Boating Knowledge Archives

Sailing Safety Introduction

October 19, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Emergencies at sea extend from simple and almost funny episodes to major challenges that are extremely serious.

Sailboat Engine and House Systems

October 19, 2023/by Grant Headifen

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…

Diesel Fuel

October 18, 2023/by Grant Headifen

The search, discovery, refinement and resource control of fuel has a rich and very sordid history. But just like…

Sailboat Running Rigging

October 18, 2023/by Grant Headifen

A sailboat’s running rigging consists of those items controlling the sails and helping the sails to capture the wind’s energy.

Alternating Current and Direct Current

October 18, 2023/by Grant Headifen

In your house, your wall outlets deliver alternating current (AC) electricity. The electricity provided to your house and your marina from the national electric grid is AC. Most of the devices…

Key Sailboat Instruments

October 18, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Sailboat Instrumentation can be very sophisticated and intelligent. Most electronic displays provide a wide range of menus of useful information…

Marine Batteries

October 18, 2023/by Grant Headifen

The source of DC power is usually one or more marine-grade batteries, normally 12 volts each. They are similar to automobile batteries, except sturdier—and of course more expensive.

Types of PFDs

October 18, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Types of PDF’s Here is a graphical explanation between a lifejacket and a buoyancy vest. PFD Type ratings are being phased out…

Weighing Anchor

October 17, 2023/by Grant Headifen

“Weighing the anchor” simply means raising it. If raising the anchor is to be done by hand…

Propeller Entanglement

October 17, 2023/by Grant Headifen

If there is a sudden slowing or stopping of the engine while motoring it is possible that you have picked up some floating line, hopefully not from your vessel.