Boating Knowledge Archives

Docking onto End Ties

March 30, 2024/by Grant Headifen

Wind blowing you off the dock end ties, plan a fairly steep approach so that you are facing more into the wind.

Anchoring with Propwalk on a Sailboat

March 27, 2024/by Grant Headifen

Without proper knowledge of how the boat reacts to the wind and propwalk, anchoring can be a real challenge.

Boat Safety Sound Signals

October 25, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Sound signals are defined and prescribed in the Navigation Rules for International and Inland Waters. Sound has an advantage over light signals, in that it can be used when vision fails.

Sailing Vessel Preparation

October 25, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Sometimes it is a good idea to get nasty stuff out of the way first as well as prepare your boat and crew.

Navigation Tools

October 25, 2023/by Grant Headifen

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…

Sinking

October 25, 2023/by Grant Headifen

A boat sits down in the water until it has displaced the same weight of water as the weight of the boat. It is a universal arrangement between boat and water…

The Nautical Chart

October 24, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Safely maneuvering a vessel while using positions derived from various coastal and near coastal sources is called coastal navigation.

Crew Safety Briefing

October 24, 2023/by Grant Headifen

You can avoid many emergencies by conducting a proper safety briefing before leaving the dock.

Non-Electronic Communications

October 24, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Sailing has been around for thousands of years. Electronic Communications has been around for less than 100 years (not counting the telegraph).

Sailboat Solar Power

October 24, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Solar panels produce DC power and are used to charge the batteries. A relatively small solar panel such as 1 square foot (0.1 m2) can produce about 1½ amps at…