CRUISING SHOT OF THE WEEK

Hello Cruising Compass:

We were just reading your e-newsletter and the ‘Shot of the Week’ is of a boat anchored off Plymouth, Montserrat. We passed there in the fall of 2010 on a trip from Trinidad to the BVI’s and got some stunning photos of the devastation there. We anchored for lunch just around the corner in the ‘safe’ area where there are still homes that are livable and could see the still active volcano. I’ve attached this pictture of this for you to consider.

Thanks, Aileen

Eric & Aileen Grant

Western Shore, NS, Canada

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

JUST CRUISING with George Day

NOAA Now Run by AccuWeather CEO

An article this week in Bloomberg News notes that Barry Meyers, CEO of the commercial weather company AccuWeather, has been approved by the U.S. Senate as the NOAA’s new top administrator. The reason we bother to mention this is that the article raises the question of whether or not an executive who has spent 30 years trying to limit NOAA’s National Weather Service’s free forecasting services, which compete with his commercial services, will be a reliable steward of this valuable source of vital weather information. While we don’t know the politics of this move and do assume that Meyers is a competent executive, we also know that we rely on NWS forecasts every time we go sailing, every time a storm is forecast and every time a hurricane forms. Thousands of fishermen, commercial sailors, recreational sailors and boaters rely on the NWS forecasts as do thousands of businesses, states, cities and towns across America. Without getting into politics, it has always seemed to us that free, accurate and unbiased weather forecasting is a core pubic service worth maintaining. You can read the full article here.

Dock Talk

Dock Talk 0
Happy Father’s Day: A Sweet Memory of Growing Up in Boats with Her Dad

With Father’s Day coming up on Sunday, a lot of us like to reflect on what our father’s taught us and how they paved the way for us ...
On June 13, 2018 / By George Day
Dock Talk 0
European Boat Dealers Cancel Orders Under U.S. Tariff Threats. Business Suffers

In the wake of the new tariffs proposed by the Trump administration on material and goods from the EU, marine industry leaders in both the U.S. and Europe ...
On June 13, 2018 / By George Day
Dock Talk 0
Race to Alaska Starts on June 14: America’s Most Unique Boat Race

Published in Scuttlebutt on June 12th, 2018 Race to Alaska, now in its 4th year, will have 47 teams on the start line. No motor, no support, through ...
On June 13, 2018 / By George Day
Dock Talk 0
New Record for Non-Stop Circumnavigation in Smallest Boat

For some sailors, making great voyages in small boats has an allure like no other. These sailors are a special breed because they live by the old adage ...
On June 13, 2018 / By George Day
Dock Talk 0
An Expert Navigator Explains Ocean Currents

When you take to the sea, whether along the coasts or across an ocean, you will have to deal with currents that will either help you on your ...
On June 13, 2018 / By George Day
Dock Talk 0
For Father’s Day, Buy Your Dad a Pair of Cool Sailing Gloves

A good pair of sailing gloves can make the difference between a fun day of sailing and some very sore, cold hands. Good gloves will fit snugly and ...
On June 13, 2018 / By George Day

SURVEY QUESTION OF THE WEEK

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

Have you ever had to take action to slow down your boat when running downwind in a storm? If so, how?

Thanks for the huge response to our survey question about using a buyer’s broker when you purchased your boat. 68% did not use a buyer’s broker while 32% did.

Sign Up Today for Best Deals Ever on BWS Subscriptions

That’s right. We are offering huge discounts on subscriptions to Blue Water Sailing. You will get a full year of America’s leading offshore sailing and cruising magazine for only $18 (US$28 in Canada). That’s 40% off the regular rate. Also, you will get Multihulls Quarterly magazine absolutely FREE. In every issue, you will get real cruising stories from cruisers around the world. Plus, our veteran authors (many are circumnavigators!) will keep you up to date on seamanship, electronics, gear and the most in-depth boat reviews anywhere. If you love the cruising life, BWS is for you. Sign up today and save $$ Enter the Special Discount Code X17.

BOAT RAT’S TIP OF THE WEEK

Boat Rat's Tip of the Week 0
It’s Hurricane Season. Here’s How to Deal with It

Tropical weather systems, and hurricanes in particular, have their own idiosyncrasies. Understanding them can help us deal with them ...
On June 14, 2018 / By George Day
Boat Rat's Tip of the Week 0
Neglect Your Rudder at Your Own Peril

By Andy Cross: Few things on a sailboat are as important as a rudder. Don’t check your rudder, post, ...
On June 6, 2018 / By George Day
Boat Rat's Tip of the Week 0
How to Stay Fit Afloat

Everyone knows that a balanced diet and regular exercise are the pillars of maintaining a healthy lifestyle but it ...
On May 30, 2018 / By George Day
Boat Rat's Tip of the Week 0
Emergency Flares: Which Type Are Best

We all must carry fares on board when we head out onto the water and there are several different ...
On May 23, 2018 / By George Day

BOAT REVIEWS

Boat Reviews 0

Hanse 505 Goes the Distance

The morning we set out aboard the Hanse 505 for a test sail on Biscayne Bay just south of Miami, the trade winds were blowing a gentle 10 ...

On June 14, 2018 / By George Day

The Dragonfly 32 Combines High Performance with Compact Elegance

Neel 51: Are Three Hulls Better Than Two?

Delphia 40.3

On May 23, 2018

Garcia Exploration 45: A True Expedition Cruiser

On May 17, 2018

Hanse 315: Small but Mighty

On May 9, 2018

Go Small, Go Far, Go Now

On May 2, 2018

Jeanneau’s Sun Fast 3600 is a Screamer

On April 24, 2018

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Amazing Video of Waves, Reefs and Beautiful Tahiti

The nature of modern digital photography is such that society is awash with photos of the ocean. Photos from the beach, photos from the water, photos from the air, photos from below. You name it, we’ve seen it. For modern surf photographers, we imagine that’s a particularly frustrating reality – to know that a medium has been artistically explored so completely that presenting it in a new way is close to impossible. Watch the video.

COOL THINGS TO DO

Cool Things to Do 0
Newport Wooden Boat Festival Coming to Orange County, CA

On June 8-10, join the City of Newport Beach and local nautical enthusiasts to celebrate the Newport Beach Wooden ...
On June 6, 2018 / By George Day
Cool Things to Do 0
Racing, Festivities and Fun at the Volvo Ocean Race Stopover in Newport, RI

This weekend Newport, RI will be all abuzz around the Volvo Ocean Race events at Ft. Adams. There will ...
On May 17, 2018 / By George Day
Cool Things to Do 0
Salty Dawgs Offer Cruisers a Year of Fun Events and Rallies: Check Calendar

The Salty Dawg Sailing Association has a lot on its 2018 calendar for cruiser in the Caribbean and along ...
On May 2, 2018 / By George Day
Cool Things to Do 0
The Miami to Key Largo Regatta, April 21-22, Adds Second Day of Competition

This spring regatta has long been known as one of the most laid back and fun events in southern ...
On April 12, 2018 / By George Day

TECH TALK

Tech Talk 0
B&G’s New Vulcan Instruments Explored

B&G is a venerable British firm now owned by Navico. Their marine instruments have long been favorites among offshore ...
On May 23, 2018 / By George Day
Tech Talk 0
New App Connects Boat Owners with Potential Crew

“What’s better than having a friend with a boat? Making new friends on lots of boats! Officially launched last month, Boat ...
On May 2, 2018 / By George Day

LAUNCHES

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
Launches 0
Joshua class announced for the 2022 Golden Globe Race

The story of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s battle to stay ahead of French yachtsman Bernard Moitessier in the 1968/9 Sunday Times Golden Globe solo round the world Race is ...
On August 22, 2017 / By George Day
Launches 0
Zurn Yacht Design to Introduce Concept 52 Sailboat

This Doug Zurn 52 foot concept is designed as an offshore capable fast cruiser for a couple, couple with guests, or small family. The perfectly proportioned sweeping sheer ...
On June 27, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK

Website of the Week 0
Sail Cargo is Living the Sustainable Dream

Sail Cargo is a new organization that has set out on the west coast of Costa Rica to build ...
On June 6, 2018 / By George Day

Charter Chatter

Charter Chatter 0
Six Must-See Snorkeling Spots in Puerto Rico

If there really is such a thing as snorkeling paradise, you will find it in Puerto Rico. From the ...
On June 6, 2018 / By George Day

CRUISING GREEN

Cruising Green 0
Strange ‘Dead Zone’ Found Under the Sea of Oman: No Oxygen, No Life.

Author Colm Gorey penned the article below for The Silicon Republic about a strange phenomenon that has been discovered that is both fascinating and alarming. “A group ...
On May 2, 2018 / By George Day
Cruising Green 0
“Ghost” Fishing Gear Clogging World’s Oceans is Having Catastrophic Effect, Report Says

We have sailed across the Atlantic and South Pacific Oceans twice and on the long offshore passages we have seen lots of lost or abandoned fishing gear. We ...
On March 14, 2018 / By George Day

FOR THE HUNGRY CREW

For the Hungry Crew 0
Simple, Easy Chocolate Mousse to Die For

Some desserts are so tasty that they really shouldn’t also be dead simple to make. But a basic chocolate ...
On June 14, 2018 / By George Day
For the Hungry Crew 0
Barbecue Cajun Chicken

On summer nights, we mostly cook the main course for dinner on the grill and it’s usually a piece ...
On June 7, 2018 / By George Day

MINDBENDER

Mindbender 0
Mindbender

It’s hurricane season, what wind speed is required to designate a storm as a hurricane? Send your answer ...
On June 14, 2018 / By George Day