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Hi Cruising Compass:
Attached is an un-retouched sunset photo from Bahia de Los Muertos in Baja California Sur, Mexico. We are in our third season of cruising Mexico on our Island Packet 38 named HONU. There are many beautiful sunsets here, but this one was exceptional.
Mike and Judy Sawyer
S/V HONU
We want to see where you are sailing! Send your shots to us at cruisingcompass@bwsailing.com.
Boat Toys
When we were off cruising in the 1990s we carried a few fun boat toys with us. We had a windsurfer, a wake board, boogie boards and snorkeling gear. But today, there are so many cool toys that are inflatable that you can really add to your collection. Inflatable stand up paddle boards and kayaks are at the top of the list for many cruisers since they can be deflated, rolled up and stowed away easily. More and more cruisers are certified SCUBA divers, so tanks, vests and compact compressors are becoming more popular. Gas or electric powered hookahs are increasing finding their ways onto cruising boats; they are great for underwater tasks like scrubbing the boat’s bottom or freeing a stuck anchor and they eliminate the need for tanks and a compressor. Boat toys make life afloat more fun, particularly if you have kids on board, or at least kids at heart.
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Air Conditioning on your boat – it’s within reach
You want to go for an overnight boat adventure, but it’s hot out there, even on the water. During the day, no problem, there is wind, a bimini, swimming to keep you cool, but at night, when you want to sleep, the thought of that hot, humid cabin can be a deal killer.
Solution: a small air conditioning system that is perfect for a sleeping cabin, to lower the cabin’s humidity and temperature, to make it comfortable and inviting for a relaxing night.
With a small 115v unit, the current draw is low enough that it can usually be powered by an engine alternator during the day when the engine is running and then from the batteries, through an inverter, at night. You may not need a generator, if you choose the right air conditioning unit.
There are also 12v air conditioning units available, but only one that is really worth looking at, and even then, the cost may make the venture unattainable. To better understand the choices, let’s compare two units:
Climma Compact 4,200 Btu 115v AC unit
Dometic Cuddy II 3,500 Btu 12v DC model
Not all stories of sunken yachts have happen endings but this one seems to. Read the full saga as published on Tampabay.com. The young couple whose story ...
This report by Sue Richards appears on noonsite.com. Latest reports from agents in Egypt are that the authorities in Port Said have increased clearance charges for foreign flagged yachts ...
The Robb Report recently published the announcement that Omega, the official timekeeper for the Volvo Ocean Race, had created a new version of their Seamaster watch just for ...
The Spanish Main was famous for silver, gold and shipwrecks. There have been some amazing finds but nothing yet compares to the treasure strove that was recently found ...
William J. Larson, 75, of Newport, RI, died on May 12, 2018. He was born in Bellport, Long Island to Anders Peter and Florence Mary Dyer Larson, and ...
The German boat builder Bavaria Yachts declared bankruptcy several weeks ago and stopped delivering boats to their dealers. This week the company announced that it was moving out ...
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Sailing is one of the most unique and pleasant ways to boat. The efficiency of a sailboat and its quiet beauty cannot be replicated, but the higher speeds and larger accommodations of powerboats can be attractive. Many sailors own powerboats in addition to their sailboats. They still enjoy sailing but want the comfort and convenience of a powerboat. Running a powerboat can bring “Fuel Shock” to sailors since the speed and accommodations can come with a price.
Aspen Power Catamarans has a solution. They developed a PROA catamaran design with unique hydrodynamic properties that allow a single engine to push both hulls straight forward with incredible efficiency. With a Volvo Penta D3 220hp diesel, the Aspen C100 has a range of over 350 miles at a cruising speed of 18 knots using less than 6 GPH. At 7 knots she only burns 1 GPH and can travel 1650 miles. These are impressive performance numbers for a powerboat with a lot of accommodation space The Aspen C100 is easily trailered providing additional economy and versatility.
Contact Aspen to learn more about Aspen Power Catamarans and their incredible PROA design technology or to schedule a test drive or factory tour.
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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.
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