Navigation & Seamanship

Quite a number of free software programs, apps, and informational websites are available for sailors and boaters, including charts and chartplotters, weather and tide apps, and other useful boating applications. Read this article to learn about freebies you may be missing!

Because sailing involves many lines (ropes) that you need to tie in various ways for different uses, it is important to know a few basic knots when learning to sail. Here are step-by-step directions for tying a cleat hitch, bowline, clove hitch, and other essential sailing knots.

Storms and thunderstorms are serious dangers for sailors both near-shore and offshore. Learn how to know when a storm is coming, how to use radar apps, and how to prepare for storm tactics.

About 90% of people will experience seasickness or motion sickness at some point in their lives. If you're new to sailing, or have ever experienced nausea or dizziness on a boat, it's worthwhile to take steps early to prevent seasickness. Once seasickness occurs, it's too late to do much more than cope with it as best you can.

Navigation with either a marine chartplotter or a computer running navigational software makes it easy to know where you are and get where you're going. Because of many differences among systems, consider the benefits and drawbacks before choosing the right system for your boat.

Good sailboat anchoring technique is crucial for safety. If the anchor drags because it was not properly set or because insufficient scope was used, the sailboat may go ashore or strike another boat or other hazard. Follow these guidelines to help ensure your boat is safely anchored so you can get a good night’s sleep.

You should know current weather conditions before and while sailing. U.S. coastal sailors can check the NOAA National Data Buoy Center web site for current information from automated buoy reports, including wind speed and direction, air pressure and changes, wave height, and more. Once underway, without an Internet connection, you can obtain this information with a cell phone.

As part of good seamanship, the captains of sailboats, powerboats, and all other vessels must clearly understand the Rules of the Road, the term for U.S. regulations regarding which boat has right of way over another boat in different situations. Here are the rules for sailboats when under sail or under power.

Lists and reviews of the best books about sailing, including both how-to manuals and sailing narratives and novels.

With high winds and big waves, you need special storm tactics for a sailboat. Learn about them here.