Category Archives: Sail Skills

VIDEO: 5 Days Across the Gulf of Mexico

Posted on January 1, 2018 by

Go offshore with us, followers! As Phillip and I sail our Niagara 35 five days across the Gulf of Mexico in some sporty bluewater conditions. This was one of our more intense offshore runs with 24 hours of 20-25 kts … Continue reading →

Posted in Bahamas Bound, Gulf Crossing, Sail Skills, Videos | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

My First Delivery Request: a 1992 Catalina 28

Posted on August 29, 2017 by

“You are not writing about this,” was his only caveat, when Phillip and I agreed to do the delivery.  I knew I shouldn’t have given him a copy of None Such Like It when he was boat-shopping.  But, after the … Continue reading →

Posted in Boat Projects, Sail Skills | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Captain’s Tribute

Posted on July 14, 2017 by

A little over 10,000.  That’s how many blue water miles I’ve racked up since I started sailing.  In preparing my Sea Service forms for my Captain’s License application, I’ve had to mentally trek back through my many offshore passages and … Continue reading →

Posted in Sail Skills, Sea School | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Top 5 Lessons from Sea School

Posted on June 15, 2017 by

Ahhh … Sea School.  What a great experience.  It was five full days of classroom and hands-on training primarily on how to respond to emergencies on-board a vessel but also personal safety, emergency medical response and how best to prevent … Continue reading →

Posted in Sail Skills, Sea School | Tagged , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Good Stress

Posted on June 1, 2017 by

It’s actually called eustress.  Have you heard that term?  I first saw it in Timothy Ferris’s Four Hour Work Week.  Definitely an exciting, kick-in-the-keister read if you’re looking for a book to make you rethink and reform your work habits.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Sail Skills, Sea School, Voyage to Cuba | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Captain’s School: Conquering Fears

Posted on March 21, 2017 by

“I figured that was the best reason to do it.  Because I was afraid to.” This was something a very good friend of mine told me years ago.  (Sonnie, if you’re reading this, thank you!)  She was talking, at first, … Continue reading →

Posted in Sail Skills, Sea School | Tagged , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

#93: Cuba Voyage Finale: Gulf Stream Crossing and Landfall in Cuba

Posted on February 6, 2017 by

The current of the Gulf Stream is no joke, particularly when it is pushing you into head winds.  Watch as we reef up and cross a pretty kicked up sea state across the Gulf Stream, sing to our first Cuban … Continue reading →

Posted in Gift of Cruising, Sail Skills, Videos, Voyage to Cuba | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How to Reduce Heeling

Posted on January 18, 2017 by

We’re not perfect sailors, we just are sailors because we have a sailboat and we get out and go.  We don’t have any piece of paper or certificates that even tell us we can sail.  We just do, which means we … Continue reading →

Posted in Sail Skills, Voyage to Cuba | Tagged , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

#90: Cuba Voyage II: Heavy Heeling

Posted on January 13, 2017 by

Get ready for it to blow!  These weren’t super heavy winds but they were on the nose and had Plaintiff’s Rest really heeled over during the second night and day of our voyage to Cuba.  Our Niagara 35 proved she … Continue reading →

Posted in Sail Skills, Videos, Voyage to Cuba | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

#84: How to Rig Your Boat for Heavy Weather Sailing

Posted on November 18, 2016 by

Even after crossing the Atlantic, I still believe some of the worst wind and sea state I have faced has been in the Gulf of Mexico.  As Phillip and I prepare to sail across it to Cuba this winter, we … Continue reading →

Posted in Boat Projects, Countdown to Cuba, Sail Skills, Videos | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments