On a small boat in really heavy weather the only thing most of us want to do is lie in our bunk wishing it would all go away. If you’re seasick it must be ten times worse. Going on deck to take action to secure the survival of the boat is a frightening proposition. It’s …
Sailors fall into two categories – those that have run aground and those that will run aground. I have run aground countless times – seven transits of the US ICW and gunkholing in the skinny waters of the Bahamas and Chesapeake Bay will do that to you – and it’s usually a pretty harmless event. …
What is seamanship? The dictionaries define it as the skill or technique or art of handling a boat or ship at sea. It surely is that, but I think it’s a bit more. Seamanship is certainly about having the sailor’s basic skills, but it must also be about judgement. Good seamanship isn’t just being able …
Under sail with the engine stopped, does a fixed blade propeller create more drag when it’s locked or when it’s allowed to freewheel? The answer is unequivocal: There is less drag when the propeller is allowed to rotate. Scientists at MIT and at Strathclyde University agree on this. Michigan Wheel Marine, the propeller manufacturer, agrees. …
If you’re interested in storm tactics this site might be worth a look: Drogues and sea anchor experiences Personally I’ve never even considered deploying a drogue or a parachute anchor; I’ve either hove-to or run before, depending on sea conditions and sea room.