SAGA Yachts Names Bruckmann as Builder of Its Line of Performance Cruising Sailing Yachts

6 AUGUST 2010: J.J. Taylor & Sons Ltd., owner of the SAGA brand and Bruckmann Yachts, have entered into a strategic alliance to have the SAGA line of ocean cruising sailboats built by Bruckmann at their yard in Mississauga Ontario.
The SAGA line consists of the Bob Perry designed 35, 43 and 48 and the Tony Castro designed 409.  SAGA will offer the line on a semi-custom build-to-order basis to join the nearly 100 Saga vessels currently doing service around the globe. Read more!

Cowes Week Will Feature Showdown Between Ainslie and Spithill

26 JULY 2010: The two hottest match racing skippers in the world, TEAMORIGIN's Ben Ainslie, and BMW ORACLE Racing's James Spithill, will lead their teams contesting the 1851 Cup. Britain's TEAMORIGIN will be the be first potential challenger for the next America's Cup to race head-to-head with BMW ORACLE Racing, winners of the 33rd America's Cup. Read more!

Tips for Preparing Your Yacht for A Hurricane

17 JUNE 2010: The weather prognosticators are predicting an active Atlantic Hurricane Season and with a low pressure system having already formed off of the African Continent and is 500 miles east of the Lesser Antilles as of last night. So once again the US Coast Guard has strongly urged the maritime community and boating public to monitor the progress of each and every tropical storm and hurricane and take early action to protect themselves and their vessels.
Here are a few tips to help mariners protect themselves and their vessels while in marinas, at anchor or tied to the shore...Read More!

Abby Sunderland sets sights on new sailing attempt

14 JUNE 2010: Abby's adventure seems to be on every news station including the Weather Channel! Most of the negative press seems to be focuses on why the heck she's out there in the first place. Of course, the folks who are in an uproar about this particular question are not sailors, and certainly none of them have ever circumnavigated.  After being rescued Abby rejected criticism about her age and dismissed suggestions that she should not have tried to cross the Indian Ocean in winter.
"There are plenty of things people can think of to blame for my situation; my age, the time of year and many more," she wrote on her blog. Read Our Story.

Trazzler.com Teams Up With Seacology To Launch Contest

9 JUNE 2010: Can travel make us better people? Can it make the world a better place? Is it possible to make a positive contribution to a community just by having traveled there? The folks at Trazzler.com believe that smart travel can accomplish all of this—and more—and they want to put this idea to the test (and send two Trazzlers on a one-of-a-kind eco-adventure). This is your chance to share meaningful travel experiences that do good and go deeper. Read More!

Boat Rat's Tip of the Week: How To Heave-To

3 JUNE 2010: Hurricane Season is has officially begun and although we hope never to be caught by one, we need to know how to protect ourselves and our vessel in storms. When you are sailing in open water and need to stop the boat in order to make repairs, eat or otherwise take a break, heaving-to is the maneuver you and your crew must perform. As with everything in sailing, there is a process to it, but basically heaving to means to position the boat across the wind and....Read More!

2012 World ARC Entry List Now Open

2 JUNE 2010: World ARC, the round the world yacht rally, is gearing up for another circumnavigation with the announcement today by organisers World Cruising Club that the entry list has opened for the 2012 edition of this popular cruising rally. Billed as an adventure of a lifetime, World ARC 2012 will leave the Caribbean in January 2012, cruising across the World's great oceans on a circumnavigation of the globe, returning to the Caribbean 16 months later...Read MORE!

Cruising Compass Loves Navimatics with ActiveCaptain for iPhone/iPad

27 MAY 2010: This past week, Navimatics' iPhone and iPad apps - Charts&Tides, was released by Apple. The app includes full, integrated, offline and synchronized support for ActiveCaptain. It provides regions of seamless, quilted NOAA vector charts along with full offline support for ActiveCaptain's data. This is the first mobile software to include the full offline ActiveCaptain integration joining Coastal Explorer, MaxSea Time Zero, Furuno, and Nobeltec...Read More!

Meet BWS At: The Grand Opening Of West Marine's New Flagship Store in Newport, RI

26 MAY 2010: Join BWS at the Grand Opening of the new 23,000 square foot Flagship Store: located at 379 West Main Road in Middletown, RI, Thursday - June 10 through Sunday, June 13, 2010. Free Swag to first 100 people! Read More!

Airwego & Stray Dog Lost, Crews Rescued
25 MAY 2010: "Looks like we'll be coming home sooner than we thought," wrote Mike and Cindy Miller in an email to friends last week. The Tacoma, WA-based couple had to abandon their McIntosh 47 Airwego on May 13 after she was driven up on a Samoan reef. As they explain, "We were entering a narrow pass through the reef on Savai'i, when we hit bottom and were picked up by huge sea swells and driven farther onto the reef. Needless to say, our boat is a total loss." They were rescued by several Samoans and the crew of Charisma, with whom they were buddyboating.

Meanwhile, roughly 2,000 miles to the east, the crew of the British-flagged Westsail 32 Stray Dog began taking on water...Read More!

Cuba at Risk from Gulf Oil Spill

20 MAY 2010: The catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico from the BP Deepwater Horizon presents a potentially grave and unprecedented threat to Cuba's marine life and coastal areas. Not only would this be devastating to Cuba's marine life, but given the biological connections present in the Gulf of Mexico, such an impact could affect a myriad of species, including fish, sea turtles, dolphins, manatees, sharks, corals inhabiting the waters of the U.S., Mexico and beyond. Currents carry fish larvae from Cuba into U.S. waters, making protection of Cuba's coastal ecosystems vital to the health of U.S. fish populations. The primary risk to Cuba comes from the trajectory of the "Loop Current," a prominent but very variable feature of the Gulf of Mexico. Should the oil become swept up by the swift Loop Current, it could end up in Cuban waters within a matter of days, impacting coastal areas still recovering from the impacts of 2008 hurricanes, Gustav and Ike. Find out how you can help and Read More.

Cruisers Want To Know How Oil in Gulf Will Damage Their Engines

19 MAY 2010: "We are soon to move aboard and get the remaining finishing touches on our boat, our home port is Corpus Christi, TX. We are extremely concerned about the oil in the Gulf. This oil is not just on the surface as you all know, the dispersants etc. Have globs of oil, tar feet below the surface, plus the huge rivers of oil in the ocean currents at great depths. So the question is...how bad is this stuff for a fiberglass hull and what would happen if you motored through some of it would it be a big problem for the diesel and impeller, engine seawater system? Read More and find a comprehensive list of links to oil spill movement and tracking.

Just What Defines A Circumnavigation?

18 MAY 2010: In the wake of young Jessica Watson's completion of her circumnavigation, Abby Sunderland, also in the running, offered an excellent post on her website: Circumnavigation Facts includes all the possible definitions (yes, there are more than one!) as well as a terrific list of current attempts, completed circumnavigations and the record holders...Read More & Watch the Great Video!

Sailor Injured In Accidental Gibe Rescued In Pacific

16 MAY 2010: In another amazing rescue at sea, Mike Kalahar, and well-known sailor, was rescued from a boat about 1,400 miles southwest of La Paz, Mexico, when he sustained head and larynx injuries last month. The U.S. Coast Guard and California Air National Guard responded, sending four rescue workers via a C-130 “Hercules” aircraft to Kalahar, who was crewing aboard the sailing vessel Wind Child, a Beneteau 36.

Family Rescued From Yacht After Hitting Iceberg - Oyster Sinks

13 MAY 2010: A family's round-the-world yacht voyage almost ended in disaster after they hit an iceberg in the South Atlantic and were rescued by a warship. Carl Lomas and his wife Tracey Worth  - who call themselves Lord and Lady Hollinsclough  -  have sailed 16,000 miles around the globe but ran into trouble on Friday evening, 300 miles north-east of South Georgia after they hit a low-lying iceberg, known as a ''growler''.

Oil Spill Cleanup Tips For Boaters From Interlux and Awlgrip

12 MAY 2010: In the wake of what could be the largest oil spill in US history, leading yacht paint manufacturers Interlux and Awlgrip offer boaters in the impacted areas the following tips to help clean contaminated boats. INTERLUX GUIDELINES: TREATMENT OF ANTIFOULING CONTAMINATED WITH OIL...Read More!

Cruising Boaters Could Be Taxed For Staying Too Long In Some States

11 MAY 2010: Staying too long in one place can ruin a good thing. At least that's the case with boaters making lengthy journeys, who are finding themselves targets of cash-hungry states looking to balance their budgets. In most states, a privately owned recreational boat must be registered in the state where it is principally used, and any taxes paid to that state. A problem arises when the boat leaves this principal-use state and enters a new one, either for a long visit, extended cruise or lengthy repairs...Read More!

10 Ways To Help Keep Plastic Out Of Our Oceans

28 APR 2010: You've read about all the scary things out there in our oceans; Somali pirates, rogue waves, but how about the real dangers? Plastic. Imagine the massive breadth and spread of our great state of Texas. Now imagine every milli-inch of that piled high with trash: bottle caps, cigarettes, cigarette lighters, tampon applicators, plastic nets, discarded flip flops, Frisbees, soda bottles...Here's what you can do now, to lessen the amount of plastic that ends up in our oceans. Read More!

Shocking News About Inverter/Charger Installations!
Five Big Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make

28 APR 2010: Just recently, Xantrex began a short series of informative pieces on issues that affect most cruisers. The series called Tech Doctor will cover everything from boat construction and repair to engineering issues that relate to industry standards. We thought you'd like to read this one on Inverter/Charger Installations.

Charter Racing at Antigua Sailing Week - A Report from On The Water

27 APR 2010: Have you ever dreamed of racing at ASW? SafePassageSailing's, Randee Fowler sent this update from on the water at Antigua Sailing Week.
"We came in 4th overall in our class (I think there were 15 boats) for the 50 mile Round the Island Race on Sunday. The three training days Brian Thompson conducted certainly paid off! He's a gem and a great coach!" You don't even have to own a boat, or even be an accomplished sailor. Click HERE to watch the Exciting Video!

Abby Sunderland Detours to Cape Town, SA for Repairs

26 APR 2010: Although some media reports have stated that teen sailor Abby Sunderland has abandoned her circumnavigation, according to her website today, she is continuing on after a brief repair stop in Cape Town.

Clean Your Boat The Green Way

22 APR 2010: In honor of Earth Day 40, the Cruising Compass offers readers a chance to clean up their act in one fell swoop. Out with the bad and in with the good products - courtesy of GreenBoating.com. CLICK HERE to see the wide variety of common cleaning products. Along with their name is a brief description of how they harm the environment and for the link to Alternative Cleaning Solutions.

Travel chaos from volcanic ash cloud affects Cruisers
19 APR 2010: As the huge ash cloud from an Icelandic volcano
spreads out across Europe this past week, a massive disruption in
air travel on a scale not seen since the September 11 attacks is
now costing airlines hundreds of millions of dollars...Read More!

Interior Secretary Announces Major Boating Grants for Nine States

16 APR 2010: Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced the award of more than $12 million in competitive grants to ten states ranging from Oregon to Florida for 13 boating infrastructure projects. The grants, which will help fund construction of docks, boat slips and other facilities to support recreational boating, are made available through the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) program...Read More!

Learning and Networking at Women's Sailing Conference, June 5

14 APR 2010: Whether one is new to sailing or looking to sharpen racing starts or navigation skills, the ninth annual Women's Sailing Conference has something for everyone as the event returns to Corinthian Yacht Club in scenic Marblehead, MA, on Saturday, June 5. The learning event is for women only. Sponsored by BoatUS and organized by the National Women's Sailing Association, conference topics include introduction to sailing and racing, diesel engine troubleshooting, boat systems, knots, charting, crew overboard, night sailing, suddenly single-handed, spinnakers and more...Read More!

 

Big Change to the Nation's Gasoline Supply Awaits EPA Approval

13 APR 2010: This summer, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will decide on whether to allow a 50% increase in the amount of ethanol in the nation's gasoline supply, from the current E10 (or containing 10% ethanol) up to E15 (containing 15% ethanol). Boat Owners Association of The United States, the nation's largest boat owners group, is concerned...Read More!

Viking RescYou Liferaft Saves Five Sailors in Baja Ha-Ha Rally

12 APR 2010:The annual Baja Ha-Ha cruiser rally from San Diego, California, to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, turned into a life threatening situation for five, San Francisco-based, J/World Performance Sailing School participants.  Thanks to fast-thinking crew members, an eight-person Viking RescYou liferaft and the United States Coast Guard, they're all alive today after their 40' J/120 J World sunk, 60 miles offshore...Read More!

Chicago to Mac Race Sells out with 375 boat fleet

08 APR 2010: The Chicago Yacht Club announced today that the 102nd Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, Presented by Veuve Clicquot is sold out at 375 paid entries...Read More!

Blue Water Sailing Sponsors Seminars at Strictly Sail Pacific – April 15-18

01 APR 2010: Strictly Sail Pacific returns to its former exclusive sail-only format at the newly renovated Jack London Square, Oakland, CA from April 15 – 18, 2010. Once again, Blue Water Sailing Magazine will be sponsoring the Seminar Series including more than 100 sessions, during the Show. Two Seminars that should not be missed are...Read MORE!

Growing Somali Piracy Zone Results in NewAnti-Piracy Guidelines

31 MAR 2010: Warnings of an expected increase in pirate attacks in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden were given by Royal Navy sources at a briefing in London last week. A spokesman stated that the number of vessels currently being held by pirates pending ransom negotiations stood at six, roughly half the level experienced over the past year and new targets were likely to be sought. The spokesman further warned that pirates are now ranging ever further across the Somali Basin. “We cannot rule out the possibility of attacks occurring as far east as the coast of India and as far south as Madagascar” he said...Read More!

New Safety Laws for Older Charter Boats 2010

30 MAR 2010: If you operate a charter boat or "vessel for profit" and are planning to travel through the British Virgin Islands soon, take heed of the marine regulations. As of February 1, 2010, the BVIs have begun enforcing a more stringent set of safety requirements for "small commercial sailing and motor vessels." This includes not only boats that operate out of BVI ports, but also those that are passing through the territory's waters. All are expected to be in compliance with The Merchant Shipping (Safety of Commercial Sailing and Motor Vessels) Regulations, which were issued in 2004...Read More!

New Veleros de Baja Sailing Club Rocks La Paz

29 MAR 2010: Veleros de Baja - a new club promoting recreational sailboat racing and sailing events in the southern Sea of Cortez has organized some great sailing events in Baja. There are some fine events planned again this year. To see the whole list and links to all, Click Here!

Pre-Register to Win Big at the 2010 BVI Spring Regatta

25 MAR 2010: Not many people would turn down a chance to win up to $350 in drink tickets. That is just what one lucky skipper, who has pre-registered his boat for BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival can win.

Miami Once Again On The World Racing Circuit

24 MAR 2010: Wednesday 24 March 2010, 16:30 GMT - Miami will make a return to the Volvo Ocean Race by hosting the start of the transatlantic leg to Lisbon for the 2011-12 edition of the event.
In the formal bidding process, introduced by race organisers for the first time, Miami fought off tough competition from a number of North American rivals in its quest to win back the stopover previously staged in 2001-02...Read More!

16 Canadians rescued from grounded yacht in Galapagos Islands

22 MAR 2010: Sixteen Canadian tourists and eight Ecuadorean crew members were rescued from a yacht that ran aground in the Galapagos Islands, officials said Thursday.  No injuries were reported in the Wednesday evening rescue by navy and national park vessels, which the 140-foot (46-meter) yacht's operator described as "safe and orderly." All were taken to nearby Santa Cruz island, where the operator, Quasar Expeditions, was transferring them to other boats to finish their tour of the archipelago,,,Read More!

Fiji declares disaster as Cyclone Tomas Devastates Islands, Now Headed for Tonga!

16 MAR 2010: Cyclone Tomas, classified as a category-four cyclone (the second most destructive on a five-point scale) is battering Fiji, with winds averaging up to 95 knots ( 175km/hr). The storm was classified as a category-four cyclone - the second most destructive on a five-point scale - with winds averaging up to 109 miles an hour, the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) said. The cyclone was expected to intensify in the next 48 hours, with average wind speeds rising significantly. We have a first-hand account from CC Contributor Jim Bandy on ALSO Island, in the hardest hit Lau Group...Read More!

Round The World Race Skipper Safely Medevaced

16 MAR 2010: After sustaining a fracture to his right leg on the tenth day of Race 7, Piers Dudin, Skipper of Hull & Humber has been safely medevaced by the Japanese Coastguard. The 50 metre rescue vessel is now motoring towards Japan where it will rendezvous with a larger vessel which has a helicopter that will airlift the skipper to the city of Sendai, approximately two hours north of Tokyo...Read More!

Ohio Woman claims record for solo row across Atlantic

15 MAR 2010: After 70 days adrift in the Atlantic Ocean, up to 10 hours a day spent rowing and the rest of the time alone with her thoughts and endless water, Katie Spotz faced her greatest challenge at the last moment of her record-breaking journey.  The 22-year-old American rower has completed a solo journey across the Atlantic Ocean, touching a pier in the coffee-brown waters off Guyana to claim a record as the youngest person to accomplish such a crossing... Read More!

Cruising Between the US, Bahamas or the Caribbean? Make Reentry a Breeze with the Local Boater Option

10 MAR 2010: What is the Local Boater Option?
The Local Boater Option (LBO) is, according to a release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a part of their “comprehensive effort to improve security at our nation’s borders while enhancing legitimate travel, including private boaters.” What this means is that boaters can register with CPB, and then phone-in their entry into the U.S. from a foreign country, instead of reporting in person. Find out Who is Eligible? Why You Should Sign Up? And, Where?...Read More!

Simrad Yachting Launches Spring Sales Event

09 MAR 2010: Simrad Yachting, the market leader in marine electronics for recreational boating, announced today a limited-time Spring Sales Event promotion that provides cash rebates on its most popular products. Beginning March 1, 2010 through May 31, 2010, consumers who purchase qualified Simrad Yachting marine electronics from an authorized dealer will receive cash rebates on a number of Displays, Autopilots, Radar and More! To see the entire list, CLICK HERE!

'The Cove' Wins, 'Avatar' Loses at 2010 Oscars

08 MAR 2010: Marine life fared well on Sunday night at the 82nd Academy Awards held in Los Angeles. The Cove, a movie which has been called the scariest and most important dolphin movie you'll ever see, won the Oscar for Best Documentary. The Japan hunting town which was villainously depicted in the film, is already bitter about the Oscar win...Read More!

Les Sables d'Olonne and Other French Marinas Devastated by Storm

03 MAR 2010: Xynthia, the storm that roared out of the Atlantic over the weekend and battered the coast of Western Europe from Portugal north to the Netherlands, had a confirmed death toll of 62 as of Monday morning. In Les Sables d'Olonne, locals reported massive damage to the docks, some of which have been pushed ashore by massive surges. Yacht have been sunk, dismasted, ended up on land or were impaled. In La Rochelle there was similar damage - trees were uprooted and 30ft high waves surged inland as the storm swept eastwards across the country. Wind speeds of 100 mph were recorded...Read More and see the amazing photos!

"Rag of the Air" SSB Net Loses its Chief

01 MAR 2010: Jim Bandy has just announced that he is "giving up" The Rag of the Air SSB Net. The "Rag" is the best SSB net for Fiji is on 8173 KHz at 7am local (1900z) was run by Bandy for the past 10 years.  Jim & Kyoko Bandy aboard ALSO II, arrived in the Lau Island Group of Fiji in December of 2001 and began one of the toughest ongoing humanitarian projects in these parts...Read More!

Tsunami Warnings Stretch Across The Pacific After Huge Earthquake In Chile

27 FEB 2010: A nervous Pacific ring of fire nations were on high alert this morning for towering waves generated by a killer earthquake in Chile.
The tsunami was racing across the Pacific Ocean towards the US state of Hawaii and Asia at around 720kmph - more than the speed of a jet plane.Fifty-three countries from New Zealand to Japan, comprising a quarter of the globe, have,,,Read More!

Health Tips for Sailors - Sailors and Shoulder Problems

26 FEB 2010: "Having recently retired from the McGuire VA Hospital," writes Richard Brisner, an Occupational Therapist/Shoulder Specialist, "and being a sailor, I thought it might be helpful to offer some of my expertise regarding common shoulder problems and their treatment. The primary reason for most shoulder pain is a muscle imbalance. This often occurs as we age, regardless of whether there is a known trauma or not. As the rotator cuff and scapula stabilizer muscles weaken, the stronger deltoid muscle creates a problem called “impingement” as we take the arm above 90 degrees and/or lie on it in a certain way at night...Read MORE!

ActiveCaptain X – New & Improved!

24 FEB 2010: One year in development, over 200,000 lines of software, immeasurable input from our Captains, and the newest version of ActiveCaptain's interactive cruising guidebook interface is complete. This is a major overhaul to the website - new user interface, new features, new markers. Now improved with easier updating and better satellite imagery, NOAA charts and more search options. Now when you select the Interactive Cruising Guidebook tab you will see the new interface with new features. What won't be different is the free access to over fifty thousand marinas, anchorages, local knowledge markers, hazards, and reviews...Read More!

Training Tallship Concordia sinks off Brazil

21 FEB 2010: 48 students and the 16 professional crew and teachers from the Concordia, which sank 300 miles off the coast of Brazil, have been rescued successfully. The Canadian-based student ship sank off the coast of Brazil on Friday but all 64 passengers have been rescued, according to news reports. The tall ship SV Concordia sank about 345 miles (555 kilometers) off the coast of Rio de Janeiro in rough seas on Thursday night. All 64 passengers and crew had been safely rescued by the Brazilian navy...Read More!

Cyclone Rene Pounds Tonga, Just In: Photos of the Cruising Fleet Weathering Storm.

15 FEB 2010: Fellow cruisers and friends of the CC onboard S/V Carina, are anchored in Vava'u and were able to get this report out:

"We are all safe. Vava'u was the lucky recipient of a direct hit by Hurricane Rene with winds gusting to 125 knots. For 26-27 hours winds were over gale force...Read More!

2010 Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail Report

13 FEB 2010: Day One: I’m off to the Miami Beach Convention Center for my first take on the show. I’ve got a couple of hours to kill before the Marine Marketers of America meeting. Where's the shutle?...Read More!

America's Cup Racing: Day Two - Canceled Again

10 FEB 2010: Blue Water Sailing's man on the ground in Valencia, Chris Bouzaid, is a world champion racer, circumnavigator and former president of Hood Sails International who has been involved in numerous America's Cup campaigns... Read Chris'Exclusive report!

Fitting Out for World Cruising – Part V: Galley and Interior Spaces

9 FEB 2010: The Cruising Compass continues its series of interviews with world cruiser & West Marine's Outfitting Specialist – Pam Wall. 

Cruising Compass: What type of galley layout is best on a blue water cruising boat? 
Pam Wall: After many years of sailing, and cooking aboard at anchor and at sea, I can truthfully agree that a U shaped galley onboard a sailing vessel is almost essential.  There are a few things that make that U even more efficient and safe, and yet I do not see many of these ideas in current production boats.  Let me list just a few good ideas for you to think about when planning galleys...Read MORE!

Why Your Shouldn't Miss the Miami International Boat Show & Strictly Sail!

8 FEB 2010: Get Your 2-for-1 Tickets from BWS!
The Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail - the largest of the U.S. winter shows – gets underway this week and runs Feb. 11-15 at the Miami Beach Convention Center and Sea Isle Marina and Yachting Center...Read More and get your discount tickets!

Meet the luckiest sailor alive

2 FEB 2010: Dennis Clements, battling gale-force winds and 30-foot seas for four days, was tossed from his Cal 39, Gloria A Dios, about 250 miles east of Cape Hatteras, N.C.
"I couldn't see anything," says Clements, recounting the Jan. 2 incident. "These were big waves, man, and it was dark and the wind was blowing like 40 knots. I was just floating there, trying to conserve heat." Clements started to pray...Read More and watch the video!

Managing the Waterway Electronic Chart DVD Celebrates 5th Year

27 JAN 2010: Managing the Waterway cruising guide authors, Mark and Diana Doyle, have released their fifth annual update of Managing the Waterway: Complete Electronic Chart and Nautical Reference Library (2-DVD Set)...Go to the full story for their great offer to BWS Readers!

Abby Sunderland sets course on a record

26 JAN 2010: Abby Sunderland left Marina del Rey on Saturday in her dramatic effort to be the youngest person to circumnavigate the world alone.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Laurence Sunderland said of his children:
“As they grow into young adults and they have different talents and different passions, it’s great to be able to encourage them in something that’s noble and of good character, and help them with those ambitions as opposed to throwing water on the flames of excitement in life.”...Read More!

Lin and Larry Pardey to Receive Cruising Club of America's 2009 Far Horizons Award

22 JAN 2010: The Cruising Club of America has selected Lin and Larry Pardey to receive its prestigious 2009 Far Horizons Award in recognition of their lifetime of cruising and voyaging. The award will be presented on March 5, 2010 by CCA Commodore Sheila McCurdy (Middletown, R.I.) during the club’s annual Awards Dinner at the New York Yacht Club, in New York...Read More!

SCYA Women's Sailing Convention Kicks Off Feb. 6

21 JAN 2010: The premier sailing convention for women is set to launch on Saturday, Feb. 6 at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club in Corona del Mar, CA. Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatU.S.) is primary sponsor of the 21st Annual Women's Sailing Convention , presented by the Southern California Yachting Association (SCYA)...To find out how to get Tickets - Click Here!

New Boating Laws for the New Year

20 JAN 2010: Over the past several weeks we've noticed a few new boating laws announced or enacted across the US. If you don't see your boating community listed here, don't worry, we'll update you as new laws crop up near you...Read More!

Innovative Megayacht Sailing Rigs Proposed

18 JAN 2010: The most breathtaking new superyachts run on wind power and some very innovative sailing rigs are being proposed. In the good times, superyachts were symbols of confidence and success. Now they are looking more like signs of greed and arrogance that burn fossil fuels in huge quantities and spread pollution in sensitive marine habitats...Read More!

Find Blue Water Sailing at the Chicago Strictly Sail!

13 JAN 2010: Going to Strictly Sail Chicago? Look for Blue Water Sailing at booth # 383 and get 2-for-1 tickets as well as hotel discounts through BWS Click Here for your Discounts!

Sea Shepherds Trimaran Sunk by Japanese Whaling Security Ship

12 JAN 2010: The Sea Shepherd trimaran has now sunk. Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson said the Ady Gil (formerly Earthrace) went down shortly before 8:30am AEDT today (January 7) while it was being towed to an island. Watch the video which clearly shows the Sonan Maru 2 running down the Ady Gil and breaking off its bow...Read (and see) MORE!

Census says boating remains popular in U.S.

11 JAN 2010: This winter is turning out to be frigid indeed and with that cold reaching south as far as Florida with record-breaking low temps, it's no wonder that boat shows are becoming popular again. They are happening all over the country, more proof that the U.S. Census Bureaus' report that boating remains a popular pastime in the U.S., is right-on...Read More!

Fitting Out for World Cruising – Part IV: Dinghy and Outboard

7 JAN 2010: This month, we continue our Fitting Out For World Cruising Series of interviews with West Marine Outfitter – Pam Wall. So far we've covered the basics: Rigging, Ground Tackle and Comfort and Safety Below Decks. This week, our series continues with your Dinghy and Outboard...Read More!

Boat damaged in anti-whaling clash in Antarctica

6 JAN 2010: A conservation group's boat had its bow sheared off and was taking on water Wednesday after it was struck by a Japanese whaling ship in the frigid waters of Antarctica, the group said. The sister-ship to EarthRace,- the Ady Gil - a high-tech speedboat that resembles a stealth bomber - was hit by the Japanese ship the Shonan Maru...Read More and Watch the Video!

New pictures reveal rich Antarctic marine life in area of rapid climate change

6 JAN 2010: New photographs of ice fish, octopus, sea pigs, giant sea spiders, rare rays and beautiful basket stars that live in Antarctica’s continental shelf seas are revealed this week by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS)...Read More!

Best Job in the World? Perhaps Only in Theory!

5 JAN 2010: This time last year the hottest sailing news was going viral. The headline read: "Wanted- one 'island caretaker', must be able to swim and willing to move to Hamilton in Australia's tropical Whitsundays. Flexible hours. Pay - $150,000 for six months." From the response the website received (almost 200,000 visited the site in the first 24 hours and over 34,000 applications were processed), it sounded too good to be true...Read More!

Spectacular Awards Ceremony Ends ARC2009

4 JAN 2010: The curtain fell on the 24th ARC last night at a lavish awards ceremony held at Gaiety Nightclub in Gros Islet, close to where the fleet have been arriving at IGY Rodney Bay Marina, St. Lucia. Hundreds of participants had remained or returned to St. Lucia for the prizegiving ceremony, which started as crews gathered in the gardens of the venue to enjoy a rum punch to the sounds of a local steel band. With so many prizes to present the awards ceremony is in two parts, many of the fun prizes being awarded in Part One...Read More!

New Florida Boating Education Law Started Jan. 1st

2 JAN 2010: Effective Friday, January 1, 2010, Florida boat operators born on or after January 1, 1988 must complete and pass an approved boating safety education course to operate a motorboat of 10 horsepower or more.,,Read More!

1 JAN 2010: HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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