Soundings

Soundings is the news and feature publication for recreational boaters. Award-winning coverage of the people, issues, events -- and the fun -- of recreational boating. Check out our generous boats-for-sale section and our gunkholing destinations.

Soundings • AUGUST 2026 VOL. LXIII, NO. 12

A Summer Spent Together

MAILBOAT • FEEDBACK FROM OUR BOATING COMMUNITY

A Classic To Watch For • CHANTICLEER BRINGS A REMARKABLE SLICE OF AMERICAN YACHTING HISTORY TO WATCH HILL

Make Fast in Boston • AS AMERICA TURNS 250, THERE’S NO BETTER TIME FOR A CRUISE TO BOSTON, WHERE THE NATION’S HISTORY IS JUST STEPS FROM THE DOCK

Daring Adventure • A LONGTIME PROFESSIONAL MARINER PREPARES TO TAKE ON THE GOLDEN GLOBE RACE

Living the Dream • THIS COUPLE SAYS THEIR GRAND BANKS 46 CLASSIC GOOD ENOUGH TURNED OUT TO BE EVERYTHING ITS NAME PROMISED, AND THEN SOME

Aquila 45 Sport • THE LARGEST BOAT IN THE BUILDER’S SPORT RANGE OFFERS A BALANCE OF COMFORT AND PERFORMANCE

Morning Mist • MARITIME ARTIST JAN MIN CREATES DREAMLIKE WATERCOLOR COMPOSITIONS

LIGHT, FORM AND WATER • In a striking black-and-white photo essay, Onne van der Wal captures the craftsmanship and heritage that define the maritime Northeast

ALL WEATHER WELCOME • The Targa 41 is built to leave the dock when other boats won’t go

WHAT THE WATER TEACHES • A COMMUNITY SAILING CENTER IN MASSACHUSETTS IS BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION OF OFFSHORE RACERS—ONE PASSAGE AT A TIME

BUILT for the WORST • A former Norwegian rescue vessel with icebreaker rating is now home for a cruising couple, and it can handle anything the ocean will throw at it

Secrets of Marinizing a Diesel Engine • BOAT PROPULSION OFTEN STARTS LIFE AS A TERRESTRIAL ENGINE. GIVING IT SEA LEGS IS MORE COMPLEX THAN YOU MIGHT THINK

A Design Evolution • THE AMESBURY SKIFF DESCENDS FROM A DESIGN THAT SHAPED NEW ENGLAND WORKING BOATS FOR 200 YEARS