What do you do if your inflatable PFD doesn’t inflate when you hit the water? During last week’s safety at sea seminar I discharged my HIT inflator. While putting the PFD back together I kept thinking it would be very challenging to try to figure out how to inflate it while wearing it treading water. […]
Personal Gear Requirements: Ocean and Offshore Racing
Update: Since my first Offshore race I’ve kept this up to date for crew of other offshore racing programs I’ve participated in. Although most of the quotes are from the 2015 Marion to Bermuda race requirements the gear listed has been updated for 2018 ocean/offshore races. Last updated November 30th, 2019. I took charge of […]
Big Boat Basics: Below
The first time you spend more than a few hours on a big boat most of the new things you have to learn are below decks in the cabin. Most of these differences can be boiled down to conservation; conservation of resources that are limited on a boat including electricity, water and space. Fortunately they’re […]
Sailing Packing Checklist
Updated 30-Nov-2019 I use this checklist when I am packing for a sailing trip. I go through the checklist to remind me about everything I might bring; everything I don’t need I just check off and move on. If I’ve needed it once it’s on the list; this is meant as a list of ideas […]
Passage Evaluation: Antigua to Barbuda
As skipper and navigator just about every time we go out sailing there is “passage” evaluation and planning. Even if it’s as simple as “we have 3 hours, let’s head east for 1 hour and back west for 2” you’re always evaluating options, most of the time intuitively your head. This evaluation gets harder as […]
SavvySalt Weighs Anchor
Hi, I’m TJ Kowalczyk, founder of SavvySalt. I started SavvySalt to contribute to the sailing community through education. Let the voyage begin! Why SavvySalt? That’s answered thoroughly on the About page. Why start now? Sailing has given me so much and I want to contribute something to the community. I’m hoping I can combine my […]