What Makes A Great Anchorage?

A beautiful anchorage at Great Barrier Island, New Zealand, as seen from the top of Mt. Hobson (photo by The Cynical Sailor and His Salty Sidekick)

One of the best parts of cruising is dropping the hook and enjoying some time in a fabulous anchorage. It seems like everyone has their favorite anchorages. Places you dream about returning to one day. Places that you excitedly tell others about when you hear they’ll be cruising there. Places whose pictures make you smile each time you see them.

It doesn’t seem like there is a simple rule which defines what makes an anchorage great. It might be the rich, vibrant colors of the sunset or the silhouette of the hills against the water as the sun comes up in the morning that you can’t forget. Or it might be the incredible wildlife you had the privilege of seeing. For some, it might be the interesting characters you met at a cruiser’s potluck on the beach. For others, it might be the opportunity to enjoy the solitude of an anchorage all by yourselves. Or maybe you just had so much fun that every time you reflect back on that particular anchorage, you can’t help but laugh to yourself about the craziness you got up to.

Topic Coordinator:  Ellen from The Cynical Sailor & His Salty Sidekick

End of Cruising

(Sign available for purchase here, just in case you need to sell your boat)

The cynical joke is that the two happiest days in a boat-owner's life are the day s/he buys the boat, and the day s/he sells it.  Cruises end for many reasons.  A cruise can end as a kind of "mission accomplished" or completed -- a circumnavigation ends when the boat crosses their outbound track, or a trip that was planned as a one-year sabbatical ends on Day 365.  Or a trip can end in horrific unplanned crisis -- the boat breaks or sinks, health fails or funding runs out.  Or there can be not so much a point or event that ends cruising, as a realization that this isn't the right path anymore.

A group of bloggers honestly tell how their story ends.

Taking Kids Cruising

In the wake of the rescue of a young family stranded at sea with a sick toddler, there's been a media brouhaha about the decision to take their children on a sailboat.  Numerous articles have been written already about risks and rewards, like this beautiful one about raising a child dangerously. All the parents who have brought their kids on boats have had to think hard about what that means, whether they are living aboard in a marina, day sailing, coastal sailing, or crossing oceans.

Photography 101: Tips, Tricks, + Tools to Capture the Best Photos While Cruising

Whether you’re aspiring, pro, or anything in between, the sailing community is ripe with lots of photographers. We’re all shooting (so to speak) towards the same goal -- capturing beautiful images of our cruising adventures so that we can enjoy the memories for years to come (or perhaps sell them and add to our cruising kitty, lol!). 

Whether it’s that mind-blowing sunset you never want to forget or a pod of dolphins frolicking at your bow, having the most expensive gear isn’t really necessary for top-notch photos, (some of my favorite photos have been taken on my iPhone and not my "big" camera), but knowing how to use the tools you have is!

Here’s what works best for me, including what’s in my camera bag, how I post-process my photos, and much more!

 



^^some of my all-time favorite photos are from my iPhone, believe it or not!^^

 

So, tell me…what tips, tricks, or tools have you found most helpful? Do you have a favorite cruising photo?

And be sure to check out these great photo tips and favorite cruising photos from other bloggers…

Sun Safety

There is nothing that can sour a fun day in the sun than a nice, blistering burn. While some of us have been blessed with skin that browns beautifully without even a slight hint of pink (my captain, for instance), others of us (like myself) are blonde, pretty much as white as they come and covered in freckles. While the sun is not exactly my best friend, I don’t let it stand in the way of my dreams. As sailors and cruisers, spending significant amounts of time in the elements is part of the job description. When we are out sailing the sun’s rays get bounced off the water only amplifying their strength, and when we are out exploring it is often out discovering some beautiful outdoor wonder. Keeping ourselves properly protected is essential to the enjoyment of our journey. 

Below, cruisers’ share how they keep their crews safe and burn free.