Essential Knots: Reef knot
Use: Tying two ends of rope together, often used for tying up a bundle of loose sail around the boom.
Step 1. Take two ends of a rope. Use one as the working end.
Step 2. Right over left. Then under.
Step 3. Then left over right and under.
Step 4. Pull tight.
Tip: Practice tying a reef knot by using your shoelaces.
A one stop guide to tying and understanding all of the 50 most useful nautical knots!
Essential Yachting + Power Boat Safety Briefing
A five day sailing cruise of the Solent, UK
Rewiring a boat – overcoming the challenges involved
Seized fixings and fastenings
Maintaining a boat can be a rewarding experience but at times it can also be frustrating. A prime example of this is when you come across a seized fixing or fastening that refuses to budge. Read our tips on how to release and fix them:
Essential Boat Safety Briefing
Repairing chips and dings in gelcoat
The gelcoat topsides of a GRP boat can be pampered and restored to their former glory relatively easily when it is ashore. Gelcoat is only a very thin outer layer of the hull, often less than 1mm thick, so you should avoid cleaning it with highly abrasive cleaners, or an-ything that could potentially damage its surface.
Leaking decks
Leaking decks are perceived as a nuisance by some boat owners, but if leaks are ignored a much more serious situation may well be developing, especially in the case of boats with balsa or plywood deck cores. So deck leaks do need to be investigated and dealt with.
Wooden Hulls – Part 2
It is important to ensure the essential hull maintenance of a wooden boat is done, even if you are paying others to look after your boat for you. The priority is to prevent rot from taking hold. The protective layers of paint and varnish over wood are far more critical than on GRP boats, where the topsides are painted more for cosmetic reasons.
How to tackle osmosis
Sailing & Motoring in Fog
Distress flares – which flare, how & when to use?
Competent crew skills: mooring lines
Understanding tides
Fire prevention on boats
Navigation safety: a quick-reference mobile app to learn the ColRegs NavLights and Shapes
How to Avoid Collisions At Sea With The ColRegs
Tools and spares for your boat
Man Overboard Drill
ColRegs – avoiding collisions at sea
Cleaning & polishing painted topsides
The gelcoat topsides of a GRP boat can be pampered and restored to their former glory relatively easily when it is ashore. Gelcoat is only a very thin outer layer of the hull, often less than 1mm thick, so you should avoid cleaning it with highly abrasive cleaners, or an-ything that could potentially damage its surface.
