Cruising Tips

Water and the Prodigal Crew

by Tom Cunliffe, Posted February 18, 2013

Pressure water is always nice on a boat, but when a landlubbing crew comes aboard it only encourages them to waste a precious commodity.

Cruising Tips: Knot Log Drain

by Bill Bleyer, Posted February 11, 2013

If you’re like many boatowners, you’ll only learn that the hoses connecting your cockpit drains to the transom through-hulls have failed when you see your floorboards afloat.

The Art of Motorsailing

by Charles J. Doane, Posted February 4, 2013

It never fails to amaze me how many jerry jugs of fuel some bluewater sailors are willing to carry on deck. Once I spotted a boat at the fuel dock in St. Georges with 16 jugs open on the quay waiting to be filled...

A Woman's Guide to Moving Aboard

by Joey Noelle Lehnhard, Posted January 28, 2013

Seven things I wished I'd known before taking my nautical leap of faith

Cruising Tips: Heaving-To

by Andy Schell, Posted January 21, 2013

During the 2011 edition of the Caribbean 1500 cruising rally, nine yachts of the fleet of 62 broke off after crossing the Gulf Stream and sailed toward Green Turtle Cay in the Abacos.

Parbuckling Dock Lines

by Tom Cunliffe, Posted January 14, 2013

If ever you find yourself with a heavy boat tied to a dock or wall, blowing off so that no amount of heaving will bring her in, you can always use the simple principle of parbuckling on your docklines.

Voice of Experience: Knockdown on Lake Ontario

by Joe Higgins, Posted January 10, 2013

“We’ll only be out for an hour,” he promised, and I decided to believe him. The wind out on Lake Ontario was light, the seas were calm, and despite there being some dark clouds in the distance, it looked like a great afternoon for a sail.

Save Energy Onboard with a 12-Volt Laptop Charger

by Connie McBride, Posted January 8, 2013

For many cruisers with simple electrical needs, a laptop computer can be the biggest power hog onboard. On our Creekmore 34, Eurisko, we need a laptop not only for my writing, but for our three homeschoolers.

Nifty Winch-Handle Holder

by Don Street, Posted December 20, 2012

It’s always nice to have dedicated spots on deck or in the cockpit for stowing winch handles. But the various pre-made molded-plastic or fancy fabric holders out there can be surprisingly costly, when all you really need is a short length of PVC pipe.

Crossing Seas with Kids

by Amy Schaefer, Posted December 19, 2012

What could be more relaxing and peaceful? Until you hear cries of, “Dad! My Barbie shoes went down the bilge!”, “Mom! James is sick again!” or the ever popular “I’m hungry!”