Author Archives: George Backhus

Local Knowledge

Posted on August 7, 2005 by George Backhus

Nothing can be more daunting than arriving to an unfamiliar country, particularly where language and customs are very different to our own. That said, a bit of homework before landfall can help to ease the stress and enhance the excitement. … Continue reading →

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The Darwin to Kupang Rally

Posted on July 25, 2005 by George Backhus

July 23, 2005 Sometimes the most difficult aspect of cruising can be saying farewell to friends we’ve met and places we’ve visited and come to enjoy along the way. This was certainly the case with Darwin. We had spent … Continue reading →

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Australia: Cruising “Over the Top”

Posted on July 15, 2005 by George Backhus

      George next to a “rather small” ant hill at Port Essington. After two months of sailing mostly in a northwesterly direction up the Queensland coast, we had reached “the Tip” or Cape York, the northernmost point … Continue reading →

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Queensland, Australia: The Whitsundays to Cape York

Posted on July 10, 2005 by George Backhus

      Merima with cockatoo, Hamilton Island I realize that I haven’t tapped out a “Sailor’s Log” for quite some time now, about six months to be exact, but for good reason. I’ve enjoyed the Queensland coast of … Continue reading →

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Standing Watch

Posted on June 26, 2005 by George Backhus

How do you like to set up your watch-standing system? How many hours on and off watch? Do you have a formal setup, or do you just wing it based on who’s tired and who feels like staying up? Generally … Continue reading →

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MooCrew Bio’s

Posted on May 24, 2005 by George Backhus

Merima Jaferi joined George on Moonshadow in McKay, Australia in April of 2005 and has since sailed her for 12,000 miles or roughly half way around the world.  A native of New Zealand, Merima began sailing on P-Class as … Continue reading →

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Links

Posted on May 24, 2005 by George Backhus

www.noonsite.com “The global site for cruising sailors.  Noonsite aims to provide a one-stop web site featuring essential information on all matters of interest to sailors planning an offshore voyage anywhere in the world, whether already under way or still … Continue reading →

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Cruising Cuisine

Posted on May 20, 2005 by George Backhus

Being “foodies,” as the Kiwis call those who enjoy fine dining, this is a subject that is near and dear to our hearts-and stomachs. At sea, the thing we often look forward to nearly as much as landfall in a … Continue reading →

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Keeping in Touch

Posted on April 5, 2005 by George Backhus

One of my great pleasures while cruising is staying touch with all my family and friends back home(s) in the States and New Zealand. Improvements in communications technology have made it very easy and cheap to “reach out and touch … Continue reading →

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Ground Tackle

Posted on February 14, 2005 by George Backhus

Carrying and using the right ground tackle for your boat can make the difference between a sleepless night or a good night’s sleep, or at the other end of the spectrum the difference between you boat surviving or coming to … Continue reading →

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