As a young sailor heading across the ocean from the Mediterranean to the U.S. via Australia, I didn’t fully know what lay ahead. Follow along as I recount my adventures aboard the sailing yacht Ondine that helped me cement my identity as a sailor while gaining a better understanding of the power of the sea.
Have you ever noticed a breakwater that looks a little too ship-shaped to be a coincidence? A few years ago, I began investigating these interesting underwater structures and discovered the strange, largely undocumented world of concrete ships.
What lurks beneath the sea? Like many certified scuba divers, I got certified long ago but never really embraced it in adulthood. Recent recertification has me hoping to see more with ocean journeys that can stretch both above and below the surface.
As a transatlantic rower and author, I write from Copenhagen, Denmark as I ready myself for another season on the cargo tallship Tres Hombres. The era of sail cargo may not remain completely in the past as modern players like Cargill invest in sail assist technology.
When it comes to stories about fishing, size matters. The fish we never saw, and no one took a picture of, was the big one or the one that got away (or both) which makes you wonder. Unlike most fish stories, this one is absolutely true.
Two very different crossings of the infamous Gulf of Alaska, one aboard a luxury charter motoryacht over calm seas and the other on a commercial tugboat in a storm, create a unique perspective. At the end of the day, sound practices make such adventures not only possible, but even enjoyable.
As statements and speculation swirl around the recent “pause” of Catalina Yachts production, I reflect on the magic of my first sailboat—a Catalina 27.
The Carbon Cat dinghy lineup from builder Aspen Power Catamarans throws down the gauntlet with their Columbia River Expedition—a five-day, 491-mile adventure up the Columbia and Snake rivers.
Exploration of the historic wreck of the SS Pacific which sank in 1875 dials up this fall. The determined crew aboard the research vessel Seablazer tackle refits, upgrade their ROVs, and plan for weeks at sea.
Norris experiences a flawless one-day run from Nootka Sound, British Columbia to Anacortes, Washington aboard an Aspen C100 power catamaran where, for once, every variable lines up perfectly beyond expectations.
Sailing cargo is still practiced in the world today. Jordan Hanssen runs rum across the Atlantic on the brigantine Tres Hombres from the Caribbean to Europe its as if the golden age of sail never ended.
Finally we feast! We close out our All About Albacore Series with the final step—processing, cooking, and eating. After all we’ve been through with the catch and navigating the marketplace, it’s time to reap our reward.
Ever consider crossing the Atlantic? How about racing from New York to England in a rowboat and setting a Guinness World record? Jordan Hanssen captain of a team for four American rowers who made this inspirational journey recounts the saga in his book Rowing into the Son.
Our All About Albacore series goes from my catching the fish to where do these fish go. Previously marketed and canned as the not exactly glamorous “chicken of the sea” the same fish graces top notch restaurants and elite sushi bars. How can one fish be ideal for both connoisseur and casseroles?
Seafood isn’t just a product—it’s an adventure. I take you along for the epic multi-part journey of albacore tuna from Pacific Northwest waters to market and ultimately your plate. Buckle up!
Viewing the recently released Netflix documentary Titan: The Oceangate Disaster put a lump in my throat by reinforcing how close I came to being a part of this fatal moment in nautical history. The documentary shows the world the tragic trail of preventable decision-making and personality conflicts that resulted in the infamous 2023 Titanic submersible implosion.
Strap in for a 3-part Best4Boats series as Norris Comer braves PNW river bars—tuna boats, yacht runs & a log strike! Wild rides, best enjoyed vicariously.
My Cascadian bar crossing series continues with breaking a speed record crossing both the Coos Bay and Umpqua River bars in an attempt to get from the Pacific Northwest to San Francisco. Come along with me on a newly commissioned Seawind 1160 sailing catamaran and see if we made it to the Golden Gate.
Join me for part two of my north-to-south Cascadia Bar Crawl journey as I recount adventures crossing some of the Pacific Northwest’s famous river bars. In this segment I got sidetracked into Coos Bay while trying to get to San Francisco on a PR trip gone awry aboard a French-made Beneteau Swift Trawler 47. Beware the Umpqua River in spring!
Have you ever crossed a river bar? Hop aboard for a Cascadian Bar Crawl as I recount my experiences crossing major Pacific Northwest bar entrances. First I recount traversing the Chehalis bar near Grays Harbor on an all-wood commercial albacore tuna boat, then move on to my trip aboard an Ocean Alexander 58 at the notorious Columbia River bar.