Cruising Compass

CRUISING SHOT OF THE WEEK

Carol Connor shared this gorgeous shot of Neith, a 1907 Herreshoff, looking lovely on Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island.

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

JUST CRUISING with Tatja Hopman

The USS Fitzgerald and Hokule’a

jc-comp

Most of the major news outlets have covered the recent collision of the USS Fitzgerald and the containership ACX Crystal. Details of what led to the incident are still scarce but it is sadly clear that seven navy sailors lost their lives. John Konrad of gCaptain.com wrote an interesting article highlighting the differences between the two ships and their command structure. There is much speculation on the few details that are available but it seems apparent that there was a breakdown in basic and clear communication. A reminder that modern age technology can be irrelevant if key information is not transmitted efficiently. Speaking of the basics, Hokule’a, a Polynesian canoe just completed a 40,000 nm around the world voyage navigating without modern instruments, using only traditional methods. This is a great feat and a story worth reading.

Dock Talk

Dock Talk 0
Fountaine Pajot Makes its U.S. Market Stronger

Effective this week, Laurent Fabre is joining forces to help Fountaine Pajot grow their dealer network in North America. “We are very pleased to welcome Laurent Fabre , ...
On June 21, 2017 / By Administrator
Dock Talk 0
President Trump Orders Tougher New Rules for Americans Going to Cuba

We still don’t know exactly what this means for Americans cruising to Cuba on their own boats, but President Trump has just reinstated some travel restrictions making it ...
On June 21, 2017 / By Administrator
Dock Talk 0
6 Amazing Heavy Weather Videos

Yachting World compiled these six dramatic heavy weather videos. The third one, clips from the BT Global Challenge round the world race, is especially worth watching, as it ...
On June 20, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman
Dock Talk 0
Tall Ships Return To Boston

Despite the somewhat gray, fickle and humid weather, tall ships are back in Boston as part of the international Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta. Saturday marked the first time in ...
On June 20, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman
Dock Talk 0
Eyeball Weather Forecasting

Information about weather at sea is available from a growing number of sources. But as any racer will tell you, there’s still no substitute for the age-old skill ...
On June 20, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman
Dock Talk 0
A Look at the Accuracy of 22 Years of Hurricane Season Predictions

According to BoatUS, damage from hurricanes is a leading cause for boat insurance claims. So each summer, the national advocacy, services and safety group anxiously awaits predictions, from ...
On June 20, 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.

Do you have lightning protection beyond what the boat manufacturer originally installed?

Thank you to all those who responded to the last survey question: How do you trim the list of your boat? 46% of respondents move standard stowage (equipment, cans of food etc.), 19% move content of tankage (fuel, water etc.), 3% have dedicated ballast (lead, ballast tanks etc.) and 32% do nothing and embrace the list. The comments reminded me that multihulls don’t have this concern and one captain said his best solution is to “Carefully move the libation supplies to balance the ship.”

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
Laying Up in Grenada for Hurricane Season

Previously published in BWS by Zuzana Prochazka. If you need a seasonal respite from cruising, the lovely island of Grenada ...
On June 20, 2017 / By Administrator
Boat Rat's Tip of the Week 0
Preparing for Offshore: Know Your Boat

Previously published in BWS by Hank George. While sailors often think first of checking the condition of all the ...
On June 13, 2017 / By Administrator
Boat Rat's Tip of the Week 0
Downwind Sails

Previously published in BWS by Brian Hancock. There is nothing quite so awesome as a warm breeze at your ...
On June 6, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman
Boat Rat's Tip of the Week 0
What Worked, What Didn’t Nine Years Later

Previously published in BWS by Patrick Childress. After nine years at sea, we are proof that a cruising sailboat ...
On May 31, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman

BOAT REVIEWS

Boat Reviews 0

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Dance Like a Boss

Another in a video series made for a Norwegian NGO, working to raise awareness around the dangers of intoxication while operating a boat. Watch Here

COOL THINGS TO DO

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
Cool Things to Do 0
Join the Panama Posse

Notice of a rally for all west coast sailors and adventurers. Starts in Barra de Navidad, Mexico in November ...
On June 1, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman
Cool Things to Do 0
Join the Salty Dawg Rally to Maine

The Salty Dawg second annual Rally to Maine departs the Chesapeake July 10th, and Dutch Harbor near Jamestown, RI ...
On May 24, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman
Cool Things to Do 0
Berths Available on Oliver Hazard Perry Arctic Voyage

This summer America’s newest sail training vessel, SSV Oliver Hazard Perry will make a historic voyage north to the ...
On May 16, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman

TECH TALK

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
Tech Talk 0
How to Make Mast Steps for Under $100

Here is a simple way to make mast steps for your sailboat. The cost for all supplies is less ...
On June 1, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman

LAUNCHES

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
Launches 0
First Look: Neel 51

Yachting World takes a first walkthrough of La Rochelle, France based Neel Trimaran’s new 51ft cruising trimaran during the La Grande Motte Multihull Show 2017. Watch Here ...
On May 4, 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
Charming Chartering in Corfu

Previously published in BWS by Erik Westgard. We have always loved to charter in Greece and these days The ...
On June 20, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman

CRUISING GREEN

Cruising Green 0
5 Things Sailors Can Do to Make for a Healthier Environment

Everyone needs to think about the world we live in as something we should collectively protect and keep clean – a sailor’s task is to keep a particular ...
On June 6, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman
Cruising Green 0
Round-the-World Boat Race Doubles as Pulpit For Environmental Causes

The American sailors CharlieEnright and Mark Towill have already completed one lap around the world by leading a team to the finish of the last Volvo Ocean Race ...
On March 23, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman

FOR THE HUNGRY CREW

For the Hungry Crew 0
Monkey Bread

Behan aboard Totem has a great recipe for bread that can be made either sweet or savory. You shouldn’t ...
On June 20, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman
For the Hungry Crew 0
Roasted Potatoes with Cilantro Pesto

Potatoes make a nice side dish for a BBQ. This variation is so fresh and flavorful that some may ...
On June 13, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman

MINDBENDER

Mindbender 0
Mindbender

Who is the author of Two Against Cape Horn? Send your answer to cruisingcompass@bwsailing.com. The winner, selected randomly from ...
On June 21, 2017 / By Tatja Hopman