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Tips and advice for staying safe on a sailboat at sea

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...

Sailing into fog – being prepared and staying safe

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...

Pre-start engine checks

by Simon Jollands | Boat Maintenance, Preparation, Yacht ownership

According to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) almost one third of emergency call outs at sea are caused by mechanical failure. Many engine breakdowns are avoidable. The best way to avoid a breakdown is to carry out pre-start checks before heading out to...

Boat maintenance – what does it involve?

by Simon Jollands | Boat Maintenance, Preparation, Yacht ownership

Maintenance involves keeping something in good condition, as close to its manufactured state as possible. The maintenance of a boat involves things like cleaning, varnishing, painting, polishing, antifouling, servicing the engine, servicing the seacocks, and...

Jester Challenge 2022 – Sailing single handed from Plymouth UK to the Azores: Part 10 – The Return Trip

by Bernie Branfield | Boat Handling, Boat Maintenance, Communications, Crewing skills, Emergencies, 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...

Keeping boat records and doing checks

by Simon Jollands | Boat Maintenance, Preparation, Yacht ownership

This is our second post in a series intended for new boat owners and any existing owners who want some help and advice on keeping records and doing checks. Keeping boat records A boat’s records should provide information about maintenance schedules, when...