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.

Two sailboats, one red and one blue, are connected on the water.

Towing

The following diagram shows how you can tow another vessel. Form a “bridle” from the rear cleats...
October 24, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Couple relaxing on sailboat deck, enjoying sunny day on turquoise waters. Dream yachting escape in paradise.

Why Anchor?

There are many reasons for anchoring your boat...
October 20, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Vertical axis wind turbine for sailboats, eco-friendly marine power solution.

Sailboat Wind Power Generators

Wind-power generators are typically installed only on ocean-crossing vessels, where the vessel is away from the marina for extended periods of time and where there is a need for conserving onboard fuel.
October 23, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Diagram illustrating sailboat hydrodynamics with forces acting on rudder and resulting force direction.

Sailboat Maneuvering Topics

With practice, wind direction and current direction are not too much of a problem. But what can get you into trouble is extremely high winds. Be prepared to change...
October 13, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Sailing diagram showing prop walk effect causing boat to veer off desired path due to strong wind and speed factors.

Prop Walk Bests You

There is one situation where you are just going to have to suck it up, admit defeat, and work with the forces of nature.
June 9, 2024/by Grant Headifen

Take Note When the Boat Heels Over or Stands Up

At a sailing group meeting, someone mentioned they were having trouble determining if the boat was pinching or not.
October 16, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Catamaran anchoring between expensive sails, with guidance for anchor placement.

Mediterranean Mooring with an Anchor

Another factor when Mediterranean Mooring with an anchor is that the wind direction determines who is in control...
May 4, 2024/by Grant Headifen
Sailor adjusting sail on a yacht at sunset, mastering navigation for a smooth maritime journey.

Helpful Hints about Wind

Since the existence of wind is the primary reason we can sail, it is prudent to know all we can about it.
October 16, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Docking Maneuvers with Dual Rudders

With Dual Rudders there is no ability to spring the boat onto or off the dock! You have no water velocity over the rudders from either boat velocity or propwash.
May 24, 2024/by Grant Headifen

Basic Telltale Control continued

Controlling the telltales by making course adjustments - when making the woolies fly by making course adjustments the rule is...
August 14, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Diagram comparing lift and drag forces on fabric and winged sails, illustrating aerodynamic efficiency differences.

Winged Sail Vector Diagrams

Sail and Winged Sail Wind Force Vector Diagrams. And it's highly relevant right now because of the America's Cup AC45 catamarans using winged sails.
August 26, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Schematic of boat bilge pump system with battery, manual and float switches, showing hull and water levels.

Bilge Pumps on a Charter Boat

Boats have two types of pumps to empty bilge water; electronic and manually operated. 
April 5, 2024/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
Diagram comparing rudder positions: in front of propeller (left) vs behind propeller (right) with steering effects.

Advanced Catamaran Maneuvering – Using the Rudders

There are some other cool things you can do when you consider the propeller thrust over a Catamaran's rudders.
May 9, 2024/by Grant Headifen
Marine electrical panel with switches for AC main, reverse polarity, battery charger, outlets, and spare.

Sailboat Electrical Panels

The sailboat electrical panel, located at the navigation station, normally has two distinct and separately marked sections; one section is devoted to 110-volt or 220-volt AC power and...
October 13, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Sailboat engine cooling system diagram showing fluid flow through heat exchanger and pumps.

Diesel Raw-Water System

Raw-water means that the water is straight from outside the boat. It might be seawater - it might be
October 15, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Two sailboats navigating in open sea, one with red hull. Wind direction indicated by blue arrow.

Some Navigation Rules Terminology

Understanding Navigation Rules begins with learning some basic Navigation Rules terminology...
August 23, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Diagram illustrating true wind, apparent wind, and boat speed effects on sail, influencing sailing dynamics.

Sailing Wind Velocity & Direction

The faster the boat sails into the wind, the more the apparent wind speed increases and the more it feels like it is coming from the front of the boat. They say  "The apparent wind is forward of the true wind". This means the apparent wind feels like it comes from a more forward direction than the true wind.
October 19, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Hull and Keel

A sailboat’s hull and keel receive considerable attention from a sailboat designer since they determine the capacity of the vessel, how fast it will go, and the degree of safety and comfort.
October 16, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Burned marine shore power plug showing signs of electrical damage in hand, indicating potential safety hazard.

Shore Power Connection

One of the more common sources of fire on a boat is a loose connection of the shore power to the receptacle plug on the stern of the boat.
October 22, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Sailboats passing port to port with horn signals, showing nautical right-of-way on open water.

Head-on Nav Rules Situation

The Rule (a) Unless otherwise agreed when two power-driven vessels are meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal...
August 26, 2023/by Grant Headifen

The Job of a Sail Trimmer

Sail trimmers in world-class regattas spend years reading and understanding the wind relative to the sails. Sometimes they trim the sheets only a few inches/cm...
August 5, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Diagram of sailing angles: upwind and downwind with wind direction indicated. Ideal for navigational strategies.

Sailing Directions

Directions are super important because while sailing, you will always be in communication with others regarding directions of obstacles, wind changes, your destination, water current, and other boat traffic.
October 21, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Marina power and water pedestal on the dockside, providing essential utilities for docked boats and yachts.

Electricity and Charging Your Devices on a Charter

It’s a given, we can’t live without electricity. At home, we have all the conveniences and all the chargers we need. But what about on a boat on a sailing vacation? What can I charge and what voltage is available?
April 4, 2024/by Grant Headifen

Last updated on December 6th, 2024