Cruising Tips

SAIL's Tip of the Week

by Peter Nielsen, Posted May 12, 2013

When you’re under sail, your boat will not be traveling a straight line through the water but will drift slightly to leeward. The amount of “leeway” a sailboat makes is dependent on many factors—wind strength, hull shape, and current—

Understanding the Rule of Twelfths for Tide Prediction

by Teresa Carey, Posted April 12, 2013

The fog was rolling in quickly, and the sun would soon be setting. I was bound for Provincetown at the tip of Cape Cod, a long peninsula that extends east and loops north like the tip of an elf’s shoe.

Galley Knife Storage

by Zuzana Prochazka, Posted March 26, 2013

Keeping sharp knives in drawers on boats is not only a waste of prime storage real estate, it is also dangerous, as you can easily cut yourself rummaging through the drawer with your fingers.

Is Sandy Hook Light on the Move?

by Teresa Carey, Posted March 25, 2013

I had been warned about the swirling currents of Hell Gate, but it was the profusion of lights from ships, shore and navigational aids that overwhelmed me as I entered Lower New York Bay after sunset in search of an overnight anchorage.

Stern Anchor Dinghy Bracket

by Zuzana Prochazka, Posted March 22, 2013

Setting a stern anchor is not for the faint of heart and can be a real pain. My friend Maurice Roper belongs to a club that always anchors in the same cove where anchors fore and aft are mandatory.

Miracle Stain Removal

by Stuart Attwood, Posted March 18, 2013

Often when cleaning our boat, we have to remove stubborn stains and marks from the fiberglass. My girlfriend has discovered that Mr. Clean Magic Eraser will remove the toughest marks with little or no scrubbing.

Get the Best Out of Your Furling Headsail

by Peter Nielsen, Posted March 14, 2013

Getting set for the first sail of the season? Here's a quick guide to getting the best out of your furling headsail.

Ground Rules: Anchoring in Three Dimensions

by Don Casey, Posted March 11, 2013

Anchoring involves more than dropping a chunk of metal overboard and fastening your boat to it. The best way to improve your technique is through practice, but this can be hard to come by if your boat is often on a mooring or dock.

Ring Around the Headstay

by Charles J. Doane, Posted February 28, 2013

The first bareboat I ever hired in the Virgin Islands, many moons ago, was from a small hole-in-the-wall charter outfit with a rather motley fleet of vessels.

Voice of Experience: Up Against It

by Duane Bennett, Posted February 27, 2013

The wind was too light to sail, so we started out motoring. Soon, however, my buddy’s motor started heating up. The access hatch was buried under camping gear, and he didn’t want to investigate right then, so he shut his engine down, and I took his boat in tow.