Doug Ryan 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
Walk down any dock in the U.S. or Canada, and you’ll hear it: “Powerboating’s easier!”“Sailing’s real boating!” The debate has been going on for decades — loud, friendly, and fueled by equal parts pride and rum punch. So, is powerboating actually easier, or are sailors just making it look hard on purpose? Let’s hoist the … Read more
There was a time when the local yacht club was the social heartbeat of summer.Picture it: crisp white polos, rum punches on the deck, kids learning to tack while parents compared teak varnish recipes. Back then, a yacht club burgee fluttering in the wind meant you’d made it — not because you were rich, but … Read more
Ghost boats, lost dreams, and a fiberglass problem no one wants to talk about. When a Dream Boat Becomes a Nightmare If you’ve ever wandered past a marina and seen a half-sunk sailboat with seagulls perched on its boom, you’ve probably thought: “Who just leaves a boat like that?” Turns out — a lot of … Read more
If you’ve ever tried to explain sailing to a powerboater and watched their eyes glaze over halfway through “weather helm,” you’re not alone. Sailors and powerboaters may share the same waters, but we live in completely different universes. Sailing isn’t just transportation — it’s a mindset, a lifestyle, and occasionally, a form of group therapy. … Read more