Cruising Compass

CRUISING SHOT OF THE WEEK

Andrew Cross shared this gorgeous shot of Yahtzee sailing up Lynn Canal in Southeast Alaska. See this week’s Video of the Week for more of his beautiful Alaska footage. And you can follow his family adventures here.

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

JUST CRUISING with Tatja Hopman

Taking a Break

I am away this week enjoying some R&R with family. Cruising Compass will return in full format next week, including Mindbender and Survey.

Is there a question you want to ask fellow cruisers? Send in your ideas for a survey question to us at cruisingcompass@bwsailing.com.

Dock Talk

Dock Talk 0
Work on Erie Canal Began 200 Years Ago and Changed History

A few days after the first shovel was thrust into the central New York state dirt on July 4, 1817, to ceremoniously begin the building of the Erie ...
On July 26, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman
Dock Talk 0
What’s the Safest Way to Get From Tender to Yacht?

It’s difficult to see this for the fraught operation it can be. People falling into the water while stepping into or out of small, unstable boats, is an ...
On July 26, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman
Dock Talk 0
Freediver Captures Incredible Photos Exploring Sunken Ship

Sunken ships are usually best avoided, but freediver Adam Stern’s trip to a seabed wreckage proved to be a very worthwhile expedition. The 28-year-old Australian captured these spectacular ...
On July 26, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman
Dock Talk 0
Golden Globe Race 2018

In one year, up to 30 sailors will set out from Plymouth UK to recreate history at the start of a solo circumnavigation in small traditional long keeled ...
On July 26, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman
Dock Talk 0
Man To Sail Around World To Decrease Awareness Of Important Issues

In a completely inconsequential event that has already captured the imaginations of thousands, amateur sailor Michael Gilmer, 29, announced Monday he would be embarking on a sea journey ...
On July 26, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman
Dock Talk 0
Autonomous Ships: Regulations Left in Their Wake?

The general public is well aware of the continuing development of autonomous vehicles. The media constantly provides stories on the advances of these self-driving cars, trucks and cabs. ...
On July 26, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman

The Newest Amels

Let McMichael Yacht Brokers show you the newest 55 and 64 foot models from Amel, and learn how Amel has engineered a luxury passagemaker that can truly be sailed by a couple. Explore at www.mcmichaelyachtbrokers.com.

SURVEY QUESTION OF THE WEEK

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

What type of device do you primarily view electronic charts on?

Thank you to all those who responded to the last survey question: Do you pay for internet access while away from your home base? 53% of respondents rely on free WiFi while the remaining 47% pay for access.

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
Building Redundancy into Your Boat’s Systems

Here’s a helpful article from John Champion on how to make your boat’s systems truly reliable… Cruising boats are simple ...
On July 26, 2017 / By Andrew Cross
Boat Rat's Tip of the Week 0
Leave and Return with Peace-of-Mind

Here’s a great article by BWS contributing editor John Neal on how to decommission and commission your boat in a ...
On July 18, 2017 / By Andrew Cross
Boat Rat's Tip of the Week 0
Getting an In-Depth Tour of Your Life Raft Can Make All the Difference

Here’s the second part in our two part series on life rafts: Andrew Cross gives a first hand account of getting his life ...
On July 12, 2017 / By Andrew Cross
Boat Rat's Tip of the Week 0
Life Rafts – A Guide to Their Equipment, Storage and Deployment

Here’s a comprehensive article by Chuck Hawley on this important piece of safety equipment… Life rafts are designed to keep ...
On July 4, 2017 / By Andrew Cross

BOAT REVIEWS

Boat Reviews 0

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Sailing Alaska: Icebergs, Dolphins and Bears, oh my!

Beautiful footage from Andy Cross and family cruising Southeast Alaska from Ford’s Terror to Baranof Island. Watch Here

Marina Fire

Sobering drone footage from a marina fire in Everett, Washington earlier in July. Watch Here

COOL THINGS TO DO

Cool Things to Do 0
Women 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 ...
On July 18, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman
Cool Things to Do 0
Jaws on the Water

Imagine relaxing on an inner tube with a cold drink in hand on a perfect Texas summer night, your ...
On July 4, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman
Cool Things to Do 0
OCC Announces Azores Pursuit Rally in 2018

In 2018, Peter Café Sport will celebrate its centenary, and to mark this occasion the Ocean Cruising Club is ...
On June 27, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman
Cool Things to Do 0
SSCA 27th Annual Penobscot Maine Gam

The 27th Annual Seven Seas Cruising Association Rockland Maine Gam is scheduled for July 28th and 29th. In days ...
On June 13, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman

TECH TALK

Tech Talk 0
AC Shore Power Cord Inspections

Barring improper use or some owner fabricated MacGyverism gone bad (jury-rigged adapters, botched plug installations, etc.) overheating and corrosion ...
On July 18, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman
Tech Talk 0
Lightning Protection: The Truth About Dissipators

All sailors—except those who sail exclusively in the most northern but still liquid reaches of the Arctic Ocean, or ...
On June 20, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman

LAUNCHES

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
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 ...
On June 13, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman
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 ...
On June 6, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman
Launches 0
Baltic cruiser – Saare 46

Although Arthur Ransome did all he could to put Estonia on the sailing map with Racundra’s First Cruise, this beautiful Baltic state is still not noted as a ...
On May 9, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK

Website of the Week 0
Offshore Communications: Satellite or SSB?

Behan aboard Totem writes a blog with a ton of useful information for cruisers. In this post she shares ...
On May 22, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman

Charter Chatter

Charter Chatter 0
Sailing the Whitsundays: White sand, Snorkelling and a Blissful Digital Detox

Bareboating through the waters of the idyllic Queensland islands in Australia, is an opportunity to switch off and appreciate ...
On July 12, 2017 / By Administrator

CRUISING GREEN

Cruising Green 0
Make Sure your Sunscreen is Reef Friendly

A love of tropical watersports combined with the risk of sunburn and skin cancer translates into an estimated 6,000 to 14,000 tons of sunscreen lotion released onto coral reefs ...
On July 12, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman
Cruising Green 0
If You Drop Plastic in the Ocean, Where Does it End up?

Modeling shows that ocean currents can concentrate slow-degrading debris in certain parts of the world’s oceans, leading to so-called ‘garbage patches’. It is estimated that between four and 12m metric ...
On July 4, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman

FOR THE HUNGRY CREW

For the Hungry Crew 0
Summer Gazpacho

Looking for a dinner idea that won’t heat up the boat? This chilled soup will hit the spot! Ingredients ...
On July 23, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman
For the Hungry Crew 0
Butternut Squash and Kale Strata with Multigrain Bread

Here is a hearty make-ahead breakfast dish for the entire crew. INGREDIENTS 2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more ...
On July 17, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman

MINDBENDER

Mindbender 0
Mindbender

Where would you look for the key to the symbols on a NOAA chart? Send your answer to cruisingcompass@bwsailing.com. The ...
On July 20, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman