Setting an anchor looks easy — until it isn’t.

There is a bit more to it than dropping it over the side and hoping for the best.

pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2026/03/sett...

#Sailing #Boating #Seamanship #AnchorHandling #LearnToSail #pmrsailing

The 5-Minute Boat Check That Saves Your Sailing Day The 5-Minute Boat Check That Saves Your Sailing Day There’s a special kind of frustration in sailing… You finally get on the water, the ...

Regular boat maintenance makes all the difference

Before every sail I now do a quick 5-minute check:

✔ Sheets

✔ Halyards

✔ Knots

✔ Fittings

pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2026/03/the-...

#SailingLife #BoatMaintenance #RiverSailing #LearnToSail #pmrsailing

This week’s Knot of the Week is the stopper knot.

Today I look at the double overhand stopper knot - larger and more permanent, which is easy to tie, easy to inspect, but almost impossible to undo.

pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2026/03/knot...

#Sailing #Knots #KnotOfTheWeek #LearnToSail

How do you get ahead in a sailing race?
It’s not always the fastest boat that wins.
Often it comes down to:
A well-timed start
Staying in clean wind
pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2026/03/how-...
#Sailing #LearnToSail #DinghyRacing

Why is a burgee so important when sailing?
That little flag at the top of the mast shows the true wind direction, which is vital when sailing on rivers.
pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2026/03/why-...
#SailingLife #DinghySailing #LearnToSail #RiverThames #WindDirection

Do you always remember to look up at the burgee when sailing?
I don’t.
So I'm experimenting with mounting a wireless wind anemometer on the masthead float, with a digital display at the foot of the mast.
pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2026/03/moun...
#SailingLife #DinghySailing #LearnToSail

5 Free Sailing Apps for the Adriatic
Heading out on a yacht? An iPad can be one of the most useful tools on board.
pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2026/03/5-fr...
#Sailing #RYACompetentCrew #AdriaticSailing #SailingApps #YachtLife #LearnToSail

Far from ordinary life.
Sail across the Indian Ocean aboard the brigantine NEPTUN.

👉 Apply now: https://brigantineneptun.com/apply-now/

#FarFromOrdinary #TallShipAdventure #SailTraining #IndianOceanCrossing #OceanAdventure #BluewaterSailing #WorldVoyage #LifeAtSea #LearnToSail #TraditionalSailing

Not a screen. A cockpit. (2).png

You don't need:
❌ A boat
❌ An ocean
❌ Perfect weather
❌ Years of lessons

You need:
✅ A Quest headset
✅ 30 minutes

MarineVerse turns "someday I'll learn to sail" into "I'm already learning."
#MarineVerse #LearnToSail #VR

Sailing Term of the Week: The Transom
The transom is the flat panel at the back of a boat, often where the rudder is attached.
It might look simple, but its shape affects everything
Learn more here: pmrsailing.uk/sailing-less...
#Sailing #DinghySailing #LearnToSail #pmrsailing

🌊 Ready to catch the wind and embrace the sailing life? Your first sailing lesson is an adventure waiting to happen!

Read the full article on blog.theboatdb.com/your-firs... and sail to the future with knowledge.

#marinedatacloud #theboatapp #theboatdb #Blogarticle #LearnToSail

It’s the line that tensions the luff (front edge) of the sail, changing the sail’s shape.
Tighten = flatter sail (better in stronger wind)
Ease = fuller sail (more power in light wind)
pmrsailing.uk/sailing-less...
#SailingTerms #LearnToSail #DinghySailing #SailTrim #RiverSailing

Far from ordinary life.
Sail across the Indian Ocean aboard the brigantine NEPTUN.

👉 Apply now: https://brigantineneptun.com/apply-now/

#FarFromOrdinary #TallShipAdventure #SailTraining #IndianOceanCrossing #OceanAdventure #BluewaterSailing #WorldVoyage #LifeAtSea #LearnToSail #TraditionalSailing

Knot of the Week The Round Turn & Two Half Hitches.
Strong. Simple. Easy to undo. Perfect for tying up on pontoons and river moorings.
pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2026/02/knot...
#Sailing #LearnToSail #Knots

Keelboat or daggerboard dinghy — which is actually better for racing on the Thames?
Shallow water, short legs, constant tacks, shifty winds… the river changes everything.
pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2026/01/keel...
#Sailing #RiverThames #DinghySailing #Keelboats #ClubRacing #LearnToSail #pmrsailing

Far from ordinary life.
Sail across the Indian Ocean aboard the brigantine NEPTUN.

👉 Apply now: https://brigantineneptun.com/apply-now/

#FarFromOrdinary #TallShipAdventure #SailTraining #IndianOceanCrossing #OceanAdventure #BluewaterSailing #WorldVoyage #LifeAtSea #LearnToSail #TraditionalSailing

Sailing Term: Painter
Not a decorator but the rope attached to the bow of a dinghy.
Used for: • Tying up • Towing • Keeping control on shore
Simple term. Essential knowledge. pmrsailing.uk/sailing-less...
#LearnToSail #SailingEducation #DinghySailing #RiverThames #pmrsailing

Far from ordinary life.
Sail across the Indian Ocean aboard the brigantine NEPTUN.

👉 Apply now: https://brigantineneptun.com/apply-now/

#FarFromOrdinary #TallShipAdventure #SailTraining #IndianOceanCrossing #OceanAdventure #BluewaterSailing #WorldVoyage #LifeAtSea #LearnToSail #TraditionalSailing

Start yachting course = whole new obsession for the Kirsch’s….. #sailing #solentboattraining #learntosail #yacht

Far from ordinary life.
Sail across the Indian Ocean aboard the brigantine NEPTUN.

👉 Apply now: https://brigantineneptun.com/apply-now/

#FarFromOrdinary #TallShipAdventure #SailTraining #IndianOceanCrossing #OceanAdventure #BluewaterSailing #WorldVoyage #LifeAtSea #LearnToSail #TraditionalSailing

Why Boats Can’t Sail Straight Into the Wind Why Boats Can’t Sail Straight Into the Wind And What Tacking Angles Have to Do With It “Why can’t we just point the boat where we want t...

Why can’t boats just sail straight into the wind?
Because physics.
You’ve got to tack — and tacking angles make all the difference.
New blog for beginner sailors now live:
pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2025/10/why-...
#LearnToSail #TackingAngles #SailingTips #pmrsailing

Reefing: When to Shorten Sail and Why It Saves Races (and Swims) Reefing: When to Shorten Sail and Why It Saves Races (and Swims) If your boat feels a bit out of control, you’re heeling too far, the hel...

Thinking about reefing?
Then reef.
Shortening sail = more control, less heeling, fewer swims.
New blog explains when, why, and how.
pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2025/10/reef...
#SailingTips #Reefing #LearnToSail #pmrsailing

Buoyancy aids and lifejackets aren’t the same.
One helps you swim, the other keeps you alive — even if you can't.
Learn when to wear which, especially on the river vs. at sea.
pmrsailing.uk/sailing-less...
#SailingSafety #LearnToSail #pmrsailing #Lifejackets

Wide In, Tight Out – The Perfect Mark Rounding Wide In, Tight Out – The Perfect Mark Rounding If you’re learning to race a dinghy, there’s one golden rule you’ll hear over and over: W...

Mark rounding can win or lose races.
Go wide in, tight out for a smoother, faster turn that keeps your boat powered and leaves the others in your wake.
New blog: pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2025/10/wide...
#DinghyRacing #LearnToSail #SailingTips #pmrsailing

Adventure Upstream – When the Wind and Stream Collide Adventure Upstream – When the Wind and Stream Collide Sailing upstream on the Thames is a beautiful challenge — and a test of everything ...

When the wind blows one way and the stream pulls the other, sailing becomes a slow-motion strategy.
Read our latest upstream adventure — where the wind, the river, and the crew all had different ideas.
pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2025/10/adve...
#LearnToSail #RiverSailing #pmrsailing

Far from ordinary life.
Sail across the Indian Ocean aboard the brigantine NEPTUN.

👉 Apply now: https://brigantineneptun.com/apply-now/

#FarFromOrdinary #TallShipAdventure #SailTraining #IndianOceanCrossing #OceanAdventure #BluewaterSailing #WorldVoyage #LifeAtSea #LearnToSail #TraditionalSailing

Sailing Term Spotlight: The Kicker Sailing Term Spotlight: The Kicker What it does, why it matters, and how to adjust it pmrsailing.uk blog Among the mysterious spaghetti...

What does the kicker do (besides confuse new sailors)?
This small rope makes a big difference to your downwind speed and upwind control.
New blog: How to use the kicker properly
pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2025/10/sail...
#LearnToSail #SailingTips #pmrsailing

The Art of Crew Balance in a Dinghy The Art of Crew Balance in a Dinghy If you're new to dinghy sailing, you might think the sails do all the work. But the real unsung hero of...

Dinghy not going where you want it to? Might be a balance issue.
Our blog explains why crew weight matters, and how simple shifts can stop you from swimming.
Read now: pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-...
#sailing #learntosail #dinghy #pmrsailing

A Podium Finish (Sort Of) A Podium Finish (Sort Of) We entered a couple of races on Sunday as part of the Autumn Series . The breeze was light, the sails barely f...

We entered two races in the Autumn Series.
Light winds. Determined tacking. Glacial speed.
We came third… out of three.
But hey — third is still third.
New blog: pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2025/10/a-po...
#dinghyracing #learntosail #pmrsailing #autumnseries

Why You Should Join a Sailing Club Before Buying a Boat Why You Should Join a Sailing Club Before Buying a Boat It’s a classic mistake many new sailors make: buy the boat first, ask questions l...

Thinking of buying your first dinghy? Join a sailing club first.
You’ll learn faster, save money, and get expert advice (plus a good cup of tea).
Our latest blog explains why: pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2025/10/why-...
#sailing #learntosail #dinghy #riversailing #pmrsailing