Sailing

Sails are the large sheets of material attached to sailboats that catch the wind and propel the boat forward. Sails differ in size, position on the boat and material.

A block and tackle is any hoisting system operated through at least two pulleys. The pulley is one of the classical six simple machines, consisting of a device with one or more grooved, flanged...

Although there are many types of sailboats, from tiny catboats to the large schooner, they each have similar parts. The sailboat's body is called the hull. The boat's front is called the bow,...

A Pan Pan call, often pronounced "PON PON" is an emergency call set out on channel 16 when the boat faces a difficult situation but there is no imminent danger.

Learn how to rig the main sail on a sail boat in this free online video lesson on sailing.

Learn advanced sailing tips and instruction on how to sail, including advice on rig tuning and tension in this free video lesson clip.

Learn advanced sailing tips and instruction on how to sail, including rope and line stretching information in this free video lesson clip.

Learn advanced sailing tips and instruction on how to sail, including hiking and cross-sheeting techniques in this free video lesson clip.

Learn how to tie a square knot for sailing in this free video clip.

Learn safety tips on the floorboards on a sailboat in this free video clip on how to sail.

Learn how to jibe in a sailboat in this free how-to video clip on the fundamentals of sailing.

Learn about the parts of a main sail in this free how-to video clip sailing lesson on the fundamentals of how to sail.

Learn what type of sailboat to use to start sailing, in this free how-to video clip.

Adding rings to the sail is easy with these tips. Get expert advice on canvas and sailing terminology in this free video.

There is a seemingly endless variety of sailing knots that sailors use for a variety of purposes. In fact, two sailors on the same boat, and in the same conditions, may opt for different knots....

A ketch is a two-masted sailing vessel that has a second mast behind (aft of) the rudder post, making the fine-tuning of the boat more precise and flexible. Sailing a ketch is a bit different than...

Sail making is part art and science. Sails are made of individual panels sewn together to hold a curve created by the wind. Although sails today are designed on a computer, they are still for the...

Celestial navigation is an ancient art, one that may seem anachronistic in this modern era, yet it remains a valuable tool. The North Star appears in the same place, all the time. It always points...

Sailing on your favorite body of water, flying a hull through the air when all of sudden...you're in the water. The boat is on it's side, or worst still, the mast is pointing towards the...

The RYA Coastal Skipper certification is an almost universal sailing credential that gives you all the knowledge and skill you need to skipper a boat along a coast. The certificate also shows...

There is nothing more rewarding than being out on a warm summer day in a sailboat you built with your own two hands. It takes some woodworking knowledge and a lot of patience but building your own...

Parts of a sailboat have very specific names for one very good reason and that has nothing to do with putting on the "nautical" dog. For example: If the captain tells you to pull on the...

If there's anything more complicated than sailing into an upwind slip, it's sailing into a downwind slip. With a little care and preparation it isn't that bad. Here's how to do it.

"There are inherent risks in racing big sailboats. You can stay safe by being smart, diligent and cautious - but accidents do happen," explains Tucker Thompson, America True sailor.

Ever tried to sail upwind with a spinnaker? A quick, properly executed takedown will help you round the leeward mark at full speed.

If you hope to sail away from a wipeout, you might want to learn how to right your boat when you smack down.

Calling lay lines - no matter how good you are - involves a little guesswork. If you know your tacking angles, you stand a better chance of sailing the shortest distance to the mark.

A clean spinnaker set is one that goes up, fills and is trimmed quickly. At the weather mark, a good set can mean several boat lengths - a poor set can take you out of the race.