Cruising Tips

Compass Mask

by Connie McBride, Posted December 18, 2012

Sunlight is not good for your compass. The liquid inside gets cloudy over time, making it hard to read a heading.

Drain your Rudder

by Bill Bleyer, Posted December 11, 2012

When I bought my first cruising sailboat, I falsely assumed the rudder was watertight. I later learned otherwise when I began seeing rust streaks at the seams.

Clearing an Anchor Rode

by David Emsellem, Posted December 6, 2012

Here’s a simple trick I’ve used many times to clear a rope anchor rode caught on a keel. First, I get out my 15lb mushroom dinghy anchor and attach it to the snap shackle...

Best Stern Anchors

by Peter Nielsen, Posted November 29, 2012

If you’re getting into serious cruising, there will be times when you want to set a stern anchor. Usually this involves emptying fenders, lines and whatnot out of a cockpit locker until you unearth the kedge and its rode.

Don't Over Trim

by Charles J. Doane, Posted November 28, 2012

Next time the wind goes soft, instead of submitting to this self-fulfilling prophesy of slow-going, try opening up the slot between your mainsail and headsail.

Voice of Experience: Rudderless in the Slot

by Austin Morris, Posted November 21, 2012

One of the best things about being retired is that it allows me to spend some quality time doing what I really like. One such escape—wife willing—is a month-long stay on my sailboat on San Francisco Bay.

Furled Too Tight

by Connie McBride, Posted November 18, 2012

On a good day a furling headsail is like magic. You pull on the furling line and your sail is neatly rolled away until you need it again. At some point, however, most of us have rolled up our headsail in such high winds that it furls much more tightly than usual...

My 5 Most Useful Items on a Boat

by Bill Cullen, Posted November 13, 2012

See our five most useful boat items and then share your own! If we like your list, we might print it in an upcoming issue of SAIL.

Smartphone Anchor Watch

by Donald McLennan, Posted November 8, 2012

Many onboard electronics systems include anchor-watch alarms that sound if a boat drifts too far from where you anchored it. But what if you’re ashore at that time?

What to Expect From a Tow

by Zuzana Prochazka, Posted November 5, 2012

I’ve been on the wrong end of a towline twice. At the very least, being towed will ruin your afternoon. At worst, it can cause serious damage to your boat or injury to your crew. Knowing what to expect and what to do to help yourself—or to help others help you—will ensure things go safely and smoothly.