The latest cruising news from the Northern Hemisphere and the world.
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08 Sep 2016 |
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  It ain't necessarily so
 | | Well that pretty much sums up the global cruising aspects of an Xc boat from X-Yachts. © X-Yachts |
Unequivocally, it was this picture of the X-Yacht in front of an iceberg that got me. Not Porgy and Bess, as it turns out. Of course, in the Northern Hemisphere, access to the ice is a bit easier, for it is closer to some of the jumping off points. Time spent in Scandinavia is rushing back to my mind right now...
Living in the other half of the globe, you grow up thinking Antarctica is best done by icebreaker or snaring a ride on a C-130 Hercules. Now the latter comes with that magic moment where the pilot has to decide whether to push on, or return and avoid bad weather – the point of no return, where fuel load means you can only make land or ditch. As an adrenalin junkie I have to confess, I do still very much want to have a crack at that! (Hint. Hint. Powers that be at the RAAF...)
Now I cannot and would not speak for anyone else, but I was (and could well still be) definitely one of those who thinks of cruising and immediately just sees the tropics. Sailing in T-shirts and shorts, especially at night, is kind of where it is at, and even more so if you have spent years going into and crossing one of the world's most notorious hell holes.
Yet I shouldn't be like that, for I have been on boats with fireplaces and even seen new ones being built, entirely from wood, with one going in the main saloon! I have also spoken at length with those that go in for cold water cruising a lot. Whilst surfing the web, I have read accounts of cruiser who have just had too much of the humidity and endless sun. The grass is always greener may apply on land, but at sea the only thing you mow is the waves...
There are plenty of redeeming features it turns out to cruising above/below 40? Latitude. There's no such thing as heat haze to ruin all your pictures. You may need to set the ISO up high as it could well be cloudy, but the air is clean and sharp. The breeze could well reflect that sharpness with a bite of its own, too.
 | | Blackrock Castle © SV Taipan |
You won't run in to too many others, and the fishing seems to be right up there, as well. That's handy. Sure you may some layers on, but as my Swedish friends keep telling me, there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing! The hiking and wildlife opportunities also seem to be another highlight.
Another feature of the top half of the planet is that civilisation has been there a lot longer, so there is a terrific amount of history and culture to absorb and embrace. For that, I very much appreciate the tales and images coming from SV Taipan and the way they keep my eyes open to all that is on offer. So you see, it isn't necessarily so at all. You just have to make sure that the mind has engaged a gear.
OK. In this newsletter you will find terrific material on everything from the Channel Islands and that bake off, to dodging crocs in Northern Australia, reflecting on the commonalities of cruisers and passengers on liners, aggressive remoras and Irish eyes a smiling. Cruising in company is something a lot of people do and for Dennis Giraud it is really now buddy boating.
 | | Cruise ships dominate the town of Roseau, Dominica Bluewater Cruising Association |
Of course, we also have some of those great images and articles from the Langfords. There are tales, lessons, inspirations and history to regale yourself with, so please do enjoy... We're loving bringing you the best stories from all over the globe.
Now then, are you out there plying the seas and got something to say? We'd love to hear from you via editor@sail-world.com – In the meantime, do you love being on the ocean? Well remember to love them back too. They need our help. Now more than ever! Until next time...
John Curnow
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