This Preparation Guide discusses a range of pertinent issues from establishing budgets and buying equipment to preventative maintenance and heavy weather sailing. The text works closely with the ORC category 1 requirements and includes many comments from other cruisers who are ‘out there doing it’.
This book outlines what training courses to attend before leaving, what gear to take, provisioning strategy and, equally important, how to stow it all.
If you wish to bridge the gap between fantasy and reality then your bluewater cruise must be effectively managed.
Author’s Note:
This is the book we were looking for before we set off on our trip around the world. A book which clearly outlined what type of boat to buy, what equipment to buy, what provisions to take with us, how much it would cost and what preparations to make.
To broaden the input we interviewed many cruisers who are ‘out there doing it’ and have incorporated their comments relating to their experiences and opinions. We have also included the comments from a wide range of key stakeholders; yacht designers, yacht manufacturers, equipment manufacturers, equipment suppliers, national and international marine societies.
Bluewater cruising has all the features of a complex project, requiring effective time planning, budgeting, procurement and maintenance scheduling. Above all it requires an effective understanding of risk management and this is in addition to the basic navigation and sailing skills required.
The bluewater cruising lifestyle offers something for everyone from snorkelling and shell collecting to SSB (amateur radio) communications and down loading satellite imagery weather systems. But to really make the most of this unique opportunity you should be prepared with special equipment, licences and operating skills. Exploring the planet will also bring you face to face with the diverse cultures of the world. Geography and history come alive – they are not a picture in a book any more – they are real you can reach out and touch them. If this is the lifestyle for you, then the next few years could be the most rewarding period of your life.
Rory Burke