Learn to sail Archives - Page 5 of 6 - Safe Skipper Boating & Safety Afloat Apps for phones & tablets

Boat ownership – some fundamentals

by Simon Jollands | Boat Maintenance, Preparation, Yacht ownership

Owning a boat is a big commitment that should bring no end of satisfaction for the owner as well as the owner’s family and friends. In return for bringing all that joy, a boat deserves and needs a good deal of care and attention. Right now may not be the ideal...

Sailing into a storm

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

Sailing solo into a storm – some lessons learned Weather forecasting has become increasingly accurate in recent years, thanks largely to weather satellite technology and ever increasing computer power. As a result, those of us who go sailing on a regular basis,...

Weather forecasting resources and tips

by Simon Jollands | Boat Handling, Communications, Navigation, Preparation

All competent sailors need to have a good basic understanding of how to interpret a weather forecast. They also need to be able to interpret the actual conditions they are experiencing. Most weather forecasts present a general picture of what to expect in a given area...

Essential yacht tender safety for skippers and crew

by Simon Jollands | Boat Handling, Crewing skills, Preparation

Essential yacht tender safety – the dangers inherent in using a dinghy to get ashore from a moored or anchored yacht are all too easily underestimated. A recent experience caused me to have a serious think about essential yacht tender safety. Recently I faced...

Capsize – understanding the risks

by Simon Jollands | Boat Handling, Emergencies, Preparation

A skipper should know how their boat will cope with rough seas. By working within known limits and understanding the risks, then the chances of a capsize occurring are much reduced. Safety is all about improving the odds. When considering the odds of a boat capsizing,...