There is a moment in sailing that does not get much attention. We spend a lot of time preparing to leave. Planning routes, watching weather, organising the boat, thinking through what might happen. Then the lines are cast off, and suddenly the focus shifts. You are no longer preparing; you are doing. It is often […]
Once the Lines Are Cast Off Read More »
A Story That Began Earlier Some things are not meant to arrive in a straight line. When Noel and I were awarded the Tall Ships Australia and New Zealand Medallion – personal achievement, it was first shared with us over Zoom by Julie Porter co-owner/Skipper SV Rhona H – Hobart’s Oldest and Tallest operating Tall Ship.
The Long Voyage of a Medal Read More »
For many sailors planning their first offshore passage, most preparation focuses on departure. Weather windows, routing, provisioning, safety gear. All essential. But there is a quieter stage of offshore sailing that begins once you are actually underway, and it is rarely described in practical terms. It is the period after the lines are cast off and
The First Hours Offshore: What Matters Most Once You Leave the Harbour Read More »
One of the advantages of learning navigation online is that you can begin immediately. There is no waiting for course packs or materials to arrive in the post. As soon as you enrol in any of our chartwork or navigation courses, you can download and print the AUS252 practice chart and start plotting straight away.
Free Navigation Practice Chart – Start Plotting Now Read More »
If you plan to use a marine VHF or MF/HF radio, the phonetic alphabet is not optional. It is the backbone of clear, reliable communication at sea. Whether you are spelling a vessel name, a call sign, or a waypoint, the phonetic alphabet removes doubt and prevents costly errors. In an emergency, that clarity matters.
Master the Marine Phonetic Alphabet: A Practical Guide for Radio Readiness Read More »
Most boaters have seen it. The tired hull sitting on a mooring that has not moved in months. Lines frayed. Covers torn. The engine long silent. What started as someone’s dream boat slowly becomes a floating liability. These are known as end of life vessels. Boats that are no longer seaworthy, safe, or financially viable
End of Life Vessels: Why Abandoned Boats Are Becoming a Growing Problem on Our Waterways Read More »
Most boat engine problems do not happen suddenly. They develop slowly through missed servicing, worn components, corrosion, blocked cooling systems, and fuel contamination. Over time, small issues become major failures. Transport for NSW has released an updated outboard motor maintenance checklist as part of its End of Life Vessels program. The goal is simple: help
Boat Engine Maintenance: Essential Checks to Prevent Breakdowns Read More »
If your idea of sailing romance involves hand steering for hours, you probably sail short passages. I enjoy steering too, briefly. Out of the harbour, for example. Once clear of land, Roy takes over. Roy is our Aries windvane. He is named after my dad, who helped Noel strip decades of salt from the unit,
Installing an Aries Windvane on a Hydraulic Steering System Read More »
The first windvane steering gear we owned was a trim-tab style unit known as Wander. It came with SV Mariah II and quickly earned the nickname “Killer Tiller”. The boat wandered constantly from side to side, and the tiller followed with wild enthusiasm. It swept across the cockpit like a medieval weapon. Ankles were endangered.
Combining Aries Windvane Steering with Electric Autopilot Control Read More »
Modern marine electronics are remarkable. Chart plotters, GPS, and digital charts have transformed how people navigate. Used well, they add safety and clarity. The problem is not electronics failing completely. The problem is how often they are misunderstood, misread, or trusted without enough context. That is when fundamentals matter. What usually fails is not the
The Skills Every Skipper Relies on When Electronics Fail Read More »
