I am often asked about adding a solar panel to a boat. My first question is why? The only real reason to add solar to a boat is because you want to have mechanical refrigeration. If this is the reason, Read more…

You can tell when you are on the cusp of becoming a long-term cruiser when we deal with laundry.   Anyone can pack for a week and then drag everything back home to the automatic washer and dryer.    When you go Read more…

Something that often prevents people from really enjoying more than one or two nights aboard, is the comfort of the sleeping arrangements. Most production boats come with a 4 inch thick reasonably dense cushion. When new, this might be adequate Read more…

In commercial sailing, helming[i] the boat from outside went out many hundreds of years ago, yet we still design boats with outside steering stations and wonder why we get sunburned and soaked!   If you look at experienced cruisers, you will Read more…

There is always a moment in the early evening where you will have a visitation from every bug within a 5 mile radius. I have found that it is best to be well prepared for this onslaught. Some hatches might Read more…