This video will demonstrate how I ensure I have necessary offline charts before a passage. The process itself is applicable to any chartplotter app but for this demonstration we use Navionics
The Best Headlamp for Sailing
When a sailor progress to sailing through the night a headlamp becomes essential gear. This article tells you which headlamp you should buy and why it’s the best choice for sailing on the market.
Dragging Anchor in a Tiny Anchorage
that time we narrowly avoided sacrificing our deposit dragging anchor in strong overnight winds
Anchor More Safely with a Dinghy Scout Track
With any simple handheld chartplotter, often as simple as your smartphone with your favorite navigation app installed, you can use this technique to improve your safety margin in sparsely charted areas. I love tips like this that use gear I’ve already paid for in an unorthodox way, especially when it allows me to enhance safety […]
Tragic Drowning in the Chicago-Mac
Near the start of the 2018 Chicago Yacht Club’s Race to Mackinac race a sailor was washed overboard and drown. This account from his team makes my stomach churn: The boat made three unsuccessful approaches to retrieve him, during which crew noted that his life jacket had not inflated. During the third approach, crewmembers saw […]
Customizing your Chartplotter with Local Knowledge
Step by step instructional video for customizing a chart with local knowledge and then loading it onto a smartphone chartplotter app. Using only free software! Download Links Image Customization: Preview on OSX (builtin app) GIMP Maptiler File Management “Downloads” App (builtin on many Android devices) X-Plore File Manager SailGrib Weather Routing Free
How to Fly with an Inflatable PFD
The first time I flew with my inflatable PFD my head was swirling with the rumors of difficulties flying with CO2 cartridges. After a few conversations with TSA agents and coaching some friends through the same I know the drill and I don’t give it a second thought. With these three simple steps you can […]
Find a crew spot at an Offshore Rally or Offshore Race
This is Part IV in a series of articles on acquiring offshore sailing experience. Here we discuss and link to ways to find and evaluate offshore races and rallies from the comfort of your desk at home. Enjoy: Offshore races and rallies provide great opportunities for sailors new to offshore sailing to get out there. […]