Yachting Monthly - Expert Sailing Tips, Gear Reviews, and News

Start with a precise line routing plan before departure; use the chartplotter to confirm bearings, plot buoy spacing, compare shore marks; verify the edge of the weather window; vessels stay within the limit; adjust for wind, tide, traffic.

Run a concise equipment audit prior to departure: life jackets, throwable flotation, fenders, lines, charts, VHF, chartplotter backup, GPS, emergency beacon; for vessels going offshore, carry spare parts: fuel filters, impeller, seal kit; test bilge pump; confirm battery voltage, solar charger function; prepare a one-page checklist kept with rulers, bearings, mark placements for quick reference; crew members work together using that sheet.

Adopt practical handling styles emphasizing line-of-sight bearings; for boats in busy lanes, maintain distance from buoys; for slow-moving vessels, shorten the routing line; ensure shore marks are precise; keep crew alert for changing weather windows.

Route planning must reflect the edge of tides, currents, visibility; adjust to those factors quite quickly depending on local swell. Use accurate marks on the chartplotter; position bearings to keep line aligned with shoals, buoys, shore features; position the vessel nearer to the edge of the safe corridor when traffic is heavy; then drop back down if wind shifts require caution.

Industry updates arrive via concise briefs; visuals; practical checklists allow fast adaptation. Track changes in tide tables, buoy relocations, chartplotter firmware releases; compare with local harbor conditions; these briefs are helpful for crews to refine their routing decisions.

Kit evaluations replace obsolete equipment assessments; compare price, durability, weight; assess compatibility with existing systems; verify waterproof protection, battery life, mounting ease; note depreciation curves for common rigs on vessels within 6–12 m, 12–20 m.

Regular practice keeps crews prepared; rotate roles; rehearse emergency drills; log performance; adjust templates for next passage; those actions raise consistency, reduce risk across vessels going coastwise or offshore.

Practical Navigation, Equipment Insights for Sailors

Always plot position fixes at set intervals; head to the chart, verify bearing; adjust speed, log the course to each waypoint.

Positioning depending on visibility; training, information; practical checks.

Together build a routine that cross-checks contour lines, routes, boundary limits.

Long passages require discipline; hazard awareness stays on; risk stays manageable.

Because something shifts position, revert to training signals.

Having extra charts serves as a buffer in poor visibility.

Contour data informs turn points during transitions; streams of tide influence head-up decisions; maintain a steady lookout.

Positioning depending on wind shifts; head remains on a margin that respects boundary.

Routes selection relies on contour cues plus short, predictable routes for quick adjustments.

Equipment kit includes backup power; spare compass; waterproof chart case; handheld VHF; reliable headlamp; paper charts.

Training guidance: profiles across crews; practice translates streams of information into clear decisions.

This class of checks reduces surprises during passages.

This approach makes decision making swifter.

Case study: GPS failure; switch to dead reckoning using heading sensor, shoreline features, contour cues.

Elsewhere keep a note on alternate routes for future crossings.

Hazard awareness remains paramount; weather streams respond to wind shifts; adjust head angle to reduce risk.

Interpreting marine forecasts for the next 12 hours

Use the 0–12 hour forecast as backbone of a short-term plan. The forecast doesnt capture every detail; in the cockpit, chartplotter visible; cross-check with a second source to verify trends, which helps confirm consistency; pick routing that stays inside comfortable wind corridors; avoid sharp gusts; leave space to back off if conditions worsen.

1. Wind evolution: 0–2 h 12–18 knots from 210°; 2–6 h 18–26 knots from 235°; 6–12 h 22–28 knots from 250°; gusts to 30–32 knots possible. Action: reef 1 before heavy squalls; pick smaller headsail; adjust sheets; monitor changes via chartplotter; tag waypoints to mark shifts; then compare with masthead sensor readouts; wind profiles help anticipate gusts.
2. Sea state: seas 2–3 m, rising to 3–4 m with wind increase; chop from stern; reduce speed; maintain heel 8–12 degrees; autopilot adjust; crew need to stay alert; adjust sail trim on gusts; avoid heavy loads.
3. Visibility and precipitation: showers reduce visibility to 2–4 NM; radar recommended; watch for slick patches; secure cockpit; keep loose items stowed; wear PFDs for first-time crew when near squalls.
4. Fronts, squalls, shifts: cold front crossing 4–8 h; sudden gusts; pressure falls; expect isolated squalls; forecast tags indicate lines; plan routing to avoid lines; choose edge of front while staying inside safe waters; maintain ability to reduce sail quickly; Imagine a few seconds for change; be ready to back off.
5. Routing strategy: prefer a path along the wind highway; minimize tacks; keep a margin of 5–8 miles from squall lines; if wind exceeds 30–32 knots or gusts intensify, drop headsail; switch to mainsail only; maintain steerage with cockpit monitor; ensure clear visible area; pick a route that reduces exposure in the 0–12 hour window; then review at 00:30 updates.
6. Equipment readiness: chartplotter visible; VHF working; radar operational; backup power for electronics; secure loose objects to avoid obvious hazards; life raft checked; weather tags on key waypoints mark hazards; plan 0–12 hour measurement intervals; keep monitor.

Trim by wind: sail adjustments for different points of sail

Close-hauled: here the target is forward center of effort with weather helm moderated. Trim correctly to keep the boat balanced. Mainsheet tightens to place the center of effort slightly forward of the rudder pivot; jib trim keeps the luff clean. Halyard tension stabilizes the mast; vang controls leech twist. Depths of draft are minimized by trim that keeps telltales steady. It is a calculated balance based on basics of rig characteristics; planning for coastal passages remains essential. This belongs to a class of practical tuning for the coastal skipper.

Close reach: towards the wind, slight aft of close-hauled; twist management remains important. Mainsheet loosens a touch; jib trim keeps the luff readable. Traveler moves toward the center to reduce weather helm; vang maintains leech shape. Thinking through mark positions on a coastal course helps planning for headlands, transits, depths.

Beam reach: quite a bit of sail out; speed increases with moderate twist. Like a highway across the wind, flow remains attached when trim is tuned for balance. Mainsail trimmed toward the centerline; jib eased until telltales stream fairly. Halyard tension reduced; outhaul controls draft along the boom.

Broad reach: hugging the wind with the wind angle around 90 to 120 degrees. Sails eased until the luff remains responsive; telltales stay lit. Vang pressure kept light; traveller near midline ensures keel balance.

Running: downwind with the breeze fairly aft. Mainsheet eased to widen the arc; jib or genoa trimmed lightly to keep a stable angle of attack. The approach suits coastal transits where current variation occurs; depths, shoal water demand quick trim changes. источник: commercial guide notes.

Packing for a weekend coastal cruise: the compact gear checklist

Start with one compact main pack, a roll-top dry bag; supplement with a small daypack. Load zones by purpose, not by volume.

Knowing coastal conditions, choose weatherproof shells; base layers, fleece, thermal tops; compact layering system.

Next, classify items into profiles for quick manoeuvre: critical navigation, safety, camping kit, cameras, spare batteries; used items stay in outer pocket.

Routing of cables in the pack; avoid tangles, keep power bank reachable; those choices help the experience stay smooth. East coast runs require sun protection; keep sunscreen ready; youve planned where to stash spare batteries.

Check long-range plan for east coast routing; owners of those craft know taxing passages demand discipline. Rulers of weight, space guide the compact plan. Good baseline keeps load manageable.

Rock solid packing saves time, supports experience, hugging shore lines; best chance of travel success.

Gear reviews snapshot: top picks for handheld VHF, AIS, and GPS

Recommendation: DSC-capable 6W handheld VHF with IPX8 rating; built-in GPS; long battery life; loud, clear audio; emergency call capability. Example: Icom IC-M36. Specs to expect: 6W output; IPX8 protection; integrated GPS; DSC functionality; typical battery life 9–12 hours. For downstream transit, check memory for channel 16, 70; below the display confirm DSC status. Boater safety improves with DSC readiness; training before anything else ensures you operate quickly during drills. Time matters when a call must go through; markers appear on chart display regardless of weather. DSC uses quick alert functions; this setup keeps you looking ahead; this approach is safer where visibility is limited; useful where you must communicate in foul conditions. Two drills cover things you must know. Operate without external power for longer trips; often you will need to adapt to changing conditions.

Top pick for AIS portable: compact Class B transceiver; built-in GPS; NMEA 2000 bridge; 8–12 hour battery; IPX7 protection; simple control; loud speaker. Why: better situational awareness for a boater; markers list vessel name, course, speed on screen for them; information updates accurately. Where to use: coastal harbors, anchorages, rivers; left bank moorings compatible. That isnt a toy for casual cruising; left-right toggles let you focus on nearby targets. That is possible with a small portable AIS receiver; check compatibility with chart plotter to expand coverage. Must verify settings before deployment; training helps interpretation of vessel data.

GPS handheld: Garmin inReach Mini 2; global satellite coverage; 2-way messaging; SOS function; compact, rugged design; battery life varies with tracking rate; offline maps support; left side micro-USB port for charging. For training, boater checks subscription plan prior to use; check-in intervals set to match voyage; looking at the screen reveals position, breadcrumb trail. Sometimes you must switch off tracking to save battery; you can share location with crew; where to set privacy options; setting options must be configured before departure. That isnt a toy for coastal cruising; often this setup helps with route planning where you must point toward the next waypoint. Looking at the map, you left the old waypoint and move forward; this layout is helpful during drills.

Pre-sail safety routine: quick deck and rig checks you can perform in 10 minutes

Begin with a 10-minute safety routine using a designated, time-boxed checklist; apply techniques for a quick deck scan; rig inspection; safety-gear audit; communication test.

Determine which items require action by mark on deck using a simple menu: red marks indicate needed action; blue marks denote completed tasks.

Deck scan covers rails; stanchions; lifelines; hatches; check for separation, corrosion, fraying, loose hardware; signs of water ingress; check saltwater exposure on fittings; operate bilge pump switch to verify operation.

Rig check: confirm halyard tension; verify main halyard; verify jib halyard; inspect masthead sheaves; confirm cleated lines sit flat; test turnbuckles rotating freely.

Safety gear audit: fasten PFDs; check harnesses; tethers; inspect throwable buoy; verify class labeling on extinguisher; confirm pressure; verify expiry dates.

Communication test: power VHF; test DSC; practice hailing using a designated MOB call; confirm radio procedure; check backup signaling.

Role allocation: assign a simple routine to each crew member; rotating tasks ensures coverage; use a short briefing to confirm responsibilities.

Dividers on deck: create marked sections for quick navigation; keep a pocket card with the 10-minute checklist.

Navigating waterways: verify designated channels; check marker characteristics; plan a safe route; whilst pausing at markers for quick visual checks.

Time control: establish a timer of 2–3 minutes per item; back on track if a subtask bears a drawback; resume with the next priority.

Road map for safety: traveling with saltwater voyages requires a reachable plan; use a simple rule set that reduces risk; adjust routine after each voyage.

Made to last, this routine remains practical; saltwater experience shows it cuts delays.