Category: Cruising
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) Jacklines and tethers can save your life. But used incorrectly, they won’t work and can even cause harm. So what’s the proper way to use jacklines and tethers? Jacklines need to be installed with enough tension in a position that won’t let you go overboard, and a tether should always […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) Read Part II, Part III, and Part IV of buying a used boat. There are a lot of things to look for when you’re buying a used boat. This started out as “Five things to check…” but we decided we didn’t want to get boxed in by a numbered list […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) Now and then, I open the knot book to look up something for a specific application. I’ve come to it with questions like “what’s the best way to tie this slippery piece of uncovered Spectra to this anchor chain so it never slips” or some other specialized knot. But for […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) My iNavX Experience We’re introducing a new occasional feature on the iNavX blog – interviews and discussions with real users. We hope sharing their iNavX stories will give you new ideas about how our software can be used. When I mentioned I’d be writing for iNavX to a friend of […]
Neighborly Anchoring
May 1st, 2020 by inavx
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) Back in January we talked about how to anchor your boat for a good night’s sleep. But anchoring out is more than just dropping the hook so you’re set for the night. In most places, the odds are good you won’t be alone. So how can you be a good […]
Night Time Safety at Sea
May 1st, 2020 by inavx
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) Sailing offshore at night connects you to the sea in your surroundings in a way that’s hard to explain. The universe contracts to just the boat as visibility drops, and you rely on your other senses. The slap of the waves, the whisper of the wind, or the gentle huff […]
Isolation Dreaming
April 3rd, 2020 by inavx
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) Had enough group video chats, baking, reading, series binging, and looking at your walls yet? Maybe it’s time to think about some place fun to celebrate the end of the lockdowns and border closings. What could be better than palm trees, warm weather, and sailing? Caribbean Sailing Who hasn’t thought […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) In 2018 in the United States, the Coast Guard counted 633 deaths and over 2,500 serious injuries from recreational boating accidents. Not to be dark and grim, but boating safety is a serious topic and many fatalities and accidents could have been prevented with care and caution. This isn’t an […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) Every book on cruising, every engine user manual, every “tips and tricks for not killing your engine” guide, every coastal and cruising instructional course out there says one thing in common: Check your engine oil every day. This is basic, but I am convinced that only the most meticulous people […]
Entering a Strange Harbor
March 4th, 2020 by inavx
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) Visiting new places is one reason we sail and voyage. What can be more exciting than showing up in a new town or on a new island full of new sights and experiences? Navigating close to land can be the trickiest part of any trip, and a strange harbor can […]
