Sailing is as much about judgment as it is movement—reading wind, water, and timing with precision. These posts explore life on the water, from practical experience to the quieter realities of navigation, weather, and decision-making, where small choices can carry significant consequences.
Mitchell hauls Surly Mermaid down the coast for maintenance but gets swept into an unexpected voyage when Gary, a friend with a casual approach to sailing, invites him to join a group heading south. Among them are Paul and Emma, new sailors on their handmade boat. Mitchell hesitates, then joins. The forecast is ominous. Winds
Drifting Toward Blame Read More »
Michael purchases a medium-sized yacht named Last Laugh despite having no sailing experience. Over five years of learning through failure and success in Moreton Bay, they gain confidence and self-reliance. The yacht becomes a space for writing and reflection, turning challenging experiences into stories and personal growth.
Last Laugh: Finding Myself Between the Tides Read More »
Aboard Surly Mermaid, Mitchell explains how isolation at sea shifts power towards the skipper. He recalls misleading a woman about an overnight voyage, watching her confidence disappear with the shoreline. No violence was necessary. Distance created dependency, and denying the intimacy she expected became Mitchell’s most satisfying act of control.
The Skipper’s Game: Women on Yachts Read More »
Alan and Wendy jolted awake to a strange thud against their yacht, Rising Wind. “The dinghy?” Wendy asked. Alan grumbled and listened—no tension on the tether. “Something’s not right,” he muttered, slipping into a battered tee and stepping out to the deck. Morning light revealed nothing unusual: empty bottles from the night before, a lazy
Still Waters, Dark Secrets Read More »
He was stopped by water police for speeding and lacking a valid boat license after moving interstate in Australia. Despite extensive boating experience, he learned that licenses do not automatically transfer. The encounter highlighted the importance of civility with authorities, resulting in only a warning for speeding and a manageable path to re-licensing.
Avoiding Boating Fines in Australia: A Personal Experience Read More »
The safety of passengers on cruise ships is of paramount importance, and incidents of passengers falling overboard are rare but concerning. Passengers falling overboard from cruise ships represent a rare but highly publicised occurrence in the cruise industry. Statistics on the exact frequency are not always readily available due to the varying nature of these
Did You Know: Cruise Ships Lose A Passenger a Month? Read More »
Boating accidents, particularly man-overboard incidents, often lead to unanswered questions and suspicion due to the unpredictability of the ocean. Cruise ships, despite their perceived safety, still witness yearly disappearances. The boating experience’s allure can attract individuals seeking excitement or romance, yet it conceals darker tales of secrets and tragedy amidst idyllic settings.
The Hidden Dangers of Cruise Ship Voyages Read More »
The author reflects on leaving a troubled marriage to embrace life aboard a twenty-seven-foot yacht. Initially daunting due to lack of sailing experience, the journey proved transformative. Five years at sea revived his spirit, allowing him to sever ties with the past. He ultimately returned to land, marking a fresh start.
I Sailed Away From My (Sexless) Marriage Read More »
The narrative explores the haunting essence of loss, illustrated through a woman mourning her lover lost to the sea. It captures the resonant sounds of She-Oak Trees that evoke memories of experiences with marine life and a connection to St Helena’s ruins, ultimately finding solace in familiar whispers at a new home.
A Lonely She-Oak’s Cry Read More »
In 1983, Australia II won the America’s Cup, ending the New York Yacht Club’s 132-year dominance, thanks largely to its innovative winged keel. While this design improved hydrodynamic efficiency, stability, upwind performance, and maneuverability, many in the sailing community argue its advantages are overstated and offer psychological rather than tangible benefits.
The Revolutionary Winged Keel of Australia II Wasn’t a Game Changer Read More »