For many cruisers, one of the benefits of open ocean passages and cruising remote areas is the solitude of being disconnected from the real world. While we enjoy being cut off from society, we still remain keenly interested in world affairs, and catch up with the news on a daily basis.
WorldSpace satellite radio - currently [...]
Continue reading about How do you keep up with current events while cruising?
Cruisers often quip that their plans are “cast in Jello” or “drawn in the sand at low tide.” One of the attractive things about the cruising lifestyle is that many of us are able to go with the wind and change our plans on a whim. Sometimes the changes in plans are by choice, and [...]
Continue reading about How does political turmoil affect your cruising plans?
People often ask me which has been my favorite cruising area. I respond to them with a very definite “that depends.” Over the years, I’ve been to many popular cruising grounds: The Caribbean, Mexico, the San Blas Islands, Hawaii, the South Pacific Islands, New Zealand, Australia and most recently Southeast Asia. Every area has its [...]
It seems that some of the modern conveniences that “earthlings” take for granted are considered luxuries for liveaboard cruisers, particularly the washer and dryer.
We’re quite fortunate to have both on board, in fact, we have the original Maytag A-50 twin tub washer and separate matching dryer that was installed on Moonshadow when she was [...]
For anyone cruising that lovely band of the planet earth know simply as “the tropics,” the subject of keeping cool while trying to chill out is near and dear to the heart.
We’re fortunate to own a yacht that was designed with good air flow and ventilation as a high priority. Our hatches and port lights [...]
“You know, this boat would be great to sail in the Pacific Cup” said Andy in his distinctive Swiss accent. It was a rare sunny day in February of ‘96 and we were out on San Francisco Bay on a “social sail” with him and his wife Cathy, who managed the Sausalito West Marine store. [...]
Continue reading about What was your first ocean passage like?
Over the years, we’ve found that with sails, just like the mechanical systems on the boat, regular care and maintenance will extend the useful life as well as improve overall performance. All of our working sails are Dacron. I’ve still not been able to justify the additional cost and shorter useful life of the “high [...]
George enjoying a cheeseburger from a little stand in Rarotonga.
Being “foodies,” as the Kiwis call those who enjoy fine dining, this is a subject that is near and dear to our hearts - and stomachs. At sea, the thing we often look forward to nearly as much as landfall in a tropical paradise is the [...]
Continue reading about What tips do you have on provisioning?
How do you like to set up your watch-standing system? How many hours on and off watch? Do you have a formal setup, or do you just wing it based on who’s tired and who feels like staying up?
Generally we use an informal watch system during daylight hours, just as long as there is one [...]
One of my great pleasures while cruising is staying in touch with all my family and friends back home(s) in the States and New Zealand. Improvements in communications technology have made it very easy and cheap to “reach out and touch someone.”
There are a number of communications devices in Moonshadow’s master control center.
First is [...]
Continue reading about How do you stay in touch and pay bills when you are cruising?
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