This is a collection of resources that I’ve found useful. I plan to keep this list updated as I find things.
Please note that mention of something here is not necessarily an endorsement. If you’d like to hear about our experience with something, ask in a comment.
Feedback, comments, and suggested additions are welcome! Just leave a comment.
Key
- [A] = Article
- [B] = Book
- [E] = Equipment
- [F] = Forum post
- [M] = Movie
- [S] = Service
- [V] = Video
- [W] = Web Site
- Red = items that I have read/viewed
Boats
Aluminum Boats
- [B] Boatbuilding with Aluminum by Stephen Pollard
Boat Ownership & Financial
- [A] Costs of buying, living and cruising on a large sailboat by Bill Dietrich
Boat Selection
- [A] Why the Cutter Rig Sailboat Is My First Choice for Cruising
- [A] It’s Not a House, It’s a Boat
- [A] The Best Boats for Globe Girdling
- [A] Selecting a Boat for Offshore Cruising
- [A] How To Buy a Used Sailboat in 5 Steps by Adam Turinas
- [A] The perfect boat: what makes an ideal offshore cruising yacht? by Jimmy Cornell
- Big idea: Use same rope for main halyard and topping lift,
so that topping lift can double as a spare halyard.
- Big idea: Use same rope for main halyard and topping lift,
- [A] Boats of Steel (why steel boats may be worthy of consideration)
- [B] Bluewater Sailing on a Budget by James Elfers
- [B] Buy, Outfit, and Sail by Fatty Goodlander
- [B] Get Real, Get Gone: How to Become a Modern Sea Gypsy and Sail Away Forever by Rick Page & Jasna Tuta
- [B] The Modern Cruising Sailboat by Charles Doane
- [B] This Old Boat by Don Casey
- [S] BoatUS Consumer Protection Database – database of consumer complaints and safety information reported by boat owners, the U.S. Coast Guard, manufacturers, marine surveyors and marine technicians
- [W] USCG Vessel Documentation Search By Name
- [W] Sailboat stats calculator
Documentation
- USCG National Vessel Documentation Center
- FCC Online Filing
- Form 605: Quick-Form Application for Authorization in the Ship, Aircraft, Amateur, Restricted and Commercial Operator, and General Mobile Radio Services
- Radio Service Code RR: Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit
- Radio Service Code SA: Ships Station License
- Form 605: Quick-Form Application for Authorization in the Ship, Aircraft, Amateur, Restricted and Commercial Operator, and General Mobile Radio Services
- United States NOAA 406 MHz (EPIRB) Beacon Registration
- California Boater Card
- By 2025, all persons who operate any motorized vessel on state waterways, including powered sailboats and paddlecraft, are required to carry a boater card issued by DBW.
- The card is issued by the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW).
- DBW began issuing the California Boater Card on Dec. 1, 2017.
- Once issued, the card remains valid for a boat operator’s lifetime.
Engineering
- [A] What is Hooke’s Law?
- [A] Young’s modulus
Freedom Yachts
- [W] Paul Dennis at Warren River Boatworks (Warren, RI) – Freedom “guru”
- [W] Eric Sponberg – was chief engineer at TPI, proponent of free-standing masts
- [A] Freedom Yachts Mast Cracking – Causes and the Cure by Eric Sponberg
- [F] Freedom Yachts owner’s forum
- [F] Freedom 36 Balsa Cored Hull
- [F] Discussion of rudder
- [F] “Weird crack from hull to keel”
- [V] Freedom Yachts Promo
- [V] Freedom 21 Demo
- [F] Freedom 38 @ Sailing Anarchy
Full Keel
- [V] How to Steer a Sailboat in Reverse, Full Keel by Travel By Water
Government Literature
- [A] Navigation Rules (COLREGS): International-Inland (PDF)
- [A] ABCs of California Boating: A Guide to Boating Law and Safety (PDF)
- [A] U.S. Aids to Navigation System: What You Need to Know About the Markers on the Water (PDF)
- [A] U.S. Aids to Navigation System (PDF)
- [A] A Boater’s Guide to the Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats (PDF)
Insurance
- [S] Jackline Insurance Program for Cruisers (Gowrie Group)
- [S] https://www.gowrie.com/Marine-Insurance/BoatsYachts.aspx
- [S] http://www.lifeboatmedical.com
Naval Architecture
- [A] 10 Important Books on Naval Architecture
- [B] Introduction to Naval Architecture by Eric C. Tupper
- [B] The Nature of Boats by Dave Gerr
Renaming
- [A] How to Change Your Boat’s Name With the Coast Guard: Step by Step
- [A] Ceremony for Renaming Your Boat by Capt. Pat
Standards
Surveyors & Buyer Agents
- [W] Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors
- [W] BoatUS directory of marine surveyors
- [S] Wave Action Yacht Consultancy – Colin Speedie of AAC
Vinyl Lettering & Decals
Comfort
- [E] Dyson V6 Car + Boat Handheld Vacuum – Cordless
- [E] Sea to Summit Pocket Shower
- [E] Sea To Summit Folding Bucket
- [E] Freegrace Compact Collapsible Bucket
- [E] UST FlexWare Sink, 2.25-Gallon
- [E] 3M Dual Lock Reclosable Fastener – 5x stronger than velcro
Cooling
- [E] Caframo Ultimate grill-less two-speed 12V fan 747 Lighter Plug, 757 Direct Wire
- Allegedly best airflow per amp
- [E] Fan-Tastic Endless Breeze 12V Stand-Alone Fan
- [E] K2 12V Cooler
- [E] Outland hatch covers (The Boat Galley article)
- [E] Reflectix Bubble Pack Insulation
- [E] Waterline Designs portlight bug screens (Defender, SailboatOwners)
Fresh Water System & Water Filtration
- [A] How To Make Boat Water Drinkable by Captain Pauley?
- [A] Decontaminating a Tainted Water Tank by Darrell Nicholson with Drew Frye
- [A] Water Filtering Systems by Carolyn Shearlock
- [A] Choosing the Right Water Filter by Carolyn Shearlock
- [A] Keeping a clean water supply on your boat
- [E] Drinking Water Filter / Purifier Systems (Defender)
- [E] 3M Drinking Water Systems / Whole Boat Water Filtration
- [E] SkyKem Elsil – a unique Drinking Water Purifier that provides safe potable water for aircraft
- Filters
- [E] Argonide NanoCeram PAC2.5-10 (buy) – removes microorganisms; stage 1 of their Cool Blue P231 system
- [E] AquaCera CeraMetix W9522650 (buy) – removes chemicals, heavy metals
Galley
- [A] Galley Strap by Carolyn Shearlock
- [A] Sprouting and Yogurt Making by Tatja Hopman
- [A] Stove Top Bread Baking by Heather Francis
- [W] The Boat Galley by Carolyn Shearlock
- [E] Still Spirits Turbo Air Still
- [E] GoSun Solar Stove (promo code)
- [E] Lunatech Aquabot spray/squirt bottle
- [E] Clip-n-Seal Bag Clips
- [E] “The Absorber” Synthetic Drying Chamois
- [E] AmazonBasics Synthetic Drying Chamois
Interior Decor
- [E] Southco pop-out knob latches
- [E] Sugatsune push knob latches
- [E] Sea-Dog push button rim latch
- [E] Eastwu caravan lock
- [E] RV cabinet locks
- [E] Push button cabinet locks
Laundry
- [E] Scrubba Portable Laundry System Wash Bag
- [E] Yirego Drumi foot-operated washing machine
- [E] “Portable Eco-Friendly Laundry Pod”
Refrigeration
- [E] Glacier Bay Barrier Ultra-R insulation & holding plates
Sanitation
- [B] The New Get Rid of Boat Odors by Peggie Hall
- [F] Nature’s Head vs. Air Head Toilet
- [A] The Straight Poop on Composting Heads
- [A] Composting Heads by Carolyn Shearlock
- [A] Composting Toilet Tips by Carolyn Shearlock
- [A] Troubleshooting a Smelly Composting Toilet by Throne Composting Toilets
- [A] Air Head Composting Toilet
- [V] Organic based composting toilet mediums
- [E] Air Head – composting toilet
- [E] Nature’s Head
- [E] C-Head
- [E] Wysi Wipe Multi-Purpose Wipes – compressed towelettes, just add water
- [E] Vetus Marine mushroom deck ventilator (PORTOS1)
Sun Protection
- [A] Sunscreen That Doesn’t Kill the Coral by Carolyn Shearlock
- Coral-safe sunscreen
- Avoid oxybenzone, butylparaben, octinoxate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor
- [E] Rubber Ducky all natural sunscreen with SPF 30
- [E] Thinksport SPF 50
- Lycra dive skin
- [E] NeoSport Wetsuit
Water Makers
- [A] Ishipaco’s Guide to the PowerSurvivor Katadyn 40E Watermaker – consider printing a hard copy of “Troubleshooting” section to take along
- [A] How To Survive With a PowerSurvivor Watermaker by Gary E. Albers
Water Tanks
- [F] Water tank inspection port gaskets
- “food safe” silicone sealant
- Apply a thin coat of silicone and then install the cover and only gently tighten it into place. Allow the sealant to kick and then apply a bit more tension to the bolts. This allows a thicker joint, and therefore more flexibility.
- [F] Sealant for Polyethylene Water Tanks
- soft rubber (Buna, etc.) with a ‘durometer’ (scale of rubber softness) @ 40 or less
- also ‘foam rubber gasketing’ such as “Santoprene”
Cruising
- [A] Links & Resources by Mahina Expeditions. Good collection of resources like insurance, weather routing, etc.
- [A] Summer Storage Tips for Your Yacht in the Tropics by Glenn Harman
- [A] What Worked, What Didn’t After Year 12 by Patrick & Rebecca Childress
- [B] Nigel Calder’s Cruising Handbook by Nigel Calder
- [B] Self Sufficient Sailor by Lin and Larry Pardey
- [B] The Ocean Sailing Yacht and The Ocean Sailing Yacht Vol. II by Donald M. Street
- [B] Voyaging on a Small Income by Annie Hill & John Blackburn
- [B] The Voyager’s Handbook by Beth Leonard
- [B] The Essentials of Living Aboard a Boat by Mark Nicholas
- [B] Cruising Under Sail by Eric Hiscock
- [B] How to Sail Around the World by Hal Roth
- [W] Searoutes online route calculator
- [E] YachtFlags.com – courtesy flag sets for world cruising
Anchors, Anchoring, and Mooring
- [A] Anchor comparisons by Peter Smith, designer of Rocna anchor
- [A] New generation anchors by Peter Smith, designer of Rocna anchor
- [A] Mooring from the stern
- why modern vessels are unstable in high winds when anchored from bow
- [A] Rocna knowledge base – a veritable treasure trove of useful technical information
- [A] Anchoring beyond 2007 by Peter Smith, designer of Rocna anchor
- [A] Chain by Peter Smith / Rocna Anchors
- [A] Anchor Manual 2010 – about offshore oil rig anchoring
- [A] Fortress Anchor’s Safe Anchoring Guide
- [A] Pendant chafe – photos of pendant chafe from anchor, bow roller interaction
- [A] Anchor Swivels, Just Say No by John Harries
- [A] Dock Lines by Don Casey
- [A] Docking on the leeward side by Matt K
- [A] Expert tips for big boat handling by Rachael Sprot
- [A] Creative anchor and chain installation by Brandon Ford
- [A] Reliable Chain Connections by Darrell Nicholson / Practical Sailor
- [B] Creative Anchoring: Everything a Cruising Sailor needs to know about Anchoring, Anchor Gear & Related Skills by Cap’n Fatty Goodlander
- [F] Rolling Hitch on Snubber – epic 25 page forum thread started by Evans Starzinger which has lots of interesting thoughts and ideas
- Inflatable Fenders
- [A] Inflatable Boat Fenders Test by Practical Sailor
- [E] EasyStow Inflatable Boat Fenders
- [E] Aeré Inflatable Fenders
- [E] Fendertex inflatable textile fenders
- [E] Paul E. Luke fisherman anchors
- [E] Monel Seizing Wire .032″ x 25′ by Macs Pacs (Fisheries Supply)
- [E] Monel Seizing Wire 0.9 mm x 10 m by Ormiston (Amazon)
- [E] FinDelta Anchor Riding Sail
- [E] Zinga film galvanizing system – for cold-galvanizing Spade anchors after wear-and-tear of original galvanization (see here)
- [E] Liquid ALLGAL coating – “formulated to protect all steel products against corrosion”
- [V] S/V Panope – video tests of various anchors, incl. 180 degree set tests (Spade vs. Rocna)
- [V] Docking techniques for single engine boats with right hand turning propellers by Captain Tom Tursi
- [V] How to Pick up a mooring buoy
- [V] How to raft to another boat by Motor Boat & Yachting
Anchoring – Technical
- [A] Rode Forces by Alain Fraysse – includes force calculator tool
- [A] Anchor Load Revealed by Don Dodds (PDF)
- [A] Anchor Testing and Rode Loads by Practical Sailor
- [A] On The Hook: Anchor Math and Management Part 1, Part 2 by Rudy and Jill Sechez
- [B] ABYC H-40: Anchoring, mooring and strong points
- [A] NACM Welded Steel Chain Specifications
- [A] Interesting article about anchor catenary by Peter Smith, designer of Rocna anchor
- also many interesting links at bottom
Boarding Ladders
- [E] Mystic Stainless Foldaway Side Boarding Ladder
- [E] Scanmar FoldAway Boarding Ladder
- [E] Scandia Up-N-Out Marine Ladders
- [E] White Water Gunwale-Mounted Removable Ladder – note 304 SS
Camera & Video
- [E] SiOnyx Aurora Day/Night Action Camera – excellent low light video/still camera
- [E] Neat Video – noise reduction plug-ins
Canal Transit
- [A] Through the Panama Canal in your yacht: everything you need to know by Behan Gifford
Canvas
- [B] Canvas For Cruisers by Julie M. Gifford
Communications
- [A] Latitude 38 – SSB Radio
- [A] SSB Radio or Iridium Satellite Phone?
- [A] Reducing radio interference (from the refrigerator) by Harry Hungate
- [A] Marine Radio Information for Boaters
- [A] Radio Information for Boaters (USCG)
- [A] DSC Distress (USCG)
- [A] Guidance on distress alerts (IMO) – includes printable flowchart
- [A] Procedure for responding to DSC distress alerts by ships (IMO) – includes printable flowchart
- [A] The best shortwave receiver for your boat or yacht by Thomas Witherspoon
- [A] Voice Communications (Navy Nonresident Training Course: Information Systems Technician Training Series, Module 05—Communications Center Operations) – voice communications protocols
- [F] Portable HF Receiver with SSB Wanted
- [E] GAM / McKim Split Lead Single Side Band Antenna
- [E] KISS-SSB Ground Plane / Counterpoise
- [E] PACTOR modem
- [A] Prepaid SIM card info
Communications – Satellite
- [E] Iridium Go – unlimited data plan
- [E] Garmin inReach Mini
Communications – WeatherFax
- [E] AirSpy HF+ Discovery SDR
- [E] Bonito MegaLoop FX HF antenna
- [E] MLA-30 HF antenna
- [E] Metz WeatherFax Antenna
- [E] GAM Electronics WeatherFax Antenna
- [E] GQRX SDR software
- [E] SdrDx software (documentation)
- [E] macOS Server App For AirSpy HF+ SDR
[E] Soundflower – virtual audio cabledon’t recommend, see this.- [E] Loopback – virtual audio cable
- [E] Receiving Weather Fax and Weather Satellite Images With Your Macintosh (Black Cat Systems)
- Software to decode weather fax signals from radio
- Page includes broadcast schedules
- [S] rtl-sdr.com – useful site with a bunch of SDR info
- [E] WeatherFax 2000 Sound/PtcII Download
- [V] WeatherFax received with Airspy HF+, Gqrx 2.9 and Fldigi 4.0.11
- [S] Worldwide Marine Radiofacsimile Broadcast Schedules
- Shortwave radio
- All Identified Signals – sound & waterfall samples of various signals
- short-wave.info – look up frequencies and broadcasts
- shortwaveschedule.com – broadcast schedule lookup
Crew Health
- [A] Sleep matters – how to cope when short-handed by Chris Sharpley
- [A] Best and Worst Electrolyte Drinks by Alex Swanson
Destinations
- [A] Tips for Tonga by Dina Aloi & Malcolm MacPhail
- [A] Sea of Cortez: A Seven-Month Plan by Capt. Pat Rains
- [A] World’s Best Beaches to Find Your Bliss by Yacht
- [V] Assistance Completing A Mexican Temporary Import Permit for Boats
Dinghy / Tender
- [A] Dinghy Decisions
- [A] Contending Tenders
- “If you’re traveling south and planning on a visit to the tropics, you should go with CSM.”
- [A] Dinghy Basics by Zuzana Prochazka
- [A] What’s the safest way to get from tender to yacht? by Chris Beeson
- [A] Things to Carry in the Dinghy by Carolyn Shearlock
- [E] 3D Tender for example
- Twin Air 200 (video) – 11.9 kg
- TWIN V-Shape 200 – 14.3 kg
- Twin VIB Air 210 – 19.0 kg
- [E] Highfield Roll Up
- [E] Bombard AX 2
- [E] F-RIB Foldable RIB
- [E] Porta-Bote – folding dinghy
- [E] QuickBoats – folding dinghy
- [E] OCTender
- [E] Trinka 10 sailing dinghy (Review)
- [E] Electric outboards
- [E] Torqeedo – 1103 C
- [E] ePropulsion – Spirit 1.0 Plus
Email & Internet Services
- [S] SailMail – “universal email for cruisers” ($275/year as of June 2016)
- [S] SailDocs – retrieve GRiBs and documents over email: [email protected]
- send gfs:39N,37N,124W,121W|0.25,0.25|6,12,18,24,30,36|=
PRESS,WIND,PRMSL,RAIN,HGT500,SEATMP,AIRTMP,WAVES|0.0,000 - send rtofs:42N,34N,130W,118W|0.5,0.5|24,48,72,96,120
- send WW3global:42N,34N,130W,118W|1,1.25|3,6..180
- send gfs:39N,37N,124W,121W|0.25,0.25|6,12,18,24,30,36|=
- [S] SailDocs – retrieve GRiBs and documents over email: [email protected]
- [S] UUPlus – low bandwidth/high latency email service ($357/year as of June 2016)
- [S] WinLink
- [S] OneMessage – Satellite Messaging App – for use with satellite data service
Forums & Social Groups
- [W] NoonSite – The Global Site for Cruising Sailors
- up to date reports on security incidents within the sailing community around the world, suggestions and services for improving security on board as well as numerous links to tips and advice on how to cruise more safely
- cruising destinations are covered (currently 197 countries and 2213 ports) with information on clearance formalities, visa requirements, fees, weather, special events and other facts needed by visiting sailors. Also featured are details of repair facilities as well as marine and shore services for every major sea port in the world visited by cruising boats
- [W] http://www.cruisersforum.com
- [W] http://www.cruisingworld.com
- [W] http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/forum.php
- [W] The Minimalist Sailor / Project Bluesphere
- [W] The Offshore Voyaging Reference Site
- highly recommend
- lots of info and knowledge about blue water cruising
- Ship electronics, NMEA 2000
- “Online books” like “How To Buy an Offshore Boat” and “Heavy Weather Tactics”
Health Insurance
Lifestyle
- [A] The Learning Curve by Carolyn Shearlock – good to read when feeling overwhelmed
- [A] Keeping watch whilst at sea by Nigel Sharp
- [A] How Safe Is Sailing, Really? by Ben ???
- [A] Seasickness, Avoidance and Treatment by Mahina Expeditions
- [A] That Trip From Hell by Carolyn Shearlock
- [B] Two in a Boat by Gwyneth Lewis
- [B] Blue Water Women: Making the Leap from Landlubber to a Life at Sea by Gina De Vere
- [B] Changing Course : A Woman’s Guide to Choosing the Cruising Life by Debra Cantrell
- [S] Earth Class Mail – mail handling
- [S] Ship It To – package forwarding
- [E] Screaming Meanie – very loud timer (model 120) or alarm clock (model 220), especially useful for single-handing
Offshore
- [A] Preparing for Offshore: Know Your Boat by Hank George
Position Reporting, Vessel Tracking & Mapping
- [E] YellowBrick Tracker – used in races
- [S] Farkwar
- [S] ShipTrak – ship position updating on Google map
Pets
- [A] Top Ten Tips for Boating with Pets
- [A] Teach Your Dog to “Go” on the Boat by Carolyn Shearlock
Self Defense
- [E] Sabre Red Home Defense Pepper Gel (FHP-01)
- [E] Sabre Tactical Pepper Gel with Flip Top (MK-3-GEL-H-US)
- [E] Fox Labs 5.3 Squared
- 2.5 oz is max legal in California
- Avoid buying from Amazon or eBay, may be counterfeit
Electrical
- [V] Electrical Top 10 by Jeff Cote
AC Power
- [A] ELCI / GFCI Electrical Shock Protection (West Marine)
- [A] GFCI Danger! Something we all need to know! by ?
- [A] NEMA and UL Announce Revisions to UL 943 GFCI Standard (2015)
- [E] Hubbell Extra Heavy Duty Industrial GFCI Receptacles (GF5262SG*/GF5362SG*)
- [E] Hubbell GFRST52MW self testing GFCI receptacle (Amazon)
- [E] Hubbell Marine Products Catalog (PDF)
Batteries & Power
- [A] Battery wiring & balancing
- [A] Installation & orientation of wet batteries
- [A] Tips on Electrical System Use and Maintenance by David H. Pascoe
- [A] Keeping Your Battery Monitor More Accurate by Rod Collins
- [A] Balmar 12-Volt Alternator Installation & Operation Manual
- [A] ABYC Ampacity Tables – wire gauge and current capacity
- [A] ABYC Voltage Drop Tables – wire size for 10% and 3% voltage drop
- [B] Boatowner’s Illustrated Electrical Handbook by Charlie Wing
- [B] The 12-Volt Bible for Boats by Miner Brotherton & Edwin Sherman
- [E] Wakespeed WS500 Advanced Alternator Regulator
- monitors current into the battery
- At Marine How-To
- How Wakespeed’s WS500 alternator regulator solves complex charging issues by Luis Soltero
- Stupid Alternator Regulators Get Smarter…Finally by John Harries
- [E] AquaWatt batteries and electric engines
- [E] MasterVolt battery isolator – negligible voltage drop (compare to diode types)
- [E] Hoppecke AquaGen reclaims water for liquid-filled lead acid batteries
- [E] Hydrocap reclaims water for liquid-filled lead acid batteries
- [E] Custom Battery Cables By The Foot by Greg’s Marine Wire Supply
Electrolysis & Bonding
- [A] Bonding Systems and Corrosion Prevention by Steve D’Antonio
- [F] Propshaft bonding brushes
- [F] Prop damage – interesting info on testing w/ reference electrode
Lithium Ion Batteries & Systems
- [A] LiFePO4 Batteries by Rod Collins
- [A] Lithium Ion Batteries by Matt Marsh
- [A] Why Lithium-Ion Batteries Could Be A Problem On Boats (BoatUS)
- [A] Lithium-ion vs AGM
- [A] DIY Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries (LiFePO4) for Marine Applications by Bob Ebaugh (PDF)
- [A] Lithium vs. Lead by Bruce Schwab Marine Systems (PDF)
- [A] Li-Ion BMS options – a comparison of commercially available Li-Ion BMSs
- [A] Promise of Lithium #3: Lithium RV Battery System Cost Analysis by Chris Dunphy and Cherie Ve Ard
- [F] LiFePO4 Batteries: Discussion Thread for Those Using Them as House Banks – HUGE thread with tons of info
- [E] GBS-LFP400Ah 12V 400 Ah battery – $1,520 + $400 shipping as of February 2018
- [E] Elite Power Solutions distributors
- BatterySpace.com / AA Portable Power Corp.
860 S 19th Street, Unit #A
Richmond, CA 94804
510-525-2328 - Electric Motorsport
2400-2404 Mandela Parkway
Oakland, CA 94607
510-839-9376
- BatterySpace.com / AA Portable Power Corp.
- [E] Elite Power Solutions GBS 12V (4-Cell) 200Ah LiFeMnPO4 – $1,390 as of July 2017
- [E] Battery Management System (BMS) Kit for LiFePO4 Battery Pack with LCD Monitor – $345 as of July 2017
- Elite Power Solutions EMS
- Not field programmable?
- Sense boards won’t work with poles at opposite ends?
- Needs separate 12V power source?
- How will it work for parallel-wired?
- [E] Elithion Lithiumate Pro BMS – $1,163 as of July 2017
- [E] AM Solar – DIY kits
- [E] SmartBattery batteries
- [E] Victron Energy 12.8V Lithium-Iron-Phosphate Batteries (PDF)
- [E] Lithionics Battery
- [E] Ocean Planet Energy
- [E] MasterVolt lithium ion batteries
- [E] RELiON LiFePO4 Lithium Marine 12V Batteries
- [E] Balmar Max Charge MC-614 Regulator (PDF)
- [E] Orion BMS
- [E] HousePower BMS (PDF) – discontinued
- [E] Elite Power Energy Management System (EMS)
- [E] Genasun MPPT Controllers for Lithium
- [E] Mastech DC Power Supply 10A 20A (for balancing cells)
- [E] Junsi CellLog 8S – monitor and record individual cell voltages
- [E] Crydom HDC60D160H Solid State Relay, Industrial Mount PM SSR 48VDC/160A 4-32VDC w/pad Mouser, DigiKey (Datasheet)
Masthead Lights
- [A] LED navigation lights, Aqua Signal & Marinebeam by Ben Ellison
- [F] LED Tricolour/anchor light – which one?
- [F] LED masthead lights interfere with the AIS reception
- [E] Tri-Color + Anchor 3nm – Scialeds Nautica
- Horizontal range 3.0 nm?, current 0.18 – 0.28 A, 3 conductor, photoelectric NO?
- Only one that’s 3 nm?
- USCG approved??
- [E] Marine Beam Smart LED Tri-Color, Anchor Light, and Strobe
- Horizontal range 2.0 nm, current 0.10 – 0.15 A, 2 conductor, photoelectric YES
- Interesting technical info
- [E] LunaSea Ultra Light LED Navigation Light Fixture
- Horizontal range 2.0 nm, current 0.33 A, 2 conductor, photoelectric YES
- Minimal VHF interference
- Data Sheet
- LunaSea also has waterproof LED light strips
- [E] Aqua Signal Tri-Color/Anchor LED Navigation Light
- Horizontal range 2.0 nm, current 0.18 – 0.54 A, 3 conductor, photoelectric NO?
- Purportedly better-than-average optics / visibility
- Purportedly reliable
- How is VHF interference?
- [E] OptoLamp Tri-Color / Anchor / Strobe light
- Horizontal range 2.0 nm, current 0.126 – 0.155 A, 2 conductor, photoelectric YES
Overvoltage / Undervoltage / Surge
- [E] Samlex IDC-100A-12 Fully Isolated DC-DC Converter 100 Watts (Amazon)
- [E] PowerStream DC/DC Converters
- [E] Mean Well SLW05A-12 Power Supply DC/DC 5 Watt 12VDC@417Ma Vin=9-18V
- [E] Mucha DSX12VD 140W DC-DC Regulator – Amazon / MP3Car / Manual (PDF)
- [E] STO-P Power Fault Protectors
- [A] STO-P Technical Paper (PDF)
- Company defunct? Contact form didn’t work and email to 2 addresses bounced.
Solar Power
- [A] Simple Solar Installations by Green Brett
- [A] Serious Solar for your boat or RV
- [A] Solar Tax Credit and Your Boat
- [E] Solara marine solar panels
- [E] Solbian marine solar panels
- [E] SunPower X-Series solar panels, 61.3” x 41.2”
- X22-360
- X21-345
- [E] Panasonic HIT N330 / N325 solar panels, 62.7” x 41.5”
- [E] Struder – chargers/inverters, MPPT charge controllers, etc.
- [E] Victron Energy Solar Charge Controllers
- [F] Solar Panels – Series or Parallel? — interesting discussion accounting for internal bypass diodes
Wind Generators
- [E] MarineKinetix MK4+
- [E] Super Wind 350
Wiring
- [A] How to Make Marine Electrical Connections by Kevin Falvey
- [A] Crimping vs Soldering Marine Cable and Wire Connectors by ?
- [A] Marine Wire Termination by Rod Collins
- [V] Tutorial: How to crimp connectors, strip wire and use heat shrink
- [F] Which Crimp tool to use: Single or Double
- [F] Crimper Shoot Out / Load Test Results by Rod Collins
- [E] FTZ Crimp ‘N Seal (CNS) Ring Terminals
- [E] Pro-HST Heat Shrink Terminal Crimp Tool
- [E] B&K Precision 316 Mini AC/DC Clamp Meter, 12.5mm Clamp Opening (Amazon)
- [E] Extech 380942 30 Ampere True RMS AC/DC Mini Clamp On Meter (Amazon)
- allegedly good precision at low DC current
- used by Rod Collins (Maine Sail)
- Amazon reviews complain of drift and fluctuation measuring DC current
- [E] NO-OX-ID “A Special” Electrical Contact Grease – conductive grease for battery terminals, etc.
- [E] Thomas & Betts CP8-TB Kopr-Shield conductive corrosion-resistant grease for electrical connections
Engine
- [E] ElectroMaax – kits to upgrade to serpentine belt
- [E] Gastapper 12V MAX Electric 12 Volt Gasoline/Diesel Transfer Pump
- [V] How Does An Impeller Pump Work?
Alternative Diesel Starters
- [E] Kocsis hydraulic starters – formerly Bosch Hydrorotor
- [E] Kineteco spring starter
- [E] Startwell spring starter
Alternator
- [E] Balmar Belt Buddy – belt tensioning system
Diesel Fuel
- [A] Diesel Additives: Treatments that guard against fuel-tank corrosion by Drew Frye (Practical Sailor)
- Alternate Biobor JF and Star Brite Bio Diesel (half year)
- + Star Brite Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment
- [A] Diesel Biocides Take On Contaminated Boat Fuel
- [A] The Baja Fuel filter … use and care of! by “thrharperjr”
- [A] Deck-Fill Fuel Filters – reviews & comparisons
- [E] Mr. Funnel AF3CB Fuel Filter (Amazon, West Marine)
- [E] H2Out Fuel Guard
- prevents moisture from entering fuel tank via vent line
- endorsement video with Nigel Calder
- Practical Sailor test
- [E] Fuel Right – removes water from biodiesel?
- [E] Diesel Craft fuel test kits – test for water in fuel
- [W] PureGas – find gas without ethanol
- Pumps for cleaning
- [E] OEMTOOLS 24389 Manual Fluid Extractor
- [E] Air Power America 2005 LiquiVac Oil Changing System for Small Engine
- [E] Briggs & Stratton Oil Extractor Pump 5431K 4-Liter, 5430K 1.6-Liter
- [E] Air Power America 5060 Topsider Multi-Purpose Fluid Removing System
Diesel Tank Cleaning
- [A] Do-It-Yourself Fuel Tank Cleaning
- [A] 12 diesel bug treatments tested by Ben Meakins, Practical Boat Owner
- [A] Most Diesel Engine Failures Originate In The Fuel Tank
- [A] Critical Fuel Tech FAQ
- [E] Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment
- [E] Penray 105032 Total Diesel Fuel System Cleaner
- [E] Diesel Tank 1″ Water Absorber (“Tank Snake”)
- [E] Grotamar 82 – U.S. supplier?
- [E] Algae-X “AFC-705” Fuel Catalyst
- [E] Simple Green 13421 Pro HD Heavy Duty Cleaner
Fresh Water Flush
- [E] Inboard Salt Water Engine Flush by Salt-Away
- [V] How to SUPER FLUSH your Cars Cooling System by ChrisFix
Maintenance
- [A] Diesel engine maintenance
- [A] Belts by Steve D’Antonio
- [E] Gates Green Stripe – belts recommended by Nigel Calder & Steve D’Antonio
- [E] Impeller Installation Tool
- Heat exchanger cleaning
- [V] How To Change A Fuel Filter On A Marine Diesel Engine
- [V] How To Bleed A Marine Diesel Engine
- [V] Fuel System Bleeding by Steve D’Antonio
Oil
- [A] Best lubricants for yacht engines
- [A] Which Oil Is Right For You?
- [F] What’s the difference between 5w-30, 10w-30, and SAE 30?
Oil & Coolant Analysis
- [A] Fluid Analysis Saves Time and Money by Steve D’Antonio
- [A] Lessons from the Oil Sump (PDF) by Steve D’Antonio
- [V] Oil Analysis by Steve D’Antonio
- Labs
- Caterpillar Engine Services
- Blackstone
- Wix
- Polaris
- Supplies
- [E] Vacuum Pump
- [E] WIX Filters – 24290 Oil Analysis Kit Pump (Amazon)
- [E] Sample Tubing
Varnish
- [E] Interlux Sikkens Cetol Marine Natural Teak + Gloss
- [E] Smith’s Original Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer + varnish (Interlux Schooner 96?)
Yanmar 3JH2E
- [A] Yanmar JH(2) Series Diesel Engine Operation Manual
- [A] Yanmar 3JH2E Diesel Engine Tips
- [A] Yanmar Parts Quick Reference
- [A] Checklist & Instructions – relevant maintenance info for 4JH4-HTE
- [A] Kansaki KBW 10 Transmission Fluid Leak Repair
- [F] Which engine oil for Yanmar
- [F] Yanmar Impeller Help!
- [F] Extra Pieces in Yanmar Impeller Kit?
- [W] Seafarer Store – ships Yanmar parts to California
Gear
- [E] GetStorganized – various products
- [E] McMaster-Carr – source for all kinds of parts & things
- [E] Custom brass embosser
- [A] There’s an App for That
- [E] My Teams Talks Bluetooth Headsets
- Same thing as Sena SPH10-10 Outdoor Sports Bluetooth Stereo Headset / Intercom (Amazon)
- Difficult to set up and use; poor range and battery capacity; one of two units died after a week
- [E] Yacht Devices Voyage Recorder – records traffic on NMEA bus for voyage logging
- [E] SAILBAY Fleece Fender Covers
- [E] Rite in the Rain – all-weather waterproof notebooks
- [E] Mantus Stainless Steel Rail Clamp – possible use for mounting solar panels
- [E] Fine-scale clinometers: Silva (now Garmin?), Plastimo
- [E] Revolve rollable boat hook (video)
Bilge Pumps & Switches
- [A] Bilge Pump Capacity: Do The Math by Beth A. Leonard
- [A] All About Bilge Pumps by David Pascoe
- [A] Bilge Pump Systems by Steve D’Antonio
- [A] Boat Flooding
- [A] Flooding: Planning For and Dealing With a Sinking Ship by Dick Stevenson
- [E] SeaSense Hand Bilge Pump Hose
- [E] Xylem Rule 1100 Bilge Pump – IBEX Innovation Award Winner and recommended by David Pascoe
- [E] Ultra Safety Systems bilge pump switches
- [E] Albin Pump Marine solid-state bilge switch
- [E] Shurflo
Commercial Marine
- Vetus
- Centek
- Fisheries Supply
- Maretron
- Mermaid Marine
- Stright-Mackay
- Pacific Fasteners
Computers / IT
- [E] Kanguru USB Flash Drive with Physical Write Protect Switch (Amazon)
- [E] USBDome bidirectional secure bridge
- for secure use of USB storage devices
- not yet available?
- [E] Mac mini DC-Conversion / Linear Fan Controller Kit
- [E] Apple Mac Mini M1 in your Car, RV, Boat
Computers, Marine
- [E] Stealth – hermetically sealed
- [E] SmallPC
- [E] AR Engineering
Diving
- [E] Ocean Reef Aria Full Face Snorkeling Mask
- [E] AirBuddy (Kickstarter)
- [E] Brownies VS1 Boat Hookah Systems
- [E] Sea Breathe Deck Unit
- [E] Sea Breathe 2300-F Two-Diver Float Unit
Radar
- [A] The Passive Radar Reflector Solution for Sailboats by Dan Corcoran
- [B] Radar for Mariners by David Burch
- [B] Radar Reflectors for Cruising Sailboats: Why They Work, How to Evaluate Them, and What the Limitations Are by Philip G. Gallman
- [B] A Guide to the Collision Avoidance Rules by A. N. Cockcroft, J. N. F. Lameijer
- [B] The Adlard Coles Book of Radar by Borje Wallin
- [E] Furuno DRS4D-NXT Solid-State Doppler Radar
- [A] Testing Furuno DRS4D-NXT solid-state Doppler radome by Ben Ellison
- [E] Echomax EM230I inflatable passive radar reflector
- Rigging Notes by Dan Corcoran
- [V] Collision Avoidance Radar Plotting Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 by Northeast Maritime Institute
Radios
- [E] Tecsun PL880 Portable AM/FM, Longwave & Shortwave Radio with SSB
- [E] CC Skywave AM, FM, Shortwave, Weather and Airband Portable Travel Radio
- [E] Kaito Voyager Pro KA600 Digital AM/FM/LW/SW/Weather Radio
Ultrasonic Speed Sensor
- [A] Airmar CS4500 Part I (Reliable Boat Speed) by Dan Corcoran
- [A] Airmar CS4500 Part II (Reliable True Wind) by Dan Corcoran
- [F] Connecting the Airmar CS4500 Ultrasonic speed sensor to N2K through a DT800
- [E] Airmar CS4500 Speed and Temperature Sensor
- [E] Raymarine A102119 – CS4500 Ultrasonic Speed Sensor
Maintenance
- [A] “Green” boat cleaners test by Mark Corke @ BoatUS
Bottom Paint
- [A] Switching from Ablative to Hard Bottom Paint by Carolyn Shearlock
- [A] Do-It-Yourself Bottom Cleaning by Carolyn Shearlock
- [F] Which bottom paint for San Francisco Bay?
- For SF Bay, Pettit Trinidad (hard) or Interlux Micron 66 (hybrid ablative)
- [E] Coppercoat – antifouling epoxy
- Application instructions
- [V] Our Coppercoat Antifouling Application by Patrick Childress Sailing
- [V] CopperCoat Antifouling Nightmare by
SailingBritican - [A] CopperCoat Antifouling Nightmare by
SailingBritican (comments are informative)
- [E] Pettit Marine Paint – epoxies, fairings, and antifouling paints
- [E] Medetomidine paint
- [E] Selektope – developed tech & licenses it out
- [A] I-Tech Seals Market Acceptance For Selektope
- [E] Finsulate – tiny “spines” prevent attachment of growth
- [E] Barnacle Zapper – consensus seems to be doesn’t do much
- [E] Sonihull – consensus seems to be doesn’t do much
- [V] Tips and Tricks for Bottom Painting Your Boat Part 1 Part 2
Cabo Rico
General
- [A] Replacing thru-hulls by Rod Collins
- [A] Exercise Your Seacocks by Don Casey – discusses annual servicing
- [A] Rebedding Deck Hardware by Rod Collins
- [A] (Loctite) Blue Threadlocker Basics by Andy Scott (Henkel Adhesives) – Loctite 242 vs. 243
- [A] Refurbishing Leaking Windows by Jim Healy
- [A] The Bilge Cleaner Shakedown
- [A] Winch Servicing Made Easy by Diego Sosa
- [A] Do-it-Yourself: Servicing Your Winches by Emily French / West Marine
- [A] Boat Sealants by Don Casey
- [F] Dyneema for steering cables – also info about different types of Dyneema
- [B] Complete Illustrated Sailboat Maintenance Manual by Don Casey
- [B] The Warm Dry Boat by Roger McAfee
- [B] Metal Corrosion in Boats by Nigel Warren
- [B] The Boatowner’s Guide to Corrosion by Everett Collier
- [B] The Complete Guide to Metal Boats by Bruce Roberts-Goodson
- [B] Boat Mechanical Systems Handbook by Dave Gerr
- [B] Boatowner’s Mechanical and Electrical Manual (Fourth Edition, 2015) by Nigel Calder
- [E] Bed-It Butyl Tape
- [E] Dow Corning 995 Silicone Structural Sealant – caulk for glass, windows
- [E] AWAB hose clamps – 316 stainless steel
- [E] AWAB Marine Grade Smooth Band Hose Clamps (Defender)
- [E] AWAB Clamp Tail Tip Covers (Defender)
- [V] Boatworks Today – videos about boat repair projects
Fiberglass and Core
- [A] Testing Everett Pearson – balsa core info
- [A] Cores and Structural Issues by David Pascoe
- [A] The Core of the Matter by John Champion
- [A] Are They Fiberglass Boats Anymore? by David Pascoe
- [A] Sealing Deck Penetrations to Prevent Core Rot by Rod Collins – step by step with photos
- [A] Composite Boat Damage Assessment by Eric Greene – stats about collision causes
- [A] Repair of Composite Boat Damage by Eric Greene
- [A] Fiberglass Boat Building: Cored Laminates by Charles Doane
- [A] West System’s Fiberglass Boat Repair & Maintenance
- [A] The Ins and Outs of Cored Composite Construction by Steve D’Antonio
- [A] Fiberglass Repair by Don Casey
- [A] Restoring the Shine to Fiberglass by Don Casey
- [B] The Fiberglass Boat Repair Manual by Allan H. Viatses
- [B] Fiberglass Boat Repairs Illustrated by Roger Marshall
- [B] Fiberglass Boats by Hugo Du Plessis
- [V] How to Repair Blisters on a Fiberglass Boat by Josh Post
Gelcoat
- [A] Repairing Gelcoat Cracks and Chips by Don Casey
- [A] Do-it-Yourself: Gelcoat Repairs by Tom Burden
- [V] How To Repair Boat Gelcoat by BoatUS
- [V] How to Restore the Shine to Fiberglass Boat Gelcoat
- [E] Spectrum Color “Cabo Rico White 85” Gelcoat (unwaxed gallon = F506475G)
- [E] Collinite 885 Heavy Duty Paste Fleetwax
- [E] 3M 09030 Marine Ultra Performance Paste Wax
- [E] Eagle One 825636 Carnauba Marine Wax-As-U-Dry – for day-to-day cleaning
- [E] Davis Instruments FSR Fiberglass Stain Remover – for removing rust stains from fiberglass
- [E] MaryKate On and Off – Hull and Bottom Cleaner – for removing rust stains from fiberglass
- [E] Star Brite Chrome and Stainless Steel Cleaner Polish
LPG Systems
- [A] Propane Gas Pipe Sizing
- [A] Gas Pipe Line Calculation Sizing (PDF)
- [E] Force 10 3 Burner Gimballed Ranges
- [E] Marine Propane (Defender)
Haul-Out / Tidal Grid
- [A] Tips for Hauling Out Your Boat by Carolyn Shearlock
- [A] Don’t Let Bugs in the Thru-Hulls by Carolyn Shearlock
- [A] How to Use a Tidal Grid by Kim Woolcock
- [A] Hauling out on the grid in Sitka
- [F] Tidal grid?
Tools
- [E] Stanley STMT71653 145-Piece Mechanics Tool Set
- [E] TEKTON 14391 Universal Joint Set, 3-Piece
- [E] Sunex 3504 3/8-Inch Drive Impact Wobble Extension Set, 4-Piece
- [E] Sunex 3301 3/8-Inch Drive Impact Universal Joint
- [E] Anytime Tools 203032 Flexible Socket Extension Flex Bar Ratchet Auto/Mechanic Tools, 1/4-Inch Drive and 3/8-Inch Drive, 4-Piece
- [E] GearWrench 32 Piece Combination Ratcheting Wrench Set with Stubby Wrenches and Carrying Case
- [E] TEKTON 2841 Everybit™ Ratchet Screwdriver, Electronic Repair Kit and Security Bit Set, 135-Piece
- [E] Maxcraft 60184 3-in-1 Flex Lighted Magnetic/Claw Pick-Up Tool
- [E] Dico Nyalox Non-Metal Brushes
- Corrosion & Rust Prevention
- [E] Boeshield T-9 Waterproof Lubrication (Amazon)
- [E] Inhibitor VCI Pro Chips (Amazon)
- [E] Zerust Plastabs 1″x3″, 10 Pack (Amazon)
- [E] Zerust VC2-2 NoRust Vapor Capsule, 4 Pack (Amazon)
- [E] ZCORR Anti Corrosion Bags (Amazon)
- [E] H2Out Space Dryers (Amazon) – renewable desiccant
- Penetrating oils
- [E] Sea Foam Deep Creep
- [E] Kano Kroil Penetrating Oil: Aerosol, Non-Aerosol
- [E] Monoject Curved Tip Syringes
- [E] FLIR C2 Compact Thermal Imaging System
- LED work lights
- [E] Ullman Devices RT-48LT Rotating LED Magnetic Work Light
- [E] Gear Aid FLUX 20,800 mAh Rechargeable Light and Portable Power Station with 82 LEDs
- [E] Cordless Led Work Light Rechargeable – DAWAY W6 Magnetic Flashlight Portable Work Light with Hook
- [E] LED Work Light, 15W (60W Incandescent) Cordless Flood Light, USB Power Bank Function with 6600mah Rechargeable Battery
- Drilling in tight spaces
Waterproofing, Gaskets & Sealing
- [E] WorkSmart – 3/8 Inch Square Cord Stock, Buna-N – MSC
- [E] Square Rubber Cord – Grainger
- [E] Seals+Direct UK-based rubber seals, etc.
- [E] Diamond Sea Glaze – water-tight doors & hatches
Navigation
- [A] The Right Way To Navigate Bridges by Tom Neale
Books
- [B] Dutton’s Navigation and Piloting by Elbert Maloney (14th ed., 1985)
- [B] Dutton’s Nautical Navigation by Thomas J. Cutler (15th ed., 2003)
- [B] The American Practical Navigator by Nathaniel Bowditch (2002 ed.)
- [B] The American Practical Navigator – Volume I, Volume II (PDF) originally by Nathaniel Bowditch (2017 ed.)
Celestial
- [A] Lunar Distance (navigation)
- [A] Longitude by the Method of Lunar Distance by Wendel Brunner
- [B] Celestial Navigation by Dominique F. Prinet
- [B] Celestial Navigation: The Essential Guide for Every Sailor by Tom Cunliffe
- [B] A Short Guide to Celestial Navigation by Henning Umland (PDF)
- [B] Celestial Navigation: A Complete Home Study Course by David Burch and Tobias Burch (2nd ed., 2015)
- [B] Celestial Navigation for Yachtsmen by Mary Blewitt (12th ed., 2008)
- came highly recommended, but reviews not so great
- [B] How to Use Plastic Sextants by David Burch and Tobias Burch
- [B] Long Term Almanac 2000-2050: For the Sun and Selected Stars With Concise Sight Reduction Tables, 2nd Edition by Geoffrey Kolbe
- [B] The Star Finder Book: A Complete Guide to the Many Uses of the 2102-D Star Finder by David Burch
- [E] Celestaire Astra IIIB Marine Sextant
- [E] Davis Instruments Mark 25 Sextant (Plastic)
- [E] StarPilot – celestial nav software for iOS and TI 89 calculator
- [W] Stellarium – open source planetarium software
- [W] Best iOS Apps for Celestial Navigation
- [V] Navy Celestial Navigation video
- [V] Celestial Navigation Simplified by William F. Buckley Jr. (1984)
Charts
- [W] PDF Nautical Charts – by NOAA for the U.S.
- [E] Nautical Charts Online – chart printer (Minnesota?), lots of paper choices (incl. “traditional”), updated with local notice to mariners info, no sales tax for CA orders
- [E] Frugal Navigator – cheaper chart printer, only one paper choice (thick)
- [E] Ocean Grafix – buy charts online
- [E] Maryland Nautical – charts for pretty much everywhere
- [E] Paradise Cay Publications – chart printer in Blue Lake, CA
- [E] Waypoint – chart printer in Oakland, CA
- Imray
- British Admiralty
Electronics
- [E] SEAiq – app for chart plotting, AIS, NMEA, etc. based on software for professional pilots; NOAA charts are free.
- [E] OpenCPN chart-plotting software
- [E] MaxSea TimeZero marine navigation software
- [E] Navionics – electronic charts, mobile apps
- [E] MacENC – OS X chartplotting software (Charts)
- [E] iNavX – chartplotting for iPhone/iPad (Charts)
Handheld GPS
- [E] Garmin 72H Waterproof Handheld GPS with High-Sensitivity
- [E] Garmin GPSMAP 78sc Waterproof Marine GPS and Chartplotter
Knotmeters
- [F] Thomas Walker log history
- “you want either the Knotmaster or Excelsior; you do NOT want a Cherub or Harpoon log”
- “If possible, go for an ‘outrigger pattern’ not a ‘sling pattern’ instrument”
- [E] Walker Knotmaster MK III Log – “recent,” accurate
- [E] Knotstick – mechanical knotmeter
Publications
- [B] Navigation Rules: International/Inland (PDF)
- [B] U.S. Chart No. 1 by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- [B] Atlas of Pilot Charts (free download, or available printed)
- [B] United States Coast Pilot
- [W] USCG Local Notice to Mariners
- [B] ABCs of California Boating
- [W] USCG Light Lists
- [W] US/UK World Magnetic Model – Epoch 2015.0 Main Field Declination (D) (PDF)
- [W] Noonsight Almanac Generator by Eric Baicy
Reefs
- [V] How to navigate through coral reefs by Yachting World
- [V] How to anchor a yacht in coral waters by Yachting World
Routes, Pilots & Cruising Guides
- [A] Noodle’s Notes: 50 Years of Sailing in the Hawaiian Islands by Bill Leary
- [A] Soper’s Hole, Tortola, BVI by Becky Pineo
- [A] Tropical South Pacific Weather Resources (noonsite) by Rory Garland
- [B] Charlie’s Charts by Charles and Margo Wood – West coast, Polynesia, Hawaii, Mexico, more!
- [B] Sailing Directions Enroute by National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
- [B] Ocean Passages for the World by British Admiralty (2014 ed.)
- [B] Ocean Passages for the World by Commander H. L. Jenkins (1973 ed.) – has charts
- [B] World Cruising Routes by Jimmy Cornell
- [B] World Cruising Destinations by Jimmy Cornell
- [B] Cornell’s Ocean Atlas – month by month charts of weather & routes
- [B] The Pacific Crossing Guide (3rd edition) by Kitty van Hagen
- [B] Explore Central America by Eric Baicy & Sherrell Watson (ebook only)
- [W] SVSoggyPaws compendiums of info on destinations
- [W] Jacaranda Journey by Chuck Houlihan and Linda Edeiken – lots of useful info for French Polynesia
- [W] The Chart Locker – downloadable offline satellite imagery for use with OpenCPN
Satellite Imagery
- [F] Satellite Photos – Bing vs. Google vs. ?
- [E] OvitalMap – iOS app that can download Google, Bing satellite imagery for offline use
- [E] DigitalGlobe – high-res satellite imagery for sale?
- [V] Sailing Apps: Ovitalmap Satellite Navigation on an IPad Offline (Patrick Childress Sailing)
Tools
- [W] Celestaire – source for all kinds of navigational equipment and tools
- [E] Weems & Plath 15″ Aluminum Arms Parallel Rulers (#141)
- [E] Weems & Plath Ultralight Divider (#176)
- [E] Weems & Plath Hand Bearing Compass (#2005)
- [E] Weems & Plath 7″ Straight Pattern Divider (#172)
- [E] Weems & Plath Compact Parallel Plotter (#60)
- [E] Weems & Plath Professional Protractor Triangle (#104)
- [E] Weems & Plath Marine Navigation 3-Arm Protractor (#116)
- [E] Weems & Plath Marine Navigation GPS Plotter (#130)
- [E] Weems & Plath Course Plotter (#133) – Discontinued
- [E] Bushnell Marine 7×50 Binocular model 13-7500 (Manual) – has compass
- [W] Universal Plotting Sheets (printable PDF)
- [E] Universal Plotting Sheets
- [E] 3pcs Credit Card Size Pocket Magnifier Fresnel Magnifying Lens (Amazon)
- [E] Suunto 2015 KB-20/360R G Compass
Powertrain
Max Prop
- [E] MaxProp
- [F] Rebuild Max Prop – Ouch!
- [F] Performance Differences Between MaxProp Sizes and Pitches
- [F] Max Prop or Not?
Propellers
- [A] Folding and feathering propeller test
- [A] The Ultimate Propeller Test by Emrhys Barrell and Yachting Monthly
- [A] Comparison of Ten Sailboat Propellers by Beth Lurie and Todd Taylor
- [A] Variprop dimensions
- [A] Choosing the right folding/feathering prop by ?
- [B] The Propeller Handbook by Dave Gerr
- [E] Flexofold – folding prop recommended by Nigel Calder
- [E] Propspeed propeller and running gear foul-release coating system (recommended by John & Amanda Neal)
- [E] Pettit Prop Coat Barnacle Barrier 1792 propeller & bare metal anti-fouling + zinc, recommended by Elliott at Svendsen’s
- [F] New Owner. Feathering prop? (Cabo Rido)
PSS Shaft Seal by PYI, Inc.
- [A] PSS Shaft Seal Installation by Rod Collins
- [A] PSS Shaft Seal Installation Instructions by PYI, Inc.
- [V] PSS Shaft Seal Installation
- [V] PSS Shaft Seal FAQs
- [V] PYI, Inc. videos
Shaft Packing
- [E] Gore GFO marine shaft packing – see also this
Rigging
- [A] 10 Cool Rigger Tricks by Ryan Scott
- [A] Keeping the Rig Up, It’s Not Just About the Wires by Pete Dubler
- [A] How to Make Wire Rope Thimble Eye (PDF)
- [B] Understanding Rigs and Rigging by Richard Henderson
- [B] The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice by Brion Toss
Cutting
- [A] Emergency Rigging Cutters by Practical Sailor
- [E] Baudat Ratchet Wire Rope Cutters
- Wire rope cutter KS10 (#80-186 Sailing version incl. lanyard), 8mm max diameter
- [E] Toolova Shootit
- [E] AxelCut – max diameter 1/4″
Eye Splice: Class II Double Braid
- [A] Double Braid Class II Eye Splice by Samson Rope
- [V] Eye-splice in double braided rope with Dyneema or Vectran core (with cover) by Premium Ropes
- [V] Eye-splice in double braided rope with Dyneema or Vectran core (without cover) by Premium Ropes
Going Aloft
- [A] Getting to the Top by Patrick Childress
- [A] Readers Weigh in on DIY Climber by Practical Sailor
- [A] A Pro’s Advice on Going Aloft by Brion Toss
- [A] What’s the best way to go aloft solo? by Sailing Magazine
- [A] Going Aloft Like the Pros by Jimmie (The Rigging Company)
- [A] Some ideas about climbing equipment for sailors
- [A] A Note of Caution about ATN Topclimber
- [A] ATN’s new Mastclimber! NOT!
- [A] Mast Climbing: A review of 6 methods for unassisted (solo) mast climbing by Allen Edwards
- [A] The Yo-Yo Climbing System by Tim “Tengu” Kovar
- [E] MastMate Climbing System
- [V] Unassisted Mast Climbing using a GriGri by Allen Edwards
Halyard Shackles
- [A] Benefits of Tylaska J-Locks by John Harries
- [A] On Deck: Soft Shackles by Peter Nielsen
- [F] Equiplite Soft Shackles – nice but requires lots of care
- [E] Tylaska J-Lock Shackles
- [E] Equiplite Soft Shackles
Inspection
Lazy Jacks
- [A] Lazyjacks for Your Mainsail by Peter Nielsen
- [E] TRC Lazy Jacks
Low-Friction Rings / Ferrules
Preventers
- [E] Walder Boom Brake
- [A] Walder boom brake tested by Pip Hare
- [E] Capt. Don Boom Brake
- [E] Wichard Gyb’Easy boom brake
- [A] Tested: boom brakes and preventers, including Walder boom brake and Wichard Gyb’Easy by Pip Hare
- [V] Boom brakes and preventers test by Yachting World with Pip Hare
Rig Tuning
- [A] Tuning the Masthead Rig by J. Pazereskis
- [A] Bowsprits and Bobstays by ?
- [B] Sail and Rig Tuning by Ivar Dedekam
- [B] Sail Trim and Rig Tuning by Bill Gladstone
- [F] Rigging tension & mast bend
- [V] Sailboat Rigging Tuneup by Tom Tursi
- Brion Toss Videos
- [V] Tuning Your Rig by Brion Toss
- [V] Inspecting Your Rig by Brion Toss
- [V] Installing STA-LOKs by Brion Toss
- [V] Going Aloft by Brion Toss
- [V] Making Your Own Eye Splices by Brion Toss
Rigging Knife
- [F] Best Sailing Knife
- [E] Camillus Carbonitride Titanium Folding Knife with G10 Handle and Marlin Spike
- [E] Garrett Wade Sailor’s Marlinspike Knife MADE IN SHEFFIELD
- [E] Myerchin Captain Sailing Knife Folding Generation 2 Bf300 G10
- [E] Boye Boat Knife
- [E] Spyderco Sharpening System
Rigid Vang
- [A] Solid Vang Showdown – Practical Sailor (Feb 2006)
- [E] Vang Master – Marine Products Engineering
Sailmakers
- [S] Port Townsend Sails (Port Townsend, WA) – Carol Hasse
- [S] Super Sailmakers (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) – made Delos’s sail w/ logo
- [S] Island Planet Sails – Dave Benjamin’s company
- [S] Chesapeake Sailmakers (Annapolis, MD) – from Attainable Adventure Cruising’s refit pages
Sail Repair
- [A] How to Repair Sails at Sea by Mike Litzow
- [A] Sail Repair by Tom Pease
- [E] Sailmaker’s Supply – thread, needles, cloth, etc.
- [V] How to ZigZag Stitch by Hand
Sails
- [A] Measuring Headsails or What Is a 150% Genoa by Jasper & Bailey Sailmakers
- [E] Istec Parasailor
Spars
- [A] State of the Art on Free Standing Masts by Eric Sponberg
- [A] Are new rigs voyage ready?
- [E] Tides Marine sail track and slide system
- [E] Antal – sail tracks, sheet cars, etc.
- [E] Marstrom – carbon fiber masts, spars
- [E] Southern Spars – carbon fiber masts
- [E] Hall – carbon fiber spars
- [E] Selden – carbon fiber spars
- [E] Axxon – carbon fiber spars
- [E] Spartite
- Spartite® is the modern answer to the ancient problem of mast support and sealing at the partners. Spartite is a pre-measured two part polymer poured into the cavity between the mast and the partners while the mast is in the boat. Each kit comes with complete instructions and materials for the yard or yacht owner to build a simple mold out of even the most complex partners or mast collar. Spartite makes a one piece perfect fitting mast chock that replaces archaic wedges.
- [E] Waterboot – mast/deck seal for keel-stepped masts
Standing & Running Rigging
- [A] Running Rigging by Bill Biewenga
- [A] The DIY Solent Stay or Inner Forestay by Darrell Nicholson
- [F] Anyone Actually DIY’d Drop/Raise Furler With Mast Up?
- [F] Replacing Wire Halyards with Dyneema
- [F] Halyard Material – Dyneema. Is it worth it?
- [E] Chafe Pro – line chafe protectors (recommended by Morgan’s Cloud)
- [E] Samson Rope – looks like good high-performance rope, thimbles, etc.
- for use with drogue?
- [E] Crosby – shackles & other hardware
- [E] Donaghys performance marine braid – lines & info in Dyneema, Vectran, etc.
- [E] SCHAEFER Clear-Step Furling Blocks
- [E] Harken 29 mm Outboard Stanchion-Mount Block
- [E] Colligo Marine Emergency Shroud Kits
- Colorful rope
- [E] Denver Rope custom color rope – fun tool to create your own custom rope color patterns
- [E] CBKnot Double Braid Polyester 1/4″ by the foot – many fun colors here
- [E] Blue Wave Smart Pins – alternative to cotter pins/rings for turnbuckles, with pin attached to velcro (available in U.S. from Binnacle)
- [E] Zephyrwerks – high-quality custom sheaves
- [E] Spinlock Rig Sense rig tension gauge
Swageless fittings
- [A] Mechanical Terminal Pull Test (Practical Sailor, April 2016)
- [A] Screw-On Rigging Terminals (Practical Sailor, June 2015)
- [A] “Wire Terminal Destruction Test” (Practical Sailor, May 15, 1993)
- [E] Hayn Hi-Mod
- [E] Sta-Lok
- [E] Norseman
- 3M 4000 UV polyurethane sealant and Loctite 242 or 262
Synthetic Standing Rigging
- [A] Dynex Dux Fiber Rigging after 6,000 Sea Miles by Andy Schell
- [A] Modified Brummel Splicing Instructions by Colligo Marine
- [A] Before Ordering Your Colligo Dux Rigging by Colligo Marine
- [A] How to Measure for a Colligo Dux Conversion by Colligo Marine
- [A] Sizing Colligo Dux by Colligo Marine
- [A] How to Tune a Dux Rig by Colligo Marine
- [A] Colligo Dux Loos Gauge Calibrations
- [F] SSB backstay antenna with synthetic rig
- [F] Using Dyneema for Rigging – Warning
- [F] Making deadeyes
- [V] Tech Videos by Colligo Marine
- [E] Colligo Dux – synthetic rigging line
- [E] Dyneema – synthetic sailing lines & cloth
Safety
- [A] Safety At Sea by The Cruising Club of America
- [A] Basic safety guidance for yacht races or oceanic voyages by non-regulated craft (IMO)
- [A] Documents of relevance to SAR (IMO)
- [A] Rescue at Sea: What Happens When the Freighter Arrives
- [A] Southern Ocean hazards in boat-to-boat transfer by Shane Freeman
- clip harness and tether to boarding ladder
- what to take when abandoning boat
- scuttled boat by severing raw water intake hose
- stabilized motion with a para-anchor
- [A] 4 out of 5 Spinlock Deck Vests Failed in Fatal Accident
- [A] Report Cites Problems with Spinlock Deckvests
- [A] Clearing Cockpit Drains by Carolyn Shearlock
- [A] What Does ANSI Z87.1 Certified Mean? (Sunglasses)
- [E] McMurdo SmartFind G8 AIS EPIRB
- [E] Ocean Signal rescueME EPIRB1 – smallest EPIRB
- [E] Treadmaster non-skid
- [E] BEP Marine – monitoring systems, gas alarms, etc.
- [E] Marinebeam Ultra Long Range Illuminator RLT – flashlight/spotlight
- [E] Glowfast – luminous labels, sail tape, whipping twine, etc. good for night operation
AIS
- [A] AIS Comparison by Class
- [A] AIS of classes A and B
- [E] Digital Yacht AIT3000 class B AIS transponder with a built-in VHF splitter. It’s also been designed with the latest interfacing capability including NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000, USB and a WiFi server to allow tablets, smartphones and PCs to connect.
- [E] Vesper WatchMate XB-8000 smartAIS Transponder with WiFi and NMEA 2000 Gateway
- “While cruising, the XB-8000 sounds the alarm in case of a potential collision or a man overboard situation, even when all other equipment like MFDs or mobile devices are switched off. While at anchor, you can sleep soundly knowing fully well that the smartAIS transponder watches out for anchor drag or man overboard situations and sounds the alarm without needing any other equipment.”
- [E] McMurdo SmartFind M5 AIS Class A Transponder
- McMurdo SmartFind M5 Owner’s Manual
- “first to include an AIS MOB and AIS SART alarm function”
- [E] em-trak I100 (PDF) – portable self-contained AIS class B transmitter
- [V] AIS Electronics for Boaters by United States Power Squadrons
AIS MOB/SARTs
- [A] Attaching McMurdo AIS SART to Spinlock DeckVest
- [A] Are AIS SARTS the Best MOB Devices?
- [A] Lessons learned by causing a false AIS MOB alert by Ben Ellison
- [E] McMurdo SmartFind S20 AIS SART (Amazon)
- [E] AIS MOB Devices
- [E] “World’s smallest AIS MOB device” (Amazon)
- Does it work with non-inflatable PFD?
Collision
- [A] Ship Strikes: collisions between whales and vessels by International Whaling Commission – info about reporting whale strikes and whale collision database
Combustible Gas & Leak Detection, LPG Alarm
- [A] Crash Test Boat – Gas explosion by Chris Beeson
- [A] 7 Gas Alarms on Test by Peter Spreadborough
- [A] CO and Fume Detectors
- [A] Ten Ways to Make Propane Safer by John Harries
- Bilge LPG Alarms
- Xintex Propane Fume Detector P-2BS (alarms at 18-20% LEL)
- Safe-T-Alert
- BEP Marine 600-GD (alarms at 20% LEL)
- Trident Marine (alarms at 10% LEL)
- [E] Hydrogen Sulfide Detector, Meter & Monitor (Amazon)
- [E] UEi Test Instruments CD100A Combustible Gas Leak Detector (Amazon)
- [E] TPI 721 Combustible Gas Leak Detector, LCD Display, 10 ppm Sensitivity (Amazon)
- does not detect hydrogen sulfide (H2S)
- [E] Nereus Alarms Ltd
- [E] Alde Gas Leak Detectors (Manual)
Fire, Smoke and Carbon Monoxide
- [A] Smoke Detectors by Steve D’Antonio
- [A] USCG Fire Extinguishers and Requirements
- [A] ABYC TH-22 EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT CARBON MONOXIDE
- [A] Fireboy-Xintex Inc. Releases New Wire-free Carbon Monoxide Alarm At International Boatbuilders Exhibition (Ibex 2016)
- [A] Should the placement of carbon monoxide (CO) detectors be influenced by CO’s weight relative to air? by Hampson, Courtney, Holm (2011)
- [F] Carbon Monoxide (Lots of Research – No Solid Answers)
- [F] Carbon Monoxide Detector
- [E] Maus aerosol fire extinguisher
- [E] Firebox-Xintex Marine Fire Extinguishing Systems
- [E] Fireboy-Xintex 5 lb. Portable Fire Extinguisher (@ Defender)
- ABYC A-24 Carbon Monoxide Detection Systems
- CO detectors must meet UL 2034 and 1524
- NFPA 302 section 13
- Smoke detectors must meet ANSI/UL 217
- And UL 1524?
First Aid and Medical
- [A] Offshore Preparation for Medical Situations by Bill Biewenga
- [B] First Aid At Sea by Douglas Justins and Colin Berry
- [B] International Medical Guide for Ships by WHO (Download)
- [B] The Ship Captain’s Medical Guide (Download)
- [B] Where There Is No Doctor by David Werner, Carol Thuman, Jane Maxwell
- [B] Where There Is No Dentist by Murray Dickson
- [S] Wilderness first aid courses
- [S] DanBoater – not-for-profit telemedicine service
- [W] Telemedicine resources
- [E] Adventure Medical Kits
Lasers
- [A] GUIDE: I want my first laser!
- [A] GUIDE: Which company should I buy from?
- [E] Rescue Laser Flare Magnum – Greatland Laser
- [E] Dragon Lasers Hulk 150mW 532nm – 2x “C” batteries
- [E] Dragon Lasers Spartan 50mW 589nm (Yellow) – 1x 18650 battery
- [E] Optotronics 175mW 532nm – battery type?
- [E] Sanwu 100mW 532nm – 1x 18650 battery
- [E] Eagle Pair® 190-540nm OD6 Slip Over Laser Safety Goggles
Leaking and Water Ingress
- [A] Flooding: Planning For and Dealing With a Sinking Ship by Dick Stevenson
- [E] HullSurvivor Emergency Hull Seal – 10 Inch Diameter
- [E] Pettit A-788 Splash Zone waterproof epoxy putty (video)
- [E] Stay Afloat Instant Leak Plug and Sealant
Lifelines
- [A] New lifelines by Carolyn Shearlock – DIY replacement of lifelines
- [A] Replacing Lifelines with Low Stretch Dyneema® Line by David Lynn
- [A] Dyneema®/Spectra® Lifelines: Properties and recommendations for its use by Evans Starzinger
- [A] Colligo Dux Lifeline Kit – Instructions
- [V] How to Install Quick Attach Lifeline Kits from Suncor by Sailrite
- [V] How to Install Lifeline Netting on a Boat by Sailrite
Man Overboard
- [A] Is Your Lifesling Ready For Use? Are You SURE? by Carolyn Shearlock
- [A] Lifesling2 Overboard Rescue System Instruction Manual
- [A] Lifesling Owner’s Preparation Guide
- [A] Man Overboard Electronics
- [A] 105 Case Histories of Crew Overboard (PDF) by US Sailing
- [E] Man overboard (MOB) alarms
- [E] CrewWatcher crew overboard alarms
- [V] Mayday! Man overboard rescued during round the world yacht race
- [A] My 100 minutes lost in the most inhospitable seas on earth – from MOB’s perspective
- [V] What A Real Man Overboard Situation is Like
PFDs, Tethering and Harnesses
- [A] Jacklines: Materials, Fabrication and Installation by John Harries
- [A] The Right Tethers To Keep Us Aboard—Part 1, A Mix by John Harries
- [A] The Right Tethers To Keep Us Aboard—Part 2, Construction and Hardware by John Harries
- [A] Harnesses and How to Use Them by John Harries
- [A] Jackline Materials Evaluation by Practical Sailor (Drew Frye?)
- [A] Is Hand-Stitched Nylon Webbing Strong Enough? by Practical Sailor (Drew Frye?)
- [A] Safety Tether Clip-in Caution – based on March 2018 Practical Sailor testing with Drew Frye
- [B] World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations 2018-19
- 4.04.1 c) have a breaking strength of 2040 kg (4500#)
- [A] Thoughts on Spinlock Lifejacket “Failure” and Crotch Straps in General by John Harries
- [A] Is it safe to use a tether?
- [A] Lifejacket Inflation Systems Explained by Spinlock
- [E] BlueWater Ropes 1″ Tubular Climb-Spec Webbing – nylon, tensile strength 4,000 pounds
- [E] Wichard Lyf’Safe Jacklines
- [E] Baltic foam PFDs with integrated harness
Piracy
- [A] Where have all the pirates gone? by Ted Osborn (PDF, 2009)
- [A] How dangerous is sailing round the world? by Elaine Bunting
- [A] Safety & Security While Cruising by Mahina Expeditions
- [A] BMP 5 – Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy and Enhance Maritime Security in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea (ICS)
- [A] MSC.1-Circ.1334 – Guidance to shipowners and ship operators, shipmasters and crews on preventing and suppressing acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships (IMO)
- [W] ICC Live Piracy & Armed Robbery Report
- [W] IMB Piracy & Armed Robbery Map
- [W] Security Related Information to Mariners – UK security charts of risk areas
- Q6099 – Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea / Gulf of Aden to Red Sea Transit Corridor
- Q6112 – Karachi to Hong Kong
- Q6113 – Singapore to Papua New Guinea / Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea Transit Corridors
Security
- [A] Boat security
- [A] Top 20 security tips for you and your yacht by Sue Woods
- [E] FJM Security SX-790 4-Dial Combination Disc Padlock
- [E] Sesamee K646 4 Dial Bottom Resettable Combination Brass Padlock
- [E] ABUS 190CS/60 C High Security Closed Shackle Combination Padlock
- [E] ABUS 20/80 KD B Extreme High Security Padlock (keyed, not combination)
Survival
- [A] Floating is better than swimming for increasing sea survival
- [E] Datrex Blue Ration emergency rations (Amazon)
- Simple ingredients
- [E] Seven Oceans vegan emergency rations (U.S. distributor Viking Life)
- [E] Quake Kare Emergency Food Bar (ER Bar) (Amazon)
- [E] Kelly Kettle – boil water without fuel using twigs, leaves, etc.
- [E] Harmony House Foods – freeze dried veggies, etc.
- [V] Water Survival Training – Clothing Inflation
Yachting Monthly’s Crash Test Boat Series
Yachting Monthly has done an incredible service for the community by testing various scenarios and making the results freely available.
- [V] Capsize
- [V] Dismasting
- [V] Jury Rig
- [V] Holed: Part 1, Part 2
- [V] Through Hull Failure
- [V] Fire
- [V] LPG Explosion
Sailing
Ketch
- [A] The versatile ketch rig by Daria Blackwell
- [A] The Joy of Ketch
- [A] Six Reasons to Sail a Ketch by Jonty Pearce (paid download)
- [A] How to set up a sailing Ketch
- [A] The Amazing Mizzen by Tor Pinney – good techniques
- [A] Does a Ketch Sailboat Make a Good Cruising Boat?
- [A] Ketch sailing: Jib and jigger by Jonty Pearce
- [F] Ketch Sailing for Beginners
Reefing
- [A] Rig Loads and Reefing Lines by Practical Sailor
- [A] Seamanship 101: Reefing the Main by Bruce Bingham
Single-Handing
- [B] Stress-free Sailing: Single and Short-handed Techniques by Duncan Wells – Kindle version has supplementary audio & video
- [B] Singlehanded Sailing: Thoughts, Tips, Techniques & Tactics by Andrew Evans
- [B] One Hand for Yourself, One for the Ship: The Essentials of Single-Handed Sailing by Tristan Jones
- [B] Singlehanded Sailing for the Coastal Sailor by Drew Frye
- [B] Singlehanded Sailing: The Experiences and Techniques of the Lone Voyagers by Richard Henderson
- [B] Sailing Alone Around the World by Joshua Slocum
- [B] Single-Handed Sailing by Frank Mulville
- [B] A World of My Own: The First Ever Non-stop Solo Round the World Voyage by Robin Knox-Johnston
- [B] Short-Handed Sailing: Sailing solo or short-handed by Alastair Buchan
- [B] Down Channel and Orion by R. T. McMullen
- [B] Small-Boat Sailing by E. F. Knight
- [B] Gipsy Moth Circles the World by Sir Francis Chichester
- [B] Three Ways to Capsize a Boat by Chris Stewart
- [B] A Voyage For Madmen by Peter Nichols
- [B] Once Is Enough by Miles Smeeton
- [B] Just Sea and Sky: England to New Zealand the Hard Way by Ben Pester
- [B] Sailing Solo Alone by J.J. James
Spinnaker
- [A] Chinese Gybes – and how to avoid them
- [V] How to avoid a Chinese gybe when sailing downwind
- [V] Death roll
- [V] Death roll
- [V] Death roll
Storm Sails
- [A] Storm Sails: Do you Need Them? by Brian Hancock
- In particular, see the “Storm Sails 101” section
Technique
- [A] How to manoeuvre under sail
- [A] Sailing Under Control – sail reduction plans for increasing wind conditions
- [A] In Praise of the Versatile Staysail by Carol Hasse
- [A] Balance Your Helm for Speed by John Ellsworth
- [A] How to deal with riding turns on a winch by Ben Meakins
- [B] The Best of Sail Trim by Charles Mason
- [B] Sail Power by Wallace Ross
- [B] Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Started Sailing by John Vigor
- [B] Sailing: The Basics by Dave Franzel
- [B] Sailing For Dummies by J. J. & Peter Isler
- [V] Taking in sail hove to without an engine
- [V] Bennett Marine Video sailing series – many on Amazon Prime streaming
- [V] Sailing in Heavy Weather
- [V] Improve Your Sailing Skills
- [V] Sailing with Confidence
- [V] Basics of Sailing with Penny Whiting
- [V] Annapolis (Vol. I): Cruising Under Sail
- [V] Annapolis (Vol. II): Heavy Weather Sailing
- [V] Annapolis (Vol. III): Safety at Sea
- [V] Annapolis (Vol. IV): Sailboat Navigation
- [V] Annapolis (Vol. V): Daysailers Sailing & Racing
Theory
- [A] Incorrect Theories of Lift by NASA
- [A] There is No Lee-Bow Effect by Dave Perry
- [B] The Art and Science of Sails by Tom Whidden, Michael Levitt
- [B] Sailing Theory and Practice by C. A. Marchaj
- [B] Aero-Hydrodynamics of Sailing by Czeslaw A. Marchaj
Seamanship
- [A] What To Do When Your Engine Dies Coming in to a Marina by Peter Janssen
- [B] Chapman Piloting & Seamanship by Jonathan Eaton
- [B] The Annapolis Book of Seamanship by John Rousmaniere & Mark Smith
- [W] Captain Hugenot – massive set of “white papers” on a wide range of topics
Leadership
- [W] 2020 Coast Guard’s Professional Development Reading List by Coast Guard Commandant, Adm. Karl Schultz (alternate link)
Lines, Knots and Marlinspike
- [A] Rope seizing (i.e., racking seizing)
- [A] Various articles about soft shackles
- [A] Scaffold knot – for use with thimbles, anchoring(?)
- [A] Lock Stitching, Whipping, Seizing Procedures by Samson Rope (PDF)
- [A] What is the strongest sailing knot? by Chris Beeson
- [F] Presenting a New Hitch : the EStar-XX by Seaworthy Lass
- [B] The Ashley Book of Knots by Clifford W. Ashley
- [B] Splicing Modern Ropes: A Practical Handbook by Jan-Willem Polman
- [E] Selma Fid Rope Splicing Kit
- [E] Ascend Tools 8″ Carbon Steel Shears
- [W] New England Ropes Splicing Guides – splicing guides & videos
- [V] Splicing Double Braid by New England Ropes
- [V] Samson 12-Strand Eye Splice for Class I Rope by Samson Rope
- [V] Lock Stitching by Samson Rope
- [V] Tying a button knot soft shackle by HowNOTtoHIGHLINE
- [V] How to Tie a Soft Shackle by Yachting Monthly
- [V] Brummel lock-splice single braided Dyneema
- [V] Brummel splice
Training & Certifications
- [S] BoatU.S. Online Boating Safety Course – the only FREE Online Boating Safety Course approved by the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways
- [S] Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Yachtmaster Ocean exam
- [S] Ocean Training e-courses: RYA Dayskipper, RYA Coastal Skipper Yachtmaster Offshore, RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean
- [S] Diesel 101 class at List Marine (Sausalito)
Steering
Autopilots
- [E] WH Autopilots
- [E] Jefa
- [E] Marol Marine
- [E] Timco
- [E] Simrad/Robertson – recommended by Nigel Calder
Emergency Steering
- [A] A Guide to Steering without a Rudder
- [V] Drogue steering
- [V] Emergency Steering Drogue Training
- [E] Galerider Drouge
Self Steering Vanes
- [A] Bad Weather Problem – describes issue with early Aries wind vanes
- [A] Self-Steering with No Strings Attached
- [A] Q&A: Windvane Or Autopilot?
- It should be easily removable to stow/repair down below
- [F] Selecting a Wind Vane for My 50′ Columbia
- [E] Scanmar Auto-Helm (aux rudder style)
- [E] Hydrovane (aux rudder style)
- [E] Fleming Global Auxiliary Rudder (aux rudder style)
- [E] Cape Horn – wind vane steering system
- [E] Airies
- [E] Monitor
- [E] Windpilot Pacific
- [E] Voyager
- [E] Sailomat (not recommended by John @ MC)
Systems
- [E] Lewmar Cobra (previously Whitlock Cobra) rack and pinion steering
- [E] Lewmar Mamba gearbox and bevelhead steering system
- [E] NewRudders.com – Replacement Rudders and Centerboards
Stories
Fiction
- [B] Alone on a Wide Wide Sea by Michael Morpurgo
Inspirational YouTube Channels
- [V] SV Delos
- [V] Sailing La Vagabonde
- [V] Sailing Uma
- [V] Adventure Adrift
- [V] Sailing Nervous
- [V] The Corsair – a Cabo Rico 38
- [V] Patrick Laine – French single-hander
Non-Fiction
- [A] Story of sick infant on boat, having to scuttle
- [A] Unplanned Swim – story of couple’s MOB experience
- [A] Uncontrollable Urge accident report – with the failing Spinlock inflatable PFDs
- [A] Safety at Sea: When Fury Overtakes a Cruisers’ Safe Haven
- [A] Meet the Boss – about Carol Hasse, sail maker
- [A] 1979 Fastnet Race Inquiry Report (PDF)
- [A] Zero Sailing Knowledge is Unacceptable by Pat Reynolds
- [B] The Long Way by Bernard Moitessier
- [B] Cape Horn: The Logical Route by Bernard Moitessier
- [B] The Ship and the Storm: Hurricane Mitch and the Loss of the Fantome by Jim Carrier
- [B] Adrift: Seventy-six Days Lost at Sea by Steven Callahan
- [B] Rescue in the Pacific by Tony Farrington – about Queen’s Birthday storm
- [B] A Captain’s Duty by Richard Phillips (Captain Phillips)
- [B] The Venturesome Voyages of Captain Voss by John Claus Voss
- [B] Dangerous Waters by David Philpott
- [B] Oceans Are Waiting: Around the World on the Yacht Tigger (a Tartan 37) by Sharon Ragle
- [B] Rod on Sailing, Lessons from the Sea by Roderick Stephens
- [B] Overboard!: A True Blue-water Odyssey of Disaster and Survival by Michael J. Tougias
- [B] The Sea Is for Sailing by Peter Pye
- [B] Once Is Enough by Miles Smeeton
- [B] Voyages of a Simple Sailor by Roger D. Taylor
- [B] A Voyage for Madmen by Peter Nichols
- [B] A World of My Own: The first ever non-stop solo round the world voyage by Robin Knox-Johnston
- [B] As Long as It’s Fun: The Epic Voyages and Extraordinary Times of Lin and Larry Pardey by Herb McCormick
- [B] Alone Together: Sailing Solo to Hawaii and Beyond by Christian Williams
- [B] Various Books by Fatty Goodlander
- [B] Two Years Before The Mast by Richard Henry Dana (PDF)
- [B] One Girl One Dream by Laura Dekker
- [B] Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do by Wallace J. Nichols
- [B] Halsey’s Typhoon: The True Story of a Fighting Admiral, an Epic Storm, and an Untold Rescue by Bob Drury, Tom Clavin
- [B] Typhoon, the Other Enemy: The Third Fleet and the Pacific Storm of December 1944 by C. Raymond Calhoun
- [B] Swell: A Sailing Surfer’s Voyage of Awakening by Liz Clark
- [B] Trilogy: A Family’s Voyage of Faith by Jeannette Saxton Coon
- [B] Typee by Herman Melville
- [B] Maiden Voyage by Tania Aebi
- [B] Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing
- [B] In the Kingdom of Ice: The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the USS Jeannette by Hampton Sides
- [B] Escape from the Ordinary by Julie Bradley
- [B] Get Real, Get Gone by Rick Page & Jasna Tuta
- [B] Red Mains’l by Peter Pye
- [V] Hold Fast (Maniac Sailors)
- [V] Miraculous Survival at Sea
- [V] Charter sailing – when things go bad
- [V] TEDxYouth: Laura Dekker
Weather
500 Millibar
- [A] Mariner’s Guide to the 500 Millibar Chart (1995) by Joe Sienkiewicz and Lee Chesneau
- [A] Mariner’s Guide to the 500 Millibar Chart (2008) by Joe Sienkiewicz and Lee Chesneau
- [B] Heavy Weather Avoidance and Route Design by Ma-Li Chen & Lee S. Chesneau
Drogues
- [A] USCG Report No. CG-D-20-87: Investigation of the Use of Drogues to Improve the Safety of Sailing Yachts by Carol L. Hervey and Donald J. Jordan
- [A] Drogue vs. Sea Anchor
- [A] A Jordan Series Drogue can be a lifesaver
- [A] Jordan Series Drogue Launch System
- [A] Structural Requirements for Series Drogue Attachments
- [A] Interesting retrieval idea
- [A] Story: Jordan Series Drogue on 53-foot Amel Super Maramu
- [A] Surviving a Force 11 storm with a series drogue by Tony Curphey (via Yachting Monthly)
- Interestingly, he deploys boat end of drogue first
- [V] Jordan Series Drogue Test
- [V] Series drogue deployment by Shane Freeman Part 1 Part 2
- [W] Drag Device Database – collection of reports & analysis of drag device deployment
- [W] Bolt Pattern Force Distribution calculator – many other useful calculators on this site
- [E] OceanBrake (AAC discount coupon)
- [E] Jordan Series Drogue by Ace Sailmakers
- [E] Crosby G-209A shackle
- [E] Colligo Marine titanium chainplates
- [E] Allied Titanium chainplates
- [E] Port Townsend Foundry – custom bronze chainplates
- [E] Chainplates Express – custom stainless steel chainplates
Education
- [A] How to Predict and Cope with Fog at Sea by Chris Tibbs
- [A] Weather Forecasting Revisited by Beth A. Leonard & Evans Starzinger
- [A] The Six Ingredients for Hurricane Formation
- [B] Reeds Weather Handbook by Frank Singleton
- [B] Instant Weather Forecasting by Alan Watts (recommended by Bernard Moitessier)
- [B] Modern Marine Weather by David Burch
- [B] RYA Weather Handbook by Chris Tibbs
- [B] Mariners Met Pack Southwest Pacific by Bob McDavitt (free PDF download)
- [B] NWS Observing Handbook No. 1
- [S] Starpath Weather Trainer
- [V] How to Read a Surface Map
- [W] JetStream – An Online School for Weather by National Weather Service
GRiB Viewer Software
- [S] LuckGrib (Mac only)
- [E] ViewFax (Windows only)
- [E] ZyGrib
- Won’t display RTOFS-global (current) GRiBs from SailDocs
- Won’t display WW3-global (waves) GRiBs from SailDocs
- [S] PolarView NS (Max, Win, Linux) – also chart plotting, etc.
- [S] http://grib.us (Windows only)
- [S] GribView (Mac, Win, Linux)
Information & Forecasting
- [S] Buoyweather
- [S] PredictWind
- [S] Ocean Surface Currents in Real-Time (OSCAR) current data
- [email protected] with message oscar:lat1,lat2,lon1,lon2
- [E] XM Satellite marine weather
- Not available globally
- Where can I listen to SiriusXM?
- SSB, GRIBs, weatherfax, etc.
- [A] Getting weather over the SSB via Email
- [A] Radio Email
- [E] AirMail
- [F] ‘Coverage’ of Free Grib Over SSB
- [W] Windytv – weather overlaid on a globe
- includes wind, gusts, waves (height, period, direction), pressure, currents, more
- Formerly Windyty?
- [W] http://earth.nullschool.net – wind flow on a globe view
- [E] Weather Fax 2000 USB – software & USB controller for receiving weather fax
- [E] SI-TEX Nav-Fax 200 Shortwave/SSB/Weather Fax Receiver
- [W] Marine Weather by Lee – author of “Heavy Weather Avoidance and Route Design” and teaches weather courses
- [S] NOAA/NWS Area Forecast Discussion – San Francisco (MTR)
- [S] NOAA Tide Predictions
- [S] NOAA Current Predictions
- [S] WWW Tide and Current Predictor
- [E] Admiralty Total Tide – Windows software offering predictions for more than 7,000 ports and 3,000 tidal streams worldwide
- [S] NOAA Ocean Prediction Center’s Probabilistic Wind Speed Guidance
- [S] El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Diagnostic Discussion by Climate Prediction Center/NCEP/NWS
Instruments
- [E] Mintaka Duo Precision Electronic Barograph (Amazon)
- [E] Fischer 103PM Precision Aneroid Barometer (Amazon)
- [E] DBX1 Precision Digital Barograph by Aquatech Scientific Instruments LLC
- Not responding to email inquiries as of January 2017
- [E] Bohlken Westerland Marine Barographs
- [E] Nasa Marine MeteoMan (Amazon)
- [E] LCJ Capteurs BaroPlug
- [E] Maretron WSO100 ultrasonic wind and weather station – requires separate display such as DSM150
- [E] Airmar 220WX Ultrasonic WeatherStation
- includes anemometer and more
- how to display barograph?
- [E] Weems & Plath Electronic Barometer 4002
- [E] Radio Ocean ROWIND
- [E] Kestrel 2500NV Weather Meter (Amazon) – handheld wind speed, pressure (plus 3 hour trend), etc.
Lightning
- [A] A New Concept for Lightning Protection of Boats
- [A] Considerations for Marine Lightning Protection Part 1 Part 2
- [E] Sidearc electrodes
Storm Management
- [A] When A Squall Comes Calling by BoatUS
- [A] Distance Between 3D Lines & Segments (Closest Point of Approach) by Dan Sunday
- [A] Computational Fluid Dynamic Study of Heaving-To by David Hickerson
- Hurricane prep
- [A] Hurricane Prep Thoughts by Carolyn Shearlock
- [A] Hurricane Prep Tips and Editable Checklist by Carolyn Shearlock
- [A] How Much Time Do You Have? by Carolyn Shearlock
- [A] Reducing Windage by Carolyn Shearlock
- [A] Why Remove Jibs and Genoas by Carolyn Shearlock
- [A] Why Did Barefoot Gal Survive Irma? by Carolyn Shearlock
- [B] Storm Tactics Handbook: Modern Methods of Heaving-to for Survival in Extreme Conditions (3rd Edition) by Lin and Larry Pardey (also DVD)
- [B] Heavy Weather Sailing by Peter Bruce (and previously Kaines Adlard Coles)
- [B] Sailing a Serious Ocean by John Kretschmer
- [B] Handling Storms at Sea by Hal Roth
- [B] Surviving the Storm: Coastal and Offshore Tactics by Steve & Linda Dashew
- [B] Storm Proofing your Boat, Gear, and Crew by Cap’n Fatty Goodlander
- [V] Skip Novak’s Storm Sailing Techniques
- [V] 1 – Intro
- [V] 2 – Tour of yachts
- [V] 3 – Using storm sails
- [V] 4 – Heaving to
- [V] 5 – Reefing
- [V] 6 – Preparing the deck
- [V] 7 – Sail design – some interesting ideas here
- [V] 8 – Warps and drogues
- [V] 9 – Sounding an uncharted bay
- [V] 10 – Anchoring
- [V] 11 – Tying to shore
- [V] 12 – Using a tender
- [V] Sailing in Heavy Weather
- [V] How to sail safely through squalls by Yachting World Bluewater Sailing Series
- [V] Anatomy of Disaster – Ferocious Oceans
- [V] Charter sailing – when things go bad
Waves, Rogue Waves
- [A] Rogue Waves: Freaks of Nature Studied with Math and Lasers by Yuen Yiu
- [V] How Dangerous Can Ocean Waves Get? Wave Comparison
- [V] BBC2 Horizon – Freak Wave
- [V] Freak wave created in lab mirrors Hokusai’s ‘Great Wave’ by University of Oxford
Weather Routing & Meteorological Services
- [S] Bob McDavitt a.k.a. MetBob in New Zealand – serves the South Pacific, possibly retired now
- [S] Bruce Buckley in Australia – Shane Freeman’s router, serves the South Pacific (source)
- [S] Roger Badham in Australia – serves the South Pacific (source)
- [S] Rick Shema / Weather Guy in Hawaii
- [S] Des Cason in South Africa – serves the Indian Ocean (source)
- [S] Commanders’ Weather – not clear from website what region(s) are serviced
- [S] Marine Weather Center (Chris Parker) – serving Caribbean Sea, Bahamas and U.S. East Coast
- [S] Wetter Welt (Sebastion Wache?) – appears to be a German firm; service region(s) unclear
- [S] Rowell Yachting Services (Article)
- [S] MeteoGib (Article) – specializes in Strait of Gibraltar?
There’s one more alternative diesel starter, Cqstart Spring Starter.