Power, Sail, Marine Systems, Boats
Bill Parlatore
Will Cruising Powerboats Ever Catch Up With the ...

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?

Will Cruising Powerboats Ever Catch Up With the Rest of the World?
Electronics, Power, Sail
Bill Parlatore
Monday Minute - End of Year Changes to Apps

The end of the year is time to renew subscriptions and replace older apps with new ones. New technology and improved functionality promise a safer, faster, and easier user experience. In this case it is from Navionics, a Garmin Company. And General Motors.

Monday Minute - End of Year Changes to Apps
Boats, Power, Sail, Travel
Bill Parlatore
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.

The Rogue Wave
Boats, Sail
Bill Parlatore
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.

Monday Minute - Another Sailor is Out
Power, Sail, Marine Systems
Bill Parlatore
Monday Minute - Differential GPS Bids Us Adieu

If you are an “experienced” cruiser (aka old person) you probably remember the days of Selective Availability (SA) and intentionally reduced GPS accuracy. The military only let us know our location within 100 meters. This continued for years, despite ongoing pleas from the FAA and USCG to provide everyone with the accuracy available from the GPS satellite system.

It took a jetliner being shot down to turn off this reduced-accuracy SA.

Today we could not live without accurate GPS information. At home, on the road, and on the water.

Monday Minute - Differential GPS Bids Us Adieu

Sail

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Monday Minute - Maintaining Dock Lines

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Monday Minute - Maintaining Dock Lines

At least once a year it is a good idea to inspect your boat's dock lines. At the very least, an overnight soak in fabric softener does wonders for dirty, stiff lines.

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Rethinking Jacklines, Tethers, and Safety at Sea

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Rethinking Jacklines, Tethers, and Safety at Sea

A recent Southern Ocean tragedy involving offshore safety equipment forces a renewed look at modern life-saving gear and how to make it even better...and safer. 

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Cruising with Children

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Cruising with Children

Pam Wall makes a case for the outstanding life choice to cruise with a young family, as she and her husband did in their 39-foot sloop. Whether the vessel is a sailboat or trawler, it can be a life-defining adventure that so totally exchanges today's social media "experience" with the real world in all its diversity and beauty.

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Monday Minute - Ignore It and It Will Be Fine...Not!

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Monday Minute - Ignore It and It Will Be Fine...Not!

Boats and their owners are in a kind of relationship where each takes care of the other. You can't assume it to be otherwise. There are the exceptions, however, such as the Westsail sailboat in The Perfect Storm that was later found in good condition on a beach after being abandoned by its crew. But those are not the norm.

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What to Look For - When Buying a Used Sailboat

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What to Look For - When Buying a Used Sailboat

Pam shares her thoughts on what to look for when searching for the right boat. Looking beyond the interior appointments and creature comforts is key. By following her advice you'll not waste your time and money falling in love with a boat that won't pass a proper survey. 

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A Tech Tool You Need - Digital Laser Thermometer

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A Tech Tool You Need - Digital Laser Thermometer

Along with wrenches and other tools, a non-contact thermometer is a valuable instrument to help you keep tabs on your ship's systems. Once you establish the normal temperature of your engines, pumps, and other machinery, an occasional recheck of this equipment will indicate if you are developing a potential problem.

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EGRET TALES OF THE SEA - Andratx, the Balearic Islands

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EGRET TALES OF THE SEA - Andratx, the Balearic Islands

Scott and Mary Flanders continue sharing their Med cruise with a visit to the Balearic Islands off Spain. This post is about the seaside town of Andratx, on the island of Mallorca.

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Have the Eye of Your Dock Line Work for You

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Have the Eye of Your Dock Line Work for You

Consider how we tie up our boats to docks when cruising. Transient docks, even temporarily for fuel and provisioning, should not be the place to lose control over our boats, which we do when we throw our dock lines to someone on the dock, who may or may not be experienced to know what to do to keep our boat safe.

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Getting Ready for the Next Generation of FollowingSeas

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Getting Ready for the Next Generation of FollowingSeas

Taking the time this week to work on expanding the site for new content beginning next week. Have a great holiday season, and I wish you the best for 2018!

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EGRET TALES OF THE SEA - The Med - Part 3

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EGRET TALES OF THE SEA - The Med - Part 3

To cruise the Med, one has to get there. Scott and Mary Flanders share their thoughts on that in this third post on general Med cruising.

Hopefully, it will give you some ideas and perhaps even some inspiration.

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Monday Minute - When the Outboard Goes Overboard

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Monday Minute - When the Outboard Goes Overboard

How to save a two-stroke outboard after it goes underwater. Scott Flanders explains how you can save a two-stroke.

Submerged four-stroke outboards are a different story and unlikely to be fixable. The replacement of an outboard is expensive, assuming you can even find one while cruising.

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EGRET TALES OF THE SEA - The Med - Part 2

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EGRET TALES OF THE SEA - The Med - Part 2

In this second post about Med cruising, Scott and Mary Flanders share tips about cruising, what it costs, what you'll need, and about sharing the experience with friends and family.

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EGRET TALES OF THE SEA - THE MEDITERRANEAN, WHY, AND HOW - Part 1

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EGRET TALES OF THE SEA - THE MEDITERRANEAN, WHY, AND HOW - Part 1

In this first of a three-part series, Scott and Mary Flanders discuss the reality of Mediterranean cruising, and why it is easier than you might think to enjoy this wonderful area. Their experiences on Egret, their Nordhavn 46, should inspire you to enjoy your own world cruise. 

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Monday Minute - Extending Anchor Chain

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Monday Minute - Extending Anchor Chain

If you need to connect two lengths of anchor chain, there are numerous ways to do so. Here is one product I found that seems to be the best of available choices.

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Taking Care of your Mechanical Steering

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Taking Care of your Mechanical Steering

Some useful information to keep your mechanical steering working properly.

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Taking Care of Your Hydraulic Steering

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Taking Care of Your Hydraulic Steering

Maintaining your hydraulic steering system is not difficult, and a thorough inspection should be an annual affair to keep it operating properly.

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EGRET TALES OF THE SEA - Cruising Regions, Why and How

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EGRET TALES OF THE SEA - Cruising Regions, Why and How

Scott and Mary Flanders reflect on their world cruising adventures and highlight those areas they found most appealing to North Americans. Not everyone has the means to travel the world in a full displacement passagemaker, and this cruising couple explains us how we can explore the world in a way that is more attainable.

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Surveying An Engine Room

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Surveying An Engine Room

The value of an engine survey can't be overstressed when looking for your ideal cruising boat. A separate effort from a general boat survey, an experienced mechanic's skill at judging the overall health of a boat's engine(s) and generator gives you the ability to decide if the boat is right for you, or if you should keep looking. More so than any other element of a cruising motorboat or trawler, the engine room is the most important space on the boat. 

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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?

Read More →
Monday Minute - End of Year Changes to Apps
Monday Minute - End of Year Changes to Apps

The end of the year is time to renew subscriptions and replace older apps with new ones. New technology and improved functionality promise a safer, faster, and easier user experience. In this case it is from Navionics, a Garmin Company. And General Motors.

Read More →
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.

Read More →
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.

Read More →
Monday Minute - Differential GPS Bids Us Adieu
Monday Minute - Differential GPS Bids Us Adieu

If you are an “experienced” cruiser (aka old person) you probably remember the days of Selective Availability (SA) and intentionally reduced GPS accuracy. The military only let us know our location within 100 meters. This continued for years, despite ongoing pleas from the FAA and USCG to provide everyone with the accuracy available from the GPS satellite system.

It took a jetliner being shot down to turn off this reduced-accuracy SA.

Today we could not live without accurate GPS information. At home, on the road, and on the water.

Read More →
The Cost of Cruising - Part 4 - Cutting Expenses
The Cost of Cruising - Part 4 - Cutting Expenses

Let’s take a look at some ways to cut expenses, and conversely, how to make money while cruising. They both contribute to allow you to keep enjoying the lifestyle.

Not many couples can get by making video vlogs on YouTube of their adventures, and expect others to pay for their experience through donations and Patreon.

Read More →