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.

Comparison of masthead and fractional rig sailboats with labeled diagrams showing sail positions.

Mast Head and Fractional Rigging

There are two variations on the standing rigging set up: Masthead and Fractional. On masthead rigs, the attachment point for the sidestays (shrouds), forestay, and backstay (if they exist) is at the top of the mast.
October 15, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Heave To

Heave To in sailing is a way to stop the boat with full sails still up. You might do
October 22, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Two sailboats on open sea with an arrow pointing from the red-hulled boat to the blue-hulled boat under a clear sky.

Terms Port – Starboard – Forward – Aft

In discussing sail trim, certain terminologies must be understood and so we are presenting a few basics to get you started
August 4, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Torqeedo Power 48-5000 lithium battery for electric sailboats, dimensions: 23x10x8.6 (577.5x253x218 mm).

Available Energy Stored in a Battery

You don’t actually run all of the electron charge out of a battery when it is considered empty.
April 13, 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

Dock Line Release

Have a dock line untying plan based on the wind and the current direction and then communicate this to the crew. Depending on which is stronger...
October 17, 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

Momentum on a Sailboat

While sailboats are primarily powered by wind, the use of an engine (technically your sailboat engine is “auxiliary power”) is crucial for certain maneuvers and situations. All of this begins with understanding the momentum of a sailboat!
May 26, 2024/by Grant Headifen
Two men sailing, discussing that experience doesn't equal competency, emphasizing skill and safety.

Experience ≠ Competency

Years on the water don't automatically make someone a competent sailor. Discover why objective assessments, continuous learning, and practical skills are the real indicators of safe seamanship.
August 4, 2026/by Bill Ibsen

Starting the Diesel Engine

Prior to starting the diesel engine: Become familiar with how and when a vessel’s transmission gear shift...
October 17, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Diagram of sail with lazy jacks and stackpack bag, showing how sail flakes down along the boom for easy handling.

Unfurling or Raising the Sails

You have motored your vessel from the slip into open water and are now ready to either unfurl or raise the sails, depending on your setup.
October 21, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Truck transporting sailboat on road, sign reads Oversize Load, with Move Your Boat Smart text overlay.

How to Transport a Boat After You Buy It

Learn how to transport a boat after you buy it with three effective methods that fit your budget and experience level.
June 18, 2026/by Merrill Homann-Charette
Diagram showing forces: left image in equilibrium, right image with misaligned forces creating a moment.

Docking Force Alignment and Moment Balance

When you are docking, if your boat pulls on a line attached to the dock, the line pulls back on your boat. If the forces are aligned, then nothing really happens.
June 9, 2024/by Grant Headifen

Air Flow over the Sails

Similar to steady flight, we've got to keep the air flowing over the sails smoothly...
August 22, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Scenic harbor view with numerous anchored sailboats and yachts, surrounded by lush greenery and coastal buildings.

Anchoring Courtesy

After safely and securely anchoring your vessel, there are certain factors to contend with - most are common sense.
October 14, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Sailboats navigating a marina with wind direction marked, illustrating docking techniques and boat maneuvering strategies.

Dock Slips Docking Techniques

Wind coming into the dock slip channel and your boat is to be docked stern-to, steer into the slip channel...
June 3, 2024/by Grant Headifen
Diagram of a fuel system flow: tank, filters, pump, engine. Return line and shut-off valve included.

Diesel Fuel

The search, discovery, refinement and resource control of fuel has a rich and very sordid history. But just like...
October 18, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Dog joyfully swimming in a serene lake surrounded by lush greenery and rocky shorelines.

Ferrying Docking Technique

Ferrying is a docking technique whereby you can maneuver your boat in high wind and current easily.
August 4, 2024/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
Two sailboats with conical shapes on the ocean, indicating vessels under power, sailing in clear weather.

Motor Sailing

If the wind is light and your time is short you might want to consider motor-sailing—using your auxiliary engine...
October 19, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Holding a Constant Heading while Adjusting the Sails

We're heading to a specific point on land or a compass heading. Thus we need to keep the sails flying effectively...
August 22, 2023/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

The Nautical Chart on a Charter

Even though most sailboat charters are within island groups where the next landfall is typically within sight, every boat should be equipped with complete large-scale charts of the area.
April 5, 2024/by Grant Headifen
Group of people planning a sailing route with a map and notes in a cozy room, discussing navigation strategies.

The Nautical Chart

Safely maneuvering a vessel while using positions derived from various coastal and near coastal sources is called coastal navigation.
October 24, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Last updated on December 6th, 2024