Behan Gifford

LATEST ARTICLES ( 537 )

• Ugly Weather off the Coast of Malaysia

  

  Well, that was unpleasant. There are the beautiful days of white sandy beaches and gin-clear water, and then there are the days when you have your ass handed... Read more

  Posted on 05 October 2014 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• Understanding Engine Overheating Problems

  

  Why is the engine overheating? Our Yanmar engine’s shrill alarm was the jarring start to some stressful hours during the last five months, and we asked that... Read more

  Posted on 02 October 2014 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• Watching out for UV Damage to Sails

  

  We’ve been in Penang for a couple of days now, catching up on projects. This afternoon, after the sun disappeared behind the condos backing the marina and the... Read more

  Posted on 25 September 2014 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• Checking in at Puteri Harbour Marina

  

  When engine issues took priority over adventuring, we needed a place at the southern end of the Malay peninsula to park Totem for a while. Read more

  Posted on 20 September 2014 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• Boats Are Meant to Move

  

  Two months and change. 71 days, actually (who’s counting?). During the last six years of cruising the only other times we’ve stayed in one place more than two... Read more

  Posted on 11 September 2014 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• Maritime Industry and Safety at Sea: Infographic

  

  I’ve been thinking a lot about safety at sea lately, as we get ready for next year’s Indian Ocean transit- waters that have a well earned reputation as dangerou... Read more

  Posted on 10 September 2014 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• Getting Online While Cruising

  

  How do you get online as an active cruiser? On one hand, the prospect of cruising means freedom from the always-on, always-connected world. Liberating, right? I... Read more

  Posted on 07 September 2014 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• With Gratitude for Liebster Award Blog Recognition

  

  A few months back, we were nominated for a Liebster award. This award is a personal nod from one blogger to another in appreciation of their work, asking them t... Read more

  Posted on 04 September 2014 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• Do You Understand Flag Etiquette?

  

  Flag etiquette rules aren’t required as a cruiser, but you should know the basics to avoid embarrassing yourself or offending others. Read more

  Posted on 25 August 2014 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• Come FLY with Totem!

  

  This week we hit our six year cruisaversary. On August 21, 2008, friends sailed us out of the entrance to Eagle Harbor, Washington, and on our way to... Read more

  Posted on 23 August 2014 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• There’s This Boat: Mary Powell

  

  It takes many years of diligent saving and personal sacrifice to afford the boat of your dreams and cruising adventure. Or, you can limit your selection set to... Read more

  Posted on 20 August 2014 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• Best Sails for Downwind Cruising: Reader Questions

  

  What do you want to know about downwind sails? It turns out, more than we expected! Last month’s post on the best sails for downwind cruising was an answer for ... Read more

  Posted on 18 August 2014 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• Oh, RATS! Getting Rid of Rodents Aboard

  

  It’s not easy to get rid of rats on board. Preventing rats from getting on in the first place is better, of course. We blame our current dock-bound status for... Read more

  Posted on 14 August 2014 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• How Do You Stay Fit While Cruising?

  

  Cruising is a healthy lifestyle, where exercise is a natural part of every day. What a great lifestyle to stay fit and feel great! Right? Right? Yeah…it’s not... Read more

  Posted on 03 August 2014 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• Finding Bliss in Stagnant Cruising

  

  A month ago we were headed to Borneo. Thanks to continued engine problems, we’ve been sitting in Puteri Harbour instead. Cruising plans torpedoed, Totem... Read more

  Posted on 30 July 2014 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• Life Raft: More Than Two Four Letter Words

  

  Examining raft contents. Photo (c) Michelle Elvy How do you choose a life raft? We looked for the best raft available. That wasn’t enough. Read more

  Posted on 26 July 2014 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• The Best Sails for Downwind Cruising

  

  What’s the difference between a drifter, a gennaker, a code zero, and a screecher? Where does a spinnaker fit in? And if you’re a cruiser, what sail should you... Read more

  Posted on 11 July 2014 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• DIY: Essential Oils on Board

  

  We try to keep life simple on Totem: if we can make something ourselves, that’s always a better option than buying. Less waste is created, something on board... Read more

  Posted on 06 July 2014 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• Engine Woes in the Singapore Strait

  

  Traffic from Malaysia to Singapore as we head out to cross the city The engine failed our test run, but it at least had the grace to wait until we were beyond... Read more

  Posted on 30 June 2014 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• Testing Day: Mechanical and Technical

  

  Today’s a day of tests, in two very different ways- Totem’s Yanmar engine, and Totem’s blog! Mechanical: the engine With a clean bill of health for our... Read more

  Posted on 29 June 2014 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL