Table of Contents

There are boat projects and then there are boat projects. David and Penny Thompson have been blessed with the vision, determination, and passion required to take on the latter. Their most recent project, a Grand Banks Alaskan they brought back to life after a fire, is a dazzling triumph, with exquisite features and personal touches.

Every cruiser has a dream. For Scott and Mary Flanders, that dream was a long-term voyage taking them around Cape Horn. The story of their adventure includes planning, exploring, facing challenges, and the many rewards of watching a tiny seed of an idea grow into the journey of a lifetime.

Your tanks are much more than containers for your fuel. They are an essential element in the performance of the system that drives your boat, and having tanks that are dry, clean, and secure is critical. Steve reviews the pros and cons of different tank materials and offers advice about installation and guarding your tank against standing water, all of which will help you achieve the optimum tank setup.

Whether you store your dinghy on davits, on deck, in a cradle, or some other way, if it isn’t properly secured, it could shift when you least expect it. Tom offers tips on techniques and equipment that will help your dinghy stay put until you’re ready to launch it.

Once you’ve decided on your cruising plans, it’s important to find a boat that meets your needs and your budget. Readers Sue and Philip Goodrick found their perfect match in a 49-foot fishing boat; the trick was transforming her to a comfortable, self-sufficient liveaboard. Their adventure began with the boat’s conversion and continues with their travels along the Great Barrier Reef and to exotic Southeast Asia.

Maintaining and servicing a fleet of boats, managing dock space, juggling itineraries, meeting customer service challenges—it’s all part of a day in the life of the folks who run Southwest Florida Yachts. Whether you’re looking to charter a boat, put your boat into charter, or buy a used boat, this multifaceted company sets the bar for a quality charter experience.

In boating, there are lots of worst-case scenarios we try to plan for and prevent. When readers Don and JoAnne Perrine watched their Nordhavn crash to the concrete during a haulout, they were unprepared for the disaster. While the loss of the Perrines’ boat is a sad tale, the lessons they learned can help us all be more conscientious and knowledgeable about haulout procedures.

Bob Lane recently spent some time with designer Sam Devlin and the owners of his newest creation, the Surf Scoter 26. Bob details the classic look and styling of the boat in his tour. With thoroughly modern systems on board, the Surf Scoter’s owners can cruise with confidence up the Inside Passage, or wherever they choose to trailer this small trawler.