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.

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.

Garmin LiveScope 2 sonar display showing detailed live imaging of fish and underwater structure on a marine multifunction display.

Garmin LiveScope 2: Seeing is Believing

See why Garmin LiveScope 2 earned ICAST Best New Electronics honors. This next-generation live sonar system delivers ultra-detailed real-time fish imaging, enhanced target separation, and advanced transducer options that help anglers locate and track fish with remarkable clarity.

Split-view comparison of a Metro Marine underwater light, showing a clean, biofouling-free lens on one half and marine growth covering the other half to demonstrate antifouling performance.

The Antifouling Power Comes From Inside!

Metro Marine’s F-Series underwater lights use patented UVC technology to prevent marine growth and keep lenses clear without antifouling coatings, reducing maintenance while delivering customizable underwater illumination.

Two scuba divers stand waist-deep in clear coastal water, holding gear as palm trees and a marina with docked boats line the sunny shoreline behind them.

The Heroes Next Door

Explore the story of Clarence Moriwaki and his decades-long dedication to preserving the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial, honoring history while protecting a meaningful waterfront space for future generations.

Angler holding a striped bass on a boat in shallow coastal water, demonstrating inshore light-tackle fishing.

Drawn To The Shallows

A new wave of shallow-water fishing is transforming inshore angling. Discover why light tackle is thriving and learn the top lures, gear, and tactics for targeting redfish, speckled trout, and striped bass in skinny water.