nauticalknowhow
Boat Safe this Spring or Fall – Avoid Hypothermia
Boat Safe this Spring or Fall – Avoid Hypothermia Even when the weather is warm, do not forget that in many areas the water can be very, very cold. A sudden unexpected wake or other “unbalancing event” can land you in the frigid water. Although the possibility of drowning from falling into the water is…
Boating Tips and Articles
Boating Tips and Articles Anchoring Steps to Smooth Anchoring Anchoring Tips – by Bill Wallace Boat Operation & Handling Tilt? Trim? What Those Trim Tabs Do Tilt & Trim for Outboards and I/Os Boat Docking – An Introduction by Charles Low Docking Broadside to Wind by Charles T. Low Station Keeping by Charles Low Boat…
PFD Basics
PFD Basics How Many PFDs Do I Need? You must have at least one, U.S. Coast Guard approved, wearable PFD for each person onboard, and it must be the appropriate size. If your boat is 16 feet or longer (generally excluding canoes and kayaks but check your state’s regulations) you must also have one throwable…
What do Mark Twain and your depth sounder have in common?
What Does Mark Twain And Your Depth Sounder Have In Common? A recent trip to Disney World in Florida and a subsequent ride on a paddle wheeler reminded me of something I had long forgotten. Thought some of you might be interested in how depth was measured in the “Ol days.” Actually, lead lines are…
Understanding and Utilizing the Secrets of Waves
Understanding and Utilizing the Secrets of Waves Any time you picture a body of water larger than a puddle, one of the first things that comes to mind are the rolling waves, or the surf lapping at the shore. Well, at least that’s what happens with me… But waves are much more than tranquil anomalies,…
International Code Flags or Signaling Flags
International Code Flags or Signaling Flags Although you may never see them displayed except at fleet parades, around naval installations, and areas with heavy international shipping traffic, International code flags are used to signal between two ships or between ship and shore. Also called signaling flags, they are a set of ship flags of different…
What is the Meaning of SOS?
What is the Meaning of SOS? Harmony asks “Do the letters in the term SOS represent three words? If so could you let me know what they are?” Thanks to Neal McEwen for allowing us to use information from his article “SOS”, “CQD” and the History of Maritime Distress Calls . There is much mystery…
Everyday Phrases and their Nautical Origins
Everyday Phrases and their Nautical Origins A-K Admiral An admiral is a senior ranking officer in the US Navy, and the word signifies a commander of a fleet, or part of a fleet, in all maritime nations. From the Arabic word amir meaning prince or leader. Adrift Not moored, at the will of the…
Boating Basics Glossary of Nautical Terms
The world of boating has a pretty unique vernacular, and it’s important that you understand the differences between sailing words and land lubber words before you head out onto the water! Nothing highlights a newbie quite like the wrong use of a word! You might know the difference between a bow vs stern, port or…
Hull ID Numbers
Hull ID Numbers Play The Numbers Game: (What Is A HIN?) Did you ever wonder what that strange series of letters and numbers on the transom of your boat are. Well, if you have taken the Nautical Know How course you know they are Hull Identification Numbers (HIN) and that they are required. But, what…
Ceremony for Renaming Your Boat
Ceremony for Renaming Your Boat Everyone knows that renaming your boat will bring nothing but bad luck and make your boating experience something that you will want to forget. But what happens when, after months of searching, you find your dreamboat with a name that you just cannot live with. For example, my first love…
