by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) Rigging comes in two forms – standing rigging, or that which is permanently fixed to the boat, and running rigging, which is the lines and other devices that can be easily removed and adjusted. Next month, we’ll talk about running rigging, because that has a whole mess of names too. […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) Boat shows are a blast, and you can see some of the newest tools and tech for boating, and all the latest new boats. Shows in the winter get you through the cold-weather doldrums, and shows closer to the season have in-water boat viewings and more events. Shows vary from […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) Directions on a boat can be tricky, because they’re not always absolute. Sometimes they are, and the mnemonics help you, but other times you’ve got to know the context to get it. But don’t worry, we’ll take you from the basics to the ones that make you think “Up? So […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) With an unlimited budget and stack of the latest sailing magazines, you can come up with a log list of phenomenal upgrades which will change your game on the water. You can spend a lot on your boat, from lithium ion batteries to the latest networked radar. And you’ll enjoy […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) Hey New Boaters: a lot of nautical terminology may sound pretentious or unnecessary. And some of it is. But when things are happening quickly, it’s critical to say the correct thing without fumbling for imprecise words. If you don’t know the word, you’ll be yelling stuff like “Move the thing…and […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) VHF radio can be a chaotic and noisy place, and a few considerations for how to use it and an awareness of the rules (and laws!) make it much more useful for everyone. Even if you’re an old salt, a refresher before the new season is never a bad idea. […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) “Oh! Piglet,” said Pooh excitedly, “we’re going on an Expotition, all of us, with things to eat. To discover something.” “To discover what?” said Piglet anxiously. “Oh! just something.” Winnie-the-Pooh, by A.A. Milne If you take your boat anywhere for the night, you almost always bring a dinghy. This sturdy […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) Tucked up near Canada on the northwest corner of the lower forty-eight states, the San Juan Islands are a delightful archipelago with some of the most stunning cruising grounds in the U.S.. This cluster of over 100 named islands (and several hundred other unnamed rocks and islets) is a popular […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) More years ago than I care to admit, my wife and I took an offshore sailing and cruising course. It was fantastic, and we learned loads of valuable skills during a week spent sailing from Florida to the Bahamas, living on board with three other students and the instructor. But […]
by B.J. Porter (Contributing Editor) Spring lines are a powerful tool for any boater getting, but so many people don’t use them well. They’re a little challenging to figure out, and when the best situation is for them, but they will make an enormous impact on your in-close boat handling. We’re not going to re-write […]
