Sailboat Blog

The Sailboat Blog keeps you in touch with the additions and changes made to sailboat-cruising.com website.

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Oct 02, 2026

Should I Buy a Boat? Four Questions to Answer Before You Commit

Thinking "Should I buy a boat?" This guide helps you decide, with key considerations from cost & maintenance to your personal sailing aspirations.

Continue reading "Should I Buy a Boat? Four Questions to Answer Before You Commit"

Oct 01, 2026

Offshore Internet with Starlink: Hardware, Plans, and Setup Guidance

A clear, practical guide to choosing the right Starlink hardware and plan for offshore cruising. Learn what to buy, how to install it, and how to manage power afloat.

Continue reading "Offshore Internet with Starlink: Hardware, Plans, and Setup Guidance"

Oct 01, 2026

Offshore Liferaft Guide: Choosing, Stowing and Servicing One

Choosing an offshore liferaft? Learn what ISO 9650 Group A means, where to stow it, how often to service it and what to pack in the grab bag.

Continue reading "Offshore Liferaft Guide: Choosing, Stowing and Servicing One"

Sep 30, 2026

Can an Inflatable Tender Replace a Liferaft? Offshore Verdict

Can an inflatable tender replace a liferaft? Offshore sailors get the honest answer: when a tender helps, where it fails and how to plan abandon ship.

Continue reading "Can an Inflatable Tender Replace a Liferaft? Offshore Verdict"

Sep 30, 2026

Tayana 55 Review: Specs, Ratios & Bluewater Cruising Guide

Detailed Tayana 55 review covering specs, design ratios, sailing performance, layouts, problem areas and buyer tips.

Continue reading "Tayana 55 Review: Specs, Ratios & Bluewater Cruising Guide"

Sep 30, 2026

Serious Sailboat Safety Gear: Beacons, Lifejackets, Liferafts

Serious sailboat safety gear for offshore crews: EPIRBs, PLBs, lifejackets and liferafts, plus the 2026 UK beacon registration change and pre-passage checks.

Continue reading "Serious Sailboat Safety Gear: Beacons, Lifejackets, Liferafts"

Sep 29, 2026

Offshore Lifejackets: The Complete Buyer's Guide

A practical guide to offshore lifejackets: buoyancy levels, inflation types, must-have features and servicing advice

Continue reading "Offshore Lifejackets: The Complete Buyer's Guide"

Sep 29, 2026

MOB Recovery Systems: Lifesling vs Ocean Safety Jon Buoy

Compare man overboard recovery systems for sailboats: Lifesling2, Lifesling3 and Ocean Safety's Jon Buoy, with pricing and which suits your boat.

Continue reading "MOB Recovery Systems: Lifesling vs Ocean Safety Jon Buoy"

Sep 29, 2026

Man Overboard Recovery Systems for Sailboats: Offshore Guide

Man overboard recovery systems compared for offshore sailboats: Lifesling, Jon Buoy, hoisting rigs, OSR rules and how to practise before you need them.

Continue reading "Man Overboard Recovery Systems for Sailboats: Offshore Guide"

Sep 29, 2026

Popular Offshore Liferaft: Compare 3 Trusted Options

Comparing offshore liferafts? See three tested options, from a budget valise raft to a premium ISO 9650 canister raft, with prices and key specs.

Continue reading "Popular Offshore Liferaft: Compare 3 Trusted Options"

Sep 27, 2026

Best Sailing Lifejackets: Budget to Offshore Picks

Compare three lifejackets — a budget foam vest, a coastal automatic, and a full offshore-spec Spinlock — with honest pros, cons and pricing

Continue reading "Best Sailing Lifejackets: Budget to Offshore Picks"

Sep 26, 2026

Best PLBs for Sailors in 2026 — Top Personal Locator Beacons Reviewed

Discover the best PLBs for sailors in 2026. Compact, reliable personal locator beacons ideal for man‑overboard emergencies and offshore cruising.

Continue reading "Best PLBs for Sailors in 2026 — Top Personal Locator Beacons Reviewed"

Sep 25, 2026

Best AIS Systems for Cruising Sailboats 2026 — Class B & B+ Guide

Find the best AIS systems for cruising sailboats in 2026. Clear guidance on Class B vs Class B+, transceivers vs receivers, NMEA 2000 compatibility, and top AIS units available on Amazon.

Continue reading "Best AIS Systems for Cruising Sailboats 2026 — Class B & B+ Guide"

Sep 25, 2026

Comparing Handheld VHF Radios

Budget, Mid-Range and Premium VHF Radios functionality and performance compared

Continue reading "Comparing Handheld VHF Radios"

Sep 20, 2026

Rigging a Carbon Mast: Carbon, PBO or Dyneema Compared

Rigging a carbon mast: how carbon rod, PBO and Dyneema compare on cost, weight and inspection, and why stainless wire or rod rarely make sense.

Continue reading "Rigging a Carbon Mast: Carbon, PBO or Dyneema Compared"

Recent Articles

  1. Should I Buy a Boat? Four Questions to Answer Before You Commit

    Oct 02, 26 04:40 AM

    Thinking "Should I buy a boat?" This guide helps you decide, with key considerations from cost & maintenance to your personal sailing aspirations.

    Read More

  2. Offshore Internet with Starlink: Hardware, Plans, and Setup Guidance

    Oct 01, 26 01:15 PM

    A clear, practical guide to choosing the right Starlink hardware and plan for offshore cruising. Learn what to buy, how to install it, and how to manage power afloat.

    Read More

  3. Offshore Liferaft Guide: Choosing, Stowing and Servicing One

    Oct 01, 26 06:28 AM

    Choosing an offshore liferaft? Learn what ISO 9650 Group A means, where to stow it, how often to service it and what to pack in the grab bag.

    Read More