Monday Minute - Consider Night Vision

Monday Minute - Consider Night Vision

Carrying night vision on your boat offers great utility, and is great fun. It makes night travel a lot safer, providing you with the tools to see in the dark. Highly recommended equipment, more affordable than ever before.

How to Avoid Windlass Woes

How to Avoid Windlass Woes

Often ignored until there is a problem, maintaining your boat’s anchor windlass system is the key to keeping your anchoring abilities safe and carefree, as it should be.

Monday Minute - What's In Your Dinghy?

Monday Minute - What's In Your Dinghy?

Like that credit card commercial, “What’s in Your Dinghy?”

What you carry in your dinghy may make a difference if the unexpected happens. Whether it is a handheld radio, sunscreen, or a working flashlight, it can make an unexpected situation just another cruising adventure instead of something less pleasant.

A New Take on Single vs Twin Engines

A New Take on Single vs Twin Engines

The question of single engine versus twin engines has been beaten to death many times over, in my opinion. It really doesn’t matter which you choose, as a single engine with a bow thruster can perform as well as a boat with twin engines. But given how the marketplace has evolved, many buyers are looking at older trawlers, and the age factor somewhat changes the discussion.

Monday Minute - A Pilgrimage Not Unlike Cruising

Monday Minute -  A Pilgrimage Not Unlike Cruising

I now savor my first taste of the famed Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain, which last year attracted over 300,000 people from around the world. I purposely did not set any expectations for this walking trip, rather deciding to let it happen and see where it went. I was rewarded with new friends, and an experience that I could never have imagined.

While the last bit of jet lag conspires against me along with a strong allergic reaction to the pollen now covering Annapolis, I am sure this trip will linger on in my daily life as I plan my third act in life.

Know the Boarding Drill

Know the Boarding Drill

Knowing the process of a boarding can help reduce the stress when it happens to you. It is routine business for the Coasties, but can be especially stressful offshore where the Coasties are loaded for bear as they deal with drug running, contraband smuggling, and other serious situations.

Monday Minute - How Good is Your Bilge Pump?

Monday Minute - How Good is Your Bilge Pump?

Make sure your bilge pump requirements are checked off before you head over the horizon. There has been reports over the last couple of years where boats have been abandoned rather than saved for precisely this reason.

Righty Tighty

Righty Tighty

Checking for tight electrical connections is a great part of your spring ritual. Making sure all important wiring is securely tightened, as loose connections are the primary source of electrical and electronic failures.

Monday Minute - Look Out The Window!

Monday Minute - Look Out The Window!

Technology has made remarkable progress in the past decade, making navigation easier, safer, and more reliable. But we're not at the point of autonomous boating, so it is still the operator's responsibility to maintain situational awareness.

Piloting in Limited Visibility

Piloting in Limited Visibility

Sometimes we find ourselves traveling in less than ideal conditions. But if one is prepared, it is safe to keep going, but at slower speeds and using all the tools available.

Other times it is best to stay put. 

It's a Risky World

It's a Risky World

A couple of incidents worth reading about bring up the subject of maritime security. Military branches from many countries are working together to address these issues, but it is a complicated.

And an outstanding effort by the Australian Navy makes a miracle happen.

Monday Minute - A Slick Way to Carry Documents

Monday Minute - A Slick Way to Carry Documents

A nice solution for carrying one's license, credit cards, and cash when a wallet or purse is vulnerable, such as wet dinghy ride going ashore.

Secrets to Maintaining Brightwork

Secrets to Maintaining Brightwork

There are a few tricks to keep your brightwork looking good during the season. Here are some ways to hold off expensive refinishing jobs. Keeping up with brightwork while cruising isn't hard and is so worth it.

Monday Minute - You Can Fix A Chart Error

Monday Minute - You Can Fix A Chart Error

NOAA's Coast Survey group has a website for all cruisers to report errors in nautical charts. It is a chance to assist in making our charts more accurate.

The All-Important Spring Sea Trial

The All-Important Spring Sea Trial

The best way to have a trouble-free cruising season is to perform a thorough sea trial after you launch the boat. And be sure to run the boat at full throttle, which will surface equipment and components that are ready to break, clog, or disintegrate. 

Times are Changing - Developing Young Craftsmen

Times are Changing - Developing Young Craftsmen

It is time to develop a skilled workforce in the marine industry, as many older techs retire. Developing apprenticeship programs is now the focus of industry, federal, and state government who partner to create a talented and quality labor resource for the future.

Monday Minute - My Chain Hook

Monday Minute - My Chain Hook

Here is my version of a traditional chain hook with locking gate, custom made of 3/8-inch stainless steel plate. It is super strong and will never separate from the anchor chain, so I can sleep soundly, knowing the snubber/bridle will do its job even if we are in shallow water.

The Bucket

The Bucket

One of my all-time favorite true stories about a couple, alone in an anchorage, when something terrible happens that neither expected. Proof that great things never happen in comfort zones.

Have a box of Kleenex handy.

Monday Minute - Refresh Your Passing Skills

Monday Minute - Refresh Your Passing Skills

If you are doing the Loop, ICW, northern canals, or other waterway cruises that involves narrow rivers or canals, reacquaint yourself with the proper signals for passing other boats and marine traffic.

Is it one toot or two?