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 animation for navigation rules

Who Gives Way Port versus Starboard?

December 1, 2022/by Grant Headifen
Close Hauled sailboat

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.
March 10, 2022/by Grant Headifen

Navigation: Rate and Direction (Set and Drift) exercises

Here are some Navigation rate and drift with leeway exercises…
April 10, 2019/by Grant Headifen
Fictitious Chart for tides and rule of twelves

Tide Calculation Pop Quiz

Tide Calculation Pop Quiz - here's are a quick few tidal problems for you to solve.
March 22, 2019/by Grant Headifen

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.
January 11, 2018/by Grant Headifen

Sailing Vector Game

Learn Sailboat Giveway Rules and Cure Boredom at the Same Time.
Here…
December 13, 2016/by Grant Headifen

Set and Drift or Direction and Rate Problem

Just for practice - solve the following problem on the Long Island…
December 6, 2016/by Grant Headifen

Test Question: How to Determine Speed and COG

Try to answer this coastal navigation question:

At 1035 your…
January 22, 2016/by Grant Headifen

Snap Test: How well do you know the rules

Take this fun test and if you like it, - please like us over…
November 16, 2015/by Grant Headifen
Flooding tide from 0.6 m to 4.4 m tide curve.

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.
February 2, 2015/by Grant Headifen
Tide Curve

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.
January 15, 2015/by Grant Headifen

Anchors aweigh! Learn more with NauticEd’s Anchoring a Sailboat Clinic, also included in the Bareboat Charter Master Bundle.

Catamaran Maneuvering

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.
May 18, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Anchoring with Lines Ashore – Mediterranean Style

Master anchoring with lines ashore - essential for boat owners and on charter boats, especially the Mediterranean.
November 30, 2022/by Trisha Evelyn
How to tie to a mooring ball

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...
June 8, 2022/by Grant Headifen
Anchoring with Side Waves

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.
May 7, 2022/by Grant Headifen
Maneuvering Backward

Leaving a Mooring Ball in a Tidal Current

One of our students, Tom, asked the below question after he…
July 26, 2021/by Grant Headifen
Jeanneau Anchored

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.
October 28, 2020/by Grant Headifen
Bahamas Docking

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.
March 22, 2020/by Grant Headifen

Anchoring a Sailboat Tip 2

This is a follow on article on request of one of our students…
February 21, 2019/by Grant Headifen

Anchoring a Sailboat Tip

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. At position A1, the seafloor is weed. Danforth anchors don't do well in weed for example. It is always a good idea to know your anchor type and know what bottom types it works best with and what bottom types it works worst with. Plan on ( if practical) to dive the anchor with a snorkel to make sure it is dug in well.
February 8, 2019/by Grant Headifen
Bruce Anchor

Types of Anchors

If you want to know all about anchoring techniques and anchors for best situations and bottoms, take our Anchoring Course.
July 3, 2016/by Grant Headifen

Monitoring your Anchor Set

After the anchor has set and adequate rode has been paid out,…
April 7, 2016/by Grant Headifen

Anchoring a Sailboat when Chartering

Anchoring an unfamiliar boat
Most charter boats use all chain…
June 17, 2014/by Grant Headifen
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“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.

Catamaran training

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!
January 2, 2024/by Grant Headifen
Progressing Rank and Level

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.
December 1, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Where have you been

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.
August 31, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Get your European Sailing License, the International Certificate of Competence ICC

International Certificate of Competence (ICC)

Do you need the ICC license to sail internationally? Learn what you need to know to obtain your ICC International Certificate of Competence.
April 3, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Chartering a catamaran with only monohull experience

Can I charter a Catamaran with only monohull experience

November 13, 2022/by Grant Headifen
Top ten safe boating tips - wearing a lifevest

Top Ten Safe Boating Tips

Top 10 safe boating tips in recognition of safe boating awareness week this June. Learn how to be safe on the water.
May 22, 2022/by Grant Headifen
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Catamaran training

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!
January 2, 2024/by Grant Headifen
Polar Plots Explained

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.
December 30, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Sailor Gift Ideas for holidays and special occasions

Sailor Gift Ideas

Sailor gift ideas - Sailing is the gift that keeps giving whether by helping someone achieve their goals with a sailing course or the ultimate of gift of a sailing vacation.
December 9, 2023/by D Henderson
Progressing Rank and Level

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.
December 1, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Virtual Reality Sailing Training and Racing

FREE Virtual Reality Sailing Training & Racing

Join other sailors and instructors for FREE Virtual Reality Sailing Training & Racing. Hone your sailing skills and join the VR community.
November 25, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Alex AI Ask Me a question

Alex AI Press Release Sailing Education

NauticEd, the global leader in sailing education, has taken a giant leap forward in the world of maritime education with the introduction of Alex, an innovative AI-powered digital human designed to enhance the learning experience of sailing enthusiasts worldwide. NauticEd has become one of the pioneering marine-associated companies to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) in its educational programs.
November 8, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Accelerate your sailing learning

Accelerate your Sailing with Virtual Reality

1. Accelerated Learning with VR

One of the key advantages of VR is its ability to fast-track your learning process. We've developed a self-paced module in our VR app called "Self Mastery," which covers the basics of sailing. The result? Students can grasp these fundamentals in just a few hours, setting the stage for advanced training.

In traditional on-the-water training, instructors often spend the first day teaching these basics. With VR, students can tackle these essentials at their own pace, saving valuable time during their practical training.
October 25, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Tight Marina

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 - but the problem is this is realistically not practical. Even sailing 3-4 times per month, you just can't be expected to experience all the docking situations you may encounter at any one time. This is where virtual reality comes into play.
October 24, 2023/by Grant Headifen
World's First Virtual Reality Sailing Training

World’s First Virtual Reality Sailing Training Performed

In a groundbreaking endeavor, a student in Hawaii and an instructor in Austin, Texas were virtually transported aboard the same vessel, set amidst the picturesque Sydney Harbor. For 40 impactful minutes, they engaged in an immersive on-the-water sailing training tutorial, accomplishing what traditionally requires five hours in a real-water environment.
October 14, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Sailing Superstitions no women on board

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!
October 13, 2023/by Grant Headifen

“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.

Accelerate your sailing learning

Accelerate your Sailing with Virtual Reality

1. Accelerated Learning with VR

One of the key advantages of VR is its ability to fast-track your learning process. We've developed a self-paced module in our VR app called "Self Mastery," which covers the basics of sailing. The result? Students can grasp these fundamentals in just a few hours, setting the stage for advanced training.

In traditional on-the-water training, instructors often spend the first day teaching these basics. With VR, students can tackle these essentials at their own pace, saving valuable time during their practical training.
October 25, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Why doesn't a sailboat over

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...
October 9, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Maneuvering a Dual Rudder Catamaran - What is a Sailing Vacation

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).
June 24, 2023/by Trisha Evelyn

Empowering Women in Sailing

Instructor Merilee Wright discusses her passion for empowering women to learn to sail and become role models for others.
June 10, 2023/by Trisha Evelyn

What is a flotilla?

Learn about how to join a flotilla and have an incredible sailing vacation.
April 19, 2023/by Trisha Evelyn

Sail Trim – How do sails work?

Learn how to raise or unfurl sails in this brief glimpse into one of our introductory sailing courses.
March 2, 2023/by Trisha Evelyn

How to Raise or Unfurl Sails

Learn how to raise or unfurl sails in this brief glimpse into one of our introductory sailing courses.
January 12, 2023/by Trisha Evelyn
Most important Sailing Knots

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.
December 21, 2022/by Trisha Evelyn
Chicken Gybe

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).
November 18, 2022/by Grant Headifen
NauticEd Sail Twist Basics

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...
October 18, 2022/by D Henderson
stopper Knot

A Stopper Knot in Time Saves…

For a beginner or advanced sailor, a properly tied stopper knot will always keep your line accessible and in its proper place.
October 5, 2022/by Grant Headifen

Virtual Reality Relaxed Training (because real sailing can be scary)

Sailing doesn’t need to be scary. It’s simply a skill that you can master. Not just learn. Master. Sure, you need to take some courses and practice, but every single concept you learn, every single time you practice, you are building a depth of knowledge that slowly chips away at fear. Plus, now you can practice with a virtual reality sailing course!
October 4, 2022/by Trisha Evelyn
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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.

Tight Marina

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 - but the problem is this is realistically not practical. Even sailing 3-4 times per month, you just can't be expected to experience all the docking situations you may encounter at any one time. This is where virtual reality comes into play.
October 24, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Maneuvering a Dual Rudder Catamaran - What is a Sailing Vacation

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).
June 24, 2023/by Trisha Evelyn
Marina with all docking scenarios

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.
June 20, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Catamaran Maneuvering

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.
May 18, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Propwalk

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.
April 11, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Diesel Electric Hybrid for marine use

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.
April 5, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Maneuvering a Sailboat out of a tight slip example

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.
February 17, 2022/by Grant Headifen
Maneuvering Backward

Leaving a Mooring Ball in a Tidal Current

One of our students, Tom, asked the below question after he…
July 26, 2021/by Grant Headifen
Propeller Spiral

What is a right-hand screw propeller or left-hand screw propeller?

What is a right hand screw propeller or left hand screw propeller?
March 24, 2020/by Grant Headifen
Bahamas Docking

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.
March 22, 2020/by Grant Headifen

How to Spring into a Tight Space on a Dock

Maneuvering your gorgeous sailboat under power in the marina…
January 27, 2017/by Grant Headifen

Who Gives Way, Adrift Powerboat or Sailboat under power?

If you like this post, please LIKE it on facebook. Thanks - it…
April 29, 2016/by Grant Headifen
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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.

Polar Plots Explained

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.
December 30, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Sailing Superstitions no women on board

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!
October 13, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Where have you been

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.
August 31, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Capture your whole voyage in one place. With SailTies you can capture a rich memory of your voyage, that’s saved in one place for easy access.

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.
February 28, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Learn Lateral and Cardinal marks and navigational rules in Virtual Reality

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.
January 27, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Who gives way animation for navigation rules

Who Gives Way Port versus Starboard?

December 1, 2022/by Grant Headifen
Polar Plot

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.
November 23, 2022/by Grant Headifen
My Sea Monster

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.
September 26, 2022/by Grant Headifen
what is apparent wind - two sails - one luffing and one full

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?
September 5, 2022/by Trisha Evelyn
How to use a VHF Radio

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.
August 6, 2022/by Trisha Evelyn
Close Hauled sailboat

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.
March 10, 2022/by Grant Headifen

Predicting the Wind and Weather

NauticEd International Sailing Education forms a strategic partnership…
December 18, 2020/by Grant Headifen
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Last updated on October 29th, 2023