Updated Articles and Resources
- Best Sailing GiftsCreated: 2009-11-14 @ 16:41:06 EST Updated: 2009-11-15 @ 12:02:47 EST
Give the sailors you know something special and appropriate for sailing—a gift not for the boat but for that special person aboard… - Get Started SailingCreated: 2009-11-09 @ 16:57:07 EST
Getting started sailing involves learning about sailboats and number of skills needed for sailing. Start here for an introduction to sailboats and basic sailing techniques. Also included are safety… - Winterize Boat ? Winterizing Boat ? Winterize SailboatCreated: 2009-11-03 @ 11:01:52 EST Updated: 2009-11-03 @ 11:30:25 EST
Winterizing a sailboat involves preparing the engine for winter, removing or protecting gear, and winterizing the head and water systems before covering the boat. You can expect serious problems wh… - Sailboat Winch Handles ? Choosing a Winch HandleCreated: 2009-10-27 @ 13:27:50 EDT
Winches are used on mid-size and larger sailboats for hoisting and trimming sails. Since a variety of sizes and types of winch handles are available for cranking the boat’s winches, it’s … - How to Anchor a Sailboat ? Anchoring a SailboatCreated: 2009-10-18 @ 14:45:20 EDT
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 boa… - Shank - What Is the Anchor ShankCreated: 2009-10-18 @ 14:30:29 EDT
Definition of shank… - Fluke - Anchor Fluke - What Is a FlukeCreated: 2009-10-18 @ 14:22:52 EDT
Definition of fluke… - Chartplotter - What Is a Chartplotter - PlotterCreated: 2009-10-18 @ 14:09:43 EDT
Definition of a chartplotter… - Spreader - What Is a SpreaderCreated: 2009-10-18 @ 13:57:31 EDT
The spreader holds the shrouds out from the mast… - Furl - Furling - What Is FurlCreated: 2009-10-18 @ 13:54:01 EDT
Definition of furl… - Keel What Is the KeelCreated: 2009-10-18 @ 13:44:27 EDT Updated: 2009-10-18 @ 13:59:19 EDT
Definition of keel… - Draft - What Is DraftCreated: 2009-10-18 @ 13:37:02 EDT Updated: 2009-10-18 @ 13:59:53 EDT
Definition of draft… - Scope What Is ScopeCreated: 2009-10-18 @ 13:26:38 EDT Updated: 2009-10-18 @ 14:01:00 EDT
Definition of scope… - Anchor Rode What Is the RodeCreated: 2009-10-18 @ 13:22:39 EDT Updated: 2009-10-18 @ 14:00:22 EDT
Definition of rode… - Bow Roller - What Is a Bow RollerCreated: 2009-10-18 @ 13:10:33 EDT Updated: 2009-10-18 @ 14:01:36 EDT
Definition of bow roller… - Holding Ground - What Is Holding GroundCreated: 2009-10-18 @ 12:54:04 EDT Updated: 2009-10-18 @ 14:02:12 EDT
Definition of holding ground… - Lee - Leeward - What Is LeewardCreated: 2009-10-18 @ 12:49:32 EDT Updated: 2009-10-18 @ 14:03:02 EDT
Definition of lee, leeward… - Roller Furling Jibs ? How to Use Roller Furling ? Jib FurlersCreated: 2009-10-18 @ 11:27:12 EDT
Most midsize and large sailboats used for cruising have roller furling jibs rather than hanked-on jibs. A roller furler makes it easy to bring the jib in and out and to reef the jib when the wind i… - Jibsheet - What Is a JibsheetCreated: 2009-10-18 @ 11:15:44 EDT Updated: 2009-10-18 @ 13:58:45 EDT
Jibsheet definition… - Forestay - What Is the ForestayCreated: 2009-10-18 @ 11:10:35 EDT Updated: 2009-10-18 @ 13:58:13 EDT
Definition of forestay… - How to Tack a Sailboat ? Tacking a SailboatCreated: 2009-10-18 @ 10:16:48 EDT
Tacking, or “coming about,” is the act of turning a sailboat across the eye of the wind. From being close hauled into the wind with the sails in tight on one side, you turn into the wind … - How to Gybe a Sailboat ? Gybing a SailboatCreated: 2009-10-18 @ 10:11:02 EDT
Gybing is the act of turning a sailboat across the wind downwind. The sails move from far out on one side to far out on the other. Gybing can he a difficult, even dangerous maneuver, depending on t… - How to Raise the Mainsail ? Raising the Main SailCreated: 2009-10-15 @ 13:33:59 EDT Updated: 2009-10-15 @ 13:47:21 EDT
Raising the mainsail is one of the first steps in setting sail. Although usually a simple, easy process, beginners may experience snags if they’re not careful. Follow these guidelines to get t… - Mainsheet - What Is the MainsheetCreated: 2009-10-11 @ 16:05:00 EDT Updated: 2009-10-11 @ 16:05:31 EDT
The mainsheet controls how far the mainsail is in or out… - Sheave - What Is a SheaveCreated: 2009-10-11 @ 15:41:39 EDT
A sheave is the central pulley part of a block… - Shackle - What Is a ShackleCreated: 2009-10-11 @ 15:28:04 EDT Updated: 2009-10-11 @ 15:33:42 EDT
A shackle attaches a line to a sail… - Sail Slug - What Is a Sail SlugCreated: 2009-10-11 @ 15:22:46 EDT Updated: 2009-10-11 @ 15:34:30 EDT
Sail slugs attach to the mainsail for raising and lowering the sail in the mast groove… - Mooring - What Is a MooringCreated: 2009-10-11 @ 15:00:06 EDT Updated: 2009-10-11 @ 15:35:10 EDT
A mooring is a permanent anchor for a boat… - Luff - What Is a LuffCreated: 2009-10-11 @ 14:50:24 EDT Updated: 2009-10-11 @ 15:35:31 EDT
The luff is the leading edge of a sail… - Jib Sail - What Is a JibCreated: 2009-10-11 @ 14:39:31 EDT Updated: 2009-10-11 @ 15:36:45 EDT
The jib sail attaches to the forestay or headstay… - Halyard - What Is a HalyardCreated: 2009-10-11 @ 14:20:26 EDT Updated: 2009-10-11 @ 15:35:54 EDT
A halyard raises a sail… - Boltrope - What Is a BoltropeCreated: 2009-10-11 @ 14:16:29 EDT Updated: 2009-10-11 @ 15:36:18 EDT
The boltrope is part of a sail… - Block - What Is a BlockCreated: 2009-10-11 @ 14:12:14 EDT Updated: 2009-10-11 @ 15:37:08 EDT
A block is a nautical pulley… - Mainsail - What Is a MainsailCreated: 2009-10-11 @ 13:47:49 EDT Updated: 2009-10-11 @ 15:37:28 EDT
The mainsail is the large sail behind the (main) mast… - Lazy Jacks - What Are Lazy JacksCreated: 2009-10-11 @ 13:39:12 EDT Updated: 2009-10-11 @ 15:38:01 EDT
Lazy jacks are used to neatly hold the mainsail on top of the boom after being lowered… - How to Use a Traveler ? Using a Mainsheet TravelerCreated: 2009-09-10 @ 12:12:11 EDT
Although the mainsheet tackle attaches to a fixed point on some smaller sailboats, most cruising and racing sailboats have a mainsheet traveler that allows for better positioning of the boom for th… - Sail Slug Lubricants ? Lubricating Sail Slugs ? Lubricating the Main…Created: 2009-09-02 @ 14:02:01 EDT Updated: 2009-09-02 @ 14:12:21 EDT
On many sailboats, the luff of the mainsail fastens to the mast via sail slugs that slide up and down in a groove in the mast. Over time, wear and tear or other factors may make it difficult to hoi… - Sailing Knots ? Sailboat Knots ? Basic Knots for SailingCreated: 2009-08-28 @ 12:33:23 EDT
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 direction… - Sailboat Hurricane Preparations ? Preparing Sailboat for HurricaneCreated: 2009-08-27 @ 09:44:35 EDT Updated: 2009-08-27 @ 09:54:28 EDT
If your area is threatened by a hurricane or tropical storm winds, you need to make advance preparations to reduce the risk of damage. Don’t wait until the wind is rising before taking steps. … - Boat Foghorns ? Fog Horns for SailboatsCreated: 2009-08-24 @ 15:26:48 EDT Updated: 2009-08-24 @ 15:36:00 EDT
All sailboats should carry a horn for making signals to warn other boats of their presence when sailing in fog with reduced visibility. Three basic choices for a foghorn include compressed-air horn… - LifeSling 2 Review ? Review of LifeSling Overboard Rescue SystemCreated: 2009-08-13 @ 12:19:15 EDT Updated: 2009-08-13 @ 12:31:38 EDT
If someone falls off your boat, you need a way to rescue and retrieve that person. You could throw a life ring with a rope attached, but that method has drawbacks. The LifeSling is currently the be… - boat shoes ? boat sandals ? Keen sailing sandalsCreated: 2009-08-09 @ 12:38:37 EDT Updated: 2009-08-09 @ 13:55:03 EDT
When it’s warm you’ll want to wear boating sandals rather than shoes. The best are the Keen Newport boating sandals, which grip the deck well, are waterproof, and protect your toes… - How to Tie a Clove Hitch - Tying a Clove HitchCreated: 2009-07-29 @ 13:19:26 EDT
A clove hitch is frequently used on boats for securing a line around a rail, post, or other cylindrical structure. It is a secure temporary knot used, for example, to hang fenders on the boat’… - How to Use Jacklines ? Using Jacklines ? Jacklines with Safety TetherCreated: 2009-07-27 @ 10:37:59 EDT
When circumstances increase the risk of falling off your boat, wear a safety harness and clip in with a tether. Use jacklines on both sides of the deck so that you can stay tethered if you have to … - Using a Safety Tether ? Safety Harness with Tether ? Sailboat Tether…Created: 2009-07-27 @ 10:35:22 EDT
Because the great majority of deaths during sailing or boating occur because the person has fallen or been knocked off the boat, the most important safety principle is to ensure you stay on the boa… - NOAA Weather Data Buoys - How to Get Weather from NOAA BuoysCreated: 2009-07-27 @ 10:30:43 EDT
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, … - Sailing Safety ? Safety on a Sailboat ? Safe SailingCreated: 2009-07-27 @ 10:15:28 EDT
Any activity on the water involves inherent risks. Sailing safety includes the use of safety gear and equipment, paying attention to weather, and following basic principles for both you and your gu… - How to Moor a Sailboat - Mooring a SailboatCreated: 2009-07-25 @ 13:06:03 EDT
Sailboats are kept in the water on moorings in many areas. Mooring a sailboat can be easy or difficult, depending on the wind, waves, and water currents. Learn how to moor a sailboat efficiently an… - Points of Sail ? Points of Sail off Wind - Sailing off WindCreated: 2009-07-25 @ 13:01:31 EDT
“Point of sail” refers to the angle of the sailboat to the direction from which the wind is blowing. Different terms are used for the different points of sail, such as close hauled (saili… - Sailboat Leaving the Dock - How to Leave the Dock Under PowerUpdated: 2009-10-18 @ 10:35:38 EDT
To leave the dock to go sailing, most boats start out with the engine running. Here's how to untie docklines and leave the dock… - How to Dock a Sailboat - Docking a SailboatUpdated: 2009-10-18 @ 10:32:09 EDT
Going slow and sure is key when bringing your boat to the dock and tying up…