Sailing Education Archives

How to use a Breton (Portland) Plotter

July 31, 2014/by Grant Headifen

Today, we’re discussing using a Breton Plotter, aka Portland Plotter, aka rotating protractor, to determine a course.

International Navigation Rules of Preventing Collision at Sea

July 23, 2014/by Grant Headifen

Stand-On and Give-Way: You just might have it wrong… (Jump directly to the FREE updated International Rules of Preventing Collision at Sea course it’s quick, easy and entertaining) Two sail boats collide. One had wind over their port side and one had wind over their starboard side. The starboard tack boat saw the port tack boat […]

Apparent Wind Speed vs True Wind Speed

July 8, 2014/by Grant Headifen

How to Understand True vs Apparent Wind Here is our latest wind animation built using html5 technology so that it works on computers and mobile devices. It means you can bookmark this page on your phone and use it to explain the concept of true vs apparent to anyone – even whilst out on the […]

New Style and Greatly Enhanced Sailors LogBook

June 20, 2014/by Grant Headifen

The NauticEd Logbook has been greatly enhanced to add specific information about each logbook entry, helping the student experience.

Anchoring a Sailboat when Chartering

June 17, 2014/by Grant Headifen

Anchoring an unfamiliar boat Most charter boats use all chain anchor rode. The rules of anchoring say with chain you should use a 5:1 ratio. For example, for an overnight anchorage at a 4 meter depth plus 1 meter from the water line to your boat you should use 5×5 = 25 meters. If you […]

Understanding Tides

May 4, 2014/by Grant Headifen

If you like this animation explanation please “LIKE” it and g+1 it. It’s a good exchange for the free value we provide here. thanks How the tides work in practice Here is an animation we came up with to help understand how the tides shift by about 1/2 an hour later each day when you […]

3 Reasons to Twist Your Sail Out

April 30, 2014/by Grant Headifen

NauticEd is the World’s Most Advanced Sailing Education and Sailing Certification Program. Perfecting Sail Trim and Twist Here are three reasons you should be twisting out the sail towards the top of the mast Get rid of excessive heeling Match the wind at the top of the sail to the wind gradient Drum Roll … […]

Sailing in High Winds

April 18, 2014/by Grant Headifen

You’ve got to understand balancing the forces and what are the effects of each available sail control when sailing in high winds.

Combat Propwalk

April 8, 2014/by Grant Headifen

Prop walk can be quite frustrating on sailboats with a drive shaft. Here are ways to deal with prop walk when backing into a slip.

Sail Trim Finesse

March 28, 2014/by Grant Headifen

We are on a close haul at 30 degrees to the wind. I want you to check out this photo and have a good look at the shape of the mainsail. The photo is taken on the windward side of the boat. Look at the black seam line. Good or Bad? Well it is doing exactly […]