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
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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
Wednesday, 30 June 2010
HOME :: Travel-and-Leisure / Sailing How to Sail Fast in Moderate Winds - Tips From an Olympic Gold Medalist
Many, many years ago, I interviewed the late Sir William Northam, who had been sailing for only 13 years, after he won Australia's first Olympic Gold Medal for yachting in the 5.5 metre class at Tokyo in 1964.
Among many interesting hints about sailing in moderate winds, he told me this: "In the time I have been sailing -- admittedly not long -- I have learned one thing: I cannot tell whether a boat is going as it should unless it has a speedometer. I know that the purists will talk about the feel of the boat, and sound of the waves, and the ability of the speedometer to mislead. There is some truth in what they say. There certainly is a feel to a boat, you can tell something from the sound of the waves, a speedometer can be misleading. But I still use one -- a good one.
"I find that in the larger boats, where different weights of sail are used for different conditions, the speedometer will indicate which sail is doing the best job. In given conditions you can tell immediately whether a sail change has improved or retarded your progress. But you must be able to remember the conditions, the sail you use, and the speed you can get out of the boat, so that when the same things happen again you can tell whether or not the boat is at its peak."
Many of you will have got the point already. In the days before polar performance curves became commonly used to record a boat's performance under different circumstances and wind strengths, Bill was doing exactly the same, except that he was using his brain as the recording device, not a computer.
He believed that on the larger boats one should use different weights of sail for different conditions, but only for headsails. For the main he wanted one only for nearly all conditions but he would change its shape, when necessary, with equipment on the boat. He did this for the Olympics, the trials for the Olympics and for the Australian championships, and it was one of the main reasons for his success.
The only other main he used at Tokyo was one designed for very heavy weather, with which he won the fourth race.
Once again Bill was ahead of the game, keeping things simple, yet having great capacity to change his sail shape while underway.
He believed the headsail was the critical sail, and the way it was setting even more critical. His preference was for a slack foot and an easy, but not too easy, leech, and he adjusted the lead to get that setting.
As he said: "Of prime importance is the head of the sail, because you have so little up there that what you do have you must make the most of. The head should be tighter along the leech than elsewhere on the sail, but only marginally, so the air that has been used up can flow easily off it. If anything, the whole leech should be loose, but it must not curve in. The flow of the sail will be slightly forward of centre.
"When setting up the lead for the sail make sure that, while you retain the slack foot and easy leech, the sail still falls in evenly from head to tack when the boat is luffed. If the sail is set up like this she will point with the best of them, and we certainly found that in moderate weather in Tokyo no competitor could beat us on the wind. Many overseas boats carried headsails with large roaches, which gave them more area, but not more speed."
I am sure if Bill were still alive and sailing, he would have used modern technology to put himself ahead of the game again.
Copyright © 2008 Bevanda Pty Ltd
Learn more about sailing in all wind strengths in The Boating Bible Manual of Seamanship, http://www.theboatingbible.com/BoatHandling.htm
There are also free articles, a blog and a weekly newsletter with tips and advice from Jim Murrant, a very experienced sailor. See you there!
Read more about sailing in light conditions in Make Your Own Wind at http://www.theboatingbible.com/MakeOwnWind.htm
It's all about Sailing!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Murrant
Among many interesting hints about sailing in moderate winds, he told me this: "In the time I have been sailing -- admittedly not long -- I have learned one thing: I cannot tell whether a boat is going as it should unless it has a speedometer. I know that the purists will talk about the feel of the boat, and sound of the waves, and the ability of the speedometer to mislead. There is some truth in what they say. There certainly is a feel to a boat, you can tell something from the sound of the waves, a speedometer can be misleading. But I still use one -- a good one.
"I find that in the larger boats, where different weights of sail are used for different conditions, the speedometer will indicate which sail is doing the best job. In given conditions you can tell immediately whether a sail change has improved or retarded your progress. But you must be able to remember the conditions, the sail you use, and the speed you can get out of the boat, so that when the same things happen again you can tell whether or not the boat is at its peak."
Many of you will have got the point already. In the days before polar performance curves became commonly used to record a boat's performance under different circumstances and wind strengths, Bill was doing exactly the same, except that he was using his brain as the recording device, not a computer.
He believed that on the larger boats one should use different weights of sail for different conditions, but only for headsails. For the main he wanted one only for nearly all conditions but he would change its shape, when necessary, with equipment on the boat. He did this for the Olympics, the trials for the Olympics and for the Australian championships, and it was one of the main reasons for his success.
The only other main he used at Tokyo was one designed for very heavy weather, with which he won the fourth race.
Once again Bill was ahead of the game, keeping things simple, yet having great capacity to change his sail shape while underway.
He believed the headsail was the critical sail, and the way it was setting even more critical. His preference was for a slack foot and an easy, but not too easy, leech, and he adjusted the lead to get that setting.
As he said: "Of prime importance is the head of the sail, because you have so little up there that what you do have you must make the most of. The head should be tighter along the leech than elsewhere on the sail, but only marginally, so the air that has been used up can flow easily off it. If anything, the whole leech should be loose, but it must not curve in. The flow of the sail will be slightly forward of centre.
"When setting up the lead for the sail make sure that, while you retain the slack foot and easy leech, the sail still falls in evenly from head to tack when the boat is luffed. If the sail is set up like this she will point with the best of them, and we certainly found that in moderate weather in Tokyo no competitor could beat us on the wind. Many overseas boats carried headsails with large roaches, which gave them more area, but not more speed."
I am sure if Bill were still alive and sailing, he would have used modern technology to put himself ahead of the game again.
Copyright © 2008 Bevanda Pty Ltd
Learn more about sailing in all wind strengths in The Boating Bible Manual of Seamanship, http://www.theboatingbible.com/BoatHandling.htm
There are also free articles, a blog and a weekly newsletter with tips and advice from Jim Murrant, a very experienced sailor. See you there!
Read more about sailing in light conditions in Make Your Own Wind at http://www.theboatingbible.com/MakeOwnWind.htm
It's all about Sailing!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Murrant
Monday, 28 June 2010
Friday, 25 June 2010
HOME :: Travel-and-Leisure / Sailing Top Tips to Start Sailing Right Now!
Sailing is a great sport and there is no reason anyone could dislike it unless they are incredibly seasick (which is very unusual on a small dinghy).
Most people get the myth into their minds that it requires alot of training and is very expensive. This is not true at all. In fact the opposite is true, usually sailing is very cheap especially at volunteer clubs where you pay a membership fee per quarter or month and get to use the club boats. Sailing does not require a lot of training, in fact by having just 1 hour on the water you can learn all the basics from tacking to gybing and from the 5 essentials to points of sail.
Sailboat racing is the most adrenaline rushing, heart pumping and fiercely competitive sport I know of. In high winds sailing can become close to terrifying, which all adds to the rush you get when you start. Most clubs have a series in which you are ranked by finishing position and the best set of finishing positionings wins a trophy. This trophy is fiercely contested and you really need to work hard on your sailing and appearance to be able to even attempt to win the series.
Sailing is an extremely physical and mental sport. It really works your ab and core muscles, arm muscles, leg muscles and shoulder muscles, because of the constant need to hike out, move around and pulling in the sail sheets (the rope that controls the sail setting). This in a one hour race can be an incredibly good workout compared to the gym membership that you pay for, but never go to. Instead of getting a new Gym membership as your new year's resolution consider starting sailing.
Contrary to common belief, there are sailing centres and clubs practically everywhere in the world, you just need to know where to find them in your area. In London there are at least 6 different sailing clubs, which one can go to to learn or enjoy sailing.
It is also a great way to get your kids or teens out of the house (and their Wii games) and doing something that will improve their fitness (many teenagers are now overweight, because they watch television all day) and their mental concentration (it helps me relax and get me through the week). Many clubs have kids or teens sailing as well.
You can also get sailing lessons free! If you go to a volunteer club, then you can usually get lessons free or included within your membership if you need them. this is great for beginners or improver's, because the centre usually caters for all levels of sailing from absolute newbie to racing expert.
Many clubs will have to check you out first (usually means completing RYA level 2 course or doing a in-house test), so that they know you are trustworthy before letting you take out club boats on the water. This is to make sure you understand the basics of sailing whilst also being safe at all times. Once you are checked out you can cruise, race or even take out a romantic evening with your partner.
Sailing is an ultimate experience with all-in-one factor within it. It has everything you could hope for in a sport and more. it caters for all people, all ages, all races, all sizes and you will always be welcome to do sailing whoever you are and whatever you do. Sailing does not discriminate and is very flexible.
So what is stopping you? Start Sailing today!
This article is a preview from http://www.startedsailing.com - One teenager's dinghy sailing experiences and boat racing in the UK. Sailing in the UK is cold, wet and yet extremely fun and available to all!
Alex Dotsch is a seasoned sailor with many years of experience racing and cruising in dinghy sailing boats. He owns a website, which he maintains and updates constantly about starting sailing.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Dotsch
Most people get the myth into their minds that it requires alot of training and is very expensive. This is not true at all. In fact the opposite is true, usually sailing is very cheap especially at volunteer clubs where you pay a membership fee per quarter or month and get to use the club boats. Sailing does not require a lot of training, in fact by having just 1 hour on the water you can learn all the basics from tacking to gybing and from the 5 essentials to points of sail.
Sailboat racing is the most adrenaline rushing, heart pumping and fiercely competitive sport I know of. In high winds sailing can become close to terrifying, which all adds to the rush you get when you start. Most clubs have a series in which you are ranked by finishing position and the best set of finishing positionings wins a trophy. This trophy is fiercely contested and you really need to work hard on your sailing and appearance to be able to even attempt to win the series.
Sailing is an extremely physical and mental sport. It really works your ab and core muscles, arm muscles, leg muscles and shoulder muscles, because of the constant need to hike out, move around and pulling in the sail sheets (the rope that controls the sail setting). This in a one hour race can be an incredibly good workout compared to the gym membership that you pay for, but never go to. Instead of getting a new Gym membership as your new year's resolution consider starting sailing.
Contrary to common belief, there are sailing centres and clubs practically everywhere in the world, you just need to know where to find them in your area. In London there are at least 6 different sailing clubs, which one can go to to learn or enjoy sailing.
It is also a great way to get your kids or teens out of the house (and their Wii games) and doing something that will improve their fitness (many teenagers are now overweight, because they watch television all day) and their mental concentration (it helps me relax and get me through the week). Many clubs have kids or teens sailing as well.
You can also get sailing lessons free! If you go to a volunteer club, then you can usually get lessons free or included within your membership if you need them. this is great for beginners or improver's, because the centre usually caters for all levels of sailing from absolute newbie to racing expert.
Many clubs will have to check you out first (usually means completing RYA level 2 course or doing a in-house test), so that they know you are trustworthy before letting you take out club boats on the water. This is to make sure you understand the basics of sailing whilst also being safe at all times. Once you are checked out you can cruise, race or even take out a romantic evening with your partner.
Sailing is an ultimate experience with all-in-one factor within it. It has everything you could hope for in a sport and more. it caters for all people, all ages, all races, all sizes and you will always be welcome to do sailing whoever you are and whatever you do. Sailing does not discriminate and is very flexible.
So what is stopping you? Start Sailing today!
This article is a preview from http://www.startedsailing.com - One teenager's dinghy sailing experiences and boat racing in the UK. Sailing in the UK is cold, wet and yet extremely fun and available to all!
Alex Dotsch is a seasoned sailor with many years of experience racing and cruising in dinghy sailing boats. He owns a website, which he maintains and updates constantly about starting sailing.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Dotsch
HOME :: Travel-and-Leisure / Sailing Four Top Sailing Regattas In British Waters
Britain has some excellent regattas available for the sailing fraternity. The first and probably most famous is Cowes Week. An amazing week of high quality sailing in the Solent waters off the coast of the Isle of Wight. Cowes Week is a definite highlight in the sailing calendar and has been running since 1826, making it the world's longest running sailing regatta, as well as being one of Britain's biggest annual sporting events. Over 8000 competitors race in yachts in 40 classes in varied 'round-the-cans' courses. Entrants are local, national and international and range from being complete novices to World and Olympic champions. There is a packed racing schedule with just over 30 races every day for the full 8 days. Aside from the racing, there is a vibrant social scene that caters for everyone's taste, with a wide variety of excellent shops, pubs and cafes to choose from. There is plenty to do day and night, with live music, a magnificent firework display, the Honda Dream Team air display and the renowned Guinness and Pimm's tents!
Our second recommended regatta is the Round the Island Race once described as 'the Grand National of sailing', the annual Round the Island Race is extremely popular in the sailing world. The amount of publicity it attracts raises a huge amount of money for its official charity: Prostate Research Campaign UK. Take part in the 50-mile race, sailed anti-clockwise around the Isle of Wight, alongside competitors from all around the world, and make a difference in the medical world by raising funds for the fight against prostate cancer. The race was first started in 1931 with only 25 entries. Today there are over 1700 yachts competing for the beautiful Gold Roman Bowl. Entrants range from being complete novices sailing in the smallest offshore categories, to very accomplished competitors sailing in maxi-yachts. Sir Edward Heath is among the most notable of contestants having won the race 4 times! Despite the record winning time standing at just over 3 hours, most entrants cross the finishing line in late afternoon! The race takes place on the 3rd of June, but all entries must be in by May 6th.
The third regatta is the Winter Hamble Series which involves 8 competitive races on 'round the cans' courses on the Solent, and take place from the beginning of October to the early part of December. If your staff or clients are in need of some team building then these races are the ideal environment for developing that competitive spirit whilst maintaining a sense of fun. Every race goes towards the final result of the series, and the winners get a prize...a great incentive for any team! The experience is guaranteed to boost morale and make life in the workplace a lot more effective.
Our last regatta to recommend is Fastnet 2006. Fastnet Rock is on the Southern tip of Ireland, over 600 miles away, and takes teams up to 5 days battling against tricky tides and high winds to get to. The course starts in the Solent and then heads West following the coast to Lands End before heading out to the famous rock and then finishing in Plymouth. The race was born in 1925 and is now one of the Worlds greatest offshore races with over 200 competitors taking part. Join us in this great challenge and we will train your team to a standard capable of winning and nothing less!
Chris Laas runs a yacht charter company in Southampton in the United Kingdom.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Laas
Our second recommended regatta is the Round the Island Race once described as 'the Grand National of sailing', the annual Round the Island Race is extremely popular in the sailing world. The amount of publicity it attracts raises a huge amount of money for its official charity: Prostate Research Campaign UK. Take part in the 50-mile race, sailed anti-clockwise around the Isle of Wight, alongside competitors from all around the world, and make a difference in the medical world by raising funds for the fight against prostate cancer. The race was first started in 1931 with only 25 entries. Today there are over 1700 yachts competing for the beautiful Gold Roman Bowl. Entrants range from being complete novices sailing in the smallest offshore categories, to very accomplished competitors sailing in maxi-yachts. Sir Edward Heath is among the most notable of contestants having won the race 4 times! Despite the record winning time standing at just over 3 hours, most entrants cross the finishing line in late afternoon! The race takes place on the 3rd of June, but all entries must be in by May 6th.
The third regatta is the Winter Hamble Series which involves 8 competitive races on 'round the cans' courses on the Solent, and take place from the beginning of October to the early part of December. If your staff or clients are in need of some team building then these races are the ideal environment for developing that competitive spirit whilst maintaining a sense of fun. Every race goes towards the final result of the series, and the winners get a prize...a great incentive for any team! The experience is guaranteed to boost morale and make life in the workplace a lot more effective.
Our last regatta to recommend is Fastnet 2006. Fastnet Rock is on the Southern tip of Ireland, over 600 miles away, and takes teams up to 5 days battling against tricky tides and high winds to get to. The course starts in the Solent and then heads West following the coast to Lands End before heading out to the famous rock and then finishing in Plymouth. The race was born in 1925 and is now one of the Worlds greatest offshore races with over 200 competitors taking part. Join us in this great challenge and we will train your team to a standard capable of winning and nothing less!
Chris Laas runs a yacht charter company in Southampton in the United Kingdom.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Laas
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