If you click on my affiliates/advertisers links, I’m going to receive a tiny commission (at no extra cost to you) and you’ll help keep Saltwater Journal going. Thanks! The wind blows wherever it likes, so you need to know how to use its energy in your boat sails to get you from A to B, as easily as possible. While you can’t control the true direction of the wind, you can control the position of your boat and sails in relation to it. This relationship between sail boat direction and wind is known as the points of sails. Knowing these points is crucial for effectively and safely manoeuvring and ..read more

Time to up your photography game If you click on my affiliates/advertisers links, I’m going to receive a tiny commission (at no extra cost to you) and you’ll help keep Saltwater Journal going. Thanks! This is how you take your scenic adventure content to the next level. DJI released the Mini 2 in 2020 and three years later it’s still the best affordable small drone available for the money shots and all round experience. It’s easy to fly, has a long flight time, and takes stunning footage. If you want to buy for a drone that’s perfect for your outdoor adventures, without breaking the bank — th ..read more

If you click on my affiliates/advertisers links, I’m going to receive a tiny commission (at no extra cost to you) and you’ll help keep Saltwater Journal going. Thanks! A dark and cramped interior can make even the most luxurious boat feel uninviting and unappealing. If you’re sitting downstairs surrounded by dark wood without a lot of natural light, and the vibe is about as good as a cold dungeon, you want to know “How do I make it better than this?”. Now while a boat’s primary function is practical — stay afloat, keep us safe and transport us from A to B. It’s natural as human beings (especi ..read more

Here’s the best gloves to suit your sailing If you click on my affiliates/advertisers links, I’m going to receive a tiny commission (at no extra cost to you) and you’ll help keep Saltwater Journal going. Thanks! Sailing gloves – to wear, or not to wear, that is the question! Ask around sailors for the answer and you’ll typically get an enthusiastic “yes love ‘em, wear them all the time”, or “nope never do”.  Naturally, I wanted to explore both sides of this – so that you have all the information you need to find the right gloves for you. There’s no doubt that sailing is an exciting and a ..read more

If you click on my affiliates/advertisers links, I’m going to receive a tiny commission (at no extra cost to you) and you’ll help keep Saltwater Journal going. Thanks! Overview Whitianga is a welcome stop while sailing on the East Coast of Aotearoa // New Zealand. With a superb marina right beside a cool little township, and reknowned white sandy Coromandel beaches on your doorstep, this is a great place to refresh, explore and reprovision. We loved it so much we wanted to stay longer! It’s a popular place in summer, so book ahead if you’re wanting a Marina visitor’s berth, but there’s usuall ..read more

Knowing the right time to wear shoes, and the best footwear to be safe and comfy is part of a great sailing experience If you click on my affiliates/advertisers links, I’m going to receive a tiny commission (at no extra cost to you) and you’ll help keep Saltwater Journal going. Thanks! It only takes one stubbed toe on deck to make you wish you’d worn shoes. Or worse, a near-miss slip overboard that scares the daylights out of you. But even if you’re just heading out on a gentle summer's day sail, or for a cruisey harbour trip on a friend’s launch — you’ll likely ask yourself, what are the bes ..read more

Polar bear — the face of climate change If you click on my affiliates/advertisers links, I’m going to receive a tiny commission (at no extra cost to you) and you’ll help keep Saltwater Journal going. Thanks! It’s actually pretty depressing — the fact that since humans arrived on land in New Zealand, over half of our native birds have gone extinct and researchers have found it would take 50 million years to recover them. And that’s only one affect of human existence, from one small corner of the world. If you’re watching global news of polar ice caps melting and island communities vulnerable t ..read more

Underwater holds an incredible marine ecosystem. If you click on my affiliates/advertisers links, I’m going to receive a tiny commission (at no extra cost to you) and you’ll help keep Saltwater Journal going. Thanks! Let’s be honest. The ‘best’ ‘reef safe’ sunscreen for the ocean is none at all — no contamination whatsoever from our products. But realistically, we love swimming in the sea and being in and part of the ocean is a way of life and enjoyment. Sadly, research has shown that every year an estimated 14,000 tons of sunscreen ended up on coral reefs across the world. So, we each need t ..read more

We love our Gill Coastal jackets If you click on my affiliates/advertisers links, I’m going to receive a tiny commission (at no extra cost to you) and you’ll help keep Saltwater Journal going. Thanks! Keeping yourself dry and warm at sea is key to both your enjoyment and wellbeing so the sailing jacket is one of the most essential pieces of clothing you’ll need. And don’t under-estimate how often you may pull this out during summer! Even in warm climates, as soon as the rain hits you’ll be wanting protection — especially if you’re on helm and can’t hide down below. As with all my clothing re ..read more

If you click on my affiliates/advertisers links, I’m going to receive a tiny commission (at no extra cost to you) and you’ll help keep Saltwater Journal going. Thanks! Buying a boat’s a huge investment regardless of your budget. Naturally you want to know that you’ve looked everywhere possible, found a great boat and got a good deal. So where’s the best place to search for your dream boat? And what are the ins and outs of buying a boat overseas? Read on for a comprehensive list of all the places you can search for used boats. And some unmissable tips to save you from making expensive mistakes ..read more