Sailing Basics Archives

Tag Archive for: Sailing Basics

What is Propwalk on a Sailboat?

April 11, 2023/by Grant Headifen

What is propwalk? You want your new sailboat to go backwards but you keep going sideways. Welcome to propwalk.

Sail Trim – How do sails work?

March 2, 2023/by Trisha Evelyn

Learn how to raise or unfurl sails in this brief glimpse into one of our introductory sailing courses.

How to Raise or Unfurl Sails

January 12, 2023/by Trisha Evelyn

Learn how to raise or unfurl sails in this brief glimpse into one of our introductory sailing courses.

Basic Sailing Terms for the New Sailor

September 23, 2022/by Trisha Evelyn

Nautical language has a long and storied history, with many basic sailing terms that can completely confuse the newcomer.

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 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.

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 […]

How to Pull on a Line

May 27, 2012/by Grant Headifen

Here’s a quicky sailing tip that isn’t documented in too many places. And you might think it’s a bit basic but I’ve even seen old time sailing instructors doing this the wrong way. One day their luck is going to run out. Fortunately we got to you just in time. I was out racing last […]

When to reef a sailboat

December 7, 2011/by Grant Headifen

While all sailboat designs are different and will sail optimally at different heel angles and reef points, there are a few generalities that we’ll cover in this sailing blog. General reefing point number 1 through infinity: Don’t scare the beegeebees out of those on board by heeling the boat over too much. While you may […]