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Combine Work and Play With Corporate Sailing Days

If you're looking for a unique way to treat employees or impress clients, why not consider arranging a corporate sailing day?

Outdoor team-building exercises tend to be popular among firms seeking to boost morale and get staff to work more closely together, and spending a day out on the water can be particularly suitable for this purpose.

A yacht trip could additionally be ideal when it comes to organising a meeting with a difference and wowing potential or current clients - making this type of event good for business!

One of the best things about corporate sailing events is the fact that everyone is on the same level when it comes to learning about how to manage a boat out on the water, regardless of their position within the company.

This means those who may not hold a role high up in the firm could reveal their potential for progression while working on the boat.

No prior sailing experience is needed to learn the ropes, as a professional will be onboard with you to guide you through the various procedures and tasks that everyone needs to carry out to get the yacht from one place to another.

Sailing event providers will also make efforts to ensure your boat is suitable for a crew where skill levels may vary from beginner to expert, while your sailing location will be chosen so that the challenges associated with navigating tides and choppy waters are eliminated.

You can choose from a host of different sailing programmes depending on your group and the pace you wish to stick to. There will usually be scope to tailor your activities, so you do not have to settle for a one-size-fits-all sailing day.

One potential option is a full day of sailing, where you arrive in the morning, learn all about your boat and go for a practice trip on it before engaging in a fun race or another sailing activity in the afternoon.

If you have more time to spare, you could alternatively head to the harbour in the evening, stay on the yacht overnight and have a full day of practice and race sailing the next day.

Another idea could be to combine any meetings, conferences or training you might be planning with corporate sailing activities to really make the most of your day out and ensure productivity doesn't suffer while you're away.

For example, you could hold a sales pitch meeting at the yacht club in the morning, before taking your potential customer out for a fun afternoon of sailing. Or you could hold a company presentation for your staff and follow this up with team-building exercises on the water.

If you have even more time on your hands, you may want to consider chartering a yacht for a longer corporate sailing holiday.

The choice is entirely up to you. Many providers will be happy to work with you to tailor your sailing programme for your needs, so make sure you find out the full extent of your options before settling on a specific schedule.

Food and some drink will be included in your corporate sailing package - doing away with the need to find a catering supplier - and this can take the form of a fantastic picnic break between sailing jaunts.

Now that you have an idea of what a corporate sailing day might involve, where should you go? The UK has numerous sites ideal for teambuilding exercises, but for gentle sailing conditions the Solent is one of the best options.

Situated between mainland England and Isle of Wight, this expanse of water is perfect for beginners and offers a particularly pleasurable sailing experience when the weather is fine. It is also easy to get to, whether you're travelling by rail, road or air.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5952329

Learn to Sail for Newbies - Three Steps to Sail in Gusty Sailing Winds!

If you are anything like me, when I first learned how to sail, I hoped that all the days would be perfect, sunny, with light breezes and flat-as-a-pancake water. Sounds like a picture postcard, right? But what do you do when the winds get gusty? Follow three secret sailing tips.

One thing I had to get a grip on was the reality of the sport of sailing. And like any sport, if you want to excel, you want to experience a bit more challenge now and then. And guess what happened?

It turned out I loved the breezy days when the boat skimmed across the water, sliced through the waves like a hot knife through butter. It was fun and kept me on my toes.

So, now that you know the basics of sailing, how do you handle those gusty days? First, all good sailors develop a sense of the wind, weather, and waves. That means being aware of what's happening with these elements. You can expect gusty weather if you:

* see dark splotchy patches on the water to windward.
* sight white caps (white foam on wave tops) to windward.
* fight the sailboat tiller or wheel tough to hold on course.
* start to heel more.
* feel the boat "round up" when in a gust.

All of these are signs that it's time to put your boat into "gusty sailing mode" so that she remains balanced, heels less, and becomes easier to steer.

Reefing your sails will always give you the best solution in gusty weather. But here, we want to discuss other methods to use until you are able to reef your sails. Follow these steps:

1. Pop the Mainsheet

Small dinghy sailors are always "playing" the mainsheet. When I first started to sail, I had a small 14' O'Day Javelin. I held the mainsheet in my non-dominant hand and steering with my dominant hand.

When the boat began to heel a bit too much, I would "pop" the mainsheet out of the cam-cleat, ease it out, and the boat would flatten right away. As soon as the gust passed, I would jerk the mainsheet back into the cam-cleat and sheet it in again. This sequence of "pop and sheet" continued all the time in gusty weather.

You can use this same a similar, but slower method on larger, more stable sailboats. Pop the mainsheet, ease the sheet out a few inches, and re-cleat the mainsheet. This spills high octane wind higher up off the water and decreases heeling and makes steering easier.

2. Feather Up in a Gust

If a gust hits before you have time to pop the mainsheet as described above, allow the boat to round up just to the point where the forward 1/3 of the mainsail luff begins to flutter. This "feathering" technique de-powers the mainsail, dumps the wind, and flattens the boat.

Take care not to let the boat round up too much--you don't want to go into "irons" (the boat points into the wind, stops, with all sails fluttering). Keep your boat speed up and maintain good steering control of the tiller or wheel.

3. Push the Mainsheet Downwind.

Larger sailboats have an athrwartship (a direction across the boat from side to side) track called a traveler track. Your mainsheet attaches to a "traveler car" on the traveler track. You can slide the traveler car (or "car") along the traveler track.

You keep the car in place with stops, which are either plunger-type pins or screw pins on each side of the car. In lighter winds, you keep the car centered along the traveler track. But in gusty winds, you want to re-position the car downwind to de-power the mainsail.

Move the stops and traveler car down the traveler track to leeward (downwind). This helps your boat sail with less heel and it will be easier to steer.

Learn to sail like a pro when you use these three, fast temporary control techniques to keep your small sailboat balanced and under good control. Experience the thrill and excitement of gusty weather sailing to gain the confidence you need to sail anywhere in the world!



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6443533

How to Sail Like a Pro - Five Steps to Better Tacking When Short Handed

When you first learn how to sail, you had a lot of sailing crew to help you out. Tricky maneuvers like tacking or jibing were a snap. But what happens when you have to tack up a narrow channel all by yourself--singlehanded? If you want to learn to sail like a sailor, you'll want to practice maneuvers like this under sail! Follow these five easy steps on your way to master the art of short-handed sailing.

Singlehanders have their hands full with sailing, lookout duties, and navigation. You can learn to perform complex maneuvers like tacking or jibing with careful preparation and execution. Remember, we are talking about cruising sailboats here, not small, easy to maneuver sailing dinghies. In a larger sailboat, it always starts with preparation.

1. Prepare the Traveler and Windward Winch

In light to moderate winds, keep the mainsheet centered along the traveler track. Insure that both track stops are tight and in place on either side of the mainsheet car. That way, when you tack, the mainsheet car will remain centered.

In heavy air, you will have the mainsheet several holes downwind along the traveler track. Duplicate this position on the windward side now. That way, after you tack, the mainsheet car will slide (or you can give it a push) downwind to the same relative position on the opposite side of the track.

Prepare your headsail for tacking. Wrap the lazy sheet two times around the windward sheet winch. This prepares the sheet for grinding and the wraps will save you time once you make the tack.

2. Set Your Over-the-Shoulder Mark

Stand up; position your body with your shoulders perpendicular to the centerline of the boat. Without moving your body, turn your head and look over your windward shoulder. Pick a "steady up" point. Because most boats are able to tack through 90 degrees, this simulates the approximate point you will look for to "steady up" on after your tack. Tacking causes a momentary loss of orientation. Picking a reference point ahead of time will make tacking as easy as 1-2-3!

3. Conduct a 180 Degree Scan 2X

Often forgotten, you must make a complete half-horizon scan from the bow to stern on the windward side of your boat--before you tack. Check for boats approaching from upwind, boats off the windward beam that may present a problem when you steady up, and boats approaching from astern. Do this twice--not once--twice. It takes but seconds, but adds volumes to sailing safety.

4. Face Forward Throughout the Execution

Singlehanders should face forward at all times when tacking for sailing safety. This way, you can maintain a lookout throughout the maneuver. This will also help you retain much of your orientation and you will find your "steady up" point faster.

5. Scan Again and Fine Tune

Complete the tack, steady up on your reference point, sheet the headsail to the best of your ability, and make a second scan. At this point, do not go for perfect trim on the headsail. You must conduct a quick, second scan, but this time make a full 360 degree scan. After you see that you are clear and have room, complete the trim of the headsail.

Make sheeting in the headsail easier if you allow the boat to head up a bit. Once the headsail luffs, it will relieve tension. Sheet the headsail leech to within 1" to 2" of the leeward spreader. Next, find that fine, razor edge that puts you right on the wind. Fall off just enough to fill the mainsail. Steady on a new reference point (if necessary). Now your boat should accelerate like a young full-blooded stallion full of vim and vigor!

Learn how to sail like a pro when you become proficient in short handed maneuvers like tacking and jibing. You will become a more highly confident and skilled sailor--wherever in the world you choose to cruise.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6142356

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Important Tips to Know Before Living Aboard a Boat and Dropping Out of the Rat Race

Many people have thought about dropping out of the rat race and retire to a live aboard boat in order to experience the simpler life and travel to exotic places. There are many benefits associated with this type of lifestyle, and waking up in the morning to the smell of the salt air and friendly neighborhood tropical birds looking for their morning breakfast in your backyard are definitely in the top two! Once you've made the decision to live aboard a boat, then there are several more choices that you need to decide on.

What type of boat will it be, a mono-hull or a catamaran? What is the length of hull that you're looking for? How much money are you prepared to invest into the boat and where will you dock it? There will be so much less space than what you're used to in a house, and storage places will come at a premium. Some boats have more space than others, and you will soon find that out when you start attending boat shows around the country or world. How much comfort are you willing to give up for a life of adventure on the high seas?

Mono-hulls are normally what people think of when boating comes to mind, but they do have plenty of drawbacks. They have a deep keel in order to help as ballast and to keep the vessel upright, which is highly useful if you are out on the ocean! But because of this keel, there will also be a great amount of rocking and rolling from side to side as waves hit the boat. If you aren't used to this motion, you could very well end up with a bad case of sea sickness that will spoil your cruise. Mono-hulls do tend to have more space onboard for living and storage however, because the shape of the hull is very conducive to that in relation to depth. You will immediately realize though, that the width or beam leaves much to be desired and is often narrower with regard to the total length.

In my opinion the hull of choice is the catamaran, which is a much wider or beamy vessel, and some of the larger boats are so stable in rough weather that a champagne glass sitting on the galley table will not tip or fall over! The ideal length for a cruising catamaran to comfortably accommodate a married couple is anywhere from 36 feet to 55 feet, and the price goes up quite a bit each foot that is added on. A catamaran is designed to sit on top of the water more than a mono-hull, and is usually much wider in beam. For example, the typical 50 foot mono-hull might have a 12 -16 foot beam, but a 50 foot catamaran might have a 26 - 30 foot beam! This really leads to stability in very rough seas, with a huge reduction in the side to side rolling of the mono-hulls. A catamaran has two hulls with an open space between them for the seas to pass through and usually the galley and living area sitting out of the water between the hulls. This leads to good visibility above the water, and a nice wide area for cooking, eating, and entertaining yourself and guests. Some models will have the galley located down in one of the two hulls to create even more living space above. The sleeping areas, cabins, and heads are located down in the hulls on either side of the boat, and depending on the size can normally accommodate up to 4 couples.

The biggest drawback I've personally seen with catamaran boats is the "turnaround room" when standing down in the hulls. I always do an "elbow test" when down in the hulls, which means that I am standing with my hands on my hips and my elbows out and then I stand in one spot and turn around in a circle. If my elbows touch or knock anything, it's a very cramped space! Unfortunately, most of the vessels I've tested had this drawback, but I did find one 52 foot South African boat that passed this test. In fact, there was so much living area and storage space on this boat that I call it a "condo catamaran"! It was pure luxury, with up to six cabins on a normal layout, or for the discerning owner they can have one whole hull just for them which is described as the "owner's layout". This is the layout that really appealed to me, and will provide much closet space and a very private living area for those long voyages with guests. I encourage everyone who is looking for the perfect vessel to go to as many boat shows as they can so they can personally check all the various factors involved and to see if it's something you can live on. The Miami International Boat Show will usually have plenty of both mono-hulls and catamarans for viewing and comparison.

Another factor or decision that you'll have to make is whether it's going to be power or sail. That usually depends on your background and where you plan on boating to. For those people planning on doing an around the world trip, they might seriously consider purchasing a sailboat because it's going to be much cheaper and there really aren't as many boats that can carry enough fuel for those trans oceanic voyages. For those people planning to stay closer to shore or mainly coastal travel may look for power boats, even though the fuel will still be an issue for most trips. There are a few boats that are designed for long range expedition voyages that are less than 55 feet long, and they can carry enough fuel to comfortably transit the Pacific or any other extensive cruise. However, for a power boat of this size, be prepared to spend close to a million U.S. dollars or more for a brand new boat. By far the vast majority of around the world cruisers will opt for a sailing vessel, either catamaran or mono-hull. Catamarans tend to be more expensive due to the size and desirability of them, and they also may have higher marina fees associated because of their widths. In fact, a good percentage of them may not fit in some marinas due to how wide they are, and will have to anchor out in the harbor and use a dinghy to travel back and forth to the shore. This can be very time consuming and tiring, especially when travelling back and forth with many packages of food, drinks, or other items needed to restock the boat. These are the types of things you'll need to think about before you decide on and purchase your live aboard boat.

Are you an experienced sailor or boater, or will you need to arrange for some classes to learn more about being on the water? There are plenty of Coast Guard Auxiliary or Power Squadron facilities around in the U.S. that can provide the appropriate training needed to safely operate your new vessel. It's very important to feel comfortable with the operation of your boat, and take it offshore for short excursions as often as you can before you embark on any long cruise away from shore. Become an expert, after all, your life will be at stake! Be prepared for any situation, whether it's medical or mechanical, and know what to do to fix it. Take a marine mechanic course, because if your boats engine breaks down far out at sea you'll want to know what to do to correct the problem. You won't be able to just bring the boat into the nearest shop at that point!

There will be many decisions that you'll have to make before choosing and purchasing your new boat and probably training you'll need in order to safely operate it, but the benefits of this lifestyle more than outweigh the negatives. You will need to be prepared for a total changeover compared to living ashore, because of the cramped conditions and inconveniences associated with boat living. Choose wisely, learn all you can before you buy, and get ready for the time of your life! It's what you've always wanted, so get out there and take the plunge!



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5817106

Prepare Your Dinghy for the Start of the Season

Whilst dinghies may be smaller than many of the craft that take to the water at the start of the season, they need just as much attention when it comes to repair and maintenance. If you're negligent in giving your dinghy the 'once over', you may suffer consequences later on with costly repair bills, the inconvenience and hassle of having to put things right and the prospect of an insurance claim - which may not be covered if poor maintenance has caused the damage.

In order to help you keep your dinghy and trailer in prime condition and so avoid future problems, Towergate Insurance - one of the UK's leading dinghy insurance providers - offers some tips.

Rigging - a common claim is the mast coming down due to rigging failure. Although there's no formal requirement to undertake rigging checks, it's worthwhile doing so. Look out for signs of corrosion on the blocks, pulleys, shackles, hooks, clamcleats etc, plus replace any sheets, control lines, halyards and wires that look worn or frayed.

Try not to put rigging away soaking wet and regularly pay attention to blocks. Look out for slow-running sheaves, shackle elongation, extreme rust, metal stretching and stress cracks in the metal or plastic cheeks. Cleaning your block thoroughly will prevent most problems. Avoid leaving blocks damp with saltwater. Lubricants such as Teflon or dry silicone are good at keeping dirt out of the mechanical workings.

Consider what the dinghy will be used for and change the rigging accordingly - for example, the demands of sea racing differ to lake cruising. If a dinghy is raced hard, the standing rigging may need changing after two seasons (level of wear will dictate).

Sails - do they have any tears or nicks? Because of the lightweight nature of Spinnaker sails they easily tear and a small hole can become a larger problem if ignored. Check thoroughly and patch if necessary.

Hull - are there any scratches, grazes or dents? It could make the difference between the boat being watertight or not. Repair where required and also put the rudder and centre-plate through their paces.

On the move - are you reliant on your trailer getting you from A to B? Despite their importance, trailers are often overlooked during a pre-season check. Are the bearings lubricated with waterproof grease? Does the ball-hitch work (locks down the tow bar) and is the breakaway cable in place (keeping the trailer attached to the vehicle if the ball-hitch fails)? Trailers have been known to detach themselves from their vehicles leaving dinghies careering across lanes of oncoming traffic.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6030814