Sailing Archives

How to Steer a Sailboat

August 28, 2014/by Grant Headifen

Sailing the helm of a sailboat should come naturally to you, just like riding a bike. Let’s go over steering.

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 […]

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.

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 […]

How to Handle Wind Gusts and Rounding Up

February 17, 2014/by Grant Headifen

Rounding up is so – so – so dangerous. Last weekend we were out sailing and a speed boat came ripping by at about 20 knots to the windward of us and only about 60 ft away. Yes they are stupid – yes they should know better and yes they should be shot – but […]

Why a Sailboat does not tip over?

January 13, 2014/by Grant Headifen

Why doesn’t a sailboat tip over? Here’s an animation that shows the balance of forces actually it is technically the balance of moments.

How to Sail a Catamaran

January 3, 2014/by Grant Headifen

Catamaran Sailing Course Along with the very exciting news of NauticEd joining forces with Lagoon Catamarans to bring Catamaran Sailing education to the market, we have announced our latest update to the Catamaran Sailing Confidence Course. The interactive Catamaran Sailing Confidence Course is available online in browser and PDF format and as an App […]

Difference between tacking and gybing (aka jibing)

December 16, 2013/by Grant Headifen

Tacking and Gybing If you like this post – please “LIKE” it or +1 it. It really helps us grow. When describing tacking and gybing, a boring ol’ paper book must go into a thousand words about the difference between tacking and gybing with several graphics explaining wind from aft and wind passing through bow […]

Americas Cup Apparent Wind

September 10, 2013/by Grant Headifen

Apparent Wind on Americas Cup AC72’s BTW – please “Like”this article using your favorite social media accounts – thanks for that. See here for the TV Schedule for all countries. Who’s taking it home? AmericasCup.com So how do they do it? I was watching it on Sunday – the wind was at about 15 […]