Lifestyle

There’s no question about it: Boating is a lifestyle. Maybe you dream of selling everything, buying a sailboat or powercruiser, and casting off the lines to visit interesting destinations, both near and far. Or maybe you enjoy fishing for food or sport and want to improve your techniques. Or your family enjoys the thrill of watersports. You’ll also find great books and movies about boats and boating, boating education opportunities, the latest boat gear and gadgets, tips for boating with pets, profiles on interesting boaters, and ideas for entertaining on the water.

Shimano Takes Computerized Casting Next Level

Discover Shimano’s Curado DC 150 A, a next-generation baitcasting reel featuring computerized digital braking, a lightweight MGL Spool III, and award-winning performance for longer, smoother, backlash-free casts.

Sunset over a calm island channel with small boats at anchor, reflecting orange and gold hues across the water beneath a colorful evening sky.

Fast Friends On A Fast Cruiser

Join a Cutwater flotilla through Washington's San Juan Islands and British Columbia's Gulf Islands, exploring scenic cruising destinations, waterfront towns, wildlife-rich waterways, and the friendships that make boating memorable.

Close-up of a boater refueling a vessel at a marina, holding a fuel nozzle inserted into the boat's fuel fill while an absorbent spill pad surrounds the opening to help prevent fuel spills and protect the waterway.

Don’t let one single drop of that fuel go overboard

Protect the waters you love with five practical boat fueling tips that help prevent gasoline and diesel spills. Learn how to avoid overflows, use no-spill devices, leave room for fuel expansion, and fuel responsibly to reduce environmental impact.

Catamaran sailboats anchored in a calm British Virgin Islands harbor at sunset, with golden light reflecting across the water and dramatic clouds overhead.

BVI Flotilla: Boats, Beaches, Buddies & Beyond

Join Boat.U.S. members on an unforgettable British Virgin Islands flotilla adventure featuring island hopping, stunning beaches, vibrant beach bars, new friendships, and memorable cruising experiences with Captain Glenn Shephard.

Small motorboat anchored on a calm lake framed by vibrant red autumn foliage, with distant shoreline and cloudy sky reflected on the water.

Top Boating Towns 2026

Discover BoatU.S. Magazine's Top Boating Towns of 2026, from coastal cruising destinations to inland lake communities, chosen for exceptional boating access, marinas, waterfront living, and quality of life.

Angler seated in a small boat holding up a freshly caught panfish on a fishing line. The boat is floating on a calm river bordered by forested shoreline, with fishing gear visible in the background.

Panfish: Easy Pickins

Looking for nonstop fishing action and great table fare? Discover the best panfish species across the U.S., including sunfish, crappie, perch, spot, croaker, and northern puffer, with expert tips on where to find them and how to catch more fish.

Small black Maglite Solitaire LED Spectrum Red flashlight projecting a focused red beam of light against a dark background, designed to preserve night vision for boating and outdoor use.

After-Dark Boating Gadgets

Stay safe after sunset with affordable, install-free boating gear. From a handheld AIS/VHF transceiver and backup radio to safety strobes, night-vision-friendly lighting, and navigation aids, these compact tools can help you navigate and communicate after dark.

Person wearing sunglasses stands on a marina dock in front of a blue-and-white sailboat moored at a boatyard. The sailboat is docked beside a large covered storage building, with additional boats and dark storm clouds visible in the background.

Istvan Kopar: The Introspective Circumnavigator

Follow BoatU.S. member Istvan Kopar as he attempts one of sailing’s toughest feats: a solo, nonstop westbound circumnavigation of the globe. Aboard his Valiant 42 Surprise, Kopar faces months at sea, sailing against prevailing winds and currents in a historic quest few sailors have ever completed.

Cartoon illustration of a boater at the helm looking at a dark radar display after an apparent electronics failure, with the boat's windshield and navigation equipment visible in the background.

Thick Fog, No Radar, Now What?

A relaxing evening cruise in Maine's Penobscot Bay takes an unexpected turn when a powerboat's radar fails in dense fog. Read this firsthand story of seamanship, navigation, and keeping calm when electronics let you down at the worst possible moment.