As this newsletter hits your inbox, Trawler Fest Anacortes is in full swing! It’s not too late to come out and join us, Thursday, May 15–Sunday, May 18. A full recap of the show will be posted online at www.trawlerfest.com one week after the show, and in…
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A UNIQUE PLACE In our search for new and interesting places to explore during a Bahamian cruise, we were lucky to find The Island School. It is a unique destination—something you won’t find anywhere else in the world nested on the southwestern shores of Eleuthera,…
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In the 36 years since I began to plan our Great Loop cruise I have learned about the variety of boats people use to do the loop. There have been row boats, kayaks, fishing boats, jet skis, kayaks, trailerable cruisers, sailboats, fast cruisers, passagemakers and…
Read MoreI have spent time, lots of time, browsing in second-hand marine stores. Minney’s Yacht Surplus in Costa Mesa, California is a big second-hand store on the West Coast. Seattle has Dunato’s Second Wave, a new and used supplies store, where I have sold some equipment…
Read MoreOur under-the counter refrigerator/freezer has plenty of room for provisions when we cruise for a week or two, but when we go for a longer period of time there’s not enough space for everything I want to bring, especially a healthy supply of fruits and…
Read MoreWe travel by boat to experience the world in different ways, which is unavailable to “land lubbers.” When you set out on a cruise you have a unique vantage point. Keeping a ship’s log it a good idea and daily journal writing will pass the…
Read MoreWhen I include a segment in my Trawler Fest lectures about shorepower transformers I often ask attendees these three questions: “How many folks have a shorepower transformer?” “How many folks don’t know if they have a shorepower transformer?” “How many folks understand the function of…
Read More“Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. This is the sailing vessel Yellow Jacket. We need assistance, over.” “Yellow Jacket, Yellow Jacket, this is Coast Guard Victoria. What is the nature of your emergency?” Yellow Jacket, a 32-foot sloop, struck a log, which disabled her rudder. She was adrift and unable…
Read MoreMaybe some of you dream about flying, too. I dream that I can stay aloft by sheer will—no airplane, jut me flying. My dream flights are visceral. Sometimes they’re recreational and thrilling. Sometimes I must use my flying powers to escape villains. Yesterday, for…
Read MoreA stroll through the caulk and adhesive aisle of any marine chandlery will reveal a dizzying array of products. I recently walked through the ship’s store for a local boatyard I frequent, and a quick perusal of the stockroom reveals more than 16 different varieties…
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