Christopher Birch

Photo by Christopher BirchRoque Island, Maine.

My favorite anchorages – Part 2

November 25, 2024 at 12:00 am

December 2024 By Christopher Birch Marinas are handy, moorings are great, but nothing beats the satisfaction that comes from spending a night at anchor. As the year winds down, I’m feeling nostalgic for some of my favorite spots to drop the hook along our beloved New England coastline and haveRead More

The beach at Camp Island.

My favorite anchorages

September 30, 2024 at 12:00 am

Fall 2024 By Christopher Birch Marinas are handy, moorings are great, but nothing beats the satisfaction that comes from a night at anchor. As the year winds down, I’m feeling nostalgic for my favorite places to drop the hook along our beloved New England coastline. Here are my top nineRead More

You need less than you think

You need less than you think

August 26, 2024 at 12:00 am

A bigger boat does not necessarily make for a better experience.

Photo by Christopher BirchOh, yeah, it’s 5 o’clock . . . right here, right now.

Drunk, dropped-out, and dissolute

July 29, 2024 at 12:00 am

I often wonder if our top goal should be to achieve a Zen state that would permit us to embrace the emptiness of a lazy day instead of constantly striving to fill it.

Photo by Christopher BirchNo need to say more.

The thirteen principles of vessel appellation

May 20, 2024 at 12:00 am

Some basic tips about what you slap on the transom.

Screenshot by Christopher BirchSolar power does the heavy lifting for the energy budget.

A diet for the boat

April 22, 2024 at 12:00 am

May 2024 By Christopher Birch We just put our boat on Ozempic. It had to happen. For many years my wife Alex and I occasionally indulged in a shameful pleasure: We ran our engine when we were at anchor just to charge the batteries. We knew it was a badRead More

Drawing by Art PaineThis sketch by Art Paine shows how a gimbaled berth would provide for level sleeping comfort, regardless of the forces affecting the heel of the boat.

Swing low sweet chariot

March 25, 2024 at 12:00 am

Wouldn’t it be great if your berth stayed level while the boat swings? Well, it can.

Photo courtesy Christopher BirchWhy bother hauling your tender up on deck when it can be parked in the transom and double as a propulsion system?

Tender is My Transom Yachts

February 5, 2024 at 12:00 am

Winter 2024 By Christopher Birch Last month in this column, I broke out my crystal ball and gazed into the future of yachting. My time travel took me to the (fictional) “2026 Eagle Seven Sailing Yacht Design Awards Gala,” where I marveled over the bronze medal winner: Boom Boom Solar.Read More

Photo by Christopher BirchSolar power is doing more on boats these days, even making coffee!

Boom Boom Solar

November 20, 2023 at 12:00 am

December 2023 By Christopher Birch Lately, I’ve been fantasizing about what will come next in boat design. Happily my crystal ball has a lot to say on the subject. Walk with me into the future and down the red carpet at the 2026 Eagle Seven Sailing Yacht Design Awards gala.Read More

Photo by Christopher BirchSailing the mostly lobster-trap-free waters of Newfoundland.

The truth about lobster traps in Canada

September 25, 2023 at 12:00 am

The Siren call of lobster-trap-free water has lured many a sailor north of the border.