Sailing in the Age of Gizmos: Part 1 Sailing in the Age of Gizmos: Part 1From the basic position repeater to elaborate satellite up-link systemAs many of us have discovered, or are about to discover, communicating from offshore has come a long way since the days of Bernard Moitessier's slingshooting his 16mm film canisters onto decks of passing freighters!by Jean Baillargeon, Bluewater Cruising Association Posted 15 Nov 14:32 UTC Swan 65: Cruising and racing versatility Swan 65: Cruising and racing versatilityWorldwide preview of the performance-cruiser Swan 65The Swan 65 project is a modern performance cruising yacht perfectly conceived for safe, comfortable cruising with family and friends, but equally capable of being specified as a top-level racer.by Virginia De Carlo Posted 15 Nov 12:27 UTC RRC Report from Ireland RRC Report from IrelandAlex Blackwell, Regional Rear Commodore for Ireland, hosts an island-wide event in the westWith the sailing season well and truly over here in the west of Ireland, there has been little activity on that front, bar the exciting news that the Ilen restoration project has been brought to a successful conclusion.by Alex Blackwell Posted 15 Nov 12:18 UTC They'd all been there They'd all been thereApart from the indigenous populations, Europeans had wandered through the placeNow apart from the indigenous populations, all the Europeans had wandered through the place at various times. Some had taken hold of various portions of the grander area, and then ultimately been booted out like say the Japanese,by John Curnow, Editor, Sail-WorldCruising.com Posted 14 Nov 23:30 UTC Christmas with a difference Christmas with a differenceSet your sights on a more adventurous December in the CaribbeanSet your sights on a more adventurous December in the Caribbean. Hire a friendly skipper to be your guide in the BVI, or revel in Antigua's steel drum parties. Start planning with our guide to the most common Caribbean myths.by Sunsail Posted 14 Nov 17:00 UTC Robin Clegg on microplastics and the VOR Robin Clegg on microplastics and the VORAn interview with Robin Clegg about microplastics and the Volvo Ocean Race's Sustainability ProgramI checked in with Robin Clegg, who handles sustainability communications for the Volvo Ocean Race, via email, to find out more about microplastics, the VOR's Sustainability Program, and the results that this forward-leaning program delivered.by David Schmidt Posted 14 Nov 16:00 UTC RRC report from Northwestern North America RRC report from Northwestern North AmericaIan Grant, Regional Rear Commodore Vancouver and W Coast USA reports on the British Columbia Rally.Rain, rain and more rain seemed to be the order of so many days on this rally coupled with low clouds, mist and light winds. There were a few days of the usual September sunshine, notably in the days we were moored in Victoria's picturesque Inner Harbourby Ian Grant Posted 14 Nov 15:52 UTC DAME Awards special mention for Scanstrut DAME Awards special mention for ScanstrutWe speak to Grant Fox about Scanstrut's new productsAt the METS 2018 marine trade fair we spoke to Grant Fox, Marketing Manager at Scanstrut, who were nominated at this year's show for a DAME award, and received a special mention in the design category for their wireless charging products. by Mark Jardine Posted 14 Nov 12:00 UTC Exploring the Algarve and Southwest Coast of Spain Exploring the Algarve and Southwest Coast of SpainTourist mecca for EuropeansWe landed in the Algarve region in Portugal after our first crossing of the North Atlantic. The Algarve is the southern portion of Portugal, it is a tourist mecca for Europeans, in particular the Irish and the English.by Ann Lange Posted 14 Nov 09:48 UTC Cutter Rig versus Solent Rig part 1 Cutter Rig versus Solent Rig part 1Bluewater Cruising analysis from upffront.comHere at Upffront, we are aware that many people are searching for the perfect bluewater cruising set up. Two popular options for off-shore cruising are the cutter rig and the solent rig, both sporting their own pros and cons.by Kerri Robson, Upffront Posted 14 Nov 09:00 UTC SV Red Roo: Lisbon to Faro SV Red Roo: Lisbon to FaroThe plan being to get quickly down and around the Portuguese coast and back into SpainHaving offloaded Maree back in Figueira da Foz to fly back to the UK for the "Shengen Shuffle" and dropped William in Lisbon it was solo time on Red Roo.by SV Red Roo Posted 14 Nov 08:54 UTC Island goes missing off Hokkaido Island goes missing off HokkaidoHokkaido seems to have disappearedThe Japan Coast Guard has launched a search for something that would not ordinarily be hard to find: an island.by The Maritime Executive Posted 14 Nov 01:58 UTC Doors open for 33rd ARC check-in Doors open for 33rd ARC check-inTime for the check-in desksAfter a successful start and a good send-off for the ARC+ fleet who are making steady progress to Mindelo, Cape Verdes, it was time for the check-in desks to open for those taking part in the 33rd edition of the ARC starting on Sunday 25th November.by World Cruising Club Posted 13 Nov 14:09 UTC Vaka Motu: In the Wake of the Ancestors Vaka Motu: In the Wake of the AncestorsVI South Club Night at Royal Victoria Yacht Club on November, 20A thousand years ago the sea was a dangerous place. Long before Europeans had ventured onto the open ocean, Polynesian navigators without maps or compass were successfully piloting their catamarans over vast distances.by Bluewater Cruising Association Posted 13 Nov 13:50 UTC Crewsaver launches ErgoFit+ at METSTRADE Crewsaver launches ErgoFit+ at METSTRADECrewsaver takes man overboard protection to the next levelCrewsaver continues to prove its commitment to your safety and survival with the launch of its new ErgoFit+ lifejacket. The ErgoFit+ lifejacket will arrive in March 2019 and is the result of over 60 years of pioneering lifejacket development.by Zella Compton Posted 13 Nov 12:14 UTC Wessex Resins producing bio-based ENTROPY RESINS Wessex Resins producing bio-based ENTROPY RESINSFor the European, Middle Eastern, African, Turkish, and Indian marketsWessex Resins is delighted to announce it is now manufacturing ENTROPY RESINS, under license from Gougeon Brothers, Inc., for the European, Middle Eastern, African, Turkish, and Indian markets.by Zella Compton Posted 13 Nov 09:00 UTC Distinguishing feature: Aft twin helm stations Distinguishing feature: Aft twin helm stationsThe EXCESS brand is the fruit of a global visionWe recently mentioned the sail area/displacement ratio of our catamarans; it is now time to unveil the twin helm station located at the aft. This is a determining element, which is highly revealing of the design philosophy.by Excess Catamarans Posted 12 Nov 10:53 UTC Good. Different. Rewarding. Good. Different. Rewarding.The Seawind 1260 is both subtle in its differences with its 1250 sister, and remarkably brilliant.Quickly taking in the Seawind 1250 with the 1260 that replaces it, you may not see the differences. Yes, the hulls are the same, in all but both quarters, where the gunwale now rises more steeply.by John Curnow, Editor, Sail-WorldCruising.com Posted 12 Nov 10:42 UTC Spinlock New Products 2019 Spinlock New Products 2019Including the DAME nominated Sail-SenseWith an ever growing desire in using data to enhance performance and enjoyment of our sport, Sail-Sense is a revolutionary new sensor which helps you be smarter about your sail management.by Spinlock Posted 12 Nov 08:30 UTC RRC report from the California coast RRC report from the California coastRRC California is hosting increasing numbers of events and new membersI have had the opportunity to welcome and also sponsor a record number of new members and associate members this year. These new members are either out cruising or here in the state of California and keeping their vessels elsewhere.by Rick Whiting Posted 12 Nov 06:28 UTC