My Cruiser Life

Boating terminology is often a complex mix of archaic words and modern approximations, confusing mixes of parts of traditional vessels…

Electric-powered toys are everywhere. Lithium battery technology has come far enough that electric cars are just as functional as their…

Catamarans appeal to sailors and would-be sailors for a variety of reasons. One of those reasons is the need for…

So, you’ve spotted the online brochures, the Instagram and YouTube influencers, or maybe even stepped aboard a few at the…

Catamarans have had the sailing world abuzz for several decades now. To the salty monohull sailors’ chagrin, they aren’t going…

Liveaboard catamaran sailboats are some of the most comfortable vessels on the water for long-term living and traveling.  The choices…

With a little web surfing, you can find out how much it costs to live on a houseboat. But how…

I know–we’re all “connected” and glued to YouTube and online forums. But the truth is, you can’t replace a book.…

Collect any group of boaters, and what do you think they’ll talk about? Anchors? Sail trim? Religion? Politics? Maybe eventually,…

If you live on a protected waterway and want the most comfortable living space, a houseboat is the answer to…

Why would anyone want to know how to build a houseboat or floating home? Chances are there are two reasons:…

The Great Loop is one of North America’s best long-term boating adventures and maybe even the entire world. This 6,000-plus-mile…

When you’re a teenager, you get your learner’s permit before your driver’s license. If you want to learn to fly…

Cuba, the largest Caribbean island, has an intriguing history. Its relationship with South Florida and the US is even more…

The world of boats and boating can be daunting if you’re just starting out. Boats come in every shape and…

There are a few things that get boaters talking, comparing notes, and sharing opinions. If you want to start a…

What is the green light on a boat? What is the red or white light on a boat? This article…

Boat parking or storing it is always an issue, no matter what size or type of boat you dream of.…

Are you looking for the best family boat for adventures? Family boats are like any other type of boat–they must…

Most sailboats have one because they’re awfully handy. But sailboat booms are also one of the most dangerous parts of…

Before you ponder your route to sail around the world, think about why you’re even thinking about such an undertaking. …

It is often said that a boater’s dinghy is like their car. When traveling between ports, you will often only…

Captains log, Stardate 5923.1. The sailing vessel Dulcinea is enroute to the Proxima Centari star cluster at 3.5 knots. If…

Of all of the skills a sailor needs, reefing a sail quickly is one of the most important. Reefing is…

Boat knots intimidate a lot of would-be boaters. Some people even avoid sailboats altogether simply because they can’t get their…

A chartplotter is a marvel of modern technology that would make the explorers and adventurers of yesteryear green with envy.…

Sailing across the North Atlantic is probably the most common bluewater passage on the planet—but there’s still plenty of adventure…

Dreaming of quitting the 9-to-5 and sailing away into the sunset? Are you wondering if it’s an unattainable lifestyle of…

The rudder on a sailboat is one of those important parts that often gets overlooked. It’s hidden underwater most of…

If there’s a dog in your family, chances are you’ll want to take them sailing with you when you set…

Nothing can inspire dreamers quicker than an evening of streaming old sailor movies. Sailing adventure movies can be terrifying survival…

Single-handed boats aren’t just limited to solo travelers. Many cruising couples will tell you that it’s a good idea to…

Nothing denotes a salty off-the-grid ready yacht more than the sight of a wind generator mounted on the stern. Once,…

How a boat’s sails and masts are arranged is called its sail plan or rig. Each rig type has a…

Sailboats are not the best choice of transportation when speed is an essential factor. The average speed of the typical…

In different countries, cars steer on different sides of the road. For example, in the U.S., cars drive on the…

Cutter rigs are often more prevalent in boating magazines and theory than they are in your marina. Most cruising sailboats…

Now and again, you come across a word in sailing that piques your interest. Sometimes it’s a word you know…

A watermaker is one of the miracles of modern cruising life. These marvels of modern technology make fresh drinking water…

Every boat has holes in it. Say what? That’s right – boats come with holes in the bottom called through…

One of the inevitable parts of owning a sailboat is climbing the mast. Some people enjoy this task. For them,…

Having more than one anchor onboard is good seamanship. Most of the time, cruising boats can simply set their primary…

For most of a boat’s life, its gelcoat will survive if taken care of. However, occasionally you become the caretaker…

There was a time when all of the rigging components onboard a tall ship were made from rope. This was…

Many sailors balk at the idea of leaving their boat in the water at a marina. Slip fees are expensive,…

Imagine heading into the sunset – out of your ordinary life and sailing across the Pacific. Mai-Tais and tropical island…

My wife and I were lucky enough to live the catamaran cruising lifestyle for four years on our Lagoon 380.…

When nature calls, you don’t want to be out of sight of land.  Unless you’re prepared, of course. Many boats…

What is a transmission? Before you can understand if a boat has one, you’ll have to decide what a transmission…

The points of sail refer to the boat’s current angle compared to the wind’s direction. For example, if you are…

For generations, sailing has been a mode of essential transportation, a rewarding hobby, an active and competitive sport, and a…

In most states, vehicles that drive on public highways and roads are licensed to do so by the DMV (Department…

Understanding some of the basics is fundamental to understanding all the latest trends and most exciting technologies in boat design. …

Boat power systems vary greatly depending on how the owner uses the boat. Therefore, it is tough to figure out…

Boats come in all shapes and sizes, so you might be wondering what fuel do boats use. The answer is…

Whether you’re at the helm of your inflatable tender, a center console fishing boat, or a decked-out express cruiser, go-fast…

The lingo of sailing is baffling to many newcomers. While the actual sailing is pretty easy, it’s hard to wrap…

Boost your sailing vocabulary with these terms. In compiling this list, we’ve stuck with terms used today. So, you won’t…

There are two schools of thought when picking your first boat. Either start small and work up to the big…

We live in an amazing time for navigation. Today, we can cross oceans using satellite technologies without knowing anything about…

If you run your boat in water that is too shallow, you will run aground. This simple fact is obvious…

If you’re a dreamer like me—and it seems that all boaters are!—then you might spend a lot of time looking…

Of all of the systems on a boat, the fuel system seems to be one of the simplest. After all,…

Love them or hate them, aluminum sailboats are an excellent option for serious blue water cruising. They’re robust and sturdy…

There is an undeniable romanticism to the idea of living on a sailboat. Sailboats speak to traveling the world—going wherever the wind takes you.

Christening your boat is a wonderful way to celebrate your new addition. A christening ceremony allows friends and family to…

A “bluewater sailboat” is capable of seeing those blue waters. It’s capable of venturing offshore, and it’s capable of the self-sufficiency required to survive out there. 

If your boat is looking a little tired, you might think a fresh coat of gel coat or paint will…

Transom is an old word deeply rooted in tradition, like many nautical terms. The word is also used in architecture…

Boat keys are considerably less complex than car keys. That’s good news because if you’re trying to replace a lost…

What comes to mind when you think of a speed boat? Obviously, it’s fast. But is it big enough to…

Asking a sailor to pick the best sailboat brands is like asking a car enthusiast to pick the best sports…

Since humans began building ships and sailing the Seven Seas, barnacles on boats have been causing problems. Even today, with…

Operating a marine engine in your boat is a little different than a car. A boat engine uses seawater to…

If you want to go on a daysail this week, a week-long vacation over the holidays, and then sail to…

You can learn a lot about boat lights if you just think about what they are for and what they…

Why measure sails? Sailmaking is a complex discipline that blends elements of science and art. Perhaps you want to get…

Sailboats are a little bit like airplanes in some ways. Their sails work like wings, sure. But they also cannot…

Winter is coming! If you are a boat owner, it’s time to learn how to winterize a boat motor. Winterizing…

Inboard-outboard, inboard, and outboard motors. All terms describe different types of engine setups on boats. Which is best, and how…

You might want to start a boat out of the water for many reasons, from boat maintenance to just running…

Boating laws vary from state to state, but generally, most places require boaters to have some amount of education. So…

There comes a time in every boat’s life when it isn’t worth fixing up. Sometimes this is a result of…

Sea Ray is one of the best-known brands of powerboats on the market. The company has been in business for…

One very noticeable difference between operating a boat is that there are no posted speed limits. In fact, there are…

Sailboats are designed to harness the wind and travel where ever they want to go, right? But many people don’t…

When you first learn about boats, one of the trickier nautical terms to get your mind around is the use…

There’s a ton of jargon to learn when you’re new to boating. Simple things–like what you call the steering wheel…

If you’re new to sailing, you might be wondering what the best sailing wind speed is. It seems like an…

Picking the size of your first boat is one of the hardest choices you’ll ever have to make, at least…

What exactly is a yacht, anyway? Does it have to be a motor boat? But what about large sailing yachts?…

There are a lot of different sailboats in the world. In fact, they’ve been making sailboats for thousands of years.…

Many RVers and boaters carry a recreational kayak with them on their adventures. Kayaks are the nautical equivalent of bicycles–they…

One of the first sailing fundamentals you learn with you’re new to the world of sailing is the idea of…

Here’s another one of those terms that sounds simple to define but is actually a bit more complicated. Most people…

Sailboat keels are more complex than many people give them credit for. Most people intuitively realize that the weight of…

You’ve probably heard that one of the best reasons to get a catamaran is because they’re fast. After all, there’s…

Anchoring is a complex art form that requires knowing a bit of the theory and then practicing every chance you…

Protecting your eyes and enhancing your vision are vital parts of the sailing lifestyle. Sailing without sunglasses can cause long-term…

Of all of the sailing materials found on the modern cruising or liveaboard sailboat, the sailing fabrics that make up…

Fire is without a doubt the scariest emergency any boater can face. There are few more dangerous places than in…

There are dozens, if not hundreds, of sailing bags out there. Whether you need a big duffle to store your…

In the United States, there are very few education requirements for boaters. That means that many people learn the ropes…

There are dozens, if not hundreds, of names for the many varied types of sails found on sailboats. Sailboats have…

A boat’s beam is the widest point of the boat. It’s an important measurement to know, just like the length…

The debate between catamarans vs monohulls still rages, and most boaters are firmly on one side or the other. The…

For years, catamarans have dominated the multihull segment. Cruisers love to live aboard and sail the world on sailing catamarans.…

There are trips that anyone can do in the sailing world, and then there are trips that only adventure-seekers want…

Have you ever noticed how most sailboats have numbers on their sails? It’s one of those small details that you…

Swing keels are an often misunderstood sailboat feature. They stand unique as a capable offshore sailboat with good windward performance—but…

Marine electrical systems are complicated. Before diving into doing any work, be sure to learn the boat wiring basics first.

Something that gets less attention than it should in the boating world is boat beds. Boat makers equip boats with…

Like many outdoorsmen and women, sailors know the importance of a knife. The best sailors knife is the one that’s…

It’s hard to imagine a sea-faring captain standing at the helm of his tall ship and barking orders to his…

Hand steering a sailboat is so much fun – until it isn’t. In actuality, it’s tiring work that requires more…

The best gifts for boaters are those that show you’re paying attention and care. What do they most love about their boat–fixing it up, fishing off of it, or voyaging across oceans? Find a gift they’ll love by narrowing it down a little.

Still, got mold or mildew stains building up on your boat seats? It’s time to break out the big guns. Here are some ways of removing mildew from boat seats.

“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing…