Would You Sail In The High Latitudes In A Fibreglass Boat?

by John December 1, 2005

Question: Would you cruise the high latitudes in a fibreglass hull?

What Should I Look For When Buying An Older Aluminum Boat?

by John January 1, 2006

Question: What advice and cautions would you have regarding buying older aluminum boats? I have been told to pay particular attention to the area under the heads and engine and around the through-hulls. Is there anything else you might be wary about in an older aluminum boat?

Used Colin Archer Design Sailboat

by John December 1, 2006

Question: We have reached a stage now where we want to be cruising very soon (world in 4 to 5 years, local waters well before that), and so we are looking at boats to do this. In two weeks or so we will travel interstate to see this boat: She is a Colin Archer design, [...]

Is A Macgregor 26M Suitable For A Trans-Atlantic?

by John January 1, 2007

Question: I am a 46 year old professional in fairly good health and in good shape. I am wanting to reverse the steps of my great-great-grandfather, sailing from Belfast, Maine to Bantry Bay, Ireland. I plan to leave June 3rd, 2011. The boat I want to take is a Macgregor 26M. Is this solid enough?

Used Boat For Trans-Atlantic On A Budget

by John February 1, 2007
Ted Brewer designed Hullmaster 32, an example of an older but solid boat that could probably go to sea if carefully checked over and upgraded (this one is, though it's not for sale)

Question: I am trying to buy a boat to go cruising with my family. Over the course of a few years, we will cruise in the Chesapeake and then the Med with a trans-Atlantic in between. My budget is modest (US$50,000 give or take 20%); however, the choice of boats is MIND BOGGLING! Is there [...]

Tips On Buying A Used Boat For The High Latitudes

by John May 1, 2007

Question: We are looking for a used boat to buy, and wonder if you could give us any pointers. We plan to cruise the high latitudes and circumnavigate with two people. The features we are looking for in a boat are: Full keel 32 to 37 feet long Cutter rig Over 11 foot beam

Motorsailer Versus Sailboat

by John May 1, 2007

Question: We are considering the purchase of a 52′ motorsailer and wanted to know your thoughts regarding at what age (we are 62 and 60) should a couple consider a trawler versus a sailboat. After reading your very detailed descriptions regarding handling of sails while voyaging we were just wondering if we are taking on [...]

A Motorsailer For Offshore Voyaging?

by John May 1, 2007
A rough sketch of the motorsailer’s deck profile superimposed over a picture of Morgan’s Cloud. Keep in mind that the boats weigh about the same; in fact, in a fully loaded comparison MC is probably lighter. Also, the profile difference is much more dramatic than this image shows since MC has a lot of reserve buoyancy (flare) in the ends. A water plane plan of both boats would show a much larger difference.

Question: We are a couple aged 60 and 62 considering a 52’ motorsailer for extended cruising to Alaska, Hawaii and beyond. We have attached some details on the boat and would like your opinion of its suitability for our plans. The #1 reason we like the motorsailer concept is the raised and fully enclosed pilothouse, [...]

Is An Aluminum Catamaran Suitable For The High Latitudes?

by John May 1, 2007

Question: I would like to do some cruising in the high latitudes and am in the process of planning a boat to take me there. You and others, like Jimmy Cornell, are very partial to alloy boats and I agree it seems to be the way to go. But I also like catamarans. I can [...]

There’s No Excuse For Pounding

by John May 1, 2007
Morgan’s Cloud drives to windward in Denmark Strait. We had 5 days of 20 to 30 knot head winds on this passage between Greenland and Iceland. The Cloud loved it and never pounded—we hung on.

Are voyaging sailors considered curmudgeons when many new boat designs start to worry them? If so, I guess I’m there; in fact, I guess I’ve been there for a while.

It Takes Guts To Own A Wooden Boat

by John May 19, 2007
Replacing the horn timber on a wooden sailboat.

Our neighbour here in Down East Maine, where we have been refitting Morgan’s Cloud for the last three winters, is Jeff: lobsterman, talented photographer, Persian carpet dealer and, for the last two years, wooden sailboat owner.

Trans-Atlantic Singlehanded

by John August 1, 2007

Question: I’m at a point in my life when it’s time to live the dream that I’ve had since childhood and that’s to sail across the Atlantic single handed. I’m a complete beginner to sailing. I’m currently doing a skipper’s course which will take me up to advanced cruising, coastal navigation and radio operation, although [...]

Turning The Dream Into Reality

by Colin October 1, 2007

Ever since I was a small child I have had a fascination with building things, or making them better—boats, cars and motorcycles have all come and gone in this manner. Some started as good basic raw material, others as well formed objects that simply needed fine tuning and affection.

Choosing A Suitable Boat, New Versus Old

by Colin November 1, 2007
An OVNI 435 aluminum sailboat being framed.

There is a strong argument for buying a used boat for long distance cruising. The purchase price is initially more affordable, the boat often comes with a fairly full inventory, and may be well sorted out and ready to go.

K.I.S.S.*

by John December 1, 2007

I always learn something, or have my existing thinking clarified, when talking with other experienced voyagers.

A Boat Built To Travel

by Colin December 1, 2007
The OVNI 435 aluminum sailboat has a well-protected rudder and prop.

For us the choice of boat was dictated by our need for a traveling base camp for our wildlife photography interests, as much as for recreation. As the places we wish to visit are generally remote from civilization, we need a craft that can go virtually anywhere, for extended periods, and be as self-sufficient as [...]

Making The Most Of Aluminum

by Colin January 1, 2008
The OVNI 435 aluminum sailboat deck showing deck fittings welded on rather than screwed on.

Aluminum has many obvious attributes as a construction material—high strength to weight, durability, lack of maintenance—but there are other, subtler benefits that aluminum can offer, especially if starting from scratch. Careful thought at the planning stage to take advantage of that potential is time well spent.

The London Boatshow—A Real Disappointment

by John February 1, 2008
A row of motorboat bows at the London Boat Show.

We just got back to our cottage in Nova Scotia from the London Boatshow. While the people we met and the old friends we reconnected with made it a great trip for Phyllis and me, and well worth while, I have to say that the show itself was a disappointment.

Self-Defence In Harbour

by Colin February 1, 2008
The OVNI 435 aluminum sailboat anchor locker and bow.

Those of us with aspirations to cruise in higher latitudes tend to focus on obviously important kit—sails, ground tackle, engine—but sometimes at the expense of simpler and less apparent elements. For example, some of our time will still be spent in port, but that almost certainly won’t be the sort of haven we’re used to [...]

A Practical Interior At Sea Or In Harbour

by Colin March 1, 2008
The OVNI 435 aluminum sailboat interior layout showing woodwork.

A boat designed for extended offshore cruising has very different priorities from one designed for the occasional weekend aboard or a two week annual holiday.

← Next Posts