Professional BoatBuilder

2 weeks ago | proboat.com | Aaron Porter

In this age of relentless automation, even boatbuilding is subject to tech-driven change as everything from components assembly and supply-chain management to service scheduling and systems diagnostics are being entrusted to algorithms and glitchy software. The results are decidedly mixed. To my eye, new builds are neither more timely, nor of consistently superior quality compared to historical norms. And boat operations are not reliably easier or safer based on technological advances alone.

1 month ago | proboat.com | Aaron Porter

As the tides of editorial staff and contributors at Professional BoatBuilder ebbed and flowed through my two decades with magazine, I’ve been grateful that one of the constants in our lineup is Technical Editor Steve D’Antonio. In the publishing world, where judgement and depth of experience matter, Steve excels at both. That’s why he’s my last consult at the end of any trade show we attend together.

2 months ago | proboat.com | Aaron Porter

In my professional life, I’ve dismissed most artificial intelligence (AI) tools I stumble across as manifestations of a flawed invention consistently oversold by hubristic tech bros and investment con-artists. For editors and publishers, AI applications are a reliable source of soberly stated falsehoods and elliptical reasoning—distractions more notable for amusing errors than brilliant solutions.

Feb 5, 2025 | proboat.com | Aaron Porter

A flawless laid teak deck has long defined the aspirational expectations for yacht owners, but scarcity of the hard, rot-resistant tropical wood and shifts in aesthetic sensibilities and a market for weight-sensitive designs have led naval architects, boatbuilders, and refit yards to explore alternative natural-fiber decking options that still look elegant and feel good under your feet.

Oct 4, 2024 | proboat.com | Eric Colby

During his military career, Todd Salus piloted U.S. Navy gunboats on more than 300 missions in the North Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Oman, and the Strait of Hormuz. It’s safe to say that his expectations for how an 11.5m (37′ 9″) rigid inflatable boat (RIB) would handle in a tight turn are well informed by hard-won experience.