How much cruising sailors do have in common

by Nancy Knudsen, Editor on 9 Aug 2012 One of the things I love about editing this online magazine is how much cruising sailors have in common, no matter your nationality, age or boat type - the sea being the greatest of all levellers.

This is a news magazine, not a forum, but nevertheless I get a plethora of emails from readers, and the similarities are not only amazing, but comforting, as it underlines the notion that cruising sailors, whether sailing in lakes and bays or going alone across all the oceans of the world, share greatly similar outlooks.

First, unlike racing sailors, you are a collaborative bunch, and helping each other seems like an unsaid sacred duty, bestowed with little fuss and unstinting unselfishness. Usually you are hands-on and practical too, finding ways to overcome challenges on the sea or in the marina. Except for a few wild cards, safety is paramount, and the only thing you need speed for is to avoid an approaching weather system. And always, there is the love of the freedom of being on the water, away from the stresses of 21st Century life.

So when I receive the opinions and comments that come from Sail-World readers, you always confirm these thoughts, and I write back feeling that I am speaking to a good buddy!

A wonderful variety of news again this week, from the impressive to the zany to the practical. A couple of stories I must mention here:

Cruising in light air is becoming easier and faster for the cruising sailor, as innovators create new systems suitable for short-handed crews. Read how you can now hoist and drop a spinnaker from the cockpit!

The amazing Jeanne Socrates, aged 70, has just completed another circumnavigation, and is preparing for yet another circumnavigation challenge which has so far eluded her...

Much more too, so browse down the headlines, and...

Sweet sailing!