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    KEEPING YOUR COOL IN THE TROPICS ON A CLIPPER 70

    Image description
    If you are signed up to do legs 1, 4, 5 or 7, then you are likely to see the tropics at some point. Legs 1, 5, and 7, in particular, can be very warm for at least part of the time at sea. This brings with it several challenges, mainly revolving around choosing the correct deck clothing and apparel, managing fluid intake, personal hygiene and keeping cool below deck when off watch.

    Trying to sleep in 38-45º C, especially when it's humid and you are salt-encrusted & sweaty, is almost impossible until you are very very tired.

    Good, lightweight, wicking base layers with long sleeves (for UV protection) are critical. Don't use cotton. It gets wet, retains moisture once saltwater is on it and will get smellier, faster! A lightweight merino wool is good for comfort, performance and odour management. Icebreaker is a well-known Kiwi brand, although it is pricey.
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    Which Watch System is Best for your Yacht, Crew & Voyage.

    Crew Management Passage Planning
    ​Many sailors will rarely do more than short day-sails throughout their sailing career. And that’s fine. For the more adventurous, the idea of longer voyages soon becomes appealing. In fact, many students consider their night sailing to be the highlight of their course.

    Even then, many night sails don’t require a watch system. But if your voyage is going to be over 18 hours or more, it’s worth putting in place some sort of watch system, especially if conditions are challenging. This helps keep people safe from exposure on deck and allows for equal rest for all, even if that isn’t always sleep.
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    How to Calculate & Plot an Estimated Position

    Chartwork
    In this video, we talk you through how to calculate and plot and Estimated Position (EP). We have no allowed for the application of variation and deviation, so as to keep this simple. 

    There is a link in this video to a tutorial showing how to apply variation and deviation.
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    PASSAGE PLANNING - WHERE DO WE START AND WHY?

    Passage Planning
    In this short video, we bring it back to basics. Once you have appraised what you need in terms of charts, pilotage books and almanacs, etc it's simply a matter of working out how long the passage is likely to be (an estimate based on the distance divided by an estimated boat speed).

    Once you have that, work out the critical tidal windows and when you will meet them and then you will be able to plan the passage based on when you want to get there and/or when you want to leave.

    Remember;
    Appraise - Plan - Excecute - Monitor
    ​
    Of course, sometimes the forces of nature will not be kind and you might need to allow for a stop at some point to allow for weather, foul tide or other issues. But if you have planned well, you will know what to expect and if you brief your crew well, so will they.

    If you'd like to use my dynamic passage plan PDF | Click here.
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    The dance of the sun, moon, and earth: A brief overview of tidal cycles

    Tides And Currents
    Picture of moon and ocean
    Tides are the regular rising and falling of the ocean surface, caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun. The phenomenon of tides is a result of the gravitational interaction between the earth, moon, and sun, and is also influenced by the shape of the earth's surface and the rotation of the planet. Tides play a crucial role in shaping the coastal environment. In this post, we will explore how tides are caused around the world, the effects of the moon, sun, and geographical features on tidal flow.
    "I have always been fascinated by the ocean, to dip a limb beneath its surface and know that I'm touching eternity, that it goes on forever until it begins here again." - Lauren DeStefano