Boat Handling

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...

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.

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.

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.

Faster Mainsail Reefing

by Don Street, Posted July 10, 2012

On my old yawl, Iolaire, I always used a mainsail reefing method that seemed odd to guests, but was very fast and worked well. After first casting off the mainsheet, we would hoist the end of the boom a full six feet into air—the depth of the reef—with the topping lift...

Take the Helm Conference a Slippery Success

by Lisa Gabrielson, Posted June 7, 2012

“We're trying to teach women to be more safe and confident on the water,” explained Joan Thayer, co-chair of the conference and president of NWSA, “You don't have to listen to your husband screaming and yelling, you can do your own thing. You can dock the boat—let him be the bumper person!”

Maximize Your Performance on a Cruising Catamaran

by Andrew Burton, Posted May 1, 2012

Perhaps you’re looking at a cat as an option for an extended cruise, or you’ve chartered a catamaran for a week in the British Virgin Islands. You’re expecting some thrilling multihull speed, but once on the water you find you are disappointed.

Easy-Line Handling with a Club-Footed Jib

by David Hurd, Posted April 11, 2012

I share a 1995 Beneteau 42s7 with a friend. We (and most of our other sailing friends) are getting on in years, so we’ve made some changes to help make the boat easier to sail.

Cruising Tips - Boathandling

by Tom Cunliffe, Posted February 7, 2006

Going sideways (January 2006)It's no secret that bow thrusters are a big help when you're maneuvering in close quarters, which is why they are becoming common on boats in the 40-foot range. One reason for this popularity is that the units themselves have gotten better. But it's also true that freeboards are getting higher and many of us either are getting older or are sailing with

Cruising Tips - Sailhandling

by Sail Staff, Posted March 27, 2006

A Cutter that Cuts It (August 2006) For many cruisers, a cutter rig is the one that works best—so long as the staysail is cut for windward work, fairly flat with its draft well forward. A staysail also needs a good sheet lead. Sheet tracks and leads for many staysails seem to be placed more for convenience than effectiveness and often fail to take into account the staysail’s dual