When you are setting up your boat for bluewater cruising it's important to balance the investment in self-sufficiency and the ability to remain off of the grid with what is going to work for you to be able to maintain and afford. This episode of Boating Insights explores some of the key areas to think about in terms of making your boat and the crew self-sufficient to remain off the grid whilst exploring the world. aabboating.co.uk aabboating.com
Nov 13, 2020•26 min
This episode looks at managing perishable knowledge and preventing skill fade. Through the episode Neil provides ideas and strategies for managing your practical and communication skills, understanding your own vessels equipment and using Logbook to set up a maintenance program for your skills. Remember to tag @aabboating when you are practising your skills for an opportunity to win a complimentary Online Skipper Course. aabboating.com/online/ aabboating.co.uk/online
Oct 21, 2020•17 min
Kate Fortnam is the Campaign Manager for The Green Blue a joint environmental program between the RYA and British Marine. In this episode, we catch up with Kate to get some advice on how to create an awareness of the environment around you and how to reduce any impact from your boating activities. Green Blue Website: https://thegreenblue.org.uk/ Fuel Whistle: https://www.deckhardware.com.au/accessories/barton-fuel-whistle/
Oct 16, 2020•22 min
The International Certificate of Competence (I.C.C.) is often referred to as the Mediterranean Boat Licence. Unlike an Australian Boat Licence, yachts are not exempt from this and it is a requirement even for privately owned vessels. For very experienced skippers, the I.C.C. can be completed as a one-day assessment. Candidates can be assessed on their own or with another person. A Day Skipper Practical Course is the pathway for skippers who are seeking training prior to gaining an I.C.C. Once yo...
Oct 02, 2020•10 min
Having the confidence to identify and manage issues with your boat's engines, is an important step for preparing for bluewater adventures. This episode helps you identify where your current skill set is and what steps you could take to develop your skills in this area.
Sep 18, 2020•12 min
In this episode Neil takes you through some practical ideas, to help you become proficient at identifying vessels at night, making yourself visible and becoming comfortable cruising offshore and in harbours during darkness.
Sep 04, 2020•18 min
If things get a bit serious on deck, how will you wish you had spent the previous 5 minutes? This podcast explores the practical implementation of becoming proficient at shortening your sails and balancing your monohull or multihull whilst on downwind passages.
Aug 21, 2020•17 min
In this episode Neil is joined by Mark Hunter the owner of Vacuwash Sail and Canvas Cleaning to share some insights into looking after sails and keeping them clean and free of mould.
Aug 07, 2020•20 min
The Sea Safety & Survival Course is an essential learning program for anyone who takes to the sea. The course delivers up to date information and current techniques for survival situations including crew overboard emergencies and abandoning ship. Above & Beyond Boating have been recognised by Australian Sailing and World Sailing to provide this e-Learning course. In this episode, Neil shares his insights into how the new training environment is helping people to learn these potentially l...
Jul 23, 2020•7 min
We speak to Rob Stevens, from TopSail insurance, to find out what insurance considerations you should think about before heading off on Blue Water Sailing adventures. Rob also updates us on the situation with recreational boats being restricted with their movements around the world, and how insurance companies like Topsail are assisting individuals in their own circumstances.
Jul 10, 2020•14 min
There is a considerable amount of resources available to boaters in this current day when it comes to sourcing accurate weather forecasts. With all of the various apps, websites and reports of weather predictions available, it can be very easy to lose understanding of why weather conditions change and what you should expect in specific conditions. Neil takes a look at how you can undertake a good analysis of weather predictions without taking too much time.
Jun 26, 2020•12 min
In this episode, Neil discusses the benefits of progressing through your skippering journey with other people, whether they are regular crew members or close friends and family.
Jun 12, 2020•13 min
If you are looking to modify a setup on your boat whether it is from cruising to racing, or from short coastal adventures to longer offshore passages, then there are a few things to consider to make sure that your time changing things on your boat will be effective and not costly.
May 29, 2020•18 min
An important part of boat ownership is checking your vessel's condition and ensuring the systems are working regularly. In this episode, we have some tips for putting some structure into the regular checks and understanding of your boat!
May 15, 2020•12 min
In this episode, we look at some of the different types of Mainsail setups on a boat that would be best suited for you if you are considering buying a new boat or changing your sail setup.
May 01, 2020•15 min
In this episode, we have some tips on how you can learn more about using your VHF radio and feeling comfortable using it at all times.
Apr 17, 2020•12 min
In this episode, Nick Casey joins Neil Driscoll from Above & Beyond Boating to discuss some ideas you can implement for preparing food on a boat. One of the most difficult tasks while on passage is preparing food, so Nick has some great tips to make things easy while also ensuring you still have delicious food to keep you going!
Mar 22, 2020•19 min
The Firefighter Family Day on the Water initiative was created by Above and Beyond Boating to provide a way for the boating community to give back to the dedicated fire fighters that have spent countless hours working to protect our homes, families, wilderness and wildlife from the terrible bush fires. We have received tremendous support from the boating community and industry. The event will be held at multiple locations across Australia on Sunday 15 March 2020. Neil and Nick talk about the upc...
Mar 10, 2020•9 min
As your adventures go further than where you've been before, making sure you are comfortable using your instruments and equipment is very important. Quite often, many people aren't using their electronics to their full potential, so taking the time to have your equipment and instruments giving you relevant and helpful information will make your passage making simpler and more enjoyable.
Jan 26, 2020•12 min
If you're undertaking a coastal or offshore passage, then creating a plan to include an unannounced Man Overboard drill at some point through the trip is a productive way of rehearsing a Man Overboard situation. The crew will be able to practice their spotting and recovery methods in a realistic way, rather than a planned exercise where people will have time to think their spotting and recovery through beforehand. Here's what you can do to make this a safe and effective exercise.
Jan 12, 2020•9 min
Do you know the where the through hull fittings are on your boat? Do you know how to check fittings for wear and replacement? In this episode, Neil has some tips for getting to know your through hull fitting layout on your boat for simple maintenance checks and responding to emergency flooding situations.
Dec 29, 2019•9 min
How do you measure your boat ownership in numbers? In this special episode, Neil is joined by his father, who has many years of experience owning boats, to discuss how you can understand the value add that your boat has in your lifestyle.
Dec 15, 2019•15 min
As you keep learning the various skills and knowledge for all aspects of owning and/or skippering a boat, it can be quite difficult to keep up with everything you've learnt. This short exercise will help you keep remembering the various aspects of your boat.
Dec 01, 2019•6 min
Becoming competent with handling mooring lines will allow you to feel more confident docking your boat in different types of berths and marinas. Most permanent marina berths will have fixed mooring lines so you do not have to adjust every time you leave or arrive at the dock, but it is also good practice to use non-fixed lines to practice your mooring techniques if you are going to explore new destinations on your boat!
Nov 03, 2019•7 min
Manoeuvring a boat in a tight space is not an easy task, but with some practice and skills to pull it off, you will find that being able to turn in a confined space will advance the rest of your boat handling techniques.
Oct 20, 2019•8 min
How does your bilge system work and what would be the priority be to get water out of the boat? In this episode, we have some Bilge System tips for ongoing maintenance and usage on longer passages.
Oct 06, 2019•8 min
Marine toilets are not the most enjoyable aspect of boating, and quite often this leads to issues with maintenance and even crew seasickness. So in this episode, Neil has some tips for inducting crew in the correct use of the toilets and what you should think about for ongoing maintenance.
Sep 22, 2019•6 min
Taking your personal skills further is not always easy, which is why we created the 'Rules of ABB' to break down the steps to expand your comfort zone. In this episode, we've got some ideas to help you with each rule!
Sep 08, 2019•11 min
In this special interview, Neil is joined by Niall Powers to discuss some of the benefits of getting kids and young adults into sailing, and how to best approach the youth sailing years to keep them engaged whether it is racing or going on adventures while cruising. Niall has worked with Above & Beyond Boating and has had experience introducing new kids and adults into sailing and power-boating since his own youth sailing years. In 2019, Niall was recognised by Australian Sailing as the NSW ...
Aug 25, 2019•17 min
What are the benefits of joining a yacht club? Is it something that could add value to your boat ownership? In this podcast, we look at what you can get out of membership at a club.
Jul 28, 2019•8 min
