CRUISING SHOT OF THE WEEK
On Wednesday, as Hurricane Maria lashed into Puerto Rico with hurricane force winds over 145 mph, the residents braced for the storm’s devastating impact. Photo courtesy of ABC News.
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JUST CRUISING with George Day
A Terrible Hurricane Season
Who could have imagined just a month ago that the U.S. and Caribbean would suffer three Category 5 hurricanes in one year. But, as Maria slams into Puerto Rico, after wiping out Dominica, the terrible truth is that this is one of the worst hurricane seasons on record. Thousands of homes have been destroyed, thousands of jobs are lost and families from Dominica in the eastern Caribbean to Houston, Texas are struggling to survive. There are many relief funds set up to help victims and we encourage those who can to be generous. And for our cruising community, there has never been a time when we needed to pull together more and lend those in need a hand. (The photo shows sunken cruising boats in Cruz Bay, St., John, USVI. Courtesy of www.voanews.com)
Why This Hurricane Season Has Been So Catastrophic
After Harvey and Irma—and with Maria on the way—we look at why this hurricane season has been so active.
Just as Hurricane Harvey wrapped up its devastation of Houston, Irma got into line behind it and quickly built into the strongest Atlantic hurricane in recorded history. Now, the Category 5 storm Maria leaves behind widespread destruction on the Caribbean island of Dominica, and it’s now taking aim at Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
It’s hard to avoid comparisons to the last time two such powerful storms threatened U.S. landfall in the catastrophic 2005 hurricane season, 12 years ago.
As in 2005, when Katrina and Rita devastated the Gulf Coast in rapid succession, the country is staring down the barrel of multiple hurricanes making landfall. In the face of multiple major storms, a reasonable person might wonder why this season seems worse for U.S. cities, and why the last dozen years brought fewer large hurricanes to U.S. shores. Read more.
Dock Talk
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Dock Talk 0
When the Sun Goes Down: Sailing at Night
Sailing at night gives you an experience like no other if you’re prepared. Whether you’re on an offshore race or out for a long weekend, many sailors find ...
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Dock Talk 0
With Your Help, The BVI People Can Get On Their Feet Again!
Our hearts and prayers are with the people of the Virgin Islands as they recover from the devastating blow of Hurricane Irma. We know the resilience of our ...
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Offshore Power Management
For the past 30 years we have been able to meet the challenge of designing reliable offshore power systems that are fully sustainable with the use of wind ...
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Dock Talk 0
VPLP Design launches Oceanwings: The Reefable and Furlable Automated Wingsail
Drawing on extensive experience in the field of rigid sail development, VPLP Design is proud to present a two-element wingsail which is furlable, reefable and entirely automated. Oceanwings® ...
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Dock Talk 0
François Gabart Ready for Single-Handed Multihull Round the World Record
During a press conference this Wednesday at the Paris headquarters of the Macif Group, François Gabart and his sponsor talked about his next competitive target: to try to ...
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Dock Talk 0
Coast Guard Ship Fined for Going Too Fast in Gulf of St. Lawrence
Transport Canada has fined the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Sir William Alexander $6,000 for going too fast in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The ship allegedly violated the federal government’s 10-knot speed limit that ...
SPONSORED
Kraken 66 ($1,795,000 US ex VAT
The Kraken 66 is the Flagship of the Kraken range of luxury blue water cruising yachts designed by award winning designer, Kevin Dibley, and epitomises the key features that the brand prides itself on; safety, comfort, reliability and performance. With safety in mind, all Kraken Yachts will come with a unique ZERO keelTM that is an integral part of the hull with zero keel bolts and zero chance of falling off. We also construct our yachts with a full length skeg, which is also an integral part of the hull moulding, to protect the rudder. 50 and 58 ft models also available.
CLICK HERE to find out more
SURVEY QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Before reading on, please complete this week’s survey.
Thanks to all readers who answered the survey question last week on whether or not you will be chartering in Caribbean locations other than the USVI, BVI and St.Martin this winter. 87%said no and 13% said yes. Of those who will be chartering, 77% said they would head to St. Vincent & The Grenadines and Grenada. 22% will head to St. Lucia, will 11% said they would head to the Bahamas and Guadeloupe.
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
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Boat Rat's Tip of the Week 0Boat Rat: Digging for Treasure
That humble, tattered canvas seabag doesn’t seem to get lighter with age. Perhaps the contents provide a means ...
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Boat Rat's Tip of the Week 0Distress Signalling for Cruisers
Last November, when the 57-foot cruising catamaran Leopard flipped over in a violent micro-storm 400 miles north of the Dominican Republic, ...
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Boat Rat's Tip of the Week 0Smart Charging
Previously published in BWS. Marine engines come with an alternator rated between 50 and 70 amps as standard equipment. ...
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Boat Rat's Tip of the Week 0How 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… ...
BOAT REVIEWS
Dufour Grand Large 460
The French builder dials in the sweet spot with their new, three-cabin ultra-modern family cruiser, complete with built-in grill Good ideas are catching. Once you’ve had ...
COOL THINGS TO DO
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Cool Things to Do 0Visit Cruising Compass, Blue Water Sailing & Multihulls Quarterly at the Newport International Boat Show.
Starting Thursday, September 14, the Newport (Rhode Island) Boat Show will open to the public where you can climb ...
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Cool Things to Do 0Tour des Yoles in Martinique
The Tour des Yoles Rondes de Martinique is currently underway but maybe it should be on your calendar for ...
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Cool Things to Do 0Women Master the Craft of Sailing at Maine Coast School
The small wooden sailboat rocked at its mooring in Naskeag Harbor as a motor boat from The WoodenBoat School pulled quietly ...
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Cool Things to Do 0Jaws on the Water
Imagine relaxing on an inner tube with a cold drink in hand on a perfect Texas summer night, your ...
TECH TALK
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Dock Talk 0Offshore Power Management
For the past 30 years we have been able to meet the challenge of designing reliable offshore power systems ...
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Tech Talk 0Batteries for Cruisers
Among the cruising fleet of sailors, the topic of on board energy is a constant staple of cocktail conversation. ...
LAUNCHES
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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 ...
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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 ...
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Launches 0
Michael Schmidt Yachtbau (MSY) Builds Explorer Sailing Yacht
MSY in Germany has started construction of a fascinating 72 ft explorer, ordered by the Siemens Foundation in Switzerland. This ultra-clean, wind-powered research vessel will be used worldwide ...
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Launches 0
Grand Soleil Reveals Two New Projects
The historical Italian yard Cantiere del Pardo just announced two new models: a 34 ft performance and, for the first time, a full custom 80 ft. Do you ...
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
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Website of the Week 0The 2017/2018 Clipper Race Starts
On August 20, the 12 boats in the 2017/2018 Clipper Around the World Race got underway from Liverpool, England. ...
Charter Chatter
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Charter Chatter 0Why Thailand is a Must-See Travel Destination
You crave the irresistibly spicy food. You’re intrigued by the old meets new Asian culture. You can’t seem to ...
CRUISING GREEN
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Cruising Green 0
Sailing to the Pacific Ocean’s Trash Vortex
In his new book, Junk Raft, Marcus Eriksen discovers a sea filled with tiny particles of harmful plastic. In the summer of 1997, sea captain and surfer Charles ...
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Cruising Green 0
Youth Regatta Achieves Platinum Level Clean Regattas Certification
Sailors for the Sea announced today that the Secor Volvo Fishers Island Sound Race is the first youth regatta in the world to achieve Platinum Level Clean Regatta ...
FOR THE HUNGRY CREW
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For the Hungry Crew 0Classic Beer Bread
This is a simple bread recipe that anyone can make successfully and is a great way to spend stormy, ...
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For the Hungry Crew 0New England Clam Chowder
New England’s largest in-the-water boat show opens today (September 13) so sailors and power boaters from all around New ...
MINDBENDER
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Mindbender 0Mindbender
What island group spawns the largest Atlantic hurricanes? Send your answer to cruisingcompass@bwsailing.com. The winner, selected randomly from correct ...
