Cruising Compass

CRUISING SHOT OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Beth Mohr for this beautiful tropical shot taken during a lunch stop at Sandy Cay, BVI while on a charter!

BROAD REACHING with Andrew Cross

Out There

A lone sailboat occupied the harbor when we came around the point. From a distance it looked traditional, hearty with a double-ender appearance. I slowed down as we passed astern to admire her fit and finish. A Tahiti ketch design built of steel, it could, and probably had, logged thousands of cruising miles. The stern read Port Townsend, WA. “A boat like this would fit perfectly in Port Townsend,” I thought while glancing back towards our bow.

Two days later when we returned from a hike, a gorgeous 70-foot powerboat had increased our two boat party by one. Her gracious owners enthusiastically invited us to join them for the Seahawks game and they were fantastic hosts. With a large flat screen TV, comfy couches and every amenity of home, it was a great time and fun to hear tales of their many cruising adventures. And though all three boats in the harbor were quite different, it just proved once again that what you have aboard to suit your vision of cruising comfort is entirely up to you. Because when you’re actually out here, nobody’s keeping score.

Enjoy this week’s edition.

Dock Talk

Dock Talk 0
A Peaceful Setting in Mexico Run By a Former Cruising Couple

If you’re searching for extreme tranquility in Mexico, in our opinion you don’t have to look farther than the Jardin del Pulpo — the Octopus’ Garden — in ...
On January 22, 2015 / By Andrew Cross
Dock Talk 0
Family Trying to Pick Up the Pieces after Rescue from Sinking Catamaran

Arranging to fly his family home to Queensland, Australia, was not how Alf Meads was supposed to spend his Thursday. He was supposed to be in the Bahamas ...
On January 22, 2015 / By Andrew Cross
Dock Talk 0
Divers Think They’ve Found the ‘Holy Grail of Great Lakes Shipwrecks’

In mid-1679, out there somewhere in the waters of Lake Michigan, the first full-sized sailing ship to ever hit the waters of the Great Lakes vanished, taking with it ...
On January 21, 2015 / By Andrew Cross
Dock Talk 0
Spanish Maritime & Navigation Rate Affecting Cruisers in the Canaries

Very briefly, the majority of costs incurred by the Spanish Maritime Safety and Rescue Agency (Sociedad de Salvamento y Seguridad Marítima (SASEMAR)) were being found to be covered ...
On January 21, 2015 / By Andrew Cross
Dock Talk 0
Coast Guard and Marine Corps Rescues Two Sailors and a Dog

U.S. Coast Guard and Marine Corps helicopter crews rescued two people and a dog Sunday from a grounded sailboat near Beaufort, North Carolina (watch video). Watchstanders at Coast ...
On January 21, 2015 / By Andrew Cross
Dock Talk 0
Life After Cruising and the Habits That Stick

Here’s a nice article from Spinsheet.com on returning home from an extended cruise… In all the reading I’ve done about living the cruising dream, I haven’t often read ...
On January 15, 2015 / By Andrew Cross

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SURVEY QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Before reading on, please complete this week’s survey.

Do you have a sailing related New Years resolution?

Thanks to last week’s respondents: When asked if they listened to sailing related podcasts, 21% of respondents said they do, 67% said they do not and 12% said, “what’s a podcast?”

BOAT RAT’S TIP OF THE WEEK

Boat Rat's Tip of the Week 0
A Guide to Life Rafts, Their Equipment, Storage and Deployment

Here’s the first part in a two part series on life rafts: Nationally known safety-at-sea expert Chuck Hawley gives us a ...
On January 21, 2015 / By Andrew Cross
Boat Rat's Tip of the Week 0
How to Share Your Sailing Experiences Using Modern Video Cameras

Here’s a great article from Daniel Collins on how to get the most from your video cameras while sailing… ...
On January 13, 2015 / By Andrew Cross
Boat Rat's Tip of the Week 0
Sail with Care Near “Blind Bend” Channels

Here’s another great sailing tip from our friend Capt. John of skippertips.com… Imagine that you are sailing or powering down ...
On January 6, 2015 / By Andrew Cross
Boat Rat's Tip of the Week 0
Use the Magic of Feathering for Emergency Docking

Here’s another great sailing tip from our friend Capt. John from skippertips.com… Just as you enter the marina, your ...
On December 29, 2014 / By Andrew Cross

BOAT REVIEWS

Boat Reviews 0

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Anatomy of a De-masting

Hugo Boss co-skipper Alex Thomson explains how the boat lost it’s rig while leading the Barcelona World Race.

COOL THINGS TO DO

Cool Things to Do 0
Check Out All the Free Seminars at Strictly Sail Chicago this Weekend

The Chicago Boat, RV & Strictly Sail Show is underway at McCormick Place and there is a full lineup ...
On January 14, 2015 / By Andrew Cross
Cool Things to Do 0
Attend a Two Can Sail Couples Cruising Seminar

Couples Instructors and lifelong cruisers, Jeff Grossman and Jean Levine will again be hosting their popular seminars at the Miami ...
On January 7, 2015 / By Andrew Cross
Cool Things to Do 0
Spend a Week Learning and Living Aboard with Ben & Teresa Carey’s Morse Alpha Expeditions

Teresa and Ben Carey’s Morse Alpha Expeditions is now accepting applications for a summer 2015 season of coastal and ...
On December 30, 2014 / By Andrew Cross
Cool Things to Do 0
Join John Neal & Amanda Swan Neal for a Variety of Great Seminars at this Winter’s Boat Shows

Intrepid voyaging instructors and BWS contributing editors John Neal and Amanda Swan Neal will once again be giving a ...
On December 17, 2014 / By Andrew Cross

TECH TALK

Tech Talk 0
New Tool Launched to Fight Aggressive Invasive Lionfish

The Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) and NOAA have partnered to launch a new web portal to provide ...
On January 7, 2015 / By Andrew Cross
Tech Talk 0
NOAA & British Geological Survey Update World Magnetic Model

NOAA officials recently announced the World Magnetic Model (WMM), a representation of Earth’s large-scale magnetic field and an indispensable complement ...
On December 30, 2014 / By Andrew Cross

FOR THE HUNGRY CREW

For the Hungry Crew 0
Chicken Curry in a Hurry

Curries are always a favorite, and this delicious, easy to make recipe will become a stalwart in our galley… ...
On January 20, 2015 / By Andrew Cross
For the Hungry Crew 0
Skillet Lasagna

Here’s a delicious and easy lasagna recipe that is perfect for whipping up in the galley and certainly beats ...
On January 14, 2015 / By Andrew Cross

MINDBENDER

Mindbender 0
Mindbender

To make a distress call on your VHF using the DSC function, what channel would you use? Send your ...
On January 22, 2015 / By Andrew Cross