EPIRBs: Your “Last Best Chance”
(published February 2012) We had just settled back on the anchor in a protected coral cove after a stormy ocean passage. I glanced out the companionway to see not a sunset, but a faint disc being smothered into darkness. No green flash tonight, but there was the muffled flash of
Serious Safety
The capsize and rescue of Rambler 100 teaches us that not every catastrophe ends in tragedy-provided we take proper, and often simple, precautions (published February 2012) For those of us in the northern hemisphere, these colder winter months provide excellent opportunity for reflection on lessons learned from last year and
Twist in Your Sails
How to control (and why) (published February 2012) When sailing around with friends or clients, I’m often critical of how other vessels trim their sails. Anyone who has been aboard with me knows that the sailing instructor in me instantly diagnoses the problem and goes through the machinations to fix
Power to Spare
Revamping an electrical system for safety's sake (published January 2012) During our crossing of the South Pacific Ocean, we learned of at least two boats that suffered fires caused by short-circuited batteries. Weeks of constant motion can chafe insulation off of cables. During our refit in New Zealand, we were
Beyond Painting-Spar Restoration
Regina Oceani's rehab continues (published January 2012) As the restoration and refit of our Pearson 424, Regina Oceani, continues—her inner being now strong and solid with a new engine, plumbing and some new cabinetry—we turn to her exterior facelift, where paint is the fountain of youth. Our painting encompasses four
