Cruising

Last fall, the Rath family (Colin & Pam, daughters Breana, Meriel and Nerina, dog Aspen and cats Wausabi and Ginger) departed from Stamford, CT for a worldwide cruise aboard their Hanse 545 Persevere.

Here are a few tips, some which incorporate both old and new navigation techniques. Hopefully they will help you to develop a more robust usage of all the navigation tools available to you. Several of these can be accomplished with a simple handheld GPS and a chart, making them useful in smaller boats without expensive electronic packages.

On November 3, 2014 after two days of waiting for a break in the weather, 18 well-prepared sailboats left Newport, RI to embark on a nearly 1,500 mile journey that to the Caribbean (NARC).

A common misconception is that upgrading your systems is an all-or-nothing affair. In some cases, a wholesale replacement of systems is appropriate, but more often than not, some or most of a boat’s wiring and/or equipment can be reused.

CCNE has been actively operating and cruising for 32 years. We currently have close to 100 members, and although most are from Connecticut we have members in Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island and even one in Vermont. Our fleet consists of sailboats and powerboats of many makes and models.

Planning a rendezvous can be a heck of a lot of fun, and it can be an extremely rewarding experience for all who attend. It can also be a headache if it’s not planned properly.

As members of the Sunsail Owners Club, Nancy Kaull & Paul Jacobs of Saunderstown, RI have sailed in many of the world’s best cruising spots. In an excerpt from their just-published book Voyages: Stories of Ten Sunsail Owner Cruises, Nancy & Paul visit some sweet spots in the Leeward Islands.

I’ve been working on the Charles W. Morgan for three years as a builder, but coming on board the night before our first transit is different.

Today, Leopard 44s are sprinkled around the world, crossing oceans and hosting family daysails alike. I interviewed David Arnold of Cumberland, RI, the owner of Call Me Crazy, to hear what he has to say about his Leopard 44 that serves as a platform for family fun.

Like most New England boaters, you probably make an annual pilgrimage each September to the Newport International Boat Show. “September is an ideal time to be on the water in New England,” says Wendy Mackie, CEO of the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association. “What could be better than a long weekend of total immersion—a visit to this premier on-the-water showcase, coupled with some liveaboard time in the sailing capital of Newport?”