Ask the Captain Categories

While cruising along in a narrow channel if the boat leans or pulls toward the bank your boat is not possessed! You are experiencing “bank suction”. This occurs when the vessel’s propellers are too close the shallow shoreline. The propellers can actually start to pull the boat towards the shallow bank. This is common to all Read More

Written by Chris & Alyse Caldwell There are many methods of measuring and marking your anchor rode including commercially available tags. Since cruising and anchoring is a two person passion we prefer to PAINT our chain and rope. Generally there are two people involved in anchoring and anchor recovery so we prefer the larger easier-to-see Read More

Written by Chris & Alyse Caldwell The Bitter End is a clever name for a Caribbean Bar but to the seasoned mariner it is a functional and valued description for the end of a rope, actually the end of the anchor rode, chain or rope. This defines how the rode is secured to the boat Read More

Written by Chris & Alyse Caldwell We work with many new boat owners who want to know how to anchor without yelling. We all agree that good communication is the key to a happy crew.  But while we are cruising coaches, marriage counseling is a bit out of our wheelhouse so, here we will teach Read More

Not since Elvis Presley crooned an ode to his dinghy, “Love My Tender,” has the world shown so much affection to our lonesome ship-to-shore transportation. Okay, so maybe I didn’t fully understand the lyrics to that song, but our often abused and rarely waxed little boats are a very important part of our cruising lives, Read More

Our home, Our castle…Our boat! Written by Peter Teuten Fall and winter are times when we up north start to think of an open fire, hot toddies and dare I say it … Nor’ Easters. Perhaps it’s also time to spare a thought for the Live Aboard community. It’s been a while since I socialized Read More

What Cruisers Want to Know About the Bahamas Written by Chuck Baier This is not usually the time of year most cruisers think about going to the Bahamas. But this is the time of year that a few adventurous cruisers know the anchorages will be a whole lot less crowded and the marinas will be Read More

Written by Chuck Baier What type of anchor should I use? Try and choose the best anchor for the bottom conditions in which you will find yourself anchoring most often. Bottom type, such as sand, mud or grass will determine which anchor works best. A new generation type anchor will be a good choice for Read More

Whether you are headed out on your own yacht for a fun cruising vacation, or chartering, there are a few simple tips that will help you with your planning and provisioning for meals on board. The Yachting Gourmet gives Marinalife the tricks of the trade! 1. Unless you are out to sea for the whole Read More

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