helpful cruising websites and resources
- Mahina Expedtions Website
- Mahina Expedtions Seminar Schedule
- Seven Seas Cruising Association
- Noonsite
- Interview with a Cruiser Project
- Passage Weather
- Windguru (great in the Red Sea or at popular kiting/windsurfing spots)
- Windfinder (helpful in the Med)
- MetVuw (the best for New Zealand and passages to/from)
- Saildocs (download their catalogs for all the options)
- Buoyweather (we subscribe to this annually, and often get their 7 day spot and/or passage forecasts when on passage. Very helpful to supplement saildocs GRIB files and/or other forecasts)
- UUPLUS
Getting Started:
*If you are still learning to sail, or haven't ever done an ocean passage before, then consider taking a course with John and Amanda Neal on their Hallberg Rassy 46, Mahina Tiare. They also give great informational seminars on outfitting your cruising boat and passagemaking, as well as provide a fantastic booklet when you sign up. Here's their website and schedule:
*Joining SSCA allows you to become part of the cruising community by sharing resources, getting the monthly bulletin, and using the forum. Also, they now offer tons of web-based seminars from everything from electronics, diesel maintenance, to navigation. Once you are a member you can access all their archived bulletins as well, which is a great resource for the global sailor.
*Once you discover Jimmy Cornell's NOONSITE, you will realize nothing else compares. Providing the most current info regarding countries and officialdom around the world, plus with the addition of cruisers providing their own stories and beta, it is a wealth of knowledge.
*Want to know what other cruisers have to say about how and why they left, where they went, how they cruise, gear they like, and everything in between? This is the place:
Weather Resources:
*If you have internet connection, then the best site we have seen and used globally is called Passage Weather.
*Other websites we check when we have internet are:
*If you are AWAY FROM THE INTERNET, and you use AIRMAIL thru an SSB o use a satellite phone like us, here's what we check:
*If you are considering using your satellite phone for data-based emailing while sailing globally, then we HIGHLY recommend paying for the services of UUPLUS. Jeremy and has crew are really great. Always super helpful and supportive with any issue you may have. Their annual fee is $357 US and totally worth it if you want stress-free, reliable email service.