Our Most Dangerous Problem (Since We Started Sailing)
There was about a month left before the weather window closed, and time was starting to run out. We needed to get a wiggle on.
Our Most Dangerous Problem (Since We Started Sailing) Read Post »
Boat Maintenance & Skills
From configuring solar panels, installing watermakers to advice on the best apps for cruising, we share how-tos, tips and advice on boat maintenance and boating knowledge, covering both canal and sail boats.
Stop Saying Over and Out | Good VHF Radio Etiquette
Unless you’re an actor in a bad action movie, you need to stop saying “over and out”! It’s just plain wrong. It’s one of the many mistakes we cruisers make when operating a VHF radio. In this brief blog post,
Stop Saying Over and Out | Good VHF Radio Etiquette Read Post »
Indonesian Throughflow: Making Sense Of Ocean Currents
When sailing in this part of the world, the Indonesian Throughflow is a pretty important concept to digest. If you ignore it, you could be sailing backwards!
Indonesian Throughflow: Making Sense Of Ocean Currents Read Post »
Anchoring Tips For Deep Water, Strong Currents & Rocks
There are difficult anchoring scenarios we all have to face at some point: deep water, strong currents and strong winds. Add a rocky bottom and things can get tricky.
Anchoring Tips For Deep Water, Strong Currents & Rocks Read Post »
How to Survive a Heatwave (On a Boat!)
Did you know that heatstroke causes the body’s cells to melt from the inside out? It’s not just heat we need to think about, if the humidity is high we can reach crisis levels very quickly.
How to Survive a Heatwave (On a Boat!) Read Post »
The First Rule of Seamanship! (COLREGS)
Do you know the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (aka the Col Regs)?
Did you know that if you crash your boat you could be liable and your insurance could be nullified if you break the rules?
We run through some basic guidelines to help you avoid the surprisingly high amount of marine traffic we all encounter at sea…
The First Rule of Seamanship! (COLREGS) Read Post »
Boat Work and Unfurling All the Sails
Can you think of anything better than doing a little light boat work followed by weighing anchor and unfurling the sails?
Boat Work and Unfurling All the Sails Read Post »
Waiting Out A Tropical Cyclone
With the tropical depression working its way closer to the Sunda islands, winds were expected to strengthen and the sea state to be untenable if not safely tucked away inside a safe anchorage.
Waiting Out A Tropical Cyclone Read Post »
Good and Bad Times In A Boat Yard
I guess we could argue about what’s the worst boat yard job all day, especially around the ‘table of bollocks’. How about cleaning the bilge or replacing seacocks? Grinding and sanding the hull and servicing the holding tank can’t be anybody’s favourite pastimes.
Good and Bad Times In A Boat Yard Read Post »
Can the Wrong Sailboat Prop Slow You Down?
This was the first time in 17 years that we had our sailboat prop professionally tuned. And you won’t believe what we found…
Can the Wrong Sailboat Prop Slow You Down? Read Post »
Sailboat Haul Out Methods: A Cruiser’s Guide
A sailboat is supposed to be in the water, isn’t it? And once you put it on land, all kinds of stresses and loads appear that weren’t there when she was floating.
Sailboat Haul Out Methods: A Cruiser’s Guide Read Post »
How We Set Up Our Code Zero Light Wind Sail
Code 0 sails are specifically built for light wind sailing, and we spent much of the next passage using ours. But what speeds did we manage, and how fast can YOU go?
How We Set Up Our Code Zero Light Wind Sail Read Post »
Is Indonesia’s biofuel safe?
Finding diesel is always a challenge. But Indonesia’s notorious biofuel makes it even more confusing. We hope this post about biodiesel will help to answer any questions you may have…
Is Indonesia’s biofuel safe? Read Post »
Why are cruisers obsessed with weather forecasts?
Cruisers are obsessed with weather forecasts. The main phenomena we watch in forensic detail are the fronts coming at us, specifically the lows…
Why are cruisers obsessed with weather forecasts? Read Post »
You Can’t Sail Without An Engine
As we’re constantly reminded, in olden times there were no engines, mariners navigated by the stars and relied on trade winds, currents and luck. Quite a lot of the time this meant ending up on the ocean floor or stuck in port…
You Can’t Sail Without An Engine Read Post »