Cruising Tips

Which Sail to Reef First?

by Peter Nielsen, Posted June 18, 2013

Which sail should you reef first when the wind gets up—your genoa or mainsail?

SAIL's Tip of the Week

by SAIL Editors, Posted June 18, 2013

It doesn’t matter how scrupulous you are about keeping your heads compartment clean if you leave your intake hose and toilet bowl filled with seawater when you leave the boat.

The Essence of Seamanship

by Tom Cunliffe, Posted June 14, 2013

“Send me an article on the essence of seamanship,” was the editor’s brief. I wonder what you would have included in this article if he had asked you. I can tell you, it isn’t easy.

The Lost Art of Kedging: how to set a kedge anchor

by Andy Schell, Posted May 31, 2013

Kedging works best with a long line. Unlike anchoring, it is scope rather than the weight of the ground tackle that provides the holding power.

Understanding the Rule of Twelfths for Tide Prediction

by Teresa Carey, Posted April 12, 2013

The fog was rolling in quickly, and the sun would soon be setting. I was bound for Provincetown at the tip of Cape Cod, a long peninsula that extends east and loops north like the tip of an elf’s shoe.

Galley Knife Storage

by Zuzana Prochazka, Posted March 26, 2013

Keeping sharp knives in drawers on boats is not only a waste of prime storage real estate, it is also dangerous, as you can easily cut yourself rummaging through the drawer with your fingers.

Is Sandy Hook Light on the Move?

by Teresa Carey, Posted March 25, 2013

I had been warned about the swirling currents of Hell Gate, but it was the profusion of lights from ships, shore and navigational aids that overwhelmed me as I entered Lower New York Bay after sunset in search of an overnight anchorage.

Stern Anchor Dinghy Bracket

by Zuzana Prochazka, Posted March 22, 2013

Setting a stern anchor is not for the faint of heart and can be a real pain. My friend Maurice Roper belongs to a club that always anchors in the same cove where anchors fore and aft are mandatory.

Miracle Stain Removal

by Stuart Attwood, Posted March 18, 2013

Often when cleaning our boat, we have to remove stubborn stains and marks from the fiberglass. My girlfriend has discovered that Mr. Clean Magic Eraser will remove the toughest marks with little or no scrubbing.