Boating Insights

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.

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 i...

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.

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...

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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 h...

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.

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 th...

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.

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.

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.

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 des...

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.

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.

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.

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!

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 si...

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.

Could you make money out of chartering your boat or entering a syndicate? We weigh up the options that are out there for you to make your boat economically viable for you.

It's easy to get sucked into getting everything you possibly might need to make your boat go faster, but keeping your sail plan simple and suitable to you will make your boat much easier to handle.