Maybe you’ve heard the phrase “It’s not like driving a car. It’s like driving a boat.” If you sail a few times you will understand exactly what that means. You might even start using the phrase yourself after you see Read more…
One of the most beautiful and majestic experiences in sailing is using the spinnaker, also known as the “chute” or “kite.” You may have had the chance to see a picturesque ocean horizon filled with the colorful teardrop shapes of Read more…
Larger, more stable boats that have a keel tend to keep you fairly dry under most conditions. If you should choose to sail on smaller boats from time to time for practice or the occasional thrill, there are a few Read more…
Sail trim refers to the various means by which the sails are configuration to harness power from the wind. Sheeting Angle As discussed earlier in the section on wind forces, the primary variable used to control the sails is the Read more…
The best way to deal with strong winds is to avoid sailing when winds are dangerously strong, as discussed earlier. However, if you do find yourself in high winds, you will need to reduce sail area to prevent the boat Read more…
On a cruiser, the sails are typically down at the dock and they stay down until the boat is at sea. Of course, if you have no motor, the sails must be used to cast off, but we’ll discuss that Read more…
Motors and Propellers A motor drives a boat by turning a propeller which displaces and redirects water underneath the boat. Much like our earlier discussion of wind aerodynamics, this movement of water creates forces that are reacted by the boat, Read more…
The man overboard drill is perhaps the most important skill you should know as a sailor. What’s the second most important skill? Teaching your crew the man overboard drill so that if you should fall overboard, they can get you Read more…
A winch is a spool-shaped device used to aid in bringing in the sheets on larger boats. The sheet is wrapped around the winch, which is cranked using a detachable handle connected to the top. The winch is made to Read more…
Unfortunately, helming a sailboat requires constant attention. Some mechanical or electronic autopilot devices exist, but these are typically either expensive or of limited usefulness. Fortunately, there is an option for when the captain must leave the helm and there is Read more…