Do You Need to Use Reef Safe Sunscreen when Snorkeling?

While planning a sailing trip to the Abacos (Bahamas), I heard that certain types of sunscreen might damage the reef so I wondered if this was voluntary or a requirement and if in fact the sunscreen really did hurt the reef. I did a lot of research. This is what I learned.

Do You Need to Use Reef Safe Sunscreen When Snorkeling? Some snorkeling destinations like Hawaii are requiring swimmers and snorkelers to use reef safe sunscreen when snorkeling, and although evidence does show that certain sunscreens at high concentrations may contribute to reef bleaching, not all areas require you to wear it.

Junk Science and Fake News VS Real Potential

When I first heard of this push for special sunscreen, I wondered if this was for real or if it was something made up or spun and exaggerated to sell us more expensive sunscreen. My next thought was that the ocean is so large that any small amount of sunscreen that comes off our skin in the water will be massively diluted with an almost un-noticeable impact to anything. Instead of accepting the reef damaging pushers or denying that there can be no affect, I decided to do more research.

Melanoma and Sunscreen

As a melanoma cancer survivor and ocean lover, I depend on long sleeved shirts and sunscreen for not only sunburn prevention but life preservation. I won’t bore you too much about skin cancer, but my quick public service message is that sun exposure, and especially sun burn is bad for your skin and too much can lead to skin cancer. My dermatologist believes that my melanoma was most likely caused by skin damage (sun burn) from when I was a child. Wear sunscreen when in the sun. Make sure your children and grandchildren wear sunscreen, wear hats and cover up as much as possible. Prevent skin cancer. End of my public service announcement.

Why the Reef is Important

Anyone who has been scuba diving, free diving and/or snorkeling has seen how amazing the reef system is. It provides food and cover for many marine creatures. It provides a great place to dive and observe the amazing world under the sea. It also helps to protect the land and beaches from erosion and helps to protect harbors from rough seas.

The Reef is Disappearing

In reef systems throughout the world, the coral is dying. Many have experienced bleaching which is believed to be cause from warmer waters, pollution and commercial fishing and tourism. Read on, I’ll explain more about the science, but first, I’ll point out that according to sources including Forbes Magazine, The Great Barrier Reef off Australia’s coast has lost half of its reef since 2016. The Great Barrier Reef is the most significant reef system in the world. This isn’t the only reef that is being affected. Coral in the Caribbean, Bahamas, Hawaii, Mexico, South Pacific and many other places have seen similar results. Ok, but what does my sunscreen have to do with this phenomenon?

Why Sunscreen is a Problem

A major challenge when wearing sunscreen is keeping it on your skin. Sweat and water are of our worst enemies when trying to keep our sunscreen intact. In short, the sunscreen washes and rubs off from sweat out of the water and wears off while we are in the water.

Once in the water, the minerals from these sunscreens catalyze the production of hydrogen peroxide, a bleaching agent, at a high enough concentration to hurt marine life especially on busy beaches and in popular tourist destinations.

Two Major Categories of Sunscreen; Physical and Chemical

There are two major categories of sunscreen that are currently available. One is physical and the other is chemical. The physical sunscreens act as a shield to deflect the UV rays of the sun. You apply the sunscreen to your skin and it acts like invisible armor and not allowing the sun’s rays to reach your skin.

The second type of sunscreen is chemical. Chemical sunscreens use synthetic compounds to absorb the UV rays before they cause damage to the skin.

Nano VS Non-nano Sunscreen

Nano sunscreen is made up of tiny, microscopic particles. It’s benefit is that it goes on silky smooth. Non-nano sunscreen is just what its name suggests, sunscreen made up of larger particles.

How Does it Affect the Coral?

So the theory is that the non-nano is better for the reef and that that nano particles may be absorbed in the skin and lungs (spray or mist) and cause hormonal and other health issues in humans. The non-nano particles when rubbed or washed off in the water will fall to the ocean floor and not be absorbed by the reef.

Sunscreen Ingredients to Avoid

Oxybenzone (BP-3)and octinoxate are two ingredients used in many name brand, popular sunscreens that have been found to damage the reef by bleaching, deforming and DNA destruction to by reducing the reefs ability to defend against these issues.

The Science and Studies

A 2013 study by the National Center for Coastal Ocean Science (NOAA), found that BP-3 is toxic to marine life and coral reef. According to C.A. Downs, one of the researchers, “although pollution is a major cause of coral reef degradation and is the easiest factor to mitigate, BP-3 as a pollutant has been largely ignored.

A study by Lancaster University from 1998 to 2016 of a reef system in Seychelles showed that after a major bleaching of the reef, seaweed quickly filled in where the reef died off, which changed marine life in the area. The snapper and grouper went away and were replaced by herbivores like butterfly fish and clamshell fish, changing the ocean eco system.

Almost as much as oxybenzone and octinoxate help humans, it can similarly harm the reef. A 2015 studyhas shown that one drop of one or these chemicals in the equivalent to 16 olympic size swimming pools, can affect the reef. Hawaii has recorded many times this amount in some of its popular swimming destinations which are near fragile reef systems.

Some Good News

There is some good news, however. After the bleaching period, some of the reef did grow back, but only small portions of it and over a 18 year period. There is evidence that bleaching periods are happening more often as quickly as ten years. It is believed that the banned substances can contribute to other, natural causes.

More Science, Studies and a Published Source

Another study, published in the Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology in 2016 found that oxybenzone or BP-3 is toxic to young coral and other marine life. BP-3, in addition to being found in sunscreen is found in approximately 3,500 skin care products. The study showed that it can cause bleaching, DNA damage, abnormal growth and deformed baby coral.

Is Reef Unfriendly Sunscreen Harmful to Humans?

The United States Food and Drug Association (FDA) has studied and has found sunscreen containing the banned substances safe for human use. This position is backed up by the American Academy of Dermatology.

On the other hand, advocacy groups like the Environmental Working Group claims that the banned ingredients may cause hormone disruptions and allergic skin reactions in humans. Further, it is believed that the banned Hawaiian sunscreen ingredients may harm sea turtles, algae, oysters, crayfish, mussels and dolphins as toxic levels have been found in these creatures, breast milk and eggs.

Locations with Reef Harming Sunscreen Bans

Hawaii USA

Tourism in Hawaii is a major industry. Each year millions of tourists flock to Hawaii and spend upwards of 16 billion dollars. Hawaii’s coral reef is an important part of not only its eco system, but also a major part of the tourist industry. In an effort to keep the reef healthy and protect it for the millions of tourists that visit each year, Hawaii’s legislature passed a ban on oxybenzone and octinoxate starting in 2021. Its retailers have already started ramping up for this ban by supplying sunscreens without these harmful substances.

Key West, Florida USA

Florida has the only coral reef in the continental United States. Following Hawaii’s ban on sunscreens containing oxtinoxate and oxybenzone, starting in 2021, Key West will also ban sunscreens with the reef harming ingredients.

Bonaire, Caribbean

According to some scientists, it is believed that coral reefs have diminished by 50% since the 1980’s. In order to slow down the destruction of the reefs, the Caribbean Island of Bonaire voted to ban reef harming sunscreens by 2021.

Palau, archipelago in South Pacific

Palau is the first country to ban the reef harming sunscreens. Its ban will take place in 2020. Companies caught selling the product, may get fined $1,000 per occurrence. Tourists bringing the sunscreens into the country will face losing their sunscreen.

US Virgin Islands

The legislature in the US Virgin Islands have passed a measure to ban the sale, import and distribution of sunscreens that contain oxtinoxate and oxybenzone. The measure will take effect in March of 2020 when the governor signs it into law.

Mexico (not an official ban)

Although not officially banned by the Mexican government, many popular tourist destination and resorts through Mexico are asking tourists and guests to use natural sunscreens and reef saving sunscreens.

Other Locations with Bans

As of the writing of this blog, numerous countries and tourist locations are considering bans on certain sunscreen that may be contributing to the destruction of the reefs throughout the world and especially in popular beach and tourist locations. As the Hawaii ban and the Palau ban and the Key West Ban go into effect and more studies are conducted, more bans are expected.

Reef Safe Sunscreen Alternatives

Not all sunscreens that are advertised to be natural are reef friendly. Look for reef friendly sunscreens that contain the ingredients zink oxide and titanium dioxide. Try to avoid all aerosol sunscreens as most of them do contain the reef harming chemicals and preservatives that can harm the reef.

Reef Saving Sunscreen Products

Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion. SPF 30. Blocks UVA and UVB. Contains non-nano zinc oxide and California Poppy. No oily residue.
$39 / 6 oz

Babo Botanicals. Sheer Zinc Sunscreen. SPF 30. Extra sensitive. Fragrence Free.
$9 / 6 oz

Cola Mineral Sun Silk Creme. Non-nano Zinc with niacinamide. SPF 30. 70% organic.
$42 / 1.5 oz

Love Sun Body. 100% naturally derived ingrediences including non-nano zinc and titanium oxide. SPF 50. Fragrence-Free..
$32 /

Honest Mineral Sunscreen Spray. Non-nano Zinc Oxide Mist. SPF 30. Non good on dark fabrics. May stain.
$14 / 6 oz

Ren Clean Screen Mattifying Face Sunscreen. SPF 30.
$36 / 1.7 oz

Sun Bum Face Lotion. No Octinate or oxybenzone. SPC 50. Water resistant.
$13 / 3 oz

Sundaze C-Shells. Non-nano formula. SPF 30. Daily Mineral Face Sunscreen.
$30 / 2 oz

Kari Gran Three Sixty Five. SPF 28. Made to wear every day.
$75 / 50 ml

Badger Clear Zinc Sunscreen Cream. Clear Zinc. SPF 30. Popular with surfers.
$15 / 2.9 oz

Okua Sun Care Hawaiian Natural Zinc Sunscreen SPF 50/80 Minutes Water Resistance
$ 29.99 / 2.9 oz

Thinksport Zinc Oxide. Sunscreen SPF 50+ / 80 Minutes
$21.39 / 6.1 oz

Raw Elements Certified Natural Sunscreen. Non-Nano Zinc Oxide, 95% Organic, Very Water Resistant, Reef Safe, Non-GMO, Cruelty Free, SPF 30+, All Ages Safe, Moisturizing
$33.98 / 6 oz (2 pack; 3 oz ea.)

All Good SPF 30 Sport Sunscreen Lotion, Water Resistant, Non-Greasy
$43.99 / 9 oz (3 pack; 3 oz ea.)

**Prices are approximate and may vary.

Best Way to Protect Yourself and the Ocean

The best way to protect yourself and the ocean is to stay home. Don’t go outside and don’t swim in the ocean. Just kidding. The best way protect yourself from the sun while minimizing your impact on the ocean is to simply cover up.

Wear a hat and long sleeve rash guard. Leave only a little skin exposed. Putting on sunscreen on your hands, face and neck is much better and requires much less sunscreen and much less sunscreen potentially washing off in the water to potentially harm the reef.

Buy Before you Travel

Going on vacation? Many reef friendly sunscreens are pricey. That same natural or reef friendly sunscreen at a popular tourist destination or hotel will be even more expensive. Don’t forget to buy it before you leave home.

Do You Need to Worry About Pirates When Sailing?

When my wife and I decided to take our family sailing around the world, we wondered about our safety while sailing and how to keep our family safe from Pirates. I did a lot of research and this is what I learned.

Do You Need to Worry About Pirates When Sailing? Piracy statistics worldwide are down, but these numbers may not represent the entire sailing community so yes, you do need to be concerned about pirates when sailing in certain areas and there are a number of things you can do to prepare your boat and crew and minimize any risk from being harmed or pillaged by pirates.

2019 Deadly Encounter for Cruising Family near Panama

As recent as May of 2019, a family from New Zeeland were attacked by pirates and the father, Alan Culverwell, was killed. This violent assault happened in the San Blas Islands in Panama’s Bocas Del Toro region. It is believed the pirates were a group of fishermen from one of the nearby islands. Panamanian officials claim to have arrested three individuals for the crime. The family was anchored alone in a remote anchorage.

Know the hotspots for Pirates

Known hotspots for pirates are mostly in areas where governments are in turmoil and/or near a failed government and in areas of great poverty. When traveling, do your research ahead of time. Websites like noonsite.com, which I reference often are excellent sources of information for cruisers and sailors. Some of the known hotspots for pirates over the last several years are, but not limited to:
1. Venezuela
2. Nicaragua
3. Asia
4. Africa
5. Middle East

Definition of Piracy

Piracy is defined as the practice of attacking and robbing ships at sea, typically involving violence. Pirates of the past like the infamous Blackbeard and Captain Hook have been sensationalized by movies and books such as the Pirates of The Caribbean series starring, Johnnie Depp, and some were even sponsored by countries. Modern-day pirates are quite different.

Modern Day Pirates

Pirates of today are often fishermen from countries or regions of extreme poverty and failed or failing governments. Modern day pirates drive fast boats and are typically heavily armed, often with automatic weapons. They take items that they can easily sell like personal items, computers, smart phones, cash, credit cards, navigation equipment and dinghy’s and dinghy motors. They also take hostages to exchange for cash.

Modern Pirate booty (what pirates take)
1. Personal goods (cash, credit cards, jewelry)
2. Navigation equipment
3. Computers and smart phones
4. Dinghy and dinghy engines
5. People (kidnapping for a ransom)

How to Avoid Pirates

Stay away from known pirate destinations. This one seems obvious and can be simple for pleasure cruisers, but when crossing from one area to another, it may not be possible to completely avoid know hotspots.

Keep Plans and Route to Yourself. When in port or in a marina, it is best to keep your plans to yourself. The more people that know where you are going and how you are planning to get there, the higher the risk of an incident. Discuss your plans only with closely trusted companions or boats traveling with you and never give out the route you are planning to take.

Get Local knowledge about the area. Without giving away your sail plan, ask at the marina about things to avoid in the area. Local knowledge is often way ahead of forums and posted information. Local knowledge is also helpful in areas where the charts may not be up to date or accurate.

Research before you leave. Research on Noonsite and US Government Website and safetyandsecurity.net. As mentioned previously research, research, research. Information is valuable and the more you know about the area where you are setting sail from and where you are going and all points in between, the easier it is to steer clear of any potentially dangerous areas. It may mean altering your course or adding hours or days to a trip, but getting there safely is more important than taking a short cut through sketchy areas.

Stay alert. Pay attention to boats that are around you and even more attention if a boat appears to be taking the same course as you. Sometimes seeing a potential threat ahead of time allows you to take preventative measures that may deter a would be pirate.

Change course. If you notice a suspicious boat, alter your course. Watch to see if the boat alters its course. If it does, alter your course again. Watch and react. If the suspicious boat alters its course again, you need to put your security plan in action.

Have a written security plan. It is best if you have a written plan of action for such events as a suspicious boat following you, a boat that approaches or attempts to board and a hostile situation. Do your homework and discuss your plan with your crew. Make sure everyone on board is aware of the plan and knows what to do when situations arise.

Sail at night. When on a passage from one island to another or when sailing through sketchy areas or near hotspots of pirate activity, it may be best to sail at night. Of course I’m not suggesting sailing close to land where there are reefs and other hazards. I’m talking about crossings out at sea. There are typically fewer boats out at night and you are harder to spot if you sail dark.

Sailing dark. Turn off your lights at night and only use red lights for short periods of time if you need light. White lights at night will illuminate your vessel for miles and miles making you an easy target.

Sail offshore (not near land). Chances are the closer you are to land, the higher the risk of meeting a pirate. The farther offshore, the fewer boats. The fewer boats, the lower your risk of encounter. It’s also much farther and most pirates are going to take the easy targets. Plus when sailing dark, you don’t want to be near land where you could hit another boat, reef or other obstacle.

Turn off AIS. In addition to sailing without lights, turn of AIS and any other navigation equipment and electronics that will identify your location to potential pirates. It is unusual that a ship will also be sailing dark so your chances of hitting one is slim.

Travel in Groups. Pirates are going to look for the easy targets. By traveling in groups, you decrease your chance of being targeted. It is also a way for your to get a message to others in your group about potential pirate attacks so they can call for help.

Pull your dinghy behind your boat. Pirates often approach from the rear so pulling a dinghy behind your vessel can help to be a deterrent by making it more difficult to board.

Zig Zag. By zig zagging, especially in heavy seas, it can be difficult for approaching pirates to approach and board your boat. When pulling a dinghy in addition to zig zagging, it makes it even more difficult to board your boat.

When in doubt, radio for help. Don’t wait until it’s too late to radio for help. Once you have identified a potential threat, radio it in. At the least, the vessel that is the threat may hear and leave the area. It may also buy you time by getting a head start on getting help. Now start zig zagging to make it even longer until your vessel can be boarded.

What to do If Boarded by Pirates

Don’t fight back. In most cases the pirates are going to be heavily armed. If you aren’t sure, then assume they are heavily armed. Let them have whatever they want. You can replace your stuff. You and your crew only have one life.

Treat Every Occurrence Seriously. As stated previously, you need to treat every threat and occurrence seriously. This can be a matter of life or death. Make sure you are aware of your environment.

Radio for Help. Radio early and often. Once again, it is better to be safe than sorry. Getting a jump on a potentially dangerous situation may get help headed in your direction in time to prevent an attack.

Keep a handheld VHF in Bunk. On overnight passages and when you are at anchor, it is good to have a hand held VHF in your bunk or stateroom so you can call for help if something happens while you are sleeping and the navigation station is not accessible.

Guns. Having a gun on board is a personal decision. Many experts say that guns may not be a good idea because chances are your attackers will have bigger and better guns and more guns than you. Think about an AK47 type assault weapon against a pistol. If you do have a gun you only show it when you are ready to use it and ready to kill your invader. Keep in mind, it may be very hard to hit a target on a boat that is moving and rocking in the waves all while you may be shaking from being scared, nervous or with your adrenaline pumping.

Declaring Your Weapons. The other drawback to guns are having to declare and check them in and out of every country that you travel to and through. Failure to declare your weapons may mean a lot of trouble for you if caught. If you do declare and the weapons are confiscated, it may be a hassle to have to travel back to your point of entry to retrieve them (as you most likely won’t check out of the same port where you checked in).

Pepper Spray (Bear Spray). Many experts DO recommend having pepper spray onboard. It may be easier to spray your attackers in the face and eyes with pepper spray so you can execute your escape. It is also more difficult for a pirate to shoot a moving target when they can’t see.

Tear Gas. Tear gas, like pepper spray may be good to have onboard. With tear gas, you can fog your vessel. This might work good if you aren’t in a position to hit them in the face with pepper spray. Having both tear gas and pepper spray may be the ideal situation.

Panic Room. Have a panic room on board. An area where you are hard to find. Perhaps there is an area behind a panel or wall large enough for you and your crew to hide to wait it out until the authorities arrive. Have a portable VHF available and ready in the space.

Reinforced Entrance (steel bars). Having a reinforced entry is a deterrent if your boat is layed out in such a way. Most monohulls will have an entry that can be reinforced enough to buy you more time or long enough for help to arrive. Better yet, the pirates may give up if they can’t penetrate.

Keep fake credit cards and small amount of cash and decoy jewelry. Give the pirates what they are after by keeping smaller amounts of cash and jewelry in an accessible area. Hopefully, this is what the pirates are after and they leave you unharmed.

Store valuables in hidden compartments / safes. Because a vessel is so vulnerable to not only an attack by pirates, but a boarding while you are out diving or exploring. Don’t hide all in only one place. Scatter them around the ship and behind secret panels.

Stay Informed About Pirate Attacks

Noonsite is an excellent resource for sailors. It is a free website that has a very comprehensive list of pirate encounters listed chronologically and by region. It lists violent encounters and non-violent thefts. You can check it out at noonsite.com.

Safetyandsecurity.net is another free website for sailors that references pirate attacks in the Caribbean.

Other Crimes Against Cruisers

Pirate attacks often make the news and get everyone riled up (as they should) but are really quite rare. More common crimes against sailboats are theft while at anchor and in marinas. Marinas typically have more security, but theft can still happen. The common criminal and many Caribbean locations is a teenager that swims or rows over to your unattended boat at anchorage, sneaks on board and steals whatever is easily accessible.

Dinghy Theft

Dinghy thefts are the on the rise throughout the Caribbean and Virgin Islands and also in southeast Asia. It is recommended that your dinghy and motor be locked at all times when not being used or within your sight. At night, store your dinghy on the davits or on board and lock into place. Dinghys left tied up to the boat, make for an easy target and an expensive and inconvenient lesson. Dinghys tied up to an unattended dinghy dock for an extended period of time are also easy targets for thieves, especially in theft hotspots. Don’t be lazy and let your guard down.

Security Alarms for Boats

Security Alarms for boats are being used more and more by cruisers. There are a number of alarms available on the market specializing in boat security. Gost is one company that makes security alarms specially for boats. The ghost alarms link up to visual and audio alarms and also will send an alert via cell phone to alert you of an intrusion. In many cases, the sound of the loud audio alarm will scare away intruders while you are at anchor. They can even dispense a fog which disorients and leaves a DNA marker on clothes, skin and items being stolen. For a low cost solution to scare away would-be thieves, Amazon has some lower cost alarms including some of the house alarms that can work on a boat.

Reported Piracy Incidents

2019 May on the Coast of Panama. A New Zeeland family was attacked by armed pirates at approximately 2am while at anchorage in Bocas del Toro province, Portobelo Bay and Linton Bay. The father and mother were attacked. The father died. The mother survived, despite being wounded by a machete. The kids were locked in the cabin and kept safe. According to the Panamanian authorities, the pirates were found and were arrested.

2019 April near Honduras. A yacht traveling from Roatan, Honduras to Isla Providencia in Colombia was swarmed by 25 pirates and four boats. The crew of the boat from Canada, locked themselves in the cabin. The boat was boarded and pillaged. They took electronic, navigation and diving equipment along with the sails. No injuries were reported.

2019 March near Venezuela. Two fishermen were kidnapped by pirates from Venezuela. The pirates placed ransoms of five thousand and ten thousand dollars. It is not sure why one had a higher price than the other. Both men jumped overboard in an effort to escape, but only one has been found after swimming to an oil platform. The other one is still missing.

2019 February near Venezuela. Five fisherman were released after a week in captivity; the Venezuelan pirates demanded a ransom of $90,000, several boat engines, gold jewelry and 10 cell phones, according to the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian.

2019 Jan Two cousins were kidnapped while out fishing off the coast of Trinidad’s Moruga district. The Venezuelan pirates first demanded $40,000 for their release, but bumped that down to $20,000 and five iPhones.

News of pirate attacks were the courtesy and/or referenced via noonsite.com and safetyandsecurity.net as well as the US Government websites.

Do You Need to Know How to Sail Before Buying a Sailboat?

When I first had the idea of sailing around the world, I knew very little about sailing and had very little sailing experience. I wondered if it was even possible for a novice to buy a boat and sail around the world and if I needed years of experience before owning a sailboat.

I figured if I wondered about this, others may too, so I decided to write a blog post about what I learned. Do you need to know how to sail before buying a Sailboat? Although, you technically do not need to know how to sail when buying a sailboat, there are some really good reasons to start learning before you buy including knowing which type of boat to buy, being able to get insurance, not having to pay a captain, it’s more fun to sail your own boat and you will be more prepared for situational sailing by learning before buying.

Successful Sailors with No Experience

Proof that you don’t need to know how to sail and you don’t need sailing experience before buying a sailboat or catamaran is Vegabond’s Riley and Alena, Jason and Nikki Wynn from Gone With the Wynn, Bobby from Sailing Doodles and Keith and Renee from Zatara, a few my favorite YouTube channels. None of which had any real sailing experience before not only buying a sailboat, but also sailing it around the world. I’m not sure if any of them have completed their circumnavigations yet, but they all have been living and sailing full time for the past several years.

Riley and Alena on SV Vegabond

La Vegabond is one of the most popular sailing channels on YouTube and started without much sailing knowledge before embarking on their multi-year journey. Riley learned on his first monohull sailboat and Alena joined him during his voyage. Neither of them had any experience before they started. Five years later, thousands of nautical miles later and the addition of Baby Lenny, they continue sailing and living on their Outremer Catamaran, making several YouTube videos each week about life on a sailboat. Check them out at www.sailing-lavegabonde.com.

The Wynn’s on SV Curiosity

Jason and Nikki Wynn were famous for their RV YouTube channel called Gone with the Wynn’s. After several years of traveling the United States, they traded the RV in for a Leopard catamaran. They learned to sail after buying the boat by taking lessons on their boat from a seasoned professional sailing school. They bought their boat in south Florida and were not allowed to take it out unless it was skippered by a professional captain or until they received their licensing. On one YouTube episode, while still working on their licensing, they convinced their broker to take them out (on their boat).

A couple of years have passed, and Jason and Nikki are now sailing around the South Pacific after spending time in the Bahamas, Caribbean and Panama. They completed a Pacific Crossing (several weeks at sea) with just the two of them plus one additional crew member. You can follow their adventures at www.gonewiththewynns.com.

Keith and Renee on SV Zatara

Keith and his wife took their four children from Dallas, TX to living full time aboard a 55 foot Beneteau Oceanis sailboat. They later traded up to a sailing catamaran. In a couple of short years, they have sailed all around the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal (twice), over to the South Pacific and Australia and through the Mediterranean. Keith had some experience as a pilot, but not at sailing. Although the piloting helped some with understanding weather patterns, he had to learn very quickly. Now his entire family, especially his 18 year old daughter and 16 year old son, have more experience at the helm than many seasoned sailors. See how they did it at www.sailingzatara.com.

Bobby White – Sailing Doodles

Bobby White was a commercial pilot that lost his ability to fly after suffering a stroke. Although he has fully recovered, he is no longer able to fly. He decided to buy and sail the world with his two labradoodles, Maverick and Goose. He has sailed both monohulls and catamarans. His dogs don’t always make all of the journeys. We have watched Bobby sail from Texas through the Gulf of Mexico to the Caribbean and Florida before he lost his mast due to hurricane damage in Puerto Rico. Bobby then captained another monohull from Canada down the west coast through Washington State, Oregon, California and Mexico. After Mexico, Bobby made a huge, Pacific crossing which ended in Thailand where he and his latest crew member, Laura spent several months. Follow Bobby’s adventures at www.sailingdoodles.com.

No Experience – No Insurance

One reason to learn to sail before buying a sailboat or catamaran is because your insurance company will require an experienced captain before insuring the boat. You can pay someone to captain your boat or to sit with you while you captain your boat, but it’s just not the same as sailing on your own, plus it’s a cost that you could otherwise avoid.

Taking a Sailing Course

There are many professional sailing schools like those offered by the American Sailing Association. Many will come aboard your boat and teach you how to sail it. You can also learn on one of their boats. Learn more at www.asa.com.

Learn to Sail a Small Sailboat First

As mentioned through this post, it is not required but may be better to know how to sail before buying a sailboat. You can start by taking a sailing course on a small sailboat. The sails and boat may be different, but the basic techniques and mechanics are the same. In fact, it may be even better to learn on a small boat because a small boat respond faster (almost immediate) to any changes that you make to the sails, giving you a better understanding of what and how each change in sail position and maneuver affects your progress.

Study Boating Rules and Regulations

Another thing that you can do is to study up on the boating rules and regulations. If you are going to keep your boat in a marina in a certain location, study up on the wind, currents, maps and charts. If you know where you are going to call home base when you first purchase your boat, then study up on that area. If you are going to be sailing on the ICW, then study up on it. Here is a great link to safety information that you should be familiar with https://www.uscgboating.org/images/420.PDF

Read Sailing Books

Sailing is a very old hobby and profession. There are hundreds if not thousands of books on sailing. The American Sailing Association (ASA) has several books and resources available for new sailors. I recommend reading and studying them. The information learned from the ASA will help you with practical knowledge about sailing and will also help you to pass your tests and obtain your certification. Check out the poplular American Sailing Association Books and also ASA Books on Amazon.

Volunteer as Crew

Another great way to learn to sail before owning a sailboat, is to crew on someone else’s sailboat. Larger boats are especially always looking for crew members. Getting to crew on another sailboat gives you the experience of seeing how others do it. You can go down to the docks on a morning when there is a sailing regatta event and start asking if anyone needs crew. There are also websites where boats post for crew they may need.

Watch YouTube

YouTube isn’t just for learning how to fix a leaky faucet, it is also a great resource for sailors and up and coming sailors. There is so much useful information. Yachting World has how to sail videos. Individuals have how to sail videos. Some of the sailing entertainment video channels like the ones I mentioned above have excellent information on everything from learning to sail to how they maneuvered certain obstacles (situational sailing) to safety to gear. All are so very informative and are almost (yes I said almost) like gaining experience while sitting at home watching. Of course, nothing replaces actually doing, but everything you can learn before buying your sailboat is an advantage once you are on the water.

Sail Close to Shore

If you decide to learn to sail after buying your boat, the best advice that I have seen once you take your sailing classes is to sail close to shore. Study the charts and do your research on the area before each sailing trip so that you know what the challenges and obstacles are like bridge clearances, reefs, shallow areas, sand bars, currents, weather, etc. The more you know about an area, the more confident you will be. Staying close to shore allows you to get help if you need it. It also allows you to familiarize yourself with your boat. This is good advice that many experienced sailors also heed.

Sail Conservatively

Another excellent piece of advice that I have learned is to always sail conservatively. That means never taking any chances and never sailing beyond your skill set. Start out slowly and take baby steps to gradually increase your distances.

All Good Sailors are Patient Sailors

Part of sailing safely means being extremely patient. Never take any chances. If you have a schedule to keep, make sure you leave yourself a lot of extra time to get there. Wait for the perfect weather windows. It is better to wait out weather for a few days than to permanently wreck your boat or worse yet endanger yourself and your crew.

Charter a Sailboat

Another great way to learn and familiarize yourself with sailing is to charter a sailboat. This may mean a day charter close to home or spending a week on a charter vacation. Find a sailboat similar in style to the one you are planning on purchasing. While chartering, you will have plenty of time to talk to the captain and learn about the boat and how to sail it. There are charter companies that specialize in teaching and you may want to hook up with one. This is an excellent way to spend a vacation and learn while doing. Read up on sailing before leaving for your trip so that you have a basic understanding of how things work. You will get more out of your charter sailing experience.

Sail Libra

Sail Libra is a step up from a charter and combines chartering with learning how to sail. This is a good way to find out if the sailing life is for you before investing in a boat. Check out the website saillibra.com. Sail Libra charters generally go between Florida and the Caribbean and teach the crew how to sail and gives you firsthand experience on what its like to live aboard a sailboat. It also specializes in giving real life experience on doing a crossing, which can last a few to several days at sea.

See you sailing!

What are Catamaran (Dinghy) Davits and Why Do You Need Them?

I keep hearing about davits on catamarans and after seeing a boat that was for sale with a broken davit (and missing its dinghy) I wanted to know more about them, so I did some research and learned a lot.

What are Catamaran Dinghy Davits and Why Do You Need Them? Catamaran davits are a set of crane like arms, typically fabricated out of stainless steel, mounted to the back of the sailboat between the transom steps, with the purpose to lift the dinghy with outboard up out of the water to secure it for sailing and also for security while at anchor. There are many different sizes, shapes and kinds of davits for catamarans.

Dinghy Davits on Catamarans (why you need them)

You don’t actually need dinghy davits but having properly engineered davits on your catamaran can make your life much more convenient and save you lots of headaches and money. You don’t absolutely need dinghy davits on a catamaran or sailboat. As I will explain later in this post, there are other, less convenience ways to lift your dinghy onboard. Other methods may also increase your personal risk of injury as moving around a dinghy and motor weighing several hundred pounds can be hard on your body and deck (and its just a lot of work).

Dinghy Theft Prevention

Dinghy theft is on the rise in many popular boating locations throughout the world. Keeping the dinghy in the water at night while you are sleeping and even during the day when you are not on the boat greatly increases your risk of having the dinghy or outboard motor stolen. For more about boating theft, noonsite.com provides an excellent free service of posting boating incidents throughout the world.

Why is a Good Dinghy Important?

The dinghy is like the family car for catamaran (and many other sailboat) owners. Unless you are spending all your time in a marina tied to a dock (and even sometimes when you are at a marina), you will need a way to get around. The dinghy allows you to drop the hook (anchor) and get to shore without having to swim. It is how cruisers go to the grocery store, explore islands, visit other boats, get to dive and snorkel locations, explore, walk the dog and get around without moving the entire boat off the mooring or anchorage. The more time you spend on your sailboat, the more important the size of the dinghy and the size of the outboard engine on the dinghy. The larger the dinghy, the more effort it takes to lift the dinghy in and out of the water. That’s where the davits come in.

Choosing the Right Size Dinghy

Choosing the best dinghy for your needs, boat and davit system is an important consideration. You want a dinghy that is large enough to fit your family and/or crew, carry your groceries, and family pet. You also want a motor that will allow you to get up on a plane when carrying the family and/or crew, groceries and pet. But (yes there is always a but), you don’t want to go too large that you outweigh your davit system.

Broken Davits Equal Lost Dinghys

I recently looked at a Lagoon Catamaran that was for sale. It had recently finished an Atlantic Ocean crossing. Not only was it missing one of its davits, but it was also missing its dinghy. I didn’t get all the details, but I can make an educated guess that either the dinghy was too large for the davit system or it wasn’t secured properly. I can also assume that the missing davit was the one on the outboard engine side of the dinghy (which holds most of the weight).

Which is First, Chicken (Davit) or Egg (Dinghy)?

If you are buying a used catamaran, then this decision may already be made for you, but if you need to purchase a new dinghy or both dinghy and davit system, then you need to think about engineering your davit prior to buying the dinghy. At least have an understanding of the limitations of each type of davit system and what it can hold. Buying too large of a dinghy or having undersized davits can be more than an inconvenience.

Important When Buying a Used Catamaran

Make sure your surveyor checks the davit system and provides information about the limitations of it. Many used catamarans have replaced a good dinghy with a smaller, cheap one. Don’t just think you can upgrade the dinghy without considering the davits. If you need to change both dinghy and davits it can set you back (cost you) tens of thousands of dollars, something you will want to upfront before purchasing.

Don’t Assume the Last Owner Did it Right!

When buying a used catamaran that has the perfect dinghy, don’t assume the last owner sized the davits correctly. Many used boats come out of charter and don’t experience rough seas from crossings or challenging passages. The charter companies restrict where they can sail to mostly calm seas. Once again, make your davit system is inspected by your surveyor for proper sizing, installation and any signs of stress.

Engineering the Davit System for the Dinghy

It is important to size the davits for the dinghy that it will be carrying. One common mistake is to take the overall weight of the dinghy and divide by the number of davits (two). So, if the overall weight of the dinghy is 400 pounds, the wrong way to size the davits is to carry 200 pounds each. Keep in mind that the outboard engine most likely will account for up to eighty percent of the weight of the dinghy so the davit carrying the engine side needs to be sized accordingly. Better yet, oversize both davits so that if the dinghy ever gets loaded in reverse or fills with water, it doesn’t get lost.

Properly Securing the Dinghy

Securing the dinghy to the davits is a critical step in maintaining the integrity of the davits. Going back to the example of the 400-pound overall dinghy weight, we can demonstrate how an unsecured dinghy can add a lot of stress to the davits. When the dinghy is secure it doesn’t move and generally, speaking the actual weight of the dinghy is what is transferred to the davits.

What Happens when it’s Not Secure (Fail)

When the dinghy isn’t secured properly and allowed to move around, additional weight and stress is transferred to the davits. Now imagine what happens to the dinghy when you are out at sea. Even in moderate seas, the dinghy is bouncing around and swaying back and forth adding not only downward pressure, but also side to side pressure to the davits. Over time (or the first time), this stress can cause a failure – a very expensive and potentially dangerous failure.

Boats Without Davits (Lifting the Dinghy)

So how do you lift the dinghy when there are no davits? There are a few ways to do it. Any sailboat with a boom can use it like a crane to lift the dinghy. Lift the outboard motor first, then the dinghy. This works great and is the way many smaller monohulls do it, though it does take a fair amount of effort. Of course, you can also lift it by hand, but you need strong crew in order to lift it this way and the chance of dropping it is increase. Some large catamarans have a dinghy garage and don’t need davits. Others have a large swim platform that raises and lowers to store the dinghy. If you are an experienced sailor and have seen or used another method, please share it in the comment section below (we would love to hear about it).

Towing Your Dinghy Behind Your Boat

You can tow your dinghy behind your catamaran. This isn’t recommended for long crossings or if you are expecting heavy seas and it may slow you down, but it is another way to move your dinghy. Of course, towing your dinghy doesn’t help with security while at anchor. You’ll have to think of another way to secure your dinghy and outboard when you are not using it.

How to Get the Dinghy in and Out of the Boat (With Davits)

Dinghy davits are one of the easiest and most convenient way for catamaran owners to raise and lower the dinghy in and out of the water. Rigged with pulleys and a winch, it is much easier than doing it by hand. There are many different davit systems, but generally this is how it works.

First, you connect the lines from the front davit to the front of the dinghy. Then you connect the lines from the rear davit to the dinghy. You can pull the lines manually or if equipped with a winch nearby, wrap around a winch and use it. The winch can be a hand crank or powered. Some systems are set up to lift the front and back of the dinghy at the same time with one line to the winch. For other systems, you may pull the front part way, then the back and back to the front, etc.

How to Drain Your Dinghy

Before pulling the dinghy all the way up, raise the front up higher than the rear. This allows you to drain any water (extra weight) that may be in the dinghy before securing. When all the water is out you may want to replace the plug in the dinghy (so you don’t forget before using) and finish raising both the front and the rear to their maximum positions. If it is raining or you are not going to be using the dinghy for a while, you may consider keeping the plug out so that the dinghy doesn’t fill up with water, which can add significant weight to the dinghy and stress on the davits.

Water Weight Can Add Significant Stress to the Davit System

Water weighs 8.33 pounds per gallon. Think about how much water your dinghy can hold, then do the math (Length of interior space X Width of interior space x 7.5 x 8.33 will get you close to the weight in pounds). Of course, if you need to collect water, keeping the plug in allows the dinghy to double as a water collection device. Just make sure that your davits are designed to hold the additional weight.

A Swinging Dinghy (My Favorite Band)

Yes, that title made me chuckle also. I think if I ever have a band, I would call it the Swinging Dinghys! A band by that name might even land a gig with Jimmy Buffet! Make sure the dinghy is all the way up to eliminate any extra force and stress that can be caused by a swinging dinghy. It may be a good idea to have an extra strap or two to tightly secure the dinghy to the davit or to the boat when sailing to keep if from moving. Rachet straps are a good idea for long passages. Remember a swinging dinghy can jeopardize the davit system (and your dinghy).

Man Overboard!

I have read about this happening to more than one person on the forums. The dinghy line comes loose and someone reaches out to pull the line tight just as a rogue wave hits the boat at a weird angle. In a split second, the person slips (or flips) overboard – hopefully noticed by someone onboard. A couple of points. Make sure you alert your captain and crew before attempting a fix so they are alert to what you are doing. If you are on a passage or in rough seas, it’s a good idea to have a safety line and/or PFD (i.e. life jacket) with EPIRB (beacon) so you can be found if you do go overboard.

Extra Padding

Depending on the davit system and type of catamaran, you may need to add padding on the davit to protect the dinghy when up and secure. The constant rubbing that occurs especially on long passages or crossings or in rough and choppy seas can harm your dinghy.

Custom Davit Systems

The davit system described in the above paragraph is one type, but there are many other types by OEM and custom aftermarket davit manufacturers. Many catamaran manufacturers use a davit system where the entire davit system (the stainless steel arms or frame) drops down towards the water. In this case, you clip each dinghy lines to the davit and lift the entire davit with one line through the winch. Both the front of the dinghy and rear of the dinghy and davit frame lifts at the same time.

Practical Davit Considerations

In addition to making sure the davit system is engineered to handle the weight of the dinghy (both actual and in motion) with consideration for the weight of the outboard motor, there are some other important things to look at.

First, make sure the dinghy fits the davit or the davit fits the dinghy. If not sized correctly, the motor may hit and rub on the davit. Next, consider how you are going to clip the dinghy to the davit. Will you be able to secure it in choppy seas? If you upgrade your dinghy, will your davits hold it. Very important to know before installing new davits and/or before buying a new dinghy. Davits are costly and so is a dinghy.

Catamaran Dinghy Davit Summary

Most catamaran owners will spend a considerable amount of time in their dinghy. It is a critical part of the catamaran sailing experience. It is therefore not only extremely important to have a dinghy that will fulfill your needs, but also to have a convenient way to store it. If you have the budget, invest in the best davit system you can buy as it will take away one challenge that comes with life on the high seas.

See you sailing!

Can You Shower on a Catamaran While Sailing?

As my wife and I are planning our liveaboard, cruising plans, many questions continue to arise. When we think of them, we write them down and add them to our list. Sometimes the questions are more serious than others and some seem trite (at least by the person not asking or thinking of the question).

I’ll let you decide the importance of this question. Can You Shower on A Catamaran While Sailing? The answer is yes, in most cases you can shower on a catamaran while sailing as longs as you have enough water and power or if you have a manual shower contraption on deck that many sailors have. Read on and I will explain in more detail. If you are an experienced sailor, please add if and how you shower while sailing in the comments below. We welcome and want to learn from your experiences.

Why Would You Need to Shower on a Catamaran While Sailing?

This is the first and very good question. For many people to read this, they might conclude that it is easier and more sensible just to wait until the end of the day to take a shower. This does make sense under a lot of sailing conditions, but often cruisers will need to sail across a large area (like an ocean crossing) for several days straight before stopping and dropping anchor or tying up in a marina.

Can You Take a Shower in the Bathroom on A Catamaran While Sailing?

Large, sailing catamarans (and motor catamarans) are like floating apartments. They are popular because of their comfort both while sailing and while at anchor. With few exceptions, catamarans will sail without any heel or with very little heel. Performance catamarans which are lighter than the chartering cats and catamarans with dagger boards may have slightly more movement, but under most moderate conditions at sea, it is possible to take a shower while sailing.

Do You Need Fresh Water?

The next questions about taking a shower while sailing has to do with water conservation. How much water do you have in the tanks? When will you be able to fill up again and how long of a shower are you going to take? These are all very important considerations. On a one, or two-night crossing, assuming you have started with full water tanks, you should have very little issues with enjoying a moderately comfortable shower. If you are one of those people that like to drain the tanks, on the other hand, then you will need to limit your shower to a few minutes.

How to Take a Boat Shower?

When showering on a catamaran, it is very similar to taking a shower in an RV. The shower is there for convenience, but unless the RV has full hook-ups, you need to conserve water. So, like an RV, the best way to take a boat shower is to turn on the water long enough to get wet. Once wet, you need to turn off the water for the soaping stage. Once you have lathered up your body, it is time to wash your hair. I recommend washing your hair last as it is too easy to get soap in your eyes, the longer the shampoo is in your hair. Turn the water on for a good rinse, starting at your head and working your way down. The water should only be on for a minuet or two at best.

Saltwater Shower

If fresh water is scarce, like when you are at anchor for extended periods of time or when you are on a crossing, then using fresh water for a shower may not be an option. So, the other option is to take a saltwater shower. What is a saltwater shower? Well, a saltwater shower is simply using saltwater instead of fresh water for your wash. Some boats have handheld showers near the aft (rear) of the boat. Others may require throwing a 5-gallon bucket attached to rope overboard, pulling in saltwater from the ocean as you sail and dumping it over your head. The saltwater shower is similar to a freshwater shower. You get wet (with saltwater), wash, then rinse. The first rinse is with saltwater, then you can use a small amount of fresh water for the final rinse. This is a tactic that many cruisers use to conserve freshwater.

Hot Water or Cold Water

On a hot day in the tropics, it may be fine to take a cold shower, but what about a cool day on a crossing? Can you take a hot shower when sailing? The answer is yes with a couple of different options. The classic shower in the designated shower on the boat will need power to heat the water. Depending on the boat, you may need to run a generator or use the heat from the motors to heat the water. On a good sail day, using the motor or generator may be a luxury and burning fuel for showers may not be an option the captain will want to take.

Hot Water from the Sun (Solar Water Heater)

One option for heating the water is a solar shower. There are few different types of solar showers, but they generally work by filling a bladder full or water, which is heated by the sun. Once again, it must be a relatively warm and sunny day for this type of water heater to work well and for you take a shower on deck.

Running the Engines

Running the engines may be required when there is a lack of wind and/or many cruisers will run the engines for a short time each day so they can make water and charge the batteries. Be ready to take a shower when the engines are running so that you can enjoy a hot shower. If your catamaran is equipped with a water maker, then perhaps a little longer shower may be possible as well.

Showering on the Boat at the Marina

We covered showering while under sail, but how about showering in the marina? After a crossing or after being out on anchor for several days, it may be time to return to a marina for a couple of days. This is the time to fill the freshwater tanks and connect to shore power. It’s also a time to catch up on a long, hot, relaxing shower. You still have to think about filling up your gray water tanks and understanding the rules about dumping in the marinas.

Using the Marina Facilities

The other option is a nice long, hot shower in the marina facilities. Most marinas have nice shower facilities. Not only does this provide hot water and plenty of it, there is typically good water pressure and a spacious shower. Showers on catamarans can be tight quarters, depending on the size of catamaran so enjoying the marina showers are a much, appreciated luxury after being on the hook or away from civilization for a while.

So, there you have it. Yes you can shower on a catamaran while sailing utilizing different methods for doing it depending on your boat and circumstances. When you are on a catamaran, you can be clean while at the marina, on the hook or out sailing. See you sailing! ;\lsdsemihid

20 Steps for a Beginner to Take Before Deciding to Live on a Sailing Catamaran

When I started thinking about living on a sailing catamaran, I really only had the experience of a couple of weeks on charter cats. After several months and countless hours of research, I learned many fascinating things. So what are 20 Steps for a Beginner to Take Before Deciding to Live on a Sailing Catamaran?

The 20 Steps for a Beginner to Take Before Deciding to Live on a Sailing Catamaran are:

Learn to sail
Get Certified
Charter a Sailing Catamaran
Attend a boat show
Contact a Catamaran Broker
Set Your Boat Budget
Buying new or used?
Talk to the Bank
Selling your house?
Renting your house?
What to do with your pets?
Equip for your Lifestyle
Start out by land
Work out the kinks
Create your monthly budget
Make a list of your boat needs, wants, not important
Get networked with fellow cruisers
Learn how to predict the weather
Attend Cruiser’s University
Don’t buy the first boat you see
Do your homework

Learn to Sail

You don’t have to learn to sail before buying your catamaran, but it may shorten your learning curve. One of the best ways to learn to sail is to start with a dinghy sized sailboat at a local club. Take a sailing class to learn the basics. Having a small sailboat is a plus in that they react almost instantly to every maneuver that you perform. Large sailboats may have a 15 to 20 second reaction time. This instant reaction time helps teach you about the wind, sails and how each action that you perform affects the boat.

Get Certified

Getting a certification from an accredited sailing school and/or association will be beneficial in many ways. First, you will learn valuable lessons from experienced sailors that will help you navigate and make decisions when situations arise. Next, your instructor can be a mentor for years to come. Further, being an educated sailor provides confidence that will be much appreciated by your crew when challenges arise. Finally, many insurance companies will require this before they issue a policy on your boat.

Charter a Sailing Catamaran

This is a great opportunity to spend some significant time on a sailboat. Charter a boat that is similar in size and layout to the one you are considering. During your charter, think about living on a boat VS vacationing. What will be important to you as a full time liveaboard? Make good notes. You may find out that you can live in a much smaller size boat than you originally imagined.

Attend a Boat Show (or two or three)

Find a boat show that has boats like the one you want to purchase. This might be a good opportunity to fly out to one of the larger shows like Annapolis or Miami or Cannes which have many different makes, models and layouts. While at the boat show attend some seminars or courses like Cruisers University. Talk to and network with fellow sailors. This is another great opportunity to prepare before you purchase.

Walk on as many boats as possible to learn floor plans, sizes and brands. Attend as many boat shows as possible. Learn about the mechanics of each boat and what the previous owner used it for. Is it set up for the same usage as your plans? If coming out of a Charter, plan what you will need to invest in it to make it ready for you? Look at used boats – not just new boats and boats that fit your budget.

Contact a Broker that Specializes in the Type of Boat you Want

Now that you have done some basic research on your own, have learned the basics of sailing and are on your way to becoming certified, have attended a boat show and walked on and in several different types of boats, have spent a week or two on a charter, you have some basic knowledge and hopefully a direction as to what type of lifestyle you want to live and type of boat you want to have. Now is the time to contact a broker.

When to Contact a Broker

You can do this earlier on in the process, so they can help move you along in your research faster, but I believe that a little time spent preparing yourself will make you ready when the right boat comes along and won’t make you feel pressured into buying before you are ready or having regrets on letting the perfect boat get away. By the way, experienced sailors will tell you that there is no perfect boat. Every boat has its pro’s and con’s which is why the more prepared you are, the better fit you will find.

Set Your Boat Budget

You may already have your budget figured out before contacting a broker. If you are buying new and have attended a boat show or two and already know how you plan to use your boat, then you may already have this one figured out. Keep in mind that when buying new, you will still need to equip the boat with the gear and equipment needed for your lifestyle.

Buying Used?

If you are buying a used boat, there are so many more factors to consider. Look at the age and condition of the many systems on the boat. Have a professional survey completed and be present during the survey so that you can get a face to face explanation of what was found. This is the time to ask the expert specific questions about the boat, its systems and maintenance items. Consider what extras you need to add and what will need to be repaired or upgraded and ask about costs.

How Big of a Catamaran can you Afford?

Whether you are buying new or used, you should have a price range that you are comfortable with. I have heard many stories about cruisers having to cut their journey short because they ran out of money. Picking a little smaller boat, may be better on your pocketbook and stress level. It may also give you a cushion should a costly repair spring up.

The Right Time to Talk to the Bank

If you are planning to finance your boat purchase, ask your broker to put you in touch with a few lenders. Call them before you find your boat. Ask them about the programs they offer. Pay close attention to any limitations. Some lenders will only lend on newer boats that are 10 years old or newer. Understanding the interest rate, down payment requirement and any lender specific qualifications may lead to in a certain direction towards a certain type or age of boat. This is good to know ahead of time before you spend money on a survey only to find out, you can’t get it financed.

Sell Your House?

What is your timeline for living on a boat? For most people it is a limited timeframe. It isn’t a forever home or plane. My plan is to circumnavigate the globe. I think this will take us two years. So for us, we need to think about what will we be doing in two years? Where will be want to live in two years? Do we want to go back to the community that we left or forge ahead to new, unexplored places? Those questions plus your finances will help you to determine if you should sell your home or keep it.

Keep Your House?

Perhaps you love your home, neighborhood and community and want to keep your house. Then you need to think about renting out your house. Will you do an Air Bnb or VRBO type rental or go more for longer term renters? What will you do with you possessions if you sell your home? Is your home ready to sell? Is your home ready to rent? How much rent can you expect? Can you live off of the rent money that you house will take in after you pay the rental agent and expenses?

What To Do With Your Pets?

Do you have pets? If so, can you bring them on board? Do you want to bring them on board? If you are leaving your home country, will you be allowed to bring the pets into your destination country or countries? What documentation will you need to bring your pets into a new country? Are your pets worth bringing on board? These are just some of the questions and consideration for you to think about when planning for pets on your catamaran.

Equipping Your Boat for Your Lifestyle

When choosing a boat, you will need to equip it for your lifestyle and plans. If you are going to live in marinas in warm, tropical weather, then you will certainly need air-conditioning. If you are going to circumnavigate, then you must have a water maker, good navigation equipment, and safety gear. If you are planning to spend a lot of time at anchor, then you’ll want to have a good solar set-up that will be able to run your refrigerator(s) and freezer(s). If you are doing a crossing, make sure you have enough refrigeration. Back-up systems for the critical components may be important as well.

Start Out By Land

Plan your first 6 months near land and take short trips until you get used to the boat. Spending time near land when you first move aboard gives you the opportunity to learn your boat and learn about living on your boat. Take note of how much food you go through in a week. Make good notes and think about where you are planning to travel so you can think about how you are going to provision the boat.

Working out the Kinks

Use this time to work out any problems with the boat and to really get to know your boat from sailing to motoring to anchoring. If you are planning on spending a lot of time at anchor, then take some overnights away from marinas out at anchor. Learn about how your solar system works and what you can and can’t run off of it. Will you need to run your generators every day for a time or do you have enough solar to power your critical components. Can you live without air-conditioning? In the marina, you are on shore power, but this is a good test of your systems and your usage of those systems. How much water do you use? Test how long you can go on a tank of water. Will your water maker run off of the solar or do you need to run the generator to make water?

Creating Your Monthly Budget

Create a monthly budget that you can live with. The items in the budget may need to change once you go from theory to reality and as you move around, but stick to the numbers as closely as possible. If you are starting in the US, then moving off shore, it is best to provision as heavily as possible before you leave. Items in the US are most often priced better than in the Bahamas, BVI’s or elsewhere in the Caribbean and you may not always be able to find the same items you are used to. Make sure to plan your food items, fuel for both the boat and the dinghy, restaurants (if you plan to eat out), misc. items and don’t forget boat repairs (plan on 5% to 10% of the cost of the boat per year).

Create Your List of Needs, Wants & Not Important

When deciding on a boat, create a list of needs, wants and things that are not important to you. You might also leave room on the bottom of your list for things you don’t want and to make comments about each boat. This one is an important step when buying a boat.

There is NO Perfect Boat!

As I mentioned previously there is no perfect boat. You will need to look at each boat and what it offers. One boat may sail lighter and faster, but have limitations as to how much provisions and items you have on board (lighter boats typically equal less cargo). Another boat may have the perfect floor plan, but may need lots of work, etc. Make a list with columns. One column will have the item or feature, the next will have need, then want, then not important. Think about all of the features of a boat and write them down or enter them into an Excel spreadsheet. Now put an “x” in the column of where that item falls on you list of needs, wants or not important. With every boat that you look at, use this list to help you to evaluate it.

Get Networked with Fellow Cruisers

Join a cruiser network or start out in popular cruising destinations. Meet, socialize and ask questions to experienced cruisers. Cruising can be lonely, if you want it to be, but from I have learned, cruisers are some of the most friendly and outgoing people you will ever meet. Every cruiser has a common purpose – cruising. Every cruiser has challenges that face every day. This gives commonality which makes it much easier to meet, approach and talk to fellow cruisers.

Finding Cruiser Networks

Beyond approaching cruisers in marinas or in your dinghy at anchor, there are many cruiser networks. Some are on-line or in social media, some are in the form of organized rallies where you sail together in pre-planned, mapped out routes and locations. You can find some of these clubs by simply doing a google search. Boat shows are fantastic ways to build your network. Asking fellow cruisers that you meet at the shows or elsewhere what social networks they belong to is another excellent way to find groups with similar interests as you.

Different Strokes for Different Folks

Even within the cruising network, there are many different types of people with different interests and in different stages of their lives. This is one thing that makes cruising so cool. It appeals to different groups of people. Cruisers with kids may have different networks than those that are single looking for more of a party atmosphere. Keep looking until you find your network or networks.

Learn all about weather and how to avoid bad weather.

The weather may be the single, most important influencer on a sailor’s life other than maintaining your boat. On land, the weather is important so we know if we need to take an umbrella with us to keep dry when we run from our car to the grocery store or a restaurant. At sea, bad weather can not only be an inconvenience it may be the difference between life and death.

Predicting the Weather

Learning to read weather patterns and learning how to use tools like Predict Wind, allows cruisers to pick and choose which days they will sail, what distance they plan on sailing, and may even determine the route they take. Knowing present and future wind directions are helpful when choosing a protected anchorage. What starts out as the leeward side of an island may quickly change to win-ward and a rough, uncomfortable anchorage. Cruisers University has an intensive class on weather.

Attend Cruisers University

Cruisers University and other seminars like it provide useful information on a variety of topics for cruisers by cruisers. There is nothing better than experience and the speakers at these courses bring their experiences to you.

Seminars that are offered include (this is a partial list):

Diesel Engine Maintenance,
Marine Weather Forecasting,
Marine Electrical Systems,
Sewing for Sailor,
Anchoring For a Good Night’s Sleep
Bahamas Bound – Cruising the Abacos
Cruising and Living in Hurricane Latitudes
The Chesapeake to the Caribbean
Cruising on a Budget; Silver, Gold Platinum
Docking and Line Handling for Couples
The Efficient Boat Fridge
Electrical Systems – Understanding and Troubleshooting
Great Products You Need to Know About
Heavy Weather Sailing
Maintaining Your Boat Above and Below the Waterline
Maintaining Your Diesel Engine 101
Moving Your Business Abroad
Managing the ICW; North to South
Offshore Energy Management & Design
Off Shore Rigging and Sails – When Things Go Wrong
OMG I Bought a Boat – Now What?
Plugged In – Power Cord Safety
Provisioning – From List to Last Bite
Route Planning
Safety at Sea

Don’t Buy the First Boat You See!

Remember the old saying about there being many fish in the sea? Well, the same holds true for boats. There are many boats for sale. In order to know what is available to you, you really need to see several boats before making your decision. Before finalizing your purchase, you will be paying for a survey which includes a haul out. This will be costly so be choosy. Also, just because you spent several thousand dollars on the survey, don’t be afraid to walk away if you aren’t comfortable with the boat and what the survey found. Use your list of needs, wants and not important to help you. Do your homework. Afterall, you will be spending a lot of time on your boat. It needs to fit you and your lifestyle.

What Makes a Living on a Catamaran Different Than Other Boats?

Living on a sailing catamaran is like many other boats except that the width of a catamaran makes it more comfortable and stable under most conditions. Living on a cat is also different than most monohull’s because the living areas (with the exception of the state rooms and heads), like the salon and galley, are up at the same level as the cockpit which allows for more openness and easier to go from in to out. Finally, the living area is much larger per linear foot than a monohull.

Do Your Homework!

This post can’t possibly cover everything you need to know, but is intended to invoke thought and questions to help provide insight into some of the topics that one should think about and research before deciding to live full time on a sailing catamaran. The one, common theme in this post is that you need to do your homework before you buy and before you decide to buy and before you decide to live on your catamaran. If you do so, you can enjoy your time cruising and will have increased the odds of loving it. Happy Sailing!

Sailing A Catamaran

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