Every time my wife Jennifer and I sail to the Beaver Islands, something goes wrong. So why do we keep going there? Initially it was because of where they are, but now its because of what they are.First, the where part. The Beavers are a dozen islands in northern Lake Michigan, 30 miles from Michigan sailing centers like Mackinac Island, Harbor Springs and Charlevoix.
A gentle west wind rippled the placid waters of Silver Bay, glistening in the light of a full moon that truly did make the bay look silvery. I was sitting alone in the cockpit, a cold beer in hand. Beads of condensation from the bottle dampened my palm. It was after Labor Day and the anchorage was deserted, except for me and my two Elizabeths.A flash of light caught my
A gentle west wind rippled the placid waters of Silver Bay, glistening in the light of a full moon that truly did make the bay look silvery. I was sitting alone in the cockpit, a cold beer in hand. Beads of condensation from the bottle dampened my palm. It was after Labor Day and the anchorage was deserted, except for me and my two Elizabeths.A flash of light caught my
Are you contemplating a Caribbean bareboat charter, but concerned about the cost? Heres how you can blow those worries off the chart with just a few simple tricks.Most charter companies have tempting deals that offer full or partial meal provisioning. If you choose not to take advantage of these, you will save money by not paying for items that you dont use. We recently met a couple who,
The Throgs Neck Bridge cast a shadow over the East River off the bow of StewardShip, my friend Dave Stewards C&C 29 MK II, a fast-yet-comfortable cruiser. A stiff southerly breeze bearing funky scents of the Big Apple filled the sails, speeding us along.Standing at the wheel, I glanced up at the underside of the span, experiencing the usual trick of the eye
The Throgs Neck Bridge cast a shadow over the East River off the bow of StewardShip, my friend Dave Stewards C&C 29 MK II, a fast-yet-comfortable cruiser. A stiff southerly breeze bearing funky scents of the Big Apple filled the sails, speeding us along.Standing at the wheel, I glanced up at the underside of the span, experiencing the usual trick of the eye
Is it a love story when a widow and a widower fall in lovenot with each other, but with the Chesapeake Bay? Two years ago, at the age of 55, I became a widow and got my U.S. Coast Guard license to operate a 50-ton vessel. Herb, 81, recently widowed, and once an expert sailor on Canadas Georgian Bay, moved aboard Ticketoo II, a 34-foot Catalina, on the Chesapeake
Sailors and non-sailors alike respectfully refer to the ocean beyond my home waters of San Francisco Bay as Outside the Gate. Along the northern California coast there are miles of rocky coastline separating the few harbors of refuge, which often have challenging entrances. Along the way you had best be prepared for strong winds, fog, and sizable seas. Of course, it may also
Sailors and non-sailors alike respectfully refer to the ocean beyond my home waters of San Francisco Bay as Outside the Gate. Along the northern California coast there are miles of rocky coastline separating the few harbors of refuge, which often have challenging entrances. Along the way you had best be prepared for strong winds, fog, and sizable seas. Of course, it may also
Pirates in the Gulf of Aden received much international media attention this month with the Maersk Alabama incident and the subsequent retaliation attack against the Liberty Sun. The pirates vowed to kill Americans. Until now, flags have not seemed to influence the pirates’ choice of ships to hijack, but perhaps that has now changed. All types of boats, from giant cargo ships to
The second time around with a Dolphin 24 affirms the less-is-more philosophy of sailing.
Perception of risk is a funny thing.
With its latest grant, the Ocean Cruising Club supports a sailing family’s initiative that aims to make it easier for sailors—both inshore and offshore—to participate as citizen scientists in a variety of marine science and conservation projects.
Raymarine has released its latest generation of LightHouseCharts for Raymarine Axiom and Element multifunction displays, delivering faster redraw speeds and expanded and updated coverage.
“We’ve never seen anything like it,” says Mike Rees, Seawind Catamarans’ sales and marketing manager. He’s referring to the popular appeal of their new model,
Building on proven positives in its earlier designs, Seawind Catamarans has hit a sweet spot with its new 1370.
Even if you know it’s coming, 30 knots is a lot. And we—and presumably the whole fleet competing in last September’s Naval Academy Sailing Squadron
The OCC has announced the 2024 recipients of their awards for sailing and voyaging excellence, including Pip Hare and Victor Wejer.
A futuristic push-button passagemaker, this powerful cat is designed for adventurous couples targeting off-grid cruising. The massive cat has onshore-typical accommodations like a full-size, double-door
Sure, it’s not particularly sexy, but if you want that boat show finish, you’ve got to swab the decks.
