5 Reasons Why The SOS Distress Light Should Be Your Next Purchase. Bonus – coupon code included!

Teresa Carey Words 28 Comments

Once in a while, something genius is invented and it catches my attention. That’s what happened with the new SOS Distress Light. The SOS Distress light is an electronic flare that replaces your flare kit. It meets the USCG requirement and far exceeds them. 1) Safe to use. Wouldn’t you rather be holding a light that doesn’t get hot or …

Six Things We Love About Our Norseman 447

Ben Eriksen Carey Words 15 Comments

We are just about 2 years into ownership of Rocinante our Norseman 447. In that time we’ve sailed her just about 8,000 nm and we’ve gotten to know her a bit better. She’s a lot different than our previous boats, but still considered a classic… one of Bob Perry’s best designs. She sails and handles wonderfully in all conditions we’ve experienced so far. The …

The Gray Area Between a Superstar and a Fool

Teresa Carey Words 69 Comments

I’ve noticed a strange phenomena that I believe is due to the rise in sailing Youtubers and bloggers like myself. More and more sailors are going to sea without any training at all. They decide to take the leap, move aboard a boat and set sail. I’ve seen it over and over – praise given for being so brave, for …

Sailing to Bermuda: Weather Planning

Ben Eriksen Carey Words 4 Comments

We left Fishing Bay at around 1500. A few hours after we planned, but for good reason. There were some last minute projects to take care of… final installation of the Monitor control lines, pad eyes for better dinghy lashing angles as well as going over sea-cock locations and our new Viking 8 Person Liferaft deployment procedures with our crew. Plus …

Video: Near Gale Sailing

Ben Eriksen Carey Words 11 Comments

With Joaquin threatening to interrupt our Morse Alpha Sail-training passage by forecasting landfall on the New England coast (in more than one of the models), we knew we needed to be prepared for the worst, which meant getting to a solid hurricane hole. Still, the sail would be tough. We carefully measured the conditions – wind direction, fetch, wave height, …

Right Sized Boating

Ben Eriksen Carey Words 9 Comments

VOYAGING ON A BOAT is a good metaphor for the voyage of life. Stowage space is minimal, requiring the distilling down of possessions to only the most important. Things that break easily, have no useful purpose, or have to be carefully handled are left behind. The same principle that applies to possessions also applies to relationships and activities. For activities this means clearing out the meaningless hustle and bustle, and living …