Forums
These, we feel, are an invaluable tool whilst at home and away. There's lots of people with opinions (some which should be taken with less emphasis than others!) and views on every aspect of sailing:
Yachting & Boating World Forum
Owners Associations
This is a link to the Colvic Countess Owners Association Site - there is typically an owners association for every make of yacht I'm not going to list them all here but a quick Google search of 'Type of Boat Owners Association' usually works
Gear
This is the bottomless pit of sailing! You can spend thousands on kit, but with a little searching you can get the same stuff for a lot less:
Storrar Marine - Our local chandlers who have been invaluable
Boat Fenders Direct - Great selection of fenders at competitive prices and superb service.
ebay - believe it or not there is lots of good stuff for auction if you take the time to look
Towsure - not specifically nautical, but lots of relevant items at much less than chandlers charge!
General
General sailing websites with lots of useful info:
YBW - All aspects of sailing, from tailor sailors, to motor boats and luxury yachts
Yachts and Yachting - The website for racers of all types of sailing boat, Optimists to Open 60's
Yachtworld - A directory subscribed to by 90% of yacht brokers, listing thousands of boats for sale all over the world
Blue Water Rallies - Home of the YM Biscay Triangle, and Blue Water Rally
World Cruising Club - Home of the ARC, and Rally Portugal, and lots of other info
Ocean Cruising Club - The home of Ocean Sailors - very interesting site with lots of useful info on ocean sailing
Weather - This is a link to the Moody Owner's Association Weather Page - loads of links - all very good!
JRYachts - This is John's new website; looking to buy or sell a blue water yacht - then click the link!!
Other Cruisers
There are loads of people sailing around the world. We've met loads even before we've cast off - they are all helpful and friendly. Here are some of their websites:
Moonshine - Website of John & Nicola Rodriguez - very helpful people, and our source of all information! He's also a yacht broker - see his link for JRYachts above.
Noonsite - Website of Jimmy Cornell (the publisher of many ocean sailing books) - very useful with lots of articles and links.
Silver Lady - Website of Lydia & Neil Harrison (Jonny's Parents) currently crusing their Moody 38 around the Med.
Jo & Kev - Another couple setting out within a week or so of us, and heading the same way! A great couple who we've met up with a couple of times already - looking forward to seeing them en-route and sharing a cocktail or two on some tropical beaches!
Angus & Ruth - Already living the dream on 'Do It!'
Chilli Oyster - Dave, Bec, Jordan & India onboard Chilli Oyster
Charts, Pilots etc
A few sources of info regarding electronic charts and pilot books:
NGA - Martime Division - This American site is extremely useful. It contains FREE routing charts, almanacs, and pilot guides for most of the world! There are also links to free charts of most of the US.
Digiboat - There are loads of electronic chartplotters for use on PC's available (a quick Google search will provide most of them). This one however is FREE, and therefore worth a look. There is a user guide and even a forum to contact other users and the software developer.
