Doug Ryan If you hung around a boat ramp in the late 1990s or 2000s, you probably saw one — a shiny white sailboat sliding off a trailer, a big 50-horsepower outboard on the back, and an owner grinning like a kid on Christmas morning. In the background you likely saw some traditional sailors looking wondering if … Read more
Remember when yacht clubs were packed with shaggy-haired teenagers rigging 420s and arguing over who forgot the bailer? Fast forward to today, and most docks sound more like a symphony of creaky knees than a summer camp. Recent numbers tell the tale: just 2% of Americans aged 20-39 owned a boat in 2015, down from … Read more
So you’ve watched a few YouTube sailing channels. Now you’re fantasizing about sailing off into the sunset with your spouse, your kids, and maybe a golden retriever named “Salty.” But before you sign papers on that big, beautiful catamaran… pump the brakes. Because living aboard a catamaran in the U.S. or Canada is not just … Read more
There’s one in every marina. You know the one—up with the sun, sanding brightwork before coffee, elbow-deep in a diesel engine by lunch. His boat hasn’t moved in three seasons, but he’s this close to launching… just after one more coat of varnish and a “quick” electrical upgrade. If you’re pointing to yourself—or chuckling at … Read more
Sailors are a superstitious bunch—always have been, always will be. Whether it’s tossing coins to Neptune, banishing bananas from the galley, or side-eyeing a whistler on deck, the sea has a way of inspiring quirky rituals and long-standing taboos. In North America, generations of boaters—from Nova Scotia lobster haulers to Pacific salmon trollers—have passed down … Read more
Ahoy, fellow sea dogs! Ever catch yourself squinting at a chartplotter and thinking, “Back in my day, we’d be lucky to have a compass that didn’t spin like a roulette wheel”? Well, hoist the main and cue the nostalgia—because we’re setting sail on a breezy tour of how cruising has changed from dead reckoning to … Read more
Ever tried brushing your teeth while your partner cooks eggs four inches from your elbow? Welcome to life on a 30-foot sailboat. For new couples across the US and Canada, boat life can be dreamy, ridiculous, romantic—and occasionally rage-inducing. Whether you’re testing the waters on weekends or diving into full-time cruising, here’s the real truth … Read more
Set Sail on the Retirement of a Lifetime Imagine swapping your morning commute for a sunrise over the water, your backyard for a coral reef, and your mortgage for the gentle sway of a sailboat. For many adventurous retirees in the U.S. and Canada, this dream is their new reality. Retiring on a sailboat might … Read more
Small price. Big difference. Every sailor’s dream combo. Whether you’re a salty coastal cruiser or a weekend day sailor, the right gear can make your boat feel twice as smart (and your life aboard twice as easy). You don’t have to drop a fortune to make sailing smoother, safer, and more comfortable — in fact, … Read more
Buying your first sailboat feels a lot like falling in love — thrilling, impulsive, and occasionally expensive. Looking back now, I wish someone had handed me a salty cheat sheet before I handed over the check. So here it is: ten things I wish I knew before buying my first boat, written for anyone in … Read more