Author Archives: Tony Johnson

Safe To Go

Posted on September 1, 2024 by Tony Johnson

There is really no such thing as safe to go; if you want to be safe, don’t go. Said Saint Thomas Aquinas seven centuries ago: “If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep … Continue reading →

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Some Tidal Astronomy

Posted on July 22, 2024 by Tony Johnson

In the left column of the daily pages in your tide book, you’ll see the phases of the Moon, and in the columns to the right of a full and new Moon, you’ll see that some of the heights are … Continue reading →

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Nautical Terminator – Corinthian (Part 1)

Posted on May 25, 2024 by Tony Johnson

In sailing, the word “Corinthian” refers to the non-professional arm of the sport. Sailors compete for the love of it, not for any monetary reward. At some levels of racing, this distinction is strictly enforced according to rules of the … Continue reading →

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Nautical Terminator – Opening Day

Posted on April 25, 2024 by Tony Johnson

Baseball and fishing have opening days for the season, but what opens? A gate? A bottle? In the case of sailing on San Francisco Bay there was once something that actually did open on opening day.           In many parts … Continue reading →

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Nautical Terminator – Roger

Posted on April 14, 2024 by Tony Johnson

Tradewinds instructor Dan Seifers asked me the other day why we say “Roger” on the radio to confirm we’ve received a message. Why Roger, and not Reginald, or for that matter, Hermione?             If you go cruising you’ll probably want … Continue reading →

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Nautical Terminator – Pronunciation (Part 2)

Posted on April 7, 2024 by Tony Johnson

Last time we spoke of the odd pronunciations of some sailing terms. Today we will delve into some less certain ones.           Saloon: Some folks use “salon” when referring to the dining and lounging area belowdecks. Well, do you go … Continue reading →

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Nautical Terminator – Pronunciation (Part 1)

Posted on March 31, 2024 by Tony Johnson

I once heard Bugs Bunny derisively call someone a “maroon.” Bugs didn’t know how to pronounce “moron,” thereby proving he was one. Tradewinds’ BKB class introduces the word “bowline,” which is not pronounced like it looks. The “bow” should sound … Continue reading →

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Women Who’ve Been Around

Posted on March 17, 2024 by Tony Johnson

This month is women’s history month, and as if to put an exclamation point on that, on March 7, 29-year-old, 5’2” 100-pound Cole Brauer claimed her permanent place in the history of sailing when she sailed her First Light across … Continue reading →

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Nautical Terminator – King Tides

Posted on March 10, 2024 by Tony Johnson

In this world of few certainties, there is one thing that I am certain of: I am not certain how the tides work. Oh, it’s the moon’s gravity, and I think the sun is involved. Well, then, how is it … Continue reading →

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Nautical Terminator – How Hard is it Blowing?

Posted on March 3, 2024 by Tony Johnson

How hard is it blowing? I once used the phrase “it’s blowing like snot” in the presence of a Chesapeake sailor, who was horrified. He much preferred “blowing like spit.” Bay area sailors will have heard it said that it … Continue reading →

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