7 Hitches for a smooth ride aboard
Hitches give you a reliable, adjustable fastening point that can be loaded, shifted, and released without having to splice or re‑tie the whole line. Let’s walk through seven of the most useful hitches.
Tag: Sailing
Keep the Right Eye Open: the Best Loop Knots for Boaters
Secure your boat with the essential loop knots every sailor needs. Learn how to tie various bowlines, the alpine butterfly, the overhand loop and more. All in one concise guide with strengths, weaknesses, and pro tips.
Joining Two Lines: Selecting the Right Bend for Boaters
Knowing how to securely join two lines is an important skill for a variety of tasks, from mooring to towing. Bends are knots specifically designed and used to join two lines together. Mastering these few key knots can make your boating experience safer and more efficient.
Ensure Your Lines Don’t Unreeve Thanks to Stopper Knots
Ensuring that your lines stay secure and don’t slip through blocks or fairleads is crucial. Here are a few stopper knots commonly used aboard boats: how to tie them and when to use them (and when not to).
Weekly quiz: reading your sail’s telltales
They may be simple wool strands. But it’s the best technology out there. At least when it comes to trimming the sails. Meet the telltales.
Herringbone stitch to the rescue: repair a torn sail by yourself
Have you ever been stuck with a tear in your sail and not known what to do about it? How do you go about repairing it yourself? Can you sew it, and most of all how?
How to make your sails last longer?
Are your sails losing their shape? Is your boat losing speed and heeling more? Do you want to keep your sails as long as possible and maintain their performance level? Do you want to avoid having to buy a new set of sails too soon?
Here are a few tips to help you care for your sails over time. Thanks to these guidelines, you’ll be able to keep your sails for a few more years.
