John Wooldridge – Editor of 70th Edition of Chapman Piloting & Seamanship

John Wooldridge is a lifelong boater who began writing and photographing boats professionally in 1977. He has served as editor-in-chief of numerous marine magazines including Yachting and PassageMaker, as managing editor of Yachting and Motorboating, and editor for Lakeland Boating and Sea. 

John is now the editor of the 70^th edition of Chapman Piloting & Seamanship and was the co-editor of the previous 68^th and 69^th editions working with well-known marine book editor and publisher Jonathan Eaton who was the previous editor. Woolridge wrote the Chapman Boater’s Log, edited Chapman Chart No. 1, and holds a U.S. Coast Guard OUPV 50-Ton license. He has cruised both of the coasts of North America, as well as the waters of Europe and the Western Pacific, and has made a transatlantic voyage.

Keep an eye out for Woolridge’s writing in various marine outlets and for the 70^th edition of Chapman Piloting & Seamanship from Hearst Marine Books, which is planned to go on sale in the fall of 2026.

Best4Boats Team

Great boating content takes a village. When two or more of our writers put their heads together, you get the combined experience of careers spent fishing Alaskan waters, captaining yachts, living aboard sailboats, and decades in marine publishing, design, and technology — all in service of one shared passion for life on the water.

See Full Bio

Motorboats Yachts Marine Electronics Sailing Boating Fishing Oceanography fisheries science Technology Maritime Culture Hydrofoil Yacht Racing Boat Shows Solar Power Boats Electric Boats User Experience Design