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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 […]

If you are getting ready to go boating in NSW, you might be wondering whether you need a boat licence, a PWC licence, or both. It can be a bit confusing at first, especially because people often use the words “boat”, “jet ski”, and “licence” in the same conversation. So let’s keep it simple. What is a

A boat advert is, of course, designed to pique your interest. That does not mean the seller is doing anything wrong. It’s just what an advert does. It shows the boat in the best light, uses the nicest photos and includes wording that makes the boat sound appealing. The problem is that buyers can start

If you are thinking about getting your NSW boat licence, you might be wondering what actually happens in the course. The good news is that it is not as scary as many people expect. At SisterShip Training, our face-to-face boat licence sessions are friendly, practical, and designed for everyday people. You do not need to arrive

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

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

The purchase price is only one part of buying a cruising sailboat. It is the obvious number, the one we all look up, but it is rarely the complete number. A boat can look affordable online, then become expensive once you add survey, haul-out, insurance, repairs, upgrades, marina costs and the first round of maintenance. Before

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

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

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