Author Archives: Don Gilzean

Leeward Docking at the Pump Out Station

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Don Gilzean

Earlier, we looked at  the D dock Pontoon Pump Station Bowen Basin.  In this installment, we explore docking to leeward of the same dock.  The choice of going to windward or leeward is entirely the skipper’s.  Docking to windward is … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 2 Comments

Windward Docking at the Pump Out Station

Posted on January 11, 2016 by Don Gilzean

Observing the “D” dock pump out station is quite educational; sometimes its down right humorous.  There are only two sides to the dock, which pretty much limits the number of docking options.  The north side of the dock (typically the leeward side) is … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Skipper's Tip | 3 Comments

Don’t Sail to a Timeline

Posted on January 4, 2016 by Don Gilzean

Sailing to a specific time schedule can be dangerous.  Trying to “get there” at a specific time, or wanting to trim 20 minutes off your sailing ETA may create a situation where you put yourself at risk. While returning from Drakes Bay … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Skipper's Tip | Leave a comment

Have a Fender at the Ready

Posted on December 28, 2015 by Don Gilzean

Someone asked me once where I get the ideas for the skipper’s tips.  My answer was, “watching the docks.”  If you watch, it doesn’t take long to see something tip worthy.  On any Saturday you will see at least one instance were … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Leave a comment

Have You Heard From My Husband?

Posted on December 21, 2015 by Don Gilzean

Kind of a strange way to start a conversation, however, that’s just what happened the other day. It seems a club member was missing.  He had left the house the previous morning for a day sail.  He called in that … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 1 Comment

Major Difficulties Start with Small Errors

Posted on November 16, 2015 by Don Gilzean

I am always amazed at how often a small error committed on a sailboat results in major difficulties. A couple of weeks ago, while crewing for another skipper, I was assigned the task of releasing the bow line in preparation for departure. … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Leave a comment

Warm Bread, Hot Tea, and a Good Story

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Don Gilzean

A few days ago I spent the night on my boat, waking at six in the morning to the smell of baking bread.  There are very few aromas in the world that smell better!  All I could do was get … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Skipper's Tip | 1 Comment

Keep Your Skills Fresh

Posted on November 2, 2015 by Don Gilzean

Here’s a quick tip for you.  If you want to keep your sailing skills fresh, take out a Capri once in a while. First, it’s amazing how much feedback you get on a small boat with a tiller.  Second, some maneuvers that … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Skipper's Tip | Leave a comment

Tack, Tack, & Tacking a.k.a. Five Tips to Improve Your Tacking

Posted on October 12, 2015 by Don Gilzean

Tack, Tack, and Tacking … so confusing.  Are we talking about the lower, leading corner of a sail, the side of the boat the wind is coming from, or the process of turning the boat through the wind so that the … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Skipper's Tip | 2 Comments

Emergency Preparedness

Posted on October 5, 2015 by Don Gilzean

“The boat’s on fire!” “The steering wheel isn’t working at all!” “I think the steering cables broke!” “The jib is tangled up and I can’t furl it! I really dislike all those doom and gloom skipper’s tips out there, however, … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Skipper's Tip | 3 Comments