout on the new 45 is like nothing Albemarle has built before,” says Burch Perry, the company’s general manager. “It’s a super fishy design with 360-degree access around the boat, yet it still provides excellent weather protection and accommodations belowdecks. It’s also our largest outboard boat to date.” With a draft of 2 feet, 2 inches, the 45’s hull will be vacuum-infused with vinylester resin and foam core. Designed by Steve Matthews, the hull has distinctive Carolina…
I’ve been cruising for 30 years, and in that time technology has made navigation exponentially easier and safer. There are some excellent apps out there, including some that can be used to control an onboard autopilot with a mobile phone or smartwatch. I’ve used many of them, even for the 2,500-nautical-mile run of The Great Loop I did a few years ago aboard my 55-foot Princess. Here are the ones I recommend. My favorite navigation app is Navion ics Boating. Compatible with most onboard chartplotters, you can sync routes from your phone or tablet. I’ve created routes for many trips from the comfort of my armchair and pool lounger. The app lets me zoom in, check bridge heights, preview possible hazards and tweak routes to my heart’s content. When I’m underway,…
I’ve beached a few boats in my time, some of them even on purpose (kidding). Beaching is typically the easy part; avoiding damage and unbeaching when it’s time to head back to the dock is another matter. There’s an art to it, whether you’re on an outboard-powered ski boat, a RIB tender or a PWC with a jet drive. When approaching the beach, power slowly forward while perpendicular to the shoreline. Coast in, bumping the engine in and out of gear if the shoreline is steep and you have room. Then put it in neutral, turn the engine off and tilt up the outdrive to minimize draft. When coming in, watch your depth finder and/or eyeball the bottom. Traditional wisdom says you should be in waist-deep water before someone jumps…
