Category Archives: Skipper’s Tip

Your First Few Sails

Too often, the tips you read are directed towards experienced sailors trying to improve on their sailing skills.  It seems like tip writer’s forget about the new sailor.  Here are a few thoughts to consider during those first few very important … Continue reading

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Using a Kellet

There’s a word you don’t see every day. So, what is it? A kellet is a 15 to 25 pound weight, which you “hang” from the anchor rode. Often, it’s referred to as a sentinel, although technically, that is the … Continue reading

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Know Your Depths

We had an opportunity recently to check depths in the mooring field at Ayala Cove and the docks at Sam’s Anchor Cafe. The results were surprising! At a zero tide: Depths on the west and southwest sides of the mooring … Continue reading

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What’s in a Gust

A few days ago I was checking the weather forecast for that day on San Francisco Bay.  It was a pretty mild wind forecast for late August, winds from the SW at 15 with gusts to 25, however it got … Continue reading

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Capt. Craig’s Top Ten Scariest Advanced Coastal Cruising Stories

September 2013 Introduction: So… why I am sharing these stories? As we turn more instructors and members loose to sail “outside the gate”, I think it is important to share some important hard-earned lessons about sailing in the Gulf of … Continue reading

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Beware the Lee Shore!!!

We have all heard it and all believe it, but really, what is a Lee Shore. Its not just the “land” to leeward … it’s also the row of boats behind you as you back out of an upwind slip. … Continue reading

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Crew Overboard Practice

You can never practice crew overboard recoveries too much! If a real crew overboard happens you want instinct and “muscle memory” to take over. Only practice will get you to that point. For a bit of extra practice try cleaning … Continue reading

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Boat Handling Under Power – Part 2

Hopefully, by now you have done the boat exercises in Part 1.  If so, you know the “advance” and “transfer” associated with your favorite boat. You may have noticed that advance and transfer is different while turning to starboard than … Continue reading

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Skipper’s Tip – Observation

Notice the physical manifestations of the numbers you find in your tide book and weather forecast. Is the flag blowing lazily or vigorously? Did your barometer fall and rise again as the weather front came through? Did you see “mackerel … Continue reading

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Wind Speed

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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