NAUTICED SAILING EDUCATION BLOG
The more you learn, the greater is life’s adventure!
NauticEd’s Sailing Education Blog includes techniques, tips, and tricks from the pros. Want to learn more? Check out our full selection of online sailing courses, try sailing in Virtual Reality, learn more about sailing certification, search any topic in the boating knowledge base, and get started with your free sailor toolkit.
“Life [sailing] is not a final. It’s daily pop quizzes.” Each of our sailing courses includes quizzes and tests that you can retake as many times as you’d like.
Who Gives Way Port versus Starboard?
Navigation Practice Exercise
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.
Navigation: Rate and Direction (Set and Drift) exercises
Here are some Navigation rate and drift with leeway exercises…
Tide Calculation Pop Quiz
Tide Calculation Pop Quiz - here's are a quick few tidal problems for you to solve.
Spinnaker Sailing Course
The NauticEd Sail Trim course now includes how to hoist, fly, and douse a spinnaker. Here is an animation embedded into the course so that you can learn the names of the components associated with a spinnaker.
Sailing Vector Game
Learn Sailboat Giveway Rules and Cure Boredom at the Same Time.
Here…
Here…
Set and Drift or Direction and Rate Problem
Just for practice - solve the following problem on the Long Island…
Test Question: How to Determine Speed and COG
Try to answer this coastal navigation question:
At 1035 your…
At 1035 your…
Snap Test: How well do you know the rules
Take this fun test and if you like it, - please like us over…
How to use a Tide Curve problem
Build on your knowledge of tide curves and learn how to advance your skills in properly using them to your advantage.
Can you solve this tidal problem?
In this sailing exercise, you'll be given a tidal problem. See if you have what it takes to solve it, or if you need a little more practice.
Anchors aweigh! Learn more with NauticEd’s Anchoring a Sailboat Clinic, also included in the Bareboat Charter Master Bundle.
Boating’s Deadly Dozen – The Top Causes of Accidents on the Water
Discover the most common causes of accidents on the water and learn how to prevent them. Stay safe while enjoying your time on the water.
9 Essential Knots Every Sailor Should Know
Unleash your inner sailor with Bill Ibsen's guide to 9 essential knots. From bights to bitter ends, master the art of knot tying.
Maneuvering a Catamaran
How to maneuver a catamaran in a marina with rudders forward and aft of the propellers, including animations on how the Catamaran responds.
Anchoring with Lines Ashore – Mediterranean Style
Master anchoring with lines ashore - essential for boat owners and on charter boats, especially the Mediterranean.
How to Pick Up a Mooring Ball
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...
Anchoring with side waves
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.
Leaving a Mooring Ball in a Tidal Current
One of our students, Tom, asked the below question after he…
Anchoring: How much rope or chain should I let out?
Anchoring and getting how much chain and rope right to let out is such an important topic that we thought we'd make this excerpt available for free in open space. Please enjoy how we dive into science and mathematics in these techniques.
Mooring, Anchoring, and Docking
Before you leave/approach a dock, pick up a mooring ball, or drop anchor, you must know what the wind and current will be doing to your boat.
Anchoring a Sailboat Tip 2
This is a follow on article on request of one of our students…
How to Pick the Right Spot to Anchor
The seafloor type is a critical factor. Certain anchors hold better in certain bottom types. Look on the chart to find out the seafloor type where you are anchoring...
Types of Anchors
If you want to know all about anchoring techniques and anchors for best situations and bottoms, take our Anchoring Course.
“Verification is the perfect proof of competence.” Certifications and Resumes are simply good ways of knowing a sailor’s qualified and can actually do what they say they can do. Learn more about Certification & Licensing.
How to qualify to skipper a boat on a sailing vacation
If you want to qualify to skipper a boat on a sailing vacation, you're going to need to be competent. Don't focus on the certification first - that will come once you are competent. Here is a plan towards competence that will make sure you are not only qualified but knowledgeable, safe, and experienced.
New England North Shore Sailing Courses and Vacation
Take a vacation to New England and get skipper or bareboat certified, or just charter a day-sail, with Satori Sailing on the famous New England North Shore.
Pirate Facts & Quotes
A collection of our favorite pirate and seafaring quotes. And, we added a wee bit of pirate history to help put the pirate quotes in context.
Catamaran Sailing Training in Houston Texas
Each of these programs is not just a course; it's an adventure and a stepping stone to mastering the art of catamaran sailing. Whether you're a beginner, a seasoned sailor, or an instructor, these courses are designed to enhance your skills and confidence on the water. Don't miss the chance to set sail on this exciting journey. Register now and make 2024 the year you conquer the waves on a catamaran!
How Do I Increase My NauticEd Ranks and Level
A NauticEd rank is a designation within the NauticEd sailing education system that signifies a sailor's level of proficiency, based on a combination of theoretical knowledge, practical training, and recorded sailing experience.
How to and Why Authenticate a Boating Logbook
Whenever you are out on the water sailing, the SailTies app will create a GPS real-time track of your every movement and display it on a map. You can see every tack, gybe, knock, and lift. The guys at SailTies did such an amazing job of creating a user-friendly app for GPS tracking that we decided to hook up with them and allow their data to directly feed right into the student NauticEd logbook.
– Browse All Posts –
How to qualify to skipper a boat on a sailing vacation
If you want to qualify to skipper a boat on a sailing vacation, you're going to need to be competent. Don't focus on the certification first - that will come once you are competent. Here is a plan towards competence that will make sure you are not only qualified but knowledgeable, safe, and experienced.
TAKE THE FRIGGIN WHEEL! Free Sailing Emotional Intelligence Podcast
Unlock the power of emotional intelligence in sailing with our podcast. Learn to be a strong leader and create a wow factor with your crew.
New England North Shore Sailing Courses and Vacation
Take a vacation to New England and get skipper or bareboat certified, or just charter a day-sail, with Satori Sailing on the famous New England North Shore.
Boating’s Deadly Dozen – The Top Causes of Accidents on the Water
Discover the most common causes of accidents on the water and learn how to prevent them. Stay safe while enjoying your time on the water.
9 Essential Knots Every Sailor Should Know
Unleash your inner sailor with Bill Ibsen's guide to 9 essential knots. From bights to bitter ends, master the art of knot tying.
RYA Day Skipper with NauticEd
Learn the difference between the RYA Day Skipper Course and The NauticEd Skipper Course, and choose which course and sailing license will be best for you!
NauticEd uses the SailTies GPS Tracking App
The strengthened partnership between NauticEd and SailTies is a testament to their commitment to advancing sailing education and experience tracking. By focusing on what each does best—NauticEd in creating competent sailors through education and SailTies in tracking and sharing sailing adventures—this collaboration is setting new standards in the sailing community. Sailors can now enjoy the best of both worlds: an educational platform that builds competence and a tracking app that validates and shares their seafaring experiences with the world.
Pirate Facts & Quotes
A collection of our favorite pirate and seafaring quotes. And, we added a wee bit of pirate history to help put the pirate quotes in context.
Catamaran Sailing Training in Houston Texas
Each of these programs is not just a course; it's an adventure and a stepping stone to mastering the art of catamaran sailing. Whether you're a beginner, a seasoned sailor, or an instructor, these courses are designed to enhance your skills and confidence on the water. Don't miss the chance to set sail on this exciting journey. Register now and make 2024 the year you conquer the waves on a catamaran!
Polar Plots and True vs Apparent Wind Triangle – all explained
Learn to use polar plot diagrams to generate a true wind / apparent wind/ boat speed triangle. Understand how a decrease in true wind velocity is not a knock and an increase is not a permanent lift with our simple explanation.
“As the wind, so the sails.” To learn more, try out NauticEd’s Free Basic Sail Trim Course, or go in depth with our Skipper Course or Sail Trim Clinic.
Boating’s Deadly Dozen – The Top Causes of Accidents on the Water
Discover the most common causes of accidents on the water and learn how to prevent them. Stay safe while enjoying your time on the water.
9 Essential Knots Every Sailor Should Know
Unleash your inner sailor with Bill Ibsen's guide to 9 essential knots. From bights to bitter ends, master the art of knot tying.
Accelerate your Sailing with Virtual Reality
Accelerated Learning with VR. Virtual Reality training in every physical field is proving to be more effective as well as faster learning. Learning sailing is particularly relevant for VR.
Angle of heel on a sailboat
Heeling over or “heeling” on a sailboat is when it leans over. Learn what angle of heel on a sailboat is acceptable...
Dual Rudder: Maneuvering Under Power
When a monohull sailboat has dual rudders, it will act differently than with a single rudder, so knowing what these differences are and how to manage them will save you a lot of headaches (and will keep you safer).
Empowering Women in Sailing
Instructor Merilee Wright discusses her passion for empowering women to learn to sail and become role models for others.
What is a flotilla?
Learn about how to join a flotilla and have an incredible sailing vacation.
Sail Trim – How do sails work?
Learn how to raise or unfurl sails in this brief glimpse into one of our introductory sailing courses.
How to Raise or Unfurl Sails
Learn how to raise or unfurl sails in this brief glimpse into one of our introductory sailing courses.
Most Important Sailing Knots
These 8 sailing knots are the first ones you should master as you learn how to sail. Practice these (and then a couple of extras) to continue your online sailing education journey.
The Chicken Gybe (Jibe)
Sometimes in sailing it’s smart to stay safe and not take the dare. The safe maneuver is called the chicken gybe (jibe).
What is Sail Twist and how to use it
Managing sail twist can increase the performance, speed, and control of the sails. What is Sail Twist and how to use it...
Maneuvering under power (“Sorry for what I said while docking…”) is often dreaded by sailors! But we make it easy with the Maneuvering Under Power Clinic, also included in our Skipper Bundle of courses.
Boating’s Deadly Dozen – The Top Causes of Accidents on the Water
Discover the most common causes of accidents on the water and learn how to prevent them. Stay safe while enjoying your time on the water.
We all make Mistakes. It’s what you do about them that counts
The lesson here is clear: To excel in sailing, one must remain at the top of their game. My mishap could have been prevented if I had been regularly practicing docking maneuvers in various scenarios and wind conditions...
Dual Rudder: Maneuvering Under Power
When a monohull sailboat has dual rudders, it will act differently than with a single rudder, so knowing what these differences are and how to manage them will save you a lot of headaches (and will keep you safer).
Learn How to Maneuver in a Marina like an Expert
Become an expert at maneuvering and docking your sailboat in a marina. Learn over 360 fundamental docking scenarios with no fear of mistakes. The MarineVerse/NauticEd Virtual Reality App on meta quest contains a Maneuvering and Docking a Sailboat Under Power experiential training course whereby the physics is essentially identical to a real situation.
Maneuvering a Catamaran
How to maneuver a catamaran in a marina with rudders forward and aft of the propellers, including animations on how the Catamaran responds.
What is Propwalk on a Sailboat?
What is propwalk? You want your new sailboat to go backwards but you keep going sideways. Welcome to propwalk.
Hybrid Propulsion Systems for Sailboats
We discuss the advantages of the diesel-electric hybrid solution for sailboats and why now, more than ever, is the time to install such a system on your new or used vessel.
Maneuvering a Sailboat out of a Tight Slip
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
One of our students, Tom, asked the below question after he…
What is a right-hand screw propeller or left-hand screw propeller?
What is a right hand screw propeller or left hand screw propeller?
Mooring, Anchoring, and Docking
Before you leave/approach a dock, pick up a mooring ball, or drop anchor, you must know what the wind and current will be doing to your boat.
How to Spring into a Tight Space on a Dock
Maneuvering your gorgeous sailboat under power in the marina…
Remember that “The winds and waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators” and “The good seaman weathers the storm he cannot avoid and avoids the storm he cannot weather” – which is why we offer many best-in-class courses including Coastal Navigation, Electronic Navigation, Weather and Storm Tactics.
Boating’s Deadly Dozen – The Top Causes of Accidents on the Water
Discover the most common causes of accidents on the water and learn how to prevent them. Stay safe while enjoying your time on the water.
NauticEd uses the SailTies GPS Tracking App
The strengthened partnership between NauticEd and SailTies is a testament to their commitment to advancing sailing education and experience tracking. By focusing on what each does best—NauticEd in creating competent sailors through education and SailTies in tracking and sharing sailing adventures—this collaboration is setting new standards in the sailing community. Sailors can now enjoy the best of both worlds: an educational platform that builds competence and a tracking app that validates and shares their seafaring experiences with the world.
Polar Plots and True vs Apparent Wind Triangle – all explained
Learn to use polar plot diagrams to generate a true wind / apparent wind/ boat speed triangle. Understand how a decrease in true wind velocity is not a knock and an increase is not a permanent lift with our simple explanation.
Top 10 Sailing Superstitions
Sailors have long believed that certain things can bring good or bad luck on a voyage. And many still believe these sailing superstitions!
How to and Why Authenticate a Boating Logbook
Whenever you are out on the water sailing, the SailTies app will create a GPS real-time track of your every movement and display it on a map. You can see every tack, gybe, knock, and lift. The guys at SailTies did such an amazing job of creating a user-friendly app for GPS tracking that we decided to hook up with them and allow their data to directly feed right into the student NauticEd logbook.
NauticEd and SailTies Partner to Authenticate Sailing Logbooks with GPS Tracking and Sharing
NauticEd and SailTies Partner to Authenticate Sailing Logbooks with GPS Tracking and Sharing, a powerful integration for users and charterer companies.
Learn Lateral Marks in Virtual Reality
Learn Lateral Marks in virtual reality. Grant gives an example of the lateral marks combined with Cardinal Marks in VR.
Who Gives Way Port versus Starboard?
How do Polar Plots Work on a Sailboat?
The polar plot on a sailboat shows the speed the sailboat goes at a specific angle to the wind at a specific wind speed. Read this article to understand how they work and how to read a polar plot.
Sea Monster Story: Katabatic Winds
Well actually not so terrifying and not REALLY a sea monster BUT ... We spent about 20 minutes starring at the effect of katabatic winds blasting down the valleys and exploding into the water.
What is apparent wind?
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
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.
Last updated on October 29th, 2023
NauticEd is a fully recognized education and certification platform for sailing students combining online and on-the-water real instruction (and now VR). NauticEd offers +24 online courses, a free sailor's toolkit that includes 2 free courses, and six ranks of certification – all integrated into NauticEd’s proprietary platform. The USCG and NASBLA recognize NauticEd as having met the established American National Standards. Learn more at www.nauticed.org.
The NauticEd Vacations team are Expert Global Yacht Charter Agents – when you book a sailing vacation or bareboat charter through NauticEd, we don’t charge you a fee – we often save you money since we can compare prices from all yacht charter companies. PLUS, we can give you advice on which destination or charter company will suit your needs best. Inquire about a Sailing Vacation or Charter.