Cruising World

Explore the world's coastlines & oceans. Cruising guides, stories & tips.

BEST-LAID Plans • Sometimes the true joy of our journeys in life is found in the exhilarating freedom to navigate the unexpected.

Cruising World

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UNDERWAY • EXPLORING the BEST of the CRUISING LIFE

Helplessly HOPING • Beau and Stacey Vrolyk struck a deal with rock star David Crosby to buy his 59-foot schooner, Mayan. There was just one problem: Crosby wasn’t ready to give up his sailing dreams.

Best ANCHORAGES in the Windward ISLANDS • It’s impossible to rank these favorite destinations by beauty. Instead, sailors should set a waypoint based on what they want to experience.

THE Little Yellow Book TURNS 150 • George Eldridge first published the Eldridge Tide and Pilot Book in 1875. Its new edition, published by the sixth generation of his family, is an impressive feat of continuity.

Salmon CHOWDER • This rich, steaming stew from the Pacific Northwest warms chilled sailors’ bones and brings back a lifetime of memories.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST SALMON CHOWDER

THE Pros AND Cons OF TURNING BACK • Sometimes, a seamanship or safety issue requires sailors to give up and turn around. But other times, it’s just fear taking control of a situation that can be handled.

Boat of the Year 2024 • With sweet, early autumn sailing conditions on Chesapeake Bay, a strong fleet of 19 contenders competed for top honors in our annual Boat of the Year competition. Once the spray had settled and the votes were tallied, the judges awarded prizes in seven categories for monohulls and multihulls. ¶ The overall winner? The surprising, innovative Jeanneau Yachts 55.

An Impressive Boat of the Year Ensemble Sets Sail

Overall Winner: Jeanneau Yachts 55 And Now for Something Completely Different

BEST MIDSIZE CRUISER

BEST FULL-SIZE CRUISER

BEST PERFORMANCE CRUISER

BEST CRUISING CATAMARAN UNDER 50 FEET

BEST CRUISING CATAMARAN OVER 50 FEET

BEST PERFORMANCE TRIMARAN

BEST SPORTBOAT

JUDGES’ SPECIAL RECOGNITION

JUDGING PANEL

Last Man Standing • During the past four decades, the once-thriving business of American production sailboat manufacturing has nearly vanished, and dozens of companies and builders have fallen by the wayside. And then there’s Tartan Yachts of northeast Ohio, which, in some aspects, is as vibrant as ever. Longtime Tartan stalwart Tim Jackett, a marine-industry lion in winter still making a stand, might be the central reason why.

HIDDEN GEM • PANAMA IS KNOWN FOR ITS HEAVILY TRAVERSED CANAL, BUT ALL AROUND IS A PARADISE FOR SAILORS WHO LOVE TO LINGER AND EXPLORE.

THE WESTERN WAY • Instead of buying a pricey custom canvas awning for my schooner, I made my own “covered wagon.”

PREPARING A VESSEL FOR SURVEY • Trying to hide a boat’s problems never ends well for the seller. Follow these tips to have a successful day.

CHARTERWISE • YOUR ULTIMATE CRUISING VACATION STARTS HERE

BROKERAGE • WHERE YOU’LL FIND the BEST USED BOATS on the MARKET

RIP A1A • A1A is not only my favorite Jimmy Buffett album, but it’s one of my favorite records ever. If I were marooned on an island and could bring only five CDs with me, this would be one of them.