Category: Navigation
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) Over the past years, we’ve about a lot of boat electronics, like what’s an MMSI and what do you need DSC for. We’ve touched upon the Automatic Information System (AIS) briefly, but never discussed it extensively. Now it’s time for that deep dive. Because AIS an important tool for any […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) By the time Thanksgiving rolls around, northern boaters have their boats entombed in shrink wrap and are bracing for the cold. But there are still parts of the country where you never put the boat away, and there are a lot of Americans out there cruising the world year round. […]
Everything Boaters Need to Know about VHF Radios, Licensing & MMSI Numbers
October 10th, 2024 by team
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) If you ask a long time sailor, they may tell you about the olden days when you had to get a VHF license for your boat before you could talk on your radio. I’m old enough to remember that, but the rules have changed and recreational boaters in U.S. waters. […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) The other day I was reading about navigation and charts, and I came across a detailed bit of information about chart labeling that I was completely unfamiliar with. I’ve used charts for years of course, and started with paper. I thought I knew them well. But here was this silly […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) Recreational boaters often wonder about licensing, training, and what you need to buy or operate a boat. And the terminology over it can be confusing, and the rules and regulations differ by country. For private U.S. boaters in domestic waters operating their own vessels with family and friends on board, […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) It’s been said that the two happiest days in a boat owner’s life are the day they buy a new boat, and the day they sell it. I can’t say I agree that’s always true. True confession time: the last time I sold a boat, I was bawling like a […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) To sail successfully, you need to observe with great care. You need to identify what the wind and the water are telling you and then find a way to execute, to reach whatever goal you’ve set, be that simply making it home or winning a race. Diane Greene Sailors live […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) Most beginning boaters have heard the “Red, Right, Returning” rule, which tells you how to pass certain markers to avoid the dangers they’re keeping you off of. It’s a handy rule, and easy to remember, and will serve you well sailing in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean and any other […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) It’s hard to believe we’re already past the Fourth of July. It feels like we were just taking off the shrink wrap up in the cooler climes. But don’t despair, even though it may feel like summer is on the wane, there’s plenty of time left for some spectacular weekend […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) If you watch a weather report, on a national level, you’ll often see the meteorologist standing in front of the national map, waving their hands at the various red and blue curves with spikes and lumps on them. They’ll talk about “cold fronts” and “warm fronts,” and show them moving […]
