DAMP - For spices I have resorted to buying very small containers and storing them in sealed Tupperware-type container until needed. Once seal is broken, they seem to go bad very quickly (especially certain ground herbs). Since spices can be found everywhere, and are relatively inexpensive, it is not worth stocking up on them. Crackers packaged in foil packs keep fresher than those packed in plastic or wax paper. Pringles never seem to get any worse than they are when bought. Flour goes bad rather quickly in some places. The best-lasting flour was put into heated metal containers which were then placed in hot oven for about 5 minutes after filling with flour, lid placed on, and lid seam sealed with plastic mailing tape after they had cooled slightly. It was well worth the extra effort.

Electronics will suffer significantly from the damp. All too often we would find that upon turning on our GPS, or SSB radio, or whatever, after having been in an anchorage for a month or longer, would not work properly. Drove us crazy. We finally realized that the high humidity was slowly corroding the electronic connections, and we found that the easiest solution to our problem was to turn on all our gear several times a week and leave them on long enough to warm up sufficiently to dry them out. So long as we turned the equipment off again long before sunset, when the relatively cooler air caused condensation, everything stayed dry and trouble-free, and our need for repairs plummeted. Computers on a boat seem to be extremely susceptible to the humidity, probably because they are not made for the marine environment. My solution is to run the computer at least every other day. Even so, I’m on my third computer in twelve years (though I probably would have replaced them that frequently anyway).

DEHYDRATION - Severe diarrhea, vomiting, or sunstroke will dehydrate a person, throwing electrolytes out of balance. Rehydration powder is commercially available - easy to carry - packed in envelopes to treat one liter at a time. Homemade rehydration formula: 1 liter boiled water; 1/2 tsp. each salt and baking soda, and 8 teaspoons sugar. Give person sips of this every five minutes, day and night, until he begins to urinate normally. Coconut milk is an excellent natural rehydration fluid.

DEBIT CARD - its advantage over a credit card is that it is a direct debit from one’s bank account, meaning that there are no bills to be paid, no interest charges. Some banks, most brokerage houses, offer this service. The down side is that should the card be stolen, or its number only stolen, one can have one’s account gutted in a short time. If you are going to be away from prompt and regular mail service, strict safeguards need to be observed. If you have a computer and regularly use it to send and receive e-mail, you might be able to obtain bank statements on-line. Merrill Lynch has such a service.

DECKS - The debate over teak decks, good or bad, goes on and on. Our input. In the tropics, the sun is incredibly strong, and is more directly overhead. As a result, dark surfaces, be they dark paint or dark wood, will heat up more than white, which reflects all the of the light’s spectrum. There has never been a time when our white fiberglass decks were too hot to walk on. This heat is transferred below, so that our interior is cooler as well. This is most important while underway when you don’t have a sun canopy up. Cracks, leaks, problems are also easier to see on a white fiberglass deck.

- Keeping the decks clear. We carry nothing on deck during a passage. It keeps the ‘Melon looking good, and is safer - nothing to go around or trip over if one of you must go forward during a passage. Nothing to catch and offer resistance to water washing over the deck in storm conditions - yacht designers take great pains to streamline a yacht’s deck as much as possible to offer the least resistance to water, so why would you want to sabotage that with clutter? All our jerry jugs are stored below, which also serves to lower the center of gravity.

DEPTH SOUNDER: Our depth sounder transducer is mounted well forward of our fin keel, and thus we will frequently have warning (but only seconds) that we have run out of water before our keel hits. It is preferable, in our opinion, to those boats with depth sounders behind the deepest part of the keel, especially in boats with a full keel with a cutaway forefoot - where the boat can slide up onto a reef or shoal and be well and truly stuck before the depthsounder gives you any indication of a problem. If people tell you they’ve never run aground, chances are they haven’t been anywhere.

DENTAL FLOSS - Makes a very good and strong emergency substitute for sail thread. Caution: because it is untwisted it frays from friction of sewing, so cannot be used in long lengths unless in a sewing awl.

DIESEL - called “Gasoil” in most Spanish-speaking countries, “Distillate” in South Pacific islands, “Solar” in Malaysia and Indonesia. (See “Fuel Filters”; “Algaecide”)

DINGHIES - We never, never, never tow our dinghy if we are sailing, will tow it only if we are motoring for a very short distance in protected waters (and rarely even then). This is the result of several unpleasant experiences in our very early days of cruising. We’ve had dinghies try to board our stern in a following sea, scared ourselves when we put the dinghy onto a long (100’ or so) painter to tow, lost a dinghy we were towing on a day sail, and found a drifting dinghy that was lost from another sailboat. And we have heard worse stories from other yachts.

Wheels on a dinghy are a great idea. If you have a RIB, or a heavy dinghy with more than a 5 HP outboard, getting the dinghy into our out of the water in places where the tide range is greater than 6 feet (2 meters) can be a real chore.

Security: From all the stories we have heard, we doubt that there is any foolproof security measures that can be taken. One tactic yachties use is to raise the dinghy out of the water each night, either onto davits or hauled up to the deck using the main halyard. In Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela, just hauling the dinghy out of the water alongside the boat on a halyard wasn’t sufficient for several yachts, who lost their dinghy while they were sleeping when the halyard was cut and the dinghy set free. (our wire halyard makes this a bit more difficult). We had two outboards stolen from the stern rail of the Watermelon. Both were secured with SS chain and padlock. The thieves used bolt cutters to cut the chain while we were sleeping. Amazing how quiet they were, since our cabins are in the stern, just a few feet from where they had to board the boat in order to cut the outboards free. Our alarm system was useless because they never stepped into the cockpit, which would have set it off. We have read of a boat whose outboard was chained to their dinghy, and while they were ashore one night the stern of the dinghy was cut off and the outboard made away with. In general, thieves want the outboards. An exception is in the Caribbean, where there is a big market in used (stolen) dinghies. Yachties, of course, are the victims, and also the market for the stolen goods (many are stolen in April and May each year when the European boat bums return to the Med, and the stolen dinghies and outboards are sold there). We have a small (4 HP) outboard, and we now take it on board and stow it in the lazarette each night (our lazarette is so big it could be a mother-in-law apartment!). We also row our dinghy when possible (not often enough, though).

- Emergency kit - fine sandpaper to clean spark plug contacts; spare shear pins; spare cotter pins; wrench; screwdriver, duct tape or other very sticky waterproof tape for emergency leak repairs. (see “Armor-All”; “Fouling”)

St. Martin is definitely getting too crowded. Two severe accidents involving dinghies in the lagoon - two American tourists from Pelican Key were seriously hurt when their dinghy ran into an anchored sailboat; and a German fellow who worked at Pelican Key was killed when a larger dinghy ran into his at night (neither dinghy was running with any lights). The only dinghy we're using now is so slow it can't get out of anybody's way, and as a result I've gotten paranoid and won't go into the lagoon at all in it, and won't let Peter go out at night anymore, even though we always carry a light. (Peter and Irv share the same philosophy, I think - "I can take care of myself, it's the other guy I have to watch"). When he went over to see Sally and Tony at Pelican I was a nervous wreck until he got back. Poor Peter, it means we've given up our jaunts over to Pizza Hut for dinner. It's not only in St. Martin - the problem is so serious in the U.S. Virgins that the Coast Guard there is now inspecting dinghies and prohibiting them from running at night if they don't have running lights. (They patrol the dinghy docks just before sunset and "ground" anyone with a dinghy without lights. We were inspected when we were there in January. Good for them - I wish there were someone on St. Martin to do the same thing).

DISHES - Dinner plates with a moderate rim keep juices and sauces from spilling all over the place while under way. (and we eat a lot of meals from deep soup bowls). (See “Non-skid”)

DOCTOR - The best friend a cruiser can have in preparing for his cruise is a doctor who treats him as the intelligent person he really is. This means accepting that the cruiser must take primary responsibility for his own health and well-being. The best doctors I have met were themselves sailors, more familiar with the peculiar circumstances in which we travel. The worst doctors were those who told us to never mind carrying all those antibiotics, just go to a doctor if we felt sick (tough to do seven or more days from any land whatsoever, with just a minimally-trained public health nurse at the end of the passage). “The Offshore Doctor” (see “Books”) includes a good listing of medications which should be included in a cruiser’s first aid kit, and should be brought with you to your doctor’s office. “Where There Is No Doctor” (see “Books”) is another excellent book to help with medical problems encountered. Do not let a doctor put you off carrying whatever you feel is necessary - find another doctor if the first one proves intractable.
- (quoting from our insurance co. newsletter): “..in the majority of airports all over the world, one is in good hands....... which include ambulance support... an ambulance will arrive [at an airport] quicker than if called outside an airport... many airports have their doctors or other medical personnel available - the doctor's job is primarily to treat passengers who become ill during a flight as well as to ensure that incoming passengers with contagious diseases are examined before they get permission to enter the country.” The upshot of this is that, in an emergency, you might find your best medical care at the nearest international airport. Worth a try.

[NOTE - new Dec 98] We might take a long time to make up our minds about where we're heading, but once we decide we pursue it with single-minded doggedness. We have had all our shots for our trip to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Isls., etc. Poor Peter was sick for about three days from the shots, but since I suffered not at all I wasn't particularly sympathetic (but he had a lump on his butt the size of a grapefruit from one of the shots probably the tetanus - looked nasty). Hepatitis is a disease to be concerned about out here, so we got immunized for that (according to an Australian doctor who is an expert on hepatitis, it should be of more concern to people everywhere nowadays, and the immunization is so simple and painless it's silly not to get it). We got polio booster immunizations because there is apparently a lot of polio in Asia (?!); tetanus because our last shots were so long ago and again it's a concern for us yachties; and typhoid because it's worth getting. Elsbeth said that after traveling through the Asian countries they are convinced that any and all precautions taken are necessary. We have an advantage over a tourist who is forced to eat and drink the local food and water, though - we can draw on our own resources. Jean-Paul, as a chef, said that the worst problem they had with food-borne illness was in a very good, clean, and expensive touristy restaurant where they hadn't expected it, although this didn't surprise us after we had been educated on the pathology and spread of typhoid and cholera, etc. But in any case, we have the most astounding collection of drugs now to protect us against, or treat us for: amoebic dysentery, bacillary dysentery, malaria, thrush, staph, streptococcus, anyphylactic shock. Cost a bundle, but gives some peace of mind. We even got a prescription for morphine, although I recently learned about a non-narcotic pain drug called Toradol which is supposed to be as effective as morphine, so we're carrying the Toradol; but I had to inform the doctor of its existence so we could get a prescription for it. Annoying, this requirement that prescriptions for antibiotics, etc. be given by a doctor - in Latin America you can buy anything you want except for narcotics without a prescription which makes the cost for drugs much, much lower than in the States or here in Australia. Also, for knowledgeable cruisers, it frees one from the ignorance of a bad doctor. Our doctor experiences belong in a letter to SSCA, and I will probably write one soon. Bad advice from a doctor can be dangerous!

DRIED VEGETABLES - When I can get them, I prefer them to canned vegetables - saves weight, space, and they taste better. Canned vegetables contain a lot of salt as a preservative and flavor enhancer for flavors lost in the canning process. Peter and I are very sensitive to this added salt, and even though I rinse canned vegetables with fresh water before heating, there is usually still too much salt for our tastes. Australia and New Zealand have excellent dried vegetables, which can be rehydrated while being cooked, or can be rehydrated in advance in just water and then used in stir-fried meals with almost the same texture as fresh vegetables. Dried beans require more time, since they should be soaked, usually overnight, before being cooked, but not only do they taste better, but they will not contain as much salt.

We made our own - Jordan Series Drogue plans (PDF download)  HERE.

A few comments about our experiences and our rejection of a parachute-type drogue or anchor.

Deploying a sea anchor under the philosophy of keeping the bows to the seas where they will break with relatively little stress ignores the stresses on a boat taking on large seas on a regular basis. The most serious problem is that hanging on a sea anchor means that the boat is going backwards, albeit very slowly. Each time a wave boards the boat, it is being thrust backwards, placing severe strain on the rudder, which is not designed to take stress from that direction. No amount of lashing is going to secure the rudder sufficiently. 

In K. Adlard Cole's book, "Heavy Weather Sailing", which I think is a must read for anybody going offshore, he recounts, and advocates, running with a storm whenever possible. There will be fewer collisions with waves as the boat presents a moving target and is usually lifted with the wave and rides it out. But here is where one needs a device to slow the boat down so that it doesn't go careening down the face of the wave at surfing speeds, risking pitch-poling or broaching. A drogue will slow the boat significantly and evenly - the Jordan Series Drogue that we carry consists of many (over 100) small "droguelets" or small cones, spaced about 18" apart. In this way the drogue is always exerting constant pressure on the stern of the boat. The parachute-type drogues (and sea anchors) are deployed with a long line, and when the parachute is on one side of a wave and the boat on the other, the line will fall slack, to tighten with a sudden jerk as the boat accelerates. The series drogue never allows that acceleration.

It seems to be a rule of cruising that as soon as you acquire a piece of emergency gear the emergency never arises again. We have deployed the drogue only once and that was to test it more than because we needed it. But as I've said to others: if you cross oceans carrying a drogue and never have to use it, good for you! If you do not have one and are unlucky enough to be in the path of one of those big storms, good luck!

E-MAIL - It almost need not be mentioned, it is so prevalent in the cruising community now. 
Some hints:
Internet cafés make it easy to check in on your e-mail without lugging your computer ashore in the dinghy (this is Miss Paranoid talking). Learn how to type your messages in e-mail text format and carry them ashore on a floppy disk to save time in sending messages from an Internet Cafe. Learn how to Save your messages on disk so you can bring them back to your own computer to read at your leisure. Saves time and money in the Cafe. But be sure that you have a good anti-virus program that you update regularly if you use Internet cafes. I’ve had floppy disks infected with viruses from three different Cyber-cafes in three different cities.

EGGS - if bought unrefrigerated, will stay fresh unrefrigerated for weeks. I’ve found that Vaseline™ (petroleum jelly) does keep them fresh longer. They should be turned over every three to four days to keep yolk from sinking and attaching to the shell and thereby going bad. To tell if an egg is spoiled, place it in a cup of fresh water. If it floats high out of the water it’s bad, if it sinks, it’s okay. (I still break an egg into a separate dish rather than mixing bowl, just in case).

- Substitute for baking: in recipe calling for 1/3 cup oil + 2 eggs, can substitute ½ cup mayonnaise + 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Texture will be less firm than using fresh eggs, but will hold together better than with no egg product at all. Be careful, some mayonnaise includes mustard, and some Australian and New Zealand mayonnaise is so sweet that you might be advised to reduce sugar somewhat. But this substitution is a great use of that awful Australian mayonnaise that you bought by mistake and can’t stomach.

ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS - We have seen a million-dollar boat fitted out by the dealer using crimp connectors - guaranteed to start failing shortly after setting sail. All connections should be soldered; tinned wire is now readily available in the US and should be used everywhere on the boat.

ELECTRICITY - See “Polarity”, “Electrolysis”,

ELECTROLYSIS - In our opinion, a bonding system for a cruising boat is essential. Some locations have such electrolysis problems that frequent inspection of zincs is necessary. Electrolysis is not restricted to through-hulls and electronics on board. Also affects canned food, juices, and soft drinks. Some anchorages, if there is a lot of debris (such as old steel boats, batteries, other metal garbage) on the bottom, will also create electrolysis problems. When at anchor, or at a marina, it is prudent to attach a special zinc to the boat for extra protection. (see also, “Polarity”; “Zincs”)

FANNY PACK - See Money Belt.

FAX - Some SSB and ham radios can be equipped with a modem to send faxes from a computer. If fast accurate communication is important to you, this is worthwhile investigating. The wonders of modern communication via FAX have reached the most unlikely places in the world, and are a reliable and fast method of long-distance communication. Where long distance telephone calls are used to subsidize local rates, the information transmitted by FAX or e-mail for a few dollars can cost $50 to $100 by telephone (!!)

FENDERS - Good for buoying a trip line for one’s anchor, or for buoying one’s anchor rode in foul anchorages. (see “Fouling”; “Recycling”)

Story about Verity: Our friends Rich and Pam, new to cruising, had just recently arrived in the Caribbean when they came to Sint Maarten. Simpson Bay was so rolly that they went into the lagoon when the bridge opened that afternoon. As they were making their way to a suitable anchorage Pam noticed a mooring buoy, and decided to pick it up rather than go through the effort of anchoring. So she brought out their trusty boat hook and pulled up the ball, looking for the mooring line attached. A loud shout from a nearby boat caught their attention as the man yelled angrily, “That’s my anchor float you’ve just picked up!” Oops

FIRST AID - the following things we have used and found successful for tropical problems not usually found in first aid books. (see also, “Acetic Acid”; “Books”; “Vinegar”)

BUG BITES:
ANTS & BEES: venom is acid, so apply Bicarbonate of Soda (Baking Soda) to neutralize the venom. (NS 16Sept00)

WASPS: venom is alkaline, so apply vinegar (NS 16Sept00).

CENTIPEDE STINGS: (unconfirmed) Extremely painful sting, apply water as hot as you can tolerate.

CORAL STINGS: wash with vinegar immediately, then treat as for any cut or abrasion. NOTE: I have experimented with treatments for coral cuts many times. All cuts treated with vinegar have healed faster and more effectively than cuts left untreated or treated with standard antibiotic soaps and creams (Neosporin™, for example, was practically useless).

CROWN OF THORNS STARFISH:

CUTS: A chef’s trick to stop minor cuts from bleeding is to sprinkle a little turmeric (in your spice cabinet) on them. Not suggested for large cuts that might need stitching.
JELLYFISH STINGS: Do not try to brush the tentacles off or they will continue to sting you. Vinegar applied to the tentacles clinging to the skin will stop the nematocysts from injecting their toxin, after which they can be removed. Papain (in Adolph’s Meat Tenderizer or papaya skins, or the sap from its leaves) is said to neutralize the toxin (stingray toxin is also a protein, and therefore the papain should neutralize it also, although I have not had occasion to try it). Take an antihistamine. (see “Allergies”)
SEA ANEMONES: Vinegar (again) will stop the burning, and usually reduce the swelling within several hours.
SEA URCHINS: Ammonia (or urine) will stop the pain immediately (you can try a paste of Bicarbonate of Soda [Baking Soda], it worked once for me). Lamp Oil (kerosene) or lime juice will dissolve the spines embedded in the skin (as gritty as they feel, the spines are protein, not calcium). Do not try to dig the spines out - they won’t hurt you, but the removal process will.
STONEFISH: Incredibly painful poison. Immerse wound in hottest water the body can stand.

FIRST AID KIT - Good first aid list is given in “The Offshore Doctor” (see “Books”). Additional suggestions: antihistamine (two: pill, liquid); charcoal tablets; fabric Band-Aids (in our experience plastic strips don’t stay stuck); Selsun™. (see: “Charcoal Tablets”; “Fungus Infections”; “Staph Infections”; “Allergies”; “Salmonella”)

FLAG ETIQUETTE: Once you have cleared into a country and lowered the yellow "Q" flag, it is a matter of courtesy to fly the flag of the host country (the French demand this courtesy, so be aware). It should be flown at your starboard spreader, and no flag should be flown higher than the host country's flag.

For U.S. vessels, the only national flag that should be flown is the national ensign ("Stars & Stripes"). The yacht ensign (13 stars surrounding a fouled anchor in the blue field) is proper to be flown only within the U.S.

We have seen yachts with several nationalities on board who all want to display their country's flags. Properly, only the host country flag and the vessel's national ensign should be flown, but sometimes in a foreign port the flying of other flags can be a practical method for advertising "(*) language spoken here", "books on board" "member of **"). In those instances, these informational flags would be flown from the port spreader, remembering that it (they) must not be flown higher than the host country's flag.

Some local customs might differ from the above, so keep an eye out when you arrive at a new port to see what is being done.

For more information on flag etiquette, you can refer to the U.S. Power Squadron website, http://www.usps.org/ 

FLOUR - goes bad rather quickly in some places (see “Damp”). Specialty flours (such as rye flour, graham flour) are difficult to obtain outside the US. (see “Provisioning”; “Weevils”). Rice Flour

FOOD (Cheap, i.e., restaurants) - SSCA suggestion: ask person recommending a good, cheap place (a) what do they usually spend in the States for a good meal, and (b) do they like McDonald’s? We have been disappointed by other people’s recommendations because their idea of cheap and ours were quite different (we appreciate inexpensive, but have yet to eat in a good “cheap” place).

FOOD (Preparing underway) - Some substitutes that have made things a bit easier: RAMEN Noodles (found everywhere we’ve been, under various names) - 2- or 3-minute noodles, safer and easier than any other pasta or rice (unless you like Minute Rice, which you aren’t going to find many places in the Pacific or SE Asia). Rice Noodles (Mie Hoon, Mee Hoon, Bee Hoon, Long Rice are various names for them), available in Chinatowns worldwide, we think - just pour boiling water over them and let sit for a few minutes, then toss with vegetables, meat, maybe some sauce, you have a quick but filling meal. But try these before you set out - don’t buy a lot on my say-so. Breakfast Bars - quick energy when one or both of you need energy, and it’s just too dreadful to go below and make something. Vacuum Thermos7 Carafes for hot water, tea, coffee; they hold a liter of water or coffee, so you always have something hot, but don’t have to boil water too frequently; we carry two carafes, boil water in a two-liter tea kettle and fill them.

FOOD POISONING - SEE: “Botulism”; "Charcoal Tablets" (very important); “Salmonella”; “Scombroid Poisoning”

FOREIGN LANGUAGES - “Dutton’s Navigation and Piloting” has English translations of foreign terms found on nautical charts - most languages - very, very useful. See “Books”, “Charts”

You do not need to learn a foreign language to travel since English is so prevalent everywhere, but you will have an easier time if you learn a few words of the local language. “Hello”, “good-bye”, “please”, “thank you”, and “how much?” are universally appreciated. “Where is” plus a note or map will get you directed to the approximate destination cheerfully (caution - our experience leads us to believe that very few people in the world know how to read a map - place names and addresses are more useful). Learn how to count in the language - it will save you a lot of money when the local says fifteen and it sounds like fifty and you pay it! Also, in some places, especially where they see a lot of Americans and/or Australians, the locals will refer to their currency as dollars, even if it isn't called dollars - so be careful and always assume they mean their own currency - again, it will save you money. Even if you speak the local language, don’t be annoyed if nobody understands you. Aside from the fact that Americans tend to butcher languages; local accents and dialects can render the version you were taught unintelligible. If the local language is some form of English, you might be wise to treat it as a foreign language anyway. And remember, wherever you are, you are the foreigner, not the locals. Another hint. We have found a lot of misunderstandings where the locals think that they understand English well. We will say something like: "I would like to go to Ban Nit, because I'm staying there, not in Ao Chalong where I was last week" - the poor taxi driver hears and understands only "Ban Nit" and "Ao Chalong" - since he's not sure what else you said, he's as likely to take you to Ao Chalong as to Ban Nit. It is wise to keep all your discussions and instructions as simple and as positive as possible - leave out the extraneous, forget about telling them what not to do because they will probably understand only half of what you're saying, and “no” and “not” are not universally understood.
We sailed from Cocos Island, off the coast of Costa Rica, to Salinas, Ecuador in 1991, arriving the first week of December. Checking in, we paid the annual light fees that are assessed to vessels, be they commercial liners or private yachts, based on tonnage, - for WATERMELON, a bit less than $40.00. Salinas is a small village, and very few cruising yachts come there - for almost the entire three months we were there, only our friends on the yacht OBSESSION, and WATERMELON, were at anchor, and so the Port office has no trouble recognizing each of us. Peter quite obviously couldn’t speak Spanish, though they knew that I could, since I had done the checking in. On a Saturday near the end of January a small speedboat came by the ‘Melon'. Two bathing-suited couples were in the boat, and they called to Peter, saying something he clearly couldn’t understand, but telling him nonetheless. Peter shrugged his shoulders, looked blank, and they went on out to OBSESSION, where our friend Gary was able to understand them. That afternoon Gary came by to tell Peter that the fellows were from the Port Captain’s office, and that we had to go in and pay the current year’s light fees. Peter of course objected, since we had, after all, already paid for a year’s worth of light fees. No, Gary patiently explained, the light fees we had paid were for last year. It was now a new year, we needed to pay new light fees. Peter argued that there weren’t any lights, so paying one set of light fees was a bit much, two sets of light fees in two months was ridiculous (why Peter was arguing with Gary, another foreign cruiser, I don’t know, but I think it was because Peter just had to argue with somebody, and the local officials couldn’t understand a word he said, so poor Gary had to be the goat). Gary sensibly said, “whatever”, and left. Now, Peter had no intention of paying for this second assessment, and so he ignored the entire issue. The following weekend the fellows came out again when I wasn’t there. Peter had his strategy all thought out. As they came alongside the boat, Peter smiled, and shouted, “that’s it, no more cerveza [beer], you’ve had enough, no more cerveza!” The men tried to talk to him, but Peter of course couldn’t understand Spanish and was certainly having too much fun not understanding it. They couldn’t speak a word of English, and so there they were, trying to explain to him that the Port Captain wanted to see him, and Peter shouting “No more cerveza!” Again they left, slightly frustrated. We never did pay the second light fee assessment, and that’s another story.

FOULING
- Anchors: See “Anchor”; “Recycling” for anchor rode in foul anchorages. “Chain fouling” can occur in areas of light wind and strong tidal currents. The anchor rode lies in a pool directly under the boat and can wrap around the anchor as the boat turns with changing tides or currents. If a squall hits tightening the anchor rode, the loops around the anchor can close into a noose, fouling the anchor and the boat goes walkabout.

- DINGHIES: To treat the bottom of the dinghy to slow algae and barnacle growth, wax to which a few drops of an algaecide designed to be added to house paint works reasonably well. In some countries one can find liquid tributyl tin, which is excellent (but illegal in the US) - but be careful, it’s toxic to humans, too, so use rubber gloves. Must be reapplied periodically. (see “Armor-All”)

- WATER TANKS: rainwater can be fouled by passing birds, algae, dust. We run our water tanks out periodically to purge silt that collects in the bottom of the tank. Water purification tablets are a good idea to carry: they are sodium dichloroisocyanurate, sold by West Marine as AQUATABS (made in England, as most of them seem to be, under different brand names). Once you reach the middle of the Pacific, you will find that they can be obtain under the following brand names, at about half the price of Aquatabs from West: AMCAL; Steadiflow Antibacterial Tablets; Milton’s ....; Boots ...(imported from England) - much cheaper, can be found in Pharmacies/Chemists in baby care section, as “Feeding Bottle Steriliser Tablets”, or “Antibacterial Tablets”. This will also slow down, or prevent, algae from growing in tanks. Remember that the locals are acclimated to their water, so what is safe for them is not necessarily safe for you. These tablets, essentially chlorine, will not kill the spores of the parasites that cause Giardia, Cryptosporidium, or Amebic Dysentery. (see also “Giardia”, “Cholera”, “Water Purification”)

FUEL - See “Diesel”, “Gasoline”, "Fuel Filters"

FUEL FILTERS - We have discovered that in many places in the world the fuel pumps are unfiltered. For various parts of the world (Bahamas out-islands, Latin America, Mexico) it is useful to have what is called a "Baja Filter" for pre-filtering diesel before it goes into the tank. In addition, in the tropics algae can grow in the fuel tank, depositing water in the fuel. All the "gunk" sits in the bottom of the fuel tank until a rough passage, when it is stirred up and taken up in the fuel line, precisely when one is least desirous of having the engine stall. After having had this happen to us twice in uncomfortable conditions, we clean the fuel tank periodically to remove as much sediment and water as possible. There are sponges that can be inserted into the fuel tank to remove water, leaving the diesel, which is a simple precautionary measure that can be taken frequently with little effort. Most boats have found that two in-line fuel filters are necessary for high-performance diesel engines. (See also "Algaecide")

FUNGUS INFECTIONS - "White spots" on your skin, or itching areas, or rough patches that don't respond to moisturizer, or patchy skin discoloration, could be fungus infections. Common in the tropics. Selsun™ (Gold, not the shampoo), is an effective treatment, and Selsun Blue shampoo used regularly is an effective preventative. Boric Acid (quite toxic, it also kills cockroaches) solution (1 tbs.. to 1 litre sterile water) is also a topical fungicide; read directions carefully. (see also, "Ringworm", "Staph Infections")

FUSING TAPE - The nylon mesh-type strips used for non-sewn seams, etc. Handy for quick repairs, reinforcing raveling seams. If no steam iron on board, steam from whistling tea kettle will work to activate fusing tape though not as effectively. [NOTE: experiment with heated pot as iron.]