Blog YachtMate

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Practical guide

Recognizing navigation lights at night

Sidelights, masthead, sternlight, anchor lights: identify a vessel at a glance and deduce its course from the COLREG lights.

24 July 2026 10 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Engine overheating: diagnosing the cooling system

Intake, strainer, impeller, heat exchanger: understand the circuit, react to the temperature alarm and avoid engine damage.

23 July 2026 11 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Spinnaker and gennaker: mastering downwind sailing

Code 0, gennaker or symmetric spinnaker: which sail to choose, how to hoist, trim, gybe and douse it without stress.

22 July 2026 10 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Depth sounder: understanding and reading the seabed

Offset, echo interpretation, alarms and pitfalls: everything you need to know to navigate shallow water with confidence.

21 July 2026 9 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Reefing the mainsail: when and how to reduce sail

When and how to reef? Warning signs, reefing systems, a step-by-step procedure and the mistakes to avoid for safe sailing.

20 July 2026 9 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Nautical mile, knot and fathom: units of measurement at sea

Nautical mile, knot, cable, fathom and degrees: what the units of measurement at sea mean and how to convert them for your passages.

July 19, 2026 9 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Buying a used boat: the survey and inspection checklist

Hull, engine, rigging, through-hulls: the areas to inspect, the sea trial and the surveyor's role before buying used.

July 18, 2026 9 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Climbing the mast safely: gear and technique

Bosun's chair, halyards, ascenders and the two-halyard principle: the complete method for going up the mast without risk.

July 17, 2026 9 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Tiller or wheel steering: which system should you choose?

Feel, cockpit space, maintenance, price: everything that separates a tiller from a wheel, and how to choose for your boat.

July 16, 2026 8 min read Read →

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Marine weather

Squalls at sea: spotting and handling squall lines

Sudden gusts, wind shifts, blinding rain: how to spot a squall, reduce in time and manoeuvre through a squall line safely.

July 15, 2026 9 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Boom Preventer and Brake: Preventing the Accidental Gybe

Downwind, a free boom is a hazard. Boom preventer and boom brake: what they do, how to rig them step by step and the habits that stop the accidental gybe.

July 14, 2026 9 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Onboard Internet: Starlink, 4G and Wi-Fi at Sea

Staying connected at sea: comparing marina Wi-Fi, coastal 4G/5G and Starlink. Equipment, range, speeds, power draw and costs.

July 13, 2026 9 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Damp and Condensation On Board: Causes and Solutions

Understand condensation and keep a boat healthy: vapour sources, ventilation, heating, dehumidifiers and fighting mould.

July 11, 2026 8 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Coastal Position Fixing by Bearings

Fix your position without GPS using cross bearings: landmarks, compass, variation and plotting a reliable fix on the chart.

July 10, 2026 9 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Draft and Air Draft: Measuring Your Boat

Definitions, measuring, under-keel clearance, tides and mistakes to avoid so you never run aground or clip a bridge.

July 9, 2026 8 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Wind Instruments: Getting the Most from Your Vane and Anemometer

Apparent wind, true wind, AWA, TWA: understand, read and calibrate your wind vane and anemometer to trim sails better.

8 July 2026 11 min read Read →

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Regulations

Customs and Administrative Formalities When Sailing Abroad

Boat and crew papers, courtesy flag, Q flag, customs, VAT and temporary admission: how to cross a maritime border legally.

7 July 2026 12 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Picking Up a Mooring Buoy: The Complete Guide

Gear, upwind approach, catching the buoy with the boat hook and making fast to the pennant: the mooring manoeuvre explained step by step.

6 July 2026 11 min read Read →

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Regulations

The 300-metre zone: rules for navigating close to shore

5-knot speed limit, priority to swimmers, transit channels: the complete guide to navigating near beaches legally.

5 July 2026 8 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Apparent Wind vs True Wind: A Complete Guide

Why your sails never feel the weather wind. The velocity triangle, the effect of your point of sail, and reading AWA vs TWA.

July 4, 2026 8 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Choosing a Boat Anchor: Types, Weight and Holding

Plough, Rocna, Danforth, Bruce… which anchor for which seabed? Recommended weight, chain vs rope and mistakes to avoid.

July 3, 2026 9 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Marine Radar: How It Works, Installation & Settings

PPI display, X-band vs S-band, GAIN/STC/FTC settings, ARPA and COLREG rules — everything to navigate safely in fog.

May 12, 2026 9 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Tacking and Gybing: Mastering Sailing Maneuvers

Step-by-step techniques for changing tack safely: tacking, gybing, common mistakes and weather conditions to watch.

May 11, 2026 8 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Electric Propulsion for Boats: The Complete Sailor's Guide 2026

Electric motor, hybrid or diesel? Range, costs, marina charging, solar integration: everything you need to choose the ideal propulsion system.

May 10, 2026 8 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Catamaran vs Monohull: How to Choose Your Ideal Sailboat

Full comparison: stability, price, space, handling, maintenance. All criteria to choose between catamaran and monohull.

May 7, 2026 9 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Seasickness Prevention & Remedies for Sailors

Medications, natural remedies, on-board positioning and behavioural tips to overcome marine motion sickness.

May 6, 2026 9 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Planning a Sailing Cruise: Complete Preparation Guide

Destination, documents, crew, safety, provisioning and weather: the 6 steps to organise a successful cruise.

May 5, 2026 9 min read Read →

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Regulations

Mandatory Documents on Board: What the Law Requires at Sea

Registration certificate, boat licence, RC insurance, distress equipment… Everything the law requires on board in France by navigation zone.

May 4, 2026 7 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Running Rigging: Halyards, Sheets & Lines — Complete Guide

Everything about your sailboat's running rigging: materials, maintenance, replacement and practical tips for cruisers.

May 3, 2026 9 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Catamaran vs Monohull: Which Sailboat to Choose for Cruising?

Stability, performance, budget, living space... The complete comparison to choose between a catamaran and a monohull for your sailing profile.

May 3, 2026 9 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Towing at Sea: What to Do When Your Boat Breaks Down

Emergency procedures, coastguard, commercial tugs and tow line techniques to get home safely when your engine fails at sea.

May 3, 2026 8 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Nautical Charts: How to Read, Understand and Navigate Safely

Master nautical chart reading: symbols, depth contours, scales, paper and electronic charts to navigate safely.

May 3, 2026 9 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Life Jacket & Safety Harness: The Complete Sailor's Guide

Choosing the right life jacket (150N, 100N, 50N), using your harness and safety line, maintaining your CO₂ cartridge: everything about personal safety on board.

April 19, 2026 8 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Osmosis on Polyester Hulls: Detect, Treat and Prevent

Blisters below the waterline? Learn how to detect osmosis with a moisture meter, apply an epoxy treatment and protect your hull long-term.

April 19, 2026 8 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Sailing in Fog: Sound Signals, Radar and Vigilance

Mandatory COLREGS sound signals, radar use and safety checklist for navigating with confidence in reduced visibility.

April 17, 2026 8 min read Read →

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Practical guide

Harbor Maneuvering: Docking, Mediterranean Mooring & Reversing

Master Mediterranean stern-to mooring, reverse docking at a pontoon and mooring buoy pickup. Techniques, common mistakes and illustrated YachtMate tips.

April 16, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Regulations

Distress Signals at Sea: Flares, EPIRB and Procedures

Parachute flares, EPIRB, PLB, VHF channel 16: everything you need to know about maritime distress signals, their ranges and legal requirements on board.

April 16, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Guide · Weather & Communications

NAVTEX: Receiving Weather Forecasts at Sea Automatically

Frequencies, message codes, range and installation — everything you need to know about NAVTEX to never miss a weather or navigation warning offshore.

April 16, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Understanding AIS: Complete Guide for Recreational Sailors

Class A, Class B, receiver-only: everything about the Automatic Identification System for safer navigation. YachtMate displays real-time AIS data on your chart.

April 15, 2026 9 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

How to Choose a Motorboat: Complete Buying Guide 2026

Open, RIB, cabin cruiser or offshore: how to make the right choice? Budget, engine type, new or used — YachtMate guides you step by step.

April 12, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Marine Autopilot: Complete Guide to Choosing, Installing and Using One

Tiller pilot, linear drive or hydraulic: how to choose, install and calibrate your marine autopilot for stress-free sailing. YachtMate tips included.

April 12, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Man Overboard (MOB): Recovery Procedures

Alert, maneuver, recover: the 3 MOB maneuvers (Quick Stop, Bear Away, Williamson Turn) and the right reflexes to save a life at sea with YachtMate.

April 10, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Compass Navigation: Heading, Declination and Deviation

Master the conversion compass heading → true heading: magnetic declination, deviation and the formula TH = CH ± d ± D. Essential even with YachtMate.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Hull Antifouling and Maintenance: Protect Your Boat's Hull

Bicomponent or ablative antifouling, DIY or boatyard haul-out: everything you need to protect your hull.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

How to Choose Your First Sailboat: The Complete Guide

Keelboat or dinghy, monohull or catamaran, new or used: the guide to choosing your first sailboat.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

GPS, AIS, Depth Sounder: Essential Boat Navigation Instruments

Integrated VHF, chart plotter, depth sounder: understand and choose your navigation instruments.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Preparing an Offshore Passage: The Complete Guide

Weather, provisioning, night watches, safety equipment: everything to plan before casting off for an offshore passage.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Cooking Aboard: Tips and Recipes for Sailors

Gimbal stove, provisioning, food conservation at sea: practical tips and simple recipes for eating well aboard.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Boat Winterization: The Complete Checklist

Engine, rigging, electronics, hull: the complete checklist to winterise your boat without nasty spring surprises.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Anchoring in the Mediterranean vs Atlantic: Key Differences

No tides vs big tides, sand vs rock bottom: how to adapt your anchoring technique to each sea.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

First Aid at Sea: What to Do in a Marine Emergency

Man overboard, hypothermia, injuries: life-saving actions and mandatory medical equipment on board.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Fishing from a Sailboat: Techniques and Tips

Trolling, bottom fishing, size and species regulations: fishing from your sailboat with the right gear and reflexes.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

How to Save Fuel When Boating: 10 Effective Tips

Optimal engine RPM, trim, hull cleaning, route planning: 10 concrete tips to reduce fuel consumption.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Regulations

Maritime Flags and Signals: The Sailor's Complete Guide

National flag, yellow Q flag, signal code: which flags to fly and when? Regulations explained simply.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Choosing and Maintaining Sails: The Complete Guide

Mainsail, genoa, spinnaker: how to choose your sails and maintain them for lasting performance.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

The Most Beautiful Coastal Cruises in France

Brittany, Côte d'Azur, Basque Country, Corsica: the most beautiful French coastal routes for sailors.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Choosing a Dinghy and Outboard Motor: Buyer's Guide

Semi-rigid or inflatable, 2 or 4-stroke, electric: how to choose the dinghy and motor suited to your sailboat.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Galvanic Corrosion: Understanding and Protecting Your Boat

Zincs, galvanic isolators, sacrificial anodes: understand galvanic corrosion and effectively protect your boat.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Standing Rigging: Inspection and Complete Maintenance

Shrouds, forestay, backstays, rigging screws: how to inspect and maintain standing rigging for safe sailing.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Watermaker on Board: Buying and Maintenance Guide

Membrane osmosis, capacity, power consumption, maintenance: everything to know before buying a watermaker.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Sailing with Children: Safety Tips and On-Board Advice

Appropriate life jackets, safety lines, on-board activities: how to sail with children safely and happily.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Best Corsica Anchorages and Stopovers for Sailors

Bonifacio, Girolata, Scandola, Porto-Vecchio: the guide to the most beautiful Corsican stopovers for sailors.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Regulations

Boat Insurance: What Your Policy Really Covers

Third-party liability, hull coverage, assistance, agreed value: decode your boat insurance policy.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Anchoring in Strong Winds: Advanced Techniques

Double anchor, kedging, chain length, seabed types: advanced techniques to hold in heavy weather.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Marine Radar: How to Use It Effectively

Range, gain, rain clutter, sea clutter, MARPA, AIS targets: master your marine radar for safe navigation in low visibility.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Regulations

Marine Sanitation: Black Water Rules and Solutions

Protected areas, holding tanks, separators: understand black water regulations and equip your boat.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Optimising Sail Performance: Tuning and Techniques

Cunningham, vang, outhaul, leech line tuning: the key adjustments to optimise your sailboat's performance.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Boat Fenders and Mooring Lines: The Complete Guide

Mooring line diameter, materials, fender size, mooring knots: everything to know for correct docking and mooring.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Solo Sailing: Essential Safety Precautions and Equipment

Autopilot, safety harness, radar watch, MOB alarm: essential equipment for sailing solo safely.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Regulations

Fire Safety on Board: Prevention and Action

Mandatory fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, evacuation procedure: fire safety regulations and the right reflexes on board.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Marine weather

Mediterranean Weather: When to Go Sailing?

Mistral, meltemi, tramontane, libeccio: understand Mediterranean winds and choose the best sailing season.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Marine weather

French Coastal Winds: Mistral, Tramontane and More

Mistral in Provence, tramontane in Languedoc, marin in the Gulf of Lion: understand and anticipate French local winds.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Regulations

The Offshore Boating License: Everything You Need to Know

Theory and practical tests, eligibility, programme content: the complete guide to obtaining your offshore licence.

April 9, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Regulations

COLREGS: The Rules of Priority at Sea

Starboard priority, sail vs motor, constrained vessels… The complete guide to COLREGS rules for safe navigation with YachtMate.

April 8, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Night Sailing: Rules and Safety Tips

COLREGS navigation lights, watch organisation, essential equipment: everything you need to sail safely at night with YachtMate.

April 8, 2026 9 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Marine VHF Radio: How to Communicate at Sea

Channel 16, MAYDAY, DSC, MMSI, weather channels — everything you need to know to use your marine VHF correctly and sail safely with YachtMate.

April 8, 2026 10 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Boat Electricity: Batteries, Solar Panels and Alternator

AGM or lithium batteries, solar panels, optimised alternator: everything you need to know to be energy-independent on board. YachtMate helps you plan your stopovers.

April 7, 2026 9 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Essential Sailing Knots Every Boater Should Know

Bowline, cleat hitch, figure-of-eight, clove hitch… master the 10 essential boating knots. Practical tips for mooring, sailing manoeuvres and navigating safely with YachtMate.

April 6, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Maritime Buoyage: Understanding Buoys and Lights

IALA, lateral marks, cardinal marks, navigation lights — everything you need to read buoys at sea and navigate safely, day and night. YachtMate displays all marks on your offline charts.

April 6, 2026 10 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Understanding tides and currents for better sailing

Coefficients, rule of twelfths, flood, ebb, slack water… Everything you need to know to anticipate tides and use currents on your coastal passages.

April 5, 2026 10 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Getting your boat ready for the season: the complete spring checklist

Hull, engine, rigging, safety, electrics — the complete checklist to not miss anything before your first departure of the season. YachtMate manages your maintenance reminders.

April 4, 2026 10 min read Read article →

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Comparison

Best boat navigation apps in 2026: complete comparison

Navionics, iSailor, OpenCPN, SailGrib, YachtMate — full comparison of navigation apps with feature table and recommendations by sailor profile.

April 4, 2026 12 min read Read article →

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Regulations

Coastal boating license: the complete 2026 guide

Syllabus, exam, cost, differences with the offshore license — everything you need to know about the French coastal boating license in 2026.

April 4, 2026 10 min read Read article →

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Regulations

Anchoring regulations in France: what the law says in 2026

Restricted zones, wild anchoring, ZMEL, posidonia, fines — the complete legal framework for anchoring legally in French waters.

April 4, 2026 9 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

Marine diesel engine maintenance: the complete guide

Oil changes, impeller, filters, anodes — everything you need to know to prevent engine failure at sea. YachtMate helps you stay on top of maintenance.

April 4, 2026 11 min read Read article →

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Practical guide

How to drop anchor properly? Complete anchoring guide

From choosing the right spot to chain length, everything you need for a successful anchorage — and how AnchorFix helps secure your night.

April 3, 2026 8 min read Read article →

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Marine weather

Reading a marine weather forecast: the sailor's guide

Wind, swell, atmospheric pressure — learn to decode weather bulletins and plan your sailing trips safely.

April 3, 2026 10 min read Read article →

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Regulations

Mandatory boat safety equipment: complete 2026 checklist

Flares, life jackets, fire extinguishers — all mandatory equipment by navigation zone and how to manage expiry dates with YachtMate.

April 3, 2026 12 min read Read article →

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Guide

Getting Your Boat Ready for the Season: The Spring Checklist

Complete checklist to prepare your boat for the sailing season: hull, engine, safety, electrical, and fittings. Don't miss anything before your first departure.

04/04/2026 10 min Read article →