15 days ago
Topic:
Western Caribbean / Columbia / Cuba cruise 2026
neilmPosts: 29
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We have done that route, so here are a few suggestions
We loved Bonaire and Providencia. Curaco was good (summered boat there) practical and enjoyable I would skip Aruba if going again. It is just a cruise ship terminal. I would skip San andreas too
Enter Panama at the extreme East end, Porto Obaldia. Town is a dump, but people friendly. Cruise the Eastern Islands slowly. Water is not great due to plenty rivers bringing silt, but the islands are undeveloped As you go West water is much better and numbers of boats grow
Buy Bauhaus guide and get his electronic charts. MUCH better than the government charts. I will send you mine, no charge, but postage from Canada would cost you about $25 If you email your address I can check actual rate Neil@McCubbin.ca
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15 days ago
Topic:
Need to clear out??
neilmPosts: 29
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We finally did clear out of French Polynesia.
US authorities in Hawaii had no interest. We filled in the on-line form and received email clearance in a few minutes. It seemed too good to be true, so I phoned to check, and the officer advised that he had determined that there was no need to visit our boat.
Of course, you never know what they can do, since action is at the local officer's discretion.
I do not regret having been conservative and clearing out
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15 days ago
Topic:
Thoughts on lifelines
neilmPosts: 29
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Agreed 100% on the danger of the catalog vinyl covered lines.
My son had an unwanted swim due to one breaking on a racing boat her used to crew on
One way to get big lines cheaply is to use old rigging. It comes with a swage at one end, and we used Stay-Loks on the end cut to length.
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15 days ago
Topic:
A hack for surge protectors
neilmPosts: 29
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Great and simple idea. Makes more sense to me than rubber ormetal ones
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15 days ago
Topic:
Replacing Solar Panels?
neilmPosts: 29
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We installed a 150Watt, supposedly top quality, panel in Scotland in 2015. It worked OK
In 2022 we replaced it with a relatively cheap 500 Watt panel.
We find that in bright sun, the output is pretty much what I expected, 500/175 (=2.8 times as much)
However I think the more modern panel does much better in cloudy weather than the old one
The 500 Watt panel gives us about 130 Ah in a 12 volt system, very close to the equator in June, and about 120 Ah in British Columbia in August Of course that will drop when winter, short days and cloudy weather arrives.
Both panels are rigid
I would be inclined to replace you old panels
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15 days ago
Topic:
Falmouth 24h Emergency Telephone Number.
neilmPosts: 29
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Curiously, the site https://sarcontacts.info/ lists different numbers. I emailed them and am awaiting a response.
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16 days ago
Topic:
Impressive video of a boat in a breaking wave
DickPosts: 418
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Hi all,
This video is not taken in the open ocean, but is an excellent illustration (https://www.surfer.com/news/boat-slammed-rocks-maine-big-waves?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=other) of getting caught by a breaking wave and a superb argument for a Jordan Series Drogue if conditions approach breaking waves.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
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20 days ago
Topic:
Replacing Solar Panels?
Simon CurrinAdministrator Posts: 828
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Are you noticing that your solar generation is significantly reduced over the years? Difficult to assess as you have shifted location many times in 20 years!
We put 750watt of new solar on Shimshal in January 2024 and have been shocked to find that we now have several dead panels (no volts) and our peak generating power is just 200watts at mid day. Our panels are flexible Sun Power Panels and I understand that they don’t last as long as rigid but 18 months does seem pretty hopeless. Your 20 years seems incredible by comparison!
In fairness I think Shimshal suffered some kind of minor lightning event while on the hard in French Polynesia as many electrical items were either damaged or fused despite all being disconnected. That may have taken out some of our panels.
As an aside, the rigid solar we have on our house have shown negligible decline in output over the 15 years they have installed.
Simon
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20 days ago
Topic:
Replacing Solar Panels?
Simon CurrinAdministrator Posts: 828
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Are you noticing that your solar generation is significantly reduced over the years? Difficult to assess as you have shifted location many times in 20 years!
We put 750watt of new solar on Shimshal in January 2024 and have been shocked to find that we now have several dead panels (no volts) and our peak generating power is just 200watts at mid day. Our panels are flexible Sun Power Panels and I understand that they don’t last as long as rigid but 18 months does seem pretty hopeless. Your 20 years seems incredible by comparison!
In fairness I think Shimshal suffered some kind of minor lightning event while on the hard in French Polynesia as many electrical items were either damaged or fused despite all being disconnected. That may have taken out some of our panels.
As an aside, the rigid solar we have on our house have shown negligible decline in output over the 15 years they have installed.
Simon
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21 days ago
Topic:
Replacing Solar Panels?
Philip HeatonPosts: 36
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I have 5 framed panels totalling 330watts. Two are twenty years old and three are 15 years old. I had a new Victron Smart Solar MPPT installed this year, but I am wondering if it might be time to replace these 15 and 20 yewars old panels. Any thoughts?
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26 days ago
Topic:
Guide books for New Zealand?
Mike.StirratPosts: 2
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We are going to cross the ditch from Sydney to Nelson in November and spend cyclone season in New Zealand (pondering a south island circumnavigation after our Tassie circumnavigation this year) and then sailing back to Fiji in May 2026. I've done some searching for guide books for New Zealand and most of them seem to focus on the northeast bit of the north island.
Are there any that are recommended for the south island?
What is/are the best guide book(s) for New Zealand in general?
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08/08/2025
Topic:
Pantelleria
Sandy.HerbertPosts: 1
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Hi,
I would like to use Pantelleria as a stopover en route from Sardinia to Malta in September.
If anybody has been there recently, I would like to know what the situation is with availability of space in the port for a 10m sailing boat.
According to my rather aged Rod Heikell guide, you shouldn't expect any space "in the season".
Sandy Herbert
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06/08/2025
Topic:
Advice on Lee Cloths
ka4wjaPosts: 7
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Maggie,
The upper support / attachment points will need to be very strong and secure!
And, for looking at your pics, you will need to custom design / install these upper attachment points.
(have a look at some of my pics, where you'll see 3 - 4 thru-bolted padeyes as the upper attachment points)
I don't know if you're still designing / sourcing your lee cloths....but, if you (or anyone else here) is interested, I have some pics and details about my own design and install of lee cloths (and lee boards) on my 47' sloop almost 20 years ago.
They've me and my guests/crew safe and secure for years, without an issue.
Have a look at these two pages for photos and design/install details:
https://jerodisys.com/C470/470pix/47051.htm
https://jerodisys.com/C470/470pix/47071.htm
And, here is a slide-show, where you'll find photos and about 6 minutes of narration about my lee cloths / lee boards....starting at about 42 minute mark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4MWf2SyTKU
I hope this helps.
Fair winds!
John,
s/v Annie Laurie
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30/07/2025
Topic:
Wanted: Recommendation for Extended EU Visa
John StonePosts: 3
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Lisa
Thanks. I appreciate you sharing the info. I am really more interested in a separate long term visa. But, maybe extended the 90 days is the best I can do. If anyone else has additional info that would be great.
Happy sailing,
John
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26/07/2025
Topic:
Electric propulsion for tenders and larger boats
Simon CurrinAdministrator Posts: 828
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Excellent feedback and amazing you m as managed 12nm. The ability to hydro-generate is very cool. One day perhaps devices like the Watt & Sea Hydrogenerator will also morph into an outboard and vice versa.
Simon
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26/07/2025
Topic:
Chesapeake to UK Spring 2026
Philip.AshersonPosts: 1
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Due to ill health my 39’ Broadblue 385 is in North Carolina while we (Philip and Sheila) returned to the UK. I’m now planning to return the boat to the UK next spring (2026). I’m looking for one or two crew to join me on this adventure, via Bermuda and the Azores. Ideally cruise around the Chesapeake before setting off. Then spend some time in the Azores. I’m open to suggestions on exact times to meet up from anyone with an interest in joining who has the time and commitment for the passage.
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26/07/2025
Topic:
Electric propulsion for tenders and larger boats
David.WestcottPosts: 1
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Hi Simon, we've had an ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Evo for 2.5 years now. The Evo bit refers to its ability to charge from the spinning prop when towed or mounted on a bracket in the stern ( a feature we are 75% through completing. So far we are very happy. It charges slowly but satisfactorily from 12v and faster on an inverter. The furthest we have ever gone is 12nm and there was plenty of charge left at the end. Speed wise, well it replace a 2hp 2 stroke so it is quieter, less smelly, less messy and faster to boot.
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24/07/2025
Topic:
Wanted: Recommendation for Extended EU Visa
Charles.LenhoffPosts: 6
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Thanks Simon!!! But in my ignorance...
John,
Please consult this document covering pre-Schengen Bi-Lateral Agreements in effect if you want to extend you time in Schengen past 90 days...and double check the information with live immigration office in the country you intend to stay:
https://www.theca.org.uk/node/63970#:~:text=https%3A//op.europa.eu/en/publication%2Ddetail/%2D/publication/c067e92d%2D5a8b%2D11e9%2D9151%2D01aa75ed71a1
I share with you my Kafkaesque recent experience:
We checked out of Norway last week at the Bergen airport and headed to Shetland.
Here's a few things we took note of from our experience:
1. You can only check out in Bergen at the airport, and not at the Police station in center ville. The #1 train from the bus station is easy and runs every 10 minutes. The police station is on the LEFT side of the departure terminal and is supposed to be open daily from 07000 to 2300 hr, but the officer is also making the rounds in the airport so we had to wait 40 minutes.
2. For yachts under 15 meters, checking into Norway can be done via emailing the police in the district you are checking in, but also it is important to email the police in the district where you are checking out of PRIOR to arriving at the airport to get your passport stamped. Also, you have to check into customs whether or not you have anything to declare and they will register your MMSI into their system.
3. For yachts over 15 meters, they have to go through SafeSeaNet for entry and exit documentation prior to arriving at the airport for a passport exit stamp.
4. And for citizens of the USA, there is a bi-lateral treaty with Norway that allows for an additional 90 day in NORWAY only, once 89 days in Schengen countries outside Norway has been incurred. for example, Sally the Sailor is a USA citizen and enters Paris on January 1st, 2026 and spends 89 days shopping and stimulating the economies in Paris, Londo, Milan and Berlin. On the 89the day, she goes to Oslo immigration and they stamp her passport with an exit stamp and swing her around the Norwegian flagpole with a welcome to Norway ONLY bonus stamp which she can only use for Norway. How the 90/180 day rules apply for her return to Schengen is uncertain but believed that the clock starts on exiting Norway.
That's all for now.
~Captain Lisa Lenhof
USCG MMC
mv Ho'okipa
Selene 4326
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23/07/2025
Topic:
Wanted: Recommendation for Extended EU Visa
John StonePosts: 3
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Anyone else have info on best way to approach an extended visa?
Thanks.
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19/07/2025
Topic:
Wanted: Recommendation for Extended EU Visa
Simon CurrinAdministrator Posts: 828
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The experts on this are Charles and Lisa Lenhoff who, I am sure, will see this thread and respond.
Simon
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