Category: Navigation
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) The first time you go through a start sequence in a race may leave you a little confused. There are guns firing, horns blowing, flags, people yelling, boats milling around, and it’s complete chaos. And in a moment everyone is sailing in the same direction, on the same tack, a […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) Welcome to a new boating season! Those of you in seasonal boating country, about now you will be getting all your ducks in a row for your boats to get back in the water, and that’s great. We all can hardly wait to get out on the water again. Rather […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) So maybe our introduction to racing post got you excited enough to find a boat to race on for the season? Congratulations, you’ve made a start. But what happens next? As your first for-real race approaches, what should you expect? What should you bring, wear, and know how to do? […]
Part I:Boater’s Guide to Engines: The Internal Combustion Engine by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) Last month we kicked off a multi-part series on boat engines and propulsion. Since we build on what we learned in the introductory article, it’s worth a read if you haven’t had a look. This month, we’re taking a deeper look […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) For many people, the answer to “Will I like sailboat racing?” is unequivocally “yes!” Of course, it’s not for everyone, and sometimes it takes getting out there for a race or three to figure that out. But the real question for people who’ve never raced but are curious about it […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) If you live in the land where frozen water now falls from the sky, hopefully your boat is safely tucked away, winterized, and covered until spring. If it isn’t…get to work before something freezes and breaks! But if it is all set for the winter, that doesn’t mean your work […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) Last month we discussed some of the most common questions we get when people learn my wife and I cruised full time for many years. Since that list quickly got too long, we split it into two parts. So here are some more questions and answers. Read Ask a Cruiser: […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) Fall has started, and we’re heading into the long dark of winter in the colder climes. Boats are getting pulled, winter covers are coming out of storage, and we’re stockpiling pink antifreeze. We’re facing the prospect of months without boating, and all we can do is read glossy sailing magazines […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) When people find out that I’ve done a lot of offshore cruising and crossed the Pacific, the conversation inevitably turns to weather. “Did you ever get caught in any big storms?” and “What’s the worst weather you’ve ever seen?” are common questions. I’ve already talked to that last one in […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) Timing a boat sale can make a big difference in your purchase or sale price. It also changes the number of boats you have to choose from, and how much work you need to do once you take ownership. There are differences in buying a new boat versus buying or […]
