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Sextant

The Lost Art of Dead Reckoning

For all the precision of modern technology, sometimes there’s no substitute for the tried-and-true art of dead reckoning.

Memory Lane: Using A Sextant for Nautical Navigation

Take a stroll down the memory lane of navigation. Many years ago, during what often seems like another lifetime, it was my job as a U.S. Merchant Marine officer to shoot a couple sun sights a day with a sextant, weather permitting. The task was a pleasure, really. It called for a set of physical skills that a guy like me could first learn, then practice, and then finally master in an almost artsy, albeit seriously practical way.

Graphic novel illustration panel showing seasickness causes and remedies, including looking at the horizon, acupressure wristbands, ginger, and steering a boat.

Why Seasickness Happens

Feeling queasy on the water happens to all of us. Here’s how to identify the early signs and counter them.

Split photo featuring boaters wearing "The 71 Percent" t-shirts on a trawler yacht next to the Trawler Talk podcast logo.

A 10,000-Nautical-Mile Delivery

Nathan and Lindsay of the 71 Percent—the can’t stop, won’t stop power cruisers—completed a “wrong way” crossing of the Pacific Ocean.

Organized set of chrome combination wrenches in foam storage tray inside a boat toolbox.

The Right Toolkit

A traveling boat’s toolbox is never full. Try to equip yours to handle any issues that might arise.

Side profile of the bright orange and black custom expedition yacht Vanguard floating in calm blue arctic waters, perfectly reflected on the surface against a backdrop of massive white and ice-blue glaciers under a pale blue sky.

Tangerine Dream

A small crew finds the adventure they wanted on a bucket-list journey to Greenland aboard a custom aluminum yacht.

Diagram showing how AIS signals travel from ships via satellites and shore stations to a central database server.

Power and Perils

AIS networks are a mighty addition to any onboard suite of electronics. They have significant value, but also limitations.

Close-up of a white marine diesel engine heat exchanger with a metal cap during routine preventive maintenance.

System Crashers

If you give your engine and generators regular love and attention, they won’t let you down.

A white Jeanneau Sea Loft 480 monomoran yacht cruising across blue open water, showing its solar-panel roof, open deck salon, and sunbed on the bow.

Jeanneau Sea Loft 480

A loft-like open layout and a choice of power-train options let buyers choose their own adventure.

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