Author and Traveller

Old neglected sailboat with stained hull and rigging, used as an example of a cheap or abandoned boat that may need major repairs before cruising.

Used Sailboat Rigging Red Flags

Rigging, chainplates and deck leaks are worth checking early when you are buying a used sailboat. They are not small details. They can affect safety, insurance, survey findings and the amount of work waiting for you after purchase. You do not need to be a surveyor to notice useful warning signs, but you do need to […]

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Sailing boat with full sails up sailing along - waves beside the boat blue skies

Does This Boat Fit Your Plans?

It is very easy to fall in love with a boat that does not actually fit your plans. A boat can look beautiful in the photos, feel exciting at the marina and still be wrong for the way you want to use it. Step Back First – Ask Questions Before you get too attached, step back

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Face-to-face NSW boat licence training in Bega Valley, with students learning boating rules and safety in a hands-on classroom session.

Is the NSW boat licence test hard?

This is one of the most common questions people ask before booking a NSW boat licence course. The honest answer is: it depends how prepared you are. The information itself is not impossible, but there are parts that can feel tricky if you try to learn them too quickly or without proper explanation. That is where good

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Boat approaching a green channel mark, showing how channel markers can confuse new boaters during NSW boat licence training.

Where Can I Get My NSW Boat Licence in Bega Valley?

If you’re in Bega, Eden, Merimbula, Pambula, Tathra, Bermagui, Narooma, or nearby, you do not need to travel hours away to start your NSW boat licence journey. SisterShip Training runs local, face-to-face boat licence training for people in the Bega Valley and surrounding areas. Practical and Friendly Courses Our courses are practical, friendly, and built

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Screenshot of online cruising sailboat listings used to research price, location, boat age, size and condition before arranging an inspection.

What to Check Before You Travel to Inspect a Boat

Buying a cruising sailboat often starts with reading the ad. There’s often some photos, a tempting price, a nice description. Maybe, the boat’s at a location that is not too impossible to reach. Then the imagination starts whirring….. ………and all of a sudden you’re imagining yourself onboard, swinging on anchor…. completely forgetting you have to

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Sailboat springing off from a dock during close-quarters boat handling training

Springing Off Demonstration

Dock and Anchor Like a Pro Many docking problems begin before the boat even starts moving. In this short video I demonstrate how to spring a boat off a dock, explain the thinking behind the manoeuvre, and point out a few things to watch for along the way. Good boat handling is rarely about strength

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