“Shroud tuning: the process of adjusting or consolidating mast settings using the shrouds.” While the definition appears straightforward, its practical application is considerably more complex. A brief overview of mast tuning A yacht’s behaviour under sail,...
Naval architecture: the art of structures that navigate Naval architecture may be defined as the discipline concerned with the design of structures intended to operate on and beneath the water. The naval architect is therefore at the origin of all vessel design—from...
Spar afloat: definition At sea, maritime buoyage systems—ensuring the safety of vessels and navigation—are governed by the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA). A spar in this context refers to a rigid, fixed mark...
The capstan: then Historically, the capstan was a wooden drum with a vertical axis into which capstan bars were inserted, around which a rope was wound. These bars—removable levers used to rotate the capstan—featured a square or rectangular end that fitted into...
Definition of the backstay On a Bermuda-rigged sailing yacht, the backstay is a cable running between the masthead and the stern (via a chainplate secured to the deck structure). In its single configuration, it effectively bisects the yacht along its centreline; in a...
A cruise is, by definition, a voyage—and like any voyage, it requires thorough preparation before departure. While you may not be embarking on a circumnavigation or contemplating a passage to Antarctica or around Cape Horn, a comprehensive inspection of your vessel...
