Cruising Resources: Tips for Sailors Whose Home is Their Boat
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Make The West Marine Price Match Guarantee Work for You
As most boaters (in the US) know, West Marine carries the variety and quality products that make it a top go-to place for all things boating. From parts to recreational equipment to clothing, if you love being on or near the water, West Marine can help you make the most of your time and money.
If you have not used it, give West Marine's price match guarantee a try. It takes less time and will save you more money than you think. We've done it and west Marine did not hesitate to stand behind the price match guarantee.
How the Price Match Guarantee Works
If you find a lower price on a product at a local retail store, in a local retail store's circular, or on Amazon, West Marine will match that price within 30 days of purchase. This means that:
Read more: Make The West Marine Price Match Guarantee Work for You
Hanham Insurance Agency: Yacht Insurance FAQ's
Hugo Hanham-Gross founded Hanham Insurance Agency with the aim of providing yacht owners tailored 
yacht insurance coverage and exceptional client service. He has since built a reputation amongst cruisers for exceptional client service, the best coverage and competitive premiums. Hugo is also our own insurance broker and he has done a great job for us and all of our clients. He has helped several of our clients with insurance claims, with the best possible outcomes. We highly recommend Hugo!
What is your agency’s name, location and who is the underwriter? Who handles claims? Where do you provide insurance coverage?
Hanham Insurance Agency is a specialist yacht insurance brokerage with a strong focus on attentive, fast client service. Hanham Insurance Agency is based in Charleston, SC and specializes in coverage for yacht owners on the US East Coast and Caribbean but are able to cover cruisers worldwide.
Hanham Insurance Agency writes with most US Carriers as well as Lloyds of London carriers. Each carrier has an in house claims service, but Hanham Insurance Agency remains involved in the claims process to ensure that clients are treated fairly. A claim is always a stressful situation and Hanham Insurance Agency guides their clients through the whole process. While they are selective about the clients they work with, they are always happy to have a conversation and advise any boat owner that needs help with insurance.
Phone: +1-843-410-2990
Email: hugo@hanhaminsurance.com
How To Christen A Catamaran Sailboat
A boat christening ceremony is a fun way to introduce your boat to friends and family and we always encourage our friends and clients to do a proper ceremony in keeping with tradition to ensure safe passages for of the crew and the vessel. Sailors of old were very superstitious and even today we heed their warnings of bad luck at sea!
Ancient sailors believed in various superstitions to improve their chances of survival at sea. Today, most of these beliefs / superstitions are considered outdated, but many modern sailors continue to observe some of the traditions like the christening and naming of a boat. A proper christening ceremony will make you and your boat part of a nautical tradition rooted in ancient times, not to mention, safety and good luck at sea!
Note that the christening is different if your are renaming a boat. See our boat de-naming and re-naming ceremony.
What is Your Sailing Superstition?
Likely because of the dangers that sailors and fishermen faced as they braved the sea and elements, there are numerous superstitions about what to do and not do aboard boats. Safety and luck on the sea were frequent topics in the lore of sailing. And probably some rum-embued creativity has gone into some superstitions as some seem suspiciously untrue today.
Read more to see if our comic featuring our top ten sailing superstitions rings true for you. Be sure to comment if you have other superstitions!
Internet Access On A Cruising Boat
Battling with internet access onboard your boat? A cruising couple from s/v Bloom found an affordable solution that may work for most cruisers!
Cruisers all over the world are constantly looking for ways to get affordable internet access offshore or simply when coastal cruising. We have been very happy with the IridiumGo! setup for remote and offshore sailing. It allows us to send and receive email, make phone calls, messaging and of course get our all-important weather forecasting, all at a cost of $125/month (equipment cost vary form $700- $900). Cheap at the price if we can conduct business while exploring less traveled places.
However, for good and mostly free internet access when coastal cruising or island hopping, cruisers typically try to connect to “open” or unlocked WiFi networks. This is a hit or miss situation and in most cases impossible to do from your boat at anchor. There are several WiFi-boosting solutions like the Rogue Wave or the Wirie, which all offer different ranges, setups and features. Essentially this is an external antenna that you mount outside your boat and connect via an ethernet cable to a router inside your boat to boost the WiFi signal coming into the boat. You then create your own password protected ‘network’. But you are restricted by the quality of WiFi being broadcast from the shore.
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