Guides & tips

Useful seamanship, written to be used.

Practical explanations for Australian sailors. Read the guide, then take the question to your coach.

Guide topic

Anchoring

1 story

  1. The Complete Australian Anchoring Guide editorial illustration

    Anchoring

    The Complete Australian Anchoring Guide

    Practical, Australia-focused guidance on choosing anchors, assessing seabeds, setting scope, techniques to set and test an anchor, managing swing radius, using dragging alarms, overnight anchoring tips and preparing for strong weather.

    Read guide

Guide topic

Beginners

1 story

  1. Sailing in Australia: The Complete Beginner’s Guide editorial illustration

    Beginners

    Sailing in Australia: The Complete Beginner’s Guide

    A practical, Australia‑focused introduction to sailing: key terms, common boat types, basic manoeuvres, where to learn, licence and club options, and planning your first trips with safety and local conditions in mind.

    Read guide

Guide topic

Buying a Sailing Boat

1 story

  1. Buying a Sailing Boat editorial illustration

    Buying a Sailing Boat

    Buying a Sailing Boat

    Buying a Sailing Boat

    Read guide

Guide topic

Clubs

1 story

  1. How to choose a sailing club in Australia (beginners) editorial illustration

    Clubs

    How to choose a sailing club in Australia (beginners)

    A practical guide for new sailors on picking the right Australian sailing club: training, boat access, racing, social fit, costs and the key questions to ask before joining.

    Read guide

Guide topic

Coastal Safety

2 stories

  1. How to Plan a Safe Coastal Sailing Trip editorial illustration

    Coastal Safety

    How to Plan a Safe Coastal Sailing Trip

    Practical, step-by-step guidance for planning a safe coastal sailing trip in Australia. Covers route planning, weather and tides, boat checks, safety equipment, crew roles, communications, and sensible day-before and go/no-go checks.

    Read guide

  2. Crossing Coastal Bars Safely editorial illustration

    Coastal Safety

    Crossing Coastal Bars Safely

    Practical guidance for recreational sailors in Australia on assessing swell, tide and wind, choosing the safest time to cross a coastal bar, preparing crew and gear, and making the decision to go or turn back.

    Read guide

Guide topic

Communications

1 story

  1. Communications

    How to Use VHF Marine Radio in Australia

    A practical guide for recreational sailors on using VHF marine radios safely and effectively in Australian waters: basic operation, channel use, emergency procedures, DSC basics, common mistakes and a ready checklist for pre-departure and on-water use.

    Read guide

Guide topic

Crewing

1 story

  1. Sailing with Children, Guests or Inexperienced Crew editorial illustration

    Crewing

    Sailing with Children, Guests or Inexperienced Crew

    Practical, safety-focused guidance for taking children, casual guests or inexperienced crew on Australian recreational sailboats. Covers preparation, simple briefings, boat roles, supervision, suitable activities, watchkeeping, and common mistakes to avoid.

    Read guide

Guide topic

Cruising

1 story

  1. Sailing the Hinchinbrook Channel editorial illustration

    Cruising

    Sailing the Hinchinbrook Channel

    A practical guide for recreational sailors planning a passage through Hinchinbrook Channel, covering route considerations, tides and currents, anchorages, hazards, local weather patterns, provisioning and safety checklists tailored to Australian conditions.

    Read guide

Guide topic

Cruising Guides

1 story

  1. Sailing the Capricorn Coast and Keppel Islands editorial illustration

    Cruising Guides

    Sailing the Capricorn Coast and Keppel Islands

    A practical guide for recreational sailors planning trips around the Capricorn Coast and Keppel Islands, covering seasonal considerations, common routes, anchorages, hazards, provisioning and sensible safety planning for Australian conditions.

    Read guide

Guide topic

Destinations

1 story

  1. Best Sailing Destinations in Queensland editorial illustration

    Destinations

    Best Sailing Destinations in Queensland

    A practical guide to Queensland’s top sailing areas, what to expect from each region, seasonal and safety considerations, suggested itineraries and useful planning checklists for recreational sailors.

    Read guide

Guide topic

Great Barrier Reef

1 story

  1. Sailing the Southern Great Barrier Reef editorial illustration

    Great Barrier Reef

    Sailing the Southern Great Barrier Reef

    A practical guide for recreational sailors planning day sails or short coastal cruises in the southern section of the Great Barrier Reef. Covers prevailing conditions, route planning, anchorages, navigation, reef etiquette and safety considerations specific to this region.

    Read guide

Guide topic

Local Guides

1 story

  1. Sailing the Great Sandy Strait editorial illustration

    Local Guides

    Sailing the Great Sandy Strait

    A practical guide for recreational sailors planning passages in the Great Sandy Strait — covering navigation challenges, tides and currents, anchoring, channels, weather considerations, and safety tips tailored to Queensland conditions.

    Read guide

Guide topic

Navigation

1 story

  1. Sailing at Night: Preparation, Navigation and Watchkeeping editorial illustration

    Navigation

    Sailing at Night: Preparation, Navigation and Watchkeeping

    Practical guide for recreational sailors in Australia on preparing for and conducting safe night passages. Covers planning, lighting, navigation tools, watch systems, crew briefings, common mistakes and simple emergency steps tailored to Australian conditions.

    Read guide

Guide topic

Passage Planning

1 story

  1. How to Plan a Coastal Sailing Passage editorial illustration

    Passage Planning

    How to Plan a Coastal Sailing Passage

    A practical step‑by‑step guide to planning a safe, realistic coastal sailing passage in Australian waters: choosing a route, estimating distance and time, checking weather and tides, fuel and daylight planning, identifying safe harbours and anchorages, and preparing backup plans.

    Read guide

Guide topic

Queensland

4 stories

  1. Sailing the Whitsunday Islands editorial illustration

    Queensland

    Sailing the Whitsunday Islands

    A practical, Australia-focused guide for planning and sailing around the Whitsunday Islands: weather and seasons, navigation and anchoring, moorings and parks, provisioning and charters, safety and common mistakes, plus checklists and next steps.

    Read guide

  2. Sailing Moreton Bay and Its Islands editorial illustration

    Queensland

    Sailing Moreton Bay and Its Islands

    Practical guidance for recreational sailors planning day trips or short cruises in Moreton Bay — local weather patterns, tides, safe anchorages, common hazards, equipment checklists and sensible trip planning for islands such as Moreton, North Stradbroke and the smaller bayside islands.

    Read guide

  3. Sailing the Gold Coast Broadwater editorial illustration

    Queensland

    Sailing the Gold Coast Broadwater

    A practical guide for recreational sailors planning trips on the Gold Coast Broadwater: key features, local weather and tide considerations, navigation tips, common hazards, equipment checklist and step‑by‑step trip planning tailored to Australian conditions.

    Read guide

  4. Understanding Wind, Waves, Swell and Sea State editorial illustration

    Queensland

    Understanding Wind, Waves, Swell and Sea State

    A practical guide for Australian recreational sailors explaining how wind, tide, fetch, swell period and coastal geography combine to create local sea state. Learn to read conditions, anticipate changes and make safer sail decisions.

    Read guide

Guide topic

Safety

3 stories

  1. Essential Safety Equipment for Recreational Sailing editorial illustration

    Safety

    Essential Safety Equipment for Recreational Sailing

    A practical checklist and explanation of the safety equipment recreational sailors should carry in Australian waters, with how to choose gear, use it correctly, and common mistakes to avoid.

    Read guide

  2. Essential Safety Equipment for Australian Sailing Boats editorial illustration

    Safety

    Essential Safety Equipment for Australian Sailing Boats

    A practical guide to the safety equipment commonly carried on recreational sailing boats in Australia: lifejackets, EPIRBs/PLBs, flares, radios, fire extinguishers, liferafts, jacklines, first-aid and how state requirements influence what you must carry.

    Read guide

  3. Preparing for Your First Day Sail — a Practical Checklist editorial illustration

    Safety

    Preparing for Your First Day Sail — a Practical Checklist

    A calm, practical guide to get you ready for your first day sail in Australia. Covers what to pack, simple boat checks, reading the weather, basic crew communication and when it's better to postpone.

    Read guide

Guide topic

Sailcraft

1 story

  1. Understanding Points of Sail and Sail Trim editorial illustration

    Sailcraft

    Understanding Points of Sail and Sail Trim

    A concise, practical guide to the points of sail and how to trim sails effectively for common Australian conditions. Learn the basics of wind angles, sail shape, telltales, reefing considerations and simple steps to improve boat speed and balance.

    Read guide

Guide topic

Sea Health

1 story

  1. Preventing and Managing Seasickness at Sea editorial illustration

    Sea Health

    Preventing and Managing Seasickness at Sea

    Practical, Australia-focused guidance for recreational sailors on how to reduce the likelihood of seasickness, recognise symptoms early, manage affected crew onboard and plan trips to reduce impact on safety and enjoyment.

    Read guide

Guide topic

Seamanship

1 story

  1. Understanding Australian Tides, Currents and Tidal Gates editorial illustration

    Seamanship

    Understanding Australian Tides, Currents and Tidal Gates

    A practical guide for recreational sailors in Australia explaining how tides and currents work, how tidal gates (entrance bars, harbour gates and man-made locks) affect navigation, and how to plan passages and manoeuvres safely around tidal influences.

    Read guide

Guide topic

Weather

1 story

  1. How to Read Marine Weather Forecasts in Australia editorial illustration

    Weather

    How to Read Marine Weather Forecasts in Australia

    A practical guide to understanding Australian marine weather forecasts, translating forecast language into safe sailing decisions, checking key products and observations, recognising limitations, and practising the skills ashore and afloat.

    Read guide