Category: Navigation
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) Few things are more aggravating that an engine which just won’t start, or one that starts and stalls. Whether you’re pulling on your dinghies outboard while your kids wait their towels and gear for a ride to the beach, or cranking your diesel trying to get your sailboat off the […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) Lithium Iron Phosphate (also known as LiFePO~4~ or LFP) batteries are a hot topic in boating circles these days, and for good reason. A well done and appropriate LiFePO~4~ installation can make an enormous difference in your boating. The key word is “appropriate” because lithium batteries are not the right […]
by B.J Porter (Contributing Editor) It’s that time of year, when we’re all going to be slimmer, kinder, better read, and more active starting in just a couple of days. There’s no reason we can’t improve our lives on the water, right? So you can think about losing weight or learning that new instrument, but […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) In our recent post Why Are My Lights Dim, we covered the basics of electricity and power consumption. But one reason you may have dim lights and a low battery is that your battery may be no good. A quality rechargeable battery can give you many years of service, but […]
by B.P. Porter (Contributing Editor) Whether you’re headed to your first charter or your tenth, the British Virgin Islands are a delightful place for a stress-free sailing vacation. The sailing distances are short, there’s plenty to see and do, and there’s something for everyone in your group. While we’re talking mostly to people coming to […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) Every boat big enough for running lights has an electrical system. And every boat owner with an electrical system should understand the basics of electricity. You don’t need to know how to build an alternator out of refrigerator magnets, a water pump, and a pine cone like some nautical MacGyver, […]
By B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) As the days get shorter and cooler, a week or two some place warm sounds better and better. By January, northerly sailors will be climbing the walls to go catch some wind. If you’re thinking about a charter vacation, you’ve got some planning to do. And we’ve got a few […]
By B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) When it’s time to sell your boat – whether by yourself or with a broker – you have a bit of work to get an easier, quick sale. It’s not so different from selling your house – first impressions matter, staging counts, and a good, clean look in photos and […]
By B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) If you spend enough time on the water, you’ll have a story or two about things going sideways or pear-shaped (both things we’ve done to our spinnakers). It’s inevitable, no matter how much we prepare and plan, sometimes the world just doesn’t cooperate. And who doesn’t love a good sea […]
By B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) Well, I’ve put it off all summer, but as August draws to a close and Labor Day rolls near, it’s time to talk about the “W” word. Which is, of course, “Winterizing,” which no one likes to talk about when it’s still warm and sunny. But with a little advanced […]
