Yacht care, gear, and the craft of ownership.
Practical guides for owners — maintenance schedules, cleaning routines, gear recommendations, and the parts of yacht ownership nobody else writes about.
Boat Insurance Comparison: BoatUS vs. Progressive vs. Geico Marine vs. Markel
Boat insurance markets are concentrated among a handful of major underwriters. A practical comparison of the four most common, what they cover, and how to actually pick.
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The archive
binoculars
Best Marine Binoculars (2026): Compass, Image-Stabilized & Standard
Marine binoculars need to be waterproof, sharp, and stable in chop. Our top picks for 2026 across standard 7×50s, image-stabilized, and built-in-compass models.
cruising
Cruising the Pacific Northwest: A Guide for First-Time Visitors
The Pacific Northwest — Puget Sound, the San Juans, the Inside Passage — is one of the great cruising grounds in the world. A practical guide for boats heading there for the first time.
bilge
Best Marine Bilge Pumps (2026): Submersible, Diaphragm & Backup Systems
A good bilge pump is the last line between you and the bottom. Our top picks for 2026 across primary submersible pumps, high-volume backup pumps, and manual emergency options.
navigation
How to Read Marine Charts: A Practical Guide
Marine charts pack more information per square inch than any other map. A practical guide to reading depths, hazards, aids to navigation, and the symbology that matters.
cleaning
Best Yacht Cleaning Brushes & Polishers (2026)
The right brush makes washing a boat 50% faster. Our top picks for 2026 across telescoping brushes, deck brushes, hull cleaners, and electric polishers.
cruising
Cruising the Bahamas: A Prep Checklist for First-Time Crossers
The Bahamas are 50 miles from Florida and feel like a different planet. A practical checklist for boats and crews preparing for their first crossing — clearance, gear, navigation, and what nobody tells you.
audio
Best Marine Waterproof Speakers (2026)
A boat without music is a quiet boat. Our top picks for 2026 across installed marine stereos, portable Bluetooth speakers, and high-output cockpit speakers.
electrical
Marine Electrical Troubleshooting: 12V System Diagnostics
Most marine electrical problems trace to one of about a dozen causes — and most are diagnosable with a $30 multimeter. A practical guide to finding and fixing 12V system issues yourself.
galley
Best Marine Cooktops & Galley Stoves (2026)
Galley cooking on a boat is different. Our top picks for 2026 across propane, alcohol, induction, and diesel cooktops — plus the trade-offs that matter.
teak
Marine Teak Deck Restoration: A Practical DIY Guide
Teak decks can look great for 30 years or fail in 10 — the difference is mostly maintenance and restoration done right. A practical guide to bringing a tired teak deck back.
solar
Solar Power on a Boat: A Practical Guide
Solar has gone from niche cruising upgrade to standard equipment. A practical guide to how much you actually need, what to buy, and how to install it without compromising the boat.
NMEA 2000
NMEA 2000 Explained: How Marine Electronics Networks Actually Work
Every modern marine electronics conversation eventually hits 'just put it on NMEA 2000.' What that actually means, why it matters, and how to design a clean network.
HVAC
Marine HVAC: Air Conditioning, Heat, and Dehumidification on a Boat
Climate control on a boat is its own discipline. A practical guide to marine AC, diesel heat, and dehumidification — what works, what fails, and how to specify a system.
buying
Boat Surveys: What to Actually Look For When Buying
A boat survey is the most expensive due-diligence check most people ever pay for and the one that pays back many times over. What a good surveyor looks at, and what you should before signing.
windlass
Best Marine Windlasses & Anchor Systems (2026)
A capable windlass turns anchoring from a workout into a quiet routine. Our top picks for 2026 across vertical, horizontal, and dedicated anchor accessories.
HVAC
Best Marine Air Conditioners (2026): Self-Contained, Split & DC Systems
A good marine AC is the difference between sleeping aboard and not. Our top picks for 2026 across self-contained units, split systems, and the new DC-powered options.
GPS
Best Handheld GPS Units for Boating (2026)
A handheld GPS is the backup that turns a chartplotter failure into an inconvenience instead of a crisis. Our top picks for 2026 across marine and general-purpose models.
anchoring
Anchoring in Tough Conditions: When Standard Technique Isn't Enough
Most anchoring guides cover the basics. This is what to do when wind is building, holding is poor, or you're sharing an anchorage with boats that may drag.
watermaker
Watermakers: When They Make Sense and When They Don't
A watermaker is a $5,000-$20,000 cruising upgrade that liberates you from the dock — or sits unused if you don't need it. A practical guide to deciding.
trailering
Trailering a Boat: A Practical Guide
Trailering opens up a lot of water that a slip-only boat will never see. A practical guide to picking the right trailer, loading correctly, and avoiding the failures that strand people on the shoulder.
lithium
Lithium Marine Batteries: The Deeper Guide
Lithium (LiFePO4) marine batteries are the standard for serious cruising. A deep dive into when they're worth the cost, what the install actually involves, and what to watch for.
teak
Best Teak Cleaners, Sealers & Oils (2026): What to Use on Your Brightwork
Teak care is one of the most opinion-driven topics in yachting. Our practical guide to what actually works for cleaning, brightening, sealing, and oiling teak.
refrigeration
Best Marine Refrigerators (2026): 12V Drop-In Fridges, Built-In Units & Iceboxes
Marine refrigeration is one of the most appreciated upgrades on any cruising boat. Our top picks for 2026 across portable, drop-in, and built-in 12V systems.
inverter
Best Marine Inverters & Shore Power Gear (2026): Inverters, Chargers, and Shore Cords
AC power on a boat is its own discipline. Our top picks for 2026 across pure-sine inverters, inverter/chargers, and the shore-power gear that ties it all together.
grilling
Best Marine Grills (2026): Propane, Electric, and Rail-Mounted Boat Grills
A good marine grill turns a sundowner into dinner without burning down the boat. Our top picks for 2026 across propane, electric, and rail-mount marine grills.
AIS
AIS for Cruisers: What It Does, What to Buy, and How to Use It
AIS is one of the highest-leverage safety upgrades a cruiser can make — for under $1,500. A practical guide to what it does, which type you need, and how to read what it shows you.
sailing
Sail Trim Basics for Cruisers: Make Your Boat Move Better
Most cruising sailors are leaving 1-2 knots on the table from poor sail trim. A practical, racing-free guide to trimming the main and genoa for performance and comfort.
outboard
Outboard Troubleshooting: When It Won't Start, Bog, or Stall
A practical, step-by-step guide to diagnosing the most common outboard motor problems — won't start, won't idle, dies under load, no power. Most of it you can fix yourself.
fuel system
Marine Fuel System Maintenance: A Practical Guide for Yacht Owners
Most marine engine failures trace back to fuel — bad fuel, dirty filters, water contamination, or aged hoses. A practical guide to keeping the fuel system healthy.
electronics
Marine Electronics Buying Guide (2026): What Actually Belongs at the Helm
A no-hype walkthrough of every electronic at the helm — chartplotters, radar, AIS, autopilots, fishfinders, instruments — and how to pick what matters.
hurricane
Hurricane Prep for Boat Owners: A Pre-Storm Checklist That Actually Works
When a named storm enters the cone, you have 48-72 hours to make decisions that determine whether your boat survives. A practical, phase-by-phase prep checklist.
dinghy
Dinghy & Tender Care: Keep Your Yacht's Most Used Boat Working
The dinghy is the most-used boat on most yachts — and the most neglected. A practical maintenance and gear guide for inflatables, RIBs, and hard tenders.
sailing
Best Sailboat Hardware (2026): Blocks, Clutches, Winches & Running Rigging
Sailboat hardware fails quietly until it doesn't. Our top picks for 2026 across blocks, clutches, winches, and running rigging — what to upgrade and what to skip.
safety
Best Marine First Aid Kits (2026): What Belongs Aboard a Yacht
A first aid kit is the cheapest insurance on the boat. Our top picks for 2026 — from coastal day kits to offshore-capable medical packs — plus what to add yourself.
maintenance
Yacht Care Fundamentals: A Year-Round Maintenance Guide
The essential maintenance schedule every yacht owner should know — from daily wash-downs to annual haul-outs. A practical, no-fluff guide to keeping your boat in top shape.
cleaning
Top 10 Products for Cleaning Your Yacht
The best marine cleaning products tested over years of yacht ownership — from boat soap to teak sealer. Includes what to use and what to avoid.
cleaning
10 Things You Can Do to Keep Your Yacht Clean
Practical, weekly cleaning routines that take an hour or less and keep your yacht looking sharp between professional details. From salt-water rinses to teak care.
maintenance
How to Winterize Your Yacht: A Complete Step-by-Step Checklist
Skip winterization and you'll spend more on spring repairs than the entire process costs. A practical step-by-step guide for yacht owners — engine, plumbing, hull, interior.
batteries
Best Marine Batteries for Yachts (2026): Lithium vs. AGM Buying Guide
Marine batteries are confusing — AGM, gel, lithium, dual-purpose, trolling. Here's a plain-English buying guide with our top picks for 2026, plus what to avoid.
anchoring
Anchor 101: How to Anchor Your Yacht Properly
Most boating accidents from dragging anchors come down to four mistakes. A practical guide to setting an anchor that holds — scope, technique, and reading the bottom.
anchoring
Best Yacht Anchors (2026): Top Picks for Holding Power and Versatility
Anchor selection comes down to bottom type, boat size, and how you cruise. Our top yacht anchor picks for 2026 — Mantus, Lewmar Claw, Fortress, and more.
insurance
Boat Insurance: What Coverage Do You Actually Need?
Boat insurance policies are full of jargon and exclusions that surprise owners after a claim. A plain-English guide to the coverage that matters and what you can skip.
safety
Best Handheld Marine VHF Radios (2026): Top Picks for Yacht Owners
A handheld VHF is the most important piece of safety gear after a life jacket. Our top picks for 2026 — from $80 budget radios to $300 pro units.
safety
How to Read a Marine Weather Forecast (and Stay Safe)
NOAA forecasts use jargon that confuses new boaters and gets ignored by experienced ones. Learn what each term actually means and how to make a real go/no-go call.
safety
Best Life Jackets and PFDs for Boating (2026)
The best life jackets are the ones you'll actually wear. Our top 2026 picks for inflatable, foam, and offshore PFDs across every price point.
seamanship
How to Dock Your Boat: A Practical Guide for Yacht Owners
Docking is the moment everyone watches. Master the fundamentals — wind reading, line handling, and the slow-is-fast rule — and dock cleanly every time.
electronics
Best Marine Chartplotters & GPS Fish Finders (2026)
A modern chartplotter is the difference between safe coastal cruising and risky guesswork. Our top picks for 2026 — Garmin, Humminbird, Lowrance — across budgets.
maintenance
Spring Commissioning Checklist: Get Your Yacht Ready for the Season
A step-by-step spring commissioning checklist for yacht owners. Engine, plumbing, hull, electrical, and safety gear — what to check before launching.
dock gear
Best Boat Fenders and Dock Lines (2026): A Practical Buying Guide
Cheap fenders and lines fail at the worst possible time. Our top picks for 2026 — Polyform, Taylor Made, New England Ropes — for yachts of every size.
seamanship
10 Essential Marine Knots Every Yacht Owner Should Know
Most boating problems can be solved with one of ten knots. Learn the bowline, cleat hitch, clove hitch, and more — when to use each, plus common mistakes.
coolers
Best Marine Coolers for Yachts (2026): Yeti, RTIC, Igloo, and Beyond
A great cooler keeps ice for 5+ days, fits the boat, and survives saltwater. Our 2026 picks across budgets — from $50 to $500.
seamanship
Coastal Passage Planning: A Practical Guide for Yacht Owners
Successful coastal passages start the day before, not the day of. A working framework for routing, weather, fuel, and safety planning a 50-200 mile cruise.
winterization
Best Yacht Winterization Gear (2026): Antifreeze, Dehumidifiers, and More
The right winterization gear protects your yacht from $5K+ freeze damage and a moldy spring. Our 2026 picks for antifreeze, fuel stabilizer, dehumidifiers, and storage essentials.