Grant Headifen

About Grant Headifen

My vision for NauticEd is to ensure that families and friends get out on the water not only safely but with true COMPETENCE, confidently savoring every moment of their valuable time.

Achieving this means being the pinnacle of sailing and boating education—offering comprehensive multi-media theoretical instruction coupled with hands-on, on-the-water training through our global network of American National Standards Instructors. We steadfastly avoid becoming a mere certification mill; our focus is on delivering genuine competence, ensuring our students are well-prepared for enjoyable, real-world boating experiences.

Entries by Grant Headifen

AIS Safety vs Internet AIS: The Critical Difference Sailors Miss

/by

AIS is one of today’s best safety tools—and one of the most misunderstood. AIS targets on your chartplotter aren’t the same as the ones in phone apps, and that difference matters. In this article, I break down how AIS really works, why some targets vanish, how vessels end up online, and the key distinction between AIS as an onboard safety system vs. an internet tracking tool.

Mast Head pull heeling versus wind heeling

/by

Takeaways: Standing rigging isn’t the place to economize—it’s a load-management system. Use stretchy docklines for masthead pulls, avoid shock loads, and apply smooth, steady pressure. Snatch loads break rigs.

What is an American National Standards EDU-4 Instructor

/by

EDU-4 is the American National Standard that describes what high-quality on-water instruction must look like: clear objectives, structured lessons, appropriate safety and student ratios, objective assessment, and continuous improvement. NauticEd requires its instructors to follow these principles in every training session.

Fin Keel versus a Full Keel Efficiency

/by

Basic Newtonian physics says keel force scales with water density, area, and velocity squared. So if a fin keel and full keel had the same area, shouldn’t they perform the same? And since full keels often have more area, it seems like they should do better—not worse.

Are You Really Ready for an Assessment?

/by

Before you ask an instructor for an assessment or certification sign-off, it helps to understand how learning actually works on the water. At NauticEd, we developed the S-E-A Learning Path.

How Does NauticEd Compare to ASA and U.S. Sailing

/by

NauticEd combines advanced digital learning with recognized industry standards. The only boating school with courses that are NASBLA-compliant, USCG-recognized, and RYA-approved. Receive top-quality boating education that meets charter industry-endorsed standards.

How to Dock a Catamaran on a T-Head (Complete Guide)

/by

Docking a catamaran on a T-head doesn’t have to be stressful. In this step-by-step video + transcript, Grant Headifen demonstrates five real-world approaches—45° drive-in, ferry-glide (crab), tailwind back-in, wind-on, and wind-off—showing throttle work, line order, and pro tips for clean, controlled landings.

Waves Explained: Formation, Swell vs Wind Waves & Safety

/by

From chaos to swell: learn how wind builds waves, why long-period swells outpace storms, how fetch and period shape comfort (and seasickness), and what offshore safety gear—especially well-fitting PFDs with spray hoods—does to keep you breathing and alert.