In the age of cell phones, satellite phones and long-distance HAM/SSB radios, your marine VHF radio is still the most basic, foundational, go-to electronic communication device on your vessel. But […] The post Masthead VHF antennas first appeared on Ocean Navigator ..read more

​While many of the latest generation of ocean cruisers enjoy the ease that comes with an electronic autopilot, many die-hard sailors still depend on a windvane self-steering system, which requires […] The post Pre-voyage inspection of windvane self-steering first appeared on Ocean Navigator ..read more

While we are underway offshore, wondering what the clouds above have in store for us, it is comforting to know there are electronic resources available to help us make crucial […] The post Weather data for a safe passage first appeared on Ocean Navigator ..read more

A circumnavigation and dozens of coastal cruises gradually turned the new, 8-ounce Dacron polyster mainsail I purchased back in 2000 into a flimsy, dirty, patched, salt-encrusted quilt, finally forcing me […] The post Breaking in a New Mainsail first appeared on Ocean Navigator ..read more

Cruising on our vessels along the coast or on the high seas is exciting, but sometimes we require a bit of entertainment to fill the hours between conversations with crew and other fellow cruisers in VHF and HF radio conversations. A remote-controlled stereo system with wireless speakers is an easy, affordable way to bring some extra cheer aboard while we count the nautical miles left to our next anchorage. Before you shop for a stereo system, keep in mind some stereos include speakers while others do not. If you already have dependable, waterproof speakers mounted out on deck, then all you ne ..read more

Jane and Harry with AGLCA Gold Burgee. Much has been written about boating on the St. Lawrence River—mostly mis-informed or outdated information, as we soon learned. In summer of 2023, we cruised the St. Lawrence River between Quebec City and Montreal and the Ottawa River to Ottawa, and we are pleased to report the entire trip was a delight. READ MORE >> The post Cruising Quebec City, Montreal and Ottawa first appeared on Ocean Navigator ..read more

Above: The Monel mousing wire prevents the shackle pin from unscrewing. The sharp, twisted end of the mousing wire is bent back under the mousing, too, so I can’t poke myself with the wire. Center: The thimble on the three-strand nylon is an open stainless steel design. Not ideal, it would be better to use a welded or closed, galvanized thimble. Below: The chain stopper horizontal pin and pawl are removed when passing the shackle through and replaced when the nylon is back in the chain locker. On board Beetle, with her 8-foot draft, I like to anchor in 30 feet of water when possible. This ofte ..read more

The Raymarine i40 i40 Depth Instrument comes complete with a thru-hull transducer. A critically important piece of equipment for all vessels, both coastal and offshore is a depth sounder. On many boats, standing watch today means shifting effortlessly through full-color screens showing GPS mapping, depth sounder/fish finder, anemometer, radar and other features through an NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000 or open source network. However, sailors who depend on paper charts and minimal electronics—VHF radio, handheld GPS and a stand-alone depth sounder—are still making successful ocean passages, blissfully i ..read more

The Sailrite Workhorse portable sewing machine is the choice of many offshore sailors. The tools The sewing machine onboard Beetle is a Sailrite LSZ1, essentially a walking-foot upholstery machine with straight and zig-zag (but not Federal 308, four-point stitch), which handles threads from Tex 30 to 135 for repairs in everything from spinnakers to the mainsail. Fortunately, I have not had to make many sail repairs underway, the exceptions being a damaged light-air staysail and the No. 2 genoa. However, the machine does get used at anchor for building and repairing all sorts of fabric componen ..read more

Dawn and Stephen Bell underway aboard their Leopard 48 catamaran, Pilar. Stephen and Dawn Bell enjoy the cruising life aboard their Leopard 48 Catamaran Pilar, having cruised down the East Coast and into the Windward Islands of the Caribbean. The Bells emphasize the critical importance of always putting safety first while planning and undertaking ocean voyages. They prioritize safety not only in their manner of coastal and offshore sailing, but also in the emergency gear they select for use in a crisis. Both Stephen and Dawn have received some formal medical training, so when someone gets ..read more