Clik here to view.
AUTOPILOT FAILURE: Back Across the Gulf of Maine
I knew this day would come. I recently discussed having to make up new wood-chip “fuses” for the “electric vane” rig on Lunacy, and in the whole time I’ve owned the boat, about eight years now, this...
View ArticleClik here to view.
LABOR DAY WEEKEND CRUISE: Lasers and Dogs From Outer Space
As is traditional, our annual Labor Day excursion got off to a late start. But after we finally dropped Lunacy‘s mooring pennant in Portland harbor on Saturday afternoon, we instantly found ourselves...
View ArticleClik here to view.
2014 ROUND ISLAND REGATTA: An Embarrassing and Provocative Outcome
I have been tardy in reporting on what happened at the fourth annual Round Island Regatta, held Saturday, August 23, right here in Portsmouth, NH, both because the regatta’s media department has been...
View ArticleClik here to view.
2014 ROUND ISLAND REGATTA: An Embarrassing and Provocative Outcome
I have been tardy in reporting on what happened at the fourth annual Round Island Regatta, held Saturday, August 23, right here in Portsmouth, NH, both because the regatta’s media department has been...
View ArticleClik here to view.
DOUSING THE MAINSAIL: Do It After You Park The Boat
I do a fair amount of singlehanded coastal cruising during the summer, usually just going out for a quick overnight whenever an opportunity presents itself. When departing my mooring at Portland Yacht...
View ArticleClik here to view.
SINGLEHANDED CRUISING WOMEN: Liz Clark and Nike Steiger
Just because I’m aware of (and somewhat amused by) the fact that many, if not most women on cruising boats have been lured aboard by the men in their lives doesn’t mean I think this is proper or...
View ArticleClik here to view.
VARIOUS MISHAPS: Two Abandonments and Two Boats Sunk at Harbor Entrances
It’s been a busy fortnight in the realm of sailing mishaps. Number one involves the abandoning of a 42-foot sailing vessel Walkabout (see photo up top), whose crew of three were caught in Hurricane...
View ArticleClik here to view.
2014 NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW: Gunboat 55, Varianta 37, Salona 33, C&C...
I spent yesterday cruising the docks at the show in Newport and was particularly pleased to have a chance to get aboard the new Gunboat 55. You’ve got to hand it to Peter Johnstone–he is not one to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
MY SHIP IS SO SMALL: High-Latitude Micro-Cruisers
This is fantastic stuff. I know nothing about these people, except that the fellow’s name (see photo up top) seems to be Euan, and he and his partner don’t seem to be shy about neglecting the kids for...
View ArticleClik here to view.
SERVICING WINCHES: A Necessary Chore
I spent some time last year installing new “disc springs” on the two Andersen primary winches in Lunacy‘s cockpit. At that time I knew I should have also taken the trouble to clean and grease those...
View ArticleClik here to view.
CRUISING BOAT EVOLUTION: The Golden Age of the Cruiser-Racer
Last we reveled in this topic we examined how early cruising boats sailed by more middle-class yachtsmen in the late 19th and early 20th centuries were often working boats that had been repurposed....
View ArticleClik here to view.
GALERIDER DROGUE: For Steering and Heaving To
You probably won’t be too surprised to learn that I’ve been thinking about jury-steering systems ever since my little adventure back in January aboard the catamaran Be Good Too. One thing I’ve...
View ArticleClik here to view.
NOAH CULLEN: Young Sailor’s Body Found Aboard Sunken Sailboat
A mystery that has tortured the sailing and diving community in the Upper Florida Keys for most of the past two months was resolved early this week when two technical divers descended about 300 feet...
View ArticleClik here to view.
NOAH CULLEN: Young Sailor’s Body Found Aboard Sunken Sailboat
A mystery that has tortured the sailing and diving community in the Upper Florida Keys for most of the past two months was resolved early this week when two technical divers descended about 300 feet...
View ArticleClik here to view.
EYES ON BOATS: And Other Important Upgrades
Lunacy was on the hard last week to get her bottom cleaned and some new paint put on before she goes south for the winter, and while she was out I finally made two changes I’ve long been pondering....
View ArticleClik here to view.
EYES ON BOATS: And Other Important Upgrades
Lunacy was on the hard last week to get her bottom cleaned and some new paint put on before she goes south for the winter, and while she was out I finally made two changes I’ve long been pondering....
View ArticleClik here to view.
MAINE COAST CRUISE: Mouth of the Sheepscot River
With children fortuitously exiled in sleep-away summer activities, my bride Clare and I had a chance last week to venture out on Lunacy for several days on our own. We originally thought we might...
View ArticleClik here to view.
CASCO BAY CRUISE: Little Whaleback Island
Earlier this summer, while stopping over at the Goslings in northwestern Casco Bay, I noticed there was a small mooring field just off the north end of Little Whaleboat Island. It had never occurred...
View ArticleClik here to view.
ALBERT’S NEW BOAT: OPO Makes a Difference in Dominica
Hank Schmitt of Offshore Passage Opportunities first met Albert the first time he pulled into Dominica while sailing the West Indies several years back. He was the very first islander Hank met, so he...
View ArticleClik here to view.
ALBERT’S NEW BOAT: OPO Makes a Difference in Dominica
Hank Schmitt of Offshore Passage Opportunities first met Albert the first time he pulled into Dominica while sailing the West Indies several years back. He was the very first islander Hank met, so he...
View Article