PassageMaker

The 50-foot flybridge cruiser was reflecting light much like the surrounding skyscrapers as I approached the New York City marina. I jumped on board, opened the large sliding doors and hatches in the forward stateroom, and began to run through the systems. She was mine for the next four days, and I wanted to be prepared. I had served as crew aboard the loaner boat frequently that season with colleagues. We circumnavigated Manhattan Island, took clients sightseeing to the Statue of Liberty and headed north on the Hudson River. I was surrounded by seasoned boaters, both marine editors and advertising executives, and I learned things that became a checklist of sorts for boat safety, piloting and preparation. Thanks to everything I gleaned during that long summer, my weekend of being in command…

Going to sea has always been a dream. The very thought of warm breezes and sun, spray and freedom gets us through the work-week and sustains us through icy winters. But boats are more than just pipe dreams: they can be our deliverance. Let me tell you how two men showed me very specific examples of this escape. My wife and I were Med-moored to a quay in the harbor of Hydra, deep in the Greek Isles, on a charter. Nearby was a small sloop, and we soon met the young man we thought to be the owner. It turned out the boat was his father’s, and he had come to take him home. Over ouzo one evening, we listened to his plan. His father was nearing 80, and the son was…

For the past few years, I have tried to show the readers of Passagemaker an alternative to run-of-the-mill production boat designs. I hope that I have been successful, as I have thoroughly enjoyed bringing my designs to this audience. But it is time to pass the baton. This will be my last design column, at least for a while. While I am sad, I still have this one last opportunity to bend a few words and a sketch some simple lines, to stimulate thought and perhaps perspective about boat design in general. Many years back—when boats were drawn on the drafting table, and before email allowed instant feedback—Jack Bell was a customer of mine at Devlin Designing Boatbuilders. He wanted a new boat for his home waters in Connecticut. Prior to our…

Emerging U.K. boatbuilder Archipelago has designed a vessel that combines the rugged, dependable qualities of a commercial boat with the comforts of a luxury yacht. Meet the Archipelago 47, which splashed at last year’s Southampton International Boat Show. The all-aluminum, twin-hulled Archipelago 47 is built for just about everything you can throw at her. With a reported maximum range of 3,000 nautical miles at displacement speed and a cruising speed of 25 knots, she’s designed to cross the ocean or enjoy day tripping when your schedule demands less time on the water. The interior is said to be extremely well-insulated, and the bows are particularly stout, with large aluminum shells made for plowing through small ice fields—just in case points north are your calling. For the last decade, the boat’s designer, Stephen…

Macaroni and cheese is possibly the world’s best comfort food. If your only encounter with it has been by way of a box, then this recipe could change your life and anyone else you serve a meal. Using a blend of three cheeses and topped with a delectable sourdough bread sauce, it’s a treat all will enjoy. (serves 6) FOR THE TOPPING 2 slices good white bread, preferably sourdough, crusts removed, cut into ¼- to ½-inch pieces (variation: substitute 2 cups Panko bread crumbs)1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated3 TB Parmesan cheese, grated1 tsp dried parsley or basil2 TB butter, melted FOR MAC AND CHEESE 1 cup elbow macaroni6 TB butter3 TB all-purpose flour2 cups 2-percent milk½ cup heavy cream2 tsp ground mustard2 tsp Worcestershire sauce¼ tsp ground nutmeg¾ tsp sea salt½ tsp ground black…

WAVE PERIOD The time required for the wave crest at Point A to reach Point B WAVE FREQUENCY The number of wave crests passing Point A each second Boaters love waves, at least when we’re talking about the friendly gesture we give to each other when passing. But that other kind of wave, the one that makes the boat rock and roll? Maybe not so much. Like them or not, waves are a fact of boating, and every boat and every boater has a different tolerance for them. My first rule for handling our boat in any significant waves is to try not to. When we’re planning a trip, the forecasted wave heights are a critical part of that planning. If we’re uncertain about a forecast, or if the predicted conditions are approaching our tolerance…