<title>The Sailing Codex</title> <br> ![ ](j80.jpg width=400 attriburl="https://jboats.com/j80" attrib="J Boats") Welcome to the Sailing Codex! These original chapters and resources cover coastal cruising, day sailing, and sailboat racing for new sailors and guests. The regional regulations and jargon emphasize the US and Canada, where I sail most often. As of Oct 2026, I'm regularly updating these notes but have no particular release schedule. Note the disclaimer on the bottom of each page. <br> ## Getting Started - [Beginners: Learn to Sail in 10 Easy Steps](beginner/index.md.html) - [Essential Line Handling](rope/index.md.html) (Sailor knots and more) - [Novice Sail Trim](trim/novice.md.html) - [The Physics of Sailboats](physics/index.md.html) ## Dinghy Sailing - [Launch and Retrieval](drysail/index.md.html) - [Racing Gear](dinghies/gear.md.html) ## Choosing a Dinghy - [Single-Handed Racing Dinghies](dinghies/dinghy1.md.html) - [Double-Handed Racing Dinghies](dinghies/dinghy2.md.html) ## Keelboat Sailing - [A Boat Tour](living/tour.md.html) - [Cooking and Provisioning](living/cooking.md.html) - [Motoring a Sailboat](motoring/index.md.html) - [Anchoring](mooring/anchor.md.html) - [Recreational Vessel VHF](vhf/index.md.html) - [A Sailor's Bookshelf](bookshelf/index.md.html) ## Choosing a Cruiser - [Interiors](cruisers/interiors.md.html) - [Coastal Cruising Sailboats](cruisers/index.md.html) ## Racing - [Introduction to Racing](racing/beginner.md.html) - [Rules Summary](racing/rules.md.html) - [Intermediate Dinghy Tactics](racing/intermediate.md.html) - [Advanced Dinghy Tactics](racing/advanced.md.html) - [Handicap Math](racing/handicap.md.html) (Portsmouth Yardstick and PHRF) - [Signals](racing/signals.md.html) ## Checklists - [Sailing Codex Example pre- and post-cruise checklists](https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSGiBnAkKmz6STvadjjttfiKhf1yoR2CUb_I1vM-DZ17RMSNYDs13vbSudxIPUFeyVRHG_z8FHb9oVj/pub) - [Sailing Codex anchoring worksheet](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1SqdwrtpeNY8BMInmqQS4kkOUbIfKEF8uLfOZIHc5TEc/) - [Sailing Nomad's pre- and post-cruise checklists](https://www.thesailingnomads.com/blog/pre-and-post-sailing-checklists/) - [ASA daysailing checklist](https://asa.com/news/2022/06/27/planning-a-daysail/) ## Translations Nautical term translations to and from English and... <table><tr valign="top"><td> - [French](translation/English-French-Glossary-Nautical-Terms.pdf) - [German](translation/German-English-Glossary.pdf) </td><td> - [Italian](translation/English-Italian-Glossary-Nautical-Terms.pdf) - [Spanish](translation/English-Spanish-Glossary-Nautical-Terms.pdf) </td><td> - [Portuguese](translation/English-Portuguese-Glossary-Nautical-Terms.pdf) - [Japanese](translation/English-Japanese-Glossary-Nautical-Terms.pdf) </td><td> - [Chinese](translation/English-Chinese-Glossary-Nautical-Terms.pdf) - [Russian](translation/English-Russian-Glossary-Nautical-Terms.pdf) </td></tr></table> ## Navigation Rules - [Davis Quick Reference](https://amzn.to/40AL0f0) - [International (COLREGs)](https://treaties.un.org/pages/showDetails.aspx?objid=08000002800fcf87) - [USA](https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/navRules/navrules.pdf) - required in hardcopy on vessels over 12m - [Canada](https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/c.r.c.,_c._1416/page-1.html) - [Mexico](https://www.global-regulation.com/translation/mexico/560169/maritime-navigation-and-trade-act.html) - [United Kingdom and Northern Ireland](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/673/contents/made) - [Europe (CEVNI)](https://unece.org/resolutions-1). Note that Italy, Ireland, Norway, Finland, and Belarus have their own regulations. - [Racing (RRS)](https://www.sailing.org/inside-world-sailing/rules-regulations/racing-rules-of-sailing/) - [US Sailing RRS Prescriptions](https://www.ussailing.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2021-2024-US-Prescriptions-Final.pdf) - [Signals (INTERCO)](https://msi.nga.mil/api/publications/download?key=16694273/SFH00000/Pub102bk.pdf&type=view) ## Marine Regulations - [International Safety (SOLAS)](https://treaties.un.org/pages/showDetails.aspx?objid=08000002800ec37f) - <a href="https://treaties.un.org/pages/showDetails.aspx?objid=0800000280291139">International Pollution (MARPOL)</a> - [Canada Shipping Act 2001](https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-10.15/) - [USA pleasure boat customs requirements](https://www.cbp.gov/travel/pleasure-boats/pleasure-boat-overview/roam) - [Canada pleasure boat customs requirements](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/pb-pp-eng.html) ## Etiquette - [Between Sailors](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9cgczaqQPA) - For Guests: - [Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvJcX3JkVW8) - [Sail-World Article](https://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Being-a-guest-on-someones-boat-8-Tips-to-get-you-invited-again/-123302) - [Yacht Rent Article](https://www.yacht-rent.com/how-to-be-a-considerate-onboard-guest) - [Between Boats](https://www.chesapeakebaymagazine.com/capt-jodys-guide-to-boat-etiquette/) ## Apps - Weather: - [PredictWind](https://www.predictwind.com/) - [Windfinder](https://www.windfinder.com/apps/) - [Barometer Plus](https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/barometer-plus-altimeter-pro/id1174281818) - [Windy](https://www.windy.com/) - Autopilot and Instrument Mirroring: - [Raymarine](https://www.raymarine.com/en-us/our-products/mobile/the-raymarine-app) - [Garmin](https://www.garmin.com/en-CA/p/573254) - [B&G](https://www.bandg.com/bandg-app/) - Charts and Planning: - [Navionics](https://www.navionics.com/) (only mobile app) - [OpenCPN](https://www.opencpn.org/) (no mobile app) - [Savvy Navvy](https://www.savvy-navvy.com/) - AIS: [MarineTraffic](https://www.marinetraffic.com/) - iOS Anchor alarm: [Anchor Pro](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/anchor-pro/id1445476850) _Note: anchor alarms do not work on Android phones because they power off the GPS!_ - Current: [PNW Current Atlas](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pnw-current-atlas/id1456020312) - CBP ROAM (US Customs) [iOS](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cbp-roam/id1263234017) [Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.dhs.cbp.app.oars&hl=en_CA&pli=1) <br>