Chris Caswell

We, and I speak for all skippers, have been lectured ad infinitum about how to prepare and what to do when the electronics go zap. But the one thing that seems to be overlooked is weather. When the black boxes literally go black, so does our connection with weather prediction.

When Greece opened their waters to bareboat chartering, it was an irresistible opportunity to explore centuries of legends among the Saronic Gulf Islands that are close to Athens, yet a world apart. For our time machine, we chose a French, Jeanneau-built, 36-foot flybridge cruiser with two staterooms and twin Volvo Penta diesels.

If you thought that only automobiles could be cult objects, think again. It’s not just a 1965 Mustang or a ’66 ’Vette that sets the blood pounding, at least not for yachting enthusiasts. Chris Caswell takes a look back at one of Art DeFever's best designs.

I omit the word “trawler,” not for fear that David Marlow will whack me, but because this yacht lifts her skirts and gets up to an untrawlerlike 27 knots if you need to go somewhere in a hurry.

Cleanliness may be next to Godliness, but for owners it is also key to selling their boats as quickly as possible and fetching the best prices.