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.

Sailing diagram showing boat heading angles: 30, 60, 90, and 120 degrees off wind direction. NauticEd education info.

Best Angle to the Wind when Sailing

Here's a diagram to show you what "degrees off the wind" means. Sails, unlike wings, get their shape from the wind pressure against the fabric....
August 13, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Dual-color LED boat navigation light with red and green lenses, ideal for marine safety and visibility on sailboats.

Boat and Equipment Emergencies

The character MacGyver in the TV show of the same name would have made a great sailor. Why? Because he could fix anything and a boat is a concoction of a kajillion gadgets busting to rot...
October 19, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Diagram illustrating sea breeze effect: warm air from land replaces cooler water air, influencing sailboat movement.

Wind

Winds can be gentle, hardly felt, like zephyrs flitting about in a local area, or they can be vast movements of air moving swiftly across oceans and continents at low and high altitudes.
October 22, 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
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
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
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
Sailboats cruising on open sea under clear skies, showcasing vibrant sails and sleek designs.

Sailboats vs Sailboats Nav Rules

Sailboats On The Same Tack The Rule 12 a(ii) when both have the wind on the same...
August 24, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Colorful fresh vegetable and salami salad with cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes, and peas for a healthy, vibrant meal.

Charter Provisioning

Many charter companies can stock and provision your boat before you arrive. This is a good idea for the basics but there is usually little imagination in the food that is supplied.
April 6, 2024/by Grant Headifen
Perko marine battery switch, red casing, marked OFF and ALL, used for managing dual battery systems on boats.

Sailboat Engine and House Systems

Perhaps the most important use of DC power on a vessel is for starting the engine. Considerable power is needed for this task and if the engine does not start immediately...
October 19, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Diagram of a marine propulsion system with inline shaft alternator and propeller, enhancing ship energy efficiency.

Spinning Propeller

As you sail along, the water flowing over your propeller will cause it to spin. Some sailboats are fitted with a special alternator that will create electricity...
October 13, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Diagram showing the safety position of a sailboat with arrows indicating wind direction for safe navigation.

Understanding the Safety Position in Sailing

Learn how the Safety Position — a controlled, depowered close reach — helps sailors pause safely without losing steerage. Ideal for MOB drills, instruction, and more.
July 12, 2025/by Grant Headifen
Sailing enthusiasts securing anchor on catamaran in serene blue waters, surrounded by lush green scenery.

Sailboat Mooring Procedures

The procedure for tying to a mooring is theoretically very easy. You simply motor up and using a boat hook, grab the float and attach to it to your boat. It sounds simple but you will see many dismal failures when watching others try it.
October 23, 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
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
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

Boat Heading vs Sail Set and Forces on the Sail

The set of your sail depends on your sailing angle to the wind. You're working to maximize the aerodynamic forces on the sail.
August 30, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Sailboat gliding on calm sea during a vibrant sunset, highlighting the beauty of sailing at dusk.

Vessel Lights and Shapes

Nighttime can be a beautiful time to sail. However, night vision is not the same as day vision and so rules have been established to ensure safety.
October 12, 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
Sea anchor setup on a yacht deck with tow line and deflate line labeled for easy sailing navigation and safety.

Sea Anchor

Finally, there is something called a “sea anchor.” These can be a variety of devices used to slow down a vessel caught in high winds and turbulent seas.
October 13, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Narrow Channels and Traffic Separation Schemes

Rules 9 and 10 deal with narrow channels and traffic separation schemes, and mainly refer to larger commercial traffic...
August 24, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Sail Trim

While setting the sails to general rules of thumb will get you really close to a good sail set,
October 12, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Top view of a catamaran securely anchored with two lines, showcasing an optimal technique for stable mooring.

Mediterranean Mooring – Long Line Ashore

The long-line-ashore is a useful Mediterranean mooring method. It is mostly used in the Mediterranean as a customary way of mooring a lot of boats along a shoreline.
May 6, 2024/by Grant Headifen

Last updated on December 6th, 2024