SAIL.SailMagazine

There are two types of sailors: those who live for turquoise waters, sandy beaches and great sailing, and those who live for fabulous restaurants, trendy neighborhoods, convenient marinas...and great sailing.

When I bought my first cruising sailboat, I falsely assumed the rudder was watertight. I later learned otherwise when I began seeing rust streaks at the seams.

During the “treasures of the bilge” segment of the cruisers’ radio net in Bocos del Toro, Panama, someone named Felix offered a metal sextant for sale. Two minutes later I was racing out to his handsome ketch Boisterous.

Here’s a simple trick I’ve used many times to clear a rope anchor rode caught on a keel. First, I get out my 15lb mushroom dinghy anchor and attach it to the snap shackle...

Maybe it’s me, but I don’t get it. 

It was Tuesday, October 23, 2012, and Tropical Storm Sandy was on her way to becoming a Category 1 hurricane.  Already tearing up Jamaica and parts of Cuba, NOAA was predicting Sandy’s path to continue north, straight up the east coast.