Necessary or Nice: Bow Thrusters
Is it cheating… or just smart? The wind was up, the slip was tight, and the peanut gallery of marina neighbors had assumed their usual spots. Perched in cockpits, coffee mugs in hand, performing their silent critiques. As I…
Radar: Necessary or Nice?
Being cruisers and captains, we often emphasize the importance of integrating radar into a vessel’s navigation system as a cornerstone of prudent seamanship. Thankfully, the days of massive, power-hungry radar domes are…
Introducing Necessary or Nice: Full Enclosures
Welcome to the first installment of Necessary or Nice, a new column where we tackle the age-old question for cruisers and sailors alike: Is a particular “thing” truly essential for cruising, or is it a nicety that makes life…