Power, Sail, Marine Systems, Boats
Bill Parlatore
Will Cruising Powerboats Ever Catch Up With the ...

It’s been a long time coming but we now see tangible progress emerging to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel. If the U.S. Navy can prove that it works, isn’t it about time the concept of the modern cruising boat includes hybrid forms of propulsion?

Will Cruising Powerboats Ever Catch Up With the Rest of the World?
Electronics, Power, Sail
Bill Parlatore
Monday Minute - End of Year Changes to Apps

The end of the year is time to renew subscriptions and replace older apps with new ones. New technology and improved functionality promise a safer, faster, and easier user experience. In this case it is from Navionics, a Garmin Company. And General Motors.

Monday Minute - End of Year Changes to Apps
Boats, Power, Sail, Travel
Bill Parlatore
The Rogue Wave

The fear and mystery about sea monsters and rogue waves goes back to the early seafarers. With much improved technology, computers, and satellites, we know much more about this phenomemun today…and they are much more common than previously believed.

The Rogue Wave
Boats, Sail
Bill Parlatore
Monday Minute - Another Sailor is Out

Susie Goodall had a really close call, but she is safe after losing her Rustler 36 in the Southern Ocean. The 29-year-old was knocked unconscious when her boat pitchpoled end over end in rough seas and high winds.

She was eventually picked up by a cargo ship on its way to Argentina.

Monday Minute - Another Sailor is Out
Power, Sail, Marine Systems
Bill Parlatore
Monday Minute - Differential GPS Bids Us Adieu

If you are an “experienced” cruiser (aka old person) you probably remember the days of Selective Availability (SA) and intentionally reduced GPS accuracy. The military only let us know our location within 100 meters. This continued for years, despite ongoing pleas from the FAA and USCG to provide everyone with the accuracy available from the GPS satellite system.

It took a jetliner being shot down to turn off this reduced-accuracy SA.

Today we could not live without accurate GPS information. At home, on the road, and on the water.

Monday Minute - Differential GPS Bids Us Adieu

Power

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The Engines Go Into the Spencer 74

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The Engines Go Into the Spencer 74

Installing these MTU engines is not your everyday boat yard scene, so everyone came to watch it happen. Rent a crane, hire some professionals to oversee the operation, and we're done by lunchtime. Of course, hooking it all together takes weeks.

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One NM Per Gallon, Fast or Slow

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One NM Per Gallon, Fast or Slow

So many boats consume a gallon of diesel to travel one nautical mile, but how do you care to make that happen? Slow and economical or a quick trip. For a number of boats with similar performance, it comes down to how you care to burn it.

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Monday Minute - Mustang Gets Her Engine Fixed

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Monday Minute - Mustang Gets Her Engine Fixed

I came along on a sea trial aboard Mustang, whose Cummins diesel got some new parts. Nice to be aboard her again, one of the most impressive sailboats I have been aboard.

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Monday Minute - Sharing Brian's Eight Year Report

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Monday Minute - Sharing Brian's Eight Year Report

Brian Calvert is still enjoying life in the Philippines aboard his Selene trawler, Further. His adventures continue, but after so many miles and eight years of wandering adventure, it's time to take care of business on the boat and its systems. His experience is worth reading as you plan your own passage to paradise.

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A Rather Unique Restoration

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A Rather Unique Restoration

The story of how an unlucky sportfishing yacht gets a new start as it is completely restored by talented and dedicated boat builders. Such a project takes vision and a whole lot of gumption. Thankfully John Patnovic and his team at Worton Creek Marina have both.

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Monday Minute - A Fuel Filter Vacuum Gauge at Your Helm

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Monday Minute - A Fuel Filter Vacuum Gauge at Your Helm

Adding a second, remote fuel filter vacuum gauge at your helm is another tool worth considering as you plan for extended cruising. It takes some of the guesswork out of running your boat, and you will feel more confident that things are well in your engine room.

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Get With the Program and Conduct a Proper Radio Check

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Get With the Program and Conduct a Proper Radio Check

Do you know about Sea Tow's Automated Radio Check service? It should be part of your normal operations routine, and used often to ensure your radios and antennas are working as well as you hope they are.
Far better than the traditional radio check of throwing out a call and hoping someone will respond. And let's leave "10-4, Good Buddy" ashore, please.

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Monday Minute - Thoughts on Sizing Engines and Generators

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Monday Minute - Thoughts on Sizing Engines and Generators

Conversation with industry specialists often drifts into other related topics. In this case, we talked about how best to size a propulsion engine for a new boat, and then selecting the right size generator for the boat's electrical demands.

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Notes in the Pilothouse

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Notes in the Pilothouse

Advice and suggestions from an extremely knowledgeable boat owner and industry expert whose expertise with marine electronics sets a standard well beyond the typical DIY technician.

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Monday Minute - Maintaining Dock Lines

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Monday Minute - Maintaining Dock Lines

At least once a year it is a good idea to inspect your boat's dock lines. At the very least, an overnight soak in fabric softener does wonders for dirty, stiff lines.

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Fuel Filtration Viewed From Within The Industry

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Fuel Filtration Viewed From Within The Industry

Reviewing some notes from my travels, and finding the comments are as relevant today as they were a few years ago. It is refreshing when engine guys speak the truth even if it goes slightly against the company party line.

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Cruising with Children

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Cruising with Children

Pam Wall makes a case for the outstanding life choice to cruise with a young family, as she and her husband did in their 39-foot sloop. Whether the vessel is a sailboat or trawler, it can be a life-defining adventure that so totally exchanges today's social media "experience" with the real world in all its diversity and beauty.

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Monday Minute - Ignore It and It Will Be Fine...Not!

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Monday Minute - Ignore It and It Will Be Fine...Not!

Boats and their owners are in a kind of relationship where each takes care of the other. You can't assume it to be otherwise. There are the exceptions, however, such as the Westsail sailboat in The Perfect Storm that was later found in good condition on a beach after being abandoned by its crew. But those are not the norm.

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A Tech Tool You Need - Digital Laser Thermometer

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A Tech Tool You Need - Digital Laser Thermometer

Along with wrenches and other tools, a non-contact thermometer is a valuable instrument to help you keep tabs on your ship's systems. Once you establish the normal temperature of your engines, pumps, and other machinery, an occasional recheck of this equipment will indicate if you are developing a potential problem.

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Monday Minute - Why a Single is Best Offshore

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Monday Minute - Why a Single is Best Offshore

A letter from an experienced trawler owner with more sea time than most of us will ever see. His comments go beyond the typical boating magazine cocktail discussion of single versus twin engines.

He is the real deal. 

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EGRET TALES OF THE SEA - Andratx, the Balearic Islands

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EGRET TALES OF THE SEA - Andratx, the Balearic Islands

Scott and Mary Flanders continue sharing their Med cruise with a visit to the Balearic Islands off Spain. This post is about the seaside town of Andratx, on the island of Mallorca.

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Have the Eye of Your Dock Line Work for You

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Have the Eye of Your Dock Line Work for You

Consider how we tie up our boats to docks when cruising. Transient docks, even temporarily for fuel and provisioning, should not be the place to lose control over our boats, which we do when we throw our dock lines to someone on the dock, who may or may not be experienced to know what to do to keep our boat safe.

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Getting Ready for the Next Generation of FollowingSeas

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Getting Ready for the Next Generation of FollowingSeas

Taking the time this week to work on expanding the site for new content beginning next week. Have a great holiday season, and I wish you the best for 2018!

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Featured Articles

Featured
Will Cruising Powerboats Ever Catch Up With the Rest of the World?
Will Cruising Powerboats Ever Catch Up With the Rest of the World?

It’s been a long time coming but we now see tangible progress emerging to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel. If the U.S. Navy can prove that it works, isn’t it about time the concept of the modern cruising boat includes hybrid forms of propulsion?

Read More →
Monday Minute - End of Year Changes to Apps
Monday Minute - End of Year Changes to Apps

The end of the year is time to renew subscriptions and replace older apps with new ones. New technology and improved functionality promise a safer, faster, and easier user experience. In this case it is from Navionics, a Garmin Company. And General Motors.

Read More →
The Rogue Wave
The Rogue Wave

The fear and mystery about sea monsters and rogue waves goes back to the early seafarers. With much improved technology, computers, and satellites, we know much more about this phenomemun today…and they are much more common than previously believed.

Read More →
Monday Minute - Another Sailor is Out
Monday Minute - Another Sailor is Out

Susie Goodall had a really close call, but she is safe after losing her Rustler 36 in the Southern Ocean. The 29-year-old was knocked unconscious when her boat pitchpoled end over end in rough seas and high winds.

She was eventually picked up by a cargo ship on its way to Argentina.

Read More →
Monday Minute - Differential GPS Bids Us Adieu
Monday Minute - Differential GPS Bids Us Adieu

If you are an “experienced” cruiser (aka old person) you probably remember the days of Selective Availability (SA) and intentionally reduced GPS accuracy. The military only let us know our location within 100 meters. This continued for years, despite ongoing pleas from the FAA and USCG to provide everyone with the accuracy available from the GPS satellite system.

It took a jetliner being shot down to turn off this reduced-accuracy SA.

Today we could not live without accurate GPS information. At home, on the road, and on the water.

Read More →
The Cost of Cruising - Part 4 - Cutting Expenses
The Cost of Cruising - Part 4 - Cutting Expenses

Let’s take a look at some ways to cut expenses, and conversely, how to make money while cruising. They both contribute to allow you to keep enjoying the lifestyle.

Not many couples can get by making video vlogs on YouTube of their adventures, and expect others to pay for their experience through donations and Patreon.

Read More →