Rupert's Thoughts

Do you use the Cape Index?

Posted August 2025

We have so many tools to assist us nowadays as we sail offshore and make decisions every 15mins or so - on every voyage!

Despite spending my life at sea, I’m not much of a meteorologist and rely on those more skilled for the deep insights (thank you Glenn Chave & Chris Newman!) but… instinctively we sailors all know that it gets hot, humid and aggressively stormy off Florida/Bhs/tropics.

In the summer especially - we are always looking over our shoulder for the next squall.

Only recently was I guided to study and understand the ‘CAPE’ index to better plan storm and lightning risk mitigation. This index puts hard numbers onto those ‘instincts’ that we sailors have. I’m not going to explain it all here as others can do it much better than I can…. and I’d advise those who currently don’t use CAPE to study the NOAA NWS explanation of it. (link below).

‘Learning how to sail better’ is a never ending topic, and this is just another tool in the bag for those striving to understand weather better, minimize risk, and maximize everyone’s enjoyment!

https://www.weather.gov/ilx/swop-severetopics-cape

TECHNICAL COURSES

Posted September 2025

I help a lot of people move their new (to them) boats from the brokers to their home. People
bring me on to get their boat home safely and to brush up their sailing skills…but also to
introduce and educate them on how to manage and maintain the many systems onboard
during the passage; mechanical, electrical, fiberglass, teak, rigging, fresh water, sewage, air-
conditioning etc.

I love doing this – as these new friends I make are highly motivated to learn all about their new boat and how to get the most out of it!

Once you own a boat, repairs and planned maintenance can be extremely expensive for those
unused to this environment if you have to bring in people to do it, and many people ask me what sort of formal course might they take prior to moving on to a boat, to really boost their technical knowledge and minimize expensive bills and ‘down-time’ using 3rd party support.

I have always therefore encouraged people to check local technical and community colleges in your area for marine engineering technology programs that will ideally incorporate American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) standards. To find a specific course visit the ABYC website.

To get into a more specialized hands-on sailboat marine engine course, ‘Mack Boring & Parts’ (Newport RI) have a huge range of excellent courses including a 2 Day Diesel Engine Training for Power and Sail Boat Owners. At about $995…this will quickly pay for itself.

The new owner of the boat I left just a couple of days back seriously impressed me with extraordinarily deep and broad technical knowledge which he had gained on a 6 month (!!!) Marine Systems course at the IYRS School of Technology & Trades – also in Newport RI. Again – the financial cost and time invested will quickly pay itself back through his abilities to diagnose
and repair pretty much any issues on board his 2012 Lagoon 40’ catamaran.

So….as you think about getting into boat ownership, it’s worth remembering that; Any courses
you take will reduce your down time and financial costs, and increase the reward of just being
able to fix your own stuff!