The changing world of the cruising sailor
by Nancy Knudsen, Editor on 21 Jul 2011
The story of the gradually changing profile of the world of the cruising sailor is traceable every week in this e-magazine.
While we have frequent reports of the dramatic increase in boat ownership in Asia, China, Malaysia, Vietnam for instance, boat sales in Western countries are still depressed, with more and more sailors hanging on to their current model, or giving up and flooding the market with cheap used boats.
In the Indian ocean circumnavigators are faced with a new challenge – it's round Africa or take your chances with Somali pirates – a life-or-death chance since the tragic killing of four Americans last year. Scientists are even being impeded in their climate observations because of pirate danger.
Having said that, thanks to GPS technology and comprehensive rescue systems in place, there are more and more cruising sailors setting out to cross oceans, sometimes without sufficient expertise or safety gear. Gone are the days when sailors think they need celestial navigation skills and the seamanship of Joshua Slocum before setting out.
Other marine technology and internet information on cruising grounds are also improving dramatically so that would-be cruising sailors can sail for years with the latest knowledge about their destinations and without ever being out of touch with their friends.
Where will it end? Keep reading, as we bring you every week all the up-to-date news of the changing world of the cruising sailor.
Sweet sailing!
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