In our last article we examined some options for determining the best outboard motor option for your dinghy. Because of some new and improved technology, there are now alternative choices to a standard two or four stroke gasoline combustion outboard motors. Valid and enticing possibilities also include the electric outboard motor, as well as the…
The reason I learned to write was to avoid manual labor—and, strangely, I now earn my living scribbling about how-to-do stuff I seldom actually do. Ironic, eh? And, of course, a sailor can become rather pompous while pretending to be an expert—especially when they know they don’t know what they are talking about. For example,…
Budget Marine put together their Top Ten Gift Ideas for Boaters We know it’s a struggle finding that perfect gift! Here’s a collection of hot items to share this year. Stand Up Paddle Boards Don’t get left behind with this fast-growing sport of stand up paddleboarding (SUP). It’s a fun, easy way to go…
Explore the perfect holiday gifts for the boater in your life with this curated list of must-have nautical books, from timeless classics to adventure-packed reads.
There are many varieties and options of small outboards on the market today but choosing the right dinghy outboard motor for you can be difficult. Don’t despair… By answering a few basic questions you can have a better idea of what your needs are and thus cut through the dizzying array of options to select…
Troubleshooting Outboard Motors AFTER they been Stored You’ve been too busy to use your boat for a couple of seasons, and now you’re taking it out of storage to get back on the water. Your boat ran pretty well when you parked it, so it shouldn’t be too much trouble to bring it back…
At a minimum here is a checklist of items to keep in your “Boat Tool Kit.” Don’t get stranded without having the right tool. Could make the difference.
Learn how to tie a rope whipping knot with this step-by-step guide. Essential seamanship skill to prevent rope fraying.
From our vantage point at Shirley Heights 300ft above cerulean waters off Antigua’s most southerly point, we can see the ghostly blue outline of Montserrat. We perch on bastions carved from volcanic boulders, high atop a mountain studded with cacti and intrepid goats. The waters far below are striated with white foam. They change to…
Countless numbers of divers state that the Rescue Diver Certification course they took is the course that provided the greatest sense of accomplishment and confidence. While a few rescue techniques are covered in Open Water and Advanced courses, a good Rescue Diver instructor opens a whole new world and gives students much more self-assurance. When…
In anticipation of the annual southerly migration of boats to the islands and beyond, this month we’ll explore the Bahamas. These low-lying islands just 60 miles off the coast of Florida provide fantastic cruising grounds for sail and power boats alike. But, unlike the relatively easy ins-and-outs on the ICW, many of the passages into…
J World’s expert coaches have agreed to answer your sailing questions in future issues. Send Questions on ANY sailing topic to Kristen Berry at [email protected] Ask JWorld – Kristen, this season I have had trouble keeping “non-essential” crewmembers on my team. Only so many folks can trim the sails, so what can we do to help keep…
Being able to tell how deep the water is beneath your boat has come a long way from a lead weight on a line. Today’s technology will tell you accurate depth and indicate the type of bottom structure. Emerging technology can even show what is around your vessel in graphic detail, displaying fish suspended among…
During shrimp baiting season, Sept. 14-Nov. 14, a $25 license from the S.C. Department of Natural Resources allows recreational shrimpers to collect a 48-quart cooler full of the tasty crustaceans each night – and boatloads of memories. The healthy fun of throwing a cast net over and over again in search of a legal limit…
On a remote windward shore in the British Virgin Islands, 500-600 pairs of Magnificent Frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens) nest together, helping to form the third largest seabird colony in the Caribbean and the only frigatebird colony within two hundred miles. One of the most iconic of Virgin Islands seabirds, these scissor-tailed animals, known locally as ‘Man…
When scuba divers reveal what they consider dream dives, many would say discovering a previously unknown wreck where they find an ancient Greek coin, a bar of Spanish silver or gold, an Etruscan jar, a Columbian emerald destined for royalty before a hurricane sank the ship, or a rare cannon once used by pirates after…
The joy of chartering knows no limit when it comes to age. Just ask 84 and 87-year-old Claire and Dick Reed. The two seniors accompanied their son Glenn and daughter-in-law Heather Dawson on a family yacht charter aboard Select Yachts’ 47ft Beneteau, Piggybank, for this year’s St. Maarten Heineken Regatta. Dick worked the starboard Genoa…
Much has changed in the charter world since Commander Nicholson cast off on his first crewed yacht charter in 1949 and Virgin Islands’ sailors followed suit less than a decade later by chartering their homes for $400 dollars a week for a party of four. Today, yacht chartering continues to evolve and it’s shaped both…
When arriving in Aruba all vessels are required to go to an official port of entry to clear in before allowed elsewhere on the island. For yachts this is Barcadera harbor. The vessel and crew will have to be cleared both by Immigration and by Customs. First do the clearance at Immigrations (Seaside office), then…
For many seasonal sailors it is the time of year to start preparing for that annual trip home. Flights booked, insurance companies emailed, marina or haul-out organized, duty frees purchased and off we go … But wait a minute. Let’s take a moment to consider the needs of our floating abode. Sure, you’ve removed the…