Sloepmouche Cruising Seminars

!	Cruising Immersion Seminars Learning Program

Here below is a partial list of topics that are covered during the seminars. Each participant has, of course, special areas of interest. Without tooting our own horn, we have accumulated a vast practical and academic knowledge over our 20 years + of cruising, sailing and working abroad!

What vessel to choose? Comparison of different boat types by styles and materials of construction. Advantages and inconveniences of all. Experience real hand-on on a 46ft cruising trimaran (not fast racing one but roomy and comfortable cruising vessel!)

What electronic stuff do we need? Use of all onboard electronic equipment: GPS, depth sounder, radar, VHF and SSB radios, wind speed and direction indicators, electronic charts navigation, weather bulletins and wx analysis and more, on a moderate budget.

How to propel our boat with adverse wind or absence of wind? Boat propulsion systems: inboard & outboard diesel and gasoline engines, gearboxes, shaft, rudder and props. Designs and maintenance.

How to take advantage of the wind? Sailing techniques: different types of sail configurations, sail handling for single and couple crewing.

How not to shout at each other when anchoring! Anchoring techniques: Different type of anchors, anchor retrieval techniques, avoiding snagging the chain in corals, …

How to take care of plumbing? Water management systems: faucets, showers, watermaker, jerry-jugging, rain collecting, thru-hulls & seacocks, waste management, …

How to design and manage electrical systems? Batteries, energy monitoring & regulating, solar panels, wind generators, shaft alternators, high-output alternators, gensets, …

How to enjoy great meals? Food storage (fridge, freezer, lockers, drying, vacuum sealing …) and preparation (stove, oven, microwave, drying, … Easy recipes, international cooking, local market & local shopping, …

What to wear? Clothing: choice, sun & rain protection, foul wx gear, storage, local customs, …

What to do in the evening other than watching a beautiful sky full of stars? Books swap, TV reception, DVD and movies, CD and MP3 music, different standards, …

How to stay in touch? via voice (cellular phone, satellite phone, SSB radio, internet) and email (pactor via SSB, email via cellular, WIFI, …), foreign post offices, mail forwarding, …

How not to run out of money? Money management: cash, traveler cheques, credit cards, investments tracking, jobs while cruising, how to spend less, …

How to deal with officialdom: clearing in and out of foreign countries with health quarantine, immigration, agriculture, customs and harbor master, resident permits, work permits, …

How to not shock the natives? Cultural adaptation, change in attitudes, understanding local cultures, clean wake living, languages, …

What to do when something breaks? Jury rigging, spare parts stocking and ordering, where to find qualified assistance, redundancy, …

What to do when you run aground or run on a reef? Prevention, techniques, towing, insurance, yard repairs, haul out, …

!	Useful equipment

Email onboard via Pactor is easy, inexpensive and reliable when sailing in oceans and cruising remote places all around the world!

Check the following link for information, technical assistance and to get a SCS Pactor PTC2 or 3 modem.

LSAC Pactor

LED marine lights: a small company in Fiji is manufacturing great LED anchor, cockpit, reading lights and more. They are bright, use less than 1/10 of traditional light bulbs, waterproof and so well designed that they are backed up by a lifetime warranty!

LSAC LED lights

Get a GPS Mouse: this small, inexpensive, reliable and very performant GPS can be hooked up to your computer in 3 minutes. Compatible with Maxsea, Cmap and other electronic charting software, you will have your boat position in no time!

LSAC GPS Mouse

Personal safety and security for cruisers: Safety Lights, Child Safety, Home Protection, Diversion Safes, Pepper Spray, Mace Sprays , Stun Guns, Tasers, Personal Alarms, Animal Repellers, Knives, Hand Held Scanners, Spy & Surveillance and more. Small business run by a cruiser in Florida.

12 V DCcomputers built by an expert and friendly cruiser. Easy to repair or upgrade, low power draw, made according to your exact needs. www.islandtimepc.com

Free virtual fax number

Free email address with forwarding and shadow mail compatible (Sailmail)

peaceful anchorage with great snorkeling nearby

Cruising Immersion Seminars home page • Why participate • Goals • Where and when • Practical details