Cruising Resources and Information for Sailors

Somebody Asked . . .

"What's the best way to restore the darkening cowl vents on my cruising boat?"

Somebody Said . . .

"Sail safely, watch the weather, be scrupulous about maintenance, and the chances of you ending up in a life raft are vanishingly small."

Blue Water Sailing editors
Liferafts and Survival Suits

Cockpits and Companionways

Cockpit design can be critical. Center or Aft is a key choice, and comfortable Seating and Steering Position, a safe Companionway, and effective Dodgers and Biminis and Gallows and Arches are important. Maybe even a Barbecue.

Deck Openings

Good Hatches and Ports, and their Window Shades and Insect Screens, as well as good Ventilators can make a boat much more comfortable and safe offshore, but these Installing Deck Fittings must be done right.

Deck Stowage

It's rare to find a boat with Deck Stowage adequate for all the necessities for safe cruising.

Deck Safety

For keeping the crew safe on deck, options include the boat?s Lifelines and Grab Rails, as well as Jackstays you can rig.

Lights

Properly selected and placed Navigation Lights make your boat safe and Legal, but there are other important lights too, for instance Searchlights, and Deck Lights.

Anchoring, Docking and Mooring

Anchoring involves Anchors, Anchor Line, Windlasses and lots of possible Accessories. Then for docking there?s Fenders and Knots. Not to mention Anchoring and Docking skills and handling Sea Anchors.

Dinghies and Boarding

So many choices: Inflatables, Hard Dinghies, Folding Dinghies, Outboard Motors, and the Davits and Accessories to operate them easily. And Ladders and Passerelles and Deck Showers for coming on board.