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.

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

NED Sailing Simulator

Before you play with NED, the sailing simulator, read this first. The graphic below is representative of a real wind meter on...
August 9, 2023/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

Sailboat Balance

Below is an animation that shows the balance of forces: actually it is technically the balance of a concept called “moments.”
October 20, 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
Boat battery wiring diagram showing engine, alternator, battery banks, isolator, charger, and shore power connections.

Typical Boat and Battery Wiring Schematic

Here is a typical wiring schematic of how your batteries are connected into your boat and charging system.
April 15, 2024/by Grant Headifen
Two sailboats, one red and one blue, are connected on the water.

Towing

The following diagram shows how you can tow another vessel. Form a “bridle” from the rear cleats...
October 24, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Diagram of green light patterns: Flashing (2), Flashing, Occulting, Quick Flashing, ISO for nautical navigation signals.

Lights on ATONS

Lights are installed on some ATONS. The lights are usually alternating on and off on some consistent interval to distinguish one ATON from another.
October 24, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Seamanship Nav Rules

Navigation rules refer many times to good seamanship, The best advice we can give here around seamanship is to get experience...
August 31, 2023/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
Vertical axis wind turbine for sailboats, eco-friendly marine power solution.

Sailboat Wind Power Generators

Wind-power generators are typically installed only on ocean-crossing vessels, where the vessel is away from the marina for extended periods of time and where there is a need for conserving onboard fuel.
October 23, 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

Action by a Give-Way Vessel

The Nav Rule Every vessel which is directed to keep out of the way of another vessel shall...
August 23, 2023/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
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
Crew celebrating on a sailboat race, clear skies and other sailboats in the background.

The Geography of Confidence

Unlock your boating potential by gaining knowledge. Explore how boating confidence through education expands your horizons.
September 14, 2025/by Merrill Homann-Charette
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
Two men discussing sailing techniques on a sailboat, part of NauticEd's Instructional Skipper program.

Learning sailing while on a Yacht Charter Vacation

Learn to sail while on vacation with the Instructional Skipper Program. Gain real-world skills and practical experience in beautiful destinations.
December 15, 2024/by Grant Headifen

Keeping the Telltales Flying Steady

As a sailor we are doing one of two things when it comes to sail trim, either holding a course or trimming to our sails...
August 24, 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
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
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
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

Last updated on December 6th, 2024