Boat Docking

Contact us at office@mdschool.com if you have questions about this video which shows setup and use of a bridle combining the spring line and bow line into one unit for use in parallel docking of a 40 foot sailboat.

Discussion of anchoring techniques, equipment and precautions

Summer squalls often form over water in hot, humid, sultry weather when the air is still with little wind blowing. They usually form in later afternoons and can be spotted as turbulent clouds rise to great heights and begin to rotate into a localized squall characterized by a rapid increase in wind speed, often accompanied by heavy rain, lightning, and thunder. They often appear as a dark cloud line on the horizon, quickly passing through an area with strong gusts and downpours, and they most commonly occur during summer months due to increased atmospheric instability. In some cases they pack strong winds of 50 knots or more that can catch unsuspecting boaters by surprise and cause capsizing, dismastings, groundings, lightning strikes and more. In this video we discuss preparations that prudent mariners should take to prepare for and survive this intense squalls. Attend our Chat Nights every first and third Tuesdays of the month. The schedule is on our website here: http://mdschool.com/Chat.htm

Demonstration of gybe control procedures on a 40 foot sailing vessel with graphics and onboard instructional video.

Demonstration of procedures needed to tie a proper cleat hitch, and a review of common errors made when tying a cleat hitch, as generally applicable to small to mid-sized recreational vessels, but not applicable to larger commercial vessels and ships.

Underway demonstration of techniques for wrapping and releasing the jib winches of a cruising sailboat during tacking maneuvers.