Cruising Resources and Information for Sailors

"What washing machines are made for cruising boats?"

"My sea crossings have taught me I need three good days of gaining sea legs before anything goes right."

Cruising Life

Whether you're a Singlehander or a retired couple Making New Friends, a Trailer Sailor or heading for Foreign Ports, there's a whole lot of information out there for you.

Cruising the coast or circumnavigating, there?s a lot you need to know about Boathandling, Navigation, and Handling Emergencies. Formal Qualifications or Cruising Schools are ways to get these skills.

There are thousands of cruising designs, hundreds of them still produced, from Round-The-World 24-footers to Big Performance Cruisers, Catamarans and Trimarans to Beach Cruisers.

Once you've analyzed Your Personal Boat Needs and considered Rig Choices, Construction Quality, and the trade-off between Size and Simplicity, choosing a boat is still an emotional decision.

From Anchor to Dinghy Davits, a boat's deck has got to provide waterproof Ventilation below, Stowage for lots of bulky stuff, comfortable Seating and Steering, Safety for the crew, and lots more.

Masts, Sails and Reefing Systems have come a long way in 30 years, giving cruising sailboats more Speed with Fewer Crew and some innovative Sailing Rigs.

Whether it's Above Decks or Below, details such as Insect Screens, Soundproofing, Damp-proof Stowage and Seasickness remedies can make for a happy cruise.

Whether you crave Simplicity or prefer all mod cons like a Fridge, Hot Showers, Air Conditioning, and an Entertainment Center, the basics like Galley Layout are important.

When you, when you consider your Engine, DC and AC electricity, Lightning and Electrolysis protection, a cruising yacht can have more systems - and more Owner Maintenance than a house.

With good Maintenance Planing cruising sailors can avoid many hazards, but we still must be trained and ready for emergencies, whether Sickness or Fire, Heavy Weather or Crew Overboard.