Category Sailing Articles
Hands-Free Mast Calipers
Setting up your boat correctly can be the difference between a successful or disappointing day at the lake. This hands-free mast caliper allows you to put the caliper in place and then adjust your rig.
Helm Balance, with simple calculations of Center of Effort and Center of Lateral Resistance
Helm balance depends on the proper positioning of the mast on a sloop. This article includes calculations for Center of Effort and Center of Lateral Resistance so you can get it right the first time.
Bench Tuning Your Boat
The last thing to do before you put your boat in the water and after you have set up the rig and verified that it is true side to side is "bench tuning" - including securing your main and jib sheets.
Computer Radio Use in R/C Yachting
My foray into radio-controlled sailboats began only a couple of years ago, but my background includes a good deal of experience in designing, building, and flying radio-controlled sailplanes, where a model can reasonably be expected to have 12–18 servos and computer radios are the norm.
Wind Indicator
We have tried all types of wind indicators from very fancy to quite simple. This one works pretty darn well and is simple to make.
Balance
Most sailors know that a boat must “balance right” to sail correctly and efficiently, but what, exactly, does that mean?
Freesailing
If you wonder how model yachts sailed before the days of radio control, the answer was: quite nicely, thank you.
How to Sail Fast
In the pursuit of sailing fast, Bob Sterne looks at rig selection, mast position, obtaining proper trim to windward, and altering that trim when sailing in non-optimum conditions.