Category Archives: Sailing and Boating Skills

Buntline Hitch

Posted on June 8, 2014 by captnmike

The Buntline Hitch is a very secure, but little known knot.  It’s history goes back to the age of sail when a knot was needed that would stay tied to the foot of the sails on Square-Rigged Ships with the … Continue reading →

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Making Pelican Hook Lanyards & Key Fobs

Posted on May 19, 2014 by captnmike

You can save money by making your own colorful Pelican Hook / Shackle Lanyards.  They are quick and easy to make and you can pick your own colors. Key Fobs make great Christmas and Birthday gifts for your non sailing … Continue reading →

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Improved Fender Whip–Part 2

Posted on April 30, 2014 by captnmike

This improved Fender Whip is easier to handle and holds knots much better than a regular three strand or double braid fender whip. Standard fender whips made of three strand or double braid are stiffer and over time become even … Continue reading →

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How to Tie a Spilled Hitch Bowline

Posted on April 9, 2014 by captnmike

Tying a Bowline using the Spilled Hitch method is a quick and easy, but not a well know way to tie a Bowline. The Spilled Hitch Bowline can be used to quickly tie a Bowline around an object or through the … Continue reading →

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More TVMDC – Practice Problems – Correcting and un-correcting the compass

Posted on January 22, 2014 by captnmike

Correcting and Un-correcting a compass is still a useful skill.  Paper charts and plotted course lines are still in use, even with today’s Cell Phone Apps and GPS Plotters.   If you take a Navigation or Piloting class that lasts … Continue reading →

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Safe Boating In Fog

Posted on October 21, 2013 by captnmike

With the arrival of the Fall fog season a few safety tips for boating in the fog are in order. Before the fog sets in, make sure you have charts and a compass on board.  A GPS is also good … Continue reading →

Posted in Boating Safety, Safety Thoughts, Sailing and Boating Skills, seattle | Tagged , , | 18 Comments

Where Are You In Lake Washington?

Posted on October 3, 2013 by captnmike

This is a chart showing locations in Lake Washington I made to help the Seattle Harbor Patrol train new members on locations in Lake Washington. If a friend asks you to meet them somewhere on Lake Washington and you don’t … Continue reading →

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Videos on Americas Cup Technology

Posted on September 29, 2013 by captnmike

Recently I was sent several videos of the amazing technology of the Americas Cup AC 72 boats. I have arranged the videos below with a short description of each video so you can watch the ones you want. I hope … Continue reading →

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