Tag Archives: Skipper’s Tip

Watch the Stern

First a “tip” then the detailed explanation with some practice exercises. The Tip: While docking in a slip (once the bow is in the slip) and when doing a fairway rotation, focus primarily on where the stern is with observation … Continue reading

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Skipper Tip, Lee Shores

“Lee Shore” is a term you learn in your very first ASA course, Basic Keel Boat. How often do we really think about our relationship to a lee shore when we are out sailing? Inexperienced sailors in particular should try … Continue reading

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Skipper’s Tip, Reefing Underway

Reefing Underway With the summer winds starting to blow, we thought we’d touch upon this very important subject. Allowing the sails to flog for extended periods greatly shortens sail life and leads to torn batten pockets and lost or broken … Continue reading

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Downwind Slip Skipper’s Tip!

Got the blues leaving the downwind slips? With the onset of summer and the steady winds, we’ve seen a few close calls in the fairway. This looks like a great time to publish a docking skipper’s tip! When backing out … Continue reading

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Skipper’s Tip – Corrosion & Equipment Failure

It has been said around Tradewinds that there are many things on a boat that can be fixed with liberal application of fresh water. Here are a few of our favorite examples of why that is true – please consider … Continue reading

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Speaking of Depths…

We are often asked, “Is the depth instrument on this boat set to the depth of water or depth below keel?” This is a question we will not likely answer. The answer is probably, “Neither!” and I’ll explain why: There … Continue reading

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Skipper’s Tip – Light Air Sail Trim

When I go sailing the San Francisco Bay in the light winter winds, I get so excited because I get to make adjustment to the sails and improve the boat’s speed. I have always liked to tinker with the sails … Continue reading

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Skipper’s Tip – Own a Chart!

Submitted by Tradewinds Instructor Tony Johnson Become familiar with your local waters by owning your own chart, along with chart #1, and studying it in unhurried leisure at home. You will soon become familiar with how charts represent aids to … Continue reading

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Skipper’s Tip – Know Your Tide Book

By Tony Johnson Learn to use the current mini-charts in the back of your tide book to plan your day. They display the behavior of the currents in the Bay for every hour of the tidal cycle. The instructions on … Continue reading

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Skipper’s Tip – VHF

With approximately 59 VHF marine channels available to us there is often confusion as to what channels are to be used.  Hopefully this tip will clear some of the fog. If the vessel has a VHF marine radio we are … Continue reading

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