Preparing Totem for Coppercoat
Coppercoat’s advantages in durability (=savings!) and environmental friendliness (=how we live!) have made me more excited about antifouling than I believed possible. As if to complete the picture, Totem’s shiny new metallic hull is dazzling in the Sonoran sun. Once sanded to activate the copper the hull will oxidize to rich shade of verdigris, […]
Coming soon to Toronto and Seattle Boat Shows
Making winter boat show plans? Let’s meet! Jamie and I are excited to have finalized plans for presenting at the Toronto Boat Show and Seattle Boat Show in early 2019. We can’t wait to share our experiences and enthusiasm for cruising with those who hope to make the break, and meeting up with members […]
Holiday gift ideas: inspired by social side of cruising
The cruising lifestyle shimmers with a wide social streak; gathering for cockpit sundowners or beach barbecues is routine, and comes with distinct practices. Using these rituals as a springboard for holiday gift ideas spurred a fun conversation (and opinions!) around the boatyard lounge this morning, one which will probably be reprised around the firepit […]
Forever boat: bigger upkeep on an older sailboat
Totem turned 36 this year. We treat her like our forever boat, and prioritize maintenance to ensure our sailboat / home remains a sound vessel with a long future ahead. Lately that means turning attention to a projects that accumulated into something more than “routine maintenance.” While organizing plans for the new bottom […]
Cooking aboard: Totem’s galley essentials
Returning to Totem recently provided fresh perspective on land kitchens vs boat galleys. Last night, as our dinner cooked in the oven, Jamie and I wondered to each other that it seemed to be taking a long time. Then we remembered we were trying to compare a little boat oven with the beast of […]
Silver linings to an extended haul out
Early morning shadows stretch across the gravel lot of Cabrales Boatyards hardstand where Perro Negro (black dog) holds court. Mairen and Siobhan get the first of today’s Spanish vocabulary from the night guard as we’ve affectionately come to call maestro (teacher) for his enthusiastic lessons before he heads off duty for the day. Boats in […]
10 signs it’s time to go back to the boat
On Tuesday we begin the two-day journey back to Totem. It’s time. It’s past time. Here’s how we’re sure: The socks are on, and we’re not talking about Boston Nobody needs this many potato chip options 60 is the new 80 (temperature at which teens put on pants/hoodies) No longer accidentally calling bathroom “the head” […]
Limited offer: personalized copy of Voyaging with Kids!
Engaging pictures are a great way to get kids excited.Thanks hamsterescape for this awesome photo! Do you have a partner to convince to go cruising? Do relatives or friends think your plans are kind of nuts? Need a positive way to introduce cruising plans to people who may not embrace them? Or just want to […]
Connecting with the tribe in Annapolis
“Drink this. Now.” The Annapolis Boat Show was in full swing, but my friend Nica wasn’t handing me one of Pusser’s famous Painkillers with her demand. She had a higher agenda! Mother nature pulled out the stops during the show, putting on an October demo of peak summer weather in the Chesapeake. Nica and I […]
Cascading events: preventing crisis at sea
Fears of disaster at sea can loom large; even for adrenaline junkies, misadventure is not the desired companion to adventure. Jamie shares one facet of thinking around avoiding crises at sea here; for more, join Cruisers U and attend seminar at the Annapolis Boat Show next month. Some boaters will experience a crisis situation. All […]
