Seamanship manuals are full of good advice about chafing gear. Usually, it’s all about making sure your ropes don’t wear through…

Hands up the sailor who’s never dropped a vital shackle pin into the water?

Many a yacht crew has to struggle with heaving in a purchase because the lead off the final block is bad.

Wind-against-tide anchoring is always a potential nightmare. The problem is that the boat lines herself up with the tide, which places her more or less stern to the wind.

The predicted tide height can vary by a foot or more depending on atmospheric pressure.

This tip is offered to all gaffers and boats fortunate enough to have a bowsprit.

The calculation to avoid involuntary drying out when anchoring on a falling tide is a lot easier than many imagine.

If you sail in central southern England, you’ll find spring high waters equate to midnight and mid-day.

The easiest way to calibrate a log is to wait until you’re operating inside a lock somewhere…

Roller genoas have revolutionised cruising under sail, but without a bit of basic maintenance they can still make life a lot tougher than it need be.