Skills for Cruising

Cruising involves so very many things -- and some skills that many of us find a little different than for living on land.

Good news -- you can develop many of these long before you set foot on a boat.

Preparing for those Winter North Winds

Published on May 5, 2021; last updated on April 28, 2021 by Carolyn Shearlock

Even when your boat is in a warm climate, you need to be prepared for a winter storm. Here’s what we do when a norther passes over our location. [More] Preparing for those Winter North Winds

The Future of AToNs

Published on March 3, 2021; last updated on March 2, 2021 by Carolyn Shearlock/Dave Skolnick

New technology has brought many changes to navigation. Here’s how to make sense of AIS aids to navigation before you get into trouble. [More] The Future of AToNs

Learning What Works

Published on August 16, 2019; last updated on March 9, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

When you first start living on a boat and cruising, the learning curve is steep. But pretty soon, you figure out what works. [More] Learning What Works

GPS to Wifi iPad for Aqua Map – Under $10

Published on April 15, 2019; last updated on September 8, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

Step-by-step how to use your phone’s GPS information on a wifi-only iPad (without GPS) with AquaMap. Cost: less than $10 vs. $100 for external GPS. [More] GPS to Wifi iPad for Aqua Map – Under $10

Best Books for Soon-To-Be Cruisers

Published on February 8, 2019; last updated on February 3, 2019 by Carolyn Shearlock

The best books for cruisers, to help you buy a boat, maintain it and cruise it. Reference books you’ll find yourself returning to time and time again. [More] Best Books for Soon-To-Be Cruisers

9 Great Books for the Soon-to-Be Cruiser

Published on November 5, 2018; last updated on September 21, 2021 by Carolyn Shearlock

Nine great books on everything from deciding to go cruising and how to do it to buying a boat and maintaining it, with a couple of “let’s dream about it” selections too. [More] 9 Great Books for the Soon-to-Be Cruiser

Building Cruising Skills: Googling

Published on November 4, 2018; last updated on November 5, 2018 by Carolyn Shearlock

Yes, Googling IS an essential cruising skill and a great one to be practicing as you’re in the pre-cruising learning phase. [More] Building Cruising Skills: Googling

Where Are the Wood Plugs?

Published on August 15, 2018; last updated on September 8, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

Seconds count in an emergency. Are you really ready? Can you lay your hands on everything IMMEDIATELY? [More] Where Are the Wood Plugs?

Doing New Things . . . Badly

Published on May 9, 2018; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock/Pamela Douglas Webster

If being willing to try something new is a basic cruising skill, being willing to stink at things while you’re learning them might be just as important. [More] Doing New Things . . . Badly

The Courage to Try Something New

Published on April 23, 2018; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

Cruising itself may be new, and it’s made up of all sorts of individual items that are going to be “something new” too. Preparing for the challenge of doing all sorts of new things. [More] The Courage to Try Something New