Out at sea, collision risk is checked by ascertaining whether or not the vessel in question is maintaining a steady bearing relative to you. Initially, this is spotted by keeping your head still and …
Climb up for a better look
When you are looking for a buoy or a beacon at long range, don’t stay sitting in the cockpit. Your height of eye down there is so low that you won’t see your target until you are far closer than you …
TURNING UP
The only certainty about how to make fast to a cleat is that there are a number of equally good ways of doing it. In deciding which to use, the questions to ask are: If I secure it like this, will it …
Radar watch in the real world
To be fully effective, a radar operator should be watching developments almost constantly. In a small yacht where perhaps only the skipper is qualified to interpret the screen, this may be an …
‘D’you want salt and vinegar?’
A gallon can of malt vinegar costs next to nothing compared with most yacht unctions, yet it has many uses on board. In addition to revitalising a plate of chips rendered beyond salvation by a route …
Lifting a swimmer
The subject of how to lift a man-overboard casualty is endlessly mooted in sailing schools and among cruising people. If a boat has an electric or hydraulic anchor winch with a warping drum, however, …
