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…
Long Island Boating World
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…
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…
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…