Tom Neale's "Cruising For You"


This 24-7 live-aboard sailor writes for anyone who's ever wanted to go to another place on a boat. No matter whether you're a weekend or vacation boater, a full-time cruiser, a sailor or a powerboater, Tom -- with his wit and Southern charm -- has advice and first-hand experience to share.

Latest Log: Marina Stories There’s nothing like snuggling into a marina slip to relax and escape the dangers of the high seas. You can let your guard down. You can watch those anvil clouds sweeping toward you as you look at those pilings you’re boat is hanging onto and flip a grin up to the dark skies. At least that’s what I like to think. But I also remember some marina experiences that weren’t quite so relaxing.

 
   
Liz Tosoni’s and Tom Morkin’s “Feel Free”

They’ve been out cruising for two decades, working along the way, and seeing where the cruising life takes them. Join the 51-foot sailboat Feel Free for an adventure that has become a rich and rewarding life for this resourceful couple.

Latest Log: Out Of Africa - “I want to go, but I don’t want to go” lamented Sarah of Djarrka, describing her feelings about taking leave of our lovely sanctuary in Sale, Morocco. “I know” said I, “my sentiments exactly”. We’d spent just over one month in Bouregerg Marina, meeting up with old friends we hadn’t seen in two or three years, taking inland trips to the Atlas Mountains to the south and the Rif Mountains to the north, and to some of the imperial cities- Marrakesh and Fez. Rabat, the capital, was right next door so it was easy to regularly explore her labyrinthin alleys and storied sights. But ‘all good things must come to an end’, we both knew. We’ve seen this movie before.

 
     
 
"Kismet" Explores The Great American Loop

In 2005 Jim and Lisa Favors retired, sold their house in Traverse City, Michigan, and set out for a 10-month, 6,000-mile Great American Loop adventure aboard their new Fathom 40. They explored the American river system, ICW, lakes, and the Abacos. Jim and Lisa decided to head out again, but this time they will be “Loopers” for two years, and have a boat built for the purpose. Join the Favors on Kismet, as they depart their homeport of Charlevoix, Michigan, for a two-year Loop adventure on their new boat- a journey into the American heartland. One such couple is Mike and Carol Gordon, who live in Fairhope. We met them in 2005 in Chicago, where they were on their Nordhavn, Evelyn J, shortly after starting our first Loop.

Latest Log: New Frontiers - Cruising Florida’s St. Johns River and its tributaries for the first time certainly cannot be compared to some of the world’s great firsts, such as the walk on the moon, climbing Mt Everest, or the discovery of the New World. However, for us the St. Johns represented a new frontier, one that we had not yet explored, one that has all the characteristics for a great adventure. It has abundant wildlife, remote creeks with scenic surroundings for anchoring out, crystal clear springs and the occasional small “Old Florida” town or village with unique “laid back” restaurants and friendly people. Our adventure started at Ortega Landing Marina in Jacksonville and then we headed south up river. You read that correctly, the St. Johns is one of the few Rivers in the United States that runs south to north.

 
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Stories from Cruising Kids:

Cruising kids from near and far, and of different ages, tell their stories. Find out from them firsthand what it's like to live aboard, where they went, and what they liked best about the whole experience.

Latest Log: My Two-Year Caribbean Adventure - By Olivia Collins
Waves rustle against the hull of Zora. A seagull shrieks to the rising sun as I open my hatch. Beyond the deck, a white-sand beach stretches off into the distance. Light dances in the turquoise waves. Later in the day, I might go for a snorkel or collect shells in that pristine sand. No, it isn’t a happy dream. It was my life for two years.

 
 
Chartering Connection:
BoatUS members share their firsthand experiences and advice about chartering boats. Learn from your fellow boaters about some of the best places to charter in the world.
 
Archived Logs:
Follow BoatUS Members Tania Aebi on Shangri La, Bernadette and Doug Bernon aboard Ithaka and others as they cruise around the world. Choose a boat from the list and read about the vessel and her crew, study the routes they choose and follow their adventures.