How can the skipper master the art of backing a sailboat in a straight line, use the power of feathering to make a tight turn into a slip, or determine ‘drift rate’ before you approach a fuel pier? Watch this video to learn those answers! Captain John is a 20+ year Coast Guard veteran, author, sailor, and professional boating instructor who shows you the simple, cut-to-the-chase sailing skills for safer sailing. Visit his website at www.skippertips.com. Sign up for his highly popular Sailing Tip of the Week. Discover how to get instant access to hundreds of sailing articles, videos, eBooks, and much more!

Last week, I showed you how to find the direction, or ‘set’, of the current (click here: https://youtu.be/bIW3Fvdv4Nc?si=pjlV4aIxyDdbc_T1 if you have not watched that video yet). This week, I will show you the second part of the current formula, which is how to find the speed, or ‘drift’, of the current. Once you know how to calculate the set and drift of the current, you can use this technique anywhere in the world. Captain John is a 20+ year Coast Guard veteran, author, sailor, and professional boating instructor who shows you the simple, cut-to-the-chase sailing skills for safer sailing. Visit his website at www.skippertips.com. Sign up for his highly popular Sailing Tip of the Week. Discover how to get instant access to hundreds of sailing articles, videos, eBooks, and much more!

The first step to find how the tidal current is setting you is to determine the direction, or set, of the current. All other calculations can wait, but if you do not know the current direction within two to three degrees, you could be set onto the rocks in no time! Watch this sailing video now. (Coming up next week, I'll show how to find the speed of the current!) Captain John is a 20+ year Coast Guard veteran, author, sailor, and professional boating instructor who shows you the simple, cut-to-the-chase sailing skills for safer sailing. Visit his website at www.skippertips.com. Sign up for his highly popular Sailing Tip of the Week. Discover how to get instant access to hundreds of sailing articles, videos, eBooks, and much more!

Can you glance at a nautical or electronic chart and locate restricted or prohibited areas in five seconds or less? Protect your small sailboat and her crew from these dangers. Watch this sailing video to boost your sailing navigation skills sky high! Captain John is a 20+ year Coast Guard veteran, author, sailor, and professional boating instructor who shows you the simple, cut-to-the-chase sailing skills for safer sailing. Visit his website at www.skippertips.com. Sign up for his highly popular Sailing Tip of the Week. Discover how to get instant access to hundreds of sailing articles, videos, eBooks, and much more!

Imagine you need to navigate through a windy passage with swift currents surrounded by rocks on both sides. What super-simple backup navigation system will empower you to do this? Watch this sailing video to learn the answer! Captain John is a 20+ year Coast Guard veteran, author, sailor, and professional boating instructor who shows you the simple, cut-to-the-chase sailing skills for safer sailing. Visit his website at www.skippertips.com. Sign up for his highly popular Sailing Tip of the Week. Discover how to get instant access to hundreds of sailing articles, videos, eBooks, and much more!

What sail trim technique can help flatten the mainsail in gusty breezes or add fullness to your mainsail in super-light wind conditions? Unlock the secret of how mainsail leech twist helps drive your boat upwind for blazing speed. Captain John is a 20+ year Coast Guard veteran, author, sailor, and professional boating instructor who shows you the simple, cut-to-the-chase sailing skills for safer sailing. Visit his website at www.skippertips.com. Sign up for his highly popular Sailing Tip of the Week. Discover how to get instant access to hundreds of sailing articles, videos, eBooks, and much more!

Sail long enough, and you will encounter twists and turns in a channel. If you cannot see around a bend, you are required by international law to warn another mariner on the other side. They are also required to respond with a whistle signal. Do not trust that your AIS, radar, or even radio will be able to ‘see’ around a bend. Watch this sailing video to learn more. Captain John is a 20+ year Coast Guard veteran, author, sailor, and professional boating instructor who shows you the simple, cut-to-the-chase sailing skills for safer sailing. Visit his website at www.skippertips.com. Sign up for his highly popular Sailing Tip of the Week. Discover how to get instant access to hundreds of sailing articles, videos, eBooks, and much more!

Rocks can ruin your sailing day or cruising plans in the blink of an eye. Run aground on a rocky reef, and you could damage your expensive hull, keel, rudder, or propeller. Watch this sailing video to learn how to avoid these deadly dangers. Captain John is a 20+ year Coast Guard veteran, author, sailor, and professional boating instructor who shows you the simple, cut-to-the-chase sailing skills for safer sailing. Visit his website at www.skippertips.com. Sign up for his highly popular Sailing Tip of the Week. Discover how to get instant access to hundreds of sailing articles, videos, eBooks, and much more!

Will your boat anchor hold you safe and sound in the cove or harbor you've chosen? What five factors do you need to use each time before you lower the hook? Watch this sailing video to find the answer. Captain John is a 20+ year Coast Guard veteran, author, sailor, and professional boating instructor who shows you the simple, cut-to-the-chase sailing skills for safer sailing. Visit his website at www.skippertips.com. Sign up for his highly popular Sailing Tip of the Week. Discover how to get instant access to hundreds of sailing articles, videos, eBooks, and much more!

What sailing knot could you use when you need the absolute ultimate in security to make two short lines into one longer line? Take the challenge now. Watch this sailing video to learn how to tie this super sailing ‘bend’ knot. Captain John is a 20+ year Coast Guard veteran, author, sailor, and professional boating instructor who shows you the simple, cut-to-the-chase sailing skills for safer sailing. Visit his website at www.skippertips.com. Sign up for his highly popular Sailing Tip of the Week. Discover how to get instant access to hundreds of sailing articles, videos, eBooks, and much more!

You may think that three-strand sailing line is no longer used aboard sailboats or powerboats, but it remains my favorite anchor and docking line. It’s easier to splice and more forgiving than cored or braided line, and it tends to chafe less than other lines. Watch this sailing video to learn how to coil three-strand line the correct way. Captain John is a 20+ year Coast Guard veteran, author, sailor, and professional boating instructor who shows you the simple, cut-to-the-chase sailing skills for safer sailing. Visit his website at www.skippertips.com. Sign up for his highly popular Sailing Tip of the Week. Discover how to get instant access to hundreds of sailing articles, videos, eBooks, and much more!

Have you dreamed of sailing aboard a luxurious sailboat to the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean, Pacific, or other exotic places around the world? You can make your dream come true when you do what I’ve done: volunteer to crew aboard someone else’s yacht. But before you go, make sure you practice these ‘need-to-know’ sailing skills. Captain John is a 20+ year Coast Guard veteran, author, sailor, and professional boating instructor who shows you the simple, cut-to-the-chase sailing skills for safer sailing. Visit his website at www.skippertips.com. Sign up for his highly popular Sailing Tip of the Week. Discover how to get instant access to hundreds of sailing articles, videos, eBooks, and much more!

Imagine sailing in pea-soup fog, picking your way through an unfamiliar channel, filled with buoys and beacons. Which aids to navigation will you choose to help find your way home? Watch this sailing video to learn the answer. Captain John is a 20+ year Coast Guard veteran, author, sailor, and professional boating instructor who shows you the simple, cut-to-the-chase sailing skills for safer sailing. Visit his website at www.skippertips.com. Sign up for his highly popular Sailing Tip of the Week. Discover how to get instant access to hundreds of sailing articles, videos, eBooks, and much more!

Master your sailboat’s performance by using your traveler to fine-tune sail trim for blazing speed and power. This often-overlooked athwartship track can dramatically improve your sailing. Here are three easy, often forgotten ways to get the most from your traveler. Watch this sailing video to learn more. Captain John is a 20+ year Coast Guard veteran, author, sailor, and professional boating instructor who shows you the simple, cut-to-the-chase sailing skills for safer sailing. Visit his website at www.skippertips.com. Sign up for his highly popular Sailing Tip of the Week. Discover how to get instant access to hundreds of sailing articles, videos, eBooks, and much more!

How can you use the secret of natural pivot point to make a sharp turn into a boat slip, avoid a collision with an obstruction or other boat, or turn around in a narrow channel? Watch this video to learn the answer and much more! Captain John is a 20+ year Coast Guard veteran, author, sailor, and professional boating instructor who shows you the simple, cut-to-the-chase sailing skills for safer sailing. Visit his website at www.skippertips.com. Sign up for his highly popular Sailing Tip of the Week. Discover how to get instant access to hundreds of sailing articles, videos, eBooks, and much more!

Few boat bilge pumps on the market can keep up with water flooding into a boat at a high rate. Before you cast off to go sailing this season, make sure to check the integrity of each ‘sea valve’ that covers holes drilled below your boat’s waterline. This single inspection could save your boat one day! Captain John is a 20+ year Coast Guard veteran, author, sailor, and professional boating instructor who shows you the simple, cut-to-the-chase sailing skills for safer sailing. Visit his website at www.skippertips.com. Sign up for his highly popular Sailing Tip of the Week. Discover how to get instant access to hundreds of sailing articles, videos, eBooks, and much more!

All sailors need to know how to use a hank-on jib or staysail. If you get caught out in high winds with too much sail up, how can you make the task of lowering a hank-on headsail safer and easier for your sailing crew? Here’s one technique I learned while sailing in the gusty breezes and choppy waters of San Francisco Bay. (Also, see my video on furling a headsail in high winds: https://youtu.be/SEtJIYLCY3g) Captain John is a 20+ year Coast Guard veteran, author, sailor, and professional boating instructor who shows you the simple, cut-to-the-chase sailing skills for safer sailing. Visit his website at www.skippertips.com. Sign up for his highly popular Sailing Tip of the Week. Discover how to get instant access to hundreds of sailing articles, videos, eBooks, and much more!

Imagine sailing downwind in a narrow channel, and you need to jibe to bring the wind onto the other side of the stern. What steps will you use to make this challenge safer and easier? Watch this video now. ( Also, see my video on how to use a ‘preventer’ when running downwind: https://youtu.be/31TZMlWOZaQ ) Captain John is a 20+ year Coast Guard veteran, author, sailor, and professional boating instructor who shows you the simple, cut-to-the-chase sailing skills for safer sailing. Visit his website at www.skippertips.com. Sign up for his highly popular Sailing Tip of the Week. Discover how to get instant access to hundreds of sailing articles, videos, eBooks, and much more!

If you plan to sail along the coast or offshore, you’ll want to prepare your boat and crew for rough winds and seas. How can you use the secrets of course changes, weight distribution, or heaving-to for more safety and comfort at sea? Watch this video to learn the answers! Captain John is a 20+ year Coast Guard veteran, author, sailor, and professional boating instructor who shows you the simple, cut-to-the-chase sailing skills for safer sailing. Visit his website at www.skippertips.com. Sign up for his highly popular Sailing Tip of the Week. Discover how to get instant access to hundreds of sailing articles, videos, eBooks, and much more!

Imagine sailing off the coast or offshore when you hear a Mayday call from another vessel on your radio. You are only two miles from their location, and no one else is closer. Are you required to assist the vessel? What seven steps will you take to help you decide on the safest ‘course of action’? Captain John is a 20+ year Coast Guard veteran, author, sailor, and professional boating instructor who shows you the simple, cut-to-the-chase sailing skills for safer sailing. Visit his website at www.skippertips.com. Sign up for his highly popular Sailing Tip of the Week. Discover how to get instant access to hundreds of sailing articles, videos, eBooks, and much more!