Description:
Sailing crew wanted and crew looking for positions.
Contents:
M C A warns boatowners using (or advertising for) "Paying Crew"
We have been advising on the CruiserLog Forum against the practice of engaging "paying crews" for a long time, pointing out the legal and insurance implications. The debate became quite heated at times and many advocates of the "paying crew" side unfortunately refused to see the logic of our argument. Well, now the logic has been seen by the British Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
(Ref. Practical Boat Owner no. 509 may 2009)
Mr. David Lee, MCA enforcement officer, warned yacht owners bending the rules and taking paying crew that their vessels may not have the necessary certification. A number of companies are, at present, under investigation.
The MCA advises all answering ads for mile building, adventurous sailing, transatlantic passages or Yachtmaster Ocean passages to ensure the vessel is properly coded (in the case of UK flagged vessels that means Category Zero) and that the skipper and mate are qualified.
With one of the world's main maritime safety organisations now on the hunt we are likely soon to see a sharp and welcome decline in these illegal activities.
Full discussion ....
One step closer to moving aboard, sold the small boat to make room for the big one.
Well, we've just sold our smaller boat, a Rawson 30, to a wonderful couple who will be giving the boat a good home and hopefully cruising on her in the next few years. The closing is scheduled for early next week. I'm happy to have her off our mooring so we have a spot for our cruising boat! But now, we'll be without a boat to sail for a couple months. We're scheduled to move our schooner back to the water sometime this summer. Earliest possible is late June but it will be dependent upon the boat mover's schedule as well as availability at the travel lift and the visitors' dock at our marina. The dockmaster will give us a month (minimum) on the visitors' dock, which we'll need because ours is a wood boat which will be swelling up during that timeframe and taking on a lot of water during the process.
Full discussion ....
Can you do an extended cruise in a 30' Catalina sloop?
I'm sure you could cruise around the Caribbean in just about anything if you really wanted to, but realistically, is a 30' Catalina sloop an OK yacht to cruise on if you're fine with the small size? How about sailing a boat like that outside the Caribbean, like from the Caribbean to Australia, or Fiji?
Full discussion ....
Boat Stoves
I need a new stove for my Morgan 33 Out Island. Everyone here in Vermont uses propane. A friend who had a blow up favors a Wallas diesel. Any ideas? We will eventually be doing blue water sailing.
Full discussion ....
The Red Sea or Cape of Good Hope Route? The circumnavigator's dilemma
Due to the many incidents of piracy in the Gulf of Aden I would be interested to know if any current cruising circumnavigators are still planning on transiting the Red Sea as opposed to the alternative Cape of Good Hope (Cape Town, South Africa) route for the next Indian Ocean crossing "season".
In your replies, please state whether:
You are now in the region and planning your Indian Ocean crossing next "season";
Or
Planning your future circumnavigation and your thoughts;
Or
Whether you are simply giving your thoughts/ideas on the situation and routes.
Full discussion ....
Mediterranean passages - sailing notes.
Aegean to West Mediterranean Passages:
Depending on the time you would like to complete the passage, your departure point and personal preference, you must decide whether to take a southern route via Malta (south of Sicily) or a northern route along the Messina Strait in Italy (north of Sicily). In general the northern route is shorter and faster than the southern. Also the northern route has shorter legs and more places to stop.
All the routing instructions described in this page can be reversed and equally apply for passages from Gibraltar to the Aegean Sea (see also the East Mediterranean Passages).
The months to be avoided for this passage are from November to April when violent storms are possible. The best time of the year for this passage is either in May - June or in September - October when various ports and marinas are less crowded and the weather is usually benign. In October, however, there is a possibility of thunderstorms so one has to be cautious.
See the World Cruising Wiki's section for full details:
Cruisers in Turkey, information requested
The following has been posted to "Latest News" on the Cruising Wiki's Turkey page:
"From 1st January '09, a detailed inventory form is required for entry and exit to and from Turkey. The form must detail all main items aboard such as engines, generators, sails, electronics such as SSB, VHF, GPS, and all items such as bicycles, binoculars, stereos, computers, television sets, etc. This form will be attached to the yacht's cruising permit and the items listed on entry must match those on the list on exit from Turkey. Any changes to this inventory list while in Turkey must be covered with purchase invoices for additions to the list or sales receipts identifying the new owner of the goods if removed from the list. This inventory list is stamped and copied by Customs at a cost of 50 Turkish lira."
This "rule" was in force some years ago and was dropped. Can anyone currently in Turkey confirm that this is again being enforced?
Full Discussion ....
World Cruising and Sailing Wiki, a free, online World Cruising Guide
A new feature is currently being added to the article pages of the World Cruising Wiki. Co-ordinates are being added in "GPS" format and these co-ordinates are formatted as a link which when clicked, takes you to a page of Geo resources where you can get local photos, chartlets, etc., or go direct to Google Earth, etc., for these co-ordinates. (Wiki editors see the Wiki's "Help" section for the 'co-ordinates" template)
A good example of this feature can be seen in the SAMOS section within the Wiki's Greece cruising guide.
The Cruising and Sailing Wiki is growing very quickly - this World Cruising Guide already has almost 5,000 pages and to date has had almost a half-million page views. LOTS of input is still required, so bring out the hidden "Cruising Guide Writer" in you and add what you can for the benefit of all cruisers who will follow in your wake - share the information on passages, world ports, immigration and customs formalities around the world, approaches, marinas, anchorages, etc., in the true cruiser's spirit of sharing information.
Details ....
Yacht Maintenance Schedules
Daily/Weekly Yacht Maintenance
Electrical and Electronics
Check the battery charge level, in both the engine and the house batteries. If the battery levels are low then charging circuits (battery charger, alternator, etc) will need to be engaged. Remember that leaving a lead acid battery discharged for extended periods of time damages the battery and shortens its life.
Engine
If the engine has been running then these tasks need to be done regularly.
* Check oil level with the dipstick, top up oil if necessary. An engine can use 200mL of oil or more per hour of operation (Pallas p 86).
* Check water level in the heat exchanger, topping up with clean/distilled water and/or radiator conditioner / antifreeze if required.
* Check the state of the heat exchanger cap and replace it if it is broken, worn, or damaged (Pallas, p116).
* Check water level in the salt water strainer, check to see if any dirt/debris is blocking the filter, empty the filter if necessary.
Drive Train
* Check the oil/fluid level in the gearbox. Top up with the necessary fluid if necessary (Pallas, p90).
* If your boat has a stuffing box, check the drop rate and temperature (Pallas, p128).
* If your boat has a dripless (rotary, PSS) type shaft seal, then inspect the seal for any leaks (Pallas, p129).
Exhaust
* Check that there is water coming out of the exhaust (nearly all marine diesels are water cooled). You need to check this every time the engine starts -- if there is no water going into the exhaust system then you have 30 seconds to shut down the engine before you melt one of the hoses, waterlocks or muffler.
* Check the exhaust colour. Black or blue smoke in the exhaust indicates engine trouble. White smoke could mean a broken thermostat -- see below under yearly maintenance.
Monthly Maintenance
Full details ....
sv Ultimate - Yacht Missing in the Atlantic Ocean, Crew - Tom Bouter and Theckla Franssen
sv Ultimate - Yacht Missing in the Atlantic Ocean, Crew - Tom Bouter and Theckla Franssen.
Information needed: See Navtex message below, yacht is still missing. Yotreps gives just a little more information. Does anybody have any information? I'm not connected, just concerned. Any information will help.
Full details ....
Topping Up The Diesel Tanks At Sea
Thought I would share this one with you and ask what others do. As I do yacht deliveries, we often have to carry spare fuel in cans and use this to top up the tanks when making passage.
Pouring fuel can be a difficult job as the fillers are usually outside the rails and, with the boat heaving around, it is hard to avoid spillage. An effective method I have developed is to use an outboard engine hand primer pump (you know, the kind you use with an external fuel tank) with approx 2 metres of tube on each end which will siphon once the flow is established. This gets rid of the need to pour, means the fuel can may be located in the cockpit and eliminates spills completely.
The down side is that it can be a bit slow. The plus side is that it cost me about £15 to buy, it's reusable and it slips into my baggage with no trouble. Any other suggestions?
Full Discussion: ....
Watch-keeping On A Cruising Yacht - keeping watch on longer passages at sea.
For longer coastal passages and ocean voyages, formal watch-keeping should begin as soon as your yacht has cleared port and is settled down on her course at sea.
What watch-keeping routine do you use? (hours on/off)
Why does this work best for you?
Also see the Watch-keeping section on the Cruising Wiki HERE.
Full discussion ....
Rigging wire / turnbuckle sizes on a cruising yacht.
We have in hand two good quotes for rigging gear to do our 35' cruising yacht with (out of about 8 quotes in total). There are two paths we can pursue from here and some questions that we need to answer. One path is to rig with the same size wires 5/16" all round, except that the inner forestay and upper shrouds are 1/4". The yacht is a Masthead, dual inline spreaders, 12mt stick, 7ton boat, single backstay with no runners, 4 x lower shrouds. The other option is to alter the sizes of the rig wires (& terminals) to strengthen &/or lighten the rig. Fine tuning the design in other words. Does anyone have opinions as to what wires on a rig like ours take the most strain and what wires have the least in the various conditions of cruising offshore ???
Full discussion ....
Catamaran vs Monohull Sailing Yachts, a comparison.
Catamaran vs Monohull is a question often asked - the advantages and disadvantages of cruising on a single hull compared to a multihull? Phil Berman of the Multihull Company, the sponsor of this "Multihull Club" forum board, has written an interesting article on the subject.
More ....
Queequeg Two - search for survivors of the stricken yacht (catamaran) has been called off.
We have learned that they have ended the search for the yacht Queequeg II. We are heartbroken! (daughter of one of the missing sailors).
Details ....
Capsized Yacht Queequeg II survivor rescued.
The man that was found from the stricken yacht Queequeg II is Leo Sherman. He was found clinging to the boat and is hopefully now receiving medical attention. Apparently, divers are going to search the boat more thoroughly. We are still hoping that my dad (Joe Strykowski) and Quen Cultra could be out there on a raft or the dingy - or clinging to something. I feel caught between joy and despair. Having hope but wanting to brace myself against the awful blow that might be coming. One hopeful thing... the rescuers apparently noticed that there were more civilian ships in the area than normal. It makes me feel that, if they are out there, they will be found.
More ....
Father Missing Off Madagascar - catamaran Queequeg II capsized!
Father Missing Off Madagascar from the catamaran Queequeg II - This is all the information I have. I am posting this in hope that someone out there will find him...If you or someone you know is in the area, please help! About 48 hours ago, someone on my father's boat (The Queequeg II) hit "the panic button" sending a distress call. The Embassy of Madagascar sent a search party and 36 hours ago they found the Queegueg II capsized. No bodies were found. The Embassy is planning to send another search party but the cyclones are making it difficult. My sister and i are hoping and praying that he could still be out there. There were three men on the boat and all three are missing.
Full details ....
Declaring Firearms Aboard a Cruising Yacht
If a USA flagged sailing yacht pulls into port in another country that is more restrictive in its firearms laws, the USA yacht is required to declare firearms and ammunition. I saw this in most countries in the CRUISING WIKI section. No problem, right? Some nations require that the firearms be impounded and given back upon departure. Have there been instances of firearms being "lost" by the authorities, or have authorities objected to certain firearms (.50cal, H&K UMP, suppressors, laser sights, frangible ammo) that are legal in the USA (for now), but are just too scary for some governments?
Full discussion ....
Choosing An RYA Sailing School
Having looked at a number of forums I think it would help if I gave a few pointers about how to select a sailing school. There are a number of points worth looking at.
Full details ....
A Call To All Cruisers Around The World
The World Cruising and Sailing Wiki is a free, online world cruising guide developed by cruisers, for cruisers. This Cruising Wiki already contains almost 4,000 pages and has already had 250,000 page views - and growing fast The World Cruising Wiki contains information about world ports, country immigration and customs procedures, local weather info, radio nets, approaches and navigation, ocean passages, marinas, yacht clubs, anchorages, photos, chartlets, ... and much more. It also contains general information about sailing, radio, yacht maintenance, safety at sea, cruisers blogs, etc., etc. The World Cruising Wiki is being developed by cruisers all around the world - contributing information about regions that they know (in the true cruiser's spirit) so that others who follow in their wake can benefit. The resource can remain completely up to date as contributors can edit/update information online, 24/7.
More ....
40' - 45' Bluewater Cruiser?!
I'm looking to purchase my first sailboat and I am in need of some guidance. I was leaning towards a steel or aluminum hull but most do not have a swim step and walk through transom. It sounds kind of odd but the is a top criteria for me. Three reasons: it is easier to land big fish, it is easiers to board from a tender, and I have a dog who loves the water and if she jumps I need to get her back aboard somehow. Do you know of any steel hulled sloop or cutter rigs that have a walk through transom and a swim step?! I am looking at the 40'-45' range.
Full discussion ....
Greece Cruising Guide - A Free, Online Resource For Sailors
The Greece Cruising Guide, a section on the free, online World Cruising and Sailing Wiki, has now developed into a VERY usable sailing resource along with many other well developed cruising guides for regions around the world. The World Cruising Wiki Cruising Guides are developed and written by cruisers, for cruisers. These Cruising Guides contain up-to-date information on countries, immigration and customs, world ports, marinas and yacht clubs, anchorages, approaches and navigation details, ocean passages and much more. World Cruising and Sailing Wiki
More ...
Caribbean Cruising Guide
The Caribbean section of the Cruising Wiki is now well underway - many sections are already very useful and interesting and, of course, free for anyone to access. Our collective thanks to all those who have already contributed their information to date - it is most appreciated by all cruisers around the world. Thank you! I am posting this message on this board to make an appeal to all who have knowledge of the Caribbean region to make a concerted effort to "fill in the blanks" and complete this section in particular. Let's get this section completed - for all the cruisers that are following in our wakes. Bring out the "writer" in you and help to build a great resource for all - others will be building other sections around the world that will be useful to YOU in the future. Help to build this World Cruising Wiki - the free, online Cruising Guide. The World Cruising Wiki belongs to all - built by cruisers, for cruisers.
More ....
Oceanswatch - Anyone Know Much About Them?, www.oceanswatch.org
The Oceanswatch web site was interesting to me, but I'm not familiar with many charitable organizations traveling on small private yachts, and so I wrote to Oceanswatch for a copy of their charter before I went any further. They really haven't been very forthcoming, it seems. On their web site, under "charter" they state: "Copies of our Trust documents are available on request by emailing chris@oceanswatch.org" I emailed Chris, and here are the emails sent and received as of today. It doesn't cost him anything to send copies of this stuff to me, does it? So now I'm asking what does he have to hide? Anybody here know?
Full details: .........
Cruising Blogs and Narratives.
The best way to learn about cruising is to read other cruisers' Blogs, Narratives and Voyage Logs and see how they are doing it "out there".
Cruising Blogs and Narratives
World Cruising and Sailing Wiki - the free World Cruising Guide for cruising sailors.
The World Cruising and Sailing Wiki has been established by Cruiserlog.com so that all cruising sailors around the world can have free access to as much information on cruising around the world as possible. This cruising and sailing Wiki is a resource to which all sailors are encouraged to freely contribute and thereby help to build a great reference resource for the benefit of all cruisers that are sailing around the world.
The Cruiserlog World Cruising and Sailing Wiki's objectives:-
* To provide all cruising sailors with a one-stop interactive resource which members can annotate, correct and add to.
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