Facts, Gas is heavier than air. Boats make perfect reservoirs for heavy gas to settle in. Used correctly gas is no threat. Used carelessly gas can be lethal. Burnt gas produces Carbon Monoxide. Boating folks are in the main clued-up about gas and the attendant risks, however in case of doubt it is…
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Communication is a Two-way Process, How do we communicate with other people when sailing? Wave? There is an old joke about a swimmer gesticulating frantically, ‘Is he waving or drowning?’ Any right-minded person would assume the worst and go to their assistance just in case. However, it does make a valid point about communication. According…
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As is often the case sailing close to the wind has its origins in sailing, in general life it means taking a risk, cutting it fine, and for experienced sailing skippers that is what life is about, the adrenaline rush, challenging yourself against the elements, enjoying the rush, literally. Sailing close to the wind…
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A magnetic compass uses the natural magnetism of the Globe upon which we all stand. Planet Earth has a magnetic field – North is north, and South is south. The pointer on a magnetic compass will always point Northward, once we know where North is, a fixed reference point, and we know that a circle…
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3 Square meals a day comes from the British Royal Navy where the sailor’s food was served on square wooden boards? Sailors were promised 3 squares (meals) a day when they signed on. Splicing the Main Brace was of the same origins and ran until July 1970 when the Royal Navy stopped issuing rum on…
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Knots perform important tasks in sailing and boating, and it is useful to know which is which. The purpose of knots in sailing is mostly to secure something using ropes, sheets, or lines and it is said that there are eight basic knots. Most of the knots in use have been developed and used since…
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When it is a Sheet. In general terms a rope is not called a rope when on a boat, so what is it called and why does it matter? It matters because communication is important when sailing on any boat where there are two or more people crewing, using the correct terminology is not about…
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Outboard motors have been around for many years, and they are noticeable across the world in one form or another from the most primitive to the ultra-sophisticated and massively powerful. Essentially an outboard motor is a very useful independent propulsion unit that is not an integral part of the boat. Mounted onto the transom, at…
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There is a lot of truth in the old adage for boating people especially. But, what is the tide and what does it mean to you? Experienced boaters and commercial mariners know how to work with the tides, newbie boaters and inexperienced sailors are advised to attend an approved training course to receive guidance about…
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All boats have a hull, from a dinghy to a super-yacht they all have at least one, some are tiny – size of tea tray (Hydrofoils) whereas others are vast. Since man hollowed out a tree trunk in order to paddle to where he wished to go boats have sat in the water with a…
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