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HOME :: Recreation-and-Sports / Boating Sailing Lakes

There are lakes all over the world for people who want to sail. Different lakes offer different benefits and different challenges. Sailing lakes can be fun and exciting. In North America alone there is the Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Great Lakes area. If a sailor doesn't have a boat there is no problem as they can be rented. In fact, a yacht can be rented and lived on during a vacation. So, one can travel to their favorite location in which they want to sail and rent a boat.

Northwest
Some of the sailing lakes in the northwest, such as Washington and Oregon, are Lake Washington, Lake Union, Lake Sammamish, Detroit Lake, and Devil Lake. There are occasionally blue-green algae advisories. Oregon has a certain type of algae, such as cyanobacteria, that can be toxic and last from days to months.

Northeast
Some of the sailing lakes in the northeast, such as Vermont and Main, are Lake Willoughby, Lake Memphremagoa, Lake Champlain, Long Lake, and the Chipnuneticook Lakes. There are many resorts and vacation rental properties around these lakes. After a long day of sailing lakes a sailor can relax on the shore.

Great Lakes
The largest lakes in the Great Lakes region are Superior, Michigan, Huron, Ontario, and Erie. There are also numerous smaller sailing lakes in the region. Michigan is covered with lakes many of them sail worthy, such as Lake Saint Clair, White Lake, and Duck Lake. The Great Lakes require very good sailing skills as they are so large, it is almost like sailing on a sea.

Southeast
Some of the sailing lakes in the Southeast, in Florida, are Crystal Lake and Lake Jackson which is 25 feet at it's deepest. In Georgia two of the lakes are Lake Lanier and Harwell which are surrounded by natural habitat and camp grounds. A sailor can sail for a while then get out and explore.

Southwest
Sailing lakes in the Southwest are very interesting as many are in the desert. A large and very beautiful lake in Nevada is Lake Mead located only 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas. Apache Lake is located east of Phoenix in Arizona. The colors on the water, at sunset, in the desert, are magnificent.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Lakes_of_Florida

For more lakes' information please see Lake Info, lake sailing: lake sailing [http://www.lakesinformation.com/38605/Lake-Sailing]

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HOME :: Recreation-and-Sports / Boating Inflatable Boat - All About Inflatables!

When you mention an inflatable boat, most people imagine a kind of raft that would be floating on the water in the sun. This is not so as the inflatable boat is can be a great deal more than that. The inflatable boat is one that has air cavities that when they are filled with air, give the buoyancy for the boat. You could use an automatic pump or blow the air manually also.

An Inflatable boat is intended to be light-weight and transportable. These boats are made very long lasting and strong and with many plus points in mind. These inflatable boats could be used for various purposes of boating, which could be for use for fishing. Sailing or any other boating requirement, and are a very resourceful designs ever invented.

The major uses of an Inflatable Boat

There are several uses of having and inflatable boat. Chiefly it is very convenient because it is light weight and easily movable. If required you could handle one of these boats by yourself. Once the air is removed from the boat or in other words it is deflated, it could be folded into a tidy pile and be placed in a storage bag. This is a major advantage in transporting and inflatable boat from one place to another and in putting it away when not being used.

Because of the buoyancy of the boat it is very stable. This is because it is filled with air which is also one of the reasons for its popularity. They come in very handy as lifeboats for bigger boats, like houseboats, fishing boats, pontoons or yachts. Some inflatable rafts are also specially designed to be used as evacuation systems in aircrafts.

Various kinds of Inflatable Boats

Several kinds of inflatable boats are accessible in today's market. Each of them has special designs and can offer a fantastic boating experience. Listed below are some of the different inflatable boats which you could procure:

- Zodiac boats

- Kayaks

- Sailing Boats

- Pontoon boats

- Sailing boats

Different materials are used for the different rafts which are more compatible to the kind of design. For instance, the pontoon inflatable boats are intended to be very maneuverable and remain steady in the water. These boats are designed to travel at great speeds and to be able to support an outboard motor.

The zodiac boat features a flat bottom and designed with flexible tubing for the bow and sides. They have a firm platform on which an outboard motor could be placed for faster water travel. These boats are also maneuvered with the use of oars. A very important aspect is that the correct air pressure is used to ensure you get the proper buoyancy for the boat that you have, so that you guarantee your own safety while on the water.

Abhishek has a passion for Boating since the last 30 years! Visit his website http://www.Boating-Guru.com and download his FREE Boating Report and learn some amazing Boating tips and tricks for FREE! Also discover some excellent ways to finance your Boat. But hurry, only limited Free copies available! http://www.Boating-Guru.com

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HOME :: Travel-and-Leisure / Sailing Sailing Holidays in Greece

The country has officially come out of recession and now people are finally able to start looking forward and planning for the future. In 2009 a lot of people cancelled their holiday plans or took very cheap holidays to local destinations, hoping and praying for some good weather. Thankfully in 2010 people can instead go back to their old holiday habits and visit sunnier climates. One of the most popular holiday types at the moment seems to be sailing holidays. Greece is a popular destination with a large proportion of these holiday makers and over the course of this article we will discuss why that is.

Sailing has become a very popular past time ever since people like Dame Ellen MacArthur sailed around the world on her solo voyage. But why do so many people choose Greece as their destination when booking sailing holidays? Greece is made up of a large number of islands, which makes it very appealing to people when booking holidays it allows people to sail off the shore of these islands without having to panic about being miles away from a nearby island if something did go drastically wrong.

But surely that can't be the only reason people pick this location for their sailing holidays. Greece is also surrounded by idyllic blue clean water that is beautiful for diving off the boat and swimming into the early hours of the afternoon. If you wanted to do some snorkelling then this would be one of the idea locations to do it.

There is also the fact that visiting here might be the perfect place for novices to take their sailing holidays. Greece's waters are usually very tranquil and forgiving. So if you are unsure of your sailing ability then you should be able to get by without too much trouble. Most of the modern sailing boats tend to have a motor on-board, so if you did get into trouble then you could start up the motor drop the sails and cruise into port.

So you see there are loads of reasons to head off into the sun and take part in sailing holidays. Greece isn't the only location that you should consider, but it certainly is one that you should give serious consideration too, it is a beautiful set of islands and has a wonderful culture and the people on the islands couldn't be more receptive to visitors. Take advantage of the extra money that you have in 2010 and enjoy your holidays again.

Gino Hitshopi is a travel journalist with many years of experience travelling and writing about European detinations. Find out more about sailing holidays Greece at http://www.nisosyachtcharter.com/

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HOME :: Travel-and-Leisure / Sailing How Learning to Sail Can Bring You Fun, Friendship, and Romance

Sailing is a hobby and a recreational pursuit that can last a lifetime. It's something that anyone of any age, ability, and either gender can take up. It's one of those leisure activities that really are open to everyone. Learning to sail not only brings a sense of personal achievement and fulfillment but also opens up a whole new area in your social life and can lead to lifelong friendships.

Sailing is such huge topic that it would be impossible to cover all the bases in one article. From small dinghy sailing on inland lakes and reservoirs to ocean sailing in multi million pound yachts and modern three-masted tall ships, there is a whole world of sailing to experience, to write and to talk about.

Many people learn to sail on small yachts based at a local marina. They will literally 'learn the ropes' under the watchful eye of a sailing instructor working for a sailing club or school. Let's assume that you intend to learn enough about sailing so that you can form part of the crew for a day's sailing and in order to take part in sailing weekends on coastal waters.

As with most things in life it pays to do a little research before you part with any hard earned money. Spend some time searching online for the sailing schools nearest to you and when you've created as short list take a drive out to them and have a look around. Does the description on the website match what you see during your visit? Are the boats well kept and clean? Are the staff friendly, professional, and eager to show you around?

It's easier to make your choice of school if you know someone who sails and who can give you the benefit of their advice but that's not always an option for everyone. If you're new to sailing and want to not only learn to sail but expand your social life then you'll probably be reliant upon your own judgment for a choice of sailing school.

In the UK and many other places around the world there are sailing schools that are endorsed by the RYA (Royal Yachting Association) so by learning to sail at one of these schools you can obtain RYA certification and qualifications. Having made your choice you'll need to book some time off work in which to embark on your first course.

Your first objective will be to gain your Competent Crew certificate. This can be covered in three weekends but there are distinct advantages to taking a week off work and covering the course in five consecutive days. You'll benefit from the intensity and the continuity of the training. You might start the week not knowing one end of the boat from another but after five days and nights you will be a useful, competent person on a boat rather than a few hundred pounds of ballast!

As well as the enjoyment of the week long experience and the sense of achievement at the end of it you will also meet a group of people of various ages and different walks of life. Competent Crew courses usually take place on a 36 foot yacht with a skipper in charge of 4-6 people who are new to sailing. You might make new friends among these fellow crew members with whom you will later sail on other courses or on recreational voyages around your local coastal area.

Having obtained Competent Crew certification you could join a sailing club and by using your natural charm and friendly nature you will be offered opportunities to crew on all kinds of excursions and in a variety of weather conditions. It's important to gain as much varied experience as possible as it will not only broaden your skills but also make you a safer and more competent crew member.

Following on from the Competent Crew certificate you could book a week long course to obtain a Day Skipper certificate. In order to do so you will need to have completed five days, 100 miles and four night hours aboard a yacht, sot he Competent Crew course is the ideal prerequisite. The Day Skipper course will expand on the basic knowledge you possess and will take you deeper into the areas of navigation, meteorology, pilotage, rules of the sea, engines, yachts under power, yachts under sail, and night cruising.

Again, this course will bring you into contact with several other sailors and once completed you will be a safer and more skilled sailor who can then take advantage of more opportunities in your sailing club. You can crew with confidence and look forward to the day when you can wear a skipper's cap when you are in sole charge of a vessel and its crew and passengers.

Sailing often attracts single sailors who like to spend time a alone and those who have a passion for the sea and all things nautical. They may be so in love with life on the water that they can only form lasting friendships and romances with someone who feels the same way. If you find that you empathise with such a person then learning to sail might put you in touch with someone who later becomes more than just a sailing buddy.

Ben completed his Competent Crew and Day Skipper courses in the Solent. He manages a website specifically designed for single sailors looking for crew, friends, and romance with other people who share their passion for the sea.

Visit Love Sail for more information.

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HOME :: Travel-and-Leisure / Sailing Basic Sailing Techniques

When interested in sailing a boat, the direction of the wind will determine the various movements associated with this invigorating activity. Before you attempt to take a vessel across the open water, you should first become familiar with some of the following important sailing techniques:

Steering and Turning

The techniques you use to change direction and steer a sailboat will become influenced by the direction of the wind. Some of the terms associated with direction changes or turns are referred to as tacking, heading up, heading down, or jibing.

Heading up (or luffing up) refers to the kind of steering where the wind is close to coming in direct contact with the front (or bow) of the sailboat. When you head closer to the wind, you need to "trim" the sails, which means bringing them closer to the center of the boat. When you head up where the wind is almost ahead, the sails will "luff," which means that they begin to flutter without any lift. If the boat becomes too hard to maneuver, then it enters a state called "in irons."

Tacking (or coming about) is one of the most basic of turning techniques of sailing, as it requires one to bring the bow of the boat through the wind so that the wind comes across the opposing side of the boat. The boat then sails away on the opposite tack.

"Heading down" is known by many different terms, including "bearing away," "bearing off," "falling off," and "freeing off." This technique of sailing involves steering in such a way that the wind comes from closer to the aft of the boat. The method includes easing the sails, which means to let them out away from the center of the vessel.

Jibing (also gibing) is a turning motion that causes the boat to head down past the point where the wind crosses at the stern of the sailboat. The sails and boom then swing to the opposite side just before the sailboat sails off on the opposite tack. Exercising caution is highly recommended when jibing, as the sail and boom can cross the middle of the boat with great speed where misjudgment can cause a small sailboat to tip over. Improper jibing may also hurt passengers not paying attention, as well as cause damage to the rig of a larger sailboat. All of these circumstances increase in risk during times of strong winds.

Trim

An important part of sailing involves keeping the boat in "trim," which deals with steering, balance, and other aspects. First, you will "Course to Steer," where the boat is turned towards your intended destination by using the wheel or tiller. People may choose a specific bearing (such as steering 180 degrees), aim for a particular landmark, or base their course in regards to the wind direction. Trim refers to the fore and aft balance of a sailboat. The goal is to adjust the movable ballast in a forward or backward motion in order to accomplish what is called an "even keel." When traveling an upwind course in a smaller sailboat, passengers often sit in the front. Positioning of passengers means less when the sailboat is larger or weighs more.

When balancing, it is the port and starboard that is involved, where the aim is to regulate the weight in order to avoid unnecessary heeling. Trimming sails is quite important, as the sail should be pulled in until it becomes filled with wind. It should not exceed the point where the front edge of the sail (the luff) becomes completely aligned with the wind.

While this is just a taste of common sailing techniques, it is also advised to seek information on "running," "reaching," sailing upward, reducing the sails, reefing, hulling, and learning the different sail points.

Napoleon Hill

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