I love tools! I’ve often said that cruising is nothing more than extensive repair and maintenance in beautiful and exotic places. I am a bit of a do-it-yourselfer when it comes to looking after Moonshadow so I have amassed quite a collection of tools over the years - probably a few too many. I suppose [...]
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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 [...]
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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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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Moonshadow carries four anchors for the yacht and one for the dinghy.
My primary (and favorite) is a 50kg./110lb. Bruce, with 100 meters/300 feet of 11mm hi-test chain. This is the only anchor that lives up on the bow in normal conditions. There is a self-launching bow roller system, as well as a remote control switch in [...]
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Because I am a social animal and feel it is much safer, I always have at least two or three mates with me for the blue water passages. Having the right number of good crew for a long passage can turn what might be an ordeal into a pleasureable experience.
In my ten years of cruising, I estimate [...]
The first, and most important source of weather information to me is my calendar. The southern tropical cyclone season is officially from the beginning of November to the end of April. The northern tropical hurricane season is the flip-side of the year. Simply put, if you are in areas prone to cyclones/hurricanes, its best to [...]
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