Spinnakers and squalls: one thing that makes light-air sails risky
One of the recurring anxieties with spinnakers is that squalls can behave unpredictably. On this passage some rain systems came without wind, while others sucked the wind away entirely. The key judgment call is whether an approaching dark cloud will bring a sudden gust before you can react. Lauren notes that rain without wind the day before gave some confidence, but also acknowledges you never really know. That uncertainty is one of the things she openly does not like about flying a spinnaker offshore.
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Squalls can roll in fast even on beautiful offshore sailing days
Even with sunshine, flat water, and a great cape index, Lauren Landers Sailing encounters a squall mid-passage. Based on past experience with similar squalls, she decides not to trust it and rolls in the jib proactively, hoping the event wi
Drone battery and altitude management during an extended wildlife search
During a wildlife search flight, Lauren Landers Sailing keeps an eye on both altitude and battery level simultaneously. At 40 metres (about 120 to 130 feet) the drone still provides a useful overview, but for spotting smaller species like b
What it feels like to transit an atoll for the first time without it being too sketchy
After completing the pass entry, Lauren reflects that the conditions were relatively flat, which made for a good first experience. The key takeaway is that if the waves had been bigger, waiting for them to settle would have been the right c