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Useful seamanship, written to be used.
Practical explanations for Australian sailors. Read the guide, then take the question to your coach.
Guide topic
Beginners
3 stories
How Sails Work: Understanding Wind, Points of Sail and Sail Trim
A practical, Australian-focused guide explaining how sails generate drive, the points of sail, and how to trim sails for different conditions. Includes simple explanations of aerodynamic concepts, step-by-step trim checks, common mistakes and clear next steps for practice on the water.
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Sailing Safety for Beginners: Essential Equipment, Rules and Habits
A practical guide for new recreational sailors in Australia covering essential safety equipment, basic rules of the water, good habits, and simple checklists to help you plan safer outings.
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Parts of a Sailing Boat Every Beginner Should Know
A concise, practical introduction to the essential parts of a recreational sailing boat for beginners in Australia. Covers hull, deck, rigging, sails, steering, below-decks spaces and safety equipment, with simple explanations, common mistakes and a pre-decast checklist to help new sailors communicate and get underway.
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Guide topic
Sailing New South Wales
12 stories
Sailing the Hawkesbury River: Anchorages, Tides and Passage Planning
Practical guide for recreational sailors planning passage on the Hawkesbury River: how to plan around tides, choose anchorages, read local conditions and prepare the boat and crew for a safe, comfortable trip.
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Sailing Sydney Harbour: Complete Guide for Recreational Sailors
A practical, step‑by‑step guide for recreational sailors on Sydney Harbour covering navigation, local weather and tides, safe anchoring, berthing, common routes, rules of the road, and useful checklists tailored to Australian conditions.
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NSW Marine Parks, Moorings and Responsible Anchoring for Sailors
Practical guidance for recreational sailors in New South Wales on navigating marine parks, using moorings and anchoring responsibly. Covers how to plan passages, approach moorings, set and retrieve an anchor, minimise environmental impact and follow local rules.
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Sailing Pittwater: Anchorages, Beaches, Weather and Local Conditions
Practical guide for recreational sailors in Pittwater covering safe anchorages, popular beaches, typical weather patterns, tidal and local considerations, boat handling and a pre-departure checklist tailored to local conditions.
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Sailing Lake Macquarie: Entrance, Anchorages and Cruising Guide
A practical guide for recreational sailors planning day sails or short cruises on Lake Macquarie. Covers the entrance, navigation considerations, popular anchorages, local weather and tide influences, mooring etiquette, safety checks and suggested itineraries around the lake.
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Sailing Port Stephens: Nelson Bay, Myall Coast and Offshore Waters
A practical guide for recreational sailors planning short trips or multi-day cruises around Port Stephens, the Myall Coast and nearby offshore waters. Covers local geography, common conditions, navigation considerations, anchoring and mooring tips, and safety checklists tailored to Australian conditions.
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Sailing Jervis Bay: Anchorages, Weather, Hazards and Marine Parks
A practical guide for recreational sailors planning trips in Jervis Bay. Covers typical weather patterns, sheltered anchorages, common hazards, marine park considerations, anchoring techniques and sensible trip planning for day sails and short cruises.
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Sailing the NSW South Coast: Sydney to Eden Cruising Guide
Practical, safety-focused cruising guidance for recreational sailors planning a coastal voyage from Sydney to Eden. Covers trip planning, common routes, weather and tidal considerations, safe anchorages and ports of refuge, provisioning, and sensible watchkeeping for Australian conditions.
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Sailing the NSW North Coast: Sydney to the Queensland Border
Practical guide for recreational sailors planning a coastal cruise from Sydney north to the Queensland border. Covers route options, weather and tidal considerations, planning checklists, common hazards, anchorages and practical examples for a safe, enjoyable trip.
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Crossing Coastal Bars in NSW: Planning, Conditions and Safety
Practical guidance for recreational sailors planning to cross coastal bars in New South Wales. Explains how to assess conditions, plan a crossing, prepare equipment and crew, recognise hazards and manage emergencies, with checklists and realistic examples relevant to NSW waters.
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NSW Coastal Weather for Sailors: Southerly Busters, Sea Breezes and East Coast Lows
A concise, practical guide for recreational sailors in New South Wales that explains southerly busters, sea breezes and east coast lows, how they form, how they affect coastal sailing, common signs to watch for, equipment and preparation, and clear next steps to plan safer outings.
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Best Anchorages in New South Wales for Cruising Sailors
A practical guide to selecting and using anchorages around New South Wales for cruising sailors. Covers sheltered bays, tidal considerations, holding, approach planning, and example anchorages with local conditions to check before you go.
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Guide topic
Sailing Western Australia
9 stories
Planning a Coastal Passage Along Western Australia
A practical guide for recreational sailors planning a multi-day coastal passage along Western Australia: what to consider, how to plan for weather, tides and currents, required equipment and safety checks, route-planning steps, common mistakes and sensible next steps.
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Tides, Reefs and Remote Cruising Safety in Western Australia
Practical guidance for recreational sailors planning coastal and remote cruising in Western Australia, focusing on tidal planning, reef awareness, navigation and safety preparation tailored to local conditions.
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Best Anchorages in Western Australia for Cruising Sailors
Practical guidance to help recreational cruising sailors choose and use anchorages around Western Australia. Covers types of sheltered anchorages, seasonal and tidal considerations, anchoring technique, local conditions, common mistakes and a checklist for planning stays from sheltered south coast bays to remote Kimber
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Western Australian Weather for Sailors: Fremantle Doctor, Sea Breezes and Coastal Systems
A practical guide to the coastal weather systems that affect sailing along Western Australia's coast, focusing on the Fremantle Doctor, local sea breezes, and linked coastal phenomena. Explains how these systems form, when they tend to occur, how they influence boat handling and passage planning, common mistakes, and a
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Sailing the Kimberley: Tides, Remote Anchorages and Expedition Cruising
Practical guide for recreational sailors planning Kimberley cruises: understanding tidal regimes, planning for remote anchorages, provisioning, safety, communications and checklists for expedition-style outings in north-western Australian waters.
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Sailing the Abrolhos Islands: Passage Planning, Anchorages and Reef Navigation
A practical guide for recreational sailors planning a voyage to the Houtman Abrolhos: passage planning, safe approaches, choosing anchorages, navigating around reefs and practical safety checklists tailored to Australian conditions.
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Sailing the Abrolhos Islands: Passage Planning, Anchorages and Reef Navigation
Practical guidance for recreational sailors planning passages to and between the Abrolhos Islands, choosing secure anchorages, and navigating reef-strewn waters safely using charts, local knowledge and conservative seamanship.
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Sailing Esperance and the Recherche Archipelago
A practical guide for recreational sailors planning voyages to Esperance and the Recherche Archipelago: what to expect, key planning considerations, common anchorages, safety and communications, equipment recommendations and sensible steps for a successful trip in this remote southern WA cruising area.
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Sailing Fremantle: Harbour Approaches, Facilities and Local Conditions
Practical guide for recreational sailors approaching Fremantle Harbour: what to expect on the approaches, local weather and tidal influences, navigational considerations, berthing and facilities, communications and safety checks, common mistakes and sensible next steps.
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