No-see-ums, gnats and other biting bites making the reality not quite live up to the dream? I recently found an effective spray that’s mild on skin and not harmful to pets who may lick. [More] No Natz
Common Problems & Worries
Boating isn't all palm trees and umbrella drinks.
Worried about fire, sinking, hurricanes . . . or being overrun by bugs?
Wondering what in the world you've gotten yourself into?
It happens to us all. Find practical help and words of encouragement here!
Hurricane Prep: Storing Things Below
When everything that was on deck has to come below, stowing it safely becomes a challenge. Two important things I’ve learned. [More] Hurricane Prep: Storing Things Below
Hurricane Prep: How Much Time Do You Have
More things we didn’t know as we prepped for our first hurricane: how to intrepret the timing info in forecasts. What you need to know. [More] Hurricane Prep: How Much Time Do You Have
Don’t Lose Your Dinghy
Lost or stolen dinghies are heart-breaking, as they’re expensive to replace and your mobility is limited until you do. Tips to lessen the chances of the dinghy being stolen or floating free. [More] Don’t Lose Your Dinghy
Hurricane Prep: Reducing Windage
Reducing windage is an important part of hurricane prep, particularly if you’re at a dock, on the hard, or tied to mangroves where you won’t even nominally be head to wind. Items to think about. [More] Hurricane Prep: Reducing Windage
Hurricane Prep: Why Remove Jibs and Genoas
Why simply tying off your roller furling jib or genoa isn’t sufficient for a tropical storm or hurricane — pictures of the results. [More] Hurricane Prep: Why Remove Jibs and Genoas
Hurricane Prep and Editable Checklist
I like checklists and tip sheets for just about everything, but they’re particularly helpful for high stress times like preparing for a hurricane. [More] Hurricane Prep and Editable Checklist
That Trip From Hell
Had a trip from hell and wondering if this is really what you want to be doing for “fun?” Future trips will almost certainly be better – here’s why. [More] That Trip From Hell
How Do I Know If I’d Like Cruising?
The boats at anchor all look so pretty and the thought of living on one seems like a dream come true. But how do you know if it’s really for you? [More] How Do I Know If I’d Like Cruising?
Ant Infestation
This past summer, we had an ant infestation on our boat. Normal sprays and traps didn’t make a dent in them. How we finally got rid of them for good. [More] Ant Infestation