How many times have you wondered whether the couple on the boat coming into the marina would be docking or divorcing first? Sometimes I think they are ready to call the attorney before they call the dockhand! There is an alternative to this embarrassing display. Just like in our relationships, communication is the key and Read More
Written by Captain Ben Cashen Ben Cashen, Dockmaster at Wayfarer Marine in Camden, Maine and a delivery captain in the off-season, recently crewed on a boat from Baltimore, Md. to West Palm Beach, Fl. Here are some of the things he learned on his trip down the ICW. 1. Before cruising into unfamiliar waters, it’s Read More
Written by Captain Chuck Baier The subject of anchors and anchoring techniques generates passionate discussion. Here is what has worked best for us in thousands of miles and at countless anchorages, in almost every bottom type and sea condition. Try and choose the best anchor for the bottom conditions you’ll be in. Consider if you’ll Read More
Written by Captain Juan Watson During my time as a professional captain and first officer I came across a wonderful acronym APEM. You may be thinking..huh?! Simply this stands for: Appraisal, Plan, Execute & Maintain. It is the basis for all thorough passage planning from commercial vessels to the coastal cruiser. So let us examine Read More
Written by Captain Juan Watson The Okeechobee Waterway is the second largest fresh water lake in the United States. The 152-mile long waterway is a man-made waterway stretching from Fort Myers on the west coast to Stuart on the east coast of Florida. It was built to provide a safe water route across Florida rather than travelling the long Read More
Written by Captain Chuck Baier We are often asked how difficult it is to travel long distances on the Intracoastal Waterway in a boat. What size boat is ideal for doing the waterway? What equipment is needed? How long will it take? How many miles can be covered in a day? What will it cost? Read More
Updated Features Like Aerial Imagery and Detailed Marina Charts Provide Useful Info, Enhance Navigation Close to Port Most cruisers are aware of themany advantages GPS/chartplottersand electronic chartsoffer when it comes to navigating safely and efficiently.This is true whether they’re sailing along the coast for the day or spending the winter cruising from one tropical Bahamian port Read More
Charting through the Years In September 1987, I sailed my 30-foot Hughes Columbia from Chesapeake Bay to Little River, South Carolina. After a few days of waiting weather, I exited the Little River Inlet and pointed the bow toward Bermuda, some 1,000 miles away. To find that small speck in the middle of the Atlantic, Read More
“Unbelievable! What are they doing?” This might be some of the dialog going on in your head on a typical summer weekend on the Chesapeake Bay, Long Island Sound, or any busy body of water. More often than not this is the direct result of a near collision situation. A good understanding of the rules Read More
Fuel stability is a serious concern to the diesel fuel user. The chemistry of diesel fuel instability involves the chemical conversion of precursors to species of higher molecular weight with limited solubility. The conversion process often involves the oxidation of the precursors. We all realize that fuel is an unstable, organic liquid that goes “bad”. Read More
