Boating Knowledge Base

Have a sailing question? Access NauticEd’s sailing and boating knowledge base, and gain in-depth answers to your sailing questions. If you’re interested in powerboating, visit our new powerboating blog.

Yellow marine battery charger, TrueCharge 20+ model, designed for efficient onboard 12V power management.

Sailboat Battery Charging

Like a water bucket, batteries have a specific storage capacity and must be refilled/recharged when their contents of energy are depleted.
October 20, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Blue spiral notebook with a matching pencil, perfect for jotting down sailing notes and navigational tips.

Using Prop Walk

You can use prop walk to turn your boat in a tight marina by applying forward and reverse gears at appropriate times, leaving the rudder locked to starboard.
May 31, 2024/by Grant Headifen
ICOM IC-M302 marine VHF radio with mic, featuring channel 16 display for reliable communication at sea.

Using a Marine Radio

Knowledge of use of a VHF is not only mandatory for safety but some governments require a VHF knowledge certification before you can charter a boat in their waters.
April 10, 2024/by Grant Headifen
Blue kayak on a sandy beach with sailboats in the calm sea under a clear sky. Perfect day for sailing and kayaking.

How to Book a Sailing Charter

There are a few things you need to know about booking a charter.
April 4, 2024/by Grant Headifen

Action by a Stand-On Vessel Nav Rule

Strangely enough, the written text for the action of a Stand-On vessel is longer than that of a Give-Way vessel.
August 31, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Sailboat cutting through ocean waves, showcasing the bow's sleek design and dynamic sailing movement.

Maintaining a Lookout

The Rule Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as...
August 28, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Sailing on a modern yacht at sunset, with a person relaxing on deck and the sea stretching to the horizon.

The Deck – Getting Familiar with a Charter Boat

Gaining knowledge about the boat, its systems, and its equipment is a great starting point for any sailing adventure.
April 5, 2024/by Grant Headifen

Electronic Navigation

We are well into the 21st century. Chances are that within 30 feet (10 meters) of you right now there are 2-3 GPS-enabled potentially lifesaving devices...
October 20, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Vessels in Restricted Visibility

What is the safe speed at night, in fog? As safe as it needs to be under good seamanship.
August 28, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Map showing tanker ship positions and details, including Marida Patea, with color-coded directional arrows.

Risk of Collision when Sailing

The Rule of Risk of Collision is that every vessel shall use all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances...
August 26, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Raymarine sailing instrument displaying depth of 9.8 feet and speed of 6.35 knots, with log reading 10321 NM.

Key Sailboat Instruments

Sailboat Instrumentation can be very sophisticated and intelligent. Most electronic displays provide a wide range of menus of useful information...
October 18, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Sailing yacht anchored near rocky cliffs, flag flying high, with calm ocean waters and serene coastal scenery.

Using Multiple Anchors

There are occasions when more than one anchor will add safety and comfort. One possibility is to use one or two anchors...
October 16, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Marine VHF radios with microphones tuned to channel 16, essential for communication and safety at sea.

Communications while Underway on a Charter

Contact between vessels, or a boat and a land station, is usually carried out using VHF (Very High Frequency) radios.
April 6, 2024/by Grant Headifen

Mooring a Sailboat

Mooring a vessel means attaching it to a float that is firmly and permanently anchored to the sea bottom.
October 14, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Keeping the Telltales Flying Steady

As a sailor we are doing one of two things when it comes to sail trim, either holding a course or trimming to our sails...
August 24, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Sailboats navigating wind direction on blue ocean with mapped pathways and positions.

Anchoring with Propwalk on a Sailboat

Without proper knowledge of how the boat reacts to the wind and propwalk, anchoring can be a real challenge.
March 27, 2024/by Grant Headifen
Diagram illustrating air flow and force on a sail from NauticEd, a leading sailing education course provider.

Understanding How Airflow Creates Lift

Understanding how Airflow creates lift and the need for smooth airflow when sailing...
August 23, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Sleek yacht interior featuring a shiny stainless steel stove and oven set within polished wooden cabinetry.

Galley Stove on a Charter Boat

The vast majority of vessels in charter fleets are equipped with propane-burning galley stoves. 
April 7, 2024/by Grant Headifen
Diagram showing propeller blade directions for a right-handed screw in reverse, with upsweeping and downsweeping labels.

Propwalk – The Wash Lift effect

The wash-lift effect has been documented heavily by Dave Geer who is one of the worlds leading propeller engineers.
May 1, 2024/by Grant Headifen

More Basic Sail Twist

The wind at the top of the mast has more heeling leverage on the boat than the wind lower...
August 21, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Sailboat anchored in serene blue water near rocky coast, ideal for sailing adventures and peaceful escapes.

Anchoring

Anchoring is not simply throwing a “hook” and letting out a line. However, after watching some sailors, this seems to be their theory. Successful anchoring requires a plan considering all the factors.
October 24, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Two people in a dinghy on a calm sea with sailboats and green islands in the background under a cloudy sky.

Dinghy on a Bareboat Charter

Several things to note about the dinghy on a Bareboat Charter.
April 11, 2024/by Grant Headifen

Sailboat Diesel Engine

Thanks go to Mr. Rudolf Diesel who years ago in Germany cleverly invented an engine that today bears his name (luckily, they chose to use his last name)—the sailboat diesel engine.
October 21, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Diagram shows electromagnetic induction process and corresponding sinusoidal wave of current amplitude over time.

Alternating Current and Direct Current

In your house, your wall outlets deliver alternating current (AC) electricity. The electricity provided to your house and your marina from the national electric grid is AC. Most of the devices...
October 18, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Last updated on December 6th, 2024