Sailing has gone hand-in-hand with knot tying for centuries, and many sailors have developed an extensive knowledge of knots and their uses on the high seas. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most important knots used by sailors, including the bowline, as well as how to choose the right knot…
Sailing has always been a difficult and dangerous form of transportation, but its popularity has never faltered due to its efficiency in getting goods from one place to another in a relatively short amount of time compared to land transportation. As technology advances, so do sailing techniques and tools, many sailors have used a variety…
Fair Winds and Following Seas: The Meaning Behind a Common Sailing Farewell Saying goodbye can be hard, especially when we’re saying farewell to someone who has been an important part of our life, such as a family member or close friend who’s going away for a while, whether on deployment or retirement from service in…
Introduction Sailors have their own unique language that has been developed over centuries of sailing the seas. This language is known as sailor talk, and it includes some phrases that are considered to be curse words. In this article, we will explore some of the more common sailor curse words, their definitions, and their origins….
Navigating With The North Star: Everything You Need To Know Navigation has been an essential part of sailing since its inception, and there have been many ways to do it over the centuries, but one has remained a constant: using the North Star (also known as Polaris) to find direction at sea. This article will…
Sailors have long been known for their colorful language, with a wide array of colorful curses, insults, and expletives that could make even a seasoned sailor blush. But why do these salty mariners swear so much? In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the history behind sailor’s love affair with profanity, the…
It’s no secret that life at sea can be hard, and it’s even harder on the crew members who have to work long hours and face the elements while they’re out there doing their job. One of the most important aspects of a sailor’s health and wellbeing is ensuring that they get enough restful, quality…
Introduction As anyone who has ever been on a boat can attest to, there is a certain language that sailors use that may not be familiar to those who are new to sailing or seamanship in general. One expression used by sailors is “aye aye” which is commonly used when responding to a command or…
The Essential Bull Knot: A Comprehensive Guide for Sailors The bull knot, also known as the round turn two half hitches knot, is a type of boating knot used in sailing that is essential for any sailor. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of how to tie the bull knot, its uses, additional tips,…
Sailors have relied on nautical charts for centuries to navigate their way around the world’s oceans and waters, and in today’s age of advanced technology, these maps remain just as important as ever for sailors who need to know what lies ahead on their journey. In this article, we will discuss what nautical charts are…
For centuries, sailors have relied on instruments such as the mariner’s astrolabe to navigate their voyages across vast oceans and seas. But do sailors still use this ancient navigational tool today? The answer is no, modern day technology has replaced the age-old instrument with more accurate and easier-to-use alternatives. In the Past The mariner’s astrolabe,…
Sailors have long been associated with their beloved daily tot of rum, a tradition that began in 1655 and lasted until 1970 when it was abolished, although some traditionalists continued to observe it until quite recently . But why did sailors chose rum over water? What benefits did it provide them during their long voyages?…
Navigation is an important skill for sailors, whether they are taking a leisurely sail or circumnavigating the world in a yacht race. To find their way, sailors use a combination of traditional navigation techniques such as celestial navigation, and modern navigational aids such as GPS, electronic charts and maps, weather forecasting, buoys and beacons, and…
The Bowline: King of Sailing Knots A bowline knot is one of the most basic and commonly used knots in sailing, and has been used by sailors for hundreds of years. This article will discuss the history and advantages of using a bowline, provide step-by-step instructions for tying it, and discuss some common misconceptions about…
Ahoy is a traditional way for sailors to greet each other, but there are many different nuances and regional variations that make up the larger culture of seafaring communication. In this article, we will explore the history, meaning, etiquette and common uses of ahoy as well as look at other ways sailors greet each other…
Steering a Sailboat: What is Helm? For centuries, people have been using helm to steer sailboats and other vessels, but what exactly is it? In this article, we’ll discuss the basics of helm and how it works as well as its various benefits and drawbacks. What is Helm? A helm is essentially a tiller or…
Sailing is the art of navigating a vessel through the water using wind, tides and currents. To do so, sailors must be able to determine their exact position in the ocean, which is a skill that has been mastered over centuries of exploration and discovery. In this article, we will discuss some of the methods…
Understanding Why Sailors Drank Alcohol Instead of Water Sailors have been traversing the world’s oceans for centuries, and during this time, they have developed a unique culture and approach to life that is rooted in the sea environment in which they live and work. A key component to this culture has been alcohol consumption, with…
Violent Winds: An Overview for Sailors Sailors know that wind can be their friend, providing propulsion and guiding them to the destination of their dreams, but when wind becomes violent, it can become an enemy to be reckoned with, and depending on the type of violent wind present, can cause serious damage to boats and…
A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding a Complex Seamanship Tradition As an expert in sailing, I’m often asked why sailors use a specific phrase when they’re working together – “two, six, heave”. While this chant might sound like nothing more than an old-fashioned seafaring custom that has been passed down through generations, there is actually much…
Sailors have been navigating the seas for centuries, and one of the most important tools they use to do so is the astrolabe – an inclinometer used to determine their latitude at sea by measuring either the sun’s noon altitude or the meridian altitude of a star of known declination. In this article, we will…