I recently completed the YachtMaster Offshore preparation course, took the theory and practical exams and was awarded the certificate. Below, I discuss the eleven most striking differences with Sail Canada’s keelboat sailing program.
As I am deep into intallation of engine bearers, I am educating myself on how to properly do fiberglass layers over wood. I found the three videos below, by BoatWorks Today, to be quite useful. They are short and easy to understand.
Over long distances, the saying goes that the boat shrinks by a foot for every day spent with the same crew. A crew that manages to get along and shares a common code of living aboard is therefore central to good memories. In doing so, those considering sailing on Jean-du-Sud should assess whether the practices below fit in with their own sailing philosophy.
I recently completed a boat delivery from La Rochelle (France) to the Turcs and Caicos Islands, via the Canary Islands and Cape Verde. It took over a month and a half, with a few stops along the way. This transatlantic crossing was rich in experiences, and I share below some of the lessons I learned along the way.
The practical use of the CPA/TCPA pair is to evaluate the risk of collisions. If the CPA of a boat is zero (or close to zero), there is a collision risk and the skipper should alter the boat’s current course to increase the CPA.
Here are some pictures taken during the Atlantic Crossing. Most are taken between La Rochelle (France) and Mindelo (Cabo Verde). They are all availlable on Jean-du-Sud’s instagram account.
Is it faster to sail downwind a straight line or to gybe from one tack to the other? The answer, of course, depends very much on the boat performance and the prevailing winds. It is however possible to provide some practical guidance with a little use of theory.
I must say I wish I had tought of the « Spencer » shaft design prior to ordering parts (see the install guide for pictures). It is an elegant solution to reduce drag induced by the propeller.
This article is the first of two about installing a complete inboard power train on an Alberg 30. Its focus is on the design. An inboard power train is not the sole engine paradigm compatible with Alberg 30s. Although not covered here, one may also be interested in the design where an outboard engine is installed in the aft lazarette (AtomVoyager, 2020).
I am preparing for an ocean crossing. We will be leaving La Rochelle, sail south the Canary Islands, which will be our springboard for the trade winds. We hope to finish our crossing in Antigua, but our final destination is Nassau. It is a bit late in the season, as...
