With any simple handheld chartplotter, often as simple as your smartphone with your favorite navigation app installed, you can use this technique to improve your safety margin in sparsely charted areas. I love tips like this that use gear I’ve already paid for in an unorthodox way, especially when it allows me to enhance safety […]
Tragic Drowning in the Chicago-Mac
Near the start of the 2018 Chicago Yacht Club’s Race to Mackinac race a sailor was washed overboard and drown. This account from his team makes my stomach churn: The boat made three unsuccessful approaches to retrieve him, during which crew noted that his life jacket had not inflated. During the third approach, crewmembers saw […]
Customizing your Chartplotter with Local Knowledge
Step by step instructional video for customizing a chart with local knowledge and then loading it onto a smartphone chartplotter app. Using only free software! Download Links Image Customization: Preview on OSX (builtin app) GIMP Maptiler File Management “Downloads” App (builtin on many Android devices) X-Plore File Manager SailGrib Weather Routing Free
How to Fly with an Inflatable PFD
The first time I flew with my inflatable PFD my head was swirling with the rumors of difficulties flying with CO2 cartridges. After a few conversations with TSA agents and coaching some friends through the same I know the drill and I don’t give it a second thought. With these three simple steps you can […]
Offshore Weather Routing using GRIBs and Polars
In this video I demonstrate how I use my favorite weather routing app, SailGrib WR, to plan as well as set expectations for offshore passages. I discuss some advantages and limitations of weather routing software and show you exactly how I use SailGrib for offshore passagemaking. Please let me know if you have any lead […]
Headsail Furling Gear Troubleshooting
These days furling headsails are standard equipment on sailing yachts. Most of the time they make foresail handling a breeze: setting, reefing and dousing the headsail is accomplished from the comfort and relative safety of the cockpit. But as reliable as modern furlers have become they’re not bulletproof: they’re subject to wear and tear like […]
Navionics Navigation Introduction
This 3 minute tutorial will introduce you to the basic navigation functionality of Navioncs. If you’re getting started with navigation on Android or iOS devices download SavvySalt’s click here to download Ultimate Guide to Smartphone Navigation. This will jump start your foray into Android or iOS navigation. Video Transcript. In case I mumbled: This video […]
MxMariner Navigation Introduction
Navigation is the art of keeping your vessel clear of trouble while getting where you’re going. At sea, navigation is your ounce of prevention. This 3 minute tutorial will introduce you to the basic navigation functionality of MxMariner. If you’re getting started with navigation on Android or iOS devices download SavvySalt’s click here to download […]