When embarking out learning how to sail there is always the inevitable how much will it cost? The answer is never going to be clear but here are some tips to help in the process. Listing out the topics from the start of the learning to sail process to actually sailing in a boat owned by you or by others, can help. Here are some helpful starting points.
Acquiring information
Find out firstly all you can about sailing from sailing magazines, e books, and hard back books, getting to know the basics can save you money in the long run and can help to put the broader picture together for you.
Training Courses
To obtain qualifications in sailing and become competent in the sport you will have to include in your budget money for the varying course available from the approved sail training schools. This information is readily available from the various sailing bodies such as RYA (Royal Yachting Association) in the UK. When preparing your training budget do not forget to include your time, as some of the courses can be up to two weeks in duration.
Sailing Clubs
To start with one of the most cost effective ways to actually get out on the water and learn the practical side to sailing is to join a sailing club. Sailing clubs generally have a small fleet of dinghies that have been purchased for the club from the membership fees paid by the clubs members. The boat maintenance is cost effectively undertaken by the club members and used as another part of the learning to sail process. Some sailing clubs also have qualified tutors so some of your sailing qualification budget can be ascertained here.
Yacht Crewing
When you get a little further down the line and wanting to venture out on a larger yacht it is worth getting involved with a local yacht marina. Lots of people own there own yachts but are always looking round for suitable crew when they are short handed. You have now obtained your basic sailing knowledge and probably some qualifications from your involvement with the sailing club, so you would be viewed most favourably by the yacht owner a suitable crew. This could be to help them in a yacht race or on a day sailing cruise and even to a long haul passage and do not forget this is not costing you anything.
Yacht Ownership
You are know possibly in a position where you would like to own your own yacht and have more sailing flexibility but you with a restricted budget. One of the ways to combat this is to consider a yacht sharing ownership scheme. This has become very popular in recent years as not only are you sharing the yacht purchase but also sharing the mooring fees, maintenance and insurance costs associated with owning a yacht.
Yachting Careers
If you do not fancy the above but you are now so passionate about sailing, then you may want to consider taking on a sailing career. There are lots of opportunities out there for crewing, and skippering of yachts either by yacht owners or agencies depending on the qualifications you have obtained. Now your sailing budget is in return as you are now getting paid for something you really love doing!
Happy Sailing Clive Peterson
Further sailing tips and useful information can be found on my web site;
http://www.learntosailnow.com
You may want to purchase my e book "The Complete Guide to Learning How To Sail"
Great Sailing.
Clive Peterson
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Clive_Peterson
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Thursday, 29 July 2010
HOME :: Recreation-and-Sports / Boating Sailing Skipper Secrets - Five Sail Cleaning Tips For Longer Sail Life By John N. Jamieson Platinum Quality Author
Sailboat sails are expensive and sail repairs cost big bucks. Sailing skippers need to give their boat sails an annual bath, a careful inspection, and remove any stains. This will keep the harmful, abrasive effects of soil away from your sails. Use these five sail cleaning tips to protect your investment.
1. Annual Bath
Wash racing or cruising sails in mild soapy water once a year. Use a medium firm hand brush. Follow the seams with your brush strokes to prevent unnecessary stitch wear.
As you clean, inspect sail seams for broken zigzag or straight sewing stitches. Keep a record of these in a small notebook. Make the repairs yourself or drop the sail by a local sailmaking shop.
2. Mildew Stain Removal
Dry brush the sail on both sides to loosen the mold spores. Soak the effected area in a mild bleach solution for 2-3 hours. Do not use bleach on nylon spinnaker sails! Use only mild soapy water on nylon sails.
After soaking, scrub both sides of the sail. Rinse several times to remove the bleach solution. Drape over chairs or hang on a line to dry. Drying your sails helps prevent mildew growth.
3. Blood Stain Removal
Dry brush the sail on both sides to remove dried blood. Use a mild solution of bleach and soak the affected area in a tub for 20-30 minutes. Scrub both sides of the sail. Rinse all traces of bleach from the sail. Drape over chairs or hang on a line to dry.
4. Rust or Ink Stain Removal
Use a 5% solution of oxalic acid. Purchase this product over-the-counter at your local drugstore. In the days of the square riggers, sailors scrubbed the wooden decks with this mild abrasive. Rinse all traces of oxalic acid from the sail. Dry the sail before storing.
5. Number and Decal Removal
Remove old racing sail numbers or decals with a small amount of WD-40. Spay around the edges of the adhesive, wait a few minutes and peel. As you peel, spray more lubricant to keep the adhesive soft. Wash all traces of WD-40 from the sail with a mild soapy solution; then rinse. Drape the sail over chairs or hang on a line to dry.
As a sailing skipper, you want to do whatever it takes to increase the life of your costly boat sails. These sail cleaning tips will save you money and reward you with a suite of sails that give you great performance for many years to come.
Captain John Jamieson shows small boat cruising skippers how to reach their sailing dreams today! Get his popular free report "Ten Top Safety Checks for Cruising Boat Skippers" at http://www.skippertips.com/public/242.cfm
John offers free reports, videos, tip-of-the-week, and a free ezine with subscription ===> http://www.skippertips.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_N._Jamieson
1. Annual Bath
Wash racing or cruising sails in mild soapy water once a year. Use a medium firm hand brush. Follow the seams with your brush strokes to prevent unnecessary stitch wear.
As you clean, inspect sail seams for broken zigzag or straight sewing stitches. Keep a record of these in a small notebook. Make the repairs yourself or drop the sail by a local sailmaking shop.
2. Mildew Stain Removal
Dry brush the sail on both sides to loosen the mold spores. Soak the effected area in a mild bleach solution for 2-3 hours. Do not use bleach on nylon spinnaker sails! Use only mild soapy water on nylon sails.
After soaking, scrub both sides of the sail. Rinse several times to remove the bleach solution. Drape over chairs or hang on a line to dry. Drying your sails helps prevent mildew growth.
3. Blood Stain Removal
Dry brush the sail on both sides to remove dried blood. Use a mild solution of bleach and soak the affected area in a tub for 20-30 minutes. Scrub both sides of the sail. Rinse all traces of bleach from the sail. Drape over chairs or hang on a line to dry.
4. Rust or Ink Stain Removal
Use a 5% solution of oxalic acid. Purchase this product over-the-counter at your local drugstore. In the days of the square riggers, sailors scrubbed the wooden decks with this mild abrasive. Rinse all traces of oxalic acid from the sail. Dry the sail before storing.
5. Number and Decal Removal
Remove old racing sail numbers or decals with a small amount of WD-40. Spay around the edges of the adhesive, wait a few minutes and peel. As you peel, spray more lubricant to keep the adhesive soft. Wash all traces of WD-40 from the sail with a mild soapy solution; then rinse. Drape the sail over chairs or hang on a line to dry.
As a sailing skipper, you want to do whatever it takes to increase the life of your costly boat sails. These sail cleaning tips will save you money and reward you with a suite of sails that give you great performance for many years to come.
Captain John Jamieson shows small boat cruising skippers how to reach their sailing dreams today! Get his popular free report "Ten Top Safety Checks for Cruising Boat Skippers" at http://www.skippertips.com/public/242.cfm
John offers free reports, videos, tip-of-the-week, and a free ezine with subscription ===> http://www.skippertips.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_N._Jamieson
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Friday, 16 July 2010
HOME :: Insurance / Watercraft Ensure That You Insure - Sail Boat Insurance By Abhishek Agarwal Platinum Quality Author
urchasing a sail boat is always a good investment. Like your motorcycle, house or care, it is necessary to insure your sail boat. However there are many differences between insuring a boat and insuring a car. The amount of coverage provided by the policy constitutes the main difference. The most common factors are the insurance company, location of the boat and the type of boat. You should be careful while selecting your company as you will want to obtain as much coverage as you can with savings to lower the premium.
When you begin looking for an insurance broker or agent, keep all this in mind. There are mainly two kinds of insurers: overseas and domestic insurers. Usually, the overseas groups is more liberal when it comes to coverage for an extended navigation. On the other hand, the local group is easer to research on and access.
Before obtaining any sail boat insurance you should do sufficient research. Go online and investigate the potential companies and ask your friends for recommendations. Examine the company's credentials, integrity and records. Ask as many questions as you can and review their information by comparing quotes when you have the time. Never rush any decision nor allow yourself to be pushed into anything. When it comes to a binding contract and legal matters, you should work very carefully. Beyond the consideration of which company to choose, there are many issues of overage. What all would you like your sail boat insurance to cover? Here is a mock shopping list for you: trailer, boat cover damage and motor; theft, physical damage, docking coverage and liability. A policy for a sail boat, unlike one for a car, can even be tailored in order to cover particular pieces of equipment employed or found on board. This includes equipment such as riggings, sails, communications devices, anchors, and electronics used on board for navigation. The idea behind permitting this kind of coverage by a company is the role they essentially play in the operation of a sail boat.
Do not forget to make sure that your sail boat insurance also covers all the people who are onboard and the one's who use it. If you wish to have a healthy and safe environment on your boat, it is best you get medical coverage. Accidents can occur anywhere, anytime, and so it is always better to be prepared with a first aid kit and a sufficient coverage. You must, however, keep in mind that medical coverage has an upper limit beyond which you are on your own.
The best thing for you to do is choose a respected or A-rated insurance company after checking their references. Also, read your policy carefully and understand the content and words well.
Abhishek is an avid Boating enthusiast and he has got some great Boating Secrets up his sleeve! Download his FREE 83 Page Ebook, "How To Have A Perfect Boating Experience" from his website http://www.Boating-Guru.com/90/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abhishek_Agarwal
When you begin looking for an insurance broker or agent, keep all this in mind. There are mainly two kinds of insurers: overseas and domestic insurers. Usually, the overseas groups is more liberal when it comes to coverage for an extended navigation. On the other hand, the local group is easer to research on and access.
Before obtaining any sail boat insurance you should do sufficient research. Go online and investigate the potential companies and ask your friends for recommendations. Examine the company's credentials, integrity and records. Ask as many questions as you can and review their information by comparing quotes when you have the time. Never rush any decision nor allow yourself to be pushed into anything. When it comes to a binding contract and legal matters, you should work very carefully. Beyond the consideration of which company to choose, there are many issues of overage. What all would you like your sail boat insurance to cover? Here is a mock shopping list for you: trailer, boat cover damage and motor; theft, physical damage, docking coverage and liability. A policy for a sail boat, unlike one for a car, can even be tailored in order to cover particular pieces of equipment employed or found on board. This includes equipment such as riggings, sails, communications devices, anchors, and electronics used on board for navigation. The idea behind permitting this kind of coverage by a company is the role they essentially play in the operation of a sail boat.
Do not forget to make sure that your sail boat insurance also covers all the people who are onboard and the one's who use it. If you wish to have a healthy and safe environment on your boat, it is best you get medical coverage. Accidents can occur anywhere, anytime, and so it is always better to be prepared with a first aid kit and a sufficient coverage. You must, however, keep in mind that medical coverage has an upper limit beyond which you are on your own.
The best thing for you to do is choose a respected or A-rated insurance company after checking their references. Also, read your policy carefully and understand the content and words well.
Abhishek is an avid Boating enthusiast and he has got some great Boating Secrets up his sleeve! Download his FREE 83 Page Ebook, "How To Have A Perfect Boating Experience" from his website http://www.Boating-Guru.com/90/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abhishek_Agarwal
HOME :: Travel-and-Leisure / Sailing Learning to Sail Dinghy Sailing Boats By Clive Peterson
f you are about to learn how to sail then I would recommend starting out with the practical side of the sport in a small sailing boat preferably on a lake or river.
I can't speak for everywhere but in the UK we have plenty of sailing clubs that have a fleet of small craft to learn the basics and also obtain qualifications as some have RYA (Royal Yachting Association) qualified tutors.
When starting out and joining a sailing club it saves you having to purchase your own sailing dinghy, as the fleet of club dinghies have been purchased out of the club members fee's. The craft you would be sailing are generally between 3.0m to 5.0m in length which can be sailed single handed or two plus crew, some types of sailing dinghy that spring to mind are for the single hander; Contender, Comet, Laser, Laser Funboat, Laser Pico, and Topper.
For the slightly larger dinghies for two or more crew you would have more of a chose from the following; Albacore, Bosun, Comet Duo, Flying Fifteen, Gull, Hornet, Laser 2000, Mirror, and RS400.
These craft are manufactured from, Wood, GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic), inflatable's and Ribs, they normally come with a two or four wheel trailer dependent on the boats size. The trailer is used to launch the dinghy from; sailing clubs will have a launching jetty designed for this purpose.
When starting out on the water you will need to go out with someone who can teach you the basic's on sailing and how sailing dinghy actually works, plus learning the terminology that goes with that. Once you have done that and taken your turn at sailing the dinghy under tuition, it is now time for you to go out on your own. When you first do this it is the most exhilarating and exciting part of learning this great sport and not forgetting that you are actually on the move and it is free, there's no cost for the prime mover, wind! It's a question I always raise when talking to motor boat owners when I take them out sailing on my sailing boat! Now you have the basics and you are on the move to gain further experience it is good to take part in the local clubs racing calendar. This is probably the fastest way you will learn and become more efficient with the sailing maneuvers when sailing in a competitive arena. Boat speed, sail trimming, reading wind direction and water state all play a key role in getting the best out of your dinghy.
Owning a trailer sailor dinghy has its benefit of having the flexibility of being able to sail on different waters and even going out to sea. So you could plan your sailing calendar taking in these different scenic areas to sail also visiting other sailing clubs and take part in their dinghy sailing races. The good thing about learning this basic knowledge is that it applies to any size of sailing boat or yacht you sail, so when you have purchased your 12m sailing yacht and you are on a long haul passage plan you will be able to achieve the best out of your vessel and arrive in the shortest time, at your destination.
Please read other articles I have written on this subject matter:
Sailing Clubs and Qualifications for Beginners.
Basic sailing advice for the beginner sailor.
If you are wanting to start out learning to sail, well please consider purchasing my E Book " The Complete Guide to Learning How To Sail" All you will need to know to get started in this great sport.
Please visit my web site and make that purchase
Great Sailing
Clive Peterson
http://www.learntosailnow.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Clive_Peterson
I can't speak for everywhere but in the UK we have plenty of sailing clubs that have a fleet of small craft to learn the basics and also obtain qualifications as some have RYA (Royal Yachting Association) qualified tutors.
When starting out and joining a sailing club it saves you having to purchase your own sailing dinghy, as the fleet of club dinghies have been purchased out of the club members fee's. The craft you would be sailing are generally between 3.0m to 5.0m in length which can be sailed single handed or two plus crew, some types of sailing dinghy that spring to mind are for the single hander; Contender, Comet, Laser, Laser Funboat, Laser Pico, and Topper.
For the slightly larger dinghies for two or more crew you would have more of a chose from the following; Albacore, Bosun, Comet Duo, Flying Fifteen, Gull, Hornet, Laser 2000, Mirror, and RS400.
These craft are manufactured from, Wood, GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic), inflatable's and Ribs, they normally come with a two or four wheel trailer dependent on the boats size. The trailer is used to launch the dinghy from; sailing clubs will have a launching jetty designed for this purpose.
When starting out on the water you will need to go out with someone who can teach you the basic's on sailing and how sailing dinghy actually works, plus learning the terminology that goes with that. Once you have done that and taken your turn at sailing the dinghy under tuition, it is now time for you to go out on your own. When you first do this it is the most exhilarating and exciting part of learning this great sport and not forgetting that you are actually on the move and it is free, there's no cost for the prime mover, wind! It's a question I always raise when talking to motor boat owners when I take them out sailing on my sailing boat! Now you have the basics and you are on the move to gain further experience it is good to take part in the local clubs racing calendar. This is probably the fastest way you will learn and become more efficient with the sailing maneuvers when sailing in a competitive arena. Boat speed, sail trimming, reading wind direction and water state all play a key role in getting the best out of your dinghy.
Owning a trailer sailor dinghy has its benefit of having the flexibility of being able to sail on different waters and even going out to sea. So you could plan your sailing calendar taking in these different scenic areas to sail also visiting other sailing clubs and take part in their dinghy sailing races. The good thing about learning this basic knowledge is that it applies to any size of sailing boat or yacht you sail, so when you have purchased your 12m sailing yacht and you are on a long haul passage plan you will be able to achieve the best out of your vessel and arrive in the shortest time, at your destination.
Please read other articles I have written on this subject matter:
Sailing Clubs and Qualifications for Beginners.
Basic sailing advice for the beginner sailor.
If you are wanting to start out learning to sail, well please consider purchasing my E Book " The Complete Guide to Learning How To Sail" All you will need to know to get started in this great sport.
Please visit my web site and make that purchase
Great Sailing
Clive Peterson
http://www.learntosailnow.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Clive_Peterson
HOME :: Travel-and-Leisure / Cruising Are You Looking for a Romantic Getaway or a Unique Adventure? Try a Sail Boat Charter By Brent Bonnett
Imagine getting away from everything by fleeing into a world of blue skies and even bluer water, while the waves sensuously lap alongside your sailboat and the wind whispers among the sails. You can take an ordinary event and make it into something unique; take a special occasion and turn it into something unforgettable. Weddings, picnics, the gathering of friends, and a vacation; all of them can become memorable when you choose a sail boat as an integral part of the whole package.
There are sail boat charters all across America waiting to be selected for your next adventure, so you don't have to own a boat. Your possibilities of having the time of your life are only bounded by bodies of water and your desire. You can sail around the Virgin Islands or in the waters of the Caribbean. If you want to plan an adventure around spring break, than you need to check out the Florida Keys and the waters near Miami. San Francisco, Michigan City, Cape Cod, Long Island Sound and the Bahamas are just a few of the many places that can offer you a chance to book the sail boat charter of your dreams.
Then there are the advantages that come along with sail boat charters. A sail boat can accommodate your dreams as well as your pocket book. A charter involves less maintenance on your part and is less expensive than owning your own boat; the owners of the sailboats usually take care of these matters as well as providing a unique experience to go along with it.
Sail boat charters will also come with many options to choose from. The experienced sailor can charter a vessel without a crew, while the less experienced sailor can choose a sail boat that already has a crew. A sail boat charter is also an excellent way for a neophyte to try different types of sailboats, in this way he or she can discover the boat best suited for their personal usage.
There are some things you should consider when hiring a sailboat charter, the primary concern would be the size of your group. In sail boat charters size does matter. A yacht or schooner holds more people than a bare boat catamaran and it also requires more crew to sail it.
Is the sailboat to be used for a short or long-term? Is it going to be for a wedding, honeymoon, picnic, vacation or an ocean or coastal cruise? If you plan to take several people for a long cruise out into the ocean for more than a brief visit then you will have to consider not only size but the accommodations as well as the bathroom facilities. Does the ship have washrooms and bedrooms? Are there enough for your guests, relatives, family or friends? How comfortable or luxurious do you and your guests need to be? A very wise thing to do would be to check ahead of time to determine whether the boat you are acquiring can handle the demands of both its passengers and crew.
Another thing to consider would be what time of the year are you planning on booking your sail boat charter? If you book during the peak season you are ensured pleasant weather for sailing, but the only downside to that is you would have to book your trip well in advance to get the charter you want. Another thing to remember when considering the price of your charter is that some companies will offer less expensive sail boat charters in the off season, as is the case with all vacations - remember to plan ahead.
Brent has a site all about boating at Sail Boat Charter There you will find useful articles, news, links and other resources on all your boating needs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brent_Bonnett
There are sail boat charters all across America waiting to be selected for your next adventure, so you don't have to own a boat. Your possibilities of having the time of your life are only bounded by bodies of water and your desire. You can sail around the Virgin Islands or in the waters of the Caribbean. If you want to plan an adventure around spring break, than you need to check out the Florida Keys and the waters near Miami. San Francisco, Michigan City, Cape Cod, Long Island Sound and the Bahamas are just a few of the many places that can offer you a chance to book the sail boat charter of your dreams.
Then there are the advantages that come along with sail boat charters. A sail boat can accommodate your dreams as well as your pocket book. A charter involves less maintenance on your part and is less expensive than owning your own boat; the owners of the sailboats usually take care of these matters as well as providing a unique experience to go along with it.
Sail boat charters will also come with many options to choose from. The experienced sailor can charter a vessel without a crew, while the less experienced sailor can choose a sail boat that already has a crew. A sail boat charter is also an excellent way for a neophyte to try different types of sailboats, in this way he or she can discover the boat best suited for their personal usage.
There are some things you should consider when hiring a sailboat charter, the primary concern would be the size of your group. In sail boat charters size does matter. A yacht or schooner holds more people than a bare boat catamaran and it also requires more crew to sail it.
Is the sailboat to be used for a short or long-term? Is it going to be for a wedding, honeymoon, picnic, vacation or an ocean or coastal cruise? If you plan to take several people for a long cruise out into the ocean for more than a brief visit then you will have to consider not only size but the accommodations as well as the bathroom facilities. Does the ship have washrooms and bedrooms? Are there enough for your guests, relatives, family or friends? How comfortable or luxurious do you and your guests need to be? A very wise thing to do would be to check ahead of time to determine whether the boat you are acquiring can handle the demands of both its passengers and crew.
Another thing to consider would be what time of the year are you planning on booking your sail boat charter? If you book during the peak season you are ensured pleasant weather for sailing, but the only downside to that is you would have to book your trip well in advance to get the charter you want. Another thing to remember when considering the price of your charter is that some companies will offer less expensive sail boat charters in the off season, as is the case with all vacations - remember to plan ahead.
Brent has a site all about boating at Sail Boat Charter There you will find useful articles, news, links and other resources on all your boating needs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brent_Bonnett
Tuesday, 6 July 2010
Friday, 2 July 2010
HOME :: Travel-and-Leisure / Sailing Learn to Sail Better - How to Retrieve a Lost Mainsail Or Genoa Halyard Fast!
You've just motored out to a clear spot in the river and get ready to raise the mainsail. You hoist the head of the mainsail up the mast--and the halyard breaks free!
Now you are in a mess, as the halyard flails back and forth, five feet out of reach. Learn to sail like a pro when you use a simple, little-known technique that will keep this from ruining your sailing day!
Before you get underway, rig a simple halyard retrieval line for your mainsail and headsail halyards. That will allow you to haul the halyard down if it parts, or breaks loose when hoisting any sailboat sail. Follow these three easy steps:
Measure Your Mast and Headstay
Use small diameter, three-strand nylon or Dacron line. For the mainsail halyard, make the line length equal to the sailboat mast, plus enough to reach the base of the mast to tie it off to a cleat. For the headsail, make the line length equal to the headstay, plus enough to reach back to the cockpit and tie off to a cockpit boat cleat.
Splice an Eye Above the Halyard Shackle
Form a tight, small eye in each halyard just above the halyard shackle. Avoid the temptation to splice to the shackle, because the eye could slip off of the shackle when retrieving. Cover the bitter ends of your splice with three or four tight wraps of riggers tape. This will prevent the ends from fraying in the high winds at the head of the mast.
Hook a Block to the Stem-head at the Bow
Shackle a fairlead block to the stemhead (the fitting that the bottom of the headstay attaches to). Use one of the holes aft of the hole used by the headstay.
Test Your Mainsail and Headsail Retrieval Lines
Raise your mainsail on a a calm day in the slip or at the pier. Slack the retrieval line as you hoist the head of the mainsail. Some sailing skippers like to attach a small block to the base of the mast to run the mainsail retrieval line aft to the cockpit. You can also use the line to help haul the mainsail down after sailing.
Raise your Genoa or jib to the top of the sailboat mast. Feed the line through the block and aft back to the cockpit. Your headstay retrieval line can pull double-duty as "haul-down" line to help you lower the Genoa or jib.
Mark Your Cleat Spots on Each Retrieval Line
Make sure to keep each line slack so that it does not interfere with sail shape. Use a marker to show the "cleat off" spot on each retrieval line. That way, you know that your lines are set to the correct spot and ready to use in an instant.
Use these five easy tips to learn to sail better and with less effort. Boost your sailing skipper skills to the next level with these time and effort saving sailing tips--wherever in the world you choose to go sailing.
Captain John teaches sailing skippers the skills they need to set sail for a day, a week--or a lifetime! Get his popular free report "Ten Top Boat Safety Checks for Cruising Boat Skippers" at Learn to Sail at Skippertips.com.
John offers free sailing tips, articles, sailing videos and newsletter at Learn to Sail at Skippertips.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_N._Jamieson
Now you are in a mess, as the halyard flails back and forth, five feet out of reach. Learn to sail like a pro when you use a simple, little-known technique that will keep this from ruining your sailing day!
Before you get underway, rig a simple halyard retrieval line for your mainsail and headsail halyards. That will allow you to haul the halyard down if it parts, or breaks loose when hoisting any sailboat sail. Follow these three easy steps:
Measure Your Mast and Headstay
Use small diameter, three-strand nylon or Dacron line. For the mainsail halyard, make the line length equal to the sailboat mast, plus enough to reach the base of the mast to tie it off to a cleat. For the headsail, make the line length equal to the headstay, plus enough to reach back to the cockpit and tie off to a cockpit boat cleat.
Splice an Eye Above the Halyard Shackle
Form a tight, small eye in each halyard just above the halyard shackle. Avoid the temptation to splice to the shackle, because the eye could slip off of the shackle when retrieving. Cover the bitter ends of your splice with three or four tight wraps of riggers tape. This will prevent the ends from fraying in the high winds at the head of the mast.
Hook a Block to the Stem-head at the Bow
Shackle a fairlead block to the stemhead (the fitting that the bottom of the headstay attaches to). Use one of the holes aft of the hole used by the headstay.
Test Your Mainsail and Headsail Retrieval Lines
Raise your mainsail on a a calm day in the slip or at the pier. Slack the retrieval line as you hoist the head of the mainsail. Some sailing skippers like to attach a small block to the base of the mast to run the mainsail retrieval line aft to the cockpit. You can also use the line to help haul the mainsail down after sailing.
Raise your Genoa or jib to the top of the sailboat mast. Feed the line through the block and aft back to the cockpit. Your headstay retrieval line can pull double-duty as "haul-down" line to help you lower the Genoa or jib.
Mark Your Cleat Spots on Each Retrieval Line
Make sure to keep each line slack so that it does not interfere with sail shape. Use a marker to show the "cleat off" spot on each retrieval line. That way, you know that your lines are set to the correct spot and ready to use in an instant.
Use these five easy tips to learn to sail better and with less effort. Boost your sailing skipper skills to the next level with these time and effort saving sailing tips--wherever in the world you choose to go sailing.
Captain John teaches sailing skippers the skills they need to set sail for a day, a week--or a lifetime! Get his popular free report "Ten Top Boat Safety Checks for Cruising Boat Skippers" at Learn to Sail at Skippertips.com.
John offers free sailing tips, articles, sailing videos and newsletter at Learn to Sail at Skippertips.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_N._Jamieson
HOME :: Travel-and-Leisure / Sailing Learn to Sail Downwind - Five Tips For Safer Downwind Sailing!
If you are anything like me, when you first started to learn to sail, downwind sailing was the toughest point of sail. That sailboat boom--like a battering ram from King Arthur's day--seemed ready at any moment to swing across the boat and bonk you on the head. Here are five sailing tips you can use right now to make downwind sailing easier, safer, and a real breeze!
Even the pros find sailing downwind a challenge. That's because it takes just a subtle shift in the true wind to make the apparent wind shift a lot. Follow these five tips:
1. Use a Boom Vang (Smaller Sailboats)
Use your boom vang on smaller boats to prevent accidental jibes. Release the lower snap shackle from the mast attachment point. Move it out to a strong deck padeye near the shrouds. Allow about 1" to 2" of give in the boom vang to keep excessive strain off of the boom.
2. Rig an "End-of-Boom" Line (Larger Sailboats)
Larger sailboats need something less restrictive and with more give than a boom vang. Attach a line twice the length of the boat to the end of the boom. Run it forward to the bow. Attach a snatch block to the stemhead fitting (where the headstay attaches). Pass the line through the snatch block and back to the cockpit. Use a sailboat winch to make adjustments.
3. Center the Boom Before You Jibe
Whether sailing single handed or with crew, you need to "de-power" the mainsail before you jibe the boat. Pull the mainsheet in to bring the sailboat boom as close to the centerline as possible. Next, jibe the boat. Release the mainsheet and feed it out under control. This technique keeps the jibe under perfect control and prevents strain on the boom gooseneck (where the boom attaches to the mast).
4. Reef Before You Fall Off
Prevent big problems by tucking in a reef or two before you fall off downwind. This de-powers the main, keeps high loads off of boom fittings, and gives you better control when downwind sailing in gusty conditions. If you intend to sail downwind for an extended period, rig a preventer as described above. If the wind picks up and you need to change course back upwind, your set to go with a reef already tucked in!
5. Dampen the Mainsail or Sail by Headsail Alone
Some boats use a damping method when carrying lots of headsail and or spinnakers downwind. They will sheet the reefed main hard in near the center-line and leave it there. And then sail with two headsails or a spinnaker. Or, you may want to drop the mainsail altogether and sail with headsails alone. Long distance cruising sailboats use this method often to make sailing stress free and fun.
Use these five sailing tips to learn to sail downwind under complete control--without the worry of accidental jibes or being overpowered. This will boost your sailing skipper skills to new heights wherever in the world you choose to sail.
Captain John teaches sailboat cruising skippers the skills they need to set sail for a day, a week--or a lifetime! Get his popular free report "Ten Top Boat Safety Checks for Cruising Boat Skippers" at Learn to Sail at Skippertips.com. John offers free tips, articles, videos and newsletter at Learn to Sail at Skippertips.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_N._Jamieson
Even the pros find sailing downwind a challenge. That's because it takes just a subtle shift in the true wind to make the apparent wind shift a lot. Follow these five tips:
1. Use a Boom Vang (Smaller Sailboats)
Use your boom vang on smaller boats to prevent accidental jibes. Release the lower snap shackle from the mast attachment point. Move it out to a strong deck padeye near the shrouds. Allow about 1" to 2" of give in the boom vang to keep excessive strain off of the boom.
2. Rig an "End-of-Boom" Line (Larger Sailboats)
Larger sailboats need something less restrictive and with more give than a boom vang. Attach a line twice the length of the boat to the end of the boom. Run it forward to the bow. Attach a snatch block to the stemhead fitting (where the headstay attaches). Pass the line through the snatch block and back to the cockpit. Use a sailboat winch to make adjustments.
3. Center the Boom Before You Jibe
Whether sailing single handed or with crew, you need to "de-power" the mainsail before you jibe the boat. Pull the mainsheet in to bring the sailboat boom as close to the centerline as possible. Next, jibe the boat. Release the mainsheet and feed it out under control. This technique keeps the jibe under perfect control and prevents strain on the boom gooseneck (where the boom attaches to the mast).
4. Reef Before You Fall Off
Prevent big problems by tucking in a reef or two before you fall off downwind. This de-powers the main, keeps high loads off of boom fittings, and gives you better control when downwind sailing in gusty conditions. If you intend to sail downwind for an extended period, rig a preventer as described above. If the wind picks up and you need to change course back upwind, your set to go with a reef already tucked in!
5. Dampen the Mainsail or Sail by Headsail Alone
Some boats use a damping method when carrying lots of headsail and or spinnakers downwind. They will sheet the reefed main hard in near the center-line and leave it there. And then sail with two headsails or a spinnaker. Or, you may want to drop the mainsail altogether and sail with headsails alone. Long distance cruising sailboats use this method often to make sailing stress free and fun.
Use these five sailing tips to learn to sail downwind under complete control--without the worry of accidental jibes or being overpowered. This will boost your sailing skipper skills to new heights wherever in the world you choose to sail.
Captain John teaches sailboat cruising skippers the skills they need to set sail for a day, a week--or a lifetime! Get his popular free report "Ten Top Boat Safety Checks for Cruising Boat Skippers" at Learn to Sail at Skippertips.com. John offers free tips, articles, videos and newsletter at Learn to Sail at Skippertips.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_N._Jamieson
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