Onboard Memo

SABORDS Onboard Memo

The SABORDS Onboard Memo was born from a winter Atlantic crossing and years of sailing experience. It brings together the procedures, practical skills and seamanship techniques that accompanied me throughout my voyages, presented as simple, illustrated quick-reference guides that are easy to understand and use.

Practical Sailing Guides

The guides are organized into three series.

01 / Offshore Sailing Fundamentals

Reading nautical charts, understanding buoys and navigation marks, planning a passage, anticipating tides and compensating for drift are essential skills for every sailor.

This series introduces the core principles of traditional navigation through clear, illustrated guides suitable for both beginners and experienced crew members looking to refresh their knowledge.

Explore the Offshore Sailing Fundamentals

  • Offshore Sailing Fundamentals
  • Entering and Leaving a Harbor Safely
  • Navigation Buoys and IALA A Buoyage System
  • Night Navigation: Essential Rules
  • Understanding Points of Sail and How Wind Affects Your Sails
  • Anchoring and Mooring a Boat
  • Sextant Basics: Navigating Without GPS
  • Plotting a Course with Parallel Rules
  • How to Read a Nautical Chart
  • Navigating with Tides, Currents and Drift
  • Understanding the World's Major Ocean Currents
  • Compensating for Wind and Current Drift

02 / Essential Marine GPS Functions

A marine GPS has become one of the most important pieces of equipment on board. Knowing how to interpret the information displayed and use its key functions correctly is essential for safe navigation.

This series explains the essential features of a modern chartplotter step by step, helping you prepare a passage, follow a route and make the most of your onboard navigation system.

Explore Marine GPS Functions

  • Understanding the Main GPS Display
  • Course, Speed and Distance: Reading the Essential Data
  • Using Weather Information on Your Marine GPS
  • AIS: Understanding Nearby Vessels
  • Creating a Waypoint
  • Creating and Following a Route
  • Sending an SOS from Your Marine GPS
  • Sextant Basics: Navigating If Your GPS Fails

03 / Hazards at Sea and How to Handle Them

The sea is an extraordinary place, but it leaves no room for improvisation.

Offshore sailing is not only about storms. Many accidents happen during everyday tasks such as moving around the deck, reducing sail, performing a maneuver or simply preparing a meal while the boat is heeling.

This series covers common onboard hazards together with the practical techniques and safety procedures that help prevent accidents and deal with emergencies.

Explore Safety at Sea

  • Safety First: Preparing Your Sailboat for Heavy Weather
  • The First 30 Seconds After a Man Overboard
  • Heaving-To and Running Before a Storm with Drogues
  • Preparing the Galley Before Heavy Weather
  • Heavy Weather Sailing: Handling Waves and Avoiding Breaking Seas

Related article: The Day I Learned Why Urinating Overboard Can Be Dangerous

Sailing Safely

Safe boating requires knowledge, preparation and good habits. Many situations that seem simple ashore become much more challenging once you're at sea, especially during offshore passages or when weather conditions deteriorate.

These practical guides were designed as true onboard reference cards. They cover essential safety procedures, fundamental navigation skills and the key functions of a modern marine GPS.

Each guide focuses on one specific topic using clear illustrations and concise explanations. They can be viewed online, saved to your smartphone or printed to keep on board for quick reference whenever you need them.

View Online or Download

Every guide is fully illustrated to provide quick and easy reference whether you're planning a passage, preparing your boat at the dock or spending time at anchor.

Each guide can be viewed individually on the website, and downloadable PDF versions will be available soon so you can keep them on board your sailboat.

While these guides are not a substitute for formal seamanship training, official nautical charts or government navigation publications, they provide a practical companion for preparing a voyage, reviewing safety procedures or quickly finding essential information while underway.

Whether you're a new boater, a crew member or an experienced offshore sailor, the SABORDS Onboard Memo is designed to share real-life sailing experience and help make every voyage safer, simpler and more enjoyable.