Guides & stories

Basic Rig Tuning: Setting Shroud Tension on a Cruising Boat

Tuning a rig means getting the mast straight in the athwartships plane, setting the fore-and-aft bend the sailmaker designed the mainsail for, and applying enough tension that the leeward shrouds n...

Hoisting the tender aboard with a tackle

Lifting the tender or the outboard aboard without straining your back is a job for a block-and-tackle: a set of blocks that multiplies the force you apply to the line so a load that would be imposs...

Leading lines aft: control from the cockpit

Leading lines aft means routing halyards, reefing lines and sail controls back to the cockpit so you can hoist, reef and trim without ever leaving the helm. The system is a tidy chain of turning po...

Boat Batteries in Winter: Storage and Maintenance

A lead-acid or AGM battery left discharged over winter will be permanently damaged by spring, and a battery left connected to the boat's loads without any charging will discharge itself whether you...

Winterizing the Tender Outboard: Storage and Preservation

A small outboard that is flushed with fresh water, has its fuel dealt with deliberately, gets fresh gearcase oil and is stored upright in a dry place will start in spring. One that is lifted off th...

Protecting the Deck During Winter Layup

Most winter deck damage is not done by the weather directly. It is done by the things owners fit to protect the boat from the weather: a cover that chafes, a line that saws, a batten that holds wat...

10 Essential sailing knots to know

Mastering a selection of essential sailing knots is a fundamental skill for any sailor, whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience. These knots are crucial for a wide range of tas...