Hi Sailors!
The Sailing Roundup brings you the latest in sailing news, trends, gear, events, and training. Every other week (when we’re not sailing) we’ll send a curated list and analysis by Teresa & Ben Carey. Instead of sifting through a ton of articles and videos each week – let us do the work for you.
Editorial:
A few of our Morse Alpha students are knee-deep in the boat search process. We love seeing our Morse Alpha family out there sailing and cruising successfully, so we happily offer them advice and perspective on the boat buying process. Finding a seaworthy boat and accepting the appropriate compromises are critical factors in successful cruising.
A recent exchange with one student reminded me of our experiences finding Rocinante. We searched for nearly two years for the right boat. We saw many beautiful boats during our search, but just as many horrific ones, and one in particular that we will forever remember.
As we pulled up to the boat and parked, Teresa turned to me and said, “Ben, I just saw him pump a ton of water from the bilge.”
I reminded her to have an open mind. We were excited about this boat. By the listing, it checked nearly every box on our priority list – flush deck, comfortable cockpit, seaworthy design, etc. Besides, boats sometimes have water in the bilge. It doesn’t always indicate a real problem. It could be as simple as not securing a mast boot well enough, which would be an easy fix.
“I’ll try,” Teresa replied, “But it doesn’t make sense. The boat is on the hard.”
As we climb aboard and entered the cabin, we instantly noticed a lot of water damage around the ports. “Have these ports been re-bed recently,” Teresa asks, adding that, “they look as though they were leaking?”
“Nope, they haven’t needed it,” the owner replies. I take a silent note and move on to another question. But Teresa, who is much more candid than I am, interrupts me.
“Well, most have water damage around them. These dark spots and peeling laminate are from water intrusion,” she says.
“The ports aren’t leaking,” the owner smiles at her politely and giggles, “we just sometimes forget to close the ports when we sail and the water splashes in.”
Teresa makes her way forward and into the head. “Benji, come here,” she says. I poke my head into the head. “There is a giant mushroom growing over there in the corner.”
I look where she is pointing, and sure enough, there is a mushroom about three inches wide sprouting up from the floor, surrounded by a dozen tiny ones. “It looks like there is a little water damage in the head,” I say to the owner. “Maybe there is a leak somewhere.”
“Naw,” he replies with a laugh, “I just never got around to putting a shower curtain up. A little cleaning and it’s good as new.”
After an hour of thorough inspection, we are walking back to the car. “I think it would need some work,” I say optimistically, “What do you think?”
“I think that boat sunk.” says Teresa.
We always encourage prospective buyers to bring along a knowledgeable friend who won’t be emotionally swayed by the romance of it all. Luckily for us, Teresa is that trusty friend!
~ Ben
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From Morse Alpha:
Winter Webinar Series 2022
We’ve got our Head Up: A Webinar Series for Women and NB starting in February. This popular webinar series covers alot of territory including: VHF; Sail Theory; Docking & Anchoring; Navigation, Tides and Currents; Watchstanding; and of course Happy Hour! Sign up at our website.Podcast Ep: 15 Sailing and Cruising Without an Engine
Our guests, Shemaya Laurel and Adam Cove offer great insight into sailing and cruising without an engine. Even if you never plan to sail without an engine aboard, this episode discusses techniques that apply to all sailors and teaches seamanship lessons that benefit all of us on the water.2 Berths Available on Newfoundland to Maine Leg
We’re booking up fast, but still have two berths available on the return leg from Newfoundland… 850nm of offshore sailing in the North Atlantic! Check our site for details.
Now for the best of the web...
News:
IMO Designates May 18th as ‘International Day for Women in Maritime’
To promote the recruitment and retention of women in maritime, raise their profile, and support work to address the gender imbalance in maritime.Fire Consumes Two Boats at Hinckley Yacht Services
Town manager says the fire started as workers were making fiberglass hull repairs using flammable resin.La Niña Will Persist into 2022
Conditions are also favoring a wet winter in the Pacific Northwest.Coast Guard medevacs mariner near Manasquan, NJ
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – The Coast Guard medevaced a mariner Thursday night approximately 11 miles east of ManasquanAirseas installs its first fuel-saving auto-kite on a cargo ship
The full-size kite is estimated to save up to 20 percent of fuel burn and emissions.A New 186-Foot Superyacht Is Entirely Smothered in Solar Panels
When it comes to yachting, the future is sustainable. It’s a 186’ long vessel with a clean energy-powered propulsion system named VisionE.Leaking Hull, Hazardous Cargo: Aboard a Stranded Ship No One Would Help
The cargo ship laden with 3,000 tons of flammable sulfur was stranded off the coast of Somalia and taking on water.Optimism for Newport Bermuda Race
With 187 entrants, communications with the Bermuda Government Health Department and other agencies are ongoing to ensure the race will be conducted safely.Coast Guard swimmer pulls body from car above Niagara Falls
A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew braved poor visibility and frigid rapids to reach a car partly submerged in water near the brink of Niagara Falls, then lowered a rescue swimmer on a hoist who pulled out the woman trapped inside.Sailing Video - Looking Back on 2021
A fun compilation of racing footage from the past year.Clearing Abandoned Boats From New York City’s Shorelines
As many as 600 abandoned boats were scattered around the city. Some broke loose during storms like Hurricane Sandy, but others were intentionally abandoned when their owners could no longer afford them.More illegals land in the Bahamas!
Scenes today coming out of Barritarre Exuma where another almost 80 migrants have landed illegally in the Bahamas
Skills & Seamanship:
Books I've used in the last couple of weeks...
It would appear that most folks these days, when confronted with a problem or issue with their boat, tend to go to their favorite forum or YouTube.A nightmare Biscay crossing with minimal experience
We undertook a few trial sails, but never in foul weather, and I had less than 30 hours’ sailing under my belt.Drone Flying Tips from an "Expert" — Sailing Uma
Good video showing techniques of flying a drone from a sailboat underway.What is the Marine Weather like cruising the Caribbean during January?
If you are planning a cruise or will be sailing during the month of January check out what weather to expect in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.
Equipment, Maintenance & Projects:
Winterization Truths and Myths
Excellent downloadable winterization guide explains how to properly prepare a boat for winter. Save this one!
Electrical Parasites?
Yup—your boat has them, and they’re constantly feeding, sometimes to the point that you can step aboard and find your batteries drained.Expert advice: best boat maintenance advice
Our panel of experts are here to list some of the coming problems that can crop up onboard to give you the best chance of getting ahead of potential boat issues.A few recent thoughts on electric propulsion...
Someone was complaining about the high cost of electric propulsion systems for sailboats and it got me thinking.The Resourceful Sailor: Building Transparent Drop Boards
Have you ever been tucked cozily below and wished you could see astern? Or had more daylight shining belowdecks?What you should know about your battens
It's important to make sure you've got your battens installed properly and tensioned correctly.
Opinion & Reflection:
YouTube Algorithm - The Rigging Doctor
You might not care about the YouTube Algorithm because you might think that it doesn’t affect you. This couldn’t be farther from the truth if you watch anything on YouTube!