The
Theta Volantis Reports
After
a brief foray with sailing dinghies, Brian Savage and Colleen Ryan bought
their first cruising yacht, a 27-foot bilge keeler. Fifteen years, 25,000
miles and two yachts later, they decided to make sailing a way of life.
In 1994 they bought Theta Volantis, a Sundeer 64, and became
full-time liveaboard sailors.
They have sailed from the US East Coast to Europe, then back across
the pond to New Zealand, through the Southwest Pacific, to Australia,
Southeast Asia, through the Red Sea, and they are now in the Med.
Brian
and Colleen are scuba divers - both are PADI dive instructors - and
have written a series of diving guides covering the Eastern Caribbean.
The books combine Brian's interest in underwater photography with Colleen's
interest in marine life. They also are regular contributors to Yachting
World magazine.
| 22
Dec 04 |
Sweden's
Gota Canal. (Photos.)
|
| 15
Dec 04 |
Christmas
aboard. |
| 12
Nov 04 |
A
Baltic cruise.
(Photos.)
|
| 16
July 04 |
Five
most common cruiser's blunders. |
| 24
June 04 |
We
asked all the SetSailors to writea bout safety and comfort at sea. |
| 19
May 04 |
Canals:
The circumnavigator's shortcuts.
(Photos.)
|
| 7
May 04 |
Motoring
around the world? Colleen and Brian weigh in on the bluewater sail
vs. power debate.
(Photos.)
|
| 14
April 04 |
Colleen
and Brian have left Theta Volantis for a few days in several
exotic locations, so here is their advice if you ever need to do the
same. |
| 29
Mar 04 |
A
dramatic arrival at the ancient Valetta Harbor in Malta. (Photos.)
|
| 26
Feb 04 |
Jib
strategy. |
| 20
Feb 04 |
Part
2: A Long Way to Go for a Drink. (Photos.)
|
| 13
Feb 04 |
Love
life on the high seas. (Photos.)
|
| 7
Feb 04 |
Part
1: From Thailand to Scotland: A Long Way to Go for a Drink. (Photos.)
|
| 30
Jan 04 |
Gibraltar
marks the end of Theta Volantis's circumnavigation. |
| 19
Dec 03 |
A
floating Christmas. |
| 13
Nov 03 |
Tips
on buying and storing foods in bulk, while saving room for local delicacies.
|
| 24
Oct 03 |
Brian
and Colleen's thoughts on hurricane preparation. |
| 17
Oct 03 |
A
ditch through the desert - transiting the Suez Canal. |
| 07
Oct 03 |
Arriving
in Egypt. |
| 19
Sept 03 |
Advice
for getting your mail forwarded. |
| 4
Sept 03 |
Flamingoes,
camels, and beautiful protected anchorages in Sudan. |
| 2
Aug 03 |
Colleen
and Brian write about an unforgettable experience in Eritrea. |
| 15
July 03 |
Monsoon
weather and fuel consumption. |
| 25
June 03 |
The
Maldives - A quiet oasis before the busy and potentially dangerous
months ahead. |
| 11
June 03 |
Sri
Lankan cruising. |
| 11
June 03 |
Phuket
Yacht Haven. |
| 31
May 03 |
Free
weather service for yachts transiting the Red Sea. |
| 02
May 03 |
Propane. |
| 19
Apr 03 |
Galle,
Sri Lanka. |
| 29
Mar 03 |
Pirate
Attacks in the Gulf of Aden.
|
| 14
Mar 03 |
The
"Duty Free Visa Run" between Phuket, Thailand, and Langkawi,
Malaysia. Plus, tips on cruising with alcohol aboard, and avoiding
taxes on your boat's spare parts.
|
| 24
Feb 03 |
The
infamous Malacca Straits. (Photos.)
|
| 07
Feb 03 |
Cruising
the interior of Borneo. (Photos.)
|
| 09
Jan 03 |
Singapore
- Land Ahoy (where it shouldn't be!). |
| 31
Dec 02 |
The
great watermaker debate. |
| 11
Dec 02 |
Electronics:
Using them and losing them |
| 26
Nov 02 |
Colleen
and Brian are dive instructors who have written three guides to diving
in the Caribbean. In this article they discuss diving while cruising
in remote areas, covering training, equipment, risks and rewards. |
| 08
Nov 02 |
An
update on Brian and Colleen's experiences with their Iridium satellite
phone, in answer to questions from a reader. |
| 31
Oct 02 |
Brian
and Colleen answer a reader's questions about how they obtain weather
data. |
| 18
Oct 02 |
Report
from Bali soon after the bombing. (Photos.)
|
| 04
Oct 02 |
'Ere
be dragons! (Photos.)
|
| 23
Sept 02 |
Theta
Volantis is one of the first yachts to visit East Timor, which
is rebounding after a violent struggle for independence from Indonesia.
(Photos.)
|
| 6
Sept 02 |
Sea-going
email keeps evolving. Brian and Colleen have been trying out two new
"specialist" satellite phone email servers, and this week
they've got the skinny for you. |
| 30
Aug 02 |
Wildlife
cruising companions. Plus, how to protect your wind instruments from
birds. (Photos.)
|
| 21
Aug 02 |
Colleen
and Brian give advice to a family about "Getting Ready to Go
Cruising". |
| 2
Aug 02 |
Part
Two of Brian and Colleen's guide to ports of entry along Austalia's
East Coast. |
| 26
July 02 |
Brian
and Colleen have come across an incredible weather resource, BuoyWeather.com. |
| 18
July 02 |
This
week Colleen and Brian answer SetSail's questions about their batteries. |
| 12
July 02 |
Part
One of a thorough guide to ports of entry along the Austalia East
Coast. |
| 14
June 02 |
This
week we've asked all the SetSailors to share with us their strategies
for avoiding malaria when cruising in the tropics. |
| 17
May 02 |
Coastal
Cruising in Australia: After eight years of living aboard and crossing
oceans, Colleen and Brian are enjoying a different kind of cruising.
(Photos.)
|
| 10
May 02 |
The
problem when you have been cruising for a while, spending every night
at anchor, is that you really resent all the fuss involved in taking
a marina berth.
(Photos.)
|
| 25
April 02 |
How
Brian and Colleen eased into the cruising life...plus, interviews
with other cruisers about how much it costs (and how much it returns). |
| 6
April 02 |
Return
to "Civilization" - When Brian and Colleen went home to
the UK for Christmas, the culture shock was offset by getting to visit
old friends and new gadgets at the London Boat Show. |
| 22
March 02 |
Ideas
about what to carry in your medical kit, and how to organize it. |
| 15
March 02 |
After
Theta Volantis weathers
a storm in the seemingly sheltered Moreton Bay, Colleen and Brian
share some seamanship observations. |
| 8
March 02 |
Australian
arrival procedures. |
| 2
March 02 |
Colleen
and Brian give us the specifics on their onboard electronics - from
the workhorses to the items more susceptible to problems.
|
| 16
February 02 |
The
Theta Volantis guide to bats, rats, roaches, mosquitoes, weevils,
and big stingy things.
|
| 25
January 02 |
After
an 800-mile passage from New Caledonia to Brisbane, Australia, Colleen
and Brian sing the praises of their Monitor windvane.
(Photos.)
|
| 18
January 02 |
Brian
and Colleen share their thoughts on man overboard prevention and recovery.
|
| 21
December 01 |
Where
to go during cyclone season?
(Photos.) |
| 15
December 01 |
Hiking
and spelunking at Iles des Pins.
(Photos.) |
| 08
December 01 |
Find
out why Colleen and Brian call New Caledonia "The Mars of the
Pacific".
(Photos.) |
| 30
November 01 |
Sharing
their opinions on life rafts: The best brand, boarding procedures,
servicing, storage, grab bags, supplies kept in the raft, and courses
you should consider taking.
(Photos.) |
| 17
November 01 |
New
Caledonia is cracking down on clearing procedures. Also, tips on conserving
energy on board. |
| 10
November 01 |
The
Cruiser's Balancing Act: Pondering the pro's and con's of interacting
with indiginous cultures.
(Photos.) |
| 1
November 01 |
Vanuatu
Kastom.
A close-up visit to the volano on Ambrym Island, and watching ceremonies
at Malekula and Maewo. (Photos.)
|
| 11
October 01 |
In
a Class of Their Own. Brian and Colleen find the ni-Vanuatu to be
the friendliest, most dignified and beguiling people they've met
in all their travels.
(posted
26 October 2001)
|
| 30
September 01 |
Notes
on Clearing in to Vanuatu.
(updated
26 October 2001)
|
| 12
October01 |
Changed
World.
What it's like to absorb the news of current events while
isolated in a tiny village in Vanuatu.
|
| 05
October01 |
Preventing
Malaria in the Tropics.
Colleen and Brian are now in Vanuatu, where malaria is a significant
problem. Here are some of the prophylactics they use. |
| 30
September 01 |
Wallis.
A lazy Sunday includes a stop at a beautiful island church and an
outrigger canoe race with the locals. (Photos)
(posted 12 October 2001) |
| 28
September 01 |
Wallis.
Paying respect to the king, plus notes on the anchorages.
(With
photos.) |
| 18
September 01 |
Wallis.
A visit to one of the least visited of all the South Pacific islands.
(With
photos.) |
| 7
September 01 |
Thank
You Presents. Do's and don't's for trading with the locals, plus items
to keep on board for trading in various parts of the world.
(With
photos.) |
| 31
August 01 |
Independent
Somoa. A visit to Robert Louis Stevenson's home; tips on riding in
an outrigger canoe; and other things cruisers might need to know about
Samoa. (With photos.) |
| 24
August 01 |
Polynesian
Cooking - Umu Style. Colleen and Brian attend a Tongan barbecue. |
| 17
August 01 |
Reefing
Systems. We asked Colleen and Brian to discuss their views on reefing
systems. |
| 10
August 01 |
New
Potatoes in Tonga. A guide to entry requirements, navigation, and
facilities at the Tongan island of Nuiatoputapu.
Plus, sharing in the locals' excitement when the supply ship arrives.
(With photos.) |
| 02
August 01 |
Iridium.
Colleen and Brian are glad they took a chance on the newly revamped
Iridium satellite system. They've written an extremely detailed report,
covering the pro's and the con's as compared to Mini-M. |
| 08
July 01 |
New
Zealand Refit. A guide to saving money on major boatwork and provisioning
in New Zealand. |
| 23
June 01 |
Working
Your Way around the Squash Zones and the Bombs. Read about the weather
factors that influenced when Brian and Colleen left New Zealand for
Tonga. |
| 23
June 01 |
"Hi
Des, It's Theta Volantis!" In their first report for SetSail,
Colleen and Brian write about "Des", the legendary Ham radio
operator who guides sailors through the unpredictable waters surrounding
New Zealand and Australia. |
