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.
I stopped by the boatyard today — for that least-rewarding ritual of boat ownership, paying the bill — but the inevitable pain of the moment was (mostly) assuaged by a visit to my boat. There she was, on jackstands, newly hauled and not yet shrink-wrapped. It was late in the day, and the wintry sunlight (golden but cold) glinted off her pale blue hull. She looked good — a little lonely and bereft of purpose, but good. All in all, she struck me as “resting up” for next season’s adventures, but of course, I may have been projecting. My previous boat was a steel trawler that wintered in her slip. I would often stay aboard in Newport, Rhode Island, until just before Christmas. At that point I’d be coming home…
Dieter Loibner’s “Taking It To The Extreme” in the November issue was a brilliant piece of sailing journalism. I have been following Comanche’s progress since I saw her under wraps at the Hodgdon yard in Maine. (They revealed nothing, said it was secret). The innovation and skill in the build continues a tradition of New England and Maine boatbuilding that dates back to the 18th century. Her speed, too, follows in the wake of the Mainebuilt clipper ships that set records. Loibner told the Comanche story from every angle — design, build, purpose, results and insight into the personalities of both owner and skipper — so well that I felt briefed on the whole process. Comanche’s story has been told in some of the other excellent yachting magazines, but I…
Chris-Craft has launched a new dual console range, and the first model is the Calypso 26. Designed as an all-around dayboat, it’s a versatile platform for water sports, fishing and day cruising. The Calypso 26 has a curved tempered-glass windshield with a walkthrough to the open bow and wraparound lounge seating. The cockpit includes a fixed bench aft, and port and starboard seats that retract to free up space. There’s an electric grill and sink abaft the helm seat and an enclosed head with a sink in the port console. A starboard transom door and stainless three-step boarding ladder make for easy access from the water. Roomy storage compartments can be found from bow to stern, including in-sole ski/rod storage. The Calypso 26 rides a deepvee hull, and a single…
Test your knowledge with these Coast Guard license exam prep questions from the National Captain’s Institute captains.com 1. INTERNATIONAL RULES: You are underway in a narrow channel and are being overtaken by a vessel astern. If such action appears dangerous to you, you should sound: A. 3 short, rapid blasts B. 5 short, rapid blasts C. 1 prolonged, 1 short blast D. 1 prolonged, 1 short, 1 prolonged, 1 short blast, in that order 2. Which one is not a fishing vessel under International Rules: A. dragging dredge nets B. fighting a fish on line caught by trolling C. hauling a crab trap D. skipping live bait on the surface 3. INLAND RULES: A vessel proceeding in a narrow channel or fairway shall: A. keep to the center of the…
Hoping to spare others their anguish, the parents of 14-year-old Austin Blu Stephanos, who was lost at sea with a friend on a fishing trip this past summer, are working with Florida lawmakers on a bill that would give a 25 percent discount on a boat’s registration fee if the owner has a properly registered 406 MHz EPIRB. “Right now our goal is getting the bill passed,” Austin’s mother, Carly Black, of Jupiter, Florida, said during an appearance at beacon maker ACR Electronics’ booth at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in November. But that’s just the beginning of what they hope to achieve through their AustinBlu Foundation (austinblufoundation.org), established to honor Austin’s memory and to raise awareness of boating safety, promote boater education and make the tools and technology…
Coast Guard crews conduct more than 17,000 search-and-rescue missions each year in a wide range of conditions and situations. Reading reports of these missions, it’s clear that the crews often rescue people who are ill-prepared for the emergency. That was not the case with a rescue conducted this fall. About 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, the Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound command center received a mayday call from a 32-foot powerboat over VHF channel 16. The boat was taking on water off Watch Hill, Rhode Island, and the two aboard required assistance. The boaters said they were wearing life jackets and that the operator had a personal locator beacon. Watchstanders diverted a 45-foot response boat from Station New London to the scene, issued an urgent marine information broadcast…
