Safe cruising is a series of small good decisions.
Not one big brave one.
The best skippers are the ones who cancel the trip the others should have.
Weather Windows
Cruise into forecasts you understand. Watch trends, not just numbers.
Wind against tide, afternoon build-ups and passing fronts are what change days.
Fuel Management
The old rule still works: one third out, one third back, one third in reserve.
Reserves are not for range. They are for surprises.
Communications
VHF, phone and EPIRB — know which is your primary, which is your backup, and how to use both without hesitation.
A working radio is a piece of safety gear, not a nice-to-have.
Changing the Plan
The best cruisers hold plans loosely. If conditions change, plans change.
An unplanned early return is never a failure. It's a good decision.
The sea rewards patience and punishes pride.
- ✓Weather window checked
- ✓Fuel and range confirmed
- ✓Passage plan shared with someone ashore
- ✓Comms tested (VHF, phone, EPIRB)
- ✓Water, food and safety gear stowed
- ✓Anchorage and back-up anchorage chosen
A good cruise is decided before you leave the dock.
- Do you truly understand the forecast, or do you just look at it?
- How much fuel do you carry as reserve — not range?
- Are you willing to turn back when you should?
- Weather trends matter more than snapshots.
- Keep one third of your fuel as untouched reserve.
- Changing plans is a strength, not a weakness.