Illustrations by Kent Barton

Capt. Bill Pike has seen it all. Years of piloting oilfield supply vessels in the Gulf of Mexico and shakedown cruises of a veritable grab-bag of vessels have led to one truth: rarely does everything go according to plan!

The Operative Factor

When faced with a vicious storm and dangerous conditions on board, Capt. Bill Pike knew the only one who could help him make the right decision was himself. ▶

Mr Bill’s Neighborhood

It’s one of the few places left to harbor a true sense of community ▶

Grocery Shopper’s Curse

Cruising with a bunch of folks in the future? Make sure somebody else does the grocery shopping. Really! ▶

Ahhhhh, Perfectionism!

Having a little chat with a good friend clarifies what’s always seemed like, what you might call, “one of my issues.” ▶

The Weirdness of Toes

Thanks to a swim-platform grill, a beautiful night, and a bunch of buddies gathered round, strange phenomena emerge. ▶

The Halon Tragedy

Know when to quit for the day, or your boat may get mad at you. ▶

Split Personality

Boat ownership these days requires a weird mixture of two types of talent. ▶

Take It Easy

Doing things the hard way is not always the best way. ▶

Look! Kangaroos?

How a bunch of Aussies, an old wooden cruiser named Flinders, and a passel of marsupials joined forces to emphasize a deeply philosophical point. ▶

Cloak and Dagger

Ever feel guilty about all the time you spend working on your boat? Listen up, compadre. Here’s a solution. ▶

The Interpretation of Dreams

Excuse me, but what about a little chat? ▶

Murphy’s Creek

An old sea dog rejuvenates his point of view. ▶

Move Over, Gilligan!

A dicey, dicey cruise reveals a crew’s true mettle. ▶

Sorry, Mr Roboto!

Driverless boats are coming—no question. But are they a good idea? ▶

Clog-Free Nation

When the chips are down, sometimes an old-fashioned course is best. ▶

Guardian Angels

Sometimes when you really need ’em, they just show up. ▶

Eye of the Hurricane

Wherein the media-hyped, weather-related delusions of a long-distance boat owner are fully explicated. ▶

What’s in a Name?

Ol’ Mr. Shakespeare gave us boaters a thing or two to think about with this famous line. ▶