Cruising gadgets, knowledge, and ideas for the cruising sailor
When I travel I like to pack light. When flying to a location to do a boat delivery, I insist that my crew only travel with a carry on bag. We just can’t afford having a lost bag that might cause delays or worse, no gear or clothes. So they have to pack light too. I can fit all
» Read moreThe Headlamp ….., what a great invention. Coal miners could work hands free with good light right where they wanted it. The same is true for sailors today. We can work hands free and put the light where we need it, particularly in the engine compartment. But sometimes headlamps can be the pebble in your shoe, the burr in your
» Read moreI was at a recent Seven Seas Cruising Association GAM and I overheard a few ladies saying that they do not wear their wedding rings on their boats while cruising. I understand this because neither do I. Perhaps they don’t wear theirs because they don’t want to lose a diamond or damage their rings. I don’t wear mine because I
» Read moreNot long ago I had a few friends aboard and I had asked them if they could replace the plastic mounting handle on the outboard motor. This required that they drill a blank piece of plastic that I had brought for this. “Do you have a cordless drill?” was the next thing asked. I thought about it, smiled, and said
» Read moreThe Galley Stove top – pans must fit two at a time, get the right size pans that work with pots Pots and pans need lids – Pots should be tall Flame Tamer – flame diffuser cut down heat on burner Some Ovens – will tilt when door is down, lock them in place before opening door. Oven – stone
» Read moreThis idea was introduced to me by Andy on Geodesic, an Endeavor 37 out of Apollo Beach, Florida. It’s an easy way to make each person aboard a custom cup of coffee. It’s a French Press that is also a coffee mug. You make the coffee in this mug, press it, then drink from it. This allows those who drink
» Read moreTo store those small green propane bottles that you use for your grill, buy a 4″ PVC pipe, add a grating cap on the bottom, and a removable cap on top. You can get everything you need at the local hardware store. The bottom piece is a standard drain accessory for the 4″ PVC. The top piece is a 4″
» Read moreSunglasses Gadget There are many options when it comes to sunglasses. I now wear glasses that have some distance correction and are magnifiers for reading. Buying a pair of standard clear lenses and an additional pair of prescription sunglasses can be costly. The solution for me has been a pair of “clip on” sunglasses. I bought a pair to fit
» Read moreI think this would make a great gift for someone you know that is headed out on their boat cruising. It’s called “Garden in a Can”. It’s a self contained garden, all set to use. It’s a can (tin), soil, and seeds. It has a pop top lid. You open it, plant the seeds in the soil, water it and
» Read moreThese are the notes from the Cruising the Bahamas seminar: Covid – there are no restrictions any longer. You are free to roam. Customs & Immigration Click2clear website -use this to fill out paperwork . You can pay online too. https://www.bahamascustoms.gov.bs/imports-and-exports/about-click2clear/info-for-individuals/ Leaving the Bahamas: You do not need to clear out if US and returning to the US.
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