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Professional BoatBuilder

10 stories

Lights in the Darkness

Professional BoatBuilderLights in the Darkness Navigation lights, the best protection against nighttime collisions, are worth getting right. In my work inspecting boats, I routinely encounter noncompliant navigation light installations on new and preowned vessels. Of

September 8
Unmanning the Fleet

Professional BoatBuilderUnmanning the Fleet What it takes to keep pace in the race for commercially viable autonomous vessels

August 24
Shooting True Colors: Navigating Shifts in Paint Chemistry

Professional BoatBuilderShooting True Colors: Navigating Shifts in Paint Chemistry The afternoon before the first coat of topside paint went on a 100’ (30.5m) sloop, the crew of applicators at Front Street Shipyard in Belfast, Maine, gathered to talk through... Read more »

August 11
Designing, Building Boats for Serviceability

Professional BoatBuilderDesigning, Building Boats for Serviceability Making boats and their systems more serviceable for boat owners and technicians should be a priority for everyone in the industry It is easy at a boat show to be... Read more »

July 29
Joe Berkman: The Man in the Tyvek Suit

Professional BoatBuilderJoe Berkman: The Man in the Tyvek Suit Boatbuilding lost another fine craftsman when Joe Berkman, 64, of Gloucester, Massachusetts, died on Feb. 5, 2026.

July 14
Bringing Flax Fiber to North American Builders

Professional BoatBuilderBringing Flax Fiber to North American Builders Sometime around 2010, German boatbuilder Friedrich Deimann built his first flax-fiber composite boat, a two-person kayak, as a project to qualify as a master boatbuilder. In the ensuing 16 years, the art of building boat

July 1
A Maine Startup is 3D Printing Tenders

Professional BoatBuilderA Maine Startup is 3D Printing Tenders Boat Evolution’s 3D-printed tender is made from recyclable plastic feedstocks, so it’s fully recyclable at end of life. They plan to be in production this fall.

June 17
Generator Know-How, Part 2

Professional BoatBuilderGenerator Know-How, Part 2 A proper generator installation should allow ample space to access the unit for service and maintenance. Read our guidelines on generator installations, variations, and optimizations.

June 3
Generator Know-How, Part 1

Professional BoatBuilderGenerator Know-How, Part 1 Boats with high electrical loads may need a standalone generator installed. Learn the what it takes to optimize an installation.

May 19
Start with the Propeller: A UK tech team builds a unique electric outboard and new company from scratch

Professional BoatBuilderStart with the Propeller: A UK tech team builds a unique electric outboard and new company from scratch The RAD 40 is efficient, unobtrusive, and aesthetically current and cool. Read more about RAD Propulsion and their unique design.

May 6