Sailing Education Archives

What is apparent wind?

September 5, 2022/by Trisha Evelyn

Both the speed and angle of apparent wind can vary depending on your velocity, which has important implications for sailing. What is apparent wind?

Sailing Basics: How to use a VHF Radio

August 6, 2022/by Trisha Evelyn

Your VHF radio is your best way to communicate with other boats on the water, with marinas, and with the coast guard, if necessary. Learning to use it, however, is a little like learning a new language.

How to Pick Up a Mooring Ball

June 8, 2022/by Grant Headifen

The principle is simple – motor downwind past your selected mooring ball and back up to it. Run a line from the forward cleat outside the stanchions…

Top Ten Safe Boating Tips

May 22, 2022/by Grant Headifen

Top 10 safe boating tips in recognition of safe boating awareness week this June. Learn how to be safe on the water.

Crewing on a Sailing Vacation

May 20, 2022/by Grant Headifen

8 people confined in 40 sq m for a week? Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. Well, not after you read this article. Crewing and skippering tips and ground rules.

Anchoring with side waves

May 7, 2022/by Grant Headifen

Here is a trick on how to turn your anchored boat to fave the waves instead of facing the wind. It gives you a much smoother experience while anchoring with side waves.

Do I need a sailing license to sail around the world if I own my own boat?

April 1, 2022/by Grant Headifen

The sailing license that you typically hear about is for yacht chartering only and only in certain areas of the world like the Mediterranean, Seychelles, and a few others. Learn more here….

Navigation Practice Exercise

March 10, 2022/by Grant Headifen

Here is a simple navigation practice exercise to practice sailing (navigating) to a waypoint. The exercise is for you to plan to sailing upwind and to a waypoint with 2 tacks.

Maneuvering a Sailboat out of a Tight Slip

February 17, 2022/by Grant Headifen

Maneuvering a Sailboat out of a tight slip does not need to be stressful or embarrassing. Learn how to use your spring line in challenging crosswinds.

Leaving a Mooring Ball in a Tidal Current

July 26, 2021/by Grant Headifen

One of our students, Tom, asked the below question after he viewed our “How to Operate a Dinghy” you tube video. “Thanks Ed, my small boat is docked in a tidal harbour and it can get tricky when tides are running strong. How should I use the outboard/tiller to move away in reverse from the […]