Tag: liveaboard life
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Using Two Anchors: When, Why, and How
With the advent of modern anchors like the Mantus and Rocna, it has become unfashionable to put out two anchors. These new design anchors are incredibly reliable. They often provide quick resets in even the worst conditions. So much so that modern dogma (and advertising) has made many boaters believe that one good new one…
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Basic Boat Teak Care for Beginners: Keeping Wood Care a Simple Boat Maintenance Task
Our boat is loaded with brightwork (teak and wood trim), and we still love it. We fully appreciate that this opinion is not shared by most boaters today, most of whom prefer lower-maintenance (it’s never maintenance-free!) fiberglass. But our boat looks good — she’s a salty old lady who likes to show off her bling.…
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How to Buy a Boat: Tips for a First Time Buyer
So, you’re dreaming of the boating lifestyle, maybe even considering selling it all and sailing off into the sunset. Early on in the dreaming phase, it will probably strike you that buying a boat, particularly a big cruising boat, is a complicated process. It is — unless you have some previous experience and boating skills…
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Best Place to Live on a Boat — US East Coast Options for Liveaboards
Living on a boat is a dream shared by many people, but being a liveaboard means different things depending on how you intend to do it. Will you be parked at a marina, essentially using your boat as a waterfront condo? Or will you be traveling by boat, actively cruising, and living on board while…
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Best Marine Consignment and Used Boat Parts Stores
Every boat owner, regardless of vessel type, probably has a wish list of things they’d love to have but can’t justify the cost. Most consignment and used parts shops price their gear at approximately half the price of brand-new retail parts and accessories. These shops work in different ways. Some are consignment stores, where boats…
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Our Beloved Dulcinea, Cabo Rico 38 Hull No. 99
Boats are such an individual choice that how they are chosen, why, and how they are adapted for the daily lives of the sailors aboard always makes for fascinating reading. Here’s the story of our Sweet Señorita, Dulcinea. The Story Behind the Name Dulcinea I would have probably picked another name if I had known…
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Product Review: Our Cubic Mini Wood Stove, a Cuter Solid Fuel Heater for a Boat
The Cubic Mini is a teeny-tiny wood burning stove built for small spaces — tiny homes, vans, RVs, and yes, even boats. It’s one of those products that we probably spotted on Instagram. At any rate, we had it picked out before we picked out our boat. It is, in a word, cute. Like so many…
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Outfitting a New Boat: Things Every Boater Needs
Whether you buy a new or new-to-you boat, your first task is to outfit it. It’s pretty easy to come across lists of the things you MUST have, thanks to the Coast Guard and state authorities. But these lists don’t provide any recommendations, and we’ve learned many things about these items. You should also have…
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The Wonderous Omnia Stovetop Oven
I originally published a blog post, “An Ode to My Omnia,” on our travel blog during the first year of our live-aboard, cruising life. The Omnia Stovetop Oven was one of the first things I purchased for boat cooking, and it’s one of the only items that has stood the test of time. It is…
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Starlink Alternatives for Boaters, Van-lifers, and RVs
Starlink has rocked the boating world like the transformative technology it is. Boats that cruise the Bahamas or other rural areas have spouted Dishys like fungus. RVs love it, too, because they can boondock anywhere and still be connected for work and play. But Elon Musk, on track to become the world’s first trillionaire, has…