Blogs & Articles
Hopefully, there are some interesting bits of info amoungst the waffle…
Lights and day shapes sailors must know
Lights and day shapes sailors must know Having lights and day shapes on a boat is important because they are essential for safe navigation and communication at
Summary of the COLREGs
COLREGs International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea Here’s a detailed summary of the COLREGS (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea), which are established
Notice of Race (NoR) vs Sailing Instruction (SI)
Notice of Race (NoR) vs Sailing Instruction (SI) To contrast and compare Notice of Race (NoR) and Sailing Instructions (SIs), we must understand their roles
Never trust a sailor on dry land
Never trust a sailor on dry land… The phrase “never trust a sailor on dry land” is a proverb-like expression rich in metaphor and connotation.
What is the floating plastic island?
What is the floating plastic island? The infamous “floating plastic island” most often refers to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) is a massive collection
Marine plastic pollution
Marine Plastic Pollution: A Growing Crisis in Our Oceans Plastic pollution has become one of our most pressing environmental issues, particularly in marine ecosystems. Every
What is seamanship?
What is seamanship? The Core of Seamanship Firstly, let’s distinguish between the art of sailing (fast) and seamanship. Sailing well is a small subset of
Mediterranean Mooring
Mediterranean Mooring Let’s discuss Mediterranean moorings, also known as Med Mooring or simply stern mooring. “Med mooring is probably the most common term in everyday
What is Point Nemo?
What is Point Nemo? Point Nemo is the name given to the oceanic pole of inaccessibility, the point on Earth’s surface that is farthest from
What is Sail GP?
Sail GP (Grand Prix)? SailGP is a premier global sailing championship that features nation-versus-nation competition using cutting-edge F50 foiling catamarans. Established in 2018 by Russell
The largest sailing ship ever built?
The Golden Horizon: The largest sailing ship ever built? The Golden Horizon is the largest sailing ship in operation today. It is a modern, five-masted,
The fastest transoceanic sailing vessel ever
The fastest transoceanic sailing vessel ever History is about to get a serious upgrade tonight, folks — and not because someone finally figured out how
Solar panels on a boat: is Victron worth it?
Solar power on a boat: easy, right? So you found this page because, 1 – you are starting your journey into installing solar on your
Dealing with aggressive orcas (killer whales)
Dealing with aggressive killer whales or orcas Orcas in some regions, particularly the Iberian orcas near the Strait of Gibraltar, have been increasingly interacting with
Gybing vs tacking
Gybing vs tacking Gybing (also spelled jibing) and tacking are two fundamental sailing manoeuvres that change the boat’s direction relative to the wind. The essential
Australian’s blue vs red flags
Australian’s blue vs red flags The Detailed History of Australia’s National and Maritime Flags Australia’s flags have a fascinating history, deeply connected to the country’s
Flags on boats
Flags on boats When sailing internationally, vessels are expected to fly certain flags based on their registry, ownership, and status. Here’s a breakdown of the
Courtesy Flags
The etiquette of courtesy flags When cruising in foreign waters, flying a courtesy flag is a key part of maritime etiquette and, in some cases,
The bureaucracy of international sailing
The bureaucracy of international sailing Sailing to other countries involves a lot of bureaucracy, including customs, immigration, and maritime regulations. The specific requirements vary depending
Must see sailing destinations
Must-see sailing destinations Sailing worldwide is a dream journey, with countless breath-taking places to explore. Here are some must-see destinations for yachties, categorised by region:
Top 10 places sailors avoid
Top 10 places sailors avoid Sailing around the world is a dream for many, but there are some places you might want to avoid due
Winches on a sailing vessel
Winches on a sailing vessel Winches on a sailing boat are mechanical devices that control and adjust sails, rigging, and other onboard systems. They provide
What to cook on a sailboat?
What to cook on a sailboat? Cooking on a sailboat presents unique challenges due to space limitations, movement from waves, and the need for efficient
RADAR – Is it worth it?
RADAR – Is it worth it? Radar (Radio Detection and Ranging) is essential for yacht navigation, safety, and situational awareness. Below is a detailed explanation
AIS – Is it worth it?
AIS – Is it worth it? AIS (Automatic Identification System) is a tracking and identification system used in the maritime industry to enhance navigational safety,
What is a seacock – best practice
What is a seacock – best practice A seacock is an essential boat component that controls water flow through the hull. These valves are critical
VHF vs HF marine radios
VHF vs HF marine radios When sailing, choosing between a VHF (Very High Frequency) radio and an HF (High Frequency) radio depends on your communication
MAYDAY – PAN-PAN – SECURITÉ
MAYDAY – PAN-PAN – SECURITÉ MAYDAY, PAN-PAN, and SECURITÉ are three internationally recognised maritime radio signals; each used for a specific level of urgency or
Puffs – Reading the water
Puffs – Reading the water Reading the water for wind puffs is an essential skill in sailing. Not just in racing but similarly when you
Creating Lateral Distance and Leverage
Creating lateral distance and leverage in competitive sailing Okay, so you need to know about lateral distance and how this relates to creating leverage. Well,
Types of square-rigged ships
Types of square-rigged ships A square-rigger is a sailing ship that uses sails rigged primarily in a square or rectangular shape, set perpendicular to the
TWA and TWS
Sailing fast – TWA and TWS First things first: what is the difference between true and apparent wind? The fact is that true wind is
What is a polar diagram in sailing?
What is a polar diagram in sailing? A polar diagram in sailing is a specialised chart used to represent a sailboat’s performance under various wind
Clouds: Sailor’s warning
Clouds: Sailor’s warning Clouds can give sailors essential clues about the weather and help us anticipate changes that may affect our voyage. Different clouds indicate
How to start a sailing race
How to start a sailing race Starting a sailing race is both exciting and challenging. The congestion and sense of urgency can be nerve-racking, but
Tips for Sailing at Night
Tips for Sailing at Night Night sailing presents unique challenges, but with proper preparation and awareness, it can be a rewarding experience. Here are 20
What is Point Nemo?
What is Point Nemo? Point Nemo is the name given to the oceanic pole of inaccessibility, the point on Earth’s surface that is farthest from
Flags and Horn Blasts before the start of a race
Flags and Horn Blasts before the start of a race The start of a race in sailing can be super confusing, with many complex rules
Full vs Fractional Rig
Full vs Fractional Rig The choice between a full-rigged (masthead rig) and a fractional rig depends on the sailing characteristics, performance, and handling desired. Here’s
Keel vs Deck-Stepped Mast
Keel vs Deck-Stepped Mast Keel-Stepped Mast A keel-stepped mast passes through the deck and is secured at the boat’s keel. Advantages: Structural Strength: Provides a