Essential Knots: Figure of eight
Use: Stopper knot, prevents a rope from being pulled through a hole e.g. through a block or ring.
Step 1. Make a bight. Pass the working end over the standing part to make a loop.
Step 2. Pass the working end under and up through the loop.
Step 3. Pull on the end and standing part to tighten the knot.
Tip:
Practice tying a stopper knot at the end of a rope using a figure of eight knot.
Check out our Knot Bible app – a one stop guide to tying and understanding all of the 50 most useful nautical knots!
Sail boat rig checks – Part 1
Sailing boat rigs need to be checked regularly to reduce the risk of rig failure at sea. In part one of Sail boat rig checks we run through a series of useful checks that owners and skippers can carry out.
Essential Knots: Clove hitch
Steel and Aluminium Hulls
The two metals used for hull construction are steel and aluminium. These are both very strong materials and will last a long time as long as they are cared for, which primarily means protecting steel boats from rust and aluminium boats from electrolytic action.
Boating Rules of the Road – International ColRegs
First Aid at Sea – strains and sprains
Gybing a sailing boat
Marine diesel exhaust checks
You should inspect the exhaust system for corrosion damage regularly, especially around the injection bend. If you have noticed the engine exhaust smoking a lot during the sailing season this can also indicate a number of potential problems.
Rudders and steering systems – Part 1
Rudders and steering systems. A rudder is one of the most critical parts of a boat. Rudder failure is a common occurrence on neglected or overworked boats and a very unpleasant and potentially dangerous thing to happen when you are out at sea.
Sending distress signals
In an emergency situation at sea, it is a top priority is to know how to send and receive emergency radio calls and alert others of your predicament. Likewise, if you receive a distress signal, you must be ready to go to the help of others.
How to improve a yacht’s upwind performance
There are several ways to improve the upwind performance of a sailing yacht. Read on for some useful tips including headsail reefing, heavy weather jibs and motor sailing.
Sector lights, directional lights, leading lights – how do they differ?
Sailing & Motoring in Fog
Essential boat engine checklist
Top 5 Reasons Why an Inflatable SUP Should Be Your Next Yacht Accessory
Understanding your mast and rigging
Boat maintenance below decks
While most interior maintenance work can be done when a boat is afloat, some jobs such as servicing the seacocks have to be done ashore. It makes sense to do any major interior repairs and improvements with the boat hauled out in the boatyard.
Boat batteries
Under-sized battery banks are one of the key factors behind power failure at sea, as well as the premature failure of batteries, so make sure that your boat battery measures up to the use you want to put it to.
Preparing for sailboat cruising
Preparing for a sailing trip entails a lot of planning. In this blog, we take a look at some of the many safety aspects that a skipper needs to consider before heading off on a cruise.
Essential Boat Spares for Safety
Wooden Hull Repairs
While wooden boat hull maintenance is mostly straightforward, it is always a good idea to take expert advice on any repair job needed doing to a wooden boat, unless you have done the job before and know what you are doing.
You Need To Understand The IRPCS ColRegs To Pass Your Yachtmaster, Master of Yachts and Coxswain Certificate of Competence
Understanding tides
Avoiding collisions at sea – how to stay safe on the water
Hourly Checks when sailing or motoring
Sail boat rig checks – Part 2
In part two of Sail boat rig checks we run through some useful rig maintenance tips and then finish with a brief look at what a professional rig check involves.