At the Helm

CWcrw0712_pcd_0

by Captain

The Little Things

July 16, 2012 in At the Helm

The Little Things

By Cruising World’s Jen Brett
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I’ve lived aboard boats for almost eight years now, first a 32-foot Pearson Vanguard, and now our 44-foot Reliance ketch, and I’ve learned quite a bit about how to make a boat liveable and not go crazy—even with kids aboard. As I was changing the sheets in the V-berth yesterday, it occurred to me how useful—of all things—the mattress protector has been (I’ll explain) and that other boat-dwellers might want to know about it. Which got me thinking about what other inexpensive, easily obtainable, non-”marine” gear I use every day that make life aboard better—here are a few things I’ve come up with. This list doesn’t include baby/kid gear, because that’s a whole ‘nother post. Read the rest of this entry →

cwsept

by Captain

Boat Shopping

August 24, 2011 in At the Helm

Boat Shopping, by Cruising World’s Jen Brett    

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Most cruisers that I know love to “talk boat”—talk about your own boat, your friend’s boat, that awesome boat in the harbor, something you saw on YachtWorld—you get the picture. I am no exception. I also love boat shopping (for myself or others). I’ll use any excuse to spend some time poking around a boat, new or old. And since I won’t be in the market for another boat for a while, I thought that I would relive the experience and share what brought us to choosing our boat. Read the rest of this entry →
sws_cover_circ_footer

by Captain

SWS Boat Roundup

January 6, 2011 in At the Helm

Here is a boat roundup from our friends at SaltWater Sportsman – it’s meant to give you a sneak peak of what to look for, so if you find one you like, find your closest dealer and take a ride for yourself…

Boat-show season has arrived, so potential boat buyers and enthusiasts, get ready — a new breed of boats awaits you. Whether you are an angler who prefers to spend your time fishing the shallows for snook, redfish or striped bass or someone who’d rather make the long run into blue water for big pelagics, there’s a new boat out there for you. You will notice a few models with subtle but notable updates, some that have undergone massive face-lifts and, finally, a few that are brand-new from the hull up. This roundup is meant to give you a sneak peak of what to look for, so if you find one you like, find your closest dealer and take a ride for yourself. Read the rest of this entry →

The Broadblue 345 barrels along under full sail.

by Captain

Bill’s Boat Blog: Broadblue 345

October 28, 2010 in At the Helm

Here’s a 33-foot cruising cat with large cruising cat comforts.
The Broadblue 345 barrels along under full sail.It’s not easy to provide good headroom and comfortable accommodations on a 33-foot cruising cat, but the Broadblue 345 does just that. It comes standard with three separate cabins and it also has a head with separate shower stall.  The aft cabins have king size berths. The boat also has a single berth forward and a single berth amidships.  All the joinery is American light Oak. Teak and holly synthetic flooring is used throughout.
As you can see, the saloon has excellent visibility out of the large fixed windows, good ventilation thanks to several opening hatches, and even a proper, forward-facing nav station. And just like much larger cats, it has a large settee that’ll sit four comfortably for dinner. Read the rest of this entry →
Gilles Martin-Raget/Benteau

by Captain

Hands On Sailor by Cruising World deputy editor Elaine Lembo

August 4, 2010 in At the Helm

It started with sea water standing in the galley sink. Each time Gwen Hamlin and Don Wilson’s Tackless II, a CSY 44 walk-through, sailed on port tack, the sinks backfilled if someone forgot to close the through hull. At anchor, they gurgled. A macerator installed in the sink’s exhaust line solved that.

While they were at it, and considering that they were about to head out on a 10-year sojourn through the Pacific Ocean, they ripped out the old sinks and installed a new, deeper, stainless-steel double. They also threw in a household pull-out sprayer faucet, molded countertops that shielded the oak joinery from stains, and a cutting board that fit over one of the sinks and could be slid from side to side while the boat was under way. Read the rest of this entry →

At the Helm

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