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How Do Sailboats Work? (The Complete Guide)

Ever wondered how a sailboat moves through the water? If so, you’re in the right place! In this article, we’ll explore the science behind sailboats, from what they are to the parts they use to move.

We’ll uncover the basics of how to angle the sails, the role of the rudder, and safety tips that every sailor should know.

Finally, we’ll dive into the many benefits of sailing, from the joy of exploring the open waters to the feeling of accomplishment when you reach your destination.

So, if you’re ready to discover the wonders of sailboats, let’s get started!

Table of Contents

Short Answer

Sailboats use the power of the wind to propel them forward.

The sails are designed to catch the wind, and as the wind passes through the sails, it creates lift which moves the boat forward.

The sails can be adjusted to different angles to maximize the lift and the direction of the boat.

The rudder is used to steer the boat and the keel helps to keep the boat stable in the water.

What is a Sailboat?

A sailboat is a type of boat that uses sails to propel itself through the water.

The sails are usually made of lightweight, durable fabric, such as nylon or polyester, and are attached to a mast which is mounted on the boat.

The sails are designed to catch the wind, which pushes the boat forward.

The sails can be adjusted and angled in order to capture more or less of the wind, allowing for more efficient movement.

The rudder of the boat is a large fin-like structure located at the back of the boat which is used to steer the boat in the desired direction.

With the right skills and understanding of how sailboats work , anyone can enjoy the thrill of sailing.

How Does a Sailboat Work?

Sailboats use the power of the wind to move through the water, allowing them to be an efficient and eco-friendly way to explore the open seas.

In order to understand how sailboats work, its important to understand the parts that make up a sailboat and how they interact with the wind.

The most important part of a sailboat is the sail, which is typically made of lightweight and durable fabric.

The sail is held up by a mast attached to the boat, and it is designed to capture the wind and use it to push the boat forward.

The sail is able to capture more wind when it is angled in a certain direction, allowing it to move faster and more efficiently.

In addition to the sail, sailboats also have a rudder that helps steer the boat in a desired direction.

The rudder works in conjunction with the sail to allow for precise maneuvering of the boat in any direction.

The rudder is typically located behind the boat and is made of a solid material like wood or metal.

Another important part of a sailboat is the keel, which is a fin-like structure that is attached to the bottom of the boat.

The keel helps stabilize the boat and keep it upright in the water.

It also helps the boat stay in a straight line when sailing in a straight direction.

Finally, the sailboat must have a rigging system, which is made up of ropes and lines that are used to control the sails.

The rigging system is used to adjust the angle of the sail to capture the most amount of wind and move the boat forward.

With the right knowledge and understanding of how sailboats work, anyone can enjoy the thrill of sailing.

Understanding how to use the sails, the keel, the rudder, and the rigging system together will help you become an expert sailboat captain in no time.

The Parts of the Sailboat

Sailboats are propelled by the force of wind on their sails, and the most important part of the sailboat is the sail itself.

The sails are typically made of lightweight, durable fabric and are held up by a mast attached to the boat.

The angle of the sail is what captures the wind, allowing for more efficient movement.

The rudder of the boat helps steer it in the desired direction, working in conjunction with the sails to allow for precise maneuvering.

In addition to the sail and mast, the sailboat also contains a boom, which helps hold the sail out when the wind is blowing.

The boom is connected to the mast and can be adjusted to control the angle of the sail.

Additionally, the sailboat features a keel, which is a fin-like structure that helps keep the boat stable and upright in the water.

The keel also helps the boat move in a straight line when the wind is blowing.

Lastly, the sailboat features a tiller, which is the handle used to steer the rudder.

These are the key parts of a sailboat that allow it to move through the water.

How to Angle the Sails

Angling the sails is an essential part of sailing a boat effectively.

By adjusting the angle of the sails in relation to the wind, you can capture more of the winds power to propel the boat forward.

To angle the sails correctly, the sailor must first identify the direction of the wind.

This can be done by feeling the air on their face, or by looking for telltale signs like rippling water or flags flapping in the wind.

Once the wind direction is known, the sailor must adjust the angle of the sails so that they will catch more of the winds power and propel the boat forward.

The most efficient angle for the sails depends on the type of boat and the strength of the wind, but in general, the sails should be angled so they are at a 45-degree angle to the wind.

This allows the sails to catch the most wind and propel the boat forward with the most efficiency.

It is also important to make sure that the sails are not too close to the boat, as this can cause them to lose their shape and be less effective.

In addition to angling the sails correctly, the sailor must also be aware of the wind speed and direction.

As the wind speed and direction change, the sailor must adjust the angle of the sails in order to stay on course and maintain the most efficient angle for catching the wind.

By making small adjustments to the sails angle, the sailor can keep the boat moving in the desired direction and maintain the most efficient speed.

Sailors must also be aware of how their body weight can affect the angle of the sails.

If the sailor leans too far to one side of the boat, the angle of the sails will be affected.

This can result in the boat veering off course or the sails not catching the wind efficiently.

To prevent this, the sailor must be aware of their body weight and be mindful of how it affects the sails.

By understanding and being aware of how to angle the sails correctly, sailors can ensure that they are using the power of the wind to propel their boat forward efficiently.

With practice and experience, anyone can become a skilled sailor and enjoy the thrill of sailing.

The Role of the Rudder

The role of the rudder on a sailboat is essential for steering and maneuvering the boat in the desired direction.

The rudder is typically located at the stern of the boat and is a flat piece of metal or wood that is connected to the hull and runs along the bottom of the boat.

By changing the angle of the rudder relative to the hull, the boat can be steered in the desired direction.

When the rudder is angled to the left, the boat will turn to the left and when the rudder is angled to the right, the boat will turn to the right.

The rudder is also used to keep the boat on a straight course when sailing in strong winds.

By angling the rudder slightly, it helps to create a drag on one side of the boat and a lift on the other side, allowing for greater control and stability in high winds.

In addition to the rudder, sails can also be angled to help turn the boat in the desired direction.

Together, the sails and the rudder work together to help the sailor steer and maneuver the boat in the desired direction.

Safety Tips for Sailing

Sailing is a popular recreational activity, but it can also be dangerous if not practiced safely.

Before setting sail, it is important to be aware of some key safety tips that will help you enjoy your sailing experience without any hiccups.

First, make sure you have the proper safety equipment onboard.

This includes life jackets, flares, a first-aid kit, and a fire extinguisher.

It is also a good idea to carry a radio or GPS device onboard in case of emergency.

Additionally, make sure that the boat has been inspected and is in good working condition before leaving the dock.

It is also important to check the weather before setting sail.

Make sure you are aware of any storms or other hazardous conditions that may be in the forecast.

Make sure to also check the tide and wind conditions before leaving, as these can greatly affect your course and speed.

It is important to wear the proper clothing when sailing.

Choose clothing that is lightweight, breathable, and waterproof.

Make sure to also bring a hat or visor and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun’s rays.

Additionally, make sure you have plenty of food and water onboard in case of emergency.

Finally, make sure you have a good understanding of the sailing basics, such as sailing terms, the parts of the boat, and how to properly sail.

Knowing these basics, as well as the local rules and regulations, will help ensure a safe and enjoyable sailing experience.

By following these safety tips, you can ensure that your sailing experience is a safe and enjoyable one.

Be sure to always practice good safety habits and use common sense when out on the water.

With the proper preparation and knowledge, sailing can be a fun and enjoyable experience.

The Benefits of Sailing

Sailing is an activity that can provide countless benefits to those who take part in it.

Not only can it be great fun, but it can also be a great way to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Sailing can also increase physical and mental wellbeing, as it provides an opportunity to be out in nature and enjoy the fresh air.

Additionally, sailing can help improve coordination, balance, and focus, as well as provide a unique way to explore the world.

It can also be a great way to build self-confidence, as mastering the art of sailing requires skill and determination.

Finally, sailing can be a great form of exercise, as it can help improve endurance, strength, and flexibility.

All these benefits make sailing a great activity for anyone looking to enjoy the outdoors and have a memorable experience.

Final Thoughts

Sailboats are a fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors and even take part in competitive sailing events.

With the right knowledge of how sailboats work, anyone can get out on the water and enjoy the thrill of sailing.

From understanding the parts of a sailboat to how the sails and rudder work together, sailing is a skill that can be easily learned.

With all the benefits of sailing, it’s an activity that’s sure to bring plenty of fun and memories.

So, what are you waiting for? Get out on the water and experience the magic of sailing!

James Frami

At the age of 15, he and four other friends from his neighborhood constructed their first boat. He has been sailing for almost 30 years and has a wealth of knowledge that he wants to share with others.

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Sailboat Living: 10 Things To Know Before Moving On Board

Sailboat living can sound like the dream life, and in many ways it is.

Beautiful sunsets, the freedom to travel with your home, dolphins and crystal clear seas are all a huge part of the sailboat lifestyle , but anyone who tells you it’s an easy life has obviously never really lived on a sailboat!

There are times when sailboat living can feel more like a nightmare than a dream, and no matter how much you prepare there will always be a few troublesome scenarios that you just can’t predict.

However, with a little forethought and a lot of planning, there is a lot you can do to make the transition of moving from a house to a sailboat a relatively easy one.

If you’re prepared to put in the hard work now then we promise you will reap the rewards in the future. As we learnt the hard way, we’ve put together the top 10 things that everyone should know before they move onto a sailboat so that sailboat living for you can be 98% dream and only 2% nightmare!

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#1 A Sailboat Is Never Complete

Learn this lesson fast!

Don’t expect to finish boatyard work and stop working. A sailboat breaks. Constantly. Some days it will feel as though your to-do list is endless because unfortunately, it is.

This was one of the things Adam and I were prepared for before we moved onboard our sailboat. After living on a boat in the UK we understood the crazy amount of work that has to go into maintaining something that’s constantly working.

I think a good way of looking at it would be to think of it as a house and a car combined. It has all the working parts of a house – the pipework, the electricity, the leaky windows etc.

It also has all the working parts of a car like an engine, the tires could be the sails, the lines, and all that goes along with them.

Add to that the fact that you’re putting it under huge amounts of stress at all times, in some extreme weather conditions, and you can see why things constantly fail!

Adam and I spent the first few months of living aboard feeling as though we were just sailing from anchorage to anchorage to find chandlers so we could fix things. We made friends with some full-time cruisers who quickly put a stop to that!

They explained how if we actually wanted to enjoy time on board then we had to give ourselves time off the boat work. The broken things we could live with could wait a few days while we enjoyed a new destination.

Find out how much new sails cost

We now try to only do one or two days of boat work a week, which leaves us with a weekend ‘off’ when we’re working our jobs for three days. This suits us perfectly, but you’ll need to find a pattern that works for you to make sailboat living more enjoyable!

A bonus of living onboard is that you do have the extra time to dedicate to keeping the sailboat in tip-top condition.

Many weekend sailors find themselves with a long list of jobs at the end of the season, but (depending on how cheap/how lucky you get when you buy your boat!) if you get some jobs done every now and again through the season you’ll keep the long stints to a minimum.

#2 Sailboat Living = Tiny Space Living

Think of sailboat living as living in a glorified tent and you’ll be (partly) prepared! There is nothing glamorous about sailboat living!

You’ll be getting changed in tiny spaces where you may or may not be able to stand. You’ll be squeezing into the toilet or squeezing past people to use the kettle. It’s a juggling act, even when all your belongings are stashed away neatly.

Add to that the fact you’ll probably be ripping open cupboards every other day to find that essential item that was placed under all the other essential items and it becomes pretty hard to manage!

Our top tips for managing space onboard your sailboat are to downsize before you move in and to prioritise sailboat storage. It might be a hard thing to do to start with, but you’ll be so thankful you gave up all nonessential items before you even moved aboard.

It’s amazing how quickly you can fill a boat when you live on it! We have loads of handy tips on how to maximise limited space in our post on sailboat storage ideas – check it out before you start sailboat living!

#3 Water, Water, Everywhere But Not A Drop To Wash In

Get used to living frugally. We don’t necessarily mean your finances (though it is possible to live on a budget on a sailboat, check out what we spend monthly here).

Things like water and electricity are limited on a sailboat, especially if you’re spending the majority of your time at anchor.

Unless you have a sailboat watermaker (which we highly recommend splashing out on!) you need to get used to using as little water as possible . It’s not always easy to find when you live on the sea.

Get used to taking sea showers and washing dishes in saltwater. You can always rinse in freshwater, and washing in the sea really isn’t too hard once you’re used to it!

Set your sailboat up with a good way of making electricity as soon as you move aboard. You’ll want decent amounts of solar power and possibly a wind generator too, especially if you’re planning on spending time in countries that don’t see very much sunshine or spending winters at anchor.

You’ll also want to make sure you have a good battery bank for storing it over night, and you may even want to consider getting a small generator if you rely on power for things like charging laptops to work from.

#4 The People You Meet Will Be A True Highlight

The sailing community is what makes sailboat living. They are the most giving and generous community of people we have ever met and the best memories we have are the ones we spent with other cruisers.

It’s not always easy to meet other sailors while you’re living at anchor, so our advice is to make the effort and say hi where ever possible. People are always happy to share a drink or dinner, and a salty tale or two!

Meeting other sailors is also the very best way to learn more about sailing life. No matter how long people have cruised for they always have an experience worth sharing and learning from.

#5 The Weather Controls Your Life In Sailboat Living

We check the weather twice a day, every day. It may seem obvious that the weather is important on a sailboat, but until we moved aboard we didn’t realise quite how much it would affect our lives.

You might be desperate to move the boat and explore somewhere new but find you have no wind to sail. Or you might fall in love with an anchorage and want to stay but be forced to move because of a change in the direction of the wind.

We’ve had to leave beautiful anchorages in the middle of the night because an unpredicted storm had blown through, or been stuck in places we don’t like because the wind has meant it’s the only safe place to be.

The positives of being governed by the weather is that you’re so much more in tune with it. You get up when the sun rises, you notice subtle changes in the temperature and you learn to read the wind and clouds.

Before you move on board you should start checking the weather and anchorages around where you plan on sailing. It makes life easier if you’ve scouted out the best places to be in different weather conditions.

Check things like whether there are safe anchorages for different wind directions or whether you’ll need to use marinas (and how much they’ll be!), and check if there are any ‘bolt holes’ you can use as safe havens in the event of unexpected storms.

You’ll feel more confident and comfortable if you have all this information to hand when you start sailboat living.

#6 Sailboat Living Means Leaving Your Privacy On The Dockside

You’ll be sharing a tiny space with your crew and they will quickly learn literally everything there is to learn about you. And you them.

Before you move onto a sailboat make sure that you’re happy with sharing everything with the people you’re sailing with. I don’t mean you have to tell them about your childhood (though night passages can be pretty dull!) but be prepared to share what you eat, when you toilet, potentially what you throw up.

Expect to be walked in on while you’re changing or showering. Understand that boat toilets break – a lot – so no matter how careful you are you might well end up elbow deep in someone else’s last nights dinner!

#7 Learn To Work As A Team – Quickly

Sailboat living requires a huge amount of team work (unless you’re planning on living alone of course). You need get into a very different mindset when you live and work with the same person or people day in, day out, and when you depend on them (quite literally) to survive.

One of the biggest reasons that people quit at sailboat living is because they fall out with their partners, or call it a day before they do. Sailboat living is hard on relationships, but it can also make your relationship better and stronger if you’re prepared to work at it.

There are lots of things you can do to prepare for this change and I’ve put together a whole range of tips to help you with spending too much time with your partner .

Ultimately, one of the best things you can do is know that this isn’t going to be easy, no matter how strong your relationship is on land. Be prepared for this as a couple, and be prepared to work hard on your relationship when the tough patches come!

#8 Nature Is Incredible

I know, I know, we all know nature is incredible. But sailboat living brings you so much closer to it in so many different ways.

You see things you’d never get a chance to see on land. Every time you jump in the sea you find new sea creatures, either from snorkeling or finding them clinging on to your hull, or washed up on deck.

You see turtles, whales and rays. Birds come to find rest on your boat while you’re on long passages and dolphins swim beside you as you make waves for them to play in.

Then there’s the sunrises and sunsets, and the endless starlit skies. The thunderstorms that you’re suddenly a part of, when before you could hide inside brick walls. The constantly changing sea and sky, and the sun and wind. You become part of it, and you depend on it, and you’re terrified of it.

Sailboat living makes you feel like you’re part of the nature around you rather than just a lucky spectator. It’s certainly changed the way I see the ocean and the weather for the better and I have a new found respect and healthy fear of it’s power and awe.

#9 Prepare For Sleepless Nights

Before we set off cruising full time I had no idea how little sleep I would get. There are so many different things trying their hardest to ruin a good nights sleep on a sailboat.

Firstly, the weather. If it’s windy, you’ll be half awake all night just watching the anchor and wondering if this will be the night it pulls out and you drag into some rocks.

You’ll be waiting for the wind to shift slightly so that you’re no longer protected from the sea. And even if you’re super happy with your anchoring set up, the wind through the halyards makes a very disconcerting noise!

If the weather is calm that doesn’t mean the sea will be. You can never predict whether the anchorage you arrive in will be the rollyest place on the island, so you’ll spend a good few nights just rolling around all over the place trying your hardest to stay in your berth.

Then there’s the heat (or the cold, depending on where you sail). It can be unbearably hot inside a sailboat, so consider buying a decent hammock and sleep under the stars instead.

But if you decide to sleep outside you’re going to want a mosquito net, because those things are FIERCE. Never have I ever experienced so many sleepless nights due to a buzzing in my ears and painful bites all over my legs.

If you can find a comfortable set up with your hammock and mozzie net then sleeping outside on a sailboat is one of the most magical things ever. The stars are brighter than you could ever imagine, and there are shooting stars a plenty. The stillness of a calm night at anchor is one of the very best things about sailboat living.

If you’re sailing with a baby you can expect even less sleep – make sure you’re prepared for that!

#10 Sailboat Living Is More Difficult Than You Could Imagine (But Totally Worth It)

Difficult sounds bad, but that would be inaccurate when describing sailboat living. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done and the best. And part of what makes it the best is that it’s the hardest. Does that make sense?!

Sailboat living can feel like a constant battle at times. You have to trek for an hour to find the gas to light your oven to make a cup of tea in the morning. You then have to go back again because you forgot the tea bags. Things break and need fixing. You can’t sleep because of a storm. You can’t leave the boat for days because the winds up and you’re scared the anchor might pull out.

I think people run away to sea to find freedom, but like everything freedom can be defined in so many different ways.

Sailboat living takes away your freedom of easy access to food and water. It takes away your freedom to step out of your front door into relative safety. At times it even takes away your freedom to run and walk.

What it does give you is freedom from monotony. Freedom from daily routine. It gives you the freedom to travel where you want (if not when you want) and the freedom from material possessions.

It doesn’t matter what you wear on a boat, it doesn’t matter how flashy your boat is or how much you smell! At the end of the day, out on the sea, it’s just you surviving. And in a way, that’s the most free I’ve ever felt.

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15 comments.

I’ll be moving on a sailboat with my girlfriend this (still very new) year and I discovered your blog via Pinterest. We’re also writing weekly blog posts about our journey. Your writing is excellent, and I’d like to follow you on your mailing list. But it seems your form does not work. Fix it maybe? 🙂

Ah that’s strange! I can see people are still signing up, will have a look into that! Thanks for letting me know. Thanks so much for reading along. Where’s your boat? I’m so excited for you – those first few weeks aboard are the best!

I can’t seem to sign up for more. The web page has an error on my Android. Bummer.

Can you please add my email address to your email distribution list?

Thanks, Steve

So glad to come across you guys, finding out as much as we can before we take that leap. We are a couple coming to the end of a army career. The last 2 years will be in Kenya Nanyuki. Posted in June. Then we plan to get the dream sailing boat and travel. I am doing all my home work trying to find out as much as I can before we do this. Looking forward to reading about you both and tasking in everything any thing that we will I’m sure be incredible useful. Thank you Sandy

Sorry for the late reply, I’ve only just noticed your lovely comment. I hope you’re getting further along with your dream – would love to hear about it! If you need more help we’ve put together a huge guidebook detailing everything we’ve learnt, from the very beginning of the journey through to buying the boat and eventually living aboard and making it all work. https://twogetlost.com/guidebook

That’s really nice post. I appreciate your skills. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for reading!

Thanks for the honest truth in this article. Doing all the research possible before following our dreams and in your footsteps 🙌💕⛵⚓

Thanks so much for your kind comment and really pleased we could help! Keep us updated on your journey, you won’t look back!

Wow! I am on a boat reading this while my partner is away for the first time in months, and it made me feel less insane and like there are tools to help us live our dream of minimalist sailboat life.. Thank you so much for your wise words and good tools..

I’m so pleased it helped and excited for you starting this journey! You won’t regret it, and we’d love to hear more when you find the perfect boat and move aboard! If you need more help we’ve put together a huge guidebook detailing everything we’ve learnt, from the very beginning of the journey through to buying the boat and eventually living aboard and making it all work. https://twogetlost.com/guidebook

• Pingback: How To Downsize Your Wardrobe For Boatlife | Two Get Lost

Any suggested reading on preparing your land life (home, insurance, anythin really) for departure. Sell the home or rwnt, thinks like that. Want to start preparjng a year ahead and struggling to make a plan..any blogs ir reading suggestions would be appreciated!

Hello, thanks for reaching out. First off – congratulations! You’re obviously set on your plan to move aboard and it will be amazing (and lots of other things too!!) We actually cover all this in part one of our guidebook. We go through everything we had to consider before moving aboard, things like whether to sell or not to sell, what to do with all your things, even little considerations like what to tell family and friends. We’ve included tick lists for planning the change in lifestyle. You can find it here. https://twogetlost.com/guidebook Part 2 is for after you’ve bought the boat – getting the boat ready for living aboard and all the other things that come along with living at sea. I hope it helps and please do let us know how you get on – perhaps we’ll see you out here soon!

It’s helpful to understand that when living in a sailboat, the weather controls every aspect of our lives. Not long ago, my wife and I decided to invest in a sailboat because we love the sea and nature. We’d like to buy one this year, and maybe in the future, we’ll need to read carefully your advice about living in a vessel.

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Beyond the Wow: The Six Types of Ship Motion

Beyond the Wow is a series of education videos for students to learn about the STEM principles behind our deep-sea discoveries. Exploratory missions of the 68-meter (223-foot) E/V Nautilus rely heavily on the knowledge and expertise of our bridge crew and navigators. But to do so, it is important to understand the mechanics of the ocean and how they influence the way in which a ship moves.

At first glance, the ocean may appear flat, but it is anything but. A closer view offers a better look at the wind, currents, and wave action that influence how a ship moves in six degrees of motion: heave, sway, surge, roll, pitch, and yaw. These environmental conditions create a dynamic and ever-changing plan that Nautilus moves across — not just forward and reverse, but up and down, side to side, and even heaving into the air. Regardless, all six happen in combination, and understanding how helps scientists, engineers, and bridge operators make informed decisions about how and where to operate the ship, when it is safe to operate the ROVs, and how to calibrate our technology systems.

Here is a quick look at the six planes of ship motion:

• Pitch describes the up and down motion of a vessel. This is characterized by the rising and falling of the bow and stern in much the same way as a teeter-totter moves up and down.  
• Roll is how we describe the tilting motion of the ship from side to side. Wind and waves push against the ship and cause it to rock back and forth.
• Yaw spins the ship on an invisible middle line similar to swiveling on a chair. This can be caused by waves moving in perpendicular to the motion of the ship and can change its heading, or direction.
• Heave defines the up and down motion of a ship as large swells heave Nautilus vertically on the crests and troughs of waves.
• Sway this sliding motion occurs when the hull of a ship is pushed by the wind or current.
• Surge occurs when Nautilus is being followed by larger swells, which can push the vessel forward and impact the front to back motion of the ship.

Now it’s your turn! Keep learning more in our free online educational resources .

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Better Sailing

How do Sailboats Move without Wind?

As we all know, the wind is the most important element that propels the boat forward. Sometimes in the total absence of the wind, a boat will not be able to sail. So, what do you do when the wind doesn’t seem to be blowing and the air isn’t moving? When it comes to sailing, the momentum created by the wind is what propels your sailboat forward. Although a complete lack of wind is physically impossible on the water, it can happen. And, you will wonder what to do with your sailboat, which mostly uses the power of the wind. There are, of course, some ways to sail without the use of the wind. In this article, I will list all possible ways in which you can continue sailing without the help of the wind. So, keep reading!

Know the Winds

• Becalmed Wind: In case you can’t get any real momentum and there’s no wind on the water because it’s blocked by land the wind is “becalmed”. In this case, your sails are slack and your boat will drift along. When you’re out on the ocean and your sails suddenly deflate, it means you’re becalmed. This is a technique used by racers in sailing in order to make the opposing rival ineffective for a short period of time. If one boat passes too near to another, the original sailboat’s sails may render ineffective. This tactic gave rise to the phrase “to take the wind out of someone’s sails.” So, when there isn’t enough wind to fill the sails and move the sailboat, the term “becalmed” is commonly used to describe a vessel’s situation on open sea outside of racing circles.
• Offshore and Onshore Winds: The same rules apply to these winds as they do to easterly and westerly winds. Offshore wind occurs when the wind blows away from the shore and out to sea. Windward beaches are the coastlines where these winds blow. On the other hand, onshore wind occurs when the wind blows from the sea toward the coast. The lee shore is the part of the beach where the onshore wind blows. Note that when sailing and approaching a lee shore in an onshore breeze, be cautious because sudden changes can force you to go aground. As a result, sailing to a windward shore will allow you to better manage your sails.
• Easterly and Westerly: Winds are known as easterlies when they move from east to west. Westerlies are wind patterns that move from west to east. Note that there are winds as a result of pressure variations. The Coriolis effect has an impact on wind direction as well. Winds travelling from the equator to the North Pole and from the North Pole to the equator are deflected to the right due to Coriolis Force. And, winds flowing north-south and south-north in the southern hemisphere are deflected to the left due to Coriolis Force. The magnitude of the deflection, often known as the “Coriolis effect,” varies greatly depending on latitude.
• True Wind and Apparent Wind: True wind is the true speed and direction of the wind blowing as perceived by a stationary observer. He may be at sea level or at the top of the mast, but the wind speed and direction are the TRUE wind speed and direction as long as the boat is completely still. The apparent wind is the wind speed and direction as perceived by an observer, who does not need to be motionless. Keep in mind that this can make a significant difference.
• Knots: This refers to the wind speed at sea. We talk about wind in miles per hour when we’re on the shore. However, on the water (and in aviation), wind is measured in knots (abbreviated as kn). One knot is about equal to one statue mile per hour multiplied by 1.15. Knots are directly related to the latitude measurement system. A ship moves one minute of latitude to sail one knot. The knot system is linked to the process of giving navigational instructions in latitude and longitude.
• Sailing Downwind: It’s simple to comprehend how to sail downwind or parallel to the wind. In other words, the wind blows into the sails and pushes against them. The air is decelerated by the sails because the wind is quicker than the boat. Because the sails push back against the wind, the wind pushes the sails ahead. The catch for a boat with regular sails is that, even with a spinnaker, you can only sail faster than the wind downwind. This can be comfortable sailing but not the most exciting.
• Sailing Upwind: Sailing upwind or exactly anti-parallel to the wind is equally easy to grasp. Sailing upwind is possible, but sailing directly into the wind is not. A tack is a movement in which the bow of a sailboat rotates through the wind direction. And also forcing the boat to shift direction from pointing diagonally upwind with the wind on one side of the boat to the other side of the boat. Boats can sail at 40° to the wind and with tacking you can easily go anywhere.  

How to Sail without Wind?

• Using the motor: The first strategy is the simplest and most obvious. Meaning that in case there’s no wind and you’re on the sea you will have to use the motor in order to move the boat. To fill your sails you must wait for the right time to find some wind or create your own with the motion created by the motor. Keep in mind that if you don’t have oars or a motor to the propeller, you might not go anywhere.
• Use weight distribution: The water’s current may generate enough wind to make your cruising sail more effective if you bring everyone to the front of the boat to nudge the bow down and elevate the stern a little.
• Rely on propellers: If your sailboat has motor propellers, it will be rather simple to move it even when there are no winds. The propeller propels the sailboat ahead by redirecting a portion of the forward energy back to the propeller. It also causes the propeller to blow backward. This, in turn, generates more energy and push in a domino effect or an amplifying loop.
• Use a fan or pump the rudder: Some people believe that employing a swamp boat-style fan can be beneficial. However, the key to this strategy is to direct the fan away from the sails. In addition, moving your rudder back and forth will create some movement, which therefore will create wind that your sail may capture.
• Row your boat: Using your oars to move the boat forward is an option but it is really tiring and it will only work if you have a small sailboat.
• Stay calm and wait for the wind: Well, if you’re somehow stuck and none of the above solutions is applicable what you can do is just enjoy the moment! Consider leaving your cruising sail up to catch the light breeze if it happens to come your way. You can also choose to drop anchor and lower your sail. In either case, you will have the opportunity to appreciate the natural beauty of your surrounding.

Tricks on How to Sail without Wind

When the wind becomes light we must keep the knots up. And, sometimes it is preferable not to use the engine. Keeping the boat moving in light winds can be a lot of fun, especially if you use the tactics and strategies you learned as a dinghy sailor. So, consider applying the below-mentioned tricks and you might even make port without using the ignition.

A knot or so of the tide can make all the difference between making headway and going backward. Especially when ghosting along in light airs. However, while tide tables, tidal stream atlases, and the tide prediction tools on most chart plotters appear to be accurate, they are all prone to weather-related inaccuracies and omissions. This is because the elements are too small to show up on small-scale maps. To determine the strength and direction of the tidal stream, compare your course and speed on land as shown by your GPS. And, compare them with your course and speed on water (as reported by your log and compass).

When confronted with an opposing tide, the basic guideline is to go as near the coast as possible. The speed of the foul tide lowers in shallow water. And this happens even if you don’t pick up a back eddy or counter-current. It pays to stay out in deeper water, where the tide flows quicker and when the tide is in your favor.

Sea Breezes

On warm days with modest winds from any direction, the wind will often increase in the afternoon and stop at dusk as the land heats and cools. So, don’t rush your breakfast! This is because the sailing will almost always be better later. Clear skies and a light offshore breeze at breakfast time are ideal circumstances for a sea breeze in the spring and summer. There will most likely be a brief period of quiet. But, keep an eye out for puffy white cumulus clouds forming above the shore, signaling the start of the sea wind circulation. As the onshore sea breeze settles in, the clouds will migrate inland. And, the sea breeze will most likely veer (turn clockwise) during the afternoon. Note that sea breezes become stronger near the coast but you can also feel them at around 10 miles offshore.

Tidal Winds

Tidal streams not only move you in the direction they flow, but they also produce apparent wind. Consider yourself on a mooring with no wind and a four-knot tidal stream. You don’t feel any wind, but if you let go of the mooring and drift downstream at four knots, you’ll be passing through a mass of motionless air. This gives the impression of a four-knot wind blowing against the tide. You won’t be able to move against the tide with this tidal breeze. But, a four-knot Force 2 will provide you some control.

The combination of the true wind plus the tidal wind can easily add up to a nice sail. Especially when there is a few knots of real wind flowing against the tide. Keep the tide on your lee bow if you’re beating across the tidal stream to make the most of the tidal wind. It pays to be on starboard tack while the tide is running west on a cross-channel passage beating into a southerly wind. Then tack into port when the tide turns.

Shape your Course

Although most chart plotters have tidal data, only a few of them can use it to calculate the best course to steer. At low speeds, it’s even more vital to use classic chartwork or the “one in sixty rule” to shape your course. Like this, you will avoid ending up down-tide of your objective. The one in sixty rule is a basic mathematics formula that states: Tide speed x 60 Boat speed = course correction. To determine an average when the tidal stream is changing, as it would on a longer voyage, sum all the tidal streams in one direction. Then subtract all the tidal streams in the other direction and divide by the entire duration.

Carry Lightweight Sails

Note that a sail known as a ‘drifter’ is frequently used by racers. They use this spinnaker on any point of sail, from a close reach to a run in Force 1–2. For this reason, cruisers used to buy used racing spinnakers or hang on to an old No 1 genoa. Some people still carry a drifter as a precautionary measure in case the wind drops at an inopportune time.

Because the genoa is the primary driving sail on most cruising boats, the primary goal is to make sure you’re using the headsail’s force to propel the boat forward rather than sideways. It’s quite easy to over-tension everything without the weight of the wind extending the sail, sheet, and halyard, flattening the sail, and reducing the sheeting angle. It may allow you to point higher, but it will slow down your boat. It’s exactly the opposite of what we desire in light airs. So, loosen the halyard in order to remove horizontal or star-shaped wrinkles on the luff. Ease the sheet as well: when beating in light winds, aim to keep the sail’s leech the same distance from the spreaders as when beating in normal conditions.

In mild breezes, the same principles apply to the mainsail. However, it’s very simple to overuse the rule of thumb that states “slacken everything.” Looking up at the top batten from under the windward side of the boom is a nice place to start. The aft section of the batten should be parallel to the boom. Or, slanted slightly downwind of it regardless of the wind strength. The leech is too tight if the end of the batten is jutting up to windward, so loosen the kicker and bring the mainsheet traveller to the centreline or even to windward.

Understand the Wind in Relation to your Boat

When you’re sailing you must take an active role in bringing together and harnessing the power that propels the sailboat forward, which in this case is the wind. The boat will not move forward until the winds are in your sails. Instead, you’ll just float around in a state of neutrality. Worse, you could also capsize. As a result, understanding how the wind works in moving a sailboat and what you can do without it is critical. Aerodynamics refers to the force of the wind on the sails. This can move the sailboat by lifting it in the same manner as the wind lifts an airplane wing. In general, the wind that lifts and pushes the sailboat generally contains sideways force and small forward force. Therefore you should adjust the sails properly to encounter the least amount of resistance.

Make Use of the Hydrodynamics

As a matter of fact, it’s impossible to be out on the sea and have no wind at all to propel your boat. However, even if this occurs, you may rely on the heat transfer from the warm to the cold zones to create some type of hydrodynamics or flow. This will then create currents to move your sailboat, albeit not as effectively as the winds.

In terms of relativity, powerful winds may not be of much use in propelling your sailboat if they are accompanied by minor currents. Similarly, strong currents combined with light winds may be insufficient to propel a sailboat. Many modern sailboats, on the other hand, are designed in such a way that they can function normally even when there are strong currents and light breezes. The most crucial thing is to make sure your boat’s sails are aligned with the existing strong currents. Bear in mind that many modern sailboats are built using hydrodynamic engineering techniques. These can simulate 15-knot winds even when the currents are 15 knots.

The only difference may be that, in addition to the typical sailing speed, you must additionally manage 15 knots of currents in the opposite direction. This explanation may appear complicated at first, but it’s actually rather simple. While there’s no wind and you’re trying to sail with the current, you’re technically sailing upwind. Therefore you’ll need to employ the same strategies as you would when sailing upwind.

The Bottom Line

So, yes, it is possible for a sailboat to move in the total absence of the wind. The solutions include using your motor, propellers, use weight distribution, row the boat, and rely on tidal winds and sea breezes. Moreover, if you carry lightweight sheets and sails and shape a proper course the odds will be in your favor. In case you can’t apply any of the solutions and you’re stuck in the middle of the sea, which is unlikely, you can just relax and enjoy the moment! But, keep in mind that this is a very rare situation. Lastly, yes sailboats are able to move without the help of the wind but not so efficiently as they would with the use of the wind.

Peter is the editor of Better Sailing. He has sailed for countless hours and has maintained his own boats and sailboats for years. After years of trial and error, he decided to start this website to share the knowledge.

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How Do Sails Actually Work: Full Beginners Guide

The sails are your boat's primary driving force. Your boat is designed to sail , and with good wind it will be faster and more comfortable than using the engine. Engines on sailboats are called "auxiliary" for a reason, almost every sailor hates to use them once they get the hang of sailing. But it won't happen if you don't learn to trim the sails, and to trim them you have to understand them.

But how does a bunch of cloth - your sails - get so much motive power and force? How do sails actually work?

The short answer is that upwind sails generate lift which acts against forces on the keel in the water to pull the boat forward, and downwind sails capture as much wind force as they can to push the boat downwind.

On this page:

How sailing requires some math, understanding the physics of sailing, putting math and physics together under sail, why is it easier to sail downward, applying your knowledge of sails.

But the detailed answer for sailing upwind is more complex, so come join us for a deep dive into the reason sailboats work and can sail up, down, and across the wind. It's going to get a little into math and a little physics, but we'll keep it on a practical level where you can get the concepts with little hard stuff. And downwind sails are much easier to explain.

To understand sails and sailing, understand the forces which apply to a boat and how they combine to make forward motion. To represent forces, motion, and velocity, we need to use vectors .

We'll do our best to keep this simple, and you will not need a calculator. The important takeaway is how we add forces together to figure a net force or motion .

What is a Vector?

A vector is a number with both a magnitude (a number or size) and a direction. Traveling at 60 miles per hour down the highway is a speed—the car's speed is 60 mph no matter where it’s headed. It has no direction component. But traveling west at 60 mph is a velocity , which is a speed and a direction (west).

You represent the speed easily with a number: "60." But how do you show its velocity headed west? Just as easily, with a vector.

Draw a six-inch line running east/west, then put an arrow on the west end. If we set our scale to one inch = 10mph, then we have our scalar measurement (6") and our orientation - west, or 270°. This arrow is the velocity vector of a car moving at 60mph headed west.

You can represent anything with an orientation and a scalar measurement this way. Whether it's the force and direction a pool cue applies to a ball, the force a hammerhead puts on a nail or the speed and direction of the wind, you can show it with vectors.

Calculating the sailing vector (with pictures)

So what is the point of drawing arrows to describe things? If we can describe forces with vectors, then we can add and subtract the vectors to see how the forces add and subtract, too.

Adding vectors is simple. To add two vectors, put the arrow end of the first vector at the beginning of the second vector. Then, with a straight edge, draw a line from the start of the first vector to the end of the second and put an arrow on the end where it meets the second vector. That new line you just drew is the sum of the vectors.

That's all there is to it. But what does it mean? Let's do a couple of thought exercises to show how it works.

Picture a bicyclist riding north along a road at 20 mph with no wind. The bicyclist feels a 20 mph north wind in her face, right? You can draw that as a line 20 units long pointing directly at the rider's face. The exact units on paper don't matter. That they're consistent is all that counts, so "one square of graph paper = one unit" and "one unit equals one mph" is just fine.

Now picture a 10 mph north wind from straight in front of the rider. What does it feel like to the rider?

That 10 mph wind is added to the 20 mph wind, and it feels like the rider is moving into a 30mph wind. You don't need vectors to see this, it's simple math, and you know how this feels. Just like you know a 10 mph south wind from straight behind the rider will make the total wind feel like just 10 mph.

But what about if there's a 10 mph wind from the east - 90 degrees from the rider's right? What does the wind force feel like in her face now?

• Draw your 20-unit north wind line in the rider's face.
• From the end of the first line, draw a 10-unit east wind.
• With a straightedge, draw a line from the beginning of the north wind vector to the arrow on the east wind vector.
• That line is what the rider feels in her face from the combined wind of her motion on the bike and the 10 mph east wind.
• You can measure the exact angle of the new vector with a protractor or compass and measure the length in units to get the wind strength. You'd get a wind that felt like 22.4 mph from 26.6° to the rider’s right.

Vector A, the north wind (0°) 20 mph long, and B is the east wind (90°) at 10 mph

The line is drawn to add them together.

The new vector for the wind force.

To explore this further, check out the tool used to make these graphics , where you can create your own vectors and add them together. Just remember it's made by mathematicians, not sailors, so North (0°) is to the right instead of up!

Applying vectors when sailing

You don't need to understand how to measure vectors or even do the math to get all the numbers. All you need to understand is how to add the forces together with the arrows.

Lay them head-to-tail and draw the new line. And that's enough for you to see how the combined forces will look without using a calculator.

Vectors are an important part of understanding sailing. When you learn to navigate, you'll use vectors to calculate the current set and drift or the course to a waypoint (though they won't call it that!). From our examples, you see how they apply to understand apparent wind. You don't need to draw lines on paper all the time, but understanding how forces, currents, and wind affect each other will make you a better sailor.

Now that we know how to measure and add forces, we can talk about the forces on a boat that create upwind motion. There are a few basic physics principles that describe and explain these forces and how they apply to a sailboat. If you never took physics back in the day (or you remember as well as most of us do years later...) don't sweat. We'll keep it relatable.

What is the Bernoulli Effect?

Standing near a chimney, you can feel flue drafts that suck the heat right out of the room if you leave it open, or see them suck smoke up the chimney. And if you've ever flown, did you ever look out the window at what the wing was doing during the flight? Ever wonder how the wings get that big jet plane off the ground?

The answer lies in the work of Daniel Bernoulli, an 18th-century Swiss mathematician. Bernoulli's Principle states that a moving fluid is associated with a decrease in static pressure. The faster the flow, the lower the pressure near it.

At lower speeds, the air is effectively fluid, and the same rules apply. So wind moving over a chimney opening creates a low-pressure spot at the top of the chimney, which draws air up the chimney even when there is no fire. On a windy day, this force is powerful enough to rattle the flue cover when it's closed.

How the sail generates lift

How does this get a plane in the air? And by extension, how does it get power to a sail? Because the same principle applies and upwind sails are very similar to airplane wings.

An airplane wing is a curved surface. As air flows over a curved surface, the air on the outside of the curve has a longer path to travel than air on the inside before it meets again at the back of the wing. Both sides of the wing are moving through the air at the same speed, so the air over the top of the curve must move faster than the air on the bottom.

The faster a fluid moves, the lower the pressure. So the faster air on top of the wing has lower pressure than the bottom, which leads to a lifting force from the higher pressure under the wing. The curve of a wing causes the lifting force towards the top of the wing. The same thing applies to upwind sails - the curve in the sail generates "lift" towards the outside of the sail.

If you want to feel this yourself, the next time you're a passenger in a car, roll down the window and put your hand. Flatten your hand with your palm down parallel to the ground. Then, slowly curve your hand and feel the lifting force!

How the sailor controls lift

If you've watched the wing while a plane takes off or lands, you've seen the pilot adjusting the flaps and the overall shape of the wing. A modern plane wing changes shape from a low-flat profile to a shorter, thicker shape. This different shape changes the amount of lift the wing gives, and the thicker shape has more lift, which helps at takeoff and landing.

The pilot is trimming the wing like a sailor trims a sail.

In a curved surface like an airplane wing (or sail), the chord is the curve's height. The fuller the curve, the longer the chord. And the faster the wind has to travel over the outside to meet the inside wind, which leads to more lift. But it also creates more drag, so once a plane is off the ground and getting closer to cruising speed, the pilot flattens out the wing to reduce drag for higher speed.

For airplanes, this makes taking off and landing easier since the plane can get off the ground and land at lower speeds. For sails, it gives more power for acceleration from low speed or through waves and chop.

What is Newton's Third Law of Motion?

"For every action, there's an equal and opposite reaction."

If you push against a wall, the wall pushes back with the same force. If it didn't, the wall would fall over. A rocket blasts hot gasses from burning fuel out of the bottom, and the rocket moves forward from the reaction force. A car's tires push against the road, the road pushes back, and the car moves forward.

When wind hits a boat's sails, it will either flop over and capsize or skitter sideways through the water unless it has a keel or other appendage under the water . A mono-hulled boat without a keel, centerboard, daggerboard, or other underwater stabilizers can not sail upwind.

So the keel acts as a counterpoise to the forces on the sails to keep the boat upright, but it also pushes against the water. This pushing against the water and the sails is an action, and there's an equal and opposite reaction. This force works against the sail lift to move the boat.

Sailing upwind, you've got a combination of lifting force from the sails, reactive force from the keel against the water, and other forces, like friction and drag from the water. These forces have their own vector arrows.

For simplicity, we will ignore friction and drag, since they're the only forces pushing against the boat in one direction as it moves through the water. While they increase with speed, we can assume the other forces are large enough to overcome them. And you don't want to make me explain adding four or five vectors together at once...

Friction and drag are very important to boat performance. We've simplified them out of the equation to make the force diagrams clearer. Faster boats have less drag from hull form and smooth bottoms, but all the drag and friction vectors point straight back against the boat's forward motion so they only slow the boat down, not change its direction.

In the diagram below, you can see vectors for the lifting force from the sails and the side force of the keep pushing against the water.

Now, add them.

You don't have to do it on paper, as long as you can see that those vectors, when added together, result in a vector that nets a forward motion of the hull through the water. There's your answer.

Any yacht designer will tell you there's much more to getting the correct forward vector. And this is true. The shape of the hull, the smoothness of the bottom, and a few other factors will affect the final forward forces on the boat.

But at its core, the lift vector from the sails added to the keel vector ends up in the boat being pulled forward.

What makes a boat sail downwind is much simpler than the mashup of force vectors we had to work through for upwind sailing. It's quite simple really - the sails fill with wind and pull on the boat to push/drag it downwind.

When you're not going against the wind, the physics is a lot simpler.

Not that you can't look more closely at the forces involved to maximize your speeds and find the best way to sail downwind. But we're not asking how to trim for speed, we're asking how the boat moves. And heading downwind, your full sails catch as much wind as possible to put as much propulsive force onto the hull as possible.

If you've gotten this far, you may wonder "now what?" The next step is to apply that knowledge to sail your boat. Now that you know you can change sail shapes for speed and power and why that works, check out our complete guide to trimming sails so you can trim better and sail faster.

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• How to Move a Boat >

How to Move a Boat

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Moving entails transporting more than just your belongings from one home to another. If you own a boat, you’ll have to arrange for its transport, too. Depending on how large your boat is, where you’re currently located and where you’re moving to, transporting a boat can be complicated and expensive. Here’s what you need to know.

Three ways to move your boat

You have three options for moving your boat: you can move it yourself, hire a delivery captain (yacht delivery service) or use a professional boat moving service. Most people opt to move it themselves if they aren’t relocating too far away and already have a trailer. However, the do-it-yourself approach isn’t always an option.

Moving it yourself

If you have a trailer, towing your boat yourself usually makes the most sense as long as it’s not too big. Any boat larger than 8 feet 6 inches wide requires a permit to drive on public roads. Boats larger than 12 feet wide may require a pilot car while those over 14 feet will require two pilot cars, one in front and one in back.

Height is another consideration. If you’re boat tops 14 feet when loaded on the trailer, you may have to modify your route to avoid highway overpasses and overhead utilities. Boats greater than 16 feet tall may require the route be driven by a height pole escort vehicle before your permit to transport your boat on public roads is approved. If the height pole touches anything, your application will be denied.

Hiring a delivery captain

Another option is to hire a captain to pilot your boat to the new marina if a route by water is possible. For example, if you are moving from Chicago to Detroit, you could hire a captain and never have to take your boat out of water. You can usually find a good captain through yacht brokerages or by asking around your marina. Just make sure the have a USCG license and adequate insurance.

Using a professional boat moving service

The final option is to hire a professional boat moving service. You can find a reliable boat shipper through an online resource like uShip , by researching companies online or by asking for recommendations at your marina.

Expect to pay an average of $1.50 to $3.50 per mile to transport a typical boat, according to Boat Hauling U.S. The exact rate depends on the size of your boat, type of boat, pick up and delivery location, route, distance traveled and whether the boat is on its own trailer. Whether you are heading east or west also influences the cost—you’ll pay about $1 more per mile to go east than west.

Professional boat moving services can ship your boat both domestically and internationally. Assuming you don’t want to hire a captain to deliver your boat to an international destination, you can have it transported by shipping vessel. The most common method is roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO), where your boat stays on its trailer for the entire journey. Or, you can ship it in an enclosed container or flat rack, a custom-made cradle.

How to measure your boat

Because so much depends on the size of your boat, including the cost of shipping it and permitting requirements, it’s important to know how to correctly measure it. (Don’t rely on the measurement information provided in your boat’s owners since it may not be exact and modifications can add to your boat’s size.)

Start by removing all detachable pieces; then, measure the length. Overall length is measured from the tip of the bow to the center of the stern. Include bow pulpits, swim platforms, motor brackets and the length of the motors or out drives in the raised position.

Next, measure the height from the bottom of the keel to the highest non-removable part of the boat. If you are using your own trailer, include the trailer in your measurement. The height should be at or under 13 feet 6 inches to avoid having a height pole escort. Even if your boat is below this height, remove radars, antennas and anything you can to reduce its height and chance of tipping during transport.

Finally, width is measured at the widest point of the boat and includes the rub rail. If your width exceeds 8 feet 6 inches wide, you will need a permit to transport it. Boats larger than 12 feet usually require at least one pilot car, so you’ll want to remove any item, such as grills, to minimize the width (and prevent them from falling off or getting damaged in the move).

How to prepare your boat

Whether you relocate your boat yourself or hire a professional boat moving service to do it for you, you need to prepare your boat. Start by photographing your boat in the water before you do anything. Next, remove all personal items. This includes food, clothes and linens. Then, remove all flammable items, including propane, Sterno, flares and extra fuel.

After removing your boat from the water, thoroughly clean it, removing any growths from the hull. Most states have inspection stations for invasive species, and if you fail an inspection, you will be liable for thousands of dollars per day in detention and layover fees. Once it is clean, photograph your boat out of the water, making sure to get close up shots as well as full profiles.

Next, remove all cables from the batteries, fuel from your gas tank and liquids from your holding tanks. Secure all hatches, and detach all items secured to the sides such as barbecue grills, buoys and anchors. Lastly, consider removing any valuable electronic components and shipping them separately. You might also want to shrink wrap your boat to keep it clean and protect it from damage during the move.

Is it worth it?

Moving a boat can be expensive and time consuming, even if you are just prepping your boat and hiring someone to transport it for you. Often, it’s easier and less expensive to sell your boat before your move and buy a new one once you’ve settled in at your new home.

However, if you do decide to move your boat, it will add substantially to your moving to-do list. Take some of the pressure off by hiring a professional moving company to transport your belongings to the new house or maybe even help pack. Our network of reliable movers makes it easy to find a reputable company who can make moving a little less stressful.

Related Articles:

• 5 Tips for Moving with Your Own Car
• When Is the Best Time to Move?
• Why Summer Is The Most Expensive Time to Move
• Moving This Summer: What You Need to Know
• What to Know Before Renting a PODS Moving Container
• How Much Does a Moving Company Cost in 2023?
• How to Ship a Car to Another State
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Author: Teresa Bitler

Teresa Bitler has been covering moving, real estate, home improvement and home decor for more than 15 years. She enjoys writing articles about moving to specific cities, like Denver or Nashville, and what to expect when you get there. She also likes to write about home improvement and getting your home ready for a move. As a real estate investor, she wrote extensively for Personal Real Estate Investor. She has also written for Su Casa, US News & World Report and local publications about home improvement topics. Bitler currently lives in Phoenix, and although she’s moved too many times to count, she plans on staying put—at least for a while. View all posts by Teresa Bitler

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Sailing Eurybia

Two Humans and a Dog sail Mexico on a Sea Maid Ketch

Tips for Docking a Sailboat Safely and Confidently

April 18, 2019 10 Comments

I grew up in a sailing family. I learned by example from my dad, then by experimentation after that. Since our early boats had no engines (nor did they go in reverse!) I did not learn about docking except how to sail a tiny light boat up to a dock and turn into the wind. Not much use for our 32,000 pound 45’ boat! Ever since I had been docking by winging it – and sometimes winging the bow pulpit. I successfully docked in most situations, but it was always nerve-wracking.

Finally I have had an opportunity to change that. I took my first ever ASA class here in San Francisco and learned techniques I would not have thought of, plus got confidence by doing it myself. The Advanced Motoring & Docking class as taught by Tradewinds Sailing School in Richmond, CA is fabulous. At first I thought it seemed expensive at $325. However it’s a full day on the water and the in-person instruction was fabulous. There were just two of us in the class and we used a Jeanneau 43 for the day. I learned so much about controlling the boat in tight quarters WITHOUT jumping off the boat or doing other dangerous and unnecessary actions. Although they test on the ASA information, they also introduce their own methods which, I have to agree, seem far better than the traditional approaches.

I will share with you some of the information I learned, but of course my notes are only to pique your interest and maybe give you some hints for your own docking. I strongly recommend that if this interests you that you find a course yourself, but you might ask if their methods require jumping off the boat to catch lines when docking. Tradewinds methods have convinced me that this is a dangerous and unnecessary practice, despite being the most commonly seen. Tradewinds trains you to stay on the boat, keep the boat under control, and step off the boat to tie dock lines only when the excitement has ended, the boat is stopped, and it is safe to do so slowly.

Motoring Concepts

Moving a boat under power has six elements that you have to balance or learn to work around. Wind and Current clearly can affect how the boat behaves. Prop Walk and Prop Wash are two ways that the boat’s motion is affected by the propeller action. And finally Momentum (how much way you have on) and Inertia (the tendency to keep moving in the direction you are already going, even when the engine is in neutral) are two more forces that can be used as tools to controlling the boat by power. These influences are probably familiar to you but we’ll run through them quickly.

Wind and Current

Current tends to affect the whole boat, making it move downstream in generally a straight line. It can also be hard to see until you suddenly realize you are going to miss the slip you were aiming for.

Wind tends to affect the bow most quickly, making it trickier to move the bow into the wind without it blowing off. But this means that reversing into a wind is often easier than powering forward into a head wind. Useful to realize that.

Momentum and Inertia

Momentum is the amount of force your boat has based on its speed and weight. Momentum is why you want to have control over speed – as they say you should approach the dock at the speed at which you are willing to hit it. Inertia is the tendency to stay moving a particular direction. Inertia will be essential in fighting prop walk – read on!

Prop Walk and Prop Wash

Prop Walk is the tendency for the boat to turn in a particular direction when reversing. Most boats have a right-hand turning propeller which forces the stern to the left when in reverse. Left-hand propellers would do the opposite. In the following paragraphs I will default to a right-hand turning propeller but I will try to remember to put notes in parentheses e.g. (LH: steer left) for those with left-hand drive props.

How do you know whether you have a right-hand or left-hand drive? If you have tried to reverse you may have noticed that it curled off to one direction or another. But if you have a new boat then you can check this at the dock when tied off securely. Put the engine in forward with moderate throttle. On one side of the boat or another, just aft of amidships, you will see agitated water. The other side of the boat will be calmer. This agitated water is the result of Prop Wash as the propeller blasts water off the keel. For a boat propeller that turns to the right, clockwise, (when viewed from astern) the prop wash will appear on the starboard side (and your boat will reverse to the left). If you see the turbulence on your port side you have a left-hand drive, your boat will reverse to starboard, and will need to follow the (LH: xxx) instructions.

Whichever direction of Prop Walk your boat has, transitions to neutral will allow the boat to keep moving backwards without continuing to turn. Short bursts in reverse will apply more power to keep moving backwards, but once you get way on again, pop into neutral to counteract the turning.

Going into neutral allows the boat to stop exhibiting prop walk while still moving in the direction you were going the moment you slipped out of reverse.

Use Minimum Motions

Big motions get you in trouble on a boat. Tiny adjustments are often enough and easy to counteract if you went the wrong direction. A 6” turn of the wheel is plenty – do a little and watch. Likewise just changing gears is often enough, you may not need to throttle up to change the motion of your boat. Change gears first, then throttle up slowly if you still need the power. Occasionally you will need to give a burst of throttle, but it still does not need to be a large change, just quick.

Note: If you have a throttle and a gear shift (my boat has a single handle for both functions) then don’t forget: Forward – Neutral – Reverse – never go straight from Forward to Reverse, always pause in Neutral to avoid transmission damage.

Remember A Boat Doesn’t Drive Like a Car

My very first cruising boat was a homemade beauty that had some, shall we say, peculiarities. One of these was that the steering system was from a car. The steering wheel was a smallish car steering wheel and it was hooked up backwards – you turned left to go right – sort of like a tiller. Boy did I get confused when trying to back up! I assume you don’t have this issue on your boat. However notice that this entire article assume you have wheel steering. For tillers a right rudder is effected by turning the tiller LEFT, whereas a steering wheel (usually) is turned right to effect a right rudder.

In some ways a boat DOES turn like a car: When you are going forward (assuming sufficient speed) and turn the wheel to the right your boat starts a right turn in a gentle arc. If you were to reverse (assuming sufficient speed) it would follow that same arc in reverse (until you slow enough for prop walk to affect your boat’s motion).

Whether going astern (with sufficient speed) or ahead the boat tends to travel along an arc. The left image above shows the path when the rudder / wheel is turned left  and the right image shows the path with right rudder / wheel.

However, unlike a car, a boat turns about a pivot point aft of the main. So when the bow moves to the right in a turn, the stern is swinging out to the left.

If you’re turning a boat your stern can hit a pillar which the bow cleared just fine – check your stern and turn when it is safe for the stern to swing out.

Also be aware of Advance which is much greater in a boat than in a car. Advance is the distance before the opening that you need to start your turn (when entering forwards). Our instructor told us that for the 43’ boat we were sailing that we needed to start the turn into the slip about 62’ out – about 3 of our marina’s 21’-wide slips before the slip we were going into. Remember that the helmsman determines when to start turning so the advance distance is properly the horizontal distance from the helm station to the center of the slip you are going to.

Other sources say to turn when the opening is 30 degrees off the direction of your boat. Try these methods until you are comfortable turning into your home slip and you can estimate a similar distance or angle when going into an unfamiliar marina.

Docking Techniques

Note that these docking techniques are different than most of us are taught in two ways:

• no one jumps off the boat until the boat is stopped next to the dock
• you do not throw lines to people on the dock, instead you stay in control until stopped then step off the boat

This may be heresy to you and other captains you sail with, but it is much safer for both your crew and your boat.

Some Techniques to Practice

If you think of docking as being done 75% in neutral you won’t be far off. Neutral has the great advantage of taming prop walk and utilizing momentum effectively. Of course you have to use forward and reverse to get anywhere, but think of forward and reverse as momentary “correctors” that just increase your momentum or change your direction.

In some of these maneuvers you will want to have a “loop” prepared to help control the boat when you arrive. An aft spring loop will be a mooring line secured at your aft cleat and your waist (midships) cleat with enough slack to nearly touch the water. It will be used when heading forwards along a dock.

A forward spring loop is similar – a mooring line secured at your bow cleat and your waist (midships) cleat with enough slack to nearly touch the water. It will be used when backing onto a dock. In both cases you want there to be enough slack that the crew can pick up the slack in two hands and toss it over a cleat on the dock when the boat is nearly stopped and in good control close to the dock. The boat will back down (forward spring loop) or move up (aft spring loop) and get sucked into the dock with no need to use (unreliable) bystanders or dangerous leaps to shore from a moving boat. See more detail in Parallel Approaches below.

Back-and-Fill or Standing Turn

A standing turn, changing direction or “spinning” in place, also called Back-and-Fill is a useful technique. You can practice this is an open area, or for best results, in an empty mooring field where you can really mark your starting position. For a RH Drive boat you will put your wheel all the way to the right (LH: Left wheel) and lean against it to hold it in place – you will not be turning the wheel again until you’re done . Go forward and proceed slowly on your turn. When you are starting to move away from your starting position, go into reverse, where you will be helped by prop walk as well as the rudder angle. Once you start to go backwards rather than just turning, shift back into forward and continue alternating forwards and reverse until your boat is facing the new direction. Straighten your wheel to proceed.

The Standing Turn or Back-and-Fill. The dark line out the back represents the rudder/wheel position and the pink arrow indicates direction of travel. By alternately reversing and going forward you can turn your boat in place.

Where do you use this?

• preparatory to backing into your slip
• turning in a fairway when you are headed the wrong direction (oh – the fuel dock is over THERE!)
• any time you need to turn the boat around and have limited space to do it
• showing off for your friends

Perpendicular Forward Approach

Say you are approaching the fuel dock. It is directly in front of you. You are going to need to turn to come parallel to it. How close do you get before turning? A rule of thumb is approach until the bow of your boat appears to be at the same level as the dock you are approaching. This is a rough guide, but much easier than trying to guesstimate when you are, say 62’ away. Then once you are parallel to the dock proceed as for Parallel Forward Approach below.

Parallel Forward Approach

This is probably the most common way to approach a pump-out or fuel dock when there is plenty of room to do so. When you can approach from either side equally then plan to approach port side to the dock (LH: starboard side to the dock) so you can use prop walk in getting off if needed. Prepare an aft spring loop on the port side (LH: starboard side) as described above. Approach slowly in forward gear from a ways out, turn 30 degrees to the dock until you judge you are getting close, then straighten the wheel. You should be in neutral by now. Make adjustments (reverse if you’re going too fast, forward if you’ve lost way) and slow down until you are stopped or nearly stopped a few feet away from the dock. Ask the crew to toss the aft spring loop onto a cleat. Then pop into forward with very low throttle and turn the wheel away from the dock. The boat will be sucked into the dock and held there so that crew can safely and slowly disembark. If you need to do a lengthy fuel up or need to take your boat out of gear for another reason then the crew can secure the boat normally with mooring lines. Otherwise you can just stay in gear while you pump out.

Aft Spring Loop – Forward Gear – Turn away from dock

Parallel Backwards Approach

This approach is very similar to above but you will be backing in and using a forward spring loop. The preference is also to land on the port side (LH: starboard side) In this method but you can approach with either side to the dock in good conditions (little wind or current). Once the spring is deployed, pop into a gentle reverse, and you will be sucked into the dock and against the spring line.

Forward Spring Loop – Reverse Gear – Rudder not significant

You can also use this method if you are going in forward but the only cleat is ahead. Then you can use the forward spring but change into reverse and go backwards to secure yourself against the dock.

Wind Conditions

Wind on your bow is destabilizing – the bow can blow down and it is difficult to control the boat. However moving your stern into the wind is actually easier – the bow tends NOT to blow off when the stern is into the wind. You do have to contend with prop walk, but you have been given ways to deal with that.

So if you are approaching your slip on a very windy day these are the easiest ways to approach:

• back in if the wind is coming out of your slip
• go in forwards if the wind is blowing into the slip

Especially if others are watching! Why make it harder?

Backing in with wind ahead

But if you do need to back up with the wind from forward and your bow is tending to blow off, it gets confusing knowing which direction to turn. Rather than try to wrestle through the logic, just turn in the direction you DON’T want the bow to go.

If backing up and the bow starts to fall off to starboard, turn starboard. If it starts to fall off to port, turn to port. Little turns, a few inches.

Why does this work? Remember that when in reverse the stern turns to the right when the wheel is right, which means the bow turns to left.

Backing Out of the Slip – Basic

The most basic idea about leaving the slip is to plan for where you want to end up. You always want to end up on the windward side of the center line down the fairway heading towards the exit. For those with a fairway exit opposite the direction their prop walk takes them, well, you may need to back down the fairway and you should become comfortable with this. You can also use spring lines or warps to get your boat turned opposite the prop walk direction, but that is beyond the scope of this article.

Wind Coming out of the slip

The wind will assist getting out of the slip but you need to take a fairly tight turn so that you stay on the windward side of the slip and don’t blow down on the boats across the fairway. You may need a spring line on the outer leeward side of the slip to help you turn.

Wind Blowing into the slip

When the wind is blowing into the slip it’s essential to reverse a little more forcefully to get out of the slip, but you can take a wider turn so as to end up on the other side of the fairway. You will need to make sure you can get your bow around so that you don’t get blown back down onto the pilings around your slip. So as soon as you are out of the slip and are crossing the center line of the fairway forcefully turn the wheel towards the wind, shift into forward and give it plenty of throttle to get that bow moving.

I hope these notes give you a few more ways to think about docking. I haven’t talked much about using lines to further control your entry to or departure from a slip – that’s the Advanced Advanced Class! Likewise maneuvering around other boats on the docks you are approaching. But in good conditions and without other boats around these methods will work with no additional measures. So practice these docking techniques until you are confident entering and departing your slip in good conditions, and you can approach the fuel dock with confidence. Good Luck and Be Calm.

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Brilliant! There is so much good information in this post – I’m so glad to see it. Would love to see your take on getting in and out of docks when maneuvering between other boats that are already tied up. Also your favorite engineless docking thoughts. But in the meantime, those spring loops really are special – wonderful to learn some new stuff about this! Cheers, Shemaya

Thank you! I’m so glad you found it useful. And yes, coming into, say, a fuel dock when there are already other people tied up would be a great follow-up topic. And engine-less docking, something we used to do frequently when we had a boat with a less reliable engine (!) is something way too few people learn to be good at. My current slip nearly always has stiff breezes straight from the Golden Gate Bridge blowing into it so I think I would have to line in for safety. Another good topic! And then anchoring under sail – everyone …  Read more »

Hi Marie, All of that sounds great! I’d be fascinated to hear your take on anchoring and sailing off of anchors without motors. I’ve read various versions, and have what I do, which doesn’t necessarily match up with recommendations, but has worked for me… I haven’t actually written that up. When you say “lining in,” you mean setting an anchor so that you can let the boat fall back under control? I’d be really interested to hear details about that, especially about how you manage the anchor and line after the boat is in the slip. It’s not something I’ve …  Read more »

Maybe “line in” isn’t the real term — I just meant that I’d have to use lines to control the boat without an engine if there were a stiff breeze straight into my slip. You’re right though – in severe conditions without an engine using an anchor to control your speed might work – but then you’d have to go get the anchor with the dinghy. Ok for an emergency but wouldn’t do that as a routine. But we’ve also used our (powered) dinghy on the stern quarter to move the boat when there were no winds and the engine …  Read more »

Thanks for your suggestion to slightly and/or quickly adjust the steering wheel to get the desired direction instead of using big motions. My husband and I are looking into buying a sailboat this summer, but I don’t have a ton of experience with driving one. He’s been giving me a lesson or two on our friend’s boat, and I’m slowly improving, but this tip helps a lot. Once I get good at this, we’ll need to look into getting a boat and a dock so we can more fully enjoy the summer.

And heavier boats take some getting used to – you have to turn a little and wait for the boat to react. Good luck! It’s a great skill to have and makes your time on the water much more relaxed. Enjoy.

Great article. Thanks for summarizing the tricks and pointers. Very helpful

Thanks, Jim! So glad it was useful to you.

This may be the most helpful article I’ve read on sailing. You explained several things well but briefly which made it more clear. I especially appreciate the explanations of spring loops. We recently saw a boat tied up this way and we’re curious, but didn’t ask. I also very much appreciated the point that the boat should be stopped before jumping off. It’s typically just my husband & me and I am very anxious about jumping and not very good at jumping off to tie up. I feel so much better about it now and will definitely try the spring …  Read more »

Thank you Greta! So great to hear that knowledge that helped me is helping someone else! I typically steer the boat just because of the jumping off thing, and my husband ended up in the drink more than once! But now we have a safer way, I’m glad you do, too.

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How to keep outboard from flopping around on steering axis while trailering

• Thread starter eli_lilly
• Start date Jan 3, 2008

Chief Petty Officer

• Jan 3, 2008

Hello, I've seen the transom saver discussed to death but haven't really seen any mention of my personal concern, which is the flopping of my outboard on the steering axis while trailering. My boat is from the late 60s and uses the Teleflex inboard steering clamp block even though it is propelled by an outboard (the inboard clamp block is the one that gets connected to the transom by a single big-arse bolt through the transom). When I trailer (which I do with the motor up on the Johnnyrude latch) the motor bounces around slightly on the steering axis, which causes great force to be applied to the steering tube and the clamp block. I am not keen on this, and although it's been doing this for over a year now, it's really the one trailering situation that I am concerned about. I can't think of a good way to physically hold the motor straight (or even just cushion its return to the full-left or full-right rest position from a bounce) at the engine itself. Holding it straight from the steering wheel, via bungee, won't help as the same force will be exerted on the clamp block. Any ideas on how others deal with this, or would deal with it, is greatly appreciated. Thanks, -E  

Supreme Mariner

Re: How to keep outboard from flopping around on steering axis while trailering A good transom saver does that for you.  

Senior Chief Petty Officer

Re: How to keep outboard from flopping around on steering axis while trailering Use a good transom saver and a ratchet strap to hold the motor down on the transome saver. I use my power tilt to hold mine into the T-saver, but if you don't have power tilt use a nylon ratchet strap. The T-saver holds the motor strait as well as up and down.  

Re: How to keep outboard from flopping around on steering axis while trailering eli, Re-read the threads. The transom savers have a bungee cord that holds the engine down on the saver to stop vertical bounce. Some use a strap to hold the engine against the saver. The strap goes from the engine to the trailer frame. A lot of us either bungee the engine or the steering wheel to stop it flopping to one side. I just removed a set up, like yours, from a Boston Whaler. The transom saver worked fine as described above. The way you are trailering it now is not good for the engine or the transom.  

DJ said: eli, Re-read the threads. The transom savers have a bungee cord that holds the engine down on the saver to stop vertical bounce. Some use a strap to hold the engine against the saver. The strap goes from the engine to the trailer frame. Click to expand...

Re: How to keep outboard from flopping around on steering axis while trailering Thanks everyone for the responses, I will get a transom saver. The Fulton one that iboats has is looking pretty good. -E  

• Jan 4, 2008

Re: How to keep outboard from flopping around on steering axis while trailering Eli, If you turn the motor all the way to one side and trim it up a bit, the weight of the motor should keep it there. I do not think Transom Savers are at all necessary. My reasoning is that if a outboard or I/O can hold the LU in place against the full thrust of the motor(say 150HP), the hydraulics are plenty strong to hold the weight of the motor against a pothole or bump in the road. I therefore think they are overkill.  

Re: How to keep outboard from flopping around on steering axis while trailering There seems to be a misunderstanding of what forces a transom saver is designed to negate. Using the hydraulics of the trim system or a tilt-lock mechanism does one thing and one thing only -- it keeps the engine or drive tilted. That does absolutely nothing to negate the forces acting on the transom from the bouncing of the boat which causes twisting of the transom because of the long moment arm of the extended drive or lower unit. The transom saver ties the lower unit, the boat, and trailer frame into one unit. All of the forces are now transfered to the springs on the trailer and in the case of the hydraulics, eliminates stress on that as well. A transom saver with a relatively deep "V" block to support the drive will work best at keeping the motor from moving side to side. Whether you use a transom saver or not is a personal decision but if you look around, you'll them used by many of us who travel thousands of miles a year trailering boats at freeway speeds and often on less than ideal secondary roads. It's simply very inexpensive protection.  

Re: How to keep outboard from flopping around on steering axis while trailering That has to be one of the best, most concise arguments I have read to date on the subject Silvertip. One other point to be made is the type of shock being applied. Where on the water will you get such an abrupt (rise time) and forceful impact as you will going over road imperfections like potholes and bumps? And that is again amplified by the lever arm of the weight extended back off the transom. In trailering mode, my OB is above the bracket that helps to stabilize the engine from lateral forces as well. When they cost like $20, to not use one is penny wise and pound foolish IMO.  

Re: How to keep outboard from flopping around on steering axis while trailering Well, the main point is, that reguardless to the fact of whether you need a T-saver to protect your transom, it certainly won't hurt your boat and it will stop the flopping from side to side that this thread is about. I use one on my boat, the motor doesn't move up, down, or steer to either side going down the road. I would hate to be without it. My $.02  

Re: How to keep outboard from flopping around on steering axis while trailering Silvertip, I disagree with your reasoning on the twisting forces inherent to trailering a boat, versus using the motor's trim. When I am bouncing across the bay at 30 mph, with my 150HP engine trimmed up, the forces on the stern are far from static, yet my transom is strong enough to take it. First the motor is trying to lift 3000 pounds of boat or more off the surface of the bay, and next the boat is crashing back into the bay after coming off a wave, which unloads the transom of any force for a short while. Road travel can never be that taxing. Another example is my low profile speedboat "glancing" from (small) wave crest to wave crest at 50+MPH. The boat and motor going airborn for a short interval indeed creates uneven forces on the transom. Now if anyone still wants to buy a transom saver, which (I think) is unnecessary, it is their money!  

Chris1956 said: Silvertip, I disagree with your reasoning on the twisting forces inherent to trailering a boat, versus using the motor's trim. When I am bouncing across the bay at 30 mph, with my 150HP engine trimmed up, the forces on the stern are far from static, yet my transom is strong enough to take it. First the motor is trying to lift 3000 pounds of boat or more off the surface of the bay, and next the boat is crashing back into the bay after coming off a wave, which unloads the transom of any force for a short while. Road travel can never be that taxing. Another example is my low profile speedboat "glancing" from (small) wave crest to wave crest at 50+MPH. The boat and motor going airborn for a short interval indeed creates uneven forces on the transom. Now if anyone still wants to buy a transom saver, which (I think) is unnecessary, it is their money! Click to expand...

Chris1956 said: Eli, If you turn the motor all the way to one side and trim it up a bit, the weight of the motor should keep it there. Click to expand...

Chris1956 said: I do not think Transom Savers are at all necessary. My reasoning is that if a outboard or I/O can hold the LU in place against the full thrust of the motor(say 150HP), the hydraulics are plenty strong to hold the weight of the motor against a pothole or bump in the road. I therefore think they are overkill. Click to expand...

Re: How to keep outboard from flopping around on steering axis while trailering Those that rely on hydraulics to hold the motor up are making a "leap of faith" especially if one regularly gets the prop out of the water and slams back into it full throttle. Hydraulics to fail -- generally at the worst possible time. As is obvious, there are those that feel transom savers are unnecessary just as there are those that feel seat belts in vehicles and helmets on four wheelers, snowmobiles and cycles are unnecessary. It's a safety device. You have the choice to use it or not. As someone once said "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!" Or the one I like is "pay me now or pay me a lot more later!" Ever seen an OMC outdrive that hit the pavement because the clutch retaining ring in the trim worm gear popped out and allowed the drive to drop? Or looked at aluminum fishing boat with welds on the transom supports? Those welds were required because the engine was flopping around on the transom which eventually stress cracked the support. The safest way to transport the rig is with the engine full down. This places the stresses in a vertical plane and the transom has a full support from below. Unfortunately, most trailers nowadays allow the boat to ride lower so the skeg would dig furrows in the road so that choice is not available. My New Years resolution will be calculate the forces at work on trailer boat transoms.  

• Jan 15, 2008

Re: How to keep outboard from flopping around on steering axis while trailering Put the engine on the tilt lock and ratchet strap it to both sides of the boat. This trread became a discution on transom savers-----really wasn't the point. Tilt the engine up and in the straight position....strap from engine to both sides of the boat with two straps... Been doing this for years......Transom savers work but I end up loosing them or they fall apart. Straps have ALWAYS worked and haven't destroyed a transom yet.  

tashasdaddy

Honorary moderator emeritus.

Re: How to keep outboard from flopping around on steering axis while trailering i totally disagree, the tilt lock is for beaching, shallow water, not for trailering. i've seen to many broken, bent tilt locks from trailering.  

rickdb1boat

rickdb1boat said: I use the Lock N Stow. I've seen boats going down the road and hitting potholes and such. The transfer of shock from the trailer to the lower unit was enough for me to stop using traditional transom savers.. Click to expand...

Why Do Sailboats Lean?

‍ Key Takeaways

• Sailboats must lean in order to counterbalance weight to remain buoyant
• Excessive leaning under normal circumstances could mean a bigger issues such as a leak
• A smooth sailing experience occurs around a 15 degree lean while turning
• The boat’s center is the most stable part of the boat and is disturbed when leaning
• Boats lean differently away from the wind versus being in the same direction

‍ If you have ever been sailing you will know that sailboats lean for a variety of reasons. But why do sailboats lean?

Sailboats lean when waves and wind affect the boat which cause weight and buoyancy to shift. The equilibrium is messed with and causes these changes to occur. In order to balance this out the boat will need to lean in the opposite direction of the wind or waves.

In my experience, it is important to understand how a boat feels before and after changes in wind or water and when keeping the boat forward. If the boat is leaning without any external changes then you might have a bigger issue on your hands.

Table of contents

‍ The Root Cause of Leaning Sailboats

When boats lean to one side or the other due to wind or turning it is called heeling. The shape of a boat’s hull and how much it weighs will ultimately affect how much a boat heels.

To help mitigate how much a boat will heel you could look at add stabilizers but it might be different in such boats like power boats. You could also look to slow down your boat or aim for a steady speed in windy conditions.

Depending on how fast you are traveling while attempting to make a turn will cause your boat to heel much more than a slower boat. Slowing your boat down while making turns will help greatly in how much it will heel. The faster you go will be more noticeable while trying to turn like you would see for big ship rolls.

Remembering Centrifugal Force

The centrifugal force is in effect when you try to make a turn on your boat. As you are making the turn you will feel a force to try and keep you on straight path. This counteracts the balance and inertia the boat will be trying to lean into.

Moving Mass

When a sailboat is underway in a straight direction then the center of the boat is the most stable part. The middle of the boat is known as the center of mass. As you make turns the center of mass is being displaced and it will cause the boat to lean in order to help stabilize the boat.

Water and Wind Pressure

The force from water or waves and wind pressure will affect your sailboat and cause it to lean. As the water and wind pushes onto the sides of the sailboat it will disrupt the center of mass and the boat will need to correct this.

Sailing away from the wind is going to feel different than sailing downwind and trying to make turns for both. There are a few external factors that will affect how much a sailboat will lean such as:

• Velocity of waves
• Density of the water
• Sailing downwind

Design of the Sailboat

The design of the sailboat makes a huge difference in how much it will lean in various circumstances. A variety of factors that help with the sailboat design include:

• Hull shape: If a boat has a V-shaped hull it will navigate better through the water than a flat bottom boat would.
• Sailboat weight: Lightweight sailboats are easily moved by wind and water forces to make a boat lean.
• Length of sailboat: A smaller sailboat is going to respond differently than larger sailing boats.

How to Help with Sailboat Leaning

A sailboat’s ability to maintain buoyancy is important for sailing. Depending on the type of sailboat you have will be one of the biggest differences when compared to another sailboat. If you want to help with how much it leans upon sailing there are a few things you could try.

Active or Passive Stabilizers

Active stabilizers are usually installed on the side of a sailboat but might be placed somewhere else depending on the brand. These help regulate when boats lean and can stabilize in real time automatically.

Passive stabilizers do not need any power from the sailboat. Instead they offer stability by just being attached to the boat like a keel. These could be as simple as a bilge keel or some other type of heavy keel.

Rolling Tanks

In some boats you can have rolling tanks installed that are filled with water. These help balance the waves by essentially adding more weight to the core of the boat.

Proper Weight Distribution

One simple activity you can do is to make sure the weight on your sailboat is evenly distributed the best that it can be. You do not want to ever have too much weight in on specific location of the sailboat and you want to make sure your boat can handle the amount of weight onboard.

Routine Maintenance on Ballast Tanks

Ballast tanks are necessary to help with heeling or listing of a boat. You need to check if the ballast tanks are in proper condition and can safely hold water if you need to balance your boat.

This would be a good time to check for any leaks or make minor repairs before heading out. If you are taking on water then you are at a very high risk of sinking your boat.

Why Do Sailboats Lean More Than Others?

Some sailboats lean more than others due to the differences explained above. However it is important to get a feel for you sailboat and be able to notice when your boat is leaning more than it should.

Before you head out to sail you should always thoroughly inspect your boat. It would also be a good idea to keep up with routine maintenance and check weather conditions for the day.

Best Angle for Leaning

Without too much effort a boat should be able to lean roughly 45 degrees without having your boat sideways. In order to have comfortable sailing experience for cruising you should aim for about 15 degrees while turning.

Sailboats can lean up to 50 degrees without capsizing but it is always best to check with manufacturer standards to see what your boat can really do. A racing dinghy will be able to lean much more than a catamaran so also understand the type of vessel you have.

Causes for Leaning and Capsizing

When you mess with the balance of the boat you are asking for changes in the direction or leaning. If you mess with it too much you are risking the boat to capsize. Here are the main reasons for capsizing:

• Poor distribution of the weight onboard
• No stabilizers or keel
• No overhang over the water line
• Rough conditions or lack of experience
• Potential leaks or issues in boat

Weight and stabilizers are simple but effective measures to help with excessive leaning. Even if you have a lot of sailing experience you should still proceed with caution in rough weather conditions. Routine maintenance is key to making sure unwanted leaks or further damage occur to your boat.

Related Articles

Daniel Wade

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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