Crewing skills Archives - Page 7 of 13 - Safe Skipper Boating & Safety Afloat Apps for phones & tablets

Jester Challenge 2022 – Sailing single handed from Plymouth UK to the Azores: Part 3 – Preparations

by Bernie Branfield | Boat Handling, Boat Maintenance, Communications, Crewing skills, Emergencies, First Aid at Sea, Navigation, Preparation, Yacht ownership

Jester Challenge – A modern experiment in old-fashioned self-reliance, self sufficiency, and personal responsibility. The Jester Challenge was created for skippers of small boats who want to test their skill and self-reliance, is a uniquely successful...

Sail trimming for cruisers

by Simon Jollands | Boat Handling, Crewing skills, Navigation, Yacht ownership

Whether racing or cruising, a well tuned boat will sail faster and tend to heel less than a boat with badly adjusted sails. On a racing yacht, constant effort and considerable skill is required by the crew to keep the sails trimmed to gain maximum performance, added...

How to trim a genoa sail

by Simon Jollands | Boat Handling, Crewing skills, Navigation, Yacht ownership

I recently had two new sails made by Sanders Sails, based in Lymington UK. The first to arrive was the new genoa and it took me a little while to get to know it and learn how to adjust it correctly. Here is an aide memoire for getting to know how to trim a genoa so...

Liferafts

by Simon Jollands | Boat Handling, Communications, Crewing skills, Emergencies, First Aid at Sea, Yacht ownership

A liferaft is an essential piece of equipment to carry on offshore or coastal passages and should be regularly serviced by professionals according to manufacturers’ recommendations. Liferafts should be stowed where they are ready for immediate launching. All...

How to cope with an emergency at sea

by Simon Jollands | Boat Handling, Communications, Crewing skills, Emergencies, Yacht ownership

We enjoy ourselves on the water knowing full well there are risks attached. The same applies to most sporting activities and many leisure pursuits, but this does not put us off indulging in such fulfilling pastimes. A safe skipper will be mentally prepared for all...

Fractures, sprains and dislocations at sea

by Simon Jollands | Boat Handling, Crewing skills, Emergencies, Preparation

Moving about a boat at sea often results in a few knocks and bruises, but if a crew member has a fall or major bump and is in serious pain, they should be examined and treated accordingly. The risk of this happening can be reduced by keeping one hand holding the boat...