Bareboat Chartering Basics: Sail the Caribbean the Practical Way
Growing up in Montreal, I dreamed of sailing in the warm waters of the Caribbean. Still, to this day, I am drawn to the...
How to Prep and Store More Interesting Produce for Passage
As any seasoned sailor knows, managing space and resources on a boat is paramount. This is especially true when it comes to storing and...
10 Unexpected and Free ICW Highlights
The unexpected delights along my journey down the ICW were many. Here are ten of my favorites that mostly didn’t cost money.
1) Cruising ambassador...
Compact Scuba Kits for Sailors
In general, many cruisers prefer the freedom of snorkeling to scuba diving, yet there are situations when extending the time you can spend underwater becomes a safety issue.
Full-Time Ocean Trash Cleanup in the Arctic Circle
On the small island of Bolga in northern Norway, 17 nm north of the Arctic Circle, a 40-ft. catamaran lies at a quay. It...
Sailing the Pacific Northwest (PNW): Costs and Practicalities
The stretch of coast known as the Pacific Northwest (PNW) is one of the largest and most diverse sailing grounds in the world. It...
A Radio Lifeline for Cruisers
Speaking with Patricia Dallas and David Sapiane of Gulf Harbour Radio is a little like speaking to a great-aunt and uncle. Like someone who’s...
How Much Does it Cost to Have a Sailboat in Georgia?
When planning my trip from Rhode Island down the ICW to the Bahamas, I knew I didn’t want to come all the way back...
ICW Gear Must-Haves
After several weeks on the ICW (Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway), I decided that I’d serendipitously bought almost the perfect ICW boat. I can’t take credit...
Crossing the Atlantic with Kids: Intergenerational Voyaging Tips
“It was Reija who started it all,” smiles Leszek, talking to me from his home in Dublin, Ireland.
The idea of crossing the Atlantic had...
Living on a Boat Off Grid: What No One Explains
Living on a boat off-grid sounds simple until you actually try it. No shore power. No marina hookups. No endless electricity. Just batteries, solar,...
Latest Sailboat Review
Union 36 Used Boat Review
While not the best boat for light-air sailing, the Union 36 is a good sailboat for the bluewater cruiser. It wont get you there fast, but it will get you there comfortably and in one piece. The boats teak decks and lavish use of interior wood is attractive but requires much upkeep and maintenance. A product of the Taiwan-U.S. boatbuilding industry, the Union 36 is a heavy-displacement, full-keel, cutter-rigged double-ender designed for ocean sailing. The Union 36 is nearly identical to several other boats built during the same period: the Hans Christian 36, Mariner Polaris 36, and the EO36. According to well-known naval architect Bob Perry, the Union 36 and its cousins are all based on the design of a 34-footer that Perry was commissioned to create back in the early 70s.