Sail Away Presentation

Links below at bottom of post

I arose early this morn, around 11am or so, still groggy from last night’s arduous journey to the Cruising Association. 

I staggered over to the Can Opener and installed myself upon his shoulder, the better to supervise his write-up of the presentation we attended by Nicola Rodriguez.

With all those thumbs he has, I must say he still types quite slowly…

Nicola Rodriguez, author of Sail Away, has cruised for eight years in Europe, the Caribbean, and the Pacific, and written articles for Yachting Monthly, Yachting World, Practical Boat Owner, Blue Water Sailing and Sail magazines. She and her husband love cruising so much, they had the Gift Registry for their wedding at a marine chandlery.

She gave some fun and useful tips on cruising in her presentation last night, that were illustrated with beautiful photographs from her book…

Setting a timeline to get away

• An immoveable date to depart will make sure you actually cast off the dock (rather than fixing just one more thing) and get cruising.
• Joining a rally to cross an ocean is helpful for this.

On packing away your life on shore

• Inventory everything and keep a record of what is stashed in which relative’s house.
• Pack the things last that you expect to need first when you return.

On persuading a reluctant spouse to sail away

• Show them many great and exotic pictures of the Caribbean.
• Point out that most areas of the world are already charted (to increase the ‘safety feeling’).

Kids on boats

• It’s hard work to have kids on boats, but the rewards are equally large.
• Kids are actively motivated to do all their homework on boats – because after that they can go play with the sea turtles and iguanas.

Guests on boats

• Advantages: unlike children you can get rid of them.
• Make sure guests know the boat routines and crew-overboard drills – and guests that know how to fish are a plus!

Where to winter

• You can stay on mooring balls in New York - right in the city - for $30/night!
• Maine and the Intracoastal Waterway will also get you out of the hurricane belt.

Overview

In Sail Away, Nicola discusses chapter by chapter:

• how to make your sailing dream a reality
• finances – budgeting to sail away
• selecting, preparing, equipping your boat
• sailing with children
• how to leave your old life behind
• life aboard
• planning your route - with info on routes/destinations around Europe, Caribbean, and Pacific
• blue water sailing
• cruising the Caribbean
• hurricane season
• cruising the Pacific and beyond
• sailing back – how to return to life back home

Conclusion

Nicola seems to pack a lot of vivid images and information into a small book. We already have quite a few entries in the sea library that cover the same topics in more technical detail, however, so we won’t invest just yet.

Sail Away looks useful as an introduction to the cruising lifestyle for those who are considering the idea and want to get a taste of what that might be like. It is written from a UK perspective, so may be especially useful for those in the UK and Europe.

And the Sail Away photography included is spectacular.

Any other books you would recommend for cruising? I am always looking for the next round of additions for our sea library...

--Captain Cat

(transcribed by the Can Opener)

Cruising Lectures
Next: La Dolce Vita
Previously: Jimmy Cornell Speaks