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 Vessel Preparation
Sometimes it is a good idea to get nasty stuff out of the way first as well as prepare your boat and crew.
October 25, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Waves, Swells, and Depth
Since waves are primarily the result of surface wind action, they can be accurately predicted. Waves have troughs and crests.
October 15, 2023/by Grant Headifen
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
Mooring on a Charter
Most developed chartering locations throughout the world have established zones in which mooring balls have been permanently implanted.
April 12, 2024/by Grant Headifen
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
Sailboat Fire Extinguishers and Requirements
Fire Extinguishers Fire Extinguishers are given a letter rating that matches the type of fire they will be battling.
October 13, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Water and Water Making on Bareboat Charter
Aboard, drinkable water is indeed a limited supply - very limited.
April 13, 2024/by Grant Headifen
Sailboat Generator or Large Battery Bank?
Dedicated electric generators on board sailboats are usually only reserved for large sailboats because of their weight and size. Unless there is a desire for large amounts of electricity...
October 23, 2023/by Grant Headifen
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 HeadifenMooring a Sailboat
Mooring a vessel means attaching it to a float that is firmly and permanently anchored to the sea bottom.
October 14, 2023/by Grant Headifen
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
Dock Slips Docking Techniques
Wind coming into the dock slip channel and your boat is to be docked stern-to, steer into the slip channel...
June 3, 2024/by Grant Headifen
Using Multiple Anchors
There are occasions when more than one anchor will add safety and comfort. One possibility is to use one or two anchors...
October 16, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Getting Familiar with the Charter Boat
Prior to releasing the boat to you, the charter company will give you a reasonably extensive walk through the boat.
April 2, 2024/by Grant Headifen
Anchoring Rode and Scope
To hold a sailboat, the anchor must naturally be attached to the vessel. This is accomplished by using “rode,” which is either all chain or a combination of rope (nylon line) and chain. Learn from this interactive animation.
July 20, 2026/by Grant Headifen
Galley Stove on a Charter Boat
The vast majority of vessels in charter fleets are equipped with propane-burning galley stoves.
April 7, 2024/by Grant HeadifenBasic Telltale Control continued
Controlling the telltales by making course adjustments - when making the woolies fly by making course adjustments the rule is...
August 14, 2023/by Grant HeadifenThe 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 HeadifenTypical Sailboat Energy Usage
Here we show the devices and how much energy you would typically use on a sailing boat on a sailing vacation each day.
April 12, 2024/by Grant HeadifenSail Twist Basics
How can the wind direction be different between the top of the mast and the bottom?
August 17, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Non-Electronic Communications
Sailing has been around for thousands of years. Electronic Communications has been around for less than 100 years (not counting the telegraph).
October 24, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Anchoring
Anchoring is not simply throwing a “hook” and letting out a line. However, after watching some sailors, this seems to be their theory. Successful anchoring requires a plan considering all the factors.
October 24, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Sailboat Diesel Closed Water System
The second sailboat cooling system fluid is called the closed or coolant water system.
October 23, 2023/by Grant HeadifenSailboat Battery Usage
Batteries are a vessel’s major source of power for many essential functions both when in the slip and while sailing.
October 20, 2023/by Grant Headifen


