How to Use Navigation Rules to Avoid Boating Collisions
The Inland Navigation Rules help ensure that two boats do not collide on the water - much as rules for driving a car do on land. The U.S. Coast Guard enforces these rules on waters connected with the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans, or the Gulf of Mexico. [... more]
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How to Perform a Safe Ducking Maneuver in Sailing
If you're in doubt of crossing and don't have rights, you'd better duck and be decisive about it. Safe ducking will keep the insurance companies off your back and will keep you out of the protest room, the shipyard and the hospital. Know your ... [... more]
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How to Prepare for Your Start in Sailboat Racing
Practice makes perfect. Sometimes the best practice is observation. Arrive at the course early to check in with the committee boat and practice sailing upwind and downwind. Position your boat in an area off to the side but in view of the starting ... [... more]
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How to Raise a Mainsail Safely
Raising and lowering the sails on a sailboat is easy once you know the ropes. Remember, safety first; keep one hand for the boat, and one hand for the task. Uncover the mainsail and store the cover below decks or in a lazerette. Determine which ... [... more]
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How to Buy a Boat
Boating is an activity that you can do for life. Few things equal the fun of getting out on a body of water and being captain of your own vessel, whether it is a canoe or a yacht. This brief guide will walk you through the initial steps to ... [... more]
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How to Know When to Take All the Way Off
Operating at times of limited visibility, especially fog, is always hazardous. For smaller boats without radar, it is especially dangerous. While maneuvering away from danger is always preferable, the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. admiralty courts ... [... more]
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How to Motor Away from a Mooring in a Sailboat
One of the biggest challenges when it comes to sailing? Getting started at the beginning of the day. Check the other boats on nearby moorings and look at the way that the water is flowing to determine the direction of the tide. Not much going on ... [... more]
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How to Rig the Main Sail on a Sailboat
One of the most important tasks for the sailor is raising the main sail. This task can be extremely difficult if strong winds are prevalent. In light air, it is usually no problem at all. The following steps will guide even a beginner through how ... [... more]
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How to Tie a Clove Hitch
A clove hitch is a simple knot sailors use for tying up to a mooring or for securing fenders to a rail or stanchions. Although not the strongest knot, it is simple and quick to tie and you can make it more secure by keeping a longer working ... [... more]
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How to Tie a Granny Knot
The granny knot can be used to secure a rope or line around something. The granny knot is not a sturdy knot and should not be used to attach two ropes together, because it can slip easily. The granny knot is typically used as the beginning of ... [... more]
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How to Tie a Sheet's Bend or Sheet's Shank
A sheet's bend or sheet's shank is one of the surest ways to connect 2 lines of different diameter. For the surest knot, make the loop out of the thicker line. Make a loop in the thicker of the 2 lines. Hold that loop in your left hand. Pass the ... [... more]
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How to Understand Basic Nautical Terms
Sailing has a language all its own and learning some basic words and phrases will not only allow the novice to understand what's happening but could keep the inexperienced sailor out of trouble. There are literally thousands of nautical phrases. ... [... more]
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