Cruising Helmsman March 2010

Cruising is supposedly a relaxing pasttime, but it can be full of inherent dangers as highlighted by several articles in this March 2010 issue of Cruising Helmsman.

Normally a South Pacific paradise, American Samoa became anything but for Lisa Cross and her family. The recent tsunami hit while they were effecting repairs on their beloved Biscayne Bay and Lisa's story is a harrowing read.

Christina Gillgren continues her story with the telling of their Red Sea crossing enroute to the Meditteranean. While enjoying the trip she details some very useful 'do's and dont's' for transitting this hot spot.

Closer to home there is nothing more dangerous than being at sea in an unsafe boat. Making sure your potential purchase is a good one is a given and hiring a good surveyor is imperative. Douglas Brooker explains what to expect from your surveyor and what a good survey should include.

Your best link when caught in a dangerous situation at sea is your radio and Bruce Vass conducts an interesting Q and A session with South Australian VMR operator Allan Miell providing lots of useful information for all sailors.

Tender outboards are put to the test in a practical article by Andrew Norton. Two stroke and four stroke models are given the once over on this important purchase.

Samos may be the Greek island birthplace of Pythagoras but to  Mark Rasmussen it is his home away from home in this issue of My Boat. Kevin Green boat tests the Catalina 375 and Ralph Chant visits lovely Lake Tinaroo in FNQ.

All the regular columns are there to guide you through all sorts of issues ranging from antifouling to Easter. Naturally, your feedback is always welcome at Cruising Helmsman.