How to Read Nautical Charts and 'Maps'
Understanding how to read nautical charts is one of the most important skills for safe sailing. These special maps are packed with information about water depth, hazards, landmarks, and routes. In this...
None of our content is intended to replace a structured sailing course provided by RYA/ASA affiliated sailing schools.
Hi. My name's Mark Burkes. I'm an RYA Yachtmaster Ocean and spent 35 years sailing and over 25 years sailing professionally as a Yachtmaster & RYA Yachtmaster Instructor. I've sailed on private yachts & sailing school and race boats all over the world with approximately 250,000 miles under my ever-expanding belt.
This website is a FREE resource for subscribers. It offers;
- Video tutorials, sailing tips and tricks
- Crew advice for Clipper Race Crew
- Online marketplace for quality pre-used sailing kit
- Digital templates to aid things like passage planning, etc
- Online topic-specific micro-courses
How to sail: A step-by-step guide for the beginner
Step 1: Learn the Parts of a Sailboat Before you start sailing, it's important to know your boat. Which 'pieces of string do I pul and what is the pointy end called?" That sort of thing. Here are some...
The dance of the sun, moon, and earth: A brief overview of tidal cycles
Tides are the regular rising and falling of the ocean surface, caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun. The phenomenon of tides is a result of the gravitational interaction between the...
PASSAGE PLANNING - WHERE DO WE START AND WHY?
In this short video, we bring it back to basics. Once you have appraised what you need in terms of charts, pilotage books and almanacs, etc it's simply a matter of working out how long the passage is...
How to Calculate & Plot an Estimated Position
In this video, we talk you through how to calculate and plot and Estimated Position (EP). We have no allowed for the application of variation and deviation, so as to keep this simple. There is a link...
HOW TO CONVERT FROM KNOTS TO BEAUFORT SCALE AND BACK
Categories - Accessories And Other Stuff (8) - Base Layers (4) - Chartwork (2) - Clipper Training (1) - Crew Management (1) - Dry Suits (30) - Footwear (15) - Foul Weather Kit (34) - Kit Bags...
Musto HPX Gore-Tex Ocean Dry Suit (Medium)
Musto HPX Gore-Tex Ocean Dry Suit version with diagonal zip, size medium. In good condition having had a full service by Hammond Drysuits since it was last used. Seals and taped seems tested....
Musto HPX Offshore Smock (Current Generation)
Bought but never used - Young family and change of plans! In original packaging, all tags included and neck gaiter never cut to size.
Musto Alumin Flexlite 2.5 Neoprene Pants (Men's Large)
Brand new with tags! High-performance Musto Flexlite Alumin Pant 2.5 for dinghy sailing and other water sports
OCEAN SLEEPWEAR MUMMY BAG BLACK (SHORT)
Ocean Sleepwear SHORT sleeping bag for sale. This is advertised as suitable for 5' 4", however I'm 5' 8" and it fits perfectly. Includes outer shell, 2 x insulating layers, pillow case & 2...
Musto Unisex Gore-Tex Ocean Racer Sailing Boots (Size 8)
Bought as a spare pair & as good as new! Worn for one 4 hour watch on the way down to Falmouth last year (for warmth, didn't get wet), and 1 day in the solent. Some evidence of name labelling,...
recommended reading before each clipper race training level
The Clipper Race isn't a cheap activity. Therefore, it makes sense to do as much as you can to make yourself as useful as possible on the race. To paraphrase John F Kennedy "ask not what your crew can...
what to pack for clipper race training - level 1 training
Clipper 68 crew bunk, located in the sail locker. Shower curtains were regularly fitted to keep bunks dryer during sail changes! The 70s are much dryer! Categories - Accessories And Other Stuff...
what to expect on level 1 of clipper RTW yacht race training
Level 1 starts alongside. I guess it'd be hard to start anywhere else! However, expect to be alongside until lunchtime on the first day. There is a lot to learn before you go sailing. At the time of writing,...
DOWNLOAD OUR DYNAMIC PDF TEMPLATES FOR SKIPPERS
PASSAGE PLAN TEMPLATE
Always create a robust, rock-solid passage plan quickly and reliably.
PILOTAGE PLAN TEMPLATE
Never get lost on an unfamiliar night-time port entry of an unfamiliar port.
PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLIST
Delegate pre-departure checks to your crew with confidence every time.
PDF PRINTABLE LOGBOOK
Download a professional A3 logbook worth having! Reprint it as you wish.
RECOMMENDED READING
The links in the recommended reading list above are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy from Amazon we may get a few pennies in referral commission.
You pay the same either way, so it costs you nothing. Any support provided by using these affiliate links helps support this resource.
KNOTS, SEAMANSHIP & SAILING TECHNIQUES
PASSAGE PLANNING & PILOTAGE INTO PORTS
Why are wind and tide critical to safe Passage Planning?
Passage Planning - Where to Start?
How to Build a Safe & Reliable Pilotage Plan for Port Entry
What's the difference between a passage plan and a pilotage plan?
How to Maintain a Ship's Log
How to Build a Rock-Solid Passage Plan Every Time!
CHARTWORK & NAVIGATION
UNDERSTANDING & PREDICTING Tides & Currents