13 hours ago
Topic:
essential books
Romy.McIntoshPosts: 4
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Hi Dick,
I personally think no boat is complete without a good ship's library!
Here are three to start you off:
Heavy weather sailing by Martin Thomas (former Commodore of the OCC) and Peter Bruce (also a member, I believe)
Passage to Juneau by Jonathan Raban
Sailing alone around the world by Joshua Slocum
There is also a page on the OCC website which lists books published by members, and the Flying Fish is full of book reviews :)
Thanks,
Romy
SV Valkyrie of Orwell
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9 days ago
Topic:
Lanzarote
chippykevbPosts: 3
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We have just arrived in Lanzarote and would love to meet up with any other cruisers that are crossing the Atlantic this year. We will be looking to explore the island , so any helpful advice would be most welcome. Car hire, places to visit and of course great places to eat.
Kevin
Sailing yacht Ula
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10 days ago
Topic:
essential books
DickPosts: 442
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Hi OCC members
I have noticed, in my casual talking and consulting with young and newbie cruisers, how few of them read books. Many refer to u-tube articles as a source of their information. What little I know scares me as I get asked about stuff gleaned from the internet that is clearly inaccurate and sometimes dangerous. An example I do have first-hand was when Practical Sailor (an American well-thought-of print publication where I was 30+ years a subscriber and learned a great deal) went digital and had a “talking head” give lectures in lieu of articles. An early “article” was on the setting up of a preventer and his advice was sometimes just wrong and overall was dangerous. And completely delivered sounding like he had been-there-done-that and really knew what he was talking about. Scary.
I hung on for a few months and then terminated my subscription.
I envy those who grew up with “salt water coursing through their veins”: but I was not one of them. I am self-taught, but I did not feel alone. I devoured books on the subject and considered many authors my mentors. I learned a great deal from the books I read.
25 years ago, we sold the house and cars and moved aboard: pretty much a “burned bridge” approach. Once the house was sold, we gave an agent the keys and she took care of selling the insides. It was harsh (my tools went into storage, but little else), but there are only 2 items I occasionally miss: my cruising/sailing books (maybe close to 100 books or more) and my vinyl record collection (including 14 inches of Grateful Dead albums)
I am interested in developing a suggested reading list of books that are considered essential reading. I tend to think in categories such as: inspirational, practical, destination/voyages, humor, history, safety, survival, design, sails, scantlings, etc.
I would clearly also appreciate everyone’s suggestions. If this ends up with a list, I will of course post it on the Forum.
Thanks, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
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19 days ago
Topic:
Madeira (Anyone here?) Useful advice
chippykevbPosts: 3
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We are Kevin & Dee, and we have just arrived in Funchal on our way to the Caribbean.
We will stay here for around one week and wondered if the is anyone else in Madeira at the moment. Any advice on places to see on the island or just in general would be really helpful.
Kevin
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24 days ago
Topic:
Windvane vs. 2nd Below deck autopilot
DickPosts: 442
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Hi Rob,
We have a Monitor windvane on the stern and an Alpha 3000 below decks autopilot.
Our last Atlantic crossing was all electric autopilot (Alpha 3000, no longer being manufactured). Ours was 20 yo with a fair number of miles on it, but still going strong. Anticipating a higher lat Atlantic crossing, I bought a whole new Alpha 3000, swapped out the old parts and put them into spares on the boat.
I consider the Monitor as a lightning strike back-up, but, thinking about it, I might wrap the spare Alpha command module in a couple of layers of aluminum foil and put it in the oven (with our computers and phone) in a lightning storm.
I have not worried about the need for an instant change-over: if swapping is needed, I will just heave-to and do the job.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
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27 days ago
Topic:
Windvane vs. 2nd Below deck autopilot
robwhelton@hotmail.comPosts: 1
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I've owned two different wind vanes: a servo pendulum Navik, and an auxiliary rudder Hydrovane.
The Navik was a much more clever design. Hugely powerful, responsive, and fast. You barely needed to worry about balancing the boat, and it handled changes in wind strength without any fuss.
The Hydrovane has one advantage: it does not rely on the boat's own steering system. But in every other respect it was inferior. I found it necessary to get the sails balanced just right, and any major changes in wind strength would upset that balance.
I used the Hydrovane for the majority of my Atlantic crossing, and it did the job. If your main purpose in fitting a windvane is to be a backup steering system, it's a good choice.
I also have a Raymarine linear drive and I really can't fault it. Most boats these days have such robust electrical systems that the power consumption isn't that big a deal.
On my current boat, I have been unable to figure out how to mount the Hydrovane, so I will probably install a backup autopilot. I also carry a small (60Ah) lithium battery that gets used for various odd jobs, and this would be my backup power supply for it.
One question I do have is whether to actually install the backup autopilot, or just to carry the parts as spares. My thinking is that they might be less vulnerable to a lightning strike of they are in storage. The downside is that I wouldn't be able to instantly switch over to the backup system it's I needed it.
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29 days ago
Topic:
FUEL costs in Scotland VS Ireland
Charles.LenhoffPosts: 13
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we had 2150 liters of red diesel delivered to us here in Ballycastle. £1.19 with a 5% vat. Here, anything under 2200 liters is only 5% VAT
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07/09/2026
Topic:
Gibralter Straights from Gib to Morocco.
DickPosts: 442
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Hi Chippykevb,
No advice and just glad our time on that gauntlet is behind us. I assume you are collecting suggestions from other sources. If you find suggestions that feel solid, I am sure others would like to hear from you. And, do let us know how you fair.
Good luck, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
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07/09/2026
Topic:
Gibralter Straights from Gib to Morocco.
chippykevbPosts: 3
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Hi everyone, we are new members to the OCC and have yet to get really in to how everything works. We have just arrived in La Linea, Gibralter ready to begin the next stages of our Atlantic crossing. Our main worry at this point is the Orca's, which I am sure everyone has heard about, but hopefully not experienced? If anyone has any advice, please share it with us asap as we will be leaving Thursday to cross to Morocco.
If you would like to follow our journey on S/Y Ula, you can click on the link below which will give you an update on our position.
https://sailingula.weebly.com/where-are-we-now.html
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21/08/2026
Topic:
DDZ Marine in ALrgs fire sale on NoFlex
Charles.LenhoffPosts: 13
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Ahoy, My buddy Dino @ DDZ in Largs is having a fire sale on Noflex Digestor sewage treatment and order eliminator. Price reduced from 90 to 57.50 pounds. he asked me to spread the word.
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10/08/2026
Topic:
sail cloth choice
DickPosts: 442
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Hi Alan,
Would you agree, as a sailmaker, with my observations that for a performance-oriented cruising skipper (but far from a racer) that HydraNet Radial sails will have up-front expense, but that initial expense may even out over the length of life one achieves with HN over Dacron sails?
Thanks for your thoughts, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
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09/08/2026
Topic:
sail cloth choice
VoilaPosts: 2
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Yep
I have a set of Hydranet as well. On our HR 352 “Voila” . A bit on the pricey side and I am a sailmaker. We did not have a problem with the sail numbers.
Alan & Felicity Critchlow “Voila”
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20/07/2026
Topic:
sail cloth choice
DickPosts: 442
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Hi Alan,
That is a good/great run for a set of sails.
And agree about repair which can no longer be accomplished with adhesives. You remind me that I was wondering whether there was room at the seams for an extra run of stitching, something I did with my Dacron sails occasionally.
And, I have not thought about the staying clean attribute, but do agree. My sails do not in any way look their age.
My best, Dick
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18/07/2026
Topic:
Windvane vs. 2nd Below deck autopilot
Alan LesliePosts: 5
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Hi All,
My previous boat was a 40ft IOR sloop. We had a hydraulic Raytheon Autopilot and a Fleming wind vane on the stern.
We sailed all around the South Pacific for years using Mr Fleming 95% of the time....it was fantastic and fascinating at the same time - the ingenuity of wind vanes has always intrigued me.
We only used the Raytheon unit when motoring...sailing, always Mr Fleming.
It's a learning curve to get the best out of them. The boat needs to be well balanced under sail...she should be just about be sailing by herself without touching the tiller (or wheel) before you engage the windvane....then it doesn't need to work too hard.... the same should be said about using an autopilot under sail to minimise amp draw.
I would never consider a wheel pilot for sailing offshore...the autopilot and all it's workings, mechanical and electric should be below decks, protected for the sea and weather.
A backup pilot, or at least spares for the one you have are essential if you stick with that concept.
An advantage of the windvane is its complete independence of electricity, should you have battery issues, lightning strike or anything that could cause havoc, the boat can still self steer...and if you've ever hand steered for long periods in tough weather, you will appreciate that advantage.
Good luck
Cheers
Alan SV Elyse
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18/07/2026
Topic:
sail cloth choice
Alan LesliePosts: 5
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Hi Dick,
I would echo most of what you say here....
We have had Hydranet sails on Elyse for 13 years now, and apart from a few stitching issues, they have been perfect.
Hydranet keeps its shape so well because it doesn't stretch, so all the load is taken by the stitching, and it is therefore inevitable that eventually a Hydranet sail will need restitching in places. We have had to do this in some remote places but it's no big deal to restitch a few seams and then take the sail to a sailmaker for professional repair - when we find one.
Because Hydranet is so slippery, it stays clean. Our sails look like new !
The only downside of this is that I can't "stick" a sail number on...never mind, we can travel incognito !
Cheers
Alan - SV Elyse
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12/07/2026
Topic:
Windvane vs. 2nd Below deck autopilot
DickPosts: 442
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Hi Roniszoro,
I can tell you what we did: (and it is a similar, but not so potent, dilemma for cruising couples):
We have a wind vane (Monitor) which, over the years, has become back-up (say lightning strike) to our very much loved below decks auto-pilot which is accurate, simple, quiet, reliable and easy on the amps.
For a higher latitude Atlantic crossing, I just bought the same auto-pilot. I replaced my 20+ yo old one with the new and put the old, but still working, auto-pilot in storage as spares. (later that year, the autopilot manufacturer closed its doors).
I would consider what I call a “wheel” (above deck) pilot, but I would need convincing that they could handle boisterous conditions. My last experience with those was 20-30 years ago and the ones I knew had a hard time (or would burn out) in open water when the winds got above ~~20 knots or so.
If world-traveling in remote areas, the wind vane probably makes the most sense as it is so independent and some could “take the place” of a rudder/steering if steering was lost somehow. If going that route, get some significant sea miles under your belt with the vane as they do have a learning curve and can be fussy.
Let us know what you decide.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
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12/07/2026
Topic:
Windvane vs. 2nd Below deck autopilot
roniszoroPosts: 1
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I am a single hander and I have a very good below deck autopilot on my 44 footer which works just fine. But I am deciding on a back up for when I am single handing off shore if that unit were to fail. My options are a 2nd complete unit that would have only the battery bank in common with the first unit with a switch so that either one or the other would be engaged or adding a wind vane, likely a Wind Pilot Pacific. Your thoughts are welcomed and appreciated.
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10/07/2026
Topic:
Noonsite Accounces Ports of Entry Map
George.CurtisPosts: 25
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The Noonsite MAP is Back! https://www.noonsite.com/noonsite-map/
Noonsite 'is delighted to announce that the Noonsite Ports of Entry Map is available once again for their members. This valuable planning tool provides a worldwide overview of ports that can handle international clearance, helping you identify suitable Ports of Entry in the countries you plan to visit next.
When logged in, you'll find a new orange button at the top of each country page that takes you directly to the map. You can also access it via the Resources menu.
Use the map to explore clearance options around the world. Simply zoom in and click on a pin or port of entry name to view general port information in a pop-up window. Selecting Visit Port will take you to the port page, where you'll find more detailed information on clearance procedures and docking facilities. To keep the map open while exploring port details, right-click Visit Port and open the port page in a new tab.
To help you get around there is a useful search box. You can search on port name, country name or 2 letter country identifier to find the ports of entry for any country.
The map can be viewed in either standard or full-screen mode. Full-screen view makes it easier to zoom and navigate using your mouse.
The Noonsite map is available exclusively to logged-in Noonsite members.
Users now need to create a free log-in to view Noonsite Formalities. Registered users and Members can use their existing log-in.
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08/07/2026
Topic:
FUEL costs in Scotland VS Ireland
Simon CurrinAdministrator Posts: 835
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Charles & Lisa,
The cost of road diesel is (or was) dropping quite fast and the average is £1.637 today which is £3788. But that’s a lot of trips with cans to filling station for you!
Simon
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08/07/2026
Topic:
FUEL costs in Scotland VS Ireland
Charles.LenhoffPosts: 13
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Friends,
I need to take on about 2300 liters of diesel. I ran today's rate through AI including the UK VAT discount of 40% for heating the boat and converted the pound/euro to USD.
Here's what AI determined:
In Scotland, with the 60% propulsion and 40% heating split, and the different VAT rates, your total came to about $7,660.
In Ireland, with the full VAT rate on the entire purchase, the total was about $5,848.
That's was a surprise and big difference.
Do you have additional thoughts?
~Lisa
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