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.

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
Sailboat engine cooling system diagram showing fluid flow through heat exchanger and pumps.

Sailboat Diesel Water Systems

Diesel engines run hot because of high compression and therefore need to be cooled. Fortunately, ample cooling is readily available from the water the vessel is sailing in.
October 22, 2023/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
Diagram illustrating aerodynamic lift and push forces on a sail, optimizing wind flow for sailing efficiency.

Basic Sail Telltale Control

Controlling the Telltales by Trimming the Sail. The concept here is actually pretty simple. The golden rule is, when...
August 24, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Diagram showing propeller blade directions for a right-handed screw in reverse, with upsweeping and downsweeping labels.

Propwalk – The Wash Lift effect

The wash-lift effect has been documented heavily by Dave Geer who is one of the worlds leading propeller engineers.
May 1, 2024/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
Diagram depicting a water circuit with components analogous to electrical elements like generator and resistor.

Electrical Measurements

To be prepared and understand electrical power usage on a modern vessel, it is important to learn a few basic terms and concepts.
October 17, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Nautical chart symbols for rocks, wrecks, and obstructions, detailing dangers and depths for safe navigation.

Chart Symbols

Studying a harbor layout does very little good without understanding the symbols and what they signify. It pays to
October 17, 2023/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

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

More Basic Sail Twist

The wind at the top of the mast has more heeling leverage on the boat than the wind lower...
August 21, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Diagram showing 12V DC power inverted to 110V AC current with a waveform illustration and labeled inverter.

Sailboat Inverters

Sailboat Inverters are devices used to convert 12-volt DC battery electricity to AC 110-volt or 220-volt electricity. Special electronics in
October 13, 2023/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
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

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
Person relaxing on an inflatable chair near a sailboat at sunset, serene ocean views, perfect for a peaceful sailing adventure.

Selecting an Anchoring Spot

Selecting an Anchoring Spot - Charts, both electronic and paper will tell you where the reliable anchoring spots are.
April 12, 2024/by Grant Headifen

Marine Radio Licensing

To operate a marine radio lawfully, you must comply with the laws of the country in which you are operating the radio.
April 15, 2024/by Grant Headifen
Red and blue waterproof sailing jackets, perfect for marine adventures and protection against harsh weather.

Clothing for Sailing

Dressing appropriately for weather conditions is an important but often overlooked topic. Weather in the marina may be considerably different from weather beyond the marina and conditions can drastically change during your venture.
October 17, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Map showing tanker ship positions and details, including Marida Patea, with color-coded directional arrows.

Risk of Collision when Sailing

The Rule of Risk of Collision is that every vessel shall use all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances...
August 26, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Father and daughter enjoying sailing, adjusting ropes on a sunny day at sea.

Kids on a Sailing Charter

If you're considering a charter and considering taking your kids - DO IT.
April 3, 2024/by Grant Headifen

Action by a Stand-On Vessel Nav Rule

Strangely enough, the written text for the action of a Stand-On vessel is longer than that of a Give-Way vessel.
August 31, 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
Diagram of a sail with terms: head, luff, leech, foot, tack, clew, jibsail, jibsheet, fairlead, and geometric center.

Names of Thingys in Sailing

There's a lot of terminology in sailing, and to get started with sail trim we recommend beginning with some key sailing "thingy" terms.
August 2, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Red fire blanket case with safety instructions and pull tapes, designed for emergency fire control and safety preparedness.

Fire on a Sailboat

Putting out fires quickly is essential. The sooner you find the source the quicker the fire can be extinguished.
October 21, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Last updated on December 6th, 2024