Sailing Education Archives

Rigging

October 24, 2023/by Grant Headifen

At boat shows, we see folks huddled down in the vessel’s salon oohing and aahing at the leather cushions to sit on, and at the electronic gadgets for navigation and entertainment.

Sailing and Wind Forces

October 24, 2023/by Grant Headifen

A sailboat moves in upwind and downwind directions. Downwind is intuitive; it just gets blown downwind. But just how does a sailboat move into the wind?

Towing

October 24, 2023/by Grant Headifen

The following diagram shows how you can tow another vessel. Form a “bridle” from the rear cleats…

Lights on ATONS

October 24, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Lights are installed on some ATONS. The lights are usually alternating on and off on some consistent interval to distinguish one ATON from another.

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.

Sailboat Generator or Large Battery Bank?

October 23, 2023/by Grant Headifen

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…

Electric Windlass

October 23, 2023/by Grant Headifen

An electric windlass is a powerful electric winch that greatly helps in the lowering and raising the anchor.

Sailboat Wind Power Generators

October 23, 2023/by Grant Headifen

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.

Standing Rigging

October 23, 2023/by Grant Headifen

To keep the mast from toppling over, an array of rods, cables, ropes (lines), and wires are attached at various spots on the mast and run down to the bow, stern, and sides of the vessel.