Sustainable Boating: Top Tips More and more cruisers are trying to lead more sustainable lives on the water these days. Being so close to the sea and the wildlife that inhabits it makes us feel more conscious about our footprint. It makes sense.  We don’t produce the kind of waste and pollution cruise ships or even ferries do. Yet, we can see the oil near our outboard or the dish soap near a thru hull on the surface of the water on a daily basis. It’s not easy to ignore.  So we’ve decided to share our top tips to becoming sustainable cruisers. There are many ways to contribute to a ..read more

Planning an offshore passage Thinking about your very first offshore passage can be unnerving. There is so much to plan and research; even the most confident sailor can have doubts and worries. The time you spend getting ready is very well spent, as it will make you more confident and better-prepared. Research the route Find out where to leave from and where to land, as well as any seasonal weather patterns. You can start from reading Jimmy Cornell’s book World Cruising Routes. Read up on the topic many months in advance so you can plan for next year and you’ll know what to do once you r ..read more

Going ashore for cruisers Getting off the boat seems the easiest, most natural thing there is to the new cruiser. Yet, this is not always the case. That’s why we decided to write this article. If you plan to cruise for longer than a few weeks at a time, you will need to factor in anchoring out (or using moorings) quite often. Most people don’t have the budget to head to a marina every other day. This means that getting to shore can be a little challenging at times, especially when the sea is rough. Granted – going to a dock is the easiest way to get off the boat. You can simply lock up and s ..read more

How to save fuel under engine We’re all trying to save on fuel these days, both on land and on the water. Prices have gone through the roof, and leading a lower-emission lifestyle is becoming more and more important to many sailors. Thankfully, sailboats can use the wind to move much of the time. Yet, we can’t always hoist the sails due to wind and sea conditions. Things to know Bear in mind that, as a rule of thumb, fuel consumption goes through the roof as you reach hull speed. At hull speed, fuel economy is at least half than it is at 70% hull speed. On a windless day, if you want to ..read more

Understanding weather bulletins and models When you live on a sailboat, even if it’s only for a few months a year, your life is heavily influenced by the weather. The anchorages you choose, when you need to move bay, the quality of your sleep at night, when it’s safe to go to shore, … all of these things are affected by the wind, tide, and swell. For this reason, you need to constantly keep an eye on the forecast. Checking marine weather apps daily is a great start, but things get a lot easier if you learn how to understand weather patterns, read weather bulletins, interpret different models ..read more

Night sailing for first timers Coastal sailing is a lot of fun and allows you to admire land from your boat, which is often breathtaking. You could, in theory, stay close to the coast while cruising for years. Think about circumnavigating Australia or the Mediterranean. However, if you ever hope to sail to islands or to cover a bit more distance, you will need to go on offshore passages every now and then.  We were all nervous before embarking on our very first night sail. Sailing without sunlight can be intimidating even for the more confident sailors. Your visibility is much diminishe ..read more

How to inspect your sails Being able to recognise when a sail needs some TLC can save its life. If you’re a coastal cruiser, imagine what could happen if a sudden gust hit a sail with a weak point. If you sail long-distances, you may not be aware that you’re about to lose a sail in the middle of an ocean crossing. And in most cases, some regular maintenance would have prevented it from happening. It’s very important you keep a close eye on your sails regularly. Wear and tear can appear at any moment and how quickly you take action will determine the risk of losing the sail. There are two kin ..read more

What instruments do I need on my sailboat? If you were to look at a marine electronics website, you’d think you need to spend thousands and thousands of Dollars/Pounds/Euros on marine instruments. The latest technology adds lots of innovations that can make a sailor’s life much easier (and their wallet lighter).  However, many of these novelties aren’t necessary for being a good skipper. Seamanship is all about good judgment based on solid knowledge and the understanding that there is always more to learn. Having all the latest instruments can give you a false sense of security – you ma ..read more

Should you own or charter a sailboat? You’ve learned how to sail, you’ve taken your license or certificate, and you’re ready to sail more. Now you wonder whether you should charter a boat or buy one. It’s not an easy choice to make. There are many factors that need to be carefully considered. Let’s try to weigh the pros and cons of each option objectively. Chartering a sailboat Chartering a sailboat is a great way to experience the boat life without making a huge investment into a vessel. If, however, you intend to charter long-term, you need to figure out if it’s worth it, based on how ..read more

Common anchoring problems solved If you are going full-time cruising, you will need to spend a lot of time at anchor, especially if you’re visiting remote places. Granted, it won’t always be 100% comfortable. Storms, big swell, and unforecast wind direction changes can make it an almost unbearable experience at times. There will be days when it won’t be safe to get off the boat, if you can’t head into a marina on time. However, you can enjoy being on the hook most days, as long as you are confident in your anchor and know how to get comfortable. You don’t need to hop from marina to marina al ..read more