Climate Change has been in the news lately. There is no doubt that climate change and global warming are fact. But there seems to be some confusion as to whether it’s man-made or a natural Phenomenon – or, more likely, …
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It certainly is a changing world. Charlie remembers, as if it were yesterday, his first water toy. It was a rubber duck in the bathtub, used as an enticement to get him into the hated weekly washing regimen in England’s …
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I wrote a story not long ago about how we humans could learn a lesson or two from our underwater world. As we dive or snorkel through the clear warm waters of our coral reefs we see no signs of aggression …
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Just keep your wind generator for what it is best at—generating noise and vibration and not-much-else. As a journalist, it is drilled into me to be fair and objective. Also, marine advertisers pay my salary. Inkslinging sailors who offend often …
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September and it’s time for our annual look at ‘what’s new’ around our Caribbean boatyards and spotlight the facilities that are upping their game. Happily, it seems like they all are and that is wonderful news for those about to …
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The 1928 Alden Schooner Charm III was returning to the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta having skipped a year. She was leaving Anguilla for St. Maarten on Friday April 8th to provision and pick me up. Charm’s owner/skipper, Richard West, …
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I have spent my lifetime—particularly my professional life—extolling the virtues of small and simple craft. I’ve done this so well that I am now able to live aboard a large, complicated craft. Ah, sweet success! People often ask my religion and …
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Mega Yachts and Super Yachts have only been of passing interest to Charlie, him being more of a traditionalist, but when Charlie is asked to write a story about any facet of boats and the sea he jumps at it …
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Charlie likes music; he also likes silence, but there’s a time and place for everything. When there’s a high pressure system over the islands and the atmosphere is crystal clear; and when this is accompanied by a light 10 to …
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I am continuously amazed at how much time, talent, and money ordinary people lavish on their boats. It seems crazy, really. I live on my yacht, sail on my yacht, and do research for my writing on my yacht. It …
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Charlie’s boat was in the yard for annual maintenance and this time he’d planned a major overhaul. He’d be pulling all the through hulls for maintenance and replacement if necessary. The prop shaft would be removed for inspection and the …
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I get dozens of non-fan letters per day—but I have no desire to respond to the strident, insistent, and persistent demands for my dismissal. To those folks, I can only say, “Get a life!” However, every once in awhile, a …
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Emergency procedures are not to be taken lightly when venturing out onto the ocean. There are all kinds of devices that can be employed in the event of a serious catastrophe. Charlie commonly teaches the ASA 104 Bareboat course and …
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For 35 years I’ve written a Caribbean boating column that chronicles how utterly and pathetically stupid I am. And, despite all logic and commonsense, I’m not about to stop now. I’m just getting good at it. I’m totally focused. No …
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There is nothing quite as exciting as cruising the world’s little known destinations; it adds spice to the cruising life. Back in the 1980s when Charlie was cruising the world, he sailed to the remote regions of the Solomon Islands …
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It is best not to allow cruising wives to meet other cruising wives. To put it another way: suffering at sea should be a solitary pursuit. A happy ship is one in which the crew isn’t fully aware how miserable …
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If your dreams are huge and your bank account tiny, you have to think out of the box. Sometimes, of course, I think a tad too far out of the box — and end up in a place where I …
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Everyone one has a core talent—and mine is saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. I learned this in a Chicago Police station. The Irish cop was debating whether to arrest me or not. I was attempting to subtly …
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The regatta season is here and in full swing. Shiny racing machines line the docks, the bars are full of crews, ranging from lusty deck apes, trim young men and women, hot babes and suavely attired owners. Charlie’s friend Bruce …
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