Just Starting

I am dipping a toe into the blogging world with some trepidation.  I've spent the last few years following some excellent sailing blogs.  I have watched many good ones die on the vine and some stay up and active.

Probably the slickest sailing blog out there is Windtraveler.  This couple started out in Chicago last year, came down the canal, out the Hudson and ultimately to Grenada.  The writing is very good, but is more lifestyle based than technical sailing stuff.  The actual sailing segments of the blog do not go into much detail, but I believe that is intentional.  Who knows?

Another excellent writer is from the blog Our Life with Ceol Mor.  She does not update her blog as often as Windtraveler and sometimes the topics drift away from the boat, but when she is writing about their re-fit adventures; their plans; her husband; and the short little shake downs away from the dock, she is one of the most entertaining writers out there.

Another good, entertaining writer comes from The Dock Six Chronicles.  He variously has got some technical how to project going or some equipment malfunction or sailing adventure.  I believe his boat is on one of the Great Lakes in Canada.  Interestingly, among these three blogs, he has probably sailed more in the last year than both of the others.  The Windtraveler folks shut the boat down for hurricane season and having a baby and then decided to buy another boat.  Ceol Mor is apparently being meticulously fitted out for a well planned cruise a year or more from now.

The best writer out there is a guy who has not posted anything since June.  His site is The Fakes Progress.  I forget the entire story, but at the age of 60, I believe, someone bought him a Pearson 26 as a birthday present.  He keeps it moored at the 79th street basin in NYC, but each summer except for this one, apparently, he sails the thing solo to Maine and back.  Beautiful, funny writer.  Braver than I in terms of striking out alone.  Sailing alone through any conditions.  Sailing at night.  Anchoring wherever, at will.  He's an inspiration.

Last, but not least, for this first post that is turning into an unintended blog/writers review, is what was a self published e-book and its attendant website.  The book is no longer available as an e-book, because it has been picked up by major publishers.  The movie rights have been sold.  An incredible success story for a young Australian lady who reluctantly sails across the Pacific with her boyfriend from California to Polynesia.  Yes, this story has been told hundreds of times, but this girl is a great writer and the story is hilarious - but strong.  Now, the name of the book . . . "Swept, love with a chance of drowning."  She has a site called fearfuladventurer.com, which includes sailing stuff but is more of a lifestyle thing.

My boat sails out of New Bedford, Massachusetts and I thought I'd try to start this blog to post and acquire updated information about various locations and issues that confront New England sailors - so hopefully someone will be interested.  Next post, I believe will be a couple comments on the current status of some of the local harbors.