Dear Boat Doctor,  I have read a lot about regular inspections of my boat. This seems like a really good idea, but I don’t know what to look for. What am I supposed to be looking for? Rob R

Most sailors have entertained the idea, even if only in passing, of leaving life on land and setting out to cruise the world on a sturdy sailboat ready for adventure. Although many dream, few actually

Sailing boasts unmatched power to make quick comrades from nemeses. For example, when climate change provocateur Greta Thunberg chose to sail across the Atlantic Ocean instead of flying, sailing soci

Winter weather on Massachusetts’s Cape Cod can force competitive sailors indoors with little to do but wait out the long months until they can sail again. More than 40 years ago, Harwich Harbormaste

I remember my distress when I was introduced to Old Devil Hull Speed. I was just getting into offshore racing, working at being a semi-competent bowman, and I was gung-ho for speed. I read every

It was a mile-long trek in 90-degree heat from the front gate of the Miami International Boat Show past countless fishing gear booths and outboard powerboats to the far southeast corner of the docks w

Features  Big fun in a teacup pram The home-built Frosty won over sailors with good performance and affordability Little lugger with a lot of love to give A donated classic continues to

I get some unusual design commissions but this is the first time another yacht designer has asked me to design a boat for him. Rob Leighton­—I call him Capt. Rob—is an accomplished yacht des

Here’s an unusual catamaran project from my old friend Dudley Dix. It’s unusual because the client was Phil Harvey, builder of the Gunboat cats in South Africa, Dudley’s previous home. Dudley an

The center-cockpit Kelly Peterson 46 has sparked plenty of discussion among sailors who favor bluewater cutters, mostly because it’s often compared with its little sister, the popular Kelly Peterson

Wet core is one of the most common problems you’ll find in boats constructed with a cored-laminate hull or deck, particularly those of a certain age. Although tackling such damage can be a messy job

Betsy Senescu photo I never intended to pull a bait and switch. When my husband Barry and I invited avid racing friends to join us in the Caribbean, our intent was to compete in the Golden R

 A growing trend suggests more sailors are opting for joint sailboat ownership. Painted in broad strokes, the concept seems relatively simple: if two people own the boat, it translates to ha

Features  Into the wild A cruise through Alaska’s Prince William Sound brings sailors into the heart of the wilderness Back in the BVI A family returns to a favorite cruising ground where t

Dorian goes high to navigate through the ice as Qilak leaves Columbia Bay.Julien Giradot photoLiterary masters including Jack London and John Muir have described the beauty of Alaska with more talent,

Ithink it was about eight years ago when I heard that Chuck Paine had retired. I was incredulous. How do you walk away from your life? I called Chuck and found him a bit bitter due to the complication

If you were walking the docks last weekend you probably didn’t notice the three old codgers sitting on the bench at the end of the pier. No reason you should except for the fact that the three of th

Iwent sailing with an old friend recently on his 38-foot racer-cruiser that shall remain nameless because what I’m about to say has nothing to do with the boat, which was quite fun to sail.  B