BROWSE POWERBOATING ARTICLES

Diagram showing sailboat transducer setup, highlighting sounder offsets for accurate keel depth measurements. Safety tips included.

Understanding Water Depth

October 4, 2024

While water can be dangerous, so can the stuff that lies below it. Thus it is important to know, for sure, how close it is to fragile stuff on the bottoms of out boat such as the propeller and rudder if fitted.

Diagram showcasing electromagnetic induction with rotational motion and current amplitude graph over time.

Alternating Current and Direct Current

October 3, 2024

In your house, your wall outlets deliver alternating current (AC) electricity. In contrast, on a boat (and in your car), most of the electricity consumed by the devices on board is direct current (DC) and comes from the onboard battery.

Diagram showing a boat's unintended drift due to strong wind and prop walk, preventing the desired path.

Prop Walk Disadvantage

October 2, 2024

There is one situation where you are just going to have to suck it up and admit defeat. Propwalk wins this game today and you have to come back and fight another day.

Top view of a powerboat maneuvering near docks with an illustrated prop walk angle guide, enhancing docking precision.

Prop Walk Advantage

October 1, 2024

Propwalk can be annoying or you can just get the better of it. Your choice!

Powerboat anchored near lush green coast under clear skies, highlighting serene water adventure and NauticEd branding.

Long Line Ashore – Mediterranean Mooring

September 30, 2024

The long-line-ashore is a useful mooring method. It is mostly used in the Mediterranean as a customary way of mooring a lot of boats along a shoreline.

High-performance marine engine with 360-degree rotating connection for advanced maneuverability and efficiency.

Precise Docking

September 30, 2024

You can't leave docking to luck or always hoping it will be a nice day. You have to become an expert.

Diagram of aligned and misaligned forces showing equilibrium and moments attempting to align, with two vertical arrow sets.

Force Alignment and Moment Balance

September 29, 2024

There is a really cool universal law out there that states: “For every force, there must be an equal and opposite force.” When you are docking, if your boat pulls on a line attached to the dock, the line pulls back on your boat.

Silhouette of a sailboat at sunset, gliding over calm waters under a vibrant sky. Perfect evening for sailing adventures.

Lights and Shapes on Vessels

September 29, 2024

Nighttime can be a beautiful time to go boating. However, night vision is not the same as day vision and so rules have been established to ensure safety.

Aerial view of luxury powerboats docked at a marina, with a lone kayaker paddling between the piers.

Leaving the dock – Introduction

September 29, 2024

OK, now that you're an expert at maneuvering the boat under power outside of the marina, it is time to bring the varnish and gel coat in close quarters with its sworn enemies - the docks, pilings, and other boats.

Luxury powerboat cruising at sunset, cutting through calm waters with speed and elegance. Perfect day for a boating adventure.

Philosophy of Boating Competence

September 29, 2024

Operating a powerboat on our waterways is different than operating a vehicle on a road. Besides the obvious reasons, there are strict and well-defined rules for vehicles.