Category Archives: Sailing and Boating Skills

Tips on Folding the Main Sail

Posted on July 22, 2011 by captnmike

Folding the Main Sail on many boats is one of those jobs that can be a bit frustrating getting the folds even as the sail is coming down with the boom moving around as the boat bounces in the waves. … Continue reading →

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Is This Your Fender?

Posted on July 17, 2011 by captnmike

This is a fender that my crew and I picked up in Puget Sound recently.  About a $ 70.00 loss to another boat.  Our cost was the time it took to sail up to the fender and do a “fender … Continue reading →

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Lee’s Fender Knot

Posted on April 13, 2011 by captnmike

After I did an article on using the Spar Hitch to tie fenders a friend Lee told me about a similar knot that he uses for fenders and storing lines on a boat. This is similar to what Ashley calls … Continue reading →

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The Vessel Safety Check and the Boarding Officer

Posted on April 10, 2011 by captnmike

As the Coast Guard and other Law Enforcement Groups step up their on the water equipment checks having the proper safety equipment becomes more important to prevent being cited for improper equipment.  Knowing that your boat meets the proper State … Continue reading →

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Spar Hitch – Fender Knot

Posted on March 29, 2011 by captnmike

The Spar Hitch is a great knot for tying fenders to a lifeline.  It is very secure and will hold around small and slick objects.  The load can be at different angles.  The Spar Hitch is also know as Ground … Continue reading →

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Towboat Hitch / Capstan Hitch – Updated

Posted on March 23, 2011 by captnmike

The Towboat Hitch or Capstan Hitch is a good knot when you need a non-jamming tie to a single post, bit, bollard or sailboat winch. The Towboat Hitch or Capstan Hitch can be tied quickly. It can be untied under … Continue reading →

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Is This Your Boat?

Posted on March 19, 2011 by captnmike

Listen to the Marine VHF radio most any weekend in the Puget Sound area and you will hear report of found Kayaks and Canoes drifting in the water with nobody in them.  When an empty drifting boat is found all … Continue reading →

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Is This Your Cleat?

Posted on February 27, 2011 by captnmike

Walking down any dock and you will soon decide that tying a cleat is a dying skill.  Many docks have up to 40% and sometimes more of the cleats tied strangely, this includes the docks of  yacht clubs that bear … Continue reading →

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