Safe Skipper

How to ensure your boat is in proper working condition

by Safe Skipper | Boat Handling, Boat Maintenance, Preparation, Yacht ownership

Guest author: Eva Tucker for Volvo Penta We all have been that friend or have that one friend who can’t seem to get enough of their boat. Whether it’s fishing off the back, racing upfront with a buddy on deck- there are few things better in life than being...

Understanding tides

by Safe Skipper | Boat Handling, Navigation, Preparation

If you are used to sailing in tidal waters, you will know that tides can be both a benefit and a hindrance to the sailor. In many ways, the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages as tides can offer the navigator a free ride, provided they have correctly factored the...

Top five windvane self steering installation questions

by Safe Skipper | Boat Handling, Boat Maintenance, Navigation, Preparation, Yacht ownership

Guest author: Sarah Curry of Hydrovane International Marine Article from Island Cruising NZ, courtesy of Viki Moore Once upon a time our tight quartered boat show booth was jammed full of sailors holding cocktails, regaling us with exciting past and future sailing...

Boat Improvements

by Safe Skipper | Boat Maintenance, Preparation

My Boat – practical improvements Author – Mike Rossiter Most boat owners who have had their craft for any length of time will have made what they consider are ‘improvements’. If the boat changes hands the new owner will scratch his/her head and...

Sailing & Motoring in Fog

by Safe Skipper | Boat Handling, Navigation, Preparation

Sailing & Motoring in Fog You can only measure the visibility accurately if sailing & motoring in fog when you have another object in sight so assume that it is less than you think. It can take time to ‘see’ another vessel as you may not be looking directly at...