This month’s issue marks the rebirth of Boating World’s “Currents” section. This front-of-the-book department has gone through several revisions since it debuted in Boating World in June 1994. Back then, topics included the use of wartime combat tanks to create artificial reefs, a 300-percent fee increase for VHF radio users, and the retirement of water-ski legend Camille Duvall.

With this month’s relaunch, you get more of the fun, at-a-glance info you’ve enjoyed during the last 14 years. But you also get a ton of new stuff. Associate Editor Sarah Pelot will be scanning a variety of sources to bring you the latest in fishing and watersports tournaments, charity events, futuristic concept boats, book reviews, celebrity gossip, cool product giveaways, boating-related TV shows and films, nautical museum exhibits, and wacky offbeat current events. After all, who doesn’t want to know about the giant 60-foot squid that was found off the Ogasawara Islands?


It’s all delivered in an easy-to-read, splashy format designed by Art Director Brian Marsh. We set out to make this section as fun for you to look at as it is to read, and whatever your boating preferences, you should find something here to pique your interest or put a smile on your face.

You’ll also discover teasers to online-only content. Starting this month, BoatingWorld.com will debut a web page dedicated to all things “Currents.” Here you’ll find breaking news about stuff you won’t want to miss, from rebate offers to boat show announcements to product intros. Make sure to visit www.boatingworld.com/currents for all the latest news and notables.

This month also marks Boating World’s annual pontoon and deck boat issue. In “Fun Floats” and “Endless Possibilities,” we cover a record 31 models, and this year’s crop is more impressive than ever. Boat builders continue to make pontoon and deck boats faster, more amenity-laden, and increasingly versatile.

Many boaters like to use pontoons and deck boats for camping, and that’s why this issue also contains ample coverage about spending the night in the great outdoors. In his “Family Time” article, Executive Editor Alan Jones extols the virtues of “primitive” camping, a great way to inject a sense of adventure into family outings. In “Into The Wild,” Assistant Editor Eddie Childs tracks down the latest camping gear you’ll need to make your next outing as fun as possible, and you may be amazed by some of the cool new stuff that’s available.

Of course, whatever your vessel of choice, boating is all about dreaming of new possibilities and places to explore, and this issue is chock full of exciting destinations for you to visit. In “ Hot Fishing In Hot Springs,” Jones journeys to Hot Springs, Ark., and finds not only great fishing, but also vivid culture and history.

Mean-while, Senior Editor Michael Verdon experiences a different kind of culture when he joins the Vol Navy and discovers the camaraderie that comes with combining college football and boating into one unforgettable day. If beaches are what you crave, look no further than Assistant Editor Candace Morrow’s “Waypoints” article on Corpus Christi, Texas. Turns out this bay area, just 150 miles from the U.S./Mexico border, is an ideal spot for fishing, surfing and boating with your family.

Keep dreaming big. With boating season just over the horizon, it’s a great time to plan your next adventure.