Coming back to land after our year in the Caribbean has been strange for many reasons. One recurring theme has been the questions people ask. Almost everyone we meet always asks, “how was your year, was it great?” The answer, strangely enough, is difficult to articulate. One person who has asked that same question is Jenn […]
Gear Review – Mantus Anchor
When most people think of important equipment for cruising sailors, they thinks of sails, hardware, or autopilots. But really, when one thinks of the proportion of time different activities occupy, the most important piece of equipment is the anchor. In fact, as I have said before, cruising should probably be called “anchoring” as most of […]
Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Portsmouth
Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Portsmouth. As we turn back north, roughly half way through our year in the Caribbean, four cities with the same name come to mind.
Halfway to the Caribbean
After some nine weeks of travels and trials, we have made it to what I consider is our halfway point to the Caribbean, Portsmouth VA. This is the staging and departure point of the Caribbean 1500, our rally to the BVI. It’s been pretty crazy. I had this idea that I’d be able to blog about […]
Is a Safety at Sea Seminar Worth it?
A couple of weeks ago, Sarah and I attended a Safety at Sea Seminar. It’s a full day US Sailing Sanctioned Seminar and designed to meet the Safety at Sea requirements for the Newport to Bermuda Race, sponsored by the Storm Trysail Foundation. Coincidentally, the one we attended was also on the same day as […]
Microfiber Pack Towels for Sailing
Cruising with three young children, a staple of everyday, often several times a day, is swimming. Where there is swimming on a sail boat, there are wet towels hanging from the lifelines. Tiring the boys with swimming is an important part of our daily sanity, but it sure does suck to have big wet beach […]