- April 2024
- The Real Vermin and Varmints of the Sea!
From the glory days of the great sailing ships to the modern vessels of today, the ships that crossed the oceans most often carried more than human passengers. Yep! Ships can carry a lot of creepy crawly, scampering villains, both in olden times and on…
- Michelangelo’s Pieta Visits NYC
When the famed Renaissance sculptor Michelangelo Buonarotti brought his statue, known as “Pieta” to the Vatican in 1499, he did it under the cover of the night. The statue was covered with old blankets and carried on a sturdy old wagon. There was no fanfare,…
- Green Grasses, Small and Tall
Although you’ve
probably never given it much thought,
I think it’s fair to say
that grass connotes
luxury. Think about
it. Don’t you always
admire that one
house on the block
whose lawn is always lush, thick and
green? Even a modest home looks so
much more elegant
when surrounded by
a rich emerald carpet
of grass. And…
- Skipper’s Corner
It’s been a dream of yours, to own your own boat. You found one at the boat show or a great used one for sale in a yard and you finally take hold of that dream. It took quite a while. You took your boating…
- More Electronics
It is the middle of February and I can’t wait to get to the marina and finish up a couple of projects on our boat. Besides routine items like zinc replacement and cleaning,I have more electronic work to finish. In the last issue, I described…
- The Sailaway Gourmet
Time flies. I hope everyone has had a nice winter. Personally, I’m beginning to wonder if I need to be a ‘snowbird’. Really dislike being cold, especially in my own home! I have electric heat and it’s hard to keep warm without turning it up…
- LI Fishing Report
All is right and good in the world again with fishing being part of my daily routine. Just to clarify though there’s a lot of baseball practices for two teams my son plays on. I have a 7ft spinning rod matched with a Van Staal…
- CT-RI Fishing Report
I have always had a love/hate relationship with the month of April. On the one hand it means that the open-water fishing season is basically upon us here in Southern New England. Seasons are opening, fish are returning to local waters, and those who winter-over…
- NJ Fishing Report
As I write this column on the last day of February, we’ve had the warmest winter in recent history. That can translate to spectacular fishing in April on all fronts as we are well ahead of normal migratory patterns. Striped bass should be packed and…
- A History of the Maritime Use of Tar
Tar, that thick, gooey, mess has been used on ships for many purposes since the beginning of ancient voyages. All types of tars and pitch formulas were used on hulls, decks, riggings, and even on a seaman’s clothing. It has always been the crew fighting…
- An Unsolved Atlantic Ocean Mystery
Captain David Reed Morehouse of the barque Dei Gratia was on deck when he first spotted the Mary Celeste; she was just at the horizon. Sailing out of New York with a load of petroleum, the Dei Gratia was bound for Gibraltar. On arrival at…
- Will “Huckins” Survive the Planing Hull Competition?
When I was in high school some of the girls in my class who lived on the water had their own small boats – some had sailboats, others had earlier family boats now outgrown. Other than where they went, the young boat owners had little…
- The Mysterious Disappearance of the “SS Swiftstar”
Of the many ships that have been run aground off the coast of Rhode Island the story of the tanker Swiftstar has to be one of the most unusual. She was not unusual because of her design or her being stranded, in which she was…
- U.S. Coast Guard Series: A Fog Shrouded Light-burne
Each month, an interesting aspect of the world’s oldest continuous maritime service will be highlighted. The men and women of the United States Coast Guard follow in the fine tradition of the brave mariners who have served before them. As sentinels and saviors of the…
- Wind-Wing-Power Assisted Ships
There is an incredible irony in the fact that long after the golden age of sail when clipper ships raced across the world powered entirely by wind power that once again cargo ships are turning to wind-assisted power. The new sails that are being evaluated…
- Skipper’s Corner
When I was a wee lad, my favorite Golden Book was titled “Scuppers the Sailor Dog”. I got that book in 1952 and continue to read it to this day. I loved the Sailor Dogs name “Scuppers’’. When my son was born, I wanted to…
- NJ Fishing Report
Saltwater wise, February is always the slowest month of the year, but when the calendar page turns to March, the spark starts the fire. February is not a total loss though as blackfish and white perch are still on a chew, and usually all the…
- LI Fishing Report
Almost there!! The off-season just feels longer and longer each year, and having actual winter temps this year didn’t help.Just about a month away from the first casts of the season from shore in the bays come late March. I’m on the east end of…
- CT-RI Fishing Report
As I write this, I am looking at low-20-degree high air temperatures with overnight lows in the teens over the next few days; great weather for ice fishing but downright miserable for those of us who love to fish in the ocean! This followed a…
- The Sailaway Gourmet
I hope everyone has had a good start to the New Year. I unfortunately began my year with dental surgery which came with some complications but am on the mend and preparing for phase 2…never any fun. Praying all will be well before heading off…
- No, It’s Not the Savannah!
“Pieces of wreck washed up on the shore near The Fire Island Lighthouse cannot be from the famed wreck of the first steam-powered ship to cross the Atlantic!”Most of you know about the first steamboat to cross the Atlantic in 1819. I won’t dawdle on…
- Wreck of the “Onondaga”
The navigation markers on the Mystic River in Connecticut appear like apparitions out of the thick fog. They’re the only indication of where we’re going and where the channel is. The brightly colored screen of the chartplotter shows our position and heading. Fog has probably…
- Buying the Right Boat
A boat holds more than our lunch, pillows, blankets, towels and a few lifejackets. The boat will keep us safe on the water. It reflects our style and represents the way we live. As such an important part of our recreational lives, buying the right…
- In Our Waters – The Rescue of the “Gumersindo”
Lieutenant Commander Lucien B. Green, master of the Training Ship Empire State, ordered the cadet helmsman to alter course and place the bow into the sea. A few moments later, he ordered that the engines be slowed to bare steerageway. He offered a silent prayer…
- CT-RI Fishing Report
As I write this, I just returned from a fishing tackle dealer show in New Jersey. While I was unable to partake in the fun, the fishing was insanely good for striped bass. Everyone I spoke with expected the bite to last well into January…
- Winterizing the Boat
Over the years I have had the pleasure of having to winterize many different boat systems and engines: inboards, outboards and inboard/outboards, fresh water, salt water, sanitation and air conditioning/ heating systems. The majority of the workboats I maintained had only the engines to worry…
- NJ Fishing Report
Once again, similar to 2022, 2023 was one heck of a romp on the fishing scene. Both the spring run and fall run of striped bass were of legendary status, as scores of linesiders innumerable to count were inundating the Garden State waters. No doubt,…
- LI Fishing Report
Now what? I always find myself asking that question with the holidays behind us and at least three months ahead until any significant fishing in the area. There are still some opportunities for brave anglers willing to bundle up and scratch the itch for a…
- The Sinking of the Christmas Tree Ship – A Tale of Captain Santa
If you lived in Chicago at the turn of the century from 1876 to 1911 during the Christmas holiday season and you were a little girl with braids and ear muffs or a boy with knickers, coat, and pork pie hat, you would be anxiously…
- Science of the Rescue of Blue Crabs
One of the most important harvests in the Chesapeake Bay right up there with oysters is the blue crab harvest. Watermen depend on it, the blue crab being in the bay is an important part of the ecology and most of all crabs are an…
- Low Light Cameras
When running a boat at any time, nothing replaces common sense and running at a safe speed. When running in the dark, you should have crew members help spot and be on the lookout for obstacles. When in tight quarters (harbors, inlets, channels, etc) take…
- Female Lighthouse Keepers: Their Dedication and Heroism
Traditionally, men were appointed lighthouse keepers. Along all of our Nation’s waterways, women were only assigned to the position following the death of their keeper husband or that of another male relative in the same position. However, if the widow remarried, on the order of…
- Are Hydrofoil Boats Too Different?
I talked to a boat salesman the other day and he’s happy – the brand he’s selling is still doing well after the big spurt in sales from the pandemic. He had a pretty negative view of the future of hydrofoil boats and didn’t expect…
- In Our Waters: Darkened Ship – The Last Convoy of the U.S.S. St. Augustine
As war continued to rage in Europe, the United States Navy continued to identify ways to expand its fleet to meet the anticipated needs of involvement in the global conflict. With marching orders from the Navy Department in Washington, D.C., officers of the Third Naval…
- Maritime Mystery: WWI Submarine Chasers in Cold Spring Harbor, NY
“The damage inflicted by U-boats during World War I was powerful. Their ability to submerge and surprise enemies led to massive casualties: Germany and Austria-Hungary sank almost 5,000 merchant ships during World War I, killing approximately 15,000 Allied sailors.” 1With the ever-increasing potential looming that…
- Boatyard Blues
There was a time when I loved to roam around boatyards. Back then I was always keeping an eye out for the boat of my dreams. Perhaps an old Atkin cutter or Friendship sloop that somebody left behind. Of course, it would have a for-sale…
- Coming Home! – Part II
Waking up early in Brewerton revealed another picture-perfect day. It was a little on the cool side with temperatures starting in the mid-fifties, and the boat was soaking wet with the morning dew. Barn swallows lined the rails of many of the boats docked at…
- Skipper’s Corner: Is Boating Only For The Rich?
Are the days gone when the little guy can afford a boat?What happened to price and value? All you have to do is look at the auto industry and it is obvious that they are targeting primarily men who want to be ‘’Real Men” with…
- Legal Perspective – A Good Time to Look Over Insurance Coverage
With the boating season coming to a close and the holiday season approaching, readers may shift their focus away from the water and toward winter-related activities. Many boats are shrink-wrapped and settled in for colder months that bring holiday festivities, family gatherings, not to mention…
- Seamanship:Winterizing – Now or Later, It Has To Be Done
Usually, as soon as I write a column on de-commissioning the boat for the winter season, Indian Summer arrives to bathe us in the last warmth of the year. As of this writing, it seems like it has arrived – but no one needs much…
- Sailing A 20th Century Square Riggers
Contemporary travel is fast and efficient … Board a plane … Eat a meal … Watch a movie … Take a nap … and … A few hours later … The traveler disembarks in a new and distant land to … Sample unique foods ……
- Cap’n Kutbait’s Sales, Salvage, Restoration, Bar & Grille
C.K.S.S.R.B&G is the only chandlery, bar, restaurant, brothel, chop shop, boating and fishing supply, ship’s store, bail bonding, tire retreading, witness protection safehouse and underground railroad, long-term day care, unclaimed freight, nuclear waste disposal, hurricane proof AND home for wayward girls YOU’LL EVER NEED!!!Our staff…
- The Sailaway Gourmet
It’s hard to believe that November is here. I am never ready for the holiday season and have to admit that I often wish it were January just to be done with all the hustle and bustle of the season.Sad, I know. However, I’ve probably…
- LI Fishing Report
What a spectacular fall run so far!! We’re absolutely down the homestretch and for some the fishing season has wrapped up. If you’re on the fence, don’t wrap the boat just yet! November and early December often saves the best for last.The incredible push of…
- CT-Ri Fishing Report
It happens at the beginning and end of each season; debate begins as to whether it’s going to be an early or late season. From social media to tackle shop chatter to just good banter between fishing friends, the story goes pretty much the same…
- NJ Fishing Report
November looks like it’s going to set up to be another legendary Fall run of stripers as in October, we are already seeing large pods of big bass in the bay systems and even out front. Black seabass opens on November 1st through December 31st…
- Where Have All The Shore Birds Gone?
I wrote an article years ago concerning the wholesale destruction of shore birds on Long Island’s Great South Bay during the 19th and early 20th Century. Many shorebird species were decimated due to the fashionable use of various feathers in women’s hats during that period.…
- Wreck of the Schooner “Trinidad” Found!
Loaded with coal and bound for Milwaukee early on the freezing cold morning of May 11th, 1881, the 140-foot schooner Trinidad sank about ten miles off the coast of Algoma Wisconsin. Capt. Jon Higgins and his eight-man crew were able to get into the schooner’s…
- Will You Buy An Electric Boat?
What comes immediately to your mind when the talk among boating friends turns to electric boats and buying them? Do you think, “I’m not in the market for another boat right now – that’s a decision I can put off,” or “Even if it does…
- Haunted Lighthouses
Considering the lonely locations and isolating lifestyle for the keepers, is it any wonder that there are many haunting tales about lighthouses? Some are based on fact, others simply legends that have grown over the years. It is possible that gloomy conditions in the winter…
- Cruising to the Montauk Yacht Club
This past summer we cruised to Montauk for three nights, “The End”.Keep reading, there’s more! Montauk is literally the end. You will see bumper stickers and T-shirts attesting this. The geographical Long Island starts where Brooklyn and Manhattan are separated by the East River. It…
- USCG Series – Rescue of the “Roger B. Taney”
Each month, an interesting aspect of the world’s oldest continuous maritime service will be highlighted. The men and women of the United States Coast Guard follow in the fine tradition of the brave mariners who have served before them. As sentinels and saviors of the…
- Coming Home! – Part I
We finally made the trip and took our new to us boat home. I knew I would need help in the locks along the Oswego, Erie and Hudson Canals and my sister and brother-in-law jumped at the chance to help out and take in the…
- Lightning
If you have been boating more than 5 minutes, it is quite possible that you have left the dock under fair skies and come back being chased by the Wrath of God… And have you noticed the light shows we’ve getting from Mother Nature lately?…
- Legal Perspective – Lawsuit Involving Extension of USCG Cutters
There have been many developments in the lineup of Coast Guard cutters over the years. Although new classes come and go, few boats may be as iconic and recognizable as the 44-foot self-righting motor lifeboats. Often associated with the severe conditions of the Pacific Northwest,…
- The Sailaway Gourmet
It’s fall and the colors outside are beautiful. I’m headed for a cruise up the Hudson this month and am looking forward to seeing the fall foliage from the water. For me that’s an ideal way to spend a day.And I love cooking in the…
- LI Fishing Report
There’s more fishing behind us than ahead of us for the season. What lies ahead though, is some of the best fishing of the year.The fluke bite this season wasn’t epic, but it wasn’t that bad either. The arrival of peanut bunker in late August…
- CT-RI Fishing Report
October is a great month to be a fisherman in Southern New England! Barring any major weather events like a hurricane or strong nor’easter, the weather is downright beautiful, and the fish are on the feed. From stripers to tuna and everything in between, the…
- NJ Fishing Report
Without a doubt, October kicks off the official start of the fall run in Jersey. Cool nights have dropped water temps to spark a mass exodus of bait pods to leave the backwaters and stage in the near shore waters. Striped bass will be number…
- Shipwrecks in the Long Island Sound
Discover the amazing shipwrecks lying at the bottom of the Long Island Sound … The Long Island Sound is a section of water between Long Island and Connecticut … Europeans made their way to that neck of the woods in the early 1600s. … But…
- The “Little Boats” That Saved the American Revolution!
It’s July 4, 1776, and the official document of “The Declaration of Independence” is signed in Philadelphia by men such as John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and many others including Long Islanders William Floyd and Francis Lewis. Though there had already been armed altercations…
- Nautical Eye Candy
We were standing outside, two strangers waiting for the owner of the marine consignment store to come, unlock the door, bring in his dogs and start the day. Drinking our Dunkin Donuts coffee, we made small talk about boats when he said, “You have a…
- Blue Bloods of the Sea
Octopus blood is actually blue, essentially because it has a copper-based protein called hemocyain. That blueblood is pumped through the octopus by three hearts. The central heart pumps the blood through the body to provide oxygen to the organs, while the two peripheral hearts pump…
- Arctic Visitors On Our Shores
Raising its head just above the water’s surface, the harbor seal reveals its cute smiling face, a small snout and puppy-like eyes. Resubmerging, the seal swims off gracefully, flipping its pair of hind flippers from side to side while using its fore-flippers (front) to set…
- Saving the Tall Ship “Alvei”
She was built of steel in Scotland over a hundred years ago to fish for herring in the North Sea. The proud Alvei had defied the odds and survived when most of her kind were long gone, victims of shipwreck and storm or just dead…
- Shrimps: God’s Oceanic French Fries
No doubt, many of you are fans of a TV show called Deadliest Catch. For over 15 years now, the show has documented the trials and tribulations of the Bering Sea crab fishery as they haul up various king, opilio (aka “Snow”) and bairdi crabs.…
- Getting Close!
The time is just about here for us to begin our trip taking our new to us boat from Alexandria Bay NY to Mattituck NY via the Saint Lawrence River, Lake Ontario, The Oswego Canal, The Erie Canal, Hudson River, East River to Long Island…
- Skipper’s Corner – Give Way! Never Play Chicken With Another Boat
Have you ever come across this scenario while captaining your vessel?Two boats are barreling down the channel at extreme speed. One should be over closer to the red “CAN” buoys and the other should be on the opposite side of the channel closer to the…
- LI Fishing Report
As it always does, summer flew by. It was a fun one and a fishy one. With cooler nights and autumn right around the corner, September is a phenomenal fishing month and a sneak peek to the upcoming fall run. The arrival of false albacore…
- NJ Fishing Report
Big bright sun and cool sea breezes define the post Labor Day scene along the Jersey Coast. The crowds are mostly gone and anglers have wide-open seas where plenty of fishing opportunity abounds! Inshore, stripers and bluefish will begin their southern migration along the coast.…
- CT-RI Fishing Report
Let’s begin this month’s report with a look at some of the notable seasons that are opening and closing in the month of September in Southern New England. First up, the summer blackfish season in Connecticut is now closed until October 10. You can still…
- Seamanship – If You See Something, Say Something…
On August 29, 2011, an American, WW-II USCG hero, largely forgotten by all but US Coast Guard Forces, passed away at 90 years old. This column celebrates him and what we still work for, even to this day. SabotageMost outeaster’s, as well as many other…
- The Sailaway Gourmet
I was taking a friend out to his boat the other day – have I ever mentioned that I am a launch driver at a harbor on Long Island? Anyway, he was talking about making a brine for a bluefish he wanted to smoke. This…
- Let the Titanic Rest in Peace!
Like everyone else, I was deeply saddened by the loss off life on the deep dive submersible “Titan” built by the company-Ocean Gate Explorations. Titan was operating as a paid, $250,00 per person “Tourist attraction”, offering trips down to the wreck of the Titanic. The…
- 100 Years of Change in Recreational Boating & Lifestyle
Unless you’re an older reader you may not realize how different things used to be years ago when people went out with families and friends to fish, clam, crab, go to the beach or just go for a ride on their boats. In the 1930s…
- Skipper’s Corner
I see it all the time. Boaters and guests hanging their butts anywhere they please on a boat in motion. Where are the Captains of these vessels? Asleep in the cabin? Vaping in the head? Downing a Bud? – Oops! I mean Coors! You are…
- CO, Unwelcomed Passenger
Obviously, one owns a boat to have fun and provide enjoyment for family and friends. The last thing anyone would expect is tragedy. Unfortunately, boating accidents are an all-too-frequent occurrence. The good news is that most are preventable. In particular Carbon Monoxide poisoning (CO).What exactly…
- Speaking of Speed Skiffs
An issue or two ago here on the pages of L.I.B.W., I wrote of my fondness and appreciation for sportfishing boats. They remain my favorites in what I call “Big Boats”, meaning up to 60 or so feet. Beyond that length, I’m not much interested…
- The Sailaway Gourmet
Here we are in August. And it’s hot. I hope you are all enjoying the summer and getting lots of time out on the water. I don’t know about you, but when it’s hot I enjoy eating lots of cold foods. As August is the…
- NJ Fishing Report
The dog days of summer are here as sweltering humid days are quelled by the invitation to jump in the ocean for a cool, refreshing dip. Summertime heat means all sorts of interesting fisheries are on tap. August is the time of year we really…
- CT/RI Fishing Report
I have big plans for this August, and so should you! While I am sure many will not come to fruition, heading into this month with a solid game plan is, well, a good game plan. Many fishermen in Southern New England refer to the…
- LI Fishing Report
August, for me, is the most relaxing month of the summer and fishing season. My top obsession of choice is targeting stripers by boat or shore and August is a slow month for that. I tortured myself for years knowing I’d get skunked in the…
- Signs!
We see them every day. So often they barely register in our minds. Our last boat had signs posted all about the helm and cockpit. Warning signs, caution signs and various instructional signs. I paid attention to them until they faded into the background because…
- Eight Things To Ask Before A Boater Moves To Florida
Great numbers of northerners are moving south, many of them boaters. Most are heading for Florida. Why Florida? Almost every family has a relative already living there. For the retiree, Florida offers not only low real estate taxes, but also has no state tax. For…
- New Deep-Sea Species
Ironically, scientists were exploring a section of the Pacific Ocean known as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) because it is believed to be rich in precious mineral depots. The Clarin-Cliperton Zone is a mineral-rich area of the ocean floor that measures approximately 2.3 million square miles…
- Long Island Sound’s Prettiest Creatures: A Gallery
Donning scuba gear, you don’t have to descend very far below the surface of Long Island Sound to discover some of its prettiest marine animals. In less than 20 feet, you can encounter large flower-like clusters of pink-hearted hydroids, swaying slowly back and forth in…
- I Was Green As The Jungle
I jumped in the air, throwing the sheet off, almost knocking over the lantern that cast a dim light on the interior of the jungle hut. My friend, Captain Bill, and I had been trying to sleep despite the storm, the heat, and the mosquitoes.…
- U.S. Coast Guard Series – The Loss of the Lois Ann
Each month, an interesting aspect of the world’s oldest continuous maritime service will be highlighted. The men and women of the United States Coast Guard follow in the fine tradition of the brave mariners who have served before them. As sentinels and saviors of the…
- Old Ironsides
Every year around this time, the following “article” makes the rounds through various social media outlets:The USS Constitution (“Old Ironsides”) as a combat vessel carried 48,600 gallons of fresh water for her crew of 475 officers and men. This was sufficient to last six months…
- Where There’s Smoke…
There’s another Canadian wildfire conspiring to make it difficult to get the boat done! More about that later. In the meantime we have been getting ready for our next trip up to the boat in Alexandria Bay. We are planning to bring her back to…
- Skipper’s Corner – It’s Time for Eats Onboard!
You’re going on your boat for a day of fishing with the crew, or perhaps a day with family and friends. What’s the best way to handle this on your vessel? Over the years I have observed many dos and don’ts when it comes to…
- Seamanship – Hunkering Down – Hurricanes – NOAA Calls for “Near Normal” Season
As of June 1, hurricane season is upon us. Almost without exception, we get the tail, shoulder or rump of one or two of the dozen or so that form up in the Atlantic between the Caribbean and Africa and bring so much destruction and…
- Legal Perspective – Types of Damages in Legal Actions
The business of determining damages in a dispute can be quick and straightforward, or it can be a long, drawn-out process. It all depends on the expectations of the parties when they come to the table. This subject brings to mind a funny cartoon behind…
- Smart Boating Is Safe Boating!
1 … As the Weather Warms Up … many of us head to lakes, rivers, or the ocean to go fishing, waterski, cruise, and relax onboard a boat, yacht or other personal watercraft. With nearly 12 million registered recreational boats in the U.S.*, it’s no…
- The Sailaway Gourmet
Here we are in August. And it’s hot. I hope you are all enjoying the summer and getting lots of time out on the water. I don’t know about you, but when it’s hot I enjoy eating lots of cold foods. As August is the…
- CT/RI Fishing Report
The question of whether the fishing season is running late or early is usually off the table by the time July rolls around as by now migratory fish have arrived at their summer haunts and holds, and the year’s patterns have begun to establish themselves.…
- NJ Fishing Report
Here we go, heading straight into the heart of the summertime! What a fantastic year its been on the saltwater grounds. Fluke will take top honors as the species of choice as the flatfishing has been solid to start off both in the back bays…
- Horseshoe Crabs, You Gotta Love Them!
The first horseshoe crab I ever saw was when a woman pulled a massive one out of the Rockaway surf by its tail when I was about seven years old. It scared the seaweed right out of me. A crowd had gathered around to see…
- Thinking About the Next Boat
My husband and I grew up in families that bought new cars and new boats. The kept the boats longer than I would have. I saw long boat ownership as missed opportunities. For financial reasons and to be able to experience different rides I enjoyed…
From the glory days of the great sailing ships to the modern vessels of today, the ships that crossed the oceans most often carried more than human passengers. Yep! Ships can carry a lot of creepy crawly, scampering villains, both in olden times and on…
When the famed Renaissance sculptor Michelangelo Buonarotti brought his statue, known as “Pieta” to the Vatican in 1499, he did it under the cover of the night. The statue was covered with old blankets and carried on a sturdy old wagon. There was no fanfare,…
Although you’ve probably never given it much thought, I think it’s fair to say that grass connotes luxury. Think about it. Don’t you always admire that one house on the block whose lawn is always lush, thick and green? Even a modest home looks so much more elegant when surrounded by a rich emerald carpet of grass. And…
It’s been a dream of yours, to own your own boat. You found one at the boat show or a great used one for sale in a yard and you finally take hold of that dream. It took quite a while. You took your boating…
It is the middle of February and I can’t wait to get to the marina and finish up a couple of projects on our boat. Besides routine items like zinc replacement and cleaning,I have more electronic work to finish. In the last issue, I described…
Time flies. I hope everyone has had a nice winter. Personally, I’m beginning to wonder if I need to be a ‘snowbird’. Really dislike being cold, especially in my own home! I have electric heat and it’s hard to keep warm without turning it up…
All is right and good in the world again with fishing being part of my daily routine. Just to clarify though there’s a lot of baseball practices for two teams my son plays on. I have a 7ft spinning rod matched with a Van Staal…
I have always had a love/hate relationship with the month of April. On the one hand it means that the open-water fishing season is basically upon us here in Southern New England. Seasons are opening, fish are returning to local waters, and those who winter-over…
As I write this column on the last day of February, we’ve had the warmest winter in recent history. That can translate to spectacular fishing in April on all fronts as we are well ahead of normal migratory patterns. Striped bass should be packed and…
Tar, that thick, gooey, mess has been used on ships for many purposes since the beginning of ancient voyages. All types of tars and pitch formulas were used on hulls, decks, riggings, and even on a seaman’s clothing. It has always been the crew fighting…
Captain David Reed Morehouse of the barque Dei Gratia was on deck when he first spotted the Mary Celeste; she was just at the horizon. Sailing out of New York with a load of petroleum, the Dei Gratia was bound for Gibraltar. On arrival at…
When I was in high school some of the girls in my class who lived on the water had their own small boats – some had sailboats, others had earlier family boats now outgrown. Other than where they went, the young boat owners had little…
Of the many ships that have been run aground off the coast of Rhode Island the story of the tanker Swiftstar has to be one of the most unusual. She was not unusual because of her design or her being stranded, in which she was…
Each month, an interesting aspect of the world’s oldest continuous maritime service will be highlighted. The men and women of the United States Coast Guard follow in the fine tradition of the brave mariners who have served before them. As sentinels and saviors of the…
There is an incredible irony in the fact that long after the golden age of sail when clipper ships raced across the world powered entirely by wind power that once again cargo ships are turning to wind-assisted power. The new sails that are being evaluated…
When I was a wee lad, my favorite Golden Book was titled “Scuppers the Sailor Dog”. I got that book in 1952 and continue to read it to this day. I loved the Sailor Dogs name “Scuppers’’. When my son was born, I wanted to…
Saltwater wise, February is always the slowest month of the year, but when the calendar page turns to March, the spark starts the fire. February is not a total loss though as blackfish and white perch are still on a chew, and usually all the…
Almost there!! The off-season just feels longer and longer each year, and having actual winter temps this year didn’t help.Just about a month away from the first casts of the season from shore in the bays come late March. I’m on the east end of…
As I write this, I am looking at low-20-degree high air temperatures with overnight lows in the teens over the next few days; great weather for ice fishing but downright miserable for those of us who love to fish in the ocean! This followed a…
I hope everyone has had a good start to the New Year. I unfortunately began my year with dental surgery which came with some complications but am on the mend and preparing for phase 2…never any fun. Praying all will be well before heading off…
“Pieces of wreck washed up on the shore near The Fire Island Lighthouse cannot be from the famed wreck of the first steam-powered ship to cross the Atlantic!”Most of you know about the first steamboat to cross the Atlantic in 1819. I won’t dawdle on…
The navigation markers on the Mystic River in Connecticut appear like apparitions out of the thick fog. They’re the only indication of where we’re going and where the channel is. The brightly colored screen of the chartplotter shows our position and heading. Fog has probably…
A boat holds more than our lunch, pillows, blankets, towels and a few lifejackets. The boat will keep us safe on the water. It reflects our style and represents the way we live. As such an important part of our recreational lives, buying the right…
Lieutenant Commander Lucien B. Green, master of the Training Ship Empire State, ordered the cadet helmsman to alter course and place the bow into the sea. A few moments later, he ordered that the engines be slowed to bare steerageway. He offered a silent prayer…
Over the years I have had the pleasure of having to winterize many different boat systems and engines: inboards, outboards and inboard/outboards, fresh water, salt water, sanitation and air conditioning/ heating systems. The majority of the workboats I maintained had only the engines to worry…
Once again, similar to 2022, 2023 was one heck of a romp on the fishing scene. Both the spring run and fall run of striped bass were of legendary status, as scores of linesiders innumerable to count were inundating the Garden State waters. No doubt,…
Now what? I always find myself asking that question with the holidays behind us and at least three months ahead until any significant fishing in the area. There are still some opportunities for brave anglers willing to bundle up and scratch the itch for a…
If you lived in Chicago at the turn of the century from 1876 to 1911 during the Christmas holiday season and you were a little girl with braids and ear muffs or a boy with knickers, coat, and pork pie hat, you would be anxiously…
One of the most important harvests in the Chesapeake Bay right up there with oysters is the blue crab harvest. Watermen depend on it, the blue crab being in the bay is an important part of the ecology and most of all crabs are an…
When running a boat at any time, nothing replaces common sense and running at a safe speed. When running in the dark, you should have crew members help spot and be on the lookout for obstacles. When in tight quarters (harbors, inlets, channels, etc) take…
Traditionally, men were appointed lighthouse keepers. Along all of our Nation’s waterways, women were only assigned to the position following the death of their keeper husband or that of another male relative in the same position. However, if the widow remarried, on the order of…
I talked to a boat salesman the other day and he’s happy – the brand he’s selling is still doing well after the big spurt in sales from the pandemic. He had a pretty negative view of the future of hydrofoil boats and didn’t expect…
As war continued to rage in Europe, the United States Navy continued to identify ways to expand its fleet to meet the anticipated needs of involvement in the global conflict. With marching orders from the Navy Department in Washington, D.C., officers of the Third Naval…
“The damage inflicted by U-boats during World War I was powerful. Their ability to submerge and surprise enemies led to massive casualties: Germany and Austria-Hungary sank almost 5,000 merchant ships during World War I, killing approximately 15,000 Allied sailors.” 1With the ever-increasing potential looming that…
There was a time when I loved to roam around boatyards. Back then I was always keeping an eye out for the boat of my dreams. Perhaps an old Atkin cutter or Friendship sloop that somebody left behind. Of course, it would have a for-sale…
Waking up early in Brewerton revealed another picture-perfect day. It was a little on the cool side with temperatures starting in the mid-fifties, and the boat was soaking wet with the morning dew. Barn swallows lined the rails of many of the boats docked at…
Are the days gone when the little guy can afford a boat?What happened to price and value? All you have to do is look at the auto industry and it is obvious that they are targeting primarily men who want to be ‘’Real Men” with…
With the boating season coming to a close and the holiday season approaching, readers may shift their focus away from the water and toward winter-related activities. Many boats are shrink-wrapped and settled in for colder months that bring holiday festivities, family gatherings, not to mention…
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What a spectacular fall run so far!! We’re absolutely down the homestretch and for some the fishing season has wrapped up. If you’re on the fence, don’t wrap the boat just yet! November and early December often saves the best for last.The incredible push of…
It happens at the beginning and end of each season; debate begins as to whether it’s going to be an early or late season. From social media to tackle shop chatter to just good banter between fishing friends, the story goes pretty much the same…
November looks like it’s going to set up to be another legendary Fall run of stripers as in October, we are already seeing large pods of big bass in the bay systems and even out front. Black seabass opens on November 1st through December 31st…
I wrote an article years ago concerning the wholesale destruction of shore birds on Long Island’s Great South Bay during the 19th and early 20th Century. Many shorebird species were decimated due to the fashionable use of various feathers in women’s hats during that period.…
Loaded with coal and bound for Milwaukee early on the freezing cold morning of May 11th, 1881, the 140-foot schooner Trinidad sank about ten miles off the coast of Algoma Wisconsin. Capt. Jon Higgins and his eight-man crew were able to get into the schooner’s…
What comes immediately to your mind when the talk among boating friends turns to electric boats and buying them? Do you think, “I’m not in the market for another boat right now – that’s a decision I can put off,” or “Even if it does…
Considering the lonely locations and isolating lifestyle for the keepers, is it any wonder that there are many haunting tales about lighthouses? Some are based on fact, others simply legends that have grown over the years. It is possible that gloomy conditions in the winter…
This past summer we cruised to Montauk for three nights, “The End”.Keep reading, there’s more! Montauk is literally the end. You will see bumper stickers and T-shirts attesting this. The geographical Long Island starts where Brooklyn and Manhattan are separated by the East River. It…
Each month, an interesting aspect of the world’s oldest continuous maritime service will be highlighted. The men and women of the United States Coast Guard follow in the fine tradition of the brave mariners who have served before them. As sentinels and saviors of the…
We finally made the trip and took our new to us boat home. I knew I would need help in the locks along the Oswego, Erie and Hudson Canals and my sister and brother-in-law jumped at the chance to help out and take in the…
If you have been boating more than 5 minutes, it is quite possible that you have left the dock under fair skies and come back being chased by the Wrath of God… And have you noticed the light shows we’ve getting from Mother Nature lately?…
There’s more fishing behind us than ahead of us for the season. What lies ahead though, is some of the best fishing of the year.The fluke bite this season wasn’t epic, but it wasn’t that bad either. The arrival of peanut bunker in late August…
October is a great month to be a fisherman in Southern New England! Barring any major weather events like a hurricane or strong nor’easter, the weather is downright beautiful, and the fish are on the feed. From stripers to tuna and everything in between, the…
Without a doubt, October kicks off the official start of the fall run in Jersey. Cool nights have dropped water temps to spark a mass exodus of bait pods to leave the backwaters and stage in the near shore waters. Striped bass will be number…
Discover the amazing shipwrecks lying at the bottom of the Long Island Sound … The Long Island Sound is a section of water between Long Island and Connecticut … Europeans made their way to that neck of the woods in the early 1600s. … But…
It’s July 4, 1776, and the official document of “The Declaration of Independence” is signed in Philadelphia by men such as John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and many others including Long Islanders William Floyd and Francis Lewis. Though there had already been armed altercations…
We were standing outside, two strangers waiting for the owner of the marine consignment store to come, unlock the door, bring in his dogs and start the day. Drinking our Dunkin Donuts coffee, we made small talk about boats when he said, “You have a…
Octopus blood is actually blue, essentially because it has a copper-based protein called hemocyain. That blueblood is pumped through the octopus by three hearts. The central heart pumps the blood through the body to provide oxygen to the organs, while the two peripheral hearts pump…
Raising its head just above the water’s surface, the harbor seal reveals its cute smiling face, a small snout and puppy-like eyes. Resubmerging, the seal swims off gracefully, flipping its pair of hind flippers from side to side while using its fore-flippers (front) to set…
She was built of steel in Scotland over a hundred years ago to fish for herring in the North Sea. The proud Alvei had defied the odds and survived when most of her kind were long gone, victims of shipwreck and storm or just dead…
No doubt, many of you are fans of a TV show called Deadliest Catch. For over 15 years now, the show has documented the trials and tribulations of the Bering Sea crab fishery as they haul up various king, opilio (aka “Snow”) and bairdi crabs.…
The time is just about here for us to begin our trip taking our new to us boat from Alexandria Bay NY to Mattituck NY via the Saint Lawrence River, Lake Ontario, The Oswego Canal, The Erie Canal, Hudson River, East River to Long Island…
Have you ever come across this scenario while captaining your vessel?Two boats are barreling down the channel at extreme speed. One should be over closer to the red “CAN” buoys and the other should be on the opposite side of the channel closer to the…
As it always does, summer flew by. It was a fun one and a fishy one. With cooler nights and autumn right around the corner, September is a phenomenal fishing month and a sneak peek to the upcoming fall run. The arrival of false albacore…
Big bright sun and cool sea breezes define the post Labor Day scene along the Jersey Coast. The crowds are mostly gone and anglers have wide-open seas where plenty of fishing opportunity abounds! Inshore, stripers and bluefish will begin their southern migration along the coast.…
Let’s begin this month’s report with a look at some of the notable seasons that are opening and closing in the month of September in Southern New England. First up, the summer blackfish season in Connecticut is now closed until October 10. You can still…
Like everyone else, I was deeply saddened by the loss off life on the deep dive submersible “Titan” built by the company-Ocean Gate Explorations. Titan was operating as a paid, $250,00 per person “Tourist attraction”, offering trips down to the wreck of the Titanic. The…
Unless you’re an older reader you may not realize how different things used to be years ago when people went out with families and friends to fish, clam, crab, go to the beach or just go for a ride on their boats. In the 1930s…
I see it all the time. Boaters and guests hanging their butts anywhere they please on a boat in motion. Where are the Captains of these vessels? Asleep in the cabin? Vaping in the head? Downing a Bud? – Oops! I mean Coors! You are…
Obviously, one owns a boat to have fun and provide enjoyment for family and friends. The last thing anyone would expect is tragedy. Unfortunately, boating accidents are an all-too-frequent occurrence. The good news is that most are preventable. In particular Carbon Monoxide poisoning (CO).What exactly…
An issue or two ago here on the pages of L.I.B.W., I wrote of my fondness and appreciation for sportfishing boats. They remain my favorites in what I call “Big Boats”, meaning up to 60 or so feet. Beyond that length, I’m not much interested…
The dog days of summer are here as sweltering humid days are quelled by the invitation to jump in the ocean for a cool, refreshing dip. Summertime heat means all sorts of interesting fisheries are on tap. August is the time of year we really…
I have big plans for this August, and so should you! While I am sure many will not come to fruition, heading into this month with a solid game plan is, well, a good game plan. Many fishermen in Southern New England refer to the…
August, for me, is the most relaxing month of the summer and fishing season. My top obsession of choice is targeting stripers by boat or shore and August is a slow month for that. I tortured myself for years knowing I’d get skunked in the…
We see them every day. So often they barely register in our minds. Our last boat had signs posted all about the helm and cockpit. Warning signs, caution signs and various instructional signs. I paid attention to them until they faded into the background because…
Great numbers of northerners are moving south, many of them boaters. Most are heading for Florida. Why Florida? Almost every family has a relative already living there. For the retiree, Florida offers not only low real estate taxes, but also has no state tax. For…
Ironically, scientists were exploring a section of the Pacific Ocean known as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) because it is believed to be rich in precious mineral depots. The Clarin-Cliperton Zone is a mineral-rich area of the ocean floor that measures approximately 2.3 million square miles…
Donning scuba gear, you don’t have to descend very far below the surface of Long Island Sound to discover some of its prettiest marine animals. In less than 20 feet, you can encounter large flower-like clusters of pink-hearted hydroids, swaying slowly back and forth in…
I jumped in the air, throwing the sheet off, almost knocking over the lantern that cast a dim light on the interior of the jungle hut. My friend, Captain Bill, and I had been trying to sleep despite the storm, the heat, and the mosquitoes.…
Each month, an interesting aspect of the world’s oldest continuous maritime service will be highlighted. The men and women of the United States Coast Guard follow in the fine tradition of the brave mariners who have served before them. As sentinels and saviors of the…
Every year around this time, the following “article” makes the rounds through various social media outlets:The USS Constitution (“Old Ironsides”) as a combat vessel carried 48,600 gallons of fresh water for her crew of 475 officers and men. This was sufficient to last six months…
There’s another Canadian wildfire conspiring to make it difficult to get the boat done! More about that later. In the meantime we have been getting ready for our next trip up to the boat in Alexandria Bay. We are planning to bring her back to…
As of June 1, hurricane season is upon us. Almost without exception, we get the tail, shoulder or rump of one or two of the dozen or so that form up in the Atlantic between the Caribbean and Africa and bring so much destruction and…
1 … As the Weather Warms Up … many of us head to lakes, rivers, or the ocean to go fishing, waterski, cruise, and relax onboard a boat, yacht or other personal watercraft. With nearly 12 million registered recreational boats in the U.S.*, it’s no…
Here we go, heading straight into the heart of the summertime! What a fantastic year its been on the saltwater grounds. Fluke will take top honors as the species of choice as the flatfishing has been solid to start off both in the back bays…
The first horseshoe crab I ever saw was when a woman pulled a massive one out of the Rockaway surf by its tail when I was about seven years old. It scared the seaweed right out of me. A crowd had gathered around to see…
My husband and I grew up in families that bought new cars and new boats. The kept the boats longer than I would have. I saw long boat ownership as missed opportunities. For financial reasons and to be able to experience different rides I enjoyed…