This is the second of five articles on the use of electronic navigation applications. It focuses on the C-MAP application. The other texts cover the use of OpenCPN, Savy Navy, Navionics and SEAIQ. It focuses mainly on installations on tablets or cellular devices that are not connected to a sailboat’s...
This text is intended as an introduction to electronic charts. It is not an introduction to the use of chartplotters or to the use of applications showing electronic charts. It is an introduction to charts. It covers how they are designed, their types and formats. This knowledge helps to understand...
This text is the first in a series of five on electronic navigation applications. It shows you how to perform the most important navigation tasks, i.e. how to: This first text covers the Navionics (Boating) application. The other texts cover OpenCPN, Savyy Navy, C-MAP and SEAIQ respectively. The first part...
This series of texts describes how to carry out a familiarisation inspection of a sailboat. The first text described how to think about inspecting three of the nine fundamental components of a sailboat: the hull, the engine and the rigging. The second text, this one, illustrates how I familiarised myself...
Good news for Royal Yachting Association (RYA) commercial certificate holders. Australia now recognizes RYA training courses for the purposes of obtaining commercial certificate in Australia. Holding a YachtMaster certificate does not automatically entitle the holder to an Australian commercial certificate (“Sailing Master Offshore NC”), but it is a prerequisite. You...
Two years ago, I bought two travel backpacks – big enough to make a weekend suitcase, but small enough to pass the airline “carry-on” test. I bought the Travel Pack from AER and the Mile One from Black Mile. Both impressed me as well-organized, discreet-looking bags (black, no visible markings,...
Officially entitled ” Captain, with restrictions, of a vessel of less than 60 gross tonnage “, the “Master 60” is a Canadian professional certificate issued under the Canada 2001 Shipping Act. It entitles the holder to engage in commercial sailing activities. It confers all the powers – and responsibilities –...
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...
