Category Archives: Nautical Terminator

Nautical Terminator – Points

Posted on January 5, 2020 by Tony Johnson

            Our contemporary way of reading a compass is called the “three-figure” method, referring to the three numerals called out to the helmsperson by the navigator, as in “steer three-two-zero.” Early compass cards, however, were divided not into 360 degrees … Continue reading →

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Nautical Terminator – Curse Like a Sailor

Posted on December 16, 2019 by Tony Johnson

The other day at a Tradewinds instructors meeting, the estimable Craig Walker, a true gentleman and our most accomplished teacher, opined that we should not be cursing during class. Now, on the one hand, I completely agree that our instructors … Continue reading →

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Nautical Terminator – Nautical Mile

Posted on December 2, 2019 by Tony Johnson

By Tradewinds instructor Tony Johnson As we all learn in our first navigation class, a nautical mile equals one minute of latitude. Therefore, the distance in nautical miles between the equator and the poles is, by definition, 90 degrees times … Continue reading →

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Sandbaggers

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Tony Johnson

The term “sandbag” is used in several seemingly unrelated senses. As a verb it can mean to emplace bags to prevent flooding; to pretend to be a duffer at golf or poker or auto racing, only to reveal your mastery … Continue reading →

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Wind Speed

Posted on April 1, 2013 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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King Tides

Posted on February 14, 2013 by TW-Brandy

By Tradewinds Instructor 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. … Continue reading →

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Nautical Terminator – Headsail

Posted on January 7, 2013 by TW-Brandy

By Tradewinds Instructor Tony Johnson              Even though the term may not be common up here in the land of the America’s Cup, I’ve heard headsails called “headies” by those sailors from down under who … Continue reading →

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