PassageMaker

Trawler folk like to move at a leisurely clip. We have some get-up-and-go in reserve, but tend to meander along while enjoying our favorite pastime. Slow and steady may not win the race, but it’s the right pace. The opposite is true for our breakneck adoption of technology. From our helms fitted with the latest electronics suites to our GPS-connected tablets and iPads serving as redundant navigational systems, the coastal and long-range cruisers and enthusiasts who make up Passagemaker’s readership are on the cutting edge. And while those of us who create Passagemaker love reaching our loyal readers in print—that is still the cornerstone of our operation—knowing how connected our audience is, we have been augmenting our efforts in digital media to bring you the latest news and views. Our Facebook and…

This month’s design is the Camarone 40 (Spanish for “shrimp”), which is neither a full-on sailboat nor a full-on powerboat. I designed her for Spencer Duncan and Eric Letham, two biologists from British Columbia, Canada, planning a several-year journey around the world. Their plan was to conduct research, and they wanted a motorsailer as their base. Letham had previously built two of my designs (a Dipper 17 and a Candlefish 16), and he knew the specific needs for this boat were different. This trip would involve plenty of motoring in remote fjords that rarely see consistent sailing winds, as well as passages where the sails could add extensively to the vessel’s range, stability and capability. For me, this was a remarkably interesting design commission for an experienced builder. Giving each biologist a…

It is particularly unfortunate that the two quotes most landlubbers know about boats are, “If you have to ask how much it costs, you can’t afford it,” and “A boat is a hole in the water into which you pour money.” This situation is lamentable for two reasons. First, the comments put a negative slant on boating. Second, they are so true. There is simply no way that any self-respecting accountant could sharpen a pencil and make the numbers work out for boat owners. Even the least-expensive boat is never going to appreciate in value, and it’s always going to require some investment. It might be something as insignificant as the fee for a launch ramp or the annual haul out to paint the bottom. Even the simple act of starting the engines…

Salmon burgers are light and flavorful, easy to make and a nice change from traditional ground-beef burgers. They are packed with ginger, green onions and cilantro, and they look stunning on a toasted bun with their bright array of colors. They also make great finger food in the summer, at anchor or with a cocktail. They will elevate your summer burger game to a whole new level. And yes; you can make the patties bigger and use full-size buns, if you wish. No matter the burger size, I recommend wild-caught salmon because it’s a sustainable and better-tasting choice. I also refrigerate the salmon before cooking it. Firming the burgers for 20 minutes does wonders for the texture. It comes out lightly crisped on the outside and browned to perfection. Be careful not…

What cruising powerboat owner hasn’t wished for at least a shade more room and a few more nautical miles per gallon? We tend to adapt to what we have, but when we dream about our next boat, it’s probably safe to say we’re not thinking smaller and thirstier. French builder Neel-Trimarans has answered that call on both counts with its latest launch, the Leen 72. Neel, founded in 2010, has had success building sail-driven cruising trimarans from 47 to 65 feet. Last year, the company entered the power-tri market with the Leen 56. It launched Hull No. 1 of the 72 early this year. At 72 feet in length with a 29-foot beam, the boat has no shortage of usable indoor space: 1,378 square feet. It’s available in a three- or four-stateroom…

A determined boater could spend a lifetime navigating the inland canals in the United States, with more than 25,000 miles controlled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers alone. Early canal builders quickly realized that connecting bodies of water at different elevations would only result in draining the higher into the lower, so locks were invented to hold the higher water back while still allowing a vessel to pass through. Nationally, the Corps maintains 239 locks as part of its responsibilities. Safely handling a boat through a lock requires planning and familiarity, as not all locks operate the same way. Locks are operated by lockmasters, who control and manage vessel traffic. Lock tenders see thousands of boats pass through, and they know what it takes to keep a boat safe in their…