Sailing

A compass rose is a symbol originally employed by cartographers (map makers) to indicate wind direction. One distinguishing marker of a compass rose is that north is always indicated. According...

One of the most important parts of a ship is its steering components. As man has evolved, so has the technology that has allowed men to traverse the seas. From the days of the Vikings, with the...

Bilge is generally considered to be a nautical term used to describe the rounded section of a ship's hull or "either of the rounded areas that form the transition between the bottom and the sides...

Sailing flags, or nautical flags, are a way for ships to communicate with one another on the water without using radios. They are a component of INTERCO, the international code of symbols. ...

Kinds of sailboats is an authentic learning experience for the beginning or intermediate sailor. Describes different kinds of sailboats, parts, accessories, safety equipment, and safety classes.

It's amazing to me how people neglect to clean their sails, although after doing some research I think I know why? Sails are expensive and a typical cleaning solution like bleach could ruin the...

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...

Caulked mallets are used in conjunction with caulking iron to push oakum (a tarred fiber preparation used often in shipbuilding) in between the seams of hull or deck planks in ships. The force...

You've planned all week to take your Hobie Cat out only to arrive and find a dead calm day. What's a water dog to do? Well, you don't have to have wind to have fun on your Hobie!

Have you ever been invited for a day sail on a small boat? For those who don't sail this can be intimidating. Read on to learn how you too can be a good guest.

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,...

Basic hitch knots provide a way to secure a rope to another object. In both scouting programs and sailing schools, you will need to learn how to tie a clove hitch knot. Typically, the clove hitch...

One day it just might happen. You descend into your oil rubbed teak galley and dicover sawdust next to the propane stove, yet you certainly weren’t drilling to install a new winch. Take the dust...

It is natural for the deck of your sailboat to accumulate grim, dirt and debris from standard use. It would be atypical to require that everyone wash their shoes or the soles of their feet before...

Though getting swept overboard is uncommon, if it does occur it can be life threatening. The main concerns for an individual going overboard are hypothermia and drowning. The severity of these...

You've checked out your boat and your passengers are ready. Now all you have to do is figure out how to leave the marina without crashing into a dock, or worse, another boat. The key is learning...

The direction that a boat sails relative to the wind is its point of sail. Different points of sail include sailing at close haul, on a close reach, on a beam reach, on a broad reach and on a run....

An SOS call is a distress call made from a sailboat that needs assistance. If you're a boat enthusiast and ever find yourself in a dangerous situation, you'll need to send out an SOS call. It's...

Learning the basics of steering and turning a sailboat is easy. Here's what you need to know for your first trip behind the tiller.

Raising the mainsail is one of the essential tasks on board a sailboat. Without the mainsail, no sail boat can travel very far, since the mainsail gives the vessel most of its speed. Learn to...

Before you leave the dock, you must prepare your boat to sail. Accidents happen on the water and you should ensure that you can respond quickly. Learn what tasks you should perform before pulling...

The round turn and 2 1/2 hitches is a knot used in sailing. You can use this knot to attach a mooring line to a ring, dock post or any other fixed object. You can tie it while the rope is under...

Sailing is loads of fun when you're out with friends and family, or even as a get-away on your own. However, you want to treat the sport with respect. Injuries, sickness and drowning can turn any...

Coming about in the wind, or tacking, is one of the fundamental skills of sailing. After all, beginning sailors will need to know how to get back home, even though their sails are full of wind...

When determining the right of way in sailing, there are a couple of things to remember. The government that has authority over the body of water determines the right of way rules. A sailboat is a...

The sails are a sailboat's engine. They provide power to the boat. There are usually two sails on a sailboat. The mainsail is the bigger sail. The jib is the smaller sail. You control the mainsail...

So....you've started dating again and just met this great lady. You're heavily into sailing, which means weekends away at oceanside locations, expensive boats and exotic ports. "I love to sail,"...

A clove hitch is a simple knot sailors use for tying up to a mooring or for securing fenders to a rail or stanchions. Although not the strongest knot, it is simple and quick to tie and you can...

Sailing is one of the best things anyone could possible do. It is exhilarating, eye-opening, even spiritual. However, it can also be dangerous if you don’t pay attention to the environment. One of...

Sailing on the east coast means you get to see some of the most beautiful and historically significant parts of the United States--maybe you'll even see the wreckage of an old pirate ship. Here...

Most learn-to-sail programs for youth begin at the age of 8. Children are becoming more aware of their surroundings and enthusiastic about doing things the correct way. Youth learn-to-sail...

The granny knot can be used to secure a rope or line around something. The granny knot is not a sturdy knot and should not be used to attach two ropes together, because it can slip easily. The...

Picking the right sailboat is an important decision that will affect your enjoyment of the boat and your safety while using the boat. By knowing how to select the one that's right for you, you can...

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...

Boating is an activity that you can do for life. Few things equal the fun of getting out on a body of water and being captain of your own vessel, whether it is a canoe or a yacht. This brief guide...

When you're sailing, you should coil loose lines to prevent others from tripping over them. Follow these steps.

In the process of learning to sail, you'll need to learn how to slow down and stop your boat. Here's how to sail up to a dock and stop.

After a day's sailing, you will need to properly secure your boat to the dock. Occasional high winds or inclement weather may damage untended boats that are improperly tied. Here's how to keep...

By preparing your mainsail before leaving the dock you save time and maintain crew safety.

You never know when you'll need to communicate and on a boat it's done with a VHF (very high frequency) radio.

Every sport has its share of gear and equipment. Sailors have plenty of stuff they need to bring along so they all need a bag.

Self-sufficient sailors don't rely on a ship's compass. They carry their own hand-bearing compass for greater convenience and precision.

Even with full foul-weather gear, unprotected feet can make a sailor wet, cold and miserable. Boots complete the armor of protection from the elements.

Few sailors get to participate in their avocation as much as they'd like. The rest of us have to get by vicariously. Reading offers one of the best substitutes for the real thing.

Rigging knives help sailors work with lines and other rigging. Every sailor needs a knife, but not all knives fit all sailors.

There isn't anything sailors can do about wind, waves and rain other than put some high-tech material between the elements and their skin. Now they can do it with style.

Even in the most pleasant climate, a sailor needs a jacket. The right one should last a long time.

Inflatable personal flotation devices (PFDs) have become more comfortable and easier to wear than the old lifejackets.

Current is both your best friend and your worst enemy on the race course, depending on your ability to recognize and take advantage of it.