Today I am talking all about blocks! What the heck is a block you say? It is a pulley, in sailing lingo ;-) There are many types and I'll walk you through them all! Enjoy!

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Kinda appropriate that this is my 50th episode! Talking about when I brought Spindrift to Nelson and the ceremony I performed to greet her. Here are the specific descriptions you'll need:

- Boat Purging Ceremony:

“Oh mighty and great ruler of the seas and oceans, to whom all ships and we who venture upon your vast domain are required to pay homage, I implore you in your graciousness to take unto your records and recollection this worthy vessel hereafter and for all time known as (your new boat name), guarding her with your mighty arm and trident and ensuring her of safe and rapid passage throughout her journeys within your realm.

In appreciation of your munificence, dispensation, and in honor of your greatness, we offer these libations to your majesty and your court.”

- Offering to the four winds:

“Great Boreas, exalted ruler of the North Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your frigid breath.”

Face west, repeating the champagne pour and toss while saying:

“Great Zephyrus, exalted ruler of the West Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your wild breath.”

Face east, repeating the champagne toss while saying:

“Great Eurus, exalted ruler of the East Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your mighty breath.”

Face south, pouring the champagne and tossing it while reciting, you guessed it:

“Great Notus, exalted ruler of the South Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your scalding breath.”

Spindrift's Poem:

"Do not keep me tied to this mooring,

My lines strain to be free.

The water whispers at my hull,

I want to sail away with thee.

Let's cast off on a great adventure,

There is so much for us to see.

Let's feel the winds at our back and the sun in our faces.

Please cast my lines free.

Let's cast off and explore some place new,

I need to heel and sail away with you."

Today I am talking all about winches! These are the winches that we use for our sheets and halyards on a sailboat though. I will do a different episode to focus on the anchor windlass system. Enjoy!

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Alright so to prepare you for this episode you could also listen to:

Life has been throwing me some curveballs lately so I started to wondering if I had somehow broken some sacred oath or fallen on bad luck. I just can't seem to catch a break at the moment, which had me thinking about superstitions and where I may have gone wrong... should I have eaten that banana during that race? Did that black cat on the dock walk in front of me when I wasn't paying attention? I started to whistle along to that song the other day... did that do it?!

Boating Superstition

Put the right foot forward: it was thought that the left side of the body was a bad omen, or associated with evil. Therefore, all sailors stepped onto the vessel with their right foot! If you forgot and stepped on with the left, you'd be tossed overboard, or your shoes would be tossed overboard in an effort to please Poseidon ;-)

Renaming a vessel: I'm going to do an entire episode on this one, but it has been long thought that renaming a vessel is bad luck! Stay tuned for my episode about what you need to say, when and how to make sure you don't curse your boat!

No whistling: it was thought that whistling at sea was a way to taunt Poseidon and Aeolus.

Red sky at night, sailor's delight. Red sky in morning, sailors take warning.

Boats are a she... often boats were named by their Captains after their wives or mistresses. It was believed that if the boat was named after a woman the Captain loved, she would bring them home safely.

I am starting something new with Technical Tuesdays! There are SO many items on our boats that need a little bit extra info... hence the Technical Tuesdays where I plan on bringing you quite, and essential, information to help you make informed decisions.

This week I am talking about lines. What type to purchase for halyards, sheets, dock lines, anchor lines, cunningham, boom vang.... so many lines! Enjoy!

Penny

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Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/sailnelson2

Coming soon!

Alright, we have all been there! You're heading into the dock, speed is great, wind is great, crew are ready,... suddenly a boat starts leaving their slip right in front of you, your crew move aft to tell you only to drop the boat hook in the water, your other crew tries to grab the boat hook and drops the roving fender, and everyone on shore is watching. Yup. We have ALL been there! The lovely trials of docking...

The basic equipment that you need for docking is not complicated, however if you don't take care of it, or check on it regularly, you could find your boat trying to leave without you!

• bow line
• stern line
• spring lines x 2
• fenders x 3+
• snubbers x 2
• bow chocks
• t-cleats

Checking Your Equipment

• dock lines: checking for chaffing, wear, pulled strands, knots
• fenders: checking for wear, holes, grime rubbing on paint, inflation
• snubbers: checking for breakdown, check line for wear
• chocks & cleats: checking to make sure nothing is rubbing on hull, through fiberglass, etc.

There are many different types of docks and many different ways to dock a boat. I am going to discuss the basic principles that can be used for all types of docks to limit boat movement within the slip.

Some things to keep in mind:

• check on your boat regularly as lines may freeze, loosen, wear down, etc.
• do not tie your dock lines too tight. It is important to let the boat move around a bit in the slip as the wind and water move. This will make sure that the weight load remains on your dock lines and not your cleats.
• readjust your fenders as needed. Sometimes they end up on top of the dock and really don't do much for your hull. Usually they are places at the beam of the boat (widest part).

The key to successful docking is... 

head over to sailnelson.com to find out!

A few more notes about anchoring... show notes coming soon! 

There is something magical about spending a nice, quiet, night at anchor! When we were in Croatia, it was a blessing to be able to get away from all of the other tourists for some quiet R&R! Anchoring is a pretty simple thing once you master some basic steps. Here I will break it all down for you and provide you with some of my pro tips! Enjoy! Don't forget to send me any questions!

Other episodes to check out:

• EP 16: Sailing Goals – Liveaboard Sailing
• EP 28: How to be a prepared skipper
• EP 32: Adventuring in Croatia – Itinerary & Highlights

Support me on Patreon!

Technical Anchoring Terms

• Ground & Tackle: includes the anchors, cables, and other tackle used to secure a ship at anchor.
• Rode: is the connection system between the anchor and the boat. Traditionally it is a combination of rope and chain, or all chain.
• Scope: is defined as a ratio of the length of an anchor rode and the depth of the water under the the bow of the boat measured from deck height.
• Snubber: is a bridle used to take the strain of the chain rode. This reduces wear on your boat from the chain and also acts as a shock absorber and silences the chain. Usually made of nylon rope or tough rubber.
• Windlass: is a machine that restrains and manipulates the anchor chain on a boat, allowing the anchor to be raised and lowered by means of mechanical aid.
• Anchor Roller: is a device situated at the bow that consists of a wheel within a framework that is designed to guide an anchor when it is lowered or raised.

There are several types of anchors on the market now. The classic anchors include the Bruce, Danforth, and Plough. Newer anchors such as the Mantus and Rocna are gaining a lot of popularity though. Personally I upgraded my small Bruce to a Rocna and absolutely LOVE IT.

Alright, hopefully you have done your pre-trip planning and you have an anchorage (or two) selected for your lovely night! What are some of the things you are looking for in a good anchorage? Here are the key things:

• Shelter: you should have shelter from wind, waves and traffic
• Depth: you need adequate depth for your draft
• Bottom Type: make sure your anchor will hold in the type of bottom you'll have
• Swing Room: goes along with depth. You need to be able to swing 360 around without hitting anything.

Check out sailnelson.com/podcast for more information...

This week I am talking all about being a good boating neighbour! How to be a safe, and non-jerky, boater! There are a few unwritten rules to keep in mind about boating and how others expect you to conduct yourself while on the water.

At the marina

At the dock

At anchor

On someone else's boat...

In the end, take the high road! Not everyone knows or bothers to follow these simple rules on boating etiquette. We haven't even touched on the Collision Regulations and who has right of way over who. That's a whole other kettle of fish! For today, just work on being a good neighbour!