After one year of living aboard our boat in a marina the time had finally come to take our sailboat, Britican, back out to sea. The video I created to showcase the lead up to our departure demonstrates how to provision and prepare your boat for passage. There’s information about the jobs we did to[Read More]
How To's
How To Install Outboard Stabilizer Fins
Learn how to install outboard stabilizer fins to your outboard motor. Why? Stabilizer fins increase stability, allow for better gas mileage (average of 40%), help the dinghy to quickly plane at lower RPM, increase top-end speed and keep the bow lower at all speeds. (Video at the bottom of article) The only reason I can[Read More]
How to make port window screens
The one thing that drives me absolutely insane about liveaboard life is mosquitoes. After three years of living on our sailboat and over 18,500 miles of sailing my toleration for bug bites is extremely low. Learning how to make port window screens helps reduce the problem. For boaters to avoid getting eaten alive, the first line of defense is[Read More]
Storage Organization On A Boat
A checklist to help boaters to better protect and organize their clothes, towels, sheets. Here are eight storage organization options and seven tips for using vacuum storage bags. Grab yourself a variety pack of Ziploc Space Bags or similar vacuum suction bags (click on the image to view on Amazon). These bags are fantastic. They will[Read More]
Choosing a Marina (How to avoid ‘bad’ marina’s)
When sailing into a marina for a short stay there’s few considerations to make. When making a marina a full-time or long-term hub, however, there’s loads of variables to contemplate. Choosing a marina is not as simple as it might first appear to be. There are good and bad marina’s – read this to make sure[Read More]
The Best Dinghy Anchor
What’s the best dinghy anchor? To determine the best dinghy anchor we tested three variations: the folding grapnel anchor, the claw and the Mantus anchor (deemed ‘the best dinghy anchor’). Allow me show you a picture of each anchor, explain why a sailboat owner would need an anchor for their dinghy, and the results of our[Read More]
Gelcoat Repair | Checklist & Video Instructions
A gelcoat repair on a boat can be inexpensive and easy. Here you’ll find step-by-step instructions and a video on how to use a gelcoat repair kit to make a nick, scratch or chip disappear. Gelcoat Repair Kit Instructions Clean the damaged area using acetone to eliminate dirt, grease and wax. Make sure to avoid[Read More]
28 Seasickness Remedies to easily buy from Amazon.com
Getting seasick is horrible. I know because I’m a sufferer. Even after living and cruising full time on a sailboat since 2014 I still have episodes where I turn green and have to use some sort of seasick remedy. Listed below is everything I’ve ever tried and/or have given to crew members afflicted with the[Read More]
How to clean a boat water tank
With plans to enter the Pacific Ocean on the horizon, we decided to clean our fresh water tank on the boat. Neither my husband, Simon, nor I knew how to clean a boat water tank but we knew that we’d eventually need fresh clean water coming from it! The first step we took was to[Read More]
How to make or buy the best boat pillows
There are three key items to making or buying long-lasting boat pillows! 1. First of all, you’ll want to buy material that is durable. The atmosphere both inside and outside a boat requires strong, long-lasting, UV resistant, mold resistant, easy-to-clean material. On the easy-to-clean side of things, you’ll want pillow covers rather than full pillows. With[Read More]