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Boating and Sailing Second Edition by Frank Sargeant A Pearson Education Company Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, re- cording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of information contained herein. For information, address Alpha Books, 201 West 103rd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46290. THE COMPLETE IDIOT’S GUIDE TO and Design are registered trademarks of Pearson Education, Inc. International Standard Book Number: 0-02-864354-2 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2002102216 04 03 02 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Interpretation of the printing code: The rightmost number of the first series of numbers is the year of the book’s printing; the rightmost number of the second series of numbers is the number of the book’s printing. For example, a printing code of 02-1 shows that the first printing occurred in 2002. Printed in the United States of America Note:This publication contains the opinions and ideas of its author. It is intended to provide helpful and informative material on the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the author and publisher are not engaged in rendering professional services in the book. If the reader requires personal assistance or advice, a competent professional should be consulted. The author and publisher specifically disclaim any responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this book. Publisher:Marie Butler-Knight Product Manager: Phil Kitchel Managing Editor: Jennifer Chisholm Senior Acquisitions Editor: Renee Wilmeth Development Editor: Amy Gordon Production Editor: Katherin Bidwell Illustrator:Chris Eliopoulos Cover/Book Designer: Trina Wurst Indexer:Tonya Heard Layout/Proofreading:Angela Calvert, Svetlana Dominguez, Natashia Rardin Contents at a Glance Part 1: Getting Started in Boating 1 1 Welcome to the Wet and Wonderful World of Boating! 3 Which boat is the one for you? 2 Power to the People—Marine Engines 21 The ins and outs of outboards, inboards, and stern drives. 3 Picking a Proper Prop 37 Propeller pitch, diameter, and performance. 4 It Follows You Anywhere—Trailering Your Boat 51 The right trailer for your boat—and how to tow it. Part 2: The Basics of Operation 69 5 Getting Underway for the First Time 71 Leaving the dock, fueling up, and trimming your boat. 6 The Art and Science of Docking 85 Handling your boat in close quarters. 7 People Management and Safety Aboard 99 Keeping your crew happy and healthy. 8 Anchors Aweigh! Making Your Boat Stay Put 113 Selecting and using the proper anchor for your boat. 9 Nautical Knots 129 Learning a few old favorites very well. 10 Paddle Power: Canoes, Kayaks, and Rowboats 143 Be your own motor in these lightweight rigs. Part 3: Getting from Point A to Point B: Marine Navigation 157 11 Nautical Road Maps: Marine Charts 159 Where to find ’em and how to use ’em. 12 Rules of the Marine Road 171 Learn these and you’ll never have traffic problems. 13 Tools and Tricks of Navigation 183 Understanding the compass and electronic navigation. 14 Nautical Radio Gear and Procedures and Your First Longer Cruise 195 Marine communications and dead reckoning on your first voyage. Part 4: Nature’s Triple Play: Wind, Weather, and Tides 207 15 Weather You Like It or Not 209 Choosing and using forecasts and learning nature’s weather predictors. 16 Mastering the Tides 221 Play the tides by the day and by the season. Part 5: Staying Safe Afloat 233 17 Gearing Up for Safety 235 The right stuff for safety afloat. 18 The Best Defense Is Common Sense 247 Think twice, act once—and always file a float plan. 19 Common Emergencies (If There Are Such Things) 257 Dealing with those rare tense moments afloat. Part 6: Boating Maintenance 269 20 The Well-Equipped Nautical Toolbox 271 These tools can save you big money and keep your boat running smoothly. 21 Keeping Your Boat Shipshape 283 A clean boat runs better—really! 22 Keeping Your Engine Happy 295 Motor maintenance and making common repairs afloat. Part 7: Sailing, Sailing … 307 23 How to Tell the Main from the Jib: A Sailor’s Vocabulary 309 Learning the language of sail-power. 24 Types of Sailboats 321 Sailboards to sailing yachts, and the sails that move them. 25 The Mechanics of Sailing 333 Why sailboats sail, and how to make your first trip. 26 Handling Your Sailboat 341 Maneuvering under sail, plus how to deal with tough conditions. Appendixes A Glossary 355 B Resources 363 C Boating Online 367 Index 369 Contents Part 1: Getting Started in Boating 1 1 Welcome to the Wet and Wonderful World of Boating! 3 Start at the Bottom Line ..........................................................................4 Maintenance Costs ..................................................................................5 If the Sloop Fits, Buy It ............................................................................6 What to Call the Pointy End (and the Rest of a Boat) ..........................6 What Kind of Boat Are You Looking For? ............................................8 Power to the People—Boats with Motors ..............................................9 One Model Fits All: The Runabout ........................................................9 The Need for Speed: Performance Boats ................................................10 Something Fishy: Boats for Anglers ......................................................11 Up the Creek: Freshwater Fishing Boats ..............................................11 Monsters of the Sea: Saltwater Fishing Boats ........................................12 For the Shallow-Minded: Flats Boats ....................................................13 Leisure Afloat: Cruisers, Trawlers, and Houseboats ..............................14 Houseboats Without the House: Pontoon and Deck-Type Boats ..............15 Motorcycles on the Water: Personal Watercraft ..................................16 Boating in a Balloon: Inflatable Boats ..................................................17 Powered by the Wind: Sailboats ............................................................18 Muscle-Powered Boats: Canoes, Kayaks, and Rowboats ......................18 Buy New or Used? ................................................................................19 2 Power to the People—Marine Engines 21 Portable Power—Outboard Motors ......................................................22 Outboard Motor Brands ........................................................................24 Two Strokes or Four? ............................................................................24 Carry-Out Outboards—Mini-Motors ..................................................26 Compact Motors ....................................................................................26 Jet Power ................................................................................................27 Two-Cycle Outboard Oils ......................................................................28 Innies and Outies—Inboard/Outboards ................................................28 Inboard Engines ....................................................................................30 Power Without Spark Plugs—Diesel Engines ......................................30 Fuel Economy ........................................................................................31 Top-End Performance ..........................................................................31 Better at Cruising Speed ......................................................................32 Low-Speed Fuel Gobblers ......................................................................33 One Engine or Two? ..............................................................................33 vi The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Boating and Sailing, Second Edition 3 Picking a Proper Prop 37 Gay Blades—And Serious Ones ............................................................38 Barrel Onward ........................................................................................38 Diameter and Prop Performance ..........................................................40 Here’s the Pitch ......................................................................................40 Putting It Together ................................................................................41 When One Goes Up, the Other Goes Down ......................................41 Right Hand or Left? ..............................................................................43 What Props Are Made Of ......................................................................44 Light, Cheap, and Bendable—Aluminum Props ....................................44 Stainless-Steel Reputation ....................................................................44 Bronzed Warriors ................................................................................45 Plastic Props ........................................................................................45 Props for Electric Motors ......................................................................46 Counter-Rotating In-Line Props ..........................................................46 These Props Are Not Shiftless ..............................................................47 Problems of the Improper Prop ............................................................48 If Your Prop Is Too Tall … ....................................................................48 If Your Prop Is Too Short … ................................................................49 When Your Prop Is Just Right … ........................................................49 Bad Vibrations ........................................................................................49 Care and Feeding of Your Prop ............................................................50 4 It Follows You Anywhere—Trailering Your Boat 51 Get Fit ....................................................................................................52 Weight Wisdom ....................................................................................53 Two Wheels or Four? ............................................................................53 The Right Stuff ......................................................................................54 How Trailer Winches Work ..................................................................55 Tongue Jacks ..........................................................................................56 Do You Need Brakes? ............................................................................56 Getting Hitched ....................................................................................57 Matching the Load—Hitch Ratings ......................................................58 Have a Ball—Hitch Balls ......................................................................58 Keeping Your Trailer on the Trail—Maintenance ................................59 Wheel and Tire Maintenance ................................................................59 Let There Be Lights ..............................................................................59 Getting Wired ........................................................................................60 Inflation Is Good ....................................................................................60 Winch Maintenance ..............................................................................61 Get Tight and Load It Right ................................................................61 Wandering Trailers ................................................................................61 The Chain Gang ....................................................................................62 Towing Tips ............................................................................................62 Contents vii Watch Where You Tow ..........................................................................63 Secure It All ............................................................................................63 Maneuvering Your Trailer ......................................................................63 Highway Trailering ................................................................................64 Keeping Your Cool ................................................................................64 Pushing Off ............................................................................................65 Let’s Do Launch ....................................................................................65 Up-Loading ............................................................................................66 Power Loading ....................................................................................67 Break-Frame Loading ..........................................................................67 Pulling Out ............................................................................................67 Trouble at the Ramp ..............................................................................67 A Tail-Light Cure ..................................................................................68 Part 2: The Basics of Operation 69 5 Getting Underway for the First Time 71 All Aboard! ..............................................................................................72 Keep Your Hands Handy ......................................................................73 Starting the Engines ..............................................................................73 Leaving the Dock ..................................................................................75 Keeping Trim Afloat ..............................................................................76 Time to Trim In ....................................................................................76 Those Are the Brakes ............................................................................77 Softening the Waves ..............................................................................77 Time to Trim Out ..................................................................................78 It Ain’t Flipper—Stop Your Boat from Porpoising ..............................78 The Art of Cornering ............................................................................79 Ventilation: Good in Motel Rooms, Bad in Props ................................79 Shallow Water Trim ..............................................................................80 Boating in a Bog ....................................................................................80 Refueling Your Boat ..............................................................................81 6 The Art and Science of Docking 85 Slip-Sliding Away: Maneuvering Out of a Slip ....................................86 The Easy Way Out ................................................................................86 Wind into the Dock ..............................................................................87 Spring Ahead, but Don’t Fall Back ........................................................89 You Can Go Home Again—Docking Tactics ......................................89 The Best Plan Is to Have a Plan ............................................................89 Practice, Practice, Practice ....................................................................90 Avoiding Slip-Ups ..................................................................................90 Parallel Parking ......................................................................................91 Current Events ......................................................................................92 viii The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Boating and Sailing, Second Edition Shoehorn Maneuvering ..........................................................................93 Slow Is Good ..........................................................................................93 Easy Job That Can Be Tough: Picking Up a Mooring ........................94 Tidal Tie-Ups ........................................................................................95 Dock Lines ..............................................................................................95 Securing Your Boat ................................................................................96 Chafing Gear for Your Lines ................................................................96 Fenders Are Meant to Be Squashed ......................................................97 7 People Management and Safety Aboard 99 Taking Care of Business: The Captain Is the Boss ............................100 Alcohol Afloat ....................................................................................101 Protection from the Sun ......................................................................102 Wear a Hat ........................................................................................102 Your Feet Need Protection, Too ............................................................103 Wear Sunglasses ................................................................................103 Coping with Seasickness ......................................................................104 The Right Footwear ............................................................................106 Dressing for Cold-Weather Boating ..................................................107 Singing in the Rain with Good Rain Gear ..........................................108 What’s Bugging You? ..........................................................................109 Cameras and Water Do Not Always Mix ............................................110 8 Anchors Aweigh! Making Your Boat Stay Put 113 Anchors by Design ..............................................................................114 Anchoring in Style ................................................................................114 Fluke (Danforth) Anchors ..................................................................114 Plow Anchors ......................................................................................115 Navy Anchors ....................................................................................116 Mushroom Anchors ............................................................................116 Grapnel Anchors ................................................................................117 Stronger Is Better ................................................................................117 Anchors That Float—Sea Anchors ......................................................118 Anchor Tackle ......................................................................................119 Deep Stuff—Anchoring Offshore ........................................................121 Anchoring in a Harbor ........................................................................122 It’s a Drag—When the Anchor Does Not Hold ..................................122 When Two Anchors Are Better Than One ........................................122 Beaching It ............................................................................................123 When the Anchor Goes Ashore ..........................................................124 Grounding—On Purpose ....................................................................124 If You Lose Your Anchor ....................................................................125 Snagged Anchors ..................................................................................125 Breaking Free ......................................................................................126 Contents ix 9 Nautical Knots 129 When a Rope Is Not a Rope—Nautical Cordage ..............................129 What Is Rope Made Of? ......................................................................130 Nylon—The Universal Soldier ............................................................130 Polypropylene—Low in Price (but Also Low in Strength) ....................131 Polyester and Dacron—The Higher-Priced Spreads ............................131 Hemp—The Natural Ropes ................................................................131 Twisted, Stirred, or Shaken? ................................................................132 Size Counts ..........................................................................................132 Line Care ..............................................................................................133 The Bitter End ....................................................................................133 Coiling Lines ........................................................................................134 Handling the Anchor Line ..................................................................135 Cleating Off ..........................................................................................136 Knots You’ll Use Most Often ..............................................................137 The Ubiquitous Bowline ....................................................................138 Getting Hitched ................................................................................139 Clove Hitch ........................................................................................140 One Knot That Fits All:The Uni-Knot ..............................................140 10 Paddle Power: Canoes, Kayaks, and Rowboats 143 I Can—Canoe? ....................................................................................144 Weighty Subject ..................................................................................144 The Appeal of the Keel ........................................................................146 Is Wider Really Better? ......................................................................147 Tippicanoe? Maintaining Stability in Canoes ......................................148 Different Strokes for Different Folks ..................................................149 Keen on Kayaks ....................................................................................150 Open or Shut Case? ............................................................................151 Kayak Handling ................................................................................152 Skirting a Spill: Recovery Strokes ......................................................153 Row, Row, Row Your Boat ..................................................................154 Who Needs a Rowboat? ......................................................................154 Handling Basics ..................................................................................155 Part 3: Getting from Point A to Point B: Marine Navigation 157 11 Nautical Road Maps: Marine Charts 159 The Art of the Chart ............................................................................160 Charts Are Where You Find ’Em ........................................................160 The Profit Motive—Commercial Charts ............................................161 By the Book ..........................................................................................162 It Was Deep Enough Yesterday ..........................................................162 The Color of Water..............................................................................163