Go deeper on offshore boating prep: https://www.nauticed.org/bundle/view/captain?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=pZ9Y8Mc8XIE Looking for offshore equipment check out LRSE: https://www.lrse.com An EPIRB and a PLB have the same range. The main difference is how long they transmit once activated: an EPIRB transmits for 48 hours (minimum), and a PLB transmits for 24 hours (minimum). Another key difference is registration. An EPIRB is registered to the boat, so the registration includes more vessel-specific questions. A PLB is registered to a person, and the registration focuses on who you are, what activities you do, and your emergency contacts—without necessarily asking for boat information. Once you register an EPIRB or PLB, you can log into the database and update your beacon with an itinerary or float plan, and even change what you’re doing (for example, if you’re taking a PLB hiking or camping) so rescue personnel have better context. The other practical differences are size and transmission time—but in terms of signaling, they’re global systems. 00:00 - Transmit time (48h vs 24h) 00:21 - Registration Difference 00:48 - Updating the beacon database (itinerary / float plan) 01:36 - Differences: size + transmit duration #sailing #offshoresailing #boating #sailboat #offshore #sailinggear

Go deeper on offshore boating prep: https://www.nauticed.org/bundle/view/captain?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=l7nHCpw7wfE Looking for offshore equipment check out LRSE: https://www.lrse.com What does EPIRB stand for? Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. An EPIRB is a distress unit you activate when human life is in jeopardy. It transmits a specific 15-character ID (Hex ID) that cross-references a database, and with built-in GPS it sends your lat/long so rescuers know exactly where to look. EPIRBs can be sold with or without AIS transmission—and AIS is strongly recommended, because then not only rescue personnel know where you are, but boats in the vicinity can see your AIS signal on their display. We also cover how EPIRBs sit in brackets so they don’t accidentally activate, how they can be activated manually or by water activation, and the difference between Category 2 (manual deployment) and Category 1 (float-free) EPIRBs. Finally, we cover the lanyard: tie it to a life raft, ditch bag, or your wrist—but don’t tie it to the vessel, because if it’s underwater it won’t transmit. You want a clear view of the sky. 00:00 - EPIRB meaning + what it stands for 00:10 - When to activate (distress / life in jeopardy) 00:20 - How EPIRB's work (Transmits) 00:43 - AIS option (recommend AIS) 01:00 - Bracket mounting + magnet/relay prevents activation 01:22 - Activation methods: manual vs water activation 01:32 - Category 2 EPIRB (manual deploy) 01:44 - Category 1 EPIRB (float-free) 02:12 - Lanyard: tie to raft/ditch bag/wrist #offshoresailing #offshorefishing #sailing #boating #boat #sailinggear

Want to learn sail trim the simple, visual way? Get NauticEd’s FREE Sail Trim Course at: https://www.nauticed.org/sailing-courses/view/basic-sail-trim?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=KMO5rLHTFG8 In this animation we look at how the wind direction changes at the top of the sail when we start moving the fairlead forward. First, you’ll see the wind at the top of the sail going up and spilling out, and from the back of the boat you can see the wind direction at the top is different from the bottom because the sail is tighter at the bottom. Then we move the fairlead forward, which pulls down on the leech and closes off the gap. Watch the wind direction change at the top as the leech tightens—and notice the boat heels over a bit because there’s more force on the top of the sail. This is how you change the shape of the headsail, control the power in the headsail, and control the heeling of the boat. 00:00 - Fairlead Aft 00:31 - Move the fairlead forward (what it changes) 01:13 - What this controls: headsail shape, power, heel #sailing #sailingschool #sailboat #sailor #sailinglife

Take NauticEd’s Skipper Large Powerboat Course to build real competence up to 56 feet—dock confidently, handle close quarters, and prep for chartering and the SLC-P - https://www.nauticed.org/powerboating-courses/view/skipper-large-powerboat?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=f8wnzW6lDI8 The Skipper Large Powerboat Course is a comprehensive course for operating powerboats up to 56 feet, with about 20 hours of study. It’s a lot more than putting the key in and hitting the throttle—there are real skills you should know, and this course is designed to remove a lot of anxiety, especially around docking. Docking is one of the hardest parts of powerboating: getting into a slip, maneuvering in close quarters, managing wind coming from all directions, and operating around other boats and the fuel dock. In this course, you’ll get the knowledge and skills to maneuver your boat confidently in those situations. We also cover the fundamentals you must know: Rules of the road (who gives way—and why “I’ll give way to everyone” can be dangerous) Docking techniques, including spring lines and close-quarter maneuvering Planing and how/when to use trim tabs Anchoring (anchor choice + proper scope) Navigation (how to look at and read a chart) This course is a strong precursor to bareboat chartering—especially if you’re thinking about chartering a power cat somewhere like Greece—and it’s also a precursor to the international license SLC-P, so you can use that license for destinations like Europe or the Seychelles. If you want a structured pathway to competence on a big powerboat, this course is for you. #powerboat #powerboating #boating

If you want expert help + sample itineraries and destination resources, check out NauticEd Yacht Charters here: https://www.nauticed.org/yacht-charters NauticEd Sailing and Yacht Charter Vacations is a full-service boutique agency focused on yacht charters around the globe. Whether you’re a first timer going on your first charter or an experienced charterer, we handle all types of charters—anything from bareboat to fully crewed. We work with all kinds of boats: monohulls, power catamarans, catamarans, motor yachts, luxury gulette/motor sailors. We’re big on customer service and details, so we take care of paperwork and administration, and we help with provisioning and itineraries—including recommendations for onshore restaurants, what to do in ports, and the best anchorages or moorings. At NauticEd, we’re a one-stop shop because we do both the education side and the chartering side, so we can walk you through the process from start to finish. We’re experts not only at chartering, but also the licensing and resume requirements for each destination—so we can help you choose a destination that fits your goals and your qualifications. We’ve been to almost every charter destination, and we attend annual boat shows where we meet charter companies, build relationships, and learn how each company works—who’s focused on customer service, who has better pricing, and who specializes in certain boats. And there’s no booking fee—we’re paid on the back end like other travel agents. 00:00 - NauticEd Sailing & Yacht Charter Vacations overview 00:10 - Bareboat to fully crewed charters 00:29 - Customer service + details focus 00:48 - “One-stop shop”: education + chartering together 00:58 - Licensing + resume requirements by destination 01:17 - Firsthand destination experience (we’ve been there) 01:31 - Boat shows + relationships with charter companies 01:55 - No booking fee 02:05 - Start-to-finish charter experience #bareboatcharter #sailing #catamarancharter #catamaran #yachting

Want to charter the BVI with more confidence? Check out NauticEd’s Bareboat Charter Master Bundle - https://www.nauticed.org/bundle/view/bareboatcharter?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=87nGvn6t8Uk Charts used in this walkthrough: Savvy Navvy - https://www.savvy-navvy.com This is a navigational walkthrough of Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands, using chart + satellite view to point out great stops, overnight anchorages, and the hazards that can ruin your day. We cover the main areas around Jost Van Dyke—White Bay, Great Harbour, Garner Bay, Diamond Cay, plus Sandy Spit and Sandy Cay as day stops. You’ll see why swell direction matters (especially swell from the south), why White Bay is shallow with coral, and how to enter only between the red/green ATONs (red-right-returning). We also highlight that Great Harbour is largely mooring balls, and why you cannot go between Little Jost Van Dyke and Jost Van Dyke (too shallow). We finish with day-stop warnings at Sandy Spit (no-anchoring area + swell wrapping around) and Sandy Cay (great beach, not a night stop). #bareboatcharter #britishvirginislands #sailing #boating #navigation

If you want to take this beyond a quick three-point fix and build real offshore confidence, check out NauticEd’s Offshore Bundle of Courses—designed to give you repeatable skills for passagemaking and navigation - https://www.nauticed.org/bundle/view/captain?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=2Z7wlk4_i8w I’m using Savvy Navvy here for the three-point fix feature—it’s a simple way to plot bearings and visualize your position fast while you’re on the water - https://www.savvy-navvy.com A three-point fix is when you use a handheld compass to take bearings to three known landmarks (a hilltop, a control tower, the edge of an island), then plot those directions on the chart to find your position. For a strong fix, you want the landmarks about 60–90° apart. In this example (British Virgin Islands), I “cheat” a bit by using Savvy Navvy’s three-point fix feature while still entering real compass bearings and converting magnetic to true using local variation (13° W). We take bearings to the Beef Island control tower, a cardinal mark, and the edge of Salt Island, then see the resulting triangle area—your likely position—known as the “cocked hat.” 00:00 - What a three-point fix is 00:31 - Chart vs app (Savvy Navvy “three-point fix”) 00:44 - Setting up in the British Virgin Islands 00:54 - Landmark #1: Beef Island control tower 01:53 - Landmark #2: Cardinal mark SE end of Beef Island 02:24 - Landmark #3: Edge of Salt Island 02:44 - The “cocked hat” triangle (your likely position) #sailing #sailingschool #navigation #boating

If you’re doing an Atlantic crossing, it depends on what type of boat you’re in, but it’s basically the same amount of equipment. Start with the base: put your two pairs of dry underwear in a Ziploc bag, roll them up, seal them, and keep them dry. Do the same with your socks, because there’s nothing worse than wet, cold feet. Depending on what size boat, you probably have a little more room if you’re doing a crossing or a delivery, so you can bring two or three technical shirts so you can wash them and have fresh, clean gear. You’re going to want a fleece and a puffer because in the middle of the night when you’re on watch, you want to stay warm. Don’t forget your legs—thermal pants are the best thing to bring across, especially when you know you’ve got to be up on deck for three hours and you just checked the temperature and it’s 42 degrees. Then you’ll have your foul weather gear—your bibs and your jacket. If you were doing an Atlantic crossing, go with a trilaminate fabric because it dries faster if you get moisture on the inside, whereas a coated fabric takes longer to dry. The boat may have its own harnesses, but check with them because you may have a particular inflatable and harness, and that’s what you’re going to wear when you’re on deck all the time—make sure it’s comfortable and fits you. Think about what time of year you’re crossing—if it’s in the colder months, bring a really good waterproof hat that’s a bonded fleece. Having a good pair of gloves is really important—your regular sailing gloves, and then a cold weather pair for when the temperature drops. There is a checklist—talk to whomever you are going transatlantic or transpacific with about what they have on the boat and what their expectation is for what you need to do. And don’t forget your boots—and because you don’t need to wear your boots every day, have a really good pair of sailing shoes as well. 00:00 - Base layer: dry underwear in a Ziploc 00:39 - Mid-layers: fleece + puffer for night watch 01:19 - Foul weather gear: bibs + jacket/smock 01:55 - Harness check: inflatable + harness fit/comfort 02:18 - Bonded fleece waterproof hat 03:00 - Gloves and Footwear #sailing #sailinggear #offshoresailing #sailor

Hypothermia can happen faster than most sailors think—especially when you’re wet, the wind is up, and you stop moving. In this video we cover hypothermia through real experience, then break down a simple, practical system for staying warm on the water: layering. You’ll learn how the base layer + fleece insulation + waterproof shell work together by trapping warm air, why wet clothing steals heat, and why sailors say “cotton kills” (cotton stays damp and keeps pulling heat from your body). We also discuss dry suits for dinghy sailing and why insulation and core warmth still matter even with a dry suit. Looking for boat shoes or boating apparel check out Team One Newport - https://www.team1newport.com Trying to become a better boater check out NauticEd - https://www.nauticed.org 00:00 - Hypothermia 00:21 - Real Hypothermia Story (Loss of Function) 00:37 - Caution with Warming up in Shower 00:50 - How to Prevent Hypothermia (Layering System) 01:56 - “Cotton Kills” Explained (Moisture + Heat Loss) 03:23 - Cold Water Reality (Even With a Dry Suit) 04:05 - Protect Your Core Temperature #sailing #sailinggear #boating #hypothermia

NauticEd’s FREE Sail Trim Course—including animations like this that make the concepts instantly visual - https://www.nauticed.org/sailing-courses/view/basic-sail-trim?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=T3dsLBa15XE In this animation, Grant Headifen (Global Director of Education for NauticEd) shows how a headsail twists out relative to the fairlead moving forward and back. You’ll see the fairlead aft with air spilling out at the top, then watch what happens as the fairlead moves forward: the jib sheet angle pulls down more on the leech, the leech tightens, twist comes out, and the airflow direction at the top of the sail changes. The foot loosens a little while the leech tightens—resulting in more wind power at the top. Conversely, moving the fairlead aft reduces power aloft and reduces the heeling of the boat. #sailing #sailboat #sailingschool #sailinglife

Ready to skipper a bigger sailboat with confidence? Check out NauticEd’s Skipper Large Sailboat Bundle—built for real-world decision-making, not guesswork. - https://www.nauticed.org/bundle/view/skipper?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=t9yfQpMGo4Q Buying or selling a sailboat in the Northeast? Sailboats Northeast helps you price it right, negotiate cleanly, and get to closing without the headaches. - https://www.sneyachts.com When you buy a boat, you generally have two ways to register it: (1) state registration/title or (2) U.S. Coast Guard documentation. This video breaks down what each option is, why documentation can make sense for eligible larger boats, and what it changes for resale and traveling. We cover: Eligibility basics (including the common 5 net tons threshold) Why documentation can help create a clearer federal record of ownership/mortgages What you file (forms + bill of sale), timeline, and using a documentation agency Dinghy + trailer registration and why state rules still matter What documents must be kept on board ⚠️ State requirements vary—always verify your local rules during closing. 00:00 - State Registration vs USCG Documentation 00:11 - US Coast Guard Documentation 00:25 - Why Document? (Ownership History + Easier Resale) 00:36 - What You Submit (Forms + Bill of Sale) 01:04 - Using a Documentation Agency (Title Search + Filing) 01:26 - Dinghy + Trailer: State Registration 01:45 - State Registration 02:25 - Keep Paperwork Onboard #sailboat #sailing #sailor #sailinglife

Want to feel confident handling your boat before (or after) a long delivery? Check out NauticEd’s Skipper Large Keelboat Course—built for real-world seamanship and decision-making: https://www.nauticed.org/bundle/view/skipper?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=f2iMrflzO1U Buying or selling in the Northeast? Talk to Sailboats Northeast: https://www.sneyachts.com Bought a boat far away and need to get it home? Here are the three ways to do it: (1) sail it yourself, (2) truck/haul it, or (3) hire a professional delivery crew. We break down the real-world tradeoffs—time, cost, wear-and-tear, oversize hauling issues, and the hidden yard fees (cranes, unstepping the mast, launch/haul). We also share realistic delivery cost ranges and why a professional delivery can double as a valuable “shake-down” that teaches you the boat. 00:00 - Bought a Boat Far Away (Now What?) 00:17 - Truck/Haul It (When It Makes Sense) 01:11 - Professional Delivery Crew #sailing #sailboat #sailor

What makes a great sailing or boating instructor.....certifications, or real competence? In this NauticEd video, we break down what we look for in instructors: people who genuinely care about student outcomes, teach real-world judgment, and raise the standard on the water. In this video, you’ll learn: How to think about certifying bodies (RYA, ASA, US Sailing, IYT, etc.) beyond the logo The difference between handing out certifications and building true competence The mindset NauticEd expects: instructors who take responsibility for real-life readiness and safety Become a NauticEd Instructor (Sail or Power): Apply here 👇 https://www.nauticed.org/instructor/signup #sailingschool #sailing #boating #captain

If you’re going to bring your child on the boat, the goal is simple: safe and very, very comfortable. In this video we walk through kid gear by age—starting with a Mustang infant life jacket designed to be comfortable, with room so it doesn’t push on the neck, and built so if a child falls in, the collar supports the neck and keeps them upright. As kids get older and start moving around the boat, we show a child PFD with a crotch strap so it stays on if they go overboard, plus reflective so you can spot them with a light at night. For older kids who are on the boat all the time—especially in youth racing programs—we cover comfortable youth PFDs meant to be worn continuously, and why learning early to wear a PFD in dinghies is a good habit. Then we shift to comfort: keeping kids warm and dry so they stay focused and happy on the boat, with kid foul weather pieces, bibs, waterproof smocks, and warmer options for kids who get cold—because warm, dry kids are how you start the life of a lifelong sailor. Looking for boat shoes or boating apparel check out Team One Newport - https://www.team1newport.com Trying to become a better boater check out NauticEd - https://www.nauticed.org 00:00 - Infants: What Matters in an Infant PFD 01:00 - Kids PFD: Secure Fit + Crotch Strap 01:43 - Youth Sailing: Wearing PFDs on the Water 02:18 - Warm + Dry = Happy Kids #sailing #sailinggear #youthsailing #boating #lifejacket

If you mostly cruise but you like Wednesday night racing and occasional round-the-buoys competition, this video covers the “sweet spot” in sailing line: rope that gives less stretch and better performance than basic polyester double braid, without the cost of top-end grand-prix lines. We explain what changes in this mid-tier category—typically multi-fiber or performance cores paired with polyester covers designed to handle friction and heat through blocks, winches, and hardware—then we walk through solid examples like Marlow D2 Club, New England Ropes VPC (Vectran core), and Novabraid Polyspec. Want to upgrade line check out the pro's at R&W Rope - https://www.rwrope.com Master Sail Trim Free Sail Trim Course - https://www.nauticed.org/sailing-courses/view/basic-sail-trim?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=dP0651qN0cQ Advanced Sail Trim Course - https://www.nauticed.org/sailing-courses/view/sail-trim?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=dP0651qN0cQ #sailing #sailboat #sailinggear