Sailing courses: what is not said but should be
For those approaching sailing for the first time, the first natural step is to have a look at the programmes of the sailing courses offered by the myriad of more or less renowned schools scattered throughout the whole Italian peninsula. The range of the courses,…
Fenders: the boat’s airbags
Boat you see, fenders you find. Essential accessories at the dock, fenders are, however, among those most subject to free interpretation, sometimes even quite suggestive. Yet, basic rules are there. Let’s start from the beginning. Fenders, especially since the hulls are drawn with a decorative,…
Check-list: creation of a life-saving instrument
Perhaps not everyone knows that there is an almost direct relationship between an aircraft take-off and coronary bypass surgery. A relationship that has become evident when the World Health Organization’s Patient Safety Programme has developed an initiative to improve surgery safety worldwide. The airline industry…
Clothes do not (always) make the sailor
Boating clothes are not a matter of style, nor of brands (not always, at least), nor trends. Dressing to face sea, sun and wind (and on-board manoeuvres) is a matter of safety that some people do not know and many forget. First, wearing the right…
Safety first: lessons from the aviation industry
Safety and wellness both of the crew and the boat are the primary responsibilities of each commander, with no exception. You can bet that every skipper will confirm that. Yet, it is almost impossible to find an investigation report in case of marine casualty that…
Pets on board: some tips
Whether it is a spilled litter, pet passports or dogs overboard, sailing with our cat or dog can be a challenge. At the same time, since pets are often an integral part of our families, leaving them at home just isn’t an option for many…
Rigging: checking and replacement
Today, we will be addressing a very important and delicate topic: we are talking about a real art, that of rigging, which consists, basically, in the discipline that studies, designs and produces the necessary equipment to arm a sailboat, sustaining the mast and making it…
A boat toolbox: minor repairs at dock and at sea
Does it happen to you that when you are in a hurry, the light turns invariably red? Or, when you are waiting for a bus for ages, then three of them come at the same time? Or, when you are trying to catch a key…
Vade mecum for sailboat dry storage
Once the season of joy has come to an end, here it comes the season of troubles…. Those who have to separate from their beloved boat for some months often have to beach and winterize it. Here is the step-by-step procedure. • Remove…
Guide: onboard batteries
Batteries are the heart of the electrical system: they start the engine and power all the boat electrical devices (lights, electric instruments, radio, fridge, etc.). These two fields of application are markedly different: engine starting needs very high currents (up to 700-900 Ampere) for a…
KIDS ABOARD. Family navigation in the wave of safety and fun.
Sailing lovers who have kids can heave a sigh of relief: family and sailboat aren’t incompatible and no one will be obliged to give up one’s own passions. More and more parents in fact rediscover the pleasure of seafaring life with their children because family…
