Yourbestsail · video

What this video covers

This technical review covers essential seamanship knowledge, including emergency procedures, vessel stability, and navigation techniques. For galley fires involving oil, never use water; instead, use a fire blanket or smother the flames with additional oil, and keep a powder extinguisher accessible.0:38 When abandoning ship, remain on board unless the vessel is sinking or burning, as life rafts are inherently dangerous and often less stable than a floating boat.3:14 Regarding stability, monohulls reach maximum righting moments at 90 degrees of heel, whereas catamarans possess high initial stability but become impossible to right once inverted.8:05

Navigation without electronics requires celestial awareness, such as using the North Star in the Northern Hemisphere or the Southern Cross in the Southern Hemisphere.21:07 During daylight, determine the south by tracking the sun’s maximum altitude.23:53 When docking a vessel with a left-handed propeller, approach the pier on the starboard side to utilize the prop walk for maneuvering.18:50 Finally, when navigating heavy weather, choose between running with the storm or heaving-to, while avoiding the dangerous semicircle of a hurricane where wind speeds compound with the storm's forward velocity.34:47

More from Yourbestsail

The function of the centerboardAug 2026Marinas and Yacht Clubs: ProceduresAug 2026The 10 most common mistakes when docking a boatJun 2026Anchoring: wave diffractionJun 2026

From Yourbestsail — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.

The Sailing Directory Newsletter

One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.