One of our favorite sailing writers, Zuzana Prochazka, covers the details in SAIL magazine.
“If you’re a fan of all things random, quirky and unexpected, you’ll do well in this beautiful part of the world. “
On a related note, here’s a great book on Havana by a great writer, Mark Kurlansky. He’s written on myriad subjects, from Cod to Salt (well, it’s [probably not that great a distance, really, is it?) and is a fine stylist and an amusing guide to all manner of esoteric subjects.
does a zillion things to make your sailing easier. But the device we all call the phone, the iPhone (even generically), or the Smartphone needs a new label.
Photo: Sadman Sakib-Unsplash
Not only is it barely used as a telephone device, it is a miniature desktop in your pocket.
OUTSIDE Magazine’s
Brendan Leonard has written a nice overview of the things you might do with your phone whilst underway–and even with Airplane Mode activated!
You don’t need to drain your battery madly whilst doing the tasks he discusses–along with the ones you’ll discover on your own.
Along with
all the things he discusses, we might recommend you install apps for knot-tying, navigation, Rules of the Road, charts, tidal movements and the many things you’ll find in the App store.
Here’s some insider perspective from sailor/blogger Behan who’s travelling the Caribbean right now.
Behan, from the yacht Totem, has a wonderful blog detailing years of cruising. Her incisive post covers many of the issues bothering prospective charterers and cruisers contemplating a season in the Caribbean:
“A stream of migrating boats attest that the Caribbean sailing season is starting NOW. The fleet heading north from Grenada and Trinidad, those taking the offshore route from the USA, and boats in the trans-Atlantic fleets. Yet questions about the Caribbean’s readiness in a post-hurricane season still swirl: after the havoc of Irma and Maria, what’s changed? Where can we go? Even for sailors here in the islands, contemplating their next move, the answer seems to hang just out of reach like a suspenseful plot twist.”
Sometimes there is an almost impenetrable linguistic wall between Caribbean locals and visitors from outside. Even if all parties are speaking English, it can get bizarre. I have had the happy experience of trying to interpret between a BVI Immigration officer, a Scottish sailor, and his Mississippi-native crew. Loads of fun!
Thankfully,here’s the delightful Kyra with her guide to speaking the VI way:
and here’s another look at the cross-cultural accent issue:
Stay well clear of these magnificent creatures. Photo: Sho Hatakeyama/unsplash
In the early spring, female humpbacks and their newborn calves rest in the islands of the Caribbean chain. They stop here and there to frolic and to teach their children the arts and sciences of being a whale. The shallow, protected waters around many of the islands give them an easy environment to jump and play as the youngsters gather strength and skills for the journey north to Maine and elsewhere.
There are some protocols to keep in mind when approaching these beautiful creatures.
stay at least 100 yards away from the whale.
put the vessel’s engine in neutral.
never chase or pursue the whale in your boat or in a dinghy.
don’t jump in the water and try swimming with them.
let them control the duration of the encounter.
The British Virgin Islands Department of Conservation and Fisheries advises persons encountering whales: “When the whales swim away, the encounter is finished. Let it go. Count yourself fortunate to have witnessed this majestic creature in action.”
Wherever you are in the Caribbean, anytime you meet a whale take a note of the time and position and, whenever practical, notify the local Conservation and Fisheries authorities. At the very least, stop by a dive shop or if you see a whale watching boat on the water, hail them and let them know of your sighting.
There are many more species than the Humpback floating in Caribbean waters–Right, Minke, Sei, and Bryde’s whales have been reported, though some species only by audio recording of songs and whistles indicative of their type. The one definite inhabitant is the mighty Sperm whale which lives year round in the waters off Dominica.
So, be careful when sailing since a whale is a very solid object and can damage your vessel–not to mention the harm you might cause it, should you make contact.
According to the International Whaling Commission (IWC), over the past 60 years there have been 81 reported collisions and 42 near misses of whales and sailing vessels. Most of these reports are from more recent years–a function of the greater numbers of voyaging yachts and their increased speed capabilities. And these are only the reported instances. Some encounters are never mentioned since the whale is never seen–at night or in difficult weather conditions.
UK racing-oriented publication, Seahorse Magazinecovered the topic recently. It’s worth reading if you have ambitions to sail in waters you might have to share with pods of whales.
Jib trimming. Photo: Ross Tinny/Unsplash British sailing writer, instructor, and classic boat man, Tom Cunliffe, is featured in this nice guide to the Royal Yachting Association’s Yachtmaster qualification. How a candidate should prepare for it, how they should conduct themselves and so on. It’s not that you’re going to be sitting an exam, but when chartering a bareboat this is the sort of knowledge that will stand you in good stead–and that you might need to pass on to your family and friends. It’s all here.
Nothing will impact your happiness aboard the yacht as much as a case of mal de mer or seasickness. Not only your happiness, should you be the one suffering, but the happiness of those around you. If you know or suspect that you or one of your crew is susceptible, then it is essential you take adequate preventative action.
There are a number of medications available for seasickness but they each have their complications. Many of these remedies will induce drowsiness, lethargy, dry mouth, and other symptoms. The most important part of taking these meds is to take them early. Most are for prevention of sea-sickness, not its cure. If you feel symptoms, it is often too late to do anything.
The most effective drug seems to be the Scopolamine trans-dermal patch. Talk to your doctor first—there may be side effects that won’t help your situation. For most people though, this is amazingly effective and has minimal side effects. Every other remedy pales in comparison.
The other common medication is Stugeron—which is frowned upon by the US Food and Drug Administration but widely accepted in Europe, the UK, and elsewhere. You may be able to buy it over the counter in some island jurisdictions .
For those with occasionally mild reactions, ginger can work wonders. Crystallized ginger is good or ginger in various candy or chewable forms. Straight ginger root is good, too—grate some fresh ginger into soda water or add the ginger to a cup of tea. Some of the fizzy soft drinks like ginger beer can be a good stomach settler—but make sure your choice contains actual ginger and not just a ginger flavoring.
Duty requires we point out that seasickness is associated with hangovers and alcohol—it might be best to refrain from excessive indulgence! One side effect of drinking alcohol, of course, is dehydration. Stay hydrated. If a member of the crew does come down with the Queazies, get them into the water when you’re anchored or moored.
A lot of the problem lies in the confusion induced by the rapid movements in all three dimensions as the yacht is rocked by swell and wind. If you are able to stop in a cove and get the crew swimming, the mood generally improves immensely. If all else fails, ease the ailing mariner into the shade of a palm tree and let them regain their equilibrium—minus the Painkiller.
St. Lucia
Here’s a thought–why not go offshore(ish) next trip? The MOORINGS is suggesting the following: Pick up your bareboat in St. Lucia and sail south to Grenada, stopping off in St. Vincent, Bequia, Mustique, the Tobago Cays, and Union Island. They suggest a 10-day journey but two weeks sounds even better.
St. Lucia was happily spared by the one-two punch of Irma and Maria this season, so facilities are still intact and services as normal. Here’s the MOORINGS’ story.
Boaters’ advocacy organization, BoatUS, has a great list of recommendations for kids prone to seasickness.
Here are a few that jump out:
Keep the kids well fed–on soft, comfort foods
No books, no screens
Hydrate often
Stay in calm conditions where possible–head downwind rather than upwind, for instance
Don’t let them stay below
Try to position them where the breeze can blow on them
Beware of diesel fumes pooling in the lee of the dodger
Encourage them to steer the boat or at least keep a lookout (looking at the horizon gives a steady point of reference)
Talk to them–and keep them talking to you. Break mental patterns
If they must vomit, don’t let them lean over the side. It’s dangerous
The options for youngsters aren’t as good as for adults, since a lot of medications we use freely for the older crew are not recommended for the younger sailor.
Nevertheless, there are actions and strategies you can implement that will be of great help for the child or teenager suffering the effects of motion sickness.
