Author Peter Janssen

Cruising Life
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David Cowper Conquers Most Dangerous Spot in Northwest Passage

There’s little doubt that David Cowper is one of the most accomplished blue-water adventurers in the world today. Back in 1982, he became the fastest person to sail single-handed around the world. He’s sailed around the world both ways. He’s also sailed around the world, single-handed, through the Northwest Passage, which has almost become a second home for  Cowper, since he’s actually transited it five times. Now, in his 48-foot aluminum powerboat named Polar Bound, Cowper and his son transited one of the Northwest Passage’s most dangerous areas, the Hecla and Fiury Straits. They were the first people to…

Cruising Life
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After Matthew, Here’s What’s Open, What’s Still Damaged

Here’s a comprehensive list of marinas and facilities from the Carolinas to the Bahamas, telling what’s open, what’s closed and what’s somewhere in between. If you’re planning a trip to any of these areas, or if you’re already there, take a look. It also has an interactive element so you can help update the situation in your own area. http://ahoy.dockwa.com/hurricane-matthew-marina-status?utm_campaign=Hurricane%20Matthew%20-%20Hurricane%20Hole%20Marinas&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

Cruising Life
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Here’s What To Do If Matthew Hit Your Boat

Here’s some good advice from BoatU.S. about what you should do right away if your boat was damaged during Hurricane Matthew: Remove Valuables. If your boat has washed ashore, remove as much equipment as possible and move it to a safe place to protect it from looters or vandals. It’s a good idea to put your contact information somewhere conspicuously on the boat — along with a “No Trespassing” sign. However, for your safety, never climb in or on boats that have piled up together or are dangling precariously from dock pilings or other obstructions. Minimize Further Damage. Protect your…

Destinations
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The Best of the Canadian Gulf Islands: Go Next Summer

A lot of us are familiar with the San Juan Islands, just above Seattle, which offer some of the best cruising grounds in the United States. But just above them, the Canadian Gulf Islands are just as appealing as cruising destinations, perhaps even more so, since they’re a bit off the beaten path and they may get a little more sunshine. Here’s a list of the top eight Gulf Islands compiled by Northwest Explorations, a first-class charter company located in Bellingham, Washington. I’ve been to about half of these; the others are on my list. Take a look:http://www.nwexplorations.com/2016/10/10/8-must-see-gulf-island-boating-spots/

Gear
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A Ding in Your Hull? Spray on New Gelcoat

Here’s something we all need, at some point or another: Gelcoat in a can. Dolphinite’s Gelcoat in an Aerosol Can just won both an NMMA Product Innovation Award and a Boating Industry Top Products Award, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a one-step process for repairing gelcoat – and who doesn’t need that? Everything, including the catalyst, is inside the can. You don’t need a spray gun; you don’t need to mix or add anything. It’s all self-contained. Need to touch up a ding on your boat? Spray it on. And, according to the manufacturer, you can spray all…

Electronics
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Furuno and Garmin Win Big at NMEA Awards

The National Marine Electronics Association named 16 winners at its annual expo, giving its annual Technology Award to Furuno’s DRS4D-NXT Doppler solid-state radar (pictured above), plus 15  “Product of Excellence” awards to other companies. Garmin was the big winner overall, being named the NMEA’s Manufacturer of the Year for the second straight year. Here’s the NMEA’s official statement. NMEA NAMES 2016 PRODUCT AWARD WINNERS AT CONFERENCE & EXPO NMEA Product of Excellence Award presented in 16 categories Garmin repeats as Manufacturer of the Year-Support Furuno Doppler radar wins NMEA Technology Award SEVERNA PARK, MD—The marine electronics industry honored several manufacturers…

Cruising Life
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Best Way to Predict Matthew’s Path

Nothing is more important this time of year than knowing where Matthew – or any other hurricane – is heading your way. Here’s some great advice from a professional shipping weather expert about the best sites to look at for the most reliable predictions. You’ll want to look at this, and save it. https://gcaptain.com/best-online-hurricane-tracker/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Gcaptain+%28gCaptain.com%29

Cruising Life
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Lobster Wars Escalate off Port Clyde

Somebody in Port Clyde, Maine, doesn’t like Tony Hooper, a lobsterman there, and they’re taking it out on his boat. In a major escalation of the area’s occasionally simmering lobster wars, someone has cut the mooring line and hoses on Hooper’s boat, Liberty, three times since Aug. 17, causing it to sink or fill with water and run aground. In the picture above, Hooper watches as Liberty is hauled out in nearby Rockland to have the engine and electronics repaired – again. Read all about it: http://bangordailynews.com/2016/10/03/news/midcoast/port-clyde-lobster-boat-sunk-for-the-third-time-since-august/

Cruising Life
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Salvage Crews Race to Pull “Time Out” to Shore in Palm Beach

With Hurricane Matthew heading north, salvage crews are racing to pull Time Out, the 72-foot yacht that ran ashore in Palm Beach, up to the beach where they will cut it up and cart it away. You may remember that Time Out hit the beach about a month ago after the owner said he had downed a few Long Island Iced Teas; he subsequently was charged with boating under the influence. The owner and the town were fighting about who was going to pay the $200,000 to get the boat out of the water. See the story below: http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/news/news/local/grounded-yacht-slowly-moving-off-palm-beach/nsj6Z/

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