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As you likely anticipated, there are just plain too many secrets of successful cruising to fit into one bite-sized blog! And truly, in this series we're focusing on the secrets of getting a successful START to cruising.
As you likely anticipated, there are just plain too many secrets of successful cruising to fit into one bite-sized blog! And truly, in this series we're focusing on the secrets of getting a successful START to cruising.
There are loads more secrets to continuing to cruise successfully in different areas, oceans, on different boats, with different crews, and of course the number of cruising lifestyle choices you get to make are nearly infinite.
There are loads more secrets to continuing to cruise successfully in different areas, oceans, on different boats, with different crews, and of course the number of cruising lifestyle choices you get to make are nearly infinite.
But let's not get too far ahead of ourselves just yet.
But let's not get too far ahead of ourselves just yet.
Can you fix everything on your boat with what’s in your brain and on your boat?
Can you fix everything on your boat with what’s in your brain and on your boat?
If not, that’s your next step, and one of our greatest secrets to successful cruising: true self-sufficiency. When you are cruising in truly remote places or on an offshore passage, you are your own little island of existence in the deep blue sea.
If not, that’s your next step, and one of our greatest secrets to successful cruising: true self-sufficiency. When you are cruising in truly remote places or on an offshore passage, you are your own little island of existence in the deep blue sea.
And there are responsibilities that come with that awesome reality; to yourself, to your crew, and to your boat.
And there are responsibilities that come with that awesome reality; to yourself, to your crew, and to your boat.
That’s why when you are out in the middle of the ocean your best and only resources are what’s in your brain and what’s on your boat. If you can’t fix or figure out anything that goes awry with the skills you’ve acquired or the resources you’ve stowed in the depths of your lockers, its highly likely that your cruise will be cut short and made more challenging by pressing maintenance needs.
That’s why when you are out in the middle of the ocean your best and only resources are what’s in your brain and what’s on your boat. If you can’t fix or figure out anything that goes awry with the skills you’ve acquired or the resources you’ve stowed in the depths of your lockers, its highly likely that your cruise will be cut short and made more challenging by pressing maintenance needs.
Cruising couples who both take pride and responsibility in the care and maintenance of their cruising boat can enjoy years of happy cruising and more free time together.
Invest in your education and resource library
Invest in your education and resource library
It may seem counterintuitive, but investing in high-quality preparatory training is yet another secret that we find continues to pay dividends year after year.
It may seem counterintuitive, but investing in high-quality preparatory training is yet another secret that we find continues to pay dividends year after year.
There simply is no substitute for hands-on learning on how to turn wrenches, properly crimp wire terminations, perfectly tension a halyard, or quickly grind in a reef.
There simply is no substitute for hands-on learning on how to turn wrenches, properly crimp wire terminations, perfectly tension a halyard, or quickly grind in a reef.
Pay close attention to the books and resources used so you can start building your onboard reference library. You can also download our free recommended book list HERE. We find that couples who attend workshops and trainings together tend to enjoy doing boat maintenance more and are better equipped for success when it comes to repair projects.
Pay close attention to the books and resources used so you can start building your onboard reference library. You can also download our free recommended book list HERE. We find that couples who attend workshops and trainings together tend to enjoy doing boat maintenance more and are better equipped for success when it comes to repair projects.
Attending events like these will also help you build your network of other likeminded soon-to-be cruisers, which becomes vitally important as your departure date draws near and the relative comfort of land life tightens its grip on your seafaring spirit.
Attending events like these will also help you build your network of other likeminded soon-to-be cruisers, which becomes vitally important as your departure date draws near and the relative comfort of land life tightens its grip on your seafaring spirit.
Wondering why your cruising dreams feel so far away? Not sure where to start? Grab our FREE 25-page SMART Cruising Goals Workbook. We'll walk you through how to set meaningful, achievable goals so you can get out there and enjoy the cruising life.
Composite work combines both art and science. Learning how to properly make fiberglass repairs and reinforcements will serve you well in your cruising life.
Where should you start?
Where should you start?
You can’t go wrong by focusing on practical preparation, which is probably one of the best kept secrets of cruising prep. At a minimum, you should:
You can’t go wrong by focusing on practical preparation, which is probably one of the best kept secrets of cruising prep. At a minimum, you should:
Attend a sail repair workshop. You'll leave with new skills, better understanding of how sails function, and ideas for your own a sail repair kit. We highly recommend the Hands-On Sail Repair Seminar taught by the expert sailmakers at Port Townsend Sails. This weekend workshop is almost entirely hands-on. With small class sizes you get ample access to the pros throughout the weekend, plus help building your own offshore sail repair kit.
Attend a sail repair workshop. You'll leave with new skills, better understanding of how sails function, and ideas for your own a sail repair kit. We highly recommend the Hands-On Sail Repair Seminar taught by the expert sailmakers at Port Townsend Sails. This weekend workshop is almost entirely hands-on. With small class sizes you get ample access to the pros throughout the weekend, plus help building your own offshore sail repair kit.
Take an engine service workshop, ideally hands-on. You'll learn valuable skills and leave with a list of tools & supplies to acquire (are you seeing a trend here yet?). This is essential, even if you plan to pay professionals to do your engine service work. If you want to sail to remote places, it's unlikely you'll find qualified mechanics at every port. And if you do, what are the odds they'll have exactly the right tools and spares for your boat? Being able to do your own preventative maintenance such as oil changes, fuel filter changes, and basic troubleshooting could save you valuable cruising time and empower you to effect simple repairs yourself. Check out the course lineup at Cruisers College in Anacortes, WA which often features a weekend hands-on diesel repair class, plus a women's only class.
Take an engine service workshop, ideally hands-on. You'll learn valuable skills and leave with a list of tools & supplies to acquire (are you seeing a trend here yet?). This is essential, even if you plan to pay professionals to do your engine service work. If you want to sail to remote places, it's unlikely you'll find qualified mechanics at every port. And if you do, what are the odds they'll have exactly the right tools and spares for your boat? Being able to do your own preventative maintenance such as oil changes, fuel filter changes, and basic troubleshooting could save you valuable cruising time and empower you to effect simple repairs yourself. Check out the course lineup at Cruisers College in Anacortes, WA which often features a weekend hands-on diesel repair class, plus a women's only class.
Go to an electrical troubleshooting class. More skills are yours for the taking, plus newfound confidence in your ability to track down and eliminate electrical gremlins that might otherwise leave you stranded. Pro tip: they're usually very, VERY simple! We teach a 2-day Marine Electrical Essentials for Cruisers workshop that's over 50% hands-on and will take you from the very beginning (read: what is electricity?) to being totally capable of building basic boat electrical circuits to current industry standard. Keep an eye on our Seminars page to learn when registration opens for our Spring 2025 class.
Go to an electrical troubleshooting class. More skills are yours for the taking, plus newfound confidence in your ability to track down and eliminate electrical gremlins that might otherwise leave you stranded. Pro tip: they're usually very, VERY simple! We teach a 2-day Marine Electrical Essentials for Cruisers workshop that's over 50% hands-on and will take you from the very beginning (read: what is electricity?) to being totally capable of building basic boat electrical circuits to current industry standard. Keep an eye on our Seminars page to learn when registration opens for our Spring 2025 class.
Learn how to work with composites. You don't necessarily need to take a class to do this (although it will help!), but you certainly do need to spend some time learning about and practicing with fiberglass repair or composite products. Nearly every cruiser out there will need to make a fiberglass repair, reinforcement, or correction at some point, and doing it wrong could cost you the integrity of your boat. Most of the major manufacturers have excellent education and usage resources available online. It's up to you to utilize them! Check out West Systems which is our go-to for marine composite work.
Learn how to work with composites. You don't necessarily need to take a class to do this (although it will help!), but you certainly do need to spend some time learning about and practicing with fiberglass repair or composite products. Nearly every cruiser out there will need to make a fiberglass repair, reinforcement, or correction at some point, and doing it wrong could cost you the integrity of your boat. Most of the major manufacturers have excellent education and usage resources available online. It's up to you to utilize them! Check out West Systems which is our go-to for marine composite work.
Go on a sail training expedition that's at least a week long. This is totally nonnegotiable. It's the perfect way to experience what liveaboard life is really like. A weekend course here and there just doesn't cut it. There's just too much to absorb in such a short amount of time which makes it difficult to progress your knowledge and experience in a meaningful way. You need about a week to really settle into the cruising lifestyle, hone your new skills, and get your sea legs under you. Plus you'll return home with competence and confidence in yourself as a sailor.
Go on a sail training expedition that's at least a week long. This is totally nonnegotiable. It's the perfect way to experience what liveaboard life is really like. A weekend course here and there just doesn't cut it. There's just too much to absorb in such a short amount of time which makes it difficult to progress your knowledge and experience in a meaningful way. You need about a week to really settle into the cruising lifestyle, hone your new skills, and get your sea legs under you. Plus you'll return home with competence and confidence in yourself as a sailor.
Take a class on marine weather. It can be easy to think that weather apps are all you need to stay safe at sea. But now more than ever, it's important to understand what's happening in the world around you while you're sailing, particularly offshore. Weather in general is becoming more dynamic (translation: less predictable). What does that mean for you as a cruiser? It means you need to up your ante in terms of weather knowledge with respect to optimal, safe cruising seasons in different parts of the world, and that you should be armed with plans A-E (or more!) when it comes to planning your ocean crossings and hurricane hideouts.
Take a class on marine weather. It can be easy to think that weather apps are all you need to stay safe at sea. But now more than ever, it's important to understand what's happening in the world around you while you're sailing, particularly offshore. Weather in general is becoming more dynamic (translation: less predictable). What does that mean for you as a cruiser? It means you need to up your ante in terms of weather knowledge with respect to optimal, safe cruising seasons in different parts of the world, and that you should be armed with plans A-E (or more!) when it comes to planning your ocean crossings and hurricane hideouts.
Get good at navigation! Again, it's simple to fall into the habit of just following the little blue dot on your GPS. Having a solid background in traditional navigation that includes paper chart plotting, dead reckoning, and celestial navigation is essential if you intend to voyage to remote corners of the globe where charts are rarely if ever updated. Or entirely accurate! In fact, many sailors consider coastal navigation to be more challenging than offshore, in part due to the increased traffic, ATONs, and local regulations. We like ASA 105 for building a solid foundation in coastal navigation, plus learning in a more applied setting such as on an extended training passage.
Get good at navigation! Again, it's simple to fall into the habit of just following the little blue dot on your GPS. Having a solid background in traditional navigation that includes paper chart plotting, dead reckoning, and celestial navigation is essential if you intend to voyage to remote corners of the globe where charts are rarely if ever updated. Or entirely accurate! In fact, many sailors consider coastal navigation to be more challenging than offshore, in part due to the increased traffic, ATONs, and local regulations. We like ASA 105 for building a solid foundation in coastal navigation, plus learning in a more applied setting such as on an extended training passage.
Elevate your fitness. Pay special attention to balance, single leg strength, and flexibility. Many would-be cruisers underestimate how challenging it can be just to exist on a rocking, rolling, pitching sailboat, not to mention moving around on deck safely. If you have any lingering injuries or issues with your tissues, now is the time to work hard at knocking them out. Julie can speak to this personally, as she had to overcome a debilitating back injury in order to go cruising. Drop her a line if you need help navigating physical therapy for adventurous souls who want to get back to living active lives.
Elevate your fitness. Pay special attention to balance, single leg strength, and flexibility. Many would-be cruisers underestimate how challenging it can be just to exist on a rocking, rolling, pitching sailboat, not to mention moving around on deck safely. If you have any lingering injuries or issues with your tissues, now is the time to work hard at knocking them out. Julie can speak to this personally, as she had to overcome a debilitating back injury in order to go cruising. Drop her a line if you need help navigating physical therapy for adventurous souls who want to get back to living active lives.
And of course, practice your knots and marlinspike every chance you get!
And of course, practice your knots and marlinspike every chance you get!
A series of hands-on boat maintenance and repair courses is a great way to gain valuable DIY skills from industry professionals.
The time to start learning is NOW
The time to start learning is NOW
The sooner and more often you work on becoming a self-reliant sailor, the better you will be equipped to tackle the challenges of extended cruising and boat ownership. The timeless mantra of keeping it simple rings true for all successful long-term cruisers. Keep your boat and its systems as simple as you can.
The sooner and more often you work on becoming a self-reliant sailor, the better you will be equipped to tackle the challenges of extended cruising and boat ownership. The timeless mantra of keeping it simple rings true for all successful long-term cruisers. Keep your boat and its systems as simple as you can.
Endeavor to keep the remnants of your land life simple too, but always leave yourself a means to return when you need to. Whether it be budgeting for breaks ashore, maintaining a part-time residence you can return to, or just a nest egg reserved for when the time to plant roots again comes.
Endeavor to keep the remnants of your land life simple too, but always leave yourself a means to return when you need to. Whether it be budgeting for breaks ashore, maintaining a part-time residence you can return to, or just a nest egg reserved for when the time to plant roots again comes.
It takes a lot of effort to achieve your cruising goals, and you deserve to enjoy the fruits of your hard work. Keeping it all simple and giving yourself an “out” will help you relax and appreciate the cruising life even more. Hopefully with a smile and frosty beverage in hand!
It takes a lot of effort to achieve your cruising goals, and you deserve to enjoy the fruits of your hard work. Keeping it all simple and giving yourself an “out” will help you relax and appreciate the cruising life even more. Hopefully with a smile and frosty beverage in hand!
Recognize any of these smiling faces? You should! That's Gio and Julie on their Mahina Expeditions training passage with John Neal!
BONUS RESOURCE
BONUS RESOURCE
If you're working on building your cruising reference library, we applaud you! We've compiled a recommended books and learning list to focus your efforts. It's broken down by loose category and includes everything from learning to sail, boat maintenance, and cruising guides to some of our favorite classic voyage reads. Download your copy HERE.
If you're working on building your cruising reference library, we applaud you! We've compiled a recommended books and learning list to focus your efforts. It's broken down by loose category and includes everything from learning to sail, boat maintenance, and cruising guides to some of our favorite classic voyage reads. Download your copy HERE.
Want Help Preparing To Go Cruising?
Want Help Preparing To Go Cruising?
A great place to start is a liveboard training expedition, which will help develop your offshore seamanship skills while getting a taste of what the cruising lifestyle is REALLY like. You can also join us for a number of online and in-person learning opportunities, all of which are specifically geared to preparing you for successful cruising on your own boat.
A great place to start is a liveboard training expedition, which will help develop your offshore seamanship skills while getting a taste of what the cruising lifestyle is REALLY like. You can also join us for a number of online and in-person learning opportunities, all of which are specifically geared to preparing you for successful cruising on your own boat.
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