Table of Contents

Superior details and an intelligent, rugged design allow pilot boats to operate in the most tumultuous conditions, safely transporting pilots to and from commercial ships. Climb aboard Patuxent and Patapsco with Steve and learn everything you could want to know about these duty-driven vessels.

While solitude on the water has its benefits, there are risks in voyaging alone, and cruisers need to be prepared. Bruce and Barbara Wood’s journey to the Queen Charlotte Islands nearly came to a sudden end when their 42-foot Grand Banks hit a rock and flooded. But experience, preparation, and quick thinking helped the couple avert disaster.

Bill finds functionality and luxury aboard the Selene 40, a rugged-looking displacement boat we’ll likely be seeing more of on the East Coast. Follow along as he makes some unexpected connections during this boat tour with a twist.

Great storage can make any boat seem bigger. Reader Norman Blinn shares some DIY projects that gave him and his wife, Kathy, more space to stow things aboard their 2002 Duffy.

Yacht detailer Dini Macris thought he had met his match when he set foot aboard a water-damaged, mildew-ridden Hatteras Long Range Cruiser. But he took on the refit and offers tips on tackling this type of project. Dini’s advice: do what you are good at, and for everything else, ask the pros.

With all the bells and whistles on today’s VHF radios, it’s more important than ever to know how to use them properly. Joe explains everything, from channel groups to radio etiquette to how to make a distress call.

Our fearless editors set off to find out why some of the world’s best marine equipment comes from the hills of Italy. In this issue, they give us a taste of articles to come.

You never know when disaster will strike on the water. Learn the do’s and don’ts of boating safety so you’ll have the right equipment and a plan in place when an emergency happens.

Bill relives the summers of his youth and pays homage to his beloved golden retriever with the purchase of his first Boston Whaler. Get a lesson in electronics installations as Bill walks us through the setup of his Whaler’s all-in-one Standard Horizon system.

Read the touching story of a father and daughter who form an unbreakable bond as they convert a 58-foot ex-seiner into their home. Ralph Meuser and his brother, Roger, worked on the restoration tirelessly for 19 months while young Cayla “Stick-bug” Meuser watched, gaining an enduring love of boating, family, and life on the water.

Nordic Tug owner Dave Allen was looking for better close-quarters maneuvering during his Inside Passage cruises. By installing an articulated rudder, he found that and more. Learn why he’ll never go back to a traditional rudder after experiencing this new design.