PILOTHOUSE

Jonathan Cooper

Every boat owner knows the importance of hauling out. Power wash the bottom and apply fresh antifouling, change the zincs, inspect the shaft seals, through-hulls and transducers. Put her back in the water and touch up the brightwork, polish the stainless, clean the cushions. Hauling out annually will help keep your boat shipshape; neglect it for even one season, and you’ll inevitably regret it.

The time has come for this magazine to spend some time at the yard. We’re working on a design and content overhaul to prepare PassageMaker for many cruising seasons to come. Like the familiar rumble of your Ford-Lehman, you’ll recognize longtime contributors Steve Zimmerman, Nigel Calder and Dag Pike. We’re also adding some new voices, such as Robert Reeder, Cecilia Kiely, Bob Arrington and Stephenie Hollyman as we delve deeper into such matters as weather, electronics and the gear that helps you get the most from your time at sea.

And speaking of new faces, our design will also be markedly different to improve story flow and readability, and to help you better comprehend some of our complex how-to articles. We’ll have much more to discuss when the redesign launches later this year, but for now, we’re thrilled to be in the slings and anxious to get back to where we belong: on the water.

On another matter, a 10-year subscriber emailed to offer a critique of our May/ June cover (right), which featured an Aspen power cat. Normally his letter and my response would run in CrossTalk, but since this is our “Bluewater” issue, I thought this space was a better fit.

I want to thank Jerry—and anyone else—who takes the time to write us with praise, questions or concerns. Among other things, Jerry wrote: “Your latest issue has a catamaran on the cover. I found this rather strange, as I do not consider this type of vessel a ‘passagemaker.’ ”

Firsthand accounts of circumnavigating in power-driven vessels are what inspired PassageMaker founders Bill and Laurene Parlatore to create the magazine, and these stories continue to fuel us. Over the years, owners of Nordhavns, Krogens, Northerns and a bevy of custom trawlers have contributed to—or inspired—many of these stories. These adventurers who set out to explore the oceans have inspired countless readers, including those who might be unable to make such a commitment of time and resources. With every issue, we aim to celebrate the adventurous spirit that so

appeals to our readers, many of whom have been cruising with PassageMaker since 1995.

Here is where Jerry and I may differ: I believe the Aspen C120 fits squarely within our mission. This catamaran earned its stripes cruising more than 10,000 bluewater miles, including the Pacific from Dixon Entrance to Cape Mendocino and beyond. Larry Graf ’s designs have withstood the test of time, and these capable boats belong in the conversation, even if they don’t fit the mold of a traditional passagemaking vessel. Safe cruising,

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