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Thursday, January 30, 2025

Every day is YOUR adventure!

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Billionaire Takes Sanctioned Super Yacht Into International Waters

Sanctioned billionaire Andrey Melnichenko, who had cleverly saved his warship like $300 million superyacht, from getting seized by hiding it in Dubai for more than two years has finally taken his yacht out in the open and is now sailing off to a mystery destination.

‘A Floating Piece of History’: How the Gucci Family Restored This 214-Foot Sailing Yacht

Allegra Gucci’s first palpable memory was aboard her family’s sailboat, the 214-foot Creole. As she recalls growing up, the world’s largest wooden sailing yacht formed a playful cocoon for water fights, running along hundreds of feet of teak decks, swallow dives into the ocean, and, at peak performance, adrenaline rushes as the boat thundered at full sail in the Mediterranean.

Florida teens washed out to sea have prayers answered by boat named ‘Amen’

The two seniors at Christ Church Academy in Jacksonville, Florida, decided to hit the beach with a group of friends in St. John's County on a senior skip day two weeks ago when the day of fun almost turned deadly. The pair jumped in the water at Vilano Beach, but made the mistake of trying to swim farther than they were able.

Sailor Cole Brauer Is Making History as the First U.S. Female to Race Solo Across the Globe: ‘It’s a...

Fifteen-foot waves crashed over the deck of Cole Brauer’s 40-foot racing yacht, First Light, in the turbulent Indian Ocean as she tried to maintain her balance in the cramped cockpit in the stern.

Yoga & Movement: Your Best Friend for Healthy Cruising

Let’s face it—whether you’re navigating tight engine rooms, small RV spaces, or moving around a sailboat, flexibility is your best friend. Life on the...

NOAA Chart Status Update

We want to remind the public that as of December of 2024 NOAA will have fully transitioned to the NOAA Custom Chart (NCC) program...

A Look Into The Book – BIKER

You’re riding with a partner. He swears he knows the surrounding area and roads for miles and miles. He insists you take a turn-off...

The Day Sailing Changed My Life

I Just Want to Die! As we sailed out of the harbor and made a course for the tip of Palos Verdes Peninsula I was excited....

AROUND JAPAN RALLY 2026

In 2026, Konpira Consulting will organize the inaugural Around Japan Rally (AJR). It will be a five-month, eight-stop event that allows participants to go...

The Passport 480

The new Passport Voyager 480 is the latest design in our long history of creating exceptional long distance cruising yachts that stand alone in...

Scotland – Staying Afloat In the Winter

Even at my great age now, I still go kayaking on Loch Fyne. Dinghy sailing my Laser isn’t really an option now at 76....

The Hanse 46

Radically innovative, agile and comfortable. This yacht, Hanse’s first by the French yacht designers Berret-Racoupeau, combines maximum innovation and traditional Hanse values, such as...

Using the Christmas Winds

A Simpson sea shanty after first single-handed crossing (With my profuse apologies to all those old seadogs that can write poetry). 28 days was no...

Healthy Cruising: Reset Your Gut After the Holidays

Hey, fellow cruisers, live-aboards, and dreamers! Let’s talk about something just as important as keeping barnacles off your hull: your gut. Sure, we had...

Salty Dawg Rally To The Azores in 2025

Plans are well underway for the Salty Dawg Sailing Association Rally to the Azores in 2025. The Salty Dawg Sailing Association (SDSA) will be running...

There Are Rules

Why is it they always give the worst winds the cutest names? We discovered this phenomenon as we were heading south to the Panama...

Boatin’ Toons (10 Cartoons)

The latest gallery of cartoons to bring you a chuckle.

Mistakes Were Made – Losing, and Finding Jacie Sails

Tuesday, October 8th, 6:35 p.m. A few hours before the outer bands of Hurricane Milton are due to arrive, I hop off my sailboat onto...

Mac & Cheese Sonho Style

Macaroni and cheese is everyone’s favorite comfort food and it’s a great addition to any holiday table, making both kids and adults happy. I've...

DORF – A Bob Bitchin Tale

This work proves Schroedinger’s Cat Theory: A cat imagined as being enclosed in a box with a radioactive source and a poison that will...

Let There Be Light!

About a year before our arrival this island had been hit hard by a hurricane. The highest point of land on the atoll is...

The Hylas 57

The Hylas H57 will impress discerning yachtsmen and women. The flowing lines of the latest hydrodynamic hull design offer comfort and speed during trans...

Cruising The Virgin Islands

There is something about the Virgin Islands that make every sailor feel as if he’s been set free. The fact that the sailing is always...

How A Tattooed Biker Become A World Cruiser

People always wondered how did a 300#, 6'4" tattooed outlaw biker become a world cruiser. It's not your normal story, but it's all true!! Introduction...

Everyone Has A Plan

I don’t think he’s a boater, but Mike Tyson once famously said, “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth”. Up...

Ten Months After Norma

October 2023’s Tropical Storm Norma was downgraded from Hurricane status but the damage was still incredibly devastating to the boating community. Over 40 vessels...

A True Adventurer

Dave Barr (born April 12, 1952 in Los Angeles, California, is an American veteran of the Vietnam War and a motorcyclist best known for...

Cody’s Chicken Biscuit Bake

Sometimes comfort food is just what the crew needs and this easy dish is loved by kids and adults alike. In fact, my grandson...

Boatn’ and Bikin’ Pics

Your latest gallery of pics from our readers!

The Manson Supreme Anchor

Manson Anchors has become the global leader in anchor manufacturing from the depths of New Zealand. Whether you are a pleasure boat skipper or...

Brotherhood Of Outlaws

Bob's first novel, based on factual events from 1979 when over 350,000 outlaw bikers joined together and rode on their Federal Buildings nation-wide as...

We’ve All Screwed Up, Right?!?

It's hard for me to think of a single voyage where I did not make at least one mistake. This came to me the other...

Riots In Panama, On The Hard In Belize, Hit A Coral Head In Mexico

In 1988 Bob Bitchin, a 6-foot, 4-inch, 330 pound tattooed biker from Hermosa Beach, sold his motorcycles, and his interests in Biker and Tattoo...

New Boat Feature: The Catalina 445

The 445 from Catalina incorporates crisp, contemporary styling with proportions and features that make Catalinas comfortable and secure underway and on the hook. Based on...

John Amos Passes at 84

He was a biker, a boater, and one hell of a nice person! Oh, yeah, he could act! John Amos (December 27, 1939 – August 21,...

Fighting Helene In Florida One Boat At A Time!

Editors Note: As we are all aware, a second hurricane hit Florida after Helene. This story was received prior to the second hurricane (Milton)...

Slay The Dragon!

Life didn’t get much better. We were about three hundred miles from entering the Mediterranean Sea. As this would be the first time I...

Edson SUP & Board Rack

When we sailed the world on Lost Soul we always had a kayak and paddle board aboard. Ya gotta have some fun while you're...

Herbal Delight

Herbs are easy to grow and also readily available at supermarkets and farmer’s markets year-round. Besides using as seasoning for meals, there are a...

A Sturgis Odyssey

In 1973, I embarked on a journey that would forever alter my life—the inaugural Sturgis Bike Week. With just 350 fellow bikers gathered at...

A Few Days In Italy

We were in Dusseldorf, Germany at the Worlds Largest Boat Show, BOOT. After the show, and since we’d flown so far to get there,...

Rogue Waves Are Goin’ NUTS!!

Picture this: in November 2020, a rogue wave crashed onto the scene out of nowhere, hoisting a lonely buoy off the coast of British...

The Sinking of The Bayesian

Crews were working relentlessly to find the missing passengers of the doomed Bayesian yacht that capsized off the coast of Italy during a violent...

The Day That Changed My Life

I was standing on the deck of the Stone Witch, a 70-foot square-rigged topsail schooner out of San Francisco. We were headed south to Central...

Bahamas Dream Adventure

This is about a charter voyage we did about 10 years ago, but I think it's still pretty relevant! Lemme know if you agree? We...

BIKER TO SAILOR By Bob Bitchin

The mid ‘70s through the ‘80s were a unique time in King Harbor, Redondo Beach, CA. Boating in general was at a peak and there...

Pam Wall – Fair Winds To An Offshore Sailing Legend

Note from Jody: Knowing Pam is gone pulls at my heart strings. Pam and I grew close and kept in touch through the many...

Mediterranean Watermelon Salad

It’s summertime and it’s HOT in Mexico! I don’t like to heat up the galley so we tend to do a lot barbecuing with...

BRIGHTWind: New From Weems & Plath

Weems & Plath are known for their quilty products helping boaters find their way for almost 100 years. Here's the latest edition to their...

Go To Recipe – Cioppino

When I want a quick, delicious dinner to impress friends, Cioppino is my go-to recipe. It can be ready in an hour, but I’m...

Exploring Espiritu Santo’s Caves

The Sea of Cortez in Baja California Sur, is a cruiser’s wonderland with hundreds of islands, islets and coves to explore. Isla Espiritu Santo,...

East Coast A Go-Go

So Jody & I were missing our annual trip to the East Coast. For the last 30 years we'd driven from Cali to the...

To Go Or Not To Go?

To go or not to go, that is the question.  Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of living...

Fantasy Island Nightmare

After passing through the Panama Canal we waited for our friend Neill McNeil to join us in Colon, Panama. Colon is the worst place...

King Harbor – A Treb Lincoln Adventure

This Treb Lincoln novel takes he and his friends to a small island in the South Pacific where life would be idyllic, if they...

A Two Month Long Floating Party!

You’d be forgiven if you thought that Bitchin’ was behind this, but no, it’s the Sail to the Sun ICW Rally, an annual 1095...

RECIPE: Nopales Salad

Nothing says Mexico like cactus! But have you tried eating it? I’m cruising in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico, and enjoy trying the local...

Superstitious Sailors Or Just Natural Phenomena?

Given many of the odd experiences I’ve had at sea it’s easy to understand why so many of the early sailors were extremely superstitious....

Walking On Water

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by TopYacht ™ 🔝🔝 (@topyacht)

Bikin’ and Boatin’ (12 Photos)

Your latest gallery of images sent in by our readers!

Grand Bay – A Treb Lincoln Adventure

What happens when a 300 pound tattooed ex-biker turned sea captain runs into trouble while sailing in Mexico? Ya really wanna know? Grand Bay...

Pago-Pago To Christmas Island Fiasco

It was the eleventh day of an eight-day crossing. We’d left Pago-Pago on a beautiful sunny day, with 15 knots of wind and almost glassy...

Street Vibrations – Music, Metal, Motorcycles

One of the best times to ride the High Sierra Mountains is June, and I suppose it was no accident that Street Vibrations in...

A Look Into The Book … Starboard Attitude!

The Who, What, Where, Why & When Of Cruising! Sometimes You Need to Keep a Starboard Attitude! For over 30 years Bob Bitchin has been the...

Feather Falls Casino Bike Show (9 Photos)

Last week there was a small bike show at Feather Falls Casino in Oroville, California. Jody & I went out for a ride and...

Plan Ahead For Boot, The World’s Largest Boat & Water Show!

With more than 200,000 visitors from over 100 countries and 1,500 exhibitors on 220,000 square meters in Halls 1 to 17, boot (January 18...

Cruising Croatia! Here’s what we found!

The cast of suspects started to gather in the ancient Croation town of Trogir.  Located in the central area of Croatia, Trogir is a town...

The Day That Changed My Life!

I was standing on the deck of the Stone Witch, a 70-foot square-rigged topsail schooner out of San Francisco. We were headed south to...

Take The Good With The Bad!

So, the other night we were at a marina bash, and as it usually turns out, all the guys are hanging around discussing important...

BITCHIN BOATS-BIKES-BELLES (34 PHOTOS)

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The History Of The Seven Seas Cruising Association

When Jody & I sailed the world one of the first things we did was to join the SSCA. The Seven Seas Cruising Association....

Who The Heck Are The Nuts At Pyrate Radio?

If you’re old enough, you may recall the revolt against the evils of “Rock & Roll.” Movies like Footloose (1964) & Don’t Knock The Rock (1956) and Juke Box Rhythm (1959)...

The Sailing Life by Bob Bitchin

A collection of insights into the world of cruising, as seen by the founder of Latitudes & Attitudes Magazine and the television show of the same name. See what makes people love the cruising lifestyle.

All Cruisers Are Created Equal

It was an impromptu beach party in Antiqua. Eighteen cruisers from around the world had gathered to greet the New Year at a beach bistro. There...

The El Cid Marina and Resort…The Safest Marina This Side of Mexico!

Mention my name! For over 20 years Jody & I have stayed at the El Cid Marina & Resort. The marina there is one of...

A Bitchin 80th B-Day in Cancun!

Okay, I gotta admit, I never thought I’d live to 80.  Hell, I figured 35, maybe 50 tops.  But eighty? But here I was, March...

The Salty Dog Rallies

The Salty Dawg Sailing Association has announced registration is open for all the 2024 Salty Dawg rallies. Each rally offers sailors the opportunity to...

Once around The USA in the 70’s

So this should be fun! Ya see, what I am going to try and do here is re-live an "Around the USA Harley Tour"...

You Can’t Plan A Keeper

Jody and I were sailing downwind through Sir Francis Drake Channel with our friends Tom and Sharon on Distant Star, their Hylas 54. It...

Why I Don’t Think Roger Taylor’s Arctic Voyages Make Much Sense

Roger Taylor seems to inspire many small boat single-handed sailors in UK. I might be very wrong, but just he doesn’t do that for...

Kathy Brandel and Ralph Hendry – Update From The Salty Dog Sailing Association

This From The Salty Dog Sailing Association (Input from the family after the Salty Dog Report) On Wednesday, February 21, the Salty Dawg Sailing Association...

Doris & Steve Colgate – A Lifetime of Sailing

Introduction by Beth Oliver “Sailing changed my life,” is the most often heard statement in the Offshore Sailing School display each year at the US...

Feeling Nautical? Aumaris Jewelry Will Float Your Boat

Hector at Aumaris makes some of the best nautical jewelry there is! Yeah, okay, so I am a little prejudiced, as I actually helped develop...

Hawaii Hit or Miss

I spent the first few years living aboard based out of The Portofino Marina in Redondo Beach, California. And, about every other year, I...

Kathy Brandel and Ralph Hendry GoFundMe

Kathy and Ralph, experienced adventurers, spent their retirement sailing aboard Simplicity, spending summers in New England and embracing the warmth of Caribbean winters. Their final voyage with the Salty Dawg Sailing Association crew took an unthinkable turn as Simplicity was found abandoned in St. Vincent, bearing chilling evidence of a violent struggle.

I’M A PIRATE…SORT OF

What is a pirate? The Greek root of pirate is peirates, "one who attacks." The Wikipedia definitions of pirate is: "Someone who robs at sea or plunders the land from the sea without having a commission from any sovereign nation." Synonyms: buccaneer, sea robber, sea rover. A second definition is "Uses or reproduces (another's work) for profit without permission, usually in contravention of patent or copyright." Oh well, perhaps I'm not a pirate then, but another definition is "Someone who behaves in an immoral or illegal way." Well, I try to avoid plagiarism, but I've been known to be naughty!

Gybsco’s Flex-Mold Can Fix Your Deck!

This is a very Kewl product out that allows you to match the non-skid pattern on your deck when doing repairs. This stuff is...

Dismasted – After 35 Years!

So here I am after over 4 decades sailing, and I just had my first dismasting.  What fun! Last night, (Sunday, February 4th 2024) Northern...

Last Sail

As we all know all things come to an end someplace along the line.  And if you really think about it, life is  like...

Sailboat Racing News & Events – 2024

Up To Date Sailboat Racing News From The American Sailing Association.

What An Amazing Rig For Big Vessels

I’ve always felt that the schooner rig was much underappreciated rig in most of Europe. This is the best fore and aft rig for a larger sailing ship. It goes well both upwind and down. One book in my collection I’ve just re-read called ‘The last Schoonerman’ by Joe Russell reminded me of that. It probably quite unknown book here. But I knew about Lahave river in Nova Scotia having delivered a replica Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter from there. 

St Petersburg Boat Show 2024 – Bring Your Wallet (23 Photos)

We checked out the annual Boat Show in St Petersburg FL on Thursday Jan 18th, 2024. This show was not for the faint of wallet, with many boats breaking the $1 million mark, and even 24ft runabouts topping $300K. Our first sighting of a 600 HP outboard, we're wondering how soon we'll see 1,000 hp engines.