The latest cruising news from the Northern Hemisphere and the world.
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21 Nov 2016 |
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  ‘Tis the season
 | | Santa stopped to greet all and sundry with the help of Elf, Alex, and a wonderfully enthusiastic pooch, as well. - Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race John Curnow © |
So yes, ho, ho, ho. May everyone have a jolly old time, and come to think of it, a safe one too. It was on that last point that this collection of miscellaneous ramblings got founded. No doubt entirely due to some material I was preparing on various safety aspects, but also and very much equally, because of musings from SV Taipan in Holland and Ta-b in far warmer climes.
Soon, depending on where you are on the blue and green ball, you'll be on a boat that may not have been used for a while or was stored miles and miles from your other terrestrial home. Boats are funny things. There is no such thing as a five-minute job, they're called she for a reason, they have the capacity to bring you such happy times, and can also make it all come unstuck so very, very smartly.
 | | Russ fixing the head Bluewater Cruising Association |
So if you have not been on board for one reason or another in some time, maybe now is a good time to stop and consider all the things you should do before taking off on a holiday jaunt. After all, you would not go on a road trip without getting the car serviced, topped the fluids up, checked battery, tyres and so forth.
Now if you're a list kind of person then along with all the cleaning and preparation jobs you'll want to do, maybe add inspection of seacocks, keel bolts, batteries, and tanks. What's the state of the flares and the grab bag? Do the sails need to go to the sail maker to be repaired? Has the UV light decayed stitching, the clears on the dodger, or rendered the life ring useless?
These are but a few of the things on anyone's list, but if you're going to something that has been dormant for a good while, whether just a few miles form home or a few thousand, wouldn't you want to know? Your safety and that of your guests is at stake, and if you're heading up the coast or off to the islands, it would be good to know the spare fan belts have not perished and the genset is going to chug away happily to make all that AC power you need.
 | | Start of the 2013 Christmas Caribbean Rally Louay Habib |
When you distil it right down, it is meant to be all about happy times, and that means people and then objects (in that order) returning as they started out, minus the odd bit of wear and tear. New experiences come out of new skills. Some are born from problem solving on the job, as it were. Now why is it that every time I think of learning on the fly the taste of Diesel comes back to my mouth. I mean really, bleeding the cast iron topsail does save your bacon, but can't we remember something more pleasant? Honestly?
Then of course there are things you can learn before hand, like a top up on your nav, general seamanship and safety skills. Correct and up to date charts, a read of the local Pilot or cruising guide and some down and dirty research are also nice things to have a tick beside on your list.
Now at any rate this is about getting set for passage making, new guests, maybe some new anchorages and of course, new and wonderful memories. Otherwise, why the hell do it at all...
 | | Afternoon thunder storms welcome us to Trinidad © SV Crystal Blues |
OK. In this newsletter you will find that we have also have more from the card known as Jon Sanders, the ARC, Caribbean 1500, Thanksgiving, Heaven Can Wait, and Trinidad. So you see, there are tales, lessons, inspirations and history to regale yourself with. 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
Pink jobs- Blue jobs- All colours work for us
Jane and Russell Poulston, 
Navigation, communications, accounting, provisioning, cooking, cleaning the inside and outside of our home, plus our tender are just a few of the jobs I tend to do on Ta-b, our home for the last nine years. Pink jobs? Blue jobs? They all work for me. I have always been a multi-tasker, so love swimming and feeding my fishie friends, while at the same time cleaning our hull.... [more]
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Living the dream
Esther and Neil Symons, 
Esther and Neil Symons provide us with a lovely little ditty - So you want to go sailing, yes that's the dream, But better be careful, it's not all it seems, Sailing away with ropes, lines and knots, Visiting the world from all distant ports, But buyer beware, consider the matter, You're soon to find out who is the master...... [more]
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