The techniques for adjusting standing rigging are as old as the history of sailing itself. Some consider it an art, while others prefer to leave it to the professionals. The prevailing view is that improper adjustment will slow the boat down and may even be dangerous. A few tips can...
I came across two videos on the Sailing Zingaro channel that describe relatively well the desirable characteristics of an offshore sailboat. The comments seem well-founded enough for me to say that these are two good reference videos. In particular, the impact of the hull shape on the boat’s maneuverability, the...
Setting the scene A ship leaves New York, USA, bound for Brest, France. Assuming it takes the shortest route, what will be its departure course? If it is sailing at 15 knots, how long will it take to reach Brest? The coordinates of the two ports are known (below). City...
Last season took its toll on one end of a mooring line on Jean-du-Sud. A repair was in order. I took advantage of the repair to make a short video on how to repair it. I show how to tie a backsplice and a crown knot. I’ll show you how...
This short text describes two particular cases of navigation lights that have come to my attention in recent days. Both are in situations of reduced visibility, or at night. I found the examples interesting because they reveal parts of the navigation lights conventions that are less well known. Three red...
Navigation is about getting from point A to point B in a safe and fun manner. 8 fundamental concepts of arithmetic are required to do so. Read them here.
Here are ten techniques to compute tidal windows. Some of them are useful in practice, others are useful for exams. Read the section that suits your needs.
Here are 22 knots for practical use in a maritime context. Each knot is a variant of 9 basic knots. So, in terms of learning, you can start by concentrating on these basic knots and then learn the variants. In terms of assessment, the first five basic knots are part...
Jean-du-Sud can be seen in an article about windvanes. The article mentions Caphorn products. There is a deep history connecting Jean-du-Sud to CapHorn products. You cean read about it here.
To claim the title of Master, you need more than being in charge of a boat. You need to pass exams, accumulate sea time and seek training. This text explores how to become one, but also nuances the various titles of “Master”. For example, a “Master 60” does not have...
