It’s 1:00 am in the morning. Tornados have been seen ten miles away. There is a two knot current. The wind is gusting to fifty knots across the current. Boats are dragging onto the reef.
What are you anchored with?
Tag: gear
20 Things Every Cruiser Should Have
Last week we arrived back in the US after eight months and some 7,000 miles exploring the Caribbean. During that time, we have used lots of different things to make life easier while cruising on our sailboat. Some of them have proved much more useful than others. Here are twenty that I think every cruiser should carry.
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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 your time, probably over 90% is spent at rest.
Installing an Atlantic Tower’s Arch
Alchemy has a really nice rear end, er, stern. But this leads to a problem in that we have all sorts of stuff hanging off it. MOM module, Lifesling, stern anchor, GPS, VHF, outboard mount, etc. The problem is that Alchemy’s skinny butt means that there is not enough room to mount it all on the small stern rail.
Installing Air-Only Ventilators
The Tartan 41 is known as an offshore racer, and as such, its design doesn’t feature many holes in the deck, to make sure its secure from green water. For most cruisers at anchor however, these holes in the deck are otherwise known as ventilation. Despite her racing heritage, Alchemy will be spending most of her time at anchor, and so we are definitely short of ventilation, with just two hatches and a single cowl that feeds four dorades.
Sailing With Kids 