Sail Commons
Costs and safety
Sail Commons reporting on money & access, rules of the road and gear, kept honest.
- Money & access
Mariners Insurance: many Florida boat policies carry tougher terms or higher deductibles
Mariners Insurance, a boat insurer, says many Florida policies carry tougher terms or higher deductibles for named-storm damage, with no figure given.
- Gear, kept honest
ePropulsion eLite and Temo 1000 electric outboards: the maker's figures and what reviewers found on the Temo
ePropulsion lists the eLite at 6.7 kg. Only the 15.5 kg Temo 1000 was tested, by Motor Boat & Yachting and Boat News.
- Money & access
NMMA: new US powerboat sales fell 7.1% in the year to April 2026; used boats are about 80% of sales
New US powerboat retail sales fell 7.1 percent to 214,292 units in the year to April 2026, NMMA says. Used boats are about 80 percent of sales.
- Rules of the road
NOAA right whale speed rule: 10-knot limit covers most vessels 65 feet and up, review launched
NOAA's right whale speed rule binds most vessels of 65 feet and longer. A bid to cover boats over 35 feet was withdrawn; a review began in March 2026.
- Gear, kept honest
Onyx A/M-24 and M-16 inflatable life jackets: Boat Ed says inflatables are generally not for children under 16
Boat Ed says inflatable life jackets are generally not for children under 16. Onyx sells a vest and a belt pack that inflate only when triggered.
- Money & access
US Sailing names 11 programs for 2026 Reach Youth Engagement Grants
US Sailing named eleven youth sailing programs as 2026 Reach grant recipients. Its grants page requires 501(c)(3) non-profit applicants, as read November 1.