by Simon Jollands | Communications, Crewing skills, Navigation, Preparation
In our previous article we looked at tidal curves and how we can use them to find the time of a specific height of tide. Following on from this we now take a look at how we calculate a height of tide for a specific time. This is not a complex calculation but it helps...
by Simon Jollands | Communications, Crewing skills, Navigation, Preparation
No two coastal places have exactly the same tidal pattern. There are many factors that influence this, from the shape of the coastline, the funnelling effect of channels and estuaries, the depth of the sea and the proximity of oceans. The times and heights of tides...
by Simon Jollands | Communications, Crewing skills, Navigation, Preparation
In a previous post, we looked at some of the basic principles involved with understanding tides, including what causes their rise and fall, the resulting tidal streams and the tidal range that varies according to coastal topography. For those who are learning or...
by Simon Jollands | Communications, Crewing skills, Navigation, Preparation
Following on from previous posts concerning traditional navigation methods, this post looks at some traditional methods used for fixing a vessel’s position at sea, within sight of land. Electronic fixes using chart plotters are very straightforward to record,...
by Simon Jollands | Communications, Crewing skills, Navigation, Preparation
In a recent post we discussed the importance of being able to estimate your position at sea if the vessel’s GPS fails. In this post we go a little further with a reminder of how we go about estimating and plotting our position using traditional methods, when out...
by Simon Jollands | Crewing skills, Navigation, Preparation
Most sailors today rely on GPS to find their way at sea. While GPS has helped to make finding your way at sea far easier than in the past, sailors still need to study charts before they embark on a passage and to use them en route to check and record their progress....
by Simon Jollands | Communications, Crewing skills, Navigation, Preparation
Navigators use a combination of techniques to estimate their position at sea. The primary method used today is GPS (Global Positioning System), a network of 24 satellites that became fully operational in the 1990s and was originally restricted for use by the United...
by Simon Jollands | Crewing skills, Navigation, Preparation
Any sea voyage needs a certain amount of planning before it is undertaken. It makes sense to think about where you are going, how you will get there and what factors might influence your plan. Planning the route itself is also critical. One of the essential parts of...
by Simon Jollands | Boat Handling, Boat Maintenance, Communications, Crewing skills, Emergencies, First Aid at Sea, Navigation, Preparation
Here we focus on tips and advice for staying safe on a sailboat at sea, the common causes of accidents on sailboats and what to do in an emergency. 9 ways to stay safe at sea Always wear a personal flotation device (PFD) or life jacket. This is the most important...
by Simon Jollands | Boat Handling, Communications, Crewing skills, Emergencies, Navigation, Preparation
One of the greatest dangers a sailing yacht can encounter is fog. If fog is forecast, then most skippers will sensibly delay their departure until they are sure the conditions are clear. However, if fog begins to form when you are at sea it is important to be prepared...