San Juan Yachting - Resources

Every year some of our staff/instructors give seminars at the Seattle Boat Show. Here are links to some of the most recent:

• Docking Powerboats in NW Waters: Video 1
• Docking Sailboats in NW Waters: Video 2
• Anchoring for NW Waters: Video 3

Mike Huston has a hobby as a writer on the side! Not only is he one of the owners of San Juan Yachting, he is also an instructor for both the American Sailing Association and the Recreational Power Boat Association, a United States Coast Guard captain, and an owner of one of the trawlers in our fleet. Among other regions, Mike has cruised the Pacific Northwest extensively, including several extended cruises to Alaska. He has written over 30 articles for 48 North, on topics wide ranging in the marine industry.

• Sail Trim & Handling
     a. Aug. 2009 – Main Sail Set – The Basics – Reviews the basics of main sail trim, including twist and draft.
     b. Sept 2009 – Jib Set – The Basics – Reviews the basics of jib trim, including twist and draft.
     c. Oct 2009 – Sailing in Strong Winds – Strategies for sailing in a blow, including reducing sail, twist and draft.
     d. June 2011 – To Jibe or Not – A discussion about how and when to jibe safely.
     e. July 2011 – In Mast Furling – Some tips on trimming, reefing and furling an in–mast system.
     f. Nov 2011 – Reefing – A step–by–step review of reefing a standard main sail.
• Anchoring
     a. Aug 2010 – Anchoring – A discussion on how to anchor securely.
     b. July 2012 – Enhanced Anchoring – This article reviews use of stern ties and stern anchors.
     c. Aug 2012 – Rafting – Some of the dos and don’ts when rafting with other boats.
• Boat Handling In and Around Docks,
     a. Jan 2010 – Close Quarters Maneuvering, Part 1 – These three articles review in detail the techniques needed to handle a sailboat around the docks.
     b. Feb 2010 – Close Quarters Maneuvering, Part 2 – Prop walk, prop wash, speed control and backing are all discussed.
     c. Mar 2010 – Close Quarters Maneuvering, Part 3 – More complex maneuvers such as spinning in an aisle way.
     d. Apr 2010 – Preparing to Dock – Some tips for setting up a boat for docking.
     e. Mar 2012 – Docking – This article is an overview of docking, including preparation, maneuvering, line handling and communications.
     f. Apr 2012 – Docking Strategies – Tips on how to break the final approach into more manageable steps.
     g. Jan 2013 – Docking in a Tight Space - The slide stop maneuver.
• Boat Handling Under Sail
     a. May 2010 – Tacking for Two – Some tips on how to tack when there are only two people involved.
     b. Feb 2011 – Steering Under Sail – Ideas on steering a straight course.
     c. Mar 2011 – The Masthead – How to read and and use the masthead.
• Navigating
     a. July 2010 – Wake Up and Read the Charts – Some basic rules for staying off the rocks.
     b. Oct 2010 – Chart Plotters are Handy But… – Plotters have some really nice features but there are also dangers.
     c. Nov 2010 – Going with the Flow – How to save fuel and time by riding the currents.
     d. Jan 2011 – Set and Drift – Being sure currents do not sweep you into a rock.
     e. Sept 2012 – Buoy Basics – Why are buoys where they are?
• VHF Radio
     a. July 2009 – Weather Reports on the VHF – A review of how to get weather reports on the radio.
     b. Oct 2011 – Sound Communications – An overview of VHF use here in NW waters. (Please note there is an error in the article, the Seattle traffic channels for the south and north Sound areas are switched)
• Misc
     a. Sept 2011 – Is Your Propeller Sized Correctly – Some simple test you can do to see if you have the correct propeller.
     b. Jan 2012 – Boat Dimensions – A review of boat dimensions and how to calculate them.
     b. Aug 2015 – Preparing for Alaska – A discussion of the skills, boat and equipment needed to cruise Alaska.