Boating Insights

This episode of Boating Insights explores the shift from paper to digital navigation, highlighting recent announcements by the UK and Australian Hydrographic Offices. Join us as we discuss the evolving trends in eNavigation and the impact on maritime practices. From the convenience of digital systems to the enduring relevance of paper charts, we'll take you through the challenges and opportuni...

In this Boating Insights episode, we're sharing practical tips inspired by elite-level sports to help you unlock the path to your ultimate boating experience. We keep it straightforward, breaking down individual skills you can easily apply to all your boating activities—no unnecessary frills, just solid advice. Your ultimate boating experience is within reach — with Boating Insights!

In the boating world, preparedness is paramount. This episode provides valuable insights into optimising communication equipment, such as distress beacons, DSC-equipped radios, and satellite phones. Discover essential tips and tricks for using these fantastic devices effectively — Prioritise safety for you and your crew by being better equipped to handle emergencies at sea. Listen now and enhance...

This podcast is here to preserve and enhance your navigation skills at sea while embracing the potential of electronic navigation systems. In this episode, 'Electronic Navigation Skills,' we delve deep into crucial techniques for seamlessly uniting electronic navigation tools with traditional seamanship expertise. Listen now to discover the secrets of mastering both the old and the new in...

In this episode of "Boating Insights," we delve into the age-old saying, "I wish I knew then what I know now!" Join us as we uncover some hidden gems of boating – those parts of the boat you might not fully understand, items you've brought on board but never used, and essential knowledge for your crew in case the skipper is unavailable. We're here to demystify the secre...

This episode celebrates the simple joy of being out on the water. Sometimes, amidst the hustle and bustle of life, we forget to take a moment to savour the beauty of our surroundings and the sheer pleasure of being afloat. So, this episode is dedicated to all of you who have ventured out onto the water – whether it's a serene lake, a meandering river, or the vast open sea. We want to say '...

This episode helps you build the skills in the seamanship toolbox for everyone onboard. Learn how to identify the most useful areas to develop for yourself and your crew and plan simple, engaging and effective training sessions to try when you are next out on the water. Click here to access "Logbook" -Identity which aspects of your skippering you are confident in and establish a pathway...

Nick Olson joins us from Predict Wind for this episode of Boating Insights. Predict Wind is a leading weather forecasting and routing company that provides accurate and reliable weather information for boaters.  The episode focuses on the following: Different models and accessing local weather data The interplay between routing and observations Using options like Iridium with GRIB files Use of cur...

Having an MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) programmed into your AIS (Automatic Identification System) or marine radio is essential for: Safety and Identification:  The MMSI serves as a unique identifier for your vessel, allowing other vessels and maritime authorities to identify your boat quickly. In emergencies, the MMSI helps rescue services locate and assist you quickly. AIS Communicatio...

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) provides a search and rescue (SAR) service for Australia. Their search and rescue region covers the Australian continent and large areas of the Indian, Pacific, Southern Oceans, and Australian Antarctic territories. This region is nearly 53 million square kilometres (one-tenth of the Earth’s surface) and borders the search and rescue regions of 10 ot...

For this episode we are going to be looking at if you may be missing a trick with your boating, you'll not be surprised to hear there is a core focus on safety for this one. The ideas are based around one of the founding principles of all of our training:  I HEAR I FORGET > I SEE I REMEMBER > I DO I UNDERSTAND. This link takes you to learn more about our e-learning courses that are avai...

We are looking at the opportunities that can arise from the unpredictable nature of boating. It's all the mindset, a huge part of the attraction of boating should ideally be the opportunity to never stop learning and to keep your mind and skills sharp in an unpredictable environment that rewards you for being well set up and prepared. Whether your boating is short day trips or ocean voyaging, the...

In this episode, Neil takes you through the essential items he will always pack into a boating kit bag. Depending on the season, activity and location you are boating in, you will want to adjust what you carry, but this list will help to get you thinking about what you already take and see if there are any tweaks to your list that you can make.  Learn more about this topic with our Safety & Se...

When you plan a passage, it's crucial to ensure you set up your plan to be dynamic so you can easily adjust for updated departure and arrival times. This episode takes you through how to manage avoidable slippage with your departure timing and the considerations for your ETA changing while you are on a passage. Online Skipper Course - Strategies for successful passage planning and implementation R...

When you are out at sea, many scenarios can arise where you may need to know and transmit your position. You may also need to be able to receive, record and navigate a position to assist. This podcast examines your options for getting a quick and accurate position. We also provide some ideas to help upskill people who are boating with you to assist with this to keep you free to manage the boat and...

Without leaving your comfort zone, you can't develop your skills. This podcast has five ideas that you can implement to help to leave your boating comfort zone and keep developing your skippering skills. You can use the links below to learn about our courses, logbook and ABB TV. > Courses > Logbook > ABB TV  

This episode of Boating Insights will help you to prepare for the voyage of a lifetime. John Hembrow joins Neil to share some of his extensive knowledge. John has been full-time cruising since 2009, created the Down Under Rally in 2014, and has led a range of yacht rallies in the SW Pacific and Australia since then.  Learn more about the Down Under Rallies and membership Learn more about the...

Changing some of the habits you have onboard can significantly impact the skill development of all involved. This episode takes you through some of the options you have for implementing changes through a typical day on the water that can help you explore more destinations, average more days on the water and avoid the issues that can come with skill fade and perishable knowledge. The training cours...

For all coastal boating adventures, you will likely need an understanding of the tide. This Boating Insights video podcast episode takes you through some essential considerations to help make tide your friend. The episode begins by looking at the potential impact of the tide on a passage plan. The tidal situation can impact the flow and depths, or both. There are other localised impacts, such as o...

When boarding a boat from the land, a dinghy or the water, there are many details you can adjust to make it easier and safer for all involved. As part of this episode, we look at some ideas if you accidentally find yourself in the water whilst boarding to help make sure you can get back on board or onto the dock again.

In this episode, we catch up with David Hows, the founder of Ocean Sailing Expeditions and the Ocean Sailing Podcast. David's a self-confessed sailing addict who loves introducing new people to his love of all things - sailing. David shares fantastic information about the options for gaining offshore sailing experience, training crews for emergency procedures at sea, buying boats overseas and some...

This episode looks at some of the key need-to-know features of your marine electrical system. We go through the options of how you generate and store power on board, understanding the amount of power being used at all times, and how to avoid accidentally wasting power or avoiding being caught out by the batteries being run flat and not available when you need them.

For many boats, toys are a key part of the activity. This episode takes you through some of Neil's favourite boating toys, for swimming, fishing, towing, snorkelling, and paddle boarding, with tips on how to avoid your boat becoming overrun with toys and keeping everyone safe whilst you're using them.

Finding ways to make your boat safer and easier to use should always have a positive impact on how often and safely you can use your boat. This episode takes you through some of the options you could use to help keep the boat running smoothly and simplify your job of skippering and maintaining a boat. 

The covers on a boat are usually there to protect the boat, crew or both. Having covers set up correctly and making them simple to use will save money on maintenance and simplify the setup and pack up time whilst providing excellent protection. This episode takes you through the steps you can take to look after existing covers, adapt them to make them easier to use, and consider critical areas whe...