Sailing has always been a school of freedom. A parenthesis where the wind, the waves and the horizon dictate the rhythm. Yet, in the age of total connectivity, our cockpits increasingly resemble spaceship command centers: Fishfinder-chartplotter combos, touchscreen tablets with routing software, high-resolution fishfinders, NMEA 2000 networks, connected anemometers, AIS, radars… Innovations are multiplying, promising …
Sailing is an excellent way to learn how to conserve energy. One of the most efficient ways to generate electricity on board is to install solar panels. But how do you choose the right power output for your sailboat’s solar panels? Navigating independently and managing one’s energy are habits we quickly adopt. These habits are …
Cooking aboard a small sailboat isn’t easy. But it’s still possible to plan ahead and eat something other than pasta or sandwiches. Let’s look at some tips for cooking on board your small sailboat. Sailing a small sailboat is a whole philosophy. It’s also an excellent way to learn how to manage your space and …
A well-organized and tidy sailboat is not only essential for life on board, but also a guarantee of safety. Organizing and tidying the saloon and cabins allows for a more peaceful cruising experience, even coastal cruising, and also makes it easier to find emergency equipment when needed. Here’s a short guide, based on my experience …
Maintaining a boat requires numerous tasks, and this maintenance comes at a cost. However, it’s possible to reduce expenses by performing certain tasks yourself. But is it possible to do without professional boating services and maintain your boat entirely on your own? Let’s look at which tasks can be carried out independently versus with a …
VHF radio is an essential communication tool on board a sailboat. Choosing between a fixed or portable VHF radio depends on your sailing plans. Whatever the boat, the program, and…the mobile phone we own, it is imperative to have a fixed or portable VHF radio See mandatory. This communication system is the preferred means of …
In the field of maritime navigation, the software offerings, whether for computers, mobile devices, or specific equipment, are considerable. How can one find their way through them? A few years ago, during a research master’s degree in my graduate studies, I chose to investigate computer tools related to design (the transition from idea to vector …
Whether sailing solo or with a small crew, during long voyages, how do you stay on course for hours on end? Can you let go of the helm and attend to other tasks? So many questions that people often ask themselves. If the existence autopilot While this is obvious to all solo sailors in maritime …
AIS is a navigational instrument that is increasingly common on our boats. What is an AIS system, and what is its purpose? Finally, should you equip your boat with one? Definition of the AIS system AIS stands for “Automatic Identification System“, Or automatic identification system In French. This navigation instrument, increasingly common on our boats, …
Sailing solo, whether for several days or just a few hours, requires certain precautions. This includes, in particular, the equipment. I offer some advice to help you equip yourself properly for solo sailing. Solo sailing isn’t just about adventure and offshore racing. Sailing alone is also something many of us do. In fact, sailing solo …
Boat hulls can be made from a variety of materials. From plywood to aluminum, including polyester and steel, here’s an overview of the different materials used in boat hulls. Choosing a boat, whether for a long cruise or summer sailing, is an important decision. Between boat size and ballast, the choice isn’t always straightforward. But …
Renovating your toilet, while complying with regulations, on a small sailboat isn’t easy. Limited space often prevents the installation of a holding tank. So what are the alternatives? The management of black water (toilet wastewater) and gray water (dishwashing water, shower water) has become a central issue for boaters. Under pressure from European regulations and …
There bilge pump It is an essential piece of equipment for the safety of any boat. Whether it’s to remove a simple water leak or deal with a major breach, its role is crucial. However, choosing the right flow rate is not always straightforward. What criteria should be taken into account? How can you ensure …
The forestay on a sailboat allows the headsail to be rigged. It can have several characteristics that give it different functions. What are the different types of forestay installations? On a sailboat, the forestay is part of the standing rigging. This cable holds the mast longitudinally from the front. At the same time, it has …
The rigging of a boat, along with its sails, is the engine of a sailboat, with the wind as its fuel. Without the mast, shrouds, or running rigging, it would be impossible to hoist the sails. But what are the different parts of a rig? The rigging is much more complex than one might imagine. …
You must regularly check your standing rigging. Monitoring the first signs of wear on your shrouds is as crucial for your mast as it is for safety at sea. Here are some best practices to sail peacefully, whatever the weather. The rigging of your sailboat must be monitored and checked regularly. This check is done …
Rig tuning is an often overlooked element, yet it is crucial for both the performance of the sailboat and safety. Standing rigging adjustment depends on your sailboat and takes into account the type of rigging (masthead, fractional, straight or swept spreaders, etc.), the type of sails (full-batten, traditional, 3DL, etc.), and the use of the …
Der Wortschatz an Bord eines Bootes ist sehr wichtig. Er ermöglicht effiziente und sichere Manöver. Die Kenntnis der Terminologie des laufenden Guts auf einem Segelboot hilft, alle Manöver und die Namen der verschiedenen Leinen an Bord zu identifizieren. Was ist laufendes Gut? Das laufende Gut ist die Gesamtheit der Leinen, die zum Einstellen der Segel …
The standing rigging of a boat consists of all the cables used to hold and adjust the sailboat’s mast. Understanding this rigging is important for boat maintenance and mast tuning, for example. Let’s explore these different cables and the terminology of the various parts of a boat’s standing rigging. Definition of a Boat’s Standing Rigging …
The propeller is much more than just an accessory: it is the heart of your boat’s propulsion. Choosing the right one guarantees optimal performance, controlled consumption and navigation tailored to your needs. Whether you’re into cruising, fishing, watersports, or regattas, every detail counts: pitch, diameter, number of blades, material, and intended use. Here’s how to …
WindSense, from Digital Yacht, is a connected wind vane anemometer. It allows tablets, smartphones and PCs to accurately display wind speed and direction. THE WindSense is equipped with wind vane anemometer with a 20m cable that connects to theDigital Yacht interfaceThis interface will thus provide the data through a Wi-Fi and/or NMEA0183 connection to different …
A sailboat that lasts a long time is a well-maintained sailboat. And a well-maintained sailboat is one that we take care to winterize at the end of each season. Here is a complete guide to successfully winterizing your sailboat, in 15 steps. Autumn has arrived. While many boaters and recreational fishermen will continue sailing throughout …
The arrival of autumn usually signals the end of sea outings for many boaters. It’s time to think about winterizing your boat to help it through the long winter months. But why winterize your boat, and is it better to winterize it ashore or afloat? For some of us—and likely many—the autumn months, or November, …