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.

Rule 2000 heavy-duty bilge pump with red and blue design for efficient water removal on boats.

Bilge Pumps

An emergency bilge pump(s) is a very significant electrical device on any vessel. This pump is used to pump out water that may collect, for whatever reason, in the bilge.
October 23, 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

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

Navigation Tools

No matter the chart in use, the navigator’s work largely involves the determination of direction and distances. The most useful tools for actual chart work are...
October 25, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Top view diagram of a sailboat hull showing water flow direction and pressure points for optimized sailing performance.

Rudder Force with Spring Lines

The rudder can be a big help because it can change the direction of the thrust force.
April 29, 2024/by Grant Headifen
Sailor in a red jacket braving rough seas, harnessed on a wet deck with splashing waves, focused on handling the sail.

Sailing Safety Equipment

There is a plethora of equipment specially designed for a variety of emergencies at sea. Some are inexpensive...
October 16, 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
Magnetic field lines around a bar magnet, illustrating north and south poles with curved lines of force.

Magnetism

We begin with a phenomenon called magnetism. This phenomenon was known thousands of years before electricity. Magnetism was discovered...
October 16, 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
Group enjoying a sailing trip on a yacht, navigating through open sea with two steering wheels and wooden deck.

Good Captainship

Being a good captain on a bareboat charter is a real skill. It is very unlike being a good captain on a military or commercial ship or even a captain in a local yacht race.
April 5, 2024/by Grant Headifen
Monument of Discoveries sculpture in Lisbon with sailors set against a clear blue sky and a view of the Tagus River.

Navigation Introduction

The history of navigation is fascinating and dates back to as many centuries as we can imagine.
October 15, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Basic Surface Geometry

Below is a brief summary of how locations are commonly expressed on different surfaces.
October 13, 2023/by Grant Headifen
View of a sailboat's helm with a wooden wheel against a clear blue sky and open sea, conveying serene sailing moments.

Operating the Engine – Getting Familiar with a Charter Boat

Many modern sailboats are equipped with integrated engine throttle and transmission shift systems; called the push-pull cabling system. 
April 5, 2024/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
Sailing yacht gliding through ocean waves at sunset, sailor steering from deck, capturing adventure and freedom at sea.

Rigging

At boat shows, we see folks huddled down in the vessel’s salon oohing and aahing at the leather cushions to sit on, and at the electronic gadgets for navigation and entertainment.
October 24, 2023/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

Sail TellTales

"Telltales" attached to the sail in strategic positions to "tell" us what the wind is doing at that exact location.
August 11, 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
Sailboat anchored by rocky cliffs in serene waters, under a clear sky, perfect for sailing adventures.

Anchoring with multiple anchors

Setting multiple anchors has multiple advantages. It reduces swing, reduces the holding load required by each anchor, and can act as a backup.
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

Safe Speed Nav Rule

The Rule Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed so that she can...
August 24, 2023/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
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
Diagram comparing water flow in buckets to energy flow in batteries, illustrating concepts of joules and watts.

Understanding Energy and Power

Energy: The concept of energy is likened to water for the easiest understanding. A bucket of water holds a specific amount of water which is measured in a quantity of gallons or liters. It is finite; when it is all drained out, it is gone. To gain more, it must be replaced from a source.
April 14, 2024/by Grant Headifen

Last updated on December 6th, 2024