Next to weather, we use the Internet to find out about our cruising destinations and conditions. While we carry dozens of cruising guides and hundreds of charts, key websites tell us what the most recent rules are for clearing customs and immigration at different countries, the procedures at the Panama Canal, and in general recommendations on where to go and what to see.
|
Created
by Jimmy Cornell, the founder of World Cruising Club, the Atlantic
Rally for Cruisers (ARC) and the organizer of our first round the
world voyage (Expo '98), this site provides the latest cruising
information on countries around the world. 
This
site provides a wealth of resources to cruisers including many
weather links
Our
friends, Peter and Karen, left for a world cruise the same time that
we did in 1997, only they've really taken their time and as of December 2005, are just getting ready to
complete their circumnavigation by crossing the Atlantic back to the
Caribbean. This is their website.
With
nearly 5000 members, the SSCA provides a monthly bulletin with
articles written by blue water sailors around the globe.
Joining is inexpensive and the bulletins are great for armchair
sailors as well.
Right
after asking us about the worst storms we have encountered, everyone
seems to ask about the risks of piracy. Frankly, piracy
against pleasure boats is very rare compared to commercial shipping
where there is the prospect of payroll and valuable cargo. In
addition, with the exception of petty theft of dinghies and motors
(which we lock up at all times), in most places we'll visit, it is
safer than most US cities. This report, published by the
International Chamber of Commerce does document where piracy still
does occur, and for most sailors, it is only around Indonesia and
the Gulf of Aden that we would take special precautions.