Just got the boat back from my ex in the divorce. She basically destroyed everything on the boat and what she didn't destroy she stole. I need 2 YanmarY3M30 engines. I have identified several suppliers, but my preferred choice would be JDF Import Export GMBH. Do any of you have any experience dealing with them. I am also open to other dealers should you have a recommendation.

I'm planning to buy a boat. It's not my first one. I've done quite a bit of racing on a Dragon and sailed on a Standfast 40. Now, I'm hesitating between a UFO 34 and an X-3/4 TON. Do any of you have experiences to share about these sailboats? I’d also like to race—do you really need more than three crew members? Are there any specific flaws you know of with these boats? Looking for feedback, advises. Most of time we are 2 or 3 on the boat.

For the past couple of years I've been dreaming about doing the big crossing on a sail boat. Made the decision that I want to get serious about it and gain some knowledge/skills. I live in Rotterdam, The Netherlands so there's plenty of sailing action but I don't know where to start yet, any tips?

Background info: 25 y/o, solo crossing/ low budget

Anyone familiar with places that have slips in Cape Breton? I’m looking for two, 2 week slips for my 30’ sailboat in July then September.

Mine new to me 2 stroke 4hp Tohatsu and the engine seems to be running/idling perfectly fine when in neutral but as soon as you have it in gear and on the move it sounds and feels very jerky and vibrates a lot. It feels or sounds like its stalling. Any advice what can be the problem? The dinghy is a hard bottom 3.1 meter and the outboard is the long leg version which is a bit longer than the standard I have on the other outboard. Any suggestions, pointers? Thank you

Hey all. So the cruising life came to my attention a little while ago and has gone from a nice idea, to a serious idea, to beginning to build a reality. My one hangup is the future. I'm mid 30s and recognize that ONE day, I'll get old. How do y'all think about financing retirement when you're too old to sail? It seems rare for cruisers to maintain high paying salaries even while working on-board. Thanks for your thoughts!

Just curious of the most extreme medical device you may have on board.

Every cruiser has a library of some sort, but what are the three most valuable books you keep aboard YOUR boat?

Mine would be in no particular order Where there is no doctor Splicing modern Ropes Marine diesel engines 2nd revision

For whatever reason, a thread on anchoring recently got removed- but before it was removed, someone had commented to me that anchoring was a bit too heavy and messy for the girls and it's better to put the wife at the helm.

To me, handling anchor tackle is neither hard nor easy- it's just sized to the boat and equipment. For example, while we often use an oversized danforth type anchor on our catalina 27- it's still only 15 pounds, and 1/4 inch chain isn't that heavy. We have no windlass, either. But that's *appropriate* for the boat and anyone on the boat can handle it comfortably.

That's important. Anchor gear isn't JUST about anchoring out- it's also a safety system. I'd say, myself, that the admiral/mate/(insert pet name here) should be able to comfortably handle the anchor gear just for safety reasons.

In direct response or FarAwaySailor- my wife in particular prefers to handle the anchor gear on our limited foredeck space because she doesn't like being at the helm much. She *can*, of course, steer the boat. She just would rather handle the anchor than handle the wind/current, engine, and tiller. It would be the same if we had an electric winch and a helm with a wheel.

So we are lake sailors and my wife thinks I'm a freaking DJ. This February we are going sailing in Antigua with a group. She volunteered me to be in charge of the music. My secret on the lake is Pandora. I have cell service on 90% of the lake. What do you guys recommend for downloadable music? I am told we will have almost no cell service and if we do I'll pay for international data. (No, I can't learn to play guitar in time)

Would you consider buying a 45’ sailing catamaran with a professionally shortened mast? The mast was reduced from 70’ to 63’ for ICW clearance. We’re new sailors planning to live aboard and explore the Bahamas, Caribbean, and East Coast, but we’re not particularly focused on cruising the ICW.

Experienced sailors, how would this modification affect the boat’s performance and handling in places like the Caribbean? Will the reduced mast height significantly impact light-wind sailing or overall cruising efficiency? Should we keep looking for a vessel with its original rig?

We’d love to hear your insights—thanks in advance

I’m looking to go from Puerto Rico to Miami next week and don’t have my copy of World Cruising Routes with me. I’m planning to go inside between the islands, rather than outside. Any issues that I should be aware of? Thanks for the help.

Check out this article and my response. I'd be interested in other opinions.

https://www.soundingsonline.com/voices/staying-with-the-boat-and-other-safety-myths?utm_medium=email&utm_source=SND+-+NL+-+Dispatches&oly_enc_id=9463F1090634D6D

Ahoy folks! I'm going to be in Jamaica soon for a little bit and wanted to see if anyone here might be sailing in the area.

Hey everyone,

Do you use sailing guides to plan your sailing trips and itineraries? If so which ones are you using? Specifically Caribbean region.

Having made a short list of long keel heavy, older blue water sailboats I am now making a short list of lighter, faster older fin keel sailboats Beneteau's?

32-40?

What have you got, what have you experienced?

Do you leave the snow for extra insulation? I have noticed both practices in the marina, and haven’t decided whether or not I should leave it.

Has anybody tried preserving eggs with mineral oil?

Question for anyone experienced in cruising in the Bahamas - do I need a second/upgraded dinghy? We are on a 43’ monohull and have cruised the Chesapeake and ICW with an 9’ Dyer Dhow dinghy and a 3.5hp-equivalent electric motor. We have loved this setup so far, but this winter we plan to cruise the Bahamas and wonder if this will be sufficient. The Dhow will not plane so we max out at around 3-4 knots. I would love to not have to buy an inflatable dinghy or a heavy gas motor but we can if we need to. Do you think we be able to get by with this setup in the Bahamas or will it be a problem for us to get ashore in most anchorages?

Due to personal circumstances I'm looking to get travel insurance that would cover sailing trips and RYA courses mainly within the UK in casr of illness, bereavement or more serious family emergencies. I don't want to solely rely on the goodwill of some operator, given that most 1 or 2 week itineraries are usually fairly pricey in the UK.

We see crewed charter boats for like $20k in USVI and Bahamas but don't have anyone to share this. Does anyone know of any one that does that by cabin (share with strangers,) all inclusive, cook, sites, for a week?
Thanks for any ideas :)

Saw a BVI recommendation on Reddit for Festiva, mid January, looked great, $4k week, share 4 cabin boat with strangers, all inclusive.
But this is really weird, plane tickets for two from RDU are $2600 mid Jan to BVI, <$800 USVI, Bahamas (direct flights, 4 airlines, American Air has BVI monopoly. Cheap RDU-MIA flights so I checked MIA-BVI (EIS) $4000 for two mid Jan.!! 5x cost to CA, WA, which are a lot farther.
I emailed Festiva if they have USVI, haven't heard back, didn't see that online.

Appreciate any insight here. I'm sober and don't want to have a difficult time keeping it that way while on a weeklong sailing course.

I'm trying to figure out if certain companies or locations lend themselves to drinking moreso than others. I'm primarily considering the Caribbean.

For instance, I have never been to BVI, but have been told there is a lot of partying that goes on there on the boats. So, stands to reason that people signing up for a weeklong liveaboard course may be hard drinking?

I heard from a friend hat there was some partying that took place on a Sailing Virgins course in the BVI. But I don't know if that's the result of the BVI, Sailing Virgins or sailing culture in general.

I'm looking for pretty serious coursework with the potential for some adventure and dining on shore as well. Ideally, there would be no drinking on board, but that may be unrealistic. I can handle being around alcohol but being around a bunch of drunks all week will be very difficult.

Thanks for any help.

Hello I'm looking for a book(s) recommendation to help me cross a knowledge gap I have

I have my basic cruising license and have been sailing dinghies since I was a baby, however I've never done ocean/overnight sailing. I chartered a boat with a skipper for a week in the carribean and I want to use this as my jumping point to start feeling comfortable being my own ocean skipper. I'll follow his planned route too, so no route planning for me.

My goal is I try to do everything I can, but then the hired skipper can cover whatever I don't know yet.

Is there a good overall ocean cruising recommendation? Reading maps, doing ocean stuff (I dont know what topics I'm oblivious to...). I looked around and there were an overwhelming number of books. :(

Thanks reddit!