Cruising Tips

The title of this essay is a bit of a misnomer because I don’t actually believe there is such a thing as an objectively “good” offshore boat, let alone a perfect one. The answer is subjective. First, some truths. A conservative design with a more moderately sized rig, moderate ...read more

Imagine this simple scenario: the boat’s powered up, sailing close-hauled in a building breeze under full sail. I come on deck as the skipper during the watch change to make sure the new crew is comfortable and the boat is properly set up for both the current conditions and ...read more

“The weather is rough and unpredictable,” says August Sandberg, skipper of our Swan 48, Isbjørn, and a native Norwegian, having grown up on an island outside Bergen at 60 degrees north latitude. “The sun never rises. The sky is dark, and the air cold. You’re constantly chipping ...read more

Of all the superpowers today’s sailors wield thanks to modern electronics, being able to sail in fog with impunity is certainly one of the most useful. GPS navigation and electronic charts have been around long enough now that there is an entire generation of mariners who have ...read more

Our Nautor’s Swan 59, Icebear, was as close to Bermuda as we were going to get on our passage south to the BVI from the Chesapeake. When we left the bay, I’d had no intention of stopping until we made landfall in Tortola. Then the bilge started filling with water… I’ve long ...read more