CRUISING SHOT OF THE WEEK

Bill Saint sent in this shot from South Carolina. After 30+ years of sailing and 7 sailboats, we crossed the line to a flybridge cruiser. I was putting our “book” together of photos from last year’s travels aboard True Blue, our Fairline Squadron 42’ and this one struck me. The perfect morning of our last day, returning home from a 3 week cruise north from Charleston to the Outer Banks. This was leaving Georgetown, SC and heading south down the ICW.

We want to see where you are sailing! Send your shots to us at cruisingcompass@bwsailing.com.

Just Cruising With George Day

Just Cruising with George Day 0
Top 10 Cruising Boat Upgrades

As I’ve noted in this space before, a lot of folks bought cruising boats during the pandemic and many ...
On April 16, 2021 / By Sandy Parks

Air Conditioning + Boat = Great Summer!

As summer gets closer and the air heats up, we at Coastal Climate Control are hearing that familiar question again – Can I run my boat’s air conditioner from my battery bank?

Any air conditioning unit can run from lead-acid or lithium batteries through an inverter. The issue is whether this is practical and economical considering batteries will need to be recharged at some point.

 We talk about this in our new blog.

Up Front

UP FRONT 0
Readers Respond to Anchoring Question: Are Two Better than One?

In Last week’s Just Cruising, I related a short yarn about deploying a second anchor while anchored in a ...
On April 2, 2021 / By Sandy Parks

Spring Battery Maintenance & Inspection-by Rolls Battery

Boaters who take the time to complete an inspection and perform seasonal maintenance will see better performance and longer life from their deep cycle batteries.

Before launching your boat, is it wise to perform an inspection and routine maintenance. Terminal connections often become loose over time and should be re-torqued to the manufacturer’s specification at least once per year. Flooded lead-acid batteries also require a top-up (distilled water only) to ensure the plates are fully covered in electrolyte. Watering frequency will depend on operating temperatures and how often and aggressively the batteries are cycled. Last, test battery voltage and take specific gravity readings in flooded cells to ensure they battery is not failing or damaged.

Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended charging & maintenance procedures as these vary by brand and battery type.
ROLLS BATTERY ENGINEERING

Dock Talk

Dock Talk 0
NOAA Updating Hurricane Statistics

NOAA is updating the set of statistics used to determine when hurricane seasons are above-, near-, or below-average relative to the climate record. This update process occurs once ...
On April 16, 2021 / By Sandy Parks
Dock Talk 0
Deepest Wreck Dive in History Just Completed

(CBS News) -During the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Philippine Sea the US Navy destroyer Johnston was sunk on October 25, 1944. Lying nearly 6,500 meters below sea level ...
On April 16, 2021 / By Sandy Parks
Dock Talk 0
30,000 Homes Lose Power to Sailboat Hitting Wires

(Miami Herald) – Nearly 30,000 homes lost power in Florida when a sailboat struck transmission lines off the Florida Keys earlier this week. The 32-foot sailboat struck the ...
On April 16, 2021 / By Sandy Parks
Dock Talk 0
Unstable La Soufriere Volcano in St Vincent

(Caribbean National Weekly) – The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) in St Vincent and the Grenadines confirmed the collapse of the La Soufriere volcanic dome and the presence ...
On April 16, 2021 / By Sandy Parks
Dock Talk 0
Salvors Successful in Taking in Tow Ship Transport Vessel

(G Captain) – The world watched last week (see video below) after the crew of the yacht transport vessel Eemslift Hendrika radioed that they had lost stability in ...
On April 16, 2021 / By Sandy Parks
Dock Talk 0
20-Foot Sailboat Sails Into 469-Foot Superyacht

(Dailymail-UK) – A family onboard their 20-foot sailboat decided to take a close clook at Sailing Yacht A anchored off Galicia, Spain. Unfortunately they sailed a bit too ...
On April 9, 2021 / By Sandy Parks

The Jackline Insurance Program: Insurance for Global Cruisers & Living Aboard

The Jackline Insurance Program by Gowrie Group is a comprehensive insurance program designed to protect yachts and their owners cruising throughout the world. Our marine insurance experts understand the cruising lifestyle, and work with you to create a customized insurance solution to meet your coverage needs. The Jackline Program includes key coverages important to cruisers, such as world-wide navigation, approval for living aboard with a crew of two, personal property coverage, mechanical breakdown, ice damage, pollution liability, reef damage liability, loss of use, personal liability ashore, and more. The program is endorsed by Seven Seas Cruising Association and managed by Gowrie Group, a Division of Risk Strategies. Learn more and contact us for a quote at: www.gowrie.com/jackline or jackline@gowrie.com.

SURVEY QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Before reading on, please complete this week’s survey.[spacer height=”10px”]

Do you have an intruder or burglar alarm on you boat?

Thanks to all who answered last week’s survey question on the bicycles you carry aboard you cruising boats. 56% of those who relied do carry bikes. The overwhelming favorite is the Dahon Mariner followed by the Citizens folding bikes and the West Marine folding bike.

BOAT REVIEWS

Boat Reviews 0

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

This video shows the rescue of all 12 crew members off the transport ship Eemslift Hendrika April 5, 2021.

Watch Video

WHAT’S NEW AT BLUE WATER SAILING THIS WEEK

Just Cruising with George Day 0
Top 10 Cruising Boat Upgrades

As I’ve noted in this space before, a lot of folks bought cruising boats during the pandemic and many ...
On April 16, 2021 / By Sandy Parks
Dock Talk 0
NOAA Updating Hurricane Statistics

NOAA is updating the set of statistics used to determine when hurricane seasons are above-, near-, or below-average relative ...
On April 16, 2021 / By Sandy Parks
Dock Talk 0
Deepest Wreck Dive in History Just Completed

(CBS News) -During the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Philippine Sea the US Navy destroyer Johnston was sunk on October ...
On April 16, 2021 / By Sandy Parks
Dock Talk 0
30,000 Homes Lose Power to Sailboat Hitting Wires

(Miami Herald) – Nearly 30,000 homes lost power in Florida when a sailboat struck transmission lines off the Florida ...
On April 16, 2021 / By Sandy Parks
Dock Talk 0
Unstable La Soufriere Volcano in St Vincent

(Caribbean National Weekly) – The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) in St Vincent and the Grenadines confirmed the collapse ...
On April 16, 2021 / By Sandy Parks
Dock Talk 0
Salvors Successful in Taking in Tow Ship Transport Vessel

(G Captain) – The world watched last week (see video below) after the crew of the yacht transport vessel ...
On April 16, 2021 / By Sandy Parks

LAUNCHES

Boat Reviews 0
Dusseldorf 2019

This is the 50th anniversary of the Dusseldorf Boat Show, running through January 27. With over 1,500 sailboats and motorboats its as if being a kid in a ...
On January 25, 2019 / By Sandy Parks
Boat Reviews 0
The New Oceanis 46.1: The Latest Generation Family Cruiser Debuts This Fall

The Oceanis 46.1 is the latest in our range of sailing yachts dedicated to blue water cruising. Based on the wildly successful Oceanis 51.1, she has all the ...
On July 3, 2018 / By George Day
Launches 0
Guillaume Verdier: The Frenchman Who is Designing the Future of Sailing

Yacht design has evolved rapidly in the last decade with the development of swinging keels, foils, wing sails and much more. And one designer has left his creative ...
On January 3, 2018 / By George Day
Launches 0
Really Cool New Frers 57-Foot Cruiser Pushes the High-Tech Envelope

The pairing of a world renowned naval architect with a builder whose name is synonymous with some of the fastest and most illustrious racing yachts on the globe, ...
On December 6, 2017 / By George Day

TECH TALK

Tech Talk 0
New Electronics: 2021 Edition

BoatUS gives a rundown on some of the new electronics for 2021. Integration of the units is key and ...
On February 26, 2021 / By Sandy Parks
Tech Talk 0
Race Buoys for Socially Distanced Times

The Storm Trysail club has announced the running of the 29th Storm Trysail Block Island Race Week presented by Margaritaville, ...
On February 19, 2021 / By Sandy Parks

COOL THINGS TO DO

Cool Things to Do 0
It’s a Go for the Marion-Bermuda Race

June 18 is the start of the Marion-Bermuda race, a race that encourages families on cruising yachts. If you ...
On April 16, 2021 / By Sandy Parks
Cool Things to Do 0
The Mermaid Museum

Here is a stop to plan for when you are next cruising the waters of Maryland. A mermaid museum ...
On April 9, 2021 / By Sandy Parks
Cool Things to Do 0
Captain Ron

Here is a blast from the past. How many people sat through this movie when the weather was too ...
On March 26, 2021 / By Sandy Parks
Cool Things to Do 0
Virtual Nautic: a Unique Immersive Experience

As we head towards spring we may not be able to attend a boat show in person so why ...
On February 26, 2021 / By Sandy Parks

Charter Chatter

Charter Chatter 0
Charter in the Islands, Kayak Through the Mangroves

(Caribbean Journal) – Here is somelthing to do when you charter in the USVI that may be just a ...
On March 19, 2021 / By Sandy Parks

BOAT RAT’S TIP OF THE WEEK

Boat Rat's Tip of the Week 0
Learn How to Provision for Long Passages

Provisiong for a long offshore passage can be a bit intimidating unless you make a plan which includes not ...
On April 16, 2021 / By Sandy Parks
Boat Rat's Tip of the Week 0
New Organization to Help Cruising Yachts Visit South Africa

(noonsite) – Three long time cruisers have formed the Ocean Sailing Association of Southern Africa supported by yacht clubs, ...
On April 2, 2021 / By Sandy Parks
Boat Rat's Tip of the Week 0
Downwind Sailing: All About the Feel

Carolijn Brouwer walks through the skills needed to sail downwind in an article in Yachting World. She is particularly ...
On March 26, 2021 / By Sandy Parks
Boat Rat's Tip of the Week 0
Safety and Leadership Offshore

Here is an interesting, in-depth report from the Storm Trysail Club. Last November the seamanship committee held a virtual ...
On March 19, 2021 / By Sandy Parks

FOR THE HUNGRY CREW

For the Hungry Crew 0
Dahi Toast (Grilled Yogurt Sandwiches)

(Washington Post) – What a great way to change up a sandwich. This Indian sandwich has yogurt, cabbage, red ...
On April 16, 2021 / By Sandy Parks
For the Hungry Crew 0
Creamy Cucumber Salad

Not only is this cucumber salad quick and easy to make but the cucumbers are refreshingly crisp. The dressing ...
On April 9, 2021 / By Sandy Parks

MINDBENDER

Mindbender 0
Mindbender

Why do boat owners put zincs on their propeller shafts and in the raw water conduits of their marine ...
On April 13, 2021 / By George Day