Chuck B – Page 2 – SV Sparklemuffin

AirBuddy Dive System Review: Fun but Fragile

Posted on June 8, 2022November 16, 2022 by Chuck B

The AirBuddy was great fun… while it worked. Unfortunately, mine died after about half a dozen dives or so. What happened?

Solo Sail Mexico to Marquesas: One Second of Each Day

Posted on June 3, 2022June 3, 2022 by Chuck B

36 days crossing the Pacific solo from La Paz, Mexico to Nuku Hiva, French Polynesia—compressed into one second from each day.

Package Held Hostage!

Posted on March 27, 2022March 27, 2022 by Chuck B

I don’t like to post disparaging content, but in this case it may save a fellow cruiser from grief.

The Swiss Cheese Model 🧀

Posted on March 11, 2022March 11, 2022 by Chuck B

I recently learned of the “Swiss cheese model” put forth by James T. Reason. The idea is that there’s a number of steps between events and an undesirable outcome… multiple opportunities or defenses to avoid a poor outcome, in other words.

Abandon Ship! ✨23

Posted on March 10, 2022March 10, 2022 by Chuck B

…practice! We launch a life raft to learn what to expect if we need to abandon ship.

How to Get Worldwide Satellite Wind Observations (ASCAT) via Email

Posted on March 9, 2022March 10, 2022 by Chuck B

While cruising in Mexico, I have access to forecasts of various weather models through PredictWind and an Iridium GO. I can also obtain NOAA synoptic charts for the region. However, on a couple notable occasions, the forecasts—even when just hours ahead—differed significantly from real conditions.