Rope clutches, or stoppers, are wonderful items to have on board. Not only are they quick and easy to operate, they eliminate the need for extra winches. But each one must be labeled so the trimmer can see immediately what line that particular stopper controls.When San Francisco sailors Russ Irwin and Fay Mark labeled the clutches on their brand new 52-footer New
This summer, many sailors will embark for the first time on a long, non-stop coastal or offshore passage that involves one or more nights at sea. If you are sailing a long distance, you should set and follow a formal watch schedule. Some boats utilize a catch as catch can approachbut this can lead to exhaustion and is a recipe for disaster. Watchstanding routines can range from a very basic
The first night on your boat after a long winter is always an education. You learn that the gentle rocking of a boat in a slip or at a mooring can be mightily effective when it comes to curing insomnia. You also learn, as the slightest of rolls sets crockery a-clinking and cans a-clanking, that you havent done a very good job of stowing the odds and ends that youve just put
Spinnakers and asymmetricals are great for ticking off miles when sailing downwind, but they can be a chore to handle shorthanded. They require constant trimming, and theres always the possibility of a crash gybe or a knockdown. For a fully crewed raceboat this isnt a concern, but for cruisers it can be daunting enough that many simply roll out their headsail instead and call
Spinnakers and asymmetricals are great for ticking off miles when sailing downwind, but they can be a chore to handle shorthanded. They require constant trimming, and theres always the possibility of a crash gybe or a knockdown. For a fully crewed raceboat this isnt a concern, but for cruisers it can be daunting enough that many simply roll out their headsail instead and call
Sailors and non-sailors alike respectfully refer to the ocean beyond my home waters of San Francisco Bay as Outside the Gate. Along the northern California coast there are miles of rocky coastline separating the few harbors of refuge, which often have challenging entrances. Along the way you had best be prepared for strong winds, fog, and sizable seas. Of course, it may also
Sailors and non-sailors alike respectfully refer to the ocean beyond my home waters of San Francisco Bay as Outside the Gate. Along the northern California coast there are miles of rocky coastline separating the few harbors of refuge, which often have challenging entrances. Along the way you had best be prepared for strong winds, fog, and sizable seas. Of course, it may also
Power and Motoryacht and SAIL magazines announced that Tim Bartlett has joined their staff as electronics editor. Bartlett was technical editor of the UKs leading powerboat magazine, Motor Boat and Yachting for more than a decade, and since 1997 he has contributed to all the major British boating publications as well as SAIL. Bartlett has written 14 books on such
A standard spinnaker pole is as long as the J measurement on your boat – that is, the distance from the base of the mast to the forestay chainplate. This is purely a racing rule requirement; longer poles are penalized under PHRF rules. If you’re cruising, your whisker pole can be any length you like.On a couple of occasions when I’ve wanted to run downwind with
Pirates in the Gulf of Aden received much international media attention this month with the Maersk Alabama incident and the subsequent retaliation attack against the Liberty Sun. The pirates vowed to kill Americans. Until now, flags have not seemed to influence the pirates’ choice of ships to hijack, but perhaps that has now changed. All types of boats, from giant cargo ships to
SAIL Executive Editor Adam Cort recently had a chance to go sailing aboard and capture some great video of the new X-Yachts X4° on the “Little Belt:”
There’s something especially fun about sailing a boat on the home waters of the company that built it. And when you’re sailing the latest performance-cruiser
Many cruising sailors find themselves having to leave their boat unattended for an extended period from time to time, and that’s where people like me
What is the optimum method of installing solar panels? Duncan Kent explains how to get the best from your solar array Having trawled through hundreds
Last weekend I went to a boating swap meet. There were at least 50 sellers trying to get rid of everything nautical, from bent outboard
Much as a megayacht may impress, there’s nothing to get the pulse racing like a zippy little sloop that speaks of adventure from masthead to
It’s official—Volvo Ocean Race veterans Mark Towill and Charlie Enright will campaign an IMOCA 60 in The Ocean Race 2021-22. Their team, 11th Hour Racing,
Technologies are adopted because they make some part of life easier, safer or more efficient. Socrates argued almost 2,400 years ago that the new technology
Ever since they first appeared in my navigational toolbox decades ago I have been wary of waypoints. They certainly do seem helpful, these electronic flags
The chart showed 45ft of vertical clearance, and I knew the boat should be able to pass under the bridge. Still, there was that nagging
