weather

Stan Honey - Sailing's Master Navigator

Here's a quiz: 1. Who is the father of consumer on-screen navigation, including the automotive navigation systems used around the world? 2. Who invented the technology that displays the first-down line on your TV in American Football, the "glowing" hockey pucks and baseballs, and the real-time "player cards" in international football (soccer)? 3. Who is the most sought after navigator in professional sailing? The answer to all three questions is: Stan Honey.

Just in from the Transpac (his 16th), where he plotted the record-breaking course for

What's a GRIB?

While racing and cruising over the oceans, many of our YachtPals have been sending us updates which mention GRIBs.  We've gotten a few emails on the subject (always appreciated), and we've been made to realize the need to clear this GRIB thing up for our readers.  While we're at it, we thought we might as well give you some links to the FREE technology available for weather prediction, which you can then use yourself.  Careful, it can become addictive playing with GRIBs, but it's probably better for the brain than watching TV.

Town Bans Whistling to Aid Sailors

Portsoy, Scotland - Officials of the port's Scottish Traditional Boat Festival have strong-armed the local government into banning whistling for an entire town. While walking to work, citizens may hum or sing, and a pretty girl may receive a verbal complement, but putting one's lips together and blowing are simply not allowed. Last year's festival saw some rotten weather, and this year, nobody's taking chances.

Tin-Can Weatherfax

You won't find Graybeard Cove marked as such on many charts – maybe three, tops. It's one of those secret anchorages of the Inside Passage that you either have to find on your own, or pry from what Sailing Directions always refer to as “local knowledge.” My Local was a Canadian cruising friend who is always looking for a quiet spot away from the “damned Americans.” He, by the way, was born in Walnut Creek, CA...

Weatherfax - Make Your Own

First off, there is no tin can involved. I started calling it “tin-can” because it was so simple it reminded me of two tin-cans on a string, but you will need neither the cans nor the string. What you will need are a computer, a piece of software (free to try), a shortwave radio with SSB, and a cable to connect the radio to the computer.