Barnegat Bay is a shallow bay on the New Jersey coast, sheltered by barrier islands to the east. To the west are rivers, marshes and the forests of Pine Barrens. With several wildlife refuges and state parks on the nearby islands and mainland, the area is home to a wide variety of birds and other wildlife. Water depths average six feet or less, so deep-draft sailboats are prohibited from these waters. During the summer season, the bay is crowded with powerboats on weekends but some peaceful sailing can still be had on weekdays. For more information about sailing on Barnegat Bay, see the Barnegat Bay Yacht Racing Association website.

An up-to-date weather map is one of the great tools that modern technology has brought to today’s boat owners.  Blue Water Sailing Magazine has as an online interactive weather map that provides information on current conditions, watches and warnings,  and even lightening sightings.  You can choose an area of interest anywhere in the world and see readings from specific buoys and ships. You’ll find the map at BlueWaterWeather.

Boaters in Chesapeake Bay were treated this week to the sight of Johnny Depp’s 156 foot motor yacht docked in various locations around the Bay. The Vajoliroja was build in Turkey in 2001. The name sounds like “Jolly Roger,” but according to Depp is a name formed from the syllables of the names of family: Va for his wife Vanessa, Jo for Johnny, LiRo for his daughter Lily Rose and Ja for his son Jack. Depp has redecorated the interior in the “pirate chic” style. The boat is a modern super yacht with classic lines, just like its owner. It sleeps 12 and requires a crew of 8.

Vanity Fair magazine featured an interview with Depp in June that included a trip on his yacht to his private Caribbean Island.

When many sailors and yachtsmen hear the word ‘cat’, they think of a catamaran. But for Cape Cod boating enthusiasts, a catboat is a small, wooden-hulled sailboat that was originally used in the early 1800s for scalloping and fishing. Sturdy and quick, the catboats were common sights in the waters around Cape Cod. Today, catboats are recreational vessels. The resurgence in their popularity is due in large part to Arey’s Pond Boat Yard. Starting in 1971, Arey’s began building a modified version of the historic catboat, often substituting fiberglass for the traditional wooden hull. This summer, 100 catboats gathered to sail at Arey’s Pond Boat Yard Regatta. Read more about it on the Arey’s Boat Yard website.