Category Archives: Jeff’s Blog

Back At It

For anyone who is reading this, thanks for sticking with us. We realize we have been neglecting the blog and failing to post regular videos on YouTube. But that is all going to change here in 2017 as Margaret and … Continue reading

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Gifts for Sailors – A Dozen Salty Gifts for under $50

It’s that time of the year again! Return to Seasons has another list to help you pick the perfect gift for the sailors you love! Happy holidays! 1. Sailing Watch – this waterproof watch has wonderful features for your sailor including … Continue reading

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World Cruising Club ARC Caribbean 1500 Preliminary Report – Part Two

If you have not already, read part one of this report here. Thursday, November 10 I awoke at 2:30am to a squall. Came on deck and helped reef the main and swap the genoa for the staysail. By the time … Continue reading

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World Cruising Club ARC Caribbean 1500 Preliminary Report – Part One

I will certainly elaborate on a number of aspects of the trip and share some things I learned in the coming days, but I wanted to get up a straightforward report of the rally as early as possible. Below you … Continue reading

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A Cruising Guide to Essex, Connecticut

There are a lot of reasons to go to Essex, from its rich maritime history to its excellent birding and scenic beauty. But what first brought us to the Connecticut River town was more basic: current and storms. Leaving Port … Continue reading

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Our Plans for the End of the Summer and Winter

Folks who have talked to us about our sailing plans over the past couple months know that we have been debating taking Bear south for the winter. In fact, we even discussed doing so the previous year. Of course, we … Continue reading

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An Update from Newport Harbor

We are long overdue for an update on our summer cruising. Currently, we are sitting on a city mooring in Newport. After waking up to a calm harbor this morning, the southwesterly sea breeze is starting to fill in now … Continue reading

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Energy Needs and Solar Aboard

We have been talking about getting solar for some time. However, we wanted to get comfortable with our energy needs aboard Bear and learn something of her electrical system before we dove into purchasing and installing some charging system that … Continue reading

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Go Power! 30 Amp PWM Solar Controller and 100-Watt Panel

The Go Power! package is great in that it includes the panel itself, the charge controller, and almost everything you will need to hook it up, but we did find that a few things are lacking in the kit. If … Continue reading

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Extreme Shoaling in the Entrance to the Chesapeake City Basin

We had heard from a couple different folks that the entrance to Chesapeake City on the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal had shoaled up a bit over the past two years since we were last in there. Thus, we were a … Continue reading

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