Blog of Jack and Jude
explorers, photographers, authors
October 2014 September 2014 >>
Practical boat tips –
Freshwater, Saltwater, and the Galley Sink
October 13, 2014
The galley sink on Banyandah is a good size measuring 380x340x150 mm deep with a centre drain. Into this I use a 310 mm round basin for washing up. This small basin minimizes freshwater use, and yet removing it, the sink is large enough to handle a banquet or clean the odd fish. When underway I find it very handy to drain the dishes in the sink around the basin.
Practical boat tips – non-slip mats
07 Oct 2014
Life aboard Banyandah would be difficult without non-slip mats lining the shelves, drawers, and bench tops. Rolls 30 cm wide can be bought cheaply from discount stores in a good range of colours and wider material is available at ship chandlers. It hand-washes well and dries quickly.
Practical boat tips –
Use old socks to protect on-board items
29 Sep 2014
Old socks make good muffs. Simply cut the sock into two or three pieces depending on length of sock and stretch it over the bottle or drop bottle into the foot part. It is not necessary to have the sock full height of the glass, particularly with thick socks, as the thickness of the sock acts as a standoff. To save socks, alternate muffed bottles within a cupboard. I leave empty muffs in the cupboard ready for the next bottle.
More Practical Boat Tips:
- Noodles to stop cups rattling
- Anti-skid on stair treads
- Easy access to hull and fittings
- Drop-down cupboard doors
- Getting your head around the head
- Dry food lockers

The Fall of St Jude
Article in October 2014 issue
at newsagents now.
The editor of Cruising Helmsman, Phil Ross said, “A great story of courage through adversity and points out to our readers that even the best can get caught out – a vital lesson.”
In a harrowing story of mental toughness Jack and Jude Binder relate their story of a five week sail from the Kimberley to Dampier with a broken leg.
Rainforest School Holiday
School Holiday adventure in the rainforests of the Border Ranges National Park, NSW with the Three Musketeers; Jayden (9), Khyren (7), and Tyson (6).
A three day camping adventure to explore magical rainforests and show our grandchildren surface feeding trees with their roots bulging out the ground.
The Sheepstation campsite made a wonderful base with its wide open grassy spaces filled with a myriad of bird song all day long. The sharp crack Whip-birds and Bell-birds, accompanied by the trills of Bower-birds woke us each morning. Fairly large goannas marched across the flats or casually looked down upon us from lofty tree trunks.