Hey Reader!

This week saw a wild rescue out of the Pacific ocean from a sailor who left California on his way to Hawaii, and experienced a catastrophic failure.

Two weeks into his trip, Kai Soto's mast snapped. His engine had no fuel. His phone was dead. What he had left: PVC pipe, kayak paddles, a bag of oatmeal, and whatever fish and squid landed on deck.

So he built a sail out of the paddles and pipe, collected drinking water by sealing seawater in plastic bags and licking the condensation, and kept himself pointed at Hawaii for a full month. On July 21, the crew of a passing cargo ship heard his VHF call and spotted a de-masted sailboat about 750 miles out. He stepped off that ship rescued — and, reportedly, already planning his next boat.

Losing your rig — or your rudder — is every sailor's nightmare, and it's exactly why we collected the fixes real sailors swear by: https://www.thewaywardhome.com/losing-your-rudder-at-sea-is-every-sailors-nightmare-here-are-solutions-sailors-talk-about/​

This week's practical tip: carry two ways to call for help that don't need a cell tower

Two rescues made our page this month, and they share one detail. Raymond Rosen, 80, was found because he carried a satellite communicator and the Coast Guard said flatly that it averted a tragedy. Kai Sato was found because he kept calling on VHF until somebody heard.

A handheld VHF and any satellite messenger together cost less than a good anchor. VHF radio's only work at a short distance. Always have a satellite communicator and EPIRB on board for ocean crossings.

(While you're checking the gear list, here's what NOT to bring aboard — 9 things sailors always regret packing: https://www.thewaywardhome.com/9-items-you-should-never-bring-on-a-sailboat-and-what-to-pack-instead/)

Looking for a liveaboard slip in Florida?

Liveaboards, this one's for you: three deeded 50-foot live-aboard slips just came up for sale or rent at Port of the Islands Marina — a hurricane hole with direct Gulf access, tucked between Naples and Miami, on a brand-new concrete floating dock. Rent a slip for $1,300/month or buy one for $250K, and owner financing is available.

(A deeded slip in a hurricane hole is the liveaboard equivalent of rent control. Worth a look if Florida's in your plans.)

🏆 Top Facebook post of the week

"The postcard moments aren't why we stay out here. It's the small ones nobody photographs." — 1,158 of you agreed, making it the week's biggest post on That Sailing Life.

Join the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/122176991252619936/posts/122177776316619936​

Question to close: what's the best jury-rig you've ever pulled off aboard? Hit reply — the best answers might end up in a future issue (and there's an article brewing on exactly this).

Fair winds,

Kristin