The Offshore Voyaging Reference Site
Despite the well-documented risks of being dragged after falling overboard, many (probably most) offshore sailboats are still using sidedeck jacklines, raising the key question: Is that solution worse than nothing? At last we have numbers to help each of us make that critical decision.
It’s vital that before we head offshore we really think about the watch system we will use. A poor system can be the start of big problems.
What really happens when a crew member falls overboard while tethered to the boat? We know this often results in a fatality but there were no in-depth studies to help us reduce the risk. Here’s the first step in fixing that.
When we think of going cruising it’s often about exotic locations, warm waters, and palm trees, but the process of getting there requires hundreds of good decisions, or at least minimizing the bad ones.
Carrying on from the last chapter in our Rigging and Sails Online Book, here are a bunch more curated and relevant rigging tips.
John and Phyllis have used lifejackets with built in harnesses from Spinlock for over 20 years. Here’s our review of the latest version.
More about how to decide when to reef, including a mental hack and specific true wind speed examples, as well as more tips, including which sail first.
Tips relevant to the Electrical Systems for Cruising Boats Online Book
Boom brakes have never looked right to me, but now I have solid numbers, together with other reasons, to strongly recommend against them. But if you still insist on a boom brake, I have some recommendations.
Consistently reefing at the right time, particularly when sailing offshore, makes passages easier, safer, and, above all, more fun.
Now we understand the forces at work, John looks at the details of rigging a strong and easy-to-use preventer system.
Most of the chapters in this Online Book are about anchoring systems for larger boats. But what about smaller boats? What compromises can we make and still end up with a safe and workable system?
One of the common debates in any sailor’s bar is which hull material is best. John settles the argument…it depends. But he does make some solid recommendations for hull materials most of us should avoid and the one that the majority should choose.
In recent years, cruising boats have got ever bigger, but what’s the safe upper limit, particularly for a shorthanded amateur crew? John used his 30 years of experience voyaging in a 56-foot boat to answer that vital question.
I think most of us know that our engine start battery should be fused, but what about the rest of the engine harness. John was shocked to find the answer to that question.
In the last two chapters we discovered that the jackline systems most of us use for COB prevention are pretty much useless. Now we are moving on to what to do about that—the good stuff.
We have selected a good harbour to ride out a storm, now how do we prepare?
We are coastal cruising and a storm is forecast. So how do we choose the right harbour or anchorage to ride it out in? These 9 tips will help.
Millions of words are written about managing storms offshore, but what about when coastal cruising? Here are some real-world proven strategies.
I have been frequently asked for my thoughts on systems where lithium and lead-acid batteries are connected in parallel. Here you go.
A racing boat, as long as she is not too extreme, can make a great cruising boat, but there are many things to learn before buying, and to change after.
This hurricane season is forecast to be one of the most active in history, and that means we should think about upgrading our moorings.
In the last chapter we examined an ideal fully integrated lithium system at a big price, now let’s see if we can save some money without sacrificing too much.
It’s forecast to be an active hurricane season so here is the first of two articles on preparing a mooring for storms. This one on the building a chafe resistant pennant.
So far in this buyer’s guide, we have covered the technical aspects of upgrading our offshore cruising boat to lithium. Now let’s compare three relatively high-cost options and the cost and benefits of each.