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.

Sailboat with people navigating open waters, capturing the essence of adventure and freedom under clear skies.

Seacocks – Getting Familiar with a Charter Boat

Seacocks are designed to let water flow out of the hull safely. They are not one-way valves so any loose clamps around the seacock itself create leaks around the hoses and can allow water to enter into the boat. This is usually bad – right?
April 4, 2024/by Grant Headifen
Diagram showing wind direction effects on a sail: trimmed, backwinding, and luffing stages.

Luffing and Backwinding Sails

Luffing is when the sail is flapping in the wind. Back winding happens usually right before luffing occurs.
August 22, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Diagram of a Yanmar marine diesel engine with labeled parts: fuel filter, coolant filler cap, oil dip stick, belt, water pump.

Sailboat Diesel Engine Operation

As noted earlier, diesel engines are sturdy and highly reliable, and operating them today is straightforward.
October 14, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Diagram showing wind direction effects on a sail: trimmed, backwinding, and luffing stages.

Lifts and Knocks in Sailing

Lifts and Knocks are technical terms for how the direction of the wind changes, requiring changes in how you respond while sailing...
August 11, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Assorted sailboat hardware: snap hook, swivel block, cleats, shackles, rope jammer, jib sail hank, turnbuckle, pad eye.

Sailboat Running Rigging

A sailboat’s running rigging consists of those items controlling the sails and helping the sails to capture the wind’s energy.
October 18, 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
Diesel engine fuel system diagram showing tank, shut-off valve, filter, fuel pump, injectors, and return line.

The Fuel System – Getting Familiar with a Charter Boat

While it is reasonably rare to have a fuel problem on a charter it can certainly happen and you should be prepared to apply the (sometimes simple) solution below.
April 4, 2024/by Grant Headifen
Antique log-line and bucket display, used in traditional navigation for measuring a ship’s speed at sea.

Navigation Units

Sailors are forever measuring stuff. This brings us to the subject of navigation units. As we all remember from the good ol’ school days, measurement is the process of comparing something with an established standard.
October 13, 2023/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
Man showing fish to child and another person on a boat, enjoying a sunny day at sea.

Fishing on a Charter

Bring a fishing rod and reel with a 20 lb break strength line. Even if you’re not typically a fisher, few things in life are better than catching a fish for your crew, cooking it, and serving it that evening. It will increase your hero status.
April 7, 2024/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
Group of sailors examining navigation charts at a table in a nautical classroom setting.

Charter Local Area Familiarization

Once you’ve arrived at the charter base, the company will give you an extensive briefing on the local area, where to sail, where not to sail, and they’ll also give you a recommended route to take for the time that you have allotted.
April 4, 2024/by Grant Headifen
Diagram of a sail with terms: head, luff, leech, foot, tack, clew, jibsail, jibsheet, fairlead, and geometric center.

Fairlead Control

The fairlead is the first control device that the jib sheet passes through on its way back to the cockpit. You can move the fair lead forward or backward.
August 30, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Electric Devices and Standards

A word of caution whenever using any home AC appliances on a vessel. Generally, these devices will work fine
October 16, 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
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
Couple relaxing on the deck of a sailing yacht, enjoying a sunny day on clear blue water.

Anchoring Basics

Anchoring is not simply throwing a "hook" and letting out a line. Although by watching some sailors this seems to be their theory. The best way to approach anchoring is to dissect it into a series of individual steps.
April 13, 2024/by Grant Headifen
Aerial view of a sailboat and motorboat on open water, showcasing serene sailing experience and adventure.

Overtaking Vessels

When overtaking another vessel, we quote the rules exactly because they are incredibly clear...
August 28, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Sailboat on calm sea under wispy clouds with forested shoreline in the background, perfect for a peaceful sailing trip.

Clouds, Fog, Thunderstorms

Clouds can give a relatively easy and quick look at what might be coming in the future. These clouds then are a good indication of possible changing weather in the next few days.
October 23, 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
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
Sailboat bathroom interior with compact sink, mirror, and toilet, showcasing efficient design for marine use.

Heads on a Charter Boat

You don’t need trouble with the waste system, especially when on vacation.
April 4, 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

Last updated on December 6th, 2024