We have hove to under main and mizzen alone, but the common method is to back a stay sail. We chose this method off the Georgia Coast one evening as an awesome storm cloud charged towards us like a stampede of wild horses
“To think that a lot of people consider it very difficult to enter a harbor without an engine…it depends on the harbor, of course, but if they would only try it, perhaps they would never again press the starter.“
The Southern Caribbean in the Summer is PERFECT. Little traffic, great weather and empty anchorages to enjoy! Here are some sample itineraries starting from Marigot Bay, St. Lucia.
The sole purpose of my electrical system is to bedevil me. My vessel has over 100 electric devices—and suicide is looking like a good option.
Boat wires are subject to a lot of vibration and should not be soldered. If they are, the soldered part is usually fine
Broad reaching and running present the least amount of resistance and stress to your boat.
The rumor going around the waterfront is that painting the topsides of a boat is expensive. If you do the work yourself, the cost will be far lower.
Modern sloops have a furling headsail and a mainsail, staysails are far from untypical. Here are some pointers on the benefits of staysail use on a cruising rig.
Wonder glue or miserable failure? Unless you understand the properties of epoxy and mix it properly, you can get problems. It must be mixed in the right proportions (and each manufacturer’s proportions are different), cured at the right temperatures, and the work assembled under the right humidity for the best results. What is Epoxy? Most…
Whether you island-hop sail the ‘Thorny Path’, go offshore and direct, or ship your vessel to the Caribbean, there’s one thing you’ll want to do once you arrive: provision. All islands offer food for sale. However, the size and number of stores varies from no more than convenience-type markets with a bulk of canned goods,…
Salt air is legendary for revving up an appetite. It’s no wonder that meal times are one of the most pleasant parts of a charter. Just as there are choices when it comes to destination and type of vessel, so there are choices with provisioning. You can ‘do-it-yourself’, hire a chef, or opt for something…
Part 1 of the Series – Have you Ever Wanted to Build Your Own Boat Before you embark on a building project, start making sketches and notes—when you are out on your own boat or when you are at a boat show looking. When you find something that you like make a note of it,…
Have you ever wanted to build your own boat? If you have, do you have any idea how many hours it will take? Or how much it will cost? Or even what material you will build the boat from?
There is nothing like good brightwork to add thousands of dollars to the value of your boat. But it takes work and time to get a great finish. First, you need to get the wood prepared properly, and after the preparation you need to apply each coat according to the manufacturer’s instructions. You also need…
Does Worker’s Compensation Apply to Vessels? What Type of Crew Should I Hire For my Vessel? How Should I Pay my Crew?
Explore the fascinating journey of sail making, from its historical roots in ancient ports to the modern technological advancements shaping the industry today. Discover how North Sails Caraibes blends tradition with innovation.
Stitch and glue building is the name given to boat building using plywood sheets held together by copper wire, string, cable ties, or some other method. The joint is then glassed over – on larger boats the copper wire may be left in, but on smaller craft it is usually cut out. An epoxy fillet…
Discover the legal complexities of chartering your boat in the U.S. and how to avoid potential pitfalls.
Louay Habib takes a look at the outstanding features of the SAILOR SP3515, one of the most advanced portable VHFs in the world. It is amazing how cell phones differ from handheld VHFs as they both perform similar jobs. Now, I am not advocating the idea of turning your portable marine radio into a games…