Sail Far Live Free - Sailboats, Sailing News, and Gear

Having backup electrical power is a necessity for my peace of mind while on the water.  A large housebank of batteries, solar panels, and wind generators are all potential solutions, but perhaps...

http://www.sailfarlivefree.com/2022/11/power-on-go-jackery-explorer-300.html

"FROM A SMALL SEED A MIGHTY TRUNK MAY GROW." - AESCHYLUS Have you seen the seed of a redwood tree?  The Aeschylus quote above embodies what many of us know in our minds but still sometimes fin...

http://www.sailfarlivefree.com/2022/10/andrew-bedwell-and-big-c-atlantic.html

“You don’t need to hurry. Take your time!  We are all used to planning our lives days, weeks, or even months in advance. But it doesn’t work that way on a sailboat." - Brandon Keepers I...

http://www.sailfarlivefree.com/2020/05/no-need-to-hurry-interview-with.html

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." - Leonardo da Vinci I like simple, clean design.  Cluttering something up with impractical features, trendy style elements, or technology for tech...

http://www.sailfarlivefree.com/2020/05/boaters-and-floafers-do-they-pair-well.html

"Let's talk about keels.  That is always a sure way to get someone's knickers in a twist."  - Bob Perry, Sailboat Designer A discussion about keel types is always fun among a group of cru...

http://www.sailfarlivefree.com/2020/04/keel-types-and-what-they-say-about.html

"What you choose also chooses you." -Kamand Kojouri I've lived on both sides of this fence.  I was raised a powerboater and relished my time on the water with my family in everything from b...

http://www.sailfarlivefree.com/2020/02/a-closer-look-at-nautical-rivalry.html

"The brain size of people who see big dreams is the same as yours." -Vineet Raj Kapoor It's not the size of your brain, but rather how you choose to use it.  To put that quote in simple boa...

http://www.sailfarlivefree.com/2020/02/a-peek-at-two-small-ish-deck-saloons.html

"If you have always done it that way, it is probably wrong." -Charles Kettering When I dig down deep, I'm a crusty old salt and I like my boats that way too.  Some that are nearest and dea...

http://www.sailfarlivefree.com/2020/01/why-didnt-i-think-of-that-gee-whiz.html

"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air." -Ralph Waldo Emerson Emerson sums up a life on the water so simply.  For those who enjoy being on the water living in the sunshine,...

http://www.sailfarlivefree.com/2020/01/let-sun-shine-uv-skinz-sunwear-review.html

"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold; when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade."  -Charles Dickens That's exactly the dichotomy w...

http://www.sailfarlivefree.com/2020/01/the-coolest-showdown-yeti-tundra-vs.html

"The sea, the great unifier, is man's only hope. Now, as never before, the old phrase has a literal meaning: we are all in the same boat."  - Jacques Yves Cousteau Jacques may be right abo...

http://www.sailfarlivefree.com/2019/12/sirius-signal-c-1003-distress-light.html

"Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others." -Jonathan Swift I’ve only tried one pair of Shady Rays , but I can confidently say that these are affordable, quality sunglasses...

http://www.sailfarlivefree.com/2019/01/see-invisible-shady-rays-sunglasses.html

http://www.sailfarlivefree.com/2017/04/picture-this-from-under-my-lone-palm-ii.html

OluKai believes that everybody, no matter where they are, can live Aloha. Live "hello"? No, not exactly. The word "Aloha" goes far beyond just a greeting. The true deeper meaning is love, peace ...

http://www.sailfarlivefree.com/2017/03/aloha-for-your-feet-olukai-footwear-for.html

Winning Back Memories (Anchored in Sleeping Bear Bay by K. Walters)

http://www.sailfarlivefree.com/2017/02/picture-this-winning-back-memories.html

"Sail the main course, sail it in a simple sturdy craft. Keep her well stocked with short stories and long laughs. Go fast enough to get there, but slow enough to see. Moderation seems to be th...

http://www.sailfarlivefree.com/2017/02/the-speed-of-sail-does-it-matter-how.html

When I think of the cruising lifestyle, I generally picture a sturdy 35'+ sailboat capable of serving as a liveaboard and hopping among idyllic anchorages sprinkled with a few marina days in betw...

http://www.sailfarlivefree.com/2017/01/camping-on-keel-trailer-sailers-for.html

What's a Great Lakes sailor to do in the off season? Well for starters, there's the Chicago Boat, RV & Strictly Sail Show (formerly just "Strictly Sail Chicago") from January 11-15, 2017. Th...

http://www.sailfarlivefree.com/2016/12/ticket-giveaway-chicago-boat-rv.html

Some of us sailors sail because we like simplicity and disconnection from all of land's technology. But there's some technology that's just too useful and convenient to be left behind. The new wa...

http://www.sailfarlivefree.com/2016/12/sailing-gear-review-gooloo-gp37-jump.html

Haulout Blues (Photo by K. Walters) Though below me I feel no motion Standing on these mountains and plains Far away from the rolling ocean Still my dry land heart can say I've be...

http://www.sailfarlivefree.com/2016/10/picture-this-haulout-blues.html

As sailors, many of us are acutely attuned to energy conservation while onboard and away from the dock. In other words, we don't like running a generator or our engine to recharge batteries just...

http://www.sailfarlivefree.com/2016/09/gear-review-pelican-20qt-elite-cooler.html

"The secret to having it all is knowing that you already do." Is it really that simple? I suppose it very well could be. The catch to that fun little statement is that it requires a commitmen...

http://www.sailfarlivefree.com/2016/06/the-secret-to-having-it-all.html

"Learning and innovation go hand in hand. The arrogance of success is to think that what you did yesterday will be sufficient for tomorrow." - William Pollard I'm a bit paranoid about power on...

http://www.sailfarlivefree.com/2016/05/sailing-product-preview-renogy-lycan.html

Spring commissioning always involves taking inventory of spare parts, gear and safety equipment to make sure we're prepared for the season ahead. Invariably, it feels like our flares are expired ...

http://www.sailfarlivefree.com/2016/04/sirius-signal-sos-distress-light-review.html

"At the end of your life, you're not going to remember all the knick-knacks and gadgets you had around you ... you're going to remember how far you could see when you looked out on the horizon.�...

http://www.sailfarlivefree.com/2016/04/a-circumnavigation-with-two-girls-and.html