Waypoints

Safety for America's Cup

jen.brett — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:37:37 GMT

America's Cup Regatta Director Iain Murray shared his safety recommendations on May 22 at a meeting with the four competing teams and the America’s Cup Event Authority.

On Passagemaking, Luck and What We Did Right

Brittany Meyers — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:27:11 GMT

We did a lot right during this passage; some of it intentional, some of it serendipitous... but here is what we learned and tips I can share based on our experience venturing offshore and covering 800 miles over the course of five days, non-stop.

Full-Bodied Voyager: Fantasia 35

Michael Robertson — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:50:00 GMT

“Cute” and “commodious” define the Fantasia 35.

The Ultimate Joyride: Hanse 415

Mark Pillsbury — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:24:06 GMT

The Hanse 415 is the latest in a long line of fine sailing boats from this German builder.

ABYC Boating Safety Check A Success!

bonnier-admin — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:50:53 GMT

One of over 20 boats that participated in our annual boating safety check program Several weeks ago, (May 4th to be exact) ABYC held it's annual boating safety check at Port Annapolis Marina. The idea here is to offer a free safety inspection to any and all that choose to participate. ABYC and some of its member surveyors and technical specialists as well as the local Coast Guard Auxiliary work through a series of checklists and create a report for the boat owner's that give them ...

Argh and Argh

Brittany Meyers — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:39:27 GMT

That's "rest and relaxation" in old time pirate speak, in case you didn't know....we're in the BVI, after all.

Triple-Threat Option: Neel 45 Boat Review

Herb Mccormick — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:31:46 GMT

The Neel 45, a three-hulled wonder and a blast to sail, is one of the coolest boats introduced for 2013.

Rigged Right: Refitting your Chainplates

Steve D'Antonio — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:10:43 GMT

Know how to determine when your chainplates need service to keep your spar standing true.

My Techie

Michael Robertson — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:54:28 GMT

Now even though this is like black magic to the crew of Del Viento, I totally acknowledge that receiving weather faxes via short-wave radio is absolutely nothing to most other cruisers--basic, basic stuff.

Ready or Not?

Ben Zartman — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:03:54 GMT

“Ready to go yet?” I heard the question over and over today. Fair enough—we’ve been ‘getting ready to cruise’ ever since leaving the boatyard several blog posts ago, and have Tuesday as our target sailing date.

A Voyage with Superior Charters

Elaine Lembo — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:27:54 GMT

The Apostle Islands, situated in North America's largest freshwater lake, are the setting for a sail in luxury aboard Windwalker, a fully crewed Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 509.

We Have Arrived

Brittany Meyers — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:47:27 GMT

This trip was absolutely something to savor and enjoy. As it turns out, all my worries were for naught.

History Repeated: Tender Trouble Times Two

Ben Zartman — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:09:31 GMT

“History,” a timeworn saying briefly assures us, “repeats itself.” Unfortunately for the Zartmans, this was the case with their dinghy delimmas.

Problem Solvers Profiled on PBS

Elaine Lembo — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:45:37 GMT

Sailors frequently make landfall in the far-flung locales that are settings for Saving the Ocean, a 10-part public-television series hosted by marine biologist and author Carl Safina. Check out our interview with Safina here.

BOTY 2014 Information for Builders

elawson — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:27:34 GMT

Entry and information forms are ready for the upcoming BOTY season.

Birth of a Sea Gypsy

Cap'n Fatty Goodlander — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:22:19 GMT

When Fatty passes Wild Card’s tiller to her new owner, he discovers that his trusty vessel has fallen into just the right set of hands.

Cruising Provisions and Preparatory Projects

Ben Zartman — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:57:04 GMT

Now, finally, all the work we’d had to put off until “after the boatyard” could begin.

A Valiant Spirit: Esprit 37 Review

Richard Smith — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:22:27 GMT

A true bluewater sailer, the Esprit 37 lives up to the promise implicit in its seaworthy canoe stern.

Reader Tip: Easy Reefing

Charles Barth — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:38:12 GMT

Here's a look at a mainsail reefing system that can be controlled by one person from the cockpit.

Wind in Our Sails

Brittany Meyers — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:45:02 GMT

The crew aboard Asante is currently motorsailing on a close reach headed southeast towards Jost Van Dyke in fantastic conditions.

Riding a Rocket: The Xp 38

Mark Pillsbury — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:42:56 GMT

With the latest high-performance cruiser from X-Yachts, the Xp 38, you'll be as well equipped to race as to relax.

"This Cruising Life" Photo-Contest Winners

jen.brett — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:04:51 GMT

Check out the winners of our cruising life photo contest! The two winners each received a pair of Barz Optics polarized sunglasses.

Your Chain Explained: Understanding Anchor Chain

Steve D'Antonio — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:57:34 GMT

Understanding the various types of anchor chain and the advantages—and disadvantages—of each will keep you linked in for the long haul.

Solo Flight: Preparing our Sailboat for Hurricane Sandy

Wendy Mitman Clarke — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:16:07 GMT

The night before Sandy hit, I stood on Osprey’s deck looking up at the nearly full moon. Its pallid light leaked into the sky as if it were being strained through cheesecloth. Scudding clouds—outliers of the coming storm—now and then threw the deck into an uneasy darkness. We’d been frantically preparing for two days. Now we waited, always the hardest part.

Hunter 40: A Bold New Look

Mark Pillsbury — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:20:54 GMT

The Hunter 40 has a fresh facade and long ties to a proven line of American-built cruisers.