TODAY'S TIP
 

Always practice good seamanship - you never know when it will come in handy!

Excerpt from: The Practical Mariner's Book of Knowledge by John Vigor

Vigor's Black Box Theory - The basis of the theory is that there is no such thing as fortuitous luck at sea. The reason why some boaters survive storms or have fewer accidents than others is that they earn their "luck" by diligent and constant acts of seamanship.

Aboard every boat there's an invisible black box. Every time a skipper takes the trouble to consult the chart, inspect the filters, go forward on a rainy night to check the running lights, or take any proper seaman like precaution, he or she earns a point that goes into the black box.

In times of stress, in heavy weather or other threatening circumstances where human skill and effort can accomplish no more, the points are cashed in as protection. The skipper has no control over their withdrawal. They withdraw themselves, as appropriate. Those skippers with no points in the box are the ones later described as "unlucky." Those with points to spend will survive -- but they must start immediately to replenish their savings, for the sea offers no credit.

Thursday, June 3rd
6pm - 8pm
Presented at: San Carlos West Marine
Click here for directions

This is a one hour video slide show presented by Jim Hancock on cruising the South Pacific. The video covers the Pacific Crossing that Jim made with his wife, Eleanor, aboard a thirty-nine foot sailboat in 2002. The trip took them from Mexico to New Zealand, passing through six different countries on the way and covering a distance of nearly seven thousand miles.
 
The program paints an honest picture of long distance cruising, including the good and the bad; the highs and the lows; the silly and the sublime. Jim will stay to answer questions on the best ways to prepare for this type of voyage, what boat to buy, his favorite spots, what to watch out for and why cruising couples succeed or fail.
 
Jim Hancock is the General Manager of Club Nautique. He has been sailing for more than 35 years, holds a 50 ton Masters License, is a US SAILING instructor trainer and has had his writing published in Sail Magazine, Ocean Navigator and Latitude 38.

November 12 - 19

Come with us! Get on our skippered boat or charter your own boat and tag along!