Author: Story and Photos by Wayne Canning

Although marine VHF radio has been around for a while, it has not only remained useful but is also still a vital part of any vessel’s safety equipment.

Any boat owner who takes their vessel away from the dock knows that battery capacity becomes a concern.

Batteries are the heart of your boat’s electrical system.

Only a few decades ago the only communication options were VHF radio and high-frequency single sideband (HF SSB).

As wind speeds increase and the rail begins to dip, it’s time to think about reducing sail.

Today’s onboard electrical systems continue to get more sophisticated and more complicated, making it increasingly important to keep track of the health and status of the electrical system.

In light of the tragic capsizing this spring of the yacht Cheeki Rafiki during an Atlantic crossing, and more recently the rescue of the crew of the yacht Walkabout after being caught in the path of hurricane Julio off Hawaii, it seems appropriate to take a new look at life rafts and in particular how life rafts are stored and deployed on offshore vessels.

There have been many innovations for cruising sailboats over the last 50 years, but one of the most useful has been roller furling. Manufacturers have fine-tuned these simple yet effective systems into reliable pieces of gear now found on almost all cruising boats. The ease of use along with the added safety of not having to go forward on a pitching deck have made roller furling required gear for both coastal and offshore sailing vessels.

Although the basic core of today’s modern marine diesel engine remains essentially the same, the controls, fuel systems and accessories have changed greatly.