Black Panther

Called Agua Mala (bad water) in Mexico. Can't see them but itchy little buggers. A function of warmer water?

It's a skyhook. Used to lift the boat for cleaning in remote places.

No, but you made me Google waterside venom.

Are you guys tlking racing or cruising? For a trip on the coast i have a quick look at the forecast (up to 1 minute) and if there's nothing nasty i go sailing.

Hang out at Mahurangi till Sunday

Easy, go somewhere else.

Interesting name. In the southern US cracker is a pejorative term.

Sneaky little buggers, harder than spearing a kingfish. But you might be right, I forgot the burley.

And for those who remember the glory days of the Crew.org end of year rum race, maybe you remember my then teenage daughter providing the live music. Here's her latest offerings

I would consider wearing a helmet really stupid. I wasn't kidding about the step ladder. And my wife would never sail with me again.

IMHO Platino was human error, totally.

Ifi were buying a new cruising boat a traveler outside the cockpit would be one of my tickboxes.

We're in Matamata getting ready for our visit to Hobbiton. I have camo gear and a crossbow, am I missing anything?

I also think there is an over emphasis on equipment and not enough emphasis on skills and practice/experience. And attitude.

I have a line fixed to the outboard end of the boom running to the gooseneck. I can attach a preventer either side without dangling off the end of the boom.

That was cool. Even had good music.

You scare me sometimes

I have a small step ladder to reach the main boom.

Angela decorated the main cabin and invited the girls over for dinner.

Be careful out there. I ordered some nice jewellery for my wife and a new code 0 turned up.

Not sure I agree with that, but I have have no direct experience of a rally other than my natural inclination is to avoid them. Anecdotally I seem to meet a lot of newbies who think going in a group makes them safer.

That's an interesting one. IMHO too many people are counting on this. " we have a route planner so we will avoid bad weather". True, until it isn't.

In 1979 the fastnet In 1979, it was the climax of the five-race Admiral's Cup competition, as it had been since 1957. A worse-than-expected storm on the third day of the race wreaked havoc on the 303 yachts that started the biennial race, resulting in 19 fatalities (15 yachtsmen and four spectators). In 1998 the sy Hobart The 1998 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race was the 54th annual running of the "blue water classic" Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. It was hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia based in Sydney, New South Wales. It was the most disastrous in the race's hi