All About Cruising in a Sailboat: Special Skills and Life Aboard
By Tom Lochhaas, About.com Guide
Cruising Skills
Good sailing skills are important for cruising, as are additional skills you may not need for racing or daysailing. You'll need to understand more about weather, safety issues, navigation, anchoring in unfamiliar places, and other skills used more frequently when cruising.
- Sailing Safety
- Essential Training for a Sailing Partner or Crew
- Basic Navigation with a Chartplotter
- Best Navigation and Boating Apps
- Storms and Thunderstorms: Radar Detection and Sailboat Storm Tactics
- Free Boating Navigation and Weather Products
- Understanding Aids to Navigation
- How to Anchor a Sailboat
- Using an Anchor Trip Line
- Weather Data from NOAA Buoys
- Mistakes We Can Learn From
- Seamanship - Preparing for a Sailing Crisis
- What If Someone Falls Overboard?
- What to Do if Your Prop Gets Tangled
- The LifeSling Overboard Rescue System
- Essential Training for a Sailing Partner or Crew
- How to Heave To a Sailboat
- Be Prepared for a Dismasting Emergency
Life Aboard
When cruising, you don't just head back to port when you're done sailing. Life aboard a cruising boat involves many of the same things as living in a house on land: food and shelter, personal health and well being, and enjoying your time.
- Top 10 Worst Emergencies on a Boat
- The Best Sailing Blogs
- Seasickness Prevention and Cure
- First Aid for Boaters
- Origo Marine Stove and Oven
- The One Pan Galley Gourmet
- Best Sailing Books and Magazines
- Easy Boat Improvements 1 - Light and Physical Comforts
- Easy Boat Improvements 2 - Galley Improvements
- Nautical Trivia Quiz for Sailors
- The Philosophy of Sailing
- Cooking with a Pressure Cooker on a Boat
The Cruising Sailboat
A sailboat doesn't have to be large to make for safe and enjoyable cruising, but it should be seaworthy and equipped for the basics of a sometimes unpredictable time on the water.
- How to Buy a Sailboat
- Nautical Quizzes for Sailors
- Vigor's The Seaworthy Offshore Sailboat
- Best Sailing Books and Magazines
- 7 Ways to Save Money Buying Boat Gear
- Easy AIS Apps to Avoid Other Ships
- Preparing Your Sailboat for a Hurricane
- The Abandon-Ship Ditch Bag
- Preventing Moisture and Mold Under Cushions and Mattresses
- Use a Float Plan for Boating Safety
- Use DSC on your VHF for Greater Safety
- Install an AIS system on your boat to avoid collisions
- Cruisers Forum app to answer all your questions - for free!
- Organizing Your Boat and Cruising Information
Cruising Destinations
You've got the boat, gear, and time - now, where to go for the best cruising experience?