Being a seafarer is a challenging job, requiring both physical strength and mental resilience. It is not for everyone, but with the right skills, qualifications and mindset, it can be an incredibly rewarding career. This article will explore the challenges that come with being a seaman, from the dangers of working with complex machinery to…
As a sailing expert, I can tell you that with reasonable proficiency, most private pilots can handle surface winds of up to about 20 miles per hour, but the direction makes a lot of difference and flight instructors find that one of the most difficult lessons to teach is crosswind landings. In this article, we…
The term “nautical mile” is often used among sailors, but what exactly is it and why is it longer than a regular mile? In this article, we’ll explore the definition and history of the nautical mile, its advantages, how to measure and calculate distances using it, and how to convert it into other units such…
Understanding Wave Size for Sailboats: Determining Your Boat’s Limit Sailing is an exhilarating experience that has been enjoyed by people around the world for centuries, but it also comes with its own unique set of risks, especially when dealing with large waves at sea. It’s important to understand both the height and length of waves…
Becoming An Able Seaman In The US: What You Need to Know Sailing is one of the oldest and most exciting maritime professions, and becoming an able seaman in the United States is a rewarding career choice for many aspiring seafarers. To help you get started, here’s what you need to know about becoming an…
Sailing can be a thrilling and rewarding experience, but it can also be a complex one to master – especially when it comes to understanding the nuances of which direction is easier based on prevailing winds and other factors. In this article, I will aim to explain why it is generally easier to sail east…
Sailing is an exciting sport, but understanding the basics can be tricky for the novice sailor. If you’re new to sailing, you may have heard the term “knot” thrown around, but what does it mean and how can it be used to measure speed? And more importantly, is 10 knots fast? In this article, we’ll…
How To Read a Nautical Location Navigating the ocean is one of the oldest professions in the world and understanding the basics of nautical location is essential for any sailor or navigator who wishes to take their boat out onto the open water. Knowing how to read latitude and longitude coordinates is essential for plotting…
Rowing against the wind can be an intimidating task for those who are new to sailing or those who are not familiar with how to effectively navigate this tricky situation . The challenge lies in pushing forward despite strong winds creating resistance and pushing your boat backward . As daunting as this may seem, there…
How To Use Nautical Charts Effectively Nautical charts are essential tools for safe navigation, as they provide valuable information about the surrounding environment and provide an accurate representation of the seafloor and coastlines to aid sailing vessels in their travels. With this in mind, it is important that seafarers learn how to use nautical charts…
The Most Important Boat Knot: The Bowline Boating can be a great outdoor activity, but it’s important to know how to properly tie knots to ensure safety and security on the water. Of all the knots available, there is one that stands out above the rest: The bowline knot, often referred to as “the king…
The movie, Moana, directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, follows a young girl’s journey as she discovers her destiny to restore the heart to a goddess of creation and save her island from destruction. Part of her journey involves discovering why her people, the Motunui Islanders, stopped sailing beyond their reefs hundreds of years…
When it comes to waves, a sailor needs to consider what wind direction will be most beneficial in order to find the best waves possible. Onshore and offshore winds can affect how waves form, travel and break, which can ultimately determine how a sailor can interact with them in order to get the most out…
Introduction to the Granny Knot Sailing relies heavily on knots for all sorts of tasks, and one such knot, known as the “granny knot”, has been around since at least 1849. This knot is often referred to as “the natural knot tied by women or landsmen”, so why is it called a granny knot? In…
A Bristol knot, also known as the no-name knot, is an essential knot used in sailing and marine activities, specifically when connecting two lines together. It can be used to join a heavier piece of monofilament line, such as when constructing a wind-on leader, or it can be used to attach the double line of…
The Windy City: A Guide to Sailing in Chicago Chicago, otherwise known as the “Windy City” or “Chi-Town”, has a long history of being a bustling metropolis on the shores of Lake Michigan and the birthplace of modern architecture, art, and culture. But for sailors, this city is known for its strong winds and unique…
Nautical charts are essential navigational tools for sailors, providing information about water depth, shorelines, and potential obstructions in the water that could cause danger or difficulty during a voyage. While many of these obstructions will be marked with black or blue lines, some, such as rocks and shallow areas, can be indicated by a dotted…
Sailors are familiar with the various knots used in sailing, but which one is actually the hardest to tie? This article will discuss the different types of sailing knots, as well as which one is considered to be the most difficult to tie. Definition of a Knot In sailing, a knot is a way of…
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…
As a sailing expert, I know that wind plays an important role in sailing, as it is the primary source of power for boats and ships to move and can be used to navigate and reach a destination much faster than rowing or paddling. So naturally, I’m curious about the strongest wind ever recorded on…