The comments are in, and the vast majority of boaters responding to a U.S. Coast Guard proposal to charge an annual Documentation fee were against it. Up until now the Coast Guard has charged fees for a number of services related to federal vessel Documentation,…
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When the snow has all but melted in May, and your thoughts return to cruising on clear Pacific Northwest waters, set a course for the peaceful, secluded town of Anacortes, Washington. There you can join thousands of other boaters who come annually to enjoy a…
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As the first gray light filtered through the cabin windows, I could hear the steady patter of raindrops on the cabin roof. It was a sound that would have ruined a vacation anywhere else in the world, particularly on a bareboat charter like ours, but…
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It’s a secret I’ve tried to keep from my editors, albeit unsuccessfully: I revel in the opportunity to visit boatbuilders and their shops, and I especially enjoy the process when it involves those who employ unique materials, processes, or skills. Thus, when the opportunity arose to…
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Plumbing materials are key to A/C system health. As I squeezed my way into a narrow gap in the lazarette I heard an ominous crack shortly after, and sensed drops of extremely cold water landing on the back of my neck and head. I had…
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Pulling around the southern tip of Monte da Guia on the island of Faial in the Azores, it was hard to comprehend that we had just completed the most difficult part of our transatlantic crossing. Having left Jensen Beach, Florida, almost a month before, we…
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Penobscot Bay is spectacular, so learn to love the fog. Maine is heaven on water for boat junkie sightseeing and gunkholing, and it’s never better than in Penobscot Bay. It is compact, offers variety on land and on water, and has welcoming harbors. Dee and…
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As a boat owner, you have the power to insist that boatyards do the right thing and you have the option of going elsewhere if they can’t or won’t live up to your expectations. I’ve worked in the marine industry for nearly 25 years, as…
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Generally, living aboard is a happy and healthy lifestyle, but anyone who has spent time on the waterways can recall the exceptions, though they rarely, if ever have risen to this level of horror. You can view the story of David Trauger and Karen Barnes…
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The day had started out sunny and bright as Jeff Messmer, Ranger Tugs’ vice president of sales, and I cruised the new R-29 across Puget Sound from Seattle to Roche Harbor in the San Juan Islands. As we cleared Admiralty Inlet and entered the larger,…
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The first time I laid eyes on the Krogen 55 Expedition, in the Hutchinson Island Marina at this year’s Stuart Trawler Fest, I immediately wanted to board her and go to sea. From her high, full bow sections to her expedition-style pilothouse to her well-protected…
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I want to tell you about an experience that occurred last year that is both an interesting tale of system debugging as well as how a company can take charge when it is above and beyond its direct responsibility. And there is something to be…
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In the first installment of our two-part series on seacocks, we discuss the importance of accessibility and proper design and material selection, as well as the established industry guidelines that govern this vital component of cruising vessels. It’s a sight no boat owner ever imagines…
Read MoreWhen the snow has all but melted in May, and your thoughts return to cruising on clear Pacific Northwest waters, set a course for the peaceful, secluded town of Anacortes, Washington. There you can join thousands of other boaters who come annually to enjoy a…
Read MorePassageMaker’s last Trawler Fest event for 2013 will be held in Baltimore, Maryland, Thursday, Sept. 26 through Sunday, Sept. 29. following the Trawler Fest University portion of the show, Tuesday, Sept. 24 and Wednesday, Sept. 25. Click here for show information. Don’t Wait! Save…
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