Top 12 tips for cruising
Thinking you have enough shade? You may or may not have a great bimini, but when the sun is not directly overhead, it will be inadequate. It will only shade one side of the cockpit. Consider a shade cloth that…
Cruising
Dedicated to Cruising the world under sail including destinations, navigation, sailing tips, safety ideas, yacht & multihull reviews along with stories and insights for the sail cruising life in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Coral Sea Rally from Cairns to Port Moresby makes progress
The Royal Papua Yacht Club (RPYC) is pleased to announce that DHL has just signed on as the Platinum Sponsor of the DHL 2017 Coral Sea Rally. Organised in conjunction with the Cairns Yacht Club and Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron,…
Critics say plan for drifting ocean trash collectors is unmoored
Science magazine. By Erik Stokstad. It is undeniably an ambitious vision. Boyan Slat, a charismatic 22-year-old drop-out inventor, plans to clean up plastic trash circulating in the North Pacific Gyre by launching a fleet of floating trash collectors. Ocean currents…
Hemingway's to open at Abell Point
Another significant addition to the Abell Point offer launches this weekend, 12 May, just in time for the start of the cruising season. With the marina making good progress with the restoration works after TC Debbie passed through the Whitsundays…
International fleet line-up for 16th Samui Regatta
SAMUI, Thailand – Samui is set to turn on the style as more than 500 sailors head to the Thai tropical island for some fun in the sun at the 16th Samui Regatta, held 20 – 27 May, 2017. Based…
Marvelous Mackay – shelter and sustenance on the Queensland coast
Like many Australians, I thought Mackay was just a mining town that was probably suffering from the end of the boom. And like many cruisers, I thought the best way to see it was over my left shoulder when heading…
Jon Sanders blog – still sitting in Colon, waiting for passage
Jon Sanders is on his 10th circumnavigation of the world. He regularly sends these unique insights into the places where he stops. He is currently waiting to go through the Panama Canal. The city of Colon Panama, Atlantic side of…
ARC Europe and ARC USA set sail from Nanny Cay
On Saturday 6 May, crews of two World Cruising Club rallies waved goodbye to the Caribbean shores of Tortola as they set off for their offshore adventures as part of the 2017 editions of ARC Europe and ARC USA. …
Lisa Blair Update – progress on the new mast
Lisa Blair was 70% of the way to becoming the first woman to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around Antarctica – when her mast came down. Lisa fashioned a jury rig and after the transfer of fuel from a freighter,…
Missing yacht found off North Carolina coast
TradeOnlyToday. By Reagan Haynes. A sailing yacht that capsized last November near the Dominican Republic on its way from Chesapeake Bay to St. Maarten was found off the North Carolina coast near Morehead City. Sea Tow Crystal Coast is still…
Wide Bay bar warning – light realigned after significant shoaling
Our thanks to Mysailing reader John Graham who sent us this important update from the Tin Can Bay Coast Guard: On 16 March 2017, a hydrographic survey of the Wide Bay Bar was conducted to ascertain the degree of shoaling…
Jon Sanders – waiting for transit through the Panama Canal
I am back on the high seas. Left Nanny Cay Marina using engine, motored to Norman Bight, Norman Island, British Virgin Islands. In quiet weather, sailing, motor sailing, or motor boating I can clip the tiller on (quick easy). Then…
Get your Beneteau on for the Pittwater Regatta May 13
Whether you own a Beneteau, crew on a Benny or want to go for a fun sail on a Saturday, time to get registering for the next Pittwater Beneteau Regatta. This year the regatta will be held at Royal Prince…
Four sailors killed when storm drives vessel on to rocks
The Maritime Executive A tragic accident in the port of Rimini, Italy claimed the lives of four yachtsmen last week when a storm drove their vessel onto the rocks. On April 18, the 50-foot sailing yacht Dipiù departed Marina di…
Canaipa Passage silting – time your run
The southern stretch of Canaipa Passage, which runs up the western side of North Stradbroke Island in Moreton Bay, appears to be silting up. My house on Russell Island overlooks the area and in the past two years I have…
Jon Sanders – living the life in the British Virgin Islands
Still here, parked day or two, Cane Garden Bay BVI. Wonderful Bay, nice beach restaurants and bars. On the main Island Tortola. “Road Town” capital of British Virgin Islands is on the other side of the Island. To get from…
Lisa Blair – first week in Cape Town as the search for a new mast begins
Well after my dismasting and very special welcome to Cape Town I have been very busy getting quotes, cleaning the boat and trying to figure out how to get a new mast with very little money. I also took a…
Youth charity offers someone an opportunity to assist
We all know the healing power of sailing. There is something deeply therapeutic about focusing on the core issues of getting your yacht sailing followed by the serene relaxation of having done a good job and nothing else to do…
Jon Sanders and his grasp (or lack thereof) of chartplotter protocols
Jon Sanders is undertaking his 11th circumnavigation of the globe and is entertaining all and sundry with his unique blogs along the eay. This one comes from the British Virgin Islands. I am on the yacht. Back on air with…
Jon Sanders blog #4 – back from being AWOL
Sorry everybody. This idiot somehow mucked up the Wi-Fi on this yacht. I am now on a restaurant ashore. You get that. 32 days back I departed the British Island of Saint Helena. Clearing port, customs, immigration simple. Easy for…
Sister site has free trip to Noosa up for grabs
Great Walks, a sister magazine and web site to mysailing, is working in conjunction with Tourism Noosa and giving away a three-day trip to Noosa including return flights for two from any Australian capital city and a full day guided…
When do you stop dreaming and start living?
Everyone who reads Cruising Helmsman has an interest in boats. There is probably a voice in the deep recesses of your mind saying “one day I’ll just sail away…..”. So how do people actually do it? In this article I…
Replacing that leaky timber deck
There are few things that set off a classic yacht as beautifully as a well laid teak deck. It is relatively non-slip, provides insulation for the cabin and, equally importantly, adds to the traditional appeal. But mine had another undesirable…
Seeing stars – why do I love my Gemini?
Affordable Gemini catamarans are designed by British boat builder Tony Smith, who established his company Performance Cruising in the USA and went on to build more than 1000 of this production boat. They have become one of the most popular…
An outsider's encounter with tropical cyclone
After a three year cruise from the east coast of USA, Ian and I arrived on Outsider in Fiji in April 2015, our original plan was New Year’s Eve on Sydney Harbour. But after a month or so in Fiji…
How not to go crazy again – repairing acrylic windows
In May 2012 I wrote an article in Cruising Helmsman about my experiences of removing craze from acrylic windows on my catamaran. I was prompted to write about this subject as I could not easily find if such a technique…
Plenty of reef to share: you only need the southern tip
We have been lucky enough to spend some time around the southern Great Barrier Reef over two cruises, one in winter the other in summer. We stopped at five different spots: Lady Elliott, Lady Musgrave, Masthead Island, Fitzroy Reef and…
Before you go: top ten tips when cruising with novices
You have invited friends or family on a cruise. They have never done it before. They have put their trust in you as their hosts and sailing guides. How do you maximise your chances of a memorable and successful cruise?…
Heads up – Queenscliff the Port Phillip gateway
Not far from the Heads, at the southern end of Victoria’s Port Phillip, lies what must be one of the world’s most unique yacht clubs. Queenscliff Cruising Yacht Club is unique in many ways. Not just because it sits on…
Dinah Beach Cruising Yacht Association prepares to host inaugural scavenger hunt
TAMARA HOWIE, NT News POLISH off the wheels and throw on the detective outfits – the inaugural Dinah Beach Cruising Yacht Association scavenger hunt is here. DBCYA general manager Wendy McCallum said it was a great way to get out…
Captain's Deck makes a visit to Fremantle
The Cruising Helmsman Yacht Club travelling seminar responded to an invitation from the Fremantle Sailing Club to host one of their day-long seminars last weekend. With the Fremantle Doctor piping in early at over 30 knots, over 60 people attended…
Lisa Blair – in iceberg alley with heavy fog and no visibility
Lisa Blair is nearly two-thirds of the way through her attempt to becomethe first woman to circumnavigate Antarctica. March 23, 2017 – heavy fog in iceberg alley Evening all, Well this morning, as the first blue tinge of daylight started…
Stop that sinking feeling
Happily, very few boat owners have experienced ‘that sinking feeling’ while an unfortunate minority know it only too well, their vessels suddenly leaking for no apparent reason. But there is always a reason if a maintenance regime is below…
Multihull Solutions announces calendar of cruising rallies
In response to the success of previous events, Multihull Solutions has announced details of its three exciting cruising rallies in Australia and Asia in late 2017. Relaxed cruising is the primary focus of these events, which are increasing in popularity…
South African nationals rescued from stricken yacht in Indian Ocean
Three South African nationals have been rescued from their stricken yacht in the southern Indian Ocean by Royal Australian Navy warship HMAS Parramatta yesterday evening, 18 March 2017, in a search and rescue operation coordinated by the Australian Maritime Safety…
Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Club calling for Rendezvous entries and new members
The Annual Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Club Rendezvous is being held in Gloucester Passage over the weekend 24 – 27 August. If you are a person who does NOT enjoy socialising, swapping stories, being prone to mild exaggeration, helping out…
Lisa Blair – north or south of South Georgia?
Lisa Blair is attempting to become the first woman to circumnavigate Antarctica. She has rounded Cape Horn and is now heading across the south Atlantic towards the Cape of Good Hope. March 16, 2017 – North or south of South…
HMAS Tobruk – a new dive site for Bundaberg
Queensland, and particularly Bundaberg, scored a major coup late last year when Bundaberg was chosen as the location for the the ex-HMAS Tobruk to be prepared for scuttling. Withstanding challenges from other southeast Queensland cities, Bundaberg won the right to prepare the…
Lisa Blair – around the Horn and almost at the halfway point
Lisa Blair is attempting to become the first woman to circumnavigate Antarctica. Last night she passed her first major milestone – Cape Horn – and is currently 49% of the way through her journey. After passing the Horn she sailed…
Lisa Blair – less than a Sydney Hobart to reach Cape Horn
Lisa Blair's attempted circumnavigation of Antarctica is progressing well. Lisa has covered 45% of the total distance and has almost crossed the South Pacific Ocean. She is currently off the coast of Chile, with Cape Horn firmly in her sights….
