Boats

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?

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.

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.

The Cost of Cruising - Part 1 - Ongoing Maintenance

The Cost of Cruising - Part 1 - Ongoing Maintenance

We start a new series that explores the cost of cruising. No matter what boat you own, there are certain expenses you will incur on an annual basis for maintenance. These are important to keep the boat cruise worthy.

But how much should one plan to spend?

Monday Minute - Following Seas, Movie of Awahnee

Monday Minute - Following Seas, Movie of Awahnee

A movie worth watching, about a remarkable couple who went above and beyond the dreams of normal sailors. Whether it was to circumnavigate Antarctica, or follow in the footsteps of Captain Cook, this family lived a life at sea.

A Sticky Subject or Can We Admit Our World Has Changed?

A Sticky Subject or Can We Admit Our World Has Changed?

Should we examine the value of sailing in horrific storms when the realities of climate change are making it worse in near survival conditions? Are we having fun yet?

ICW - Have A Plan To Not Have A Rigid Plan

ICW - Have A Plan To Not Have A Rigid Plan

Let’s discuss various ways to keep the ICW trip south less tedious, and maybe inject a little fun along the way. But first let’s make sure the waterway is clear!

Monday Minute - Who Pays For Debris Damage?

Monday Minute - Who Pays For Debris Damage?

With the storms and heavy rains, we have a lot of debris fields in our waterways. The thumbnail image from WBAL-TV show one of the classic sandbaggers at the National Sailing Hall of Fame, surrounded by wood and floating junk that drifted into Annapolis after they opened the flood gates of the Conowingo Dam on the Susquehanna River.

If you have the proper boat insurance, are you covered if you damage your boat? I went to a reliable source to get the answer.

Prepare For The Coming Storms

Prepare For The Coming Storms

Get ready for some nasty storms on the U.S. East Coast. Pam Wall shares some good information about how best to prepare. And take these storms seriously.

Getting Rid of an Old Boat

Getting Rid of an Old Boat

So what is one to do when a boat reaches its end of life? There are some options, but frankly the industry hasn’t really solved this issue in a way that is sustainable.

Monday Minute - Where Do Old Boats Go?

Monday Minute - Where Do Old Boats Go?

I attended the annual boat auction in St Michaels, and wonder about the fate of old boats that no longer have a meaningful purpose.

A New Adventure - Round 2

A New Adventure - Round 2

Turning a fast chase boat into a cruiser is the next goal of world cruisers, Scott and Mary Flanders. They have found the right boat, trucked her to North Carolina, and in a few months begin the modifications necessary to create a highly competent pocket cruiser.

Monday Minute - Get That Seating Right

Monday Minute - Get That Seating Right

Inspired from comments made from last week’s post, let’s discuss helm seat options. There is no one solution for comfortable and safe seating at the helm on all boats. It is something designers and builders used to ignore. Today it gets the attention it deserves.

Notice the helm seating when you go to the upcoming boat shows. And can you get around it once it is in position?

The Right Helm for You

The Right Helm for You

Setting up your helm requires some thought as to how best to utilize what is often limited space. Whether you are refitting an older boat or buying a new one, make sure the instrumentation works for you, and critical instruments are where you can see and operate them with a casual glance.

Monday Minute - The Discipline of A Wiring Diagram

Monday Minute - The Discipline of A Wiring Diagram

It takes discipline to keep everything shipshape. That is true on cruising boats, and it is true in life. Always looking just to get it done asap is not usually the best plan. Good enough rarely is.

Doing it right, then updating the documentation, including wiring diagrams, takes discipline but pays off in the end.

A disciplined life is a successful life.

Monday Minute - Integrate, Innovate, or Evaporate

Monday Minute - Integrate, Innovate, or Evaporate

Times have changed since we first talked about integrating all electrical systems on a boat, even a complex trawler or sailboat. The marine industry wasn’t ready for it, but that is all behind us now.

For lots of reasons, 2018 may be considered The Year of Integration in recreational boating.

A Survey, a Comparison, and a Cool Trick to Learn

A Survey, a Comparison, and a Cool Trick to Learn

I watch a survey of a trawler with friends and we go on a sea trial. Soon we’ll compare our notes of this 2007 boat with a new one and see what’s changed.

And I share a nice way to get comfortable running a single engine boat.

Complete Integration and It is Way Cool!

Complete Integration and It is Way Cool!

I got aboard a new MJM 35z in Annapolis to celebrate the new owners’ new boat. It sure is nice to have all the control this boat offers at one’s fingertips. Fast, economical, comfortable, and very well made, the MJM offers a look at what can be done.