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Monday, 5 December 2011
Thursday, 1 December 2011
Monday, 28 November 2011
Thursday, 24 November 2011
Three Tips to Remove a Jammed Line From a Sailboat Winch
You and your sailing crew are short tacking up a narrow channel with shoals to the left and moored boats to the right. You get your crew ready for the next tack, come about--and the head sail sheet jams onto the sailboat winch! What would you do next?
Jammed turns on a head sail sheet winch-called "overriding turns"-are caused by a sheet line that leads at a downward angle to the winch drum. When this happens, the wraps on the drum can bunch up so tight that they are almost impossible to remove. Use one of these fast, easy methods to remove an override:
1. Luff Up Method
a. Point up into the wind for a few seconds to luff the head sail and take tension off the sheet.
b. Remove the turns by hand.
c. Fall off the wind and build up speed for the next tack.
2. Line and Block Method
a. Tie a rolling hitch onto the jammed sheet between head sail clew and winch.
b. Mount a snatch block aft of the jammed winch.
c. Lead the line to the snatch block and to an open winch.
d. Grind on the winch to remove all tension on the jammed sheet.
e. Remove the override by hand and re-wrap the sheet onto the winch.
3. Emergency Method
a. Cut the jammed sheet forward and aft of the winch.
b. Lead the bitter end of the cut sheet through the block and around the sailboat mast.
c. Tie a rolling hitch onto the leeward sheet. You can tack with this rig until you clear all dangers.
Prevent Future Sheet Jams
Avoid future overrides by leading head sail sheets in an upward direction to the sheet winches. Use one of these easy techniques:
* Reposition each Genoa block along the track to bring it closer to and lower than the sheet winch.
* Insert an intermediate block between the existing Genoa block and the sheet winch.
Sailboat winch overrides are part of life on any small cruising or racing sailboat.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2381009
Jammed turns on a head sail sheet winch-called "overriding turns"-are caused by a sheet line that leads at a downward angle to the winch drum. When this happens, the wraps on the drum can bunch up so tight that they are almost impossible to remove. Use one of these fast, easy methods to remove an override:
1. Luff Up Method
a. Point up into the wind for a few seconds to luff the head sail and take tension off the sheet.
b. Remove the turns by hand.
c. Fall off the wind and build up speed for the next tack.
2. Line and Block Method
a. Tie a rolling hitch onto the jammed sheet between head sail clew and winch.
b. Mount a snatch block aft of the jammed winch.
c. Lead the line to the snatch block and to an open winch.
d. Grind on the winch to remove all tension on the jammed sheet.
e. Remove the override by hand and re-wrap the sheet onto the winch.
3. Emergency Method
a. Cut the jammed sheet forward and aft of the winch.
b. Lead the bitter end of the cut sheet through the block and around the sailboat mast.
c. Tie a rolling hitch onto the leeward sheet. You can tack with this rig until you clear all dangers.
Prevent Future Sheet Jams
Avoid future overrides by leading head sail sheets in an upward direction to the sheet winches. Use one of these easy techniques:
* Reposition each Genoa block along the track to bring it closer to and lower than the sheet winch.
* Insert an intermediate block between the existing Genoa block and the sheet winch.
Sailboat winch overrides are part of life on any small cruising or racing sailboat.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2381009
How to Tack Through the Wind Smoother, Faster, And Easier!
Did you know that you can learn to sail like a pro when you tack without the worry of confusing calculations or using a steering compass? These little-known sailing tips make tacking a snap and will make sailing to windward lots of fun with greater speed and performance.
Sailing close hauled means you keep the true wind at a 45 degree angle to the boat. When you tack, the bow passes through the wind to place the wind at a 45 degree angle on the other side of the boat. Your small sailboat tacks (turns) through the true wind a total of 90 degrees.
Instead of using lots of fancy addition or subtraction, use an easier, more natural method called over-the-shoulder "aim" points. Follow these three easy steps to tacking success:
1. Steady up on your close hauled course. Stand in front of the tiller or behind the sailboat wheel so that you face the bow. Keep your shoulders square (perpendicular) to the center-line of your boat.
2. Look over your shoulder to the windward side (upwind). Find a house, tree, pier, hill, mountain peak, or some other fixed point that you can use as your "aim" point.
If out of sight of land, use the well defined part of a cloud as your "aim" point. If no clouds are available, study the angle that the waves will make to the boat after tacking.
3. Tack the boat through the wind and turn the boat onto the "aim" point. Once you steady up, adjust your sailing course so that the luff of the mainsail lies just on the edge of a flutter.
To do this, ease the boat up toward the wind until the luff of the mainsail just begins to flutter. Fall off just a bit until the flutter stops. Now you are right on the edge of the wind. Your boat should accelerate like a thoroughbred at a racetrack!
Learn to sail better than ever before with simple, easy-to-use techniques that work on any sailboat of any size anywhere in the world. You will become a more confident, skilled sailing skipper and enjoy better speed and performance--wherever in the world you choose to sail.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4858445
Sailing close hauled means you keep the true wind at a 45 degree angle to the boat. When you tack, the bow passes through the wind to place the wind at a 45 degree angle on the other side of the boat. Your small sailboat tacks (turns) through the true wind a total of 90 degrees.
Instead of using lots of fancy addition or subtraction, use an easier, more natural method called over-the-shoulder "aim" points. Follow these three easy steps to tacking success:
1. Steady up on your close hauled course. Stand in front of the tiller or behind the sailboat wheel so that you face the bow. Keep your shoulders square (perpendicular) to the center-line of your boat.
2. Look over your shoulder to the windward side (upwind). Find a house, tree, pier, hill, mountain peak, or some other fixed point that you can use as your "aim" point.
If out of sight of land, use the well defined part of a cloud as your "aim" point. If no clouds are available, study the angle that the waves will make to the boat after tacking.
3. Tack the boat through the wind and turn the boat onto the "aim" point. Once you steady up, adjust your sailing course so that the luff of the mainsail lies just on the edge of a flutter.
To do this, ease the boat up toward the wind until the luff of the mainsail just begins to flutter. Fall off just a bit until the flutter stops. Now you are right on the edge of the wind. Your boat should accelerate like a thoroughbred at a racetrack!
Learn to sail better than ever before with simple, easy-to-use techniques that work on any sailboat of any size anywhere in the world. You will become a more confident, skilled sailing skipper and enjoy better speed and performance--wherever in the world you choose to sail.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4858445
Monday, 21 November 2011
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Top Sailing Tips
Here's a quick and handy guide to help you brush up your sailing skills.
Sea sickness - If you're feeling a little under the weather don't struggle up into to the top bunk. The best way to help you feel better is to stay low! The motion is less evident there. Try to stay horizontal, and if there are no sea berths onboard, throw some cushions on the floor and lie there. You'll feel better in no time.
Think tank - Your tank may look full, but many yachts will come to a surprising halt even when the fuel level gauge looks full to burst. The best thing to do is to run a column in your log book for your engine. Keeping a check of fuel fills and oil changes means there will be no more guess work.
Stormy weather - Bad weather is a common worry for sailors. The most effective method of avoiding the effects of bad weather at sea? Avoid sailing altogether. Check local weather forecasts before setting out and try not to sail for a few days after a storm. Inevitably there will be times when getting caught in bad weather is unavoidable. So, it's therefore essential to know how to keep your crew and boat safe.
Look no hands - You'd be surprised how many people only use auto pilot on passage. Having a free hand to stow a sail or prepare lines is really useful, especially for a small crew. Just remember to make a point of keeping an eye on what's going on around the boat at all times.
Boom Boom - It's important to respect the boom. The most common sailing injuries are a result of not being aware when the boom is about to swing. To avoid injury or being knocked overboard, remember to be conscious and respectful of the boom at all times.
A steady course - You're out at sea and a ship is approaching. You are the give way vessel. All you need to do is make a slight alteration to ensure a collision does not take place. But imagine how the skipper of the other ship feels. He's wondering whether you've made the safest decision. The answer? Show him your sidelight if it's dark. If it's light, 20 or 30 degrees and a steady course should put his mind at rest.
Knot to be forgotten - Good sailing knots are essential to sailing. The figure eight knot is a good stopper knot. The figure eight will ensure, especially in windy weather, the jibsheet and the mainsheet remain in the cabin. Other useful knots to learn are the bowline, clove hitch, round turn and two half hitches and the reef knot.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2692256
Sea sickness - If you're feeling a little under the weather don't struggle up into to the top bunk. The best way to help you feel better is to stay low! The motion is less evident there. Try to stay horizontal, and if there are no sea berths onboard, throw some cushions on the floor and lie there. You'll feel better in no time.
Think tank - Your tank may look full, but many yachts will come to a surprising halt even when the fuel level gauge looks full to burst. The best thing to do is to run a column in your log book for your engine. Keeping a check of fuel fills and oil changes means there will be no more guess work.
Stormy weather - Bad weather is a common worry for sailors. The most effective method of avoiding the effects of bad weather at sea? Avoid sailing altogether. Check local weather forecasts before setting out and try not to sail for a few days after a storm. Inevitably there will be times when getting caught in bad weather is unavoidable. So, it's therefore essential to know how to keep your crew and boat safe.
Look no hands - You'd be surprised how many people only use auto pilot on passage. Having a free hand to stow a sail or prepare lines is really useful, especially for a small crew. Just remember to make a point of keeping an eye on what's going on around the boat at all times.
Boom Boom - It's important to respect the boom. The most common sailing injuries are a result of not being aware when the boom is about to swing. To avoid injury or being knocked overboard, remember to be conscious and respectful of the boom at all times.
A steady course - You're out at sea and a ship is approaching. You are the give way vessel. All you need to do is make a slight alteration to ensure a collision does not take place. But imagine how the skipper of the other ship feels. He's wondering whether you've made the safest decision. The answer? Show him your sidelight if it's dark. If it's light, 20 or 30 degrees and a steady course should put his mind at rest.
Knot to be forgotten - Good sailing knots are essential to sailing. The figure eight knot is a good stopper knot. The figure eight will ensure, especially in windy weather, the jibsheet and the mainsheet remain in the cabin. Other useful knots to learn are the bowline, clove hitch, round turn and two half hitches and the reef knot.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2692256
Sailboat Cruising Secrets - Sailing Tips From a 2000 Year Old Sailor
Are you sure that your small cruising boat has what it takes to handle the unexpected? Do you know the #1 most vital thing you can do to insure your sailing safety--and that of your sailing crew. A young sailor from over 2000 years ago made a single statement that defines what it means for all of us to follow every time we set sail.
Long ago, the master historian Xenophon was walking near the wharves in ancient Greece. He came across a young Phoenician seaman. out on deck of his tiny ship with all the stores, tools, sailing gear, ropes, and blocks strewn about.
Xenophon asked the sailor what he was doing and the young man replied..."I am looking to see whether anything is out of order. There will be no time to look for what is missing or out of place when a storm comes up at sea." A storm on your boat doesn't need to be one of blustery sailing weather...
It could be...
an engine that fails as you enter a marina. Are your sails ready for instant hoisting (and not just a roller-furling headsail--you need the mainsail in case you need to sail upwind to stay clear of dangers in your path).
It could be...
an anchor that drags in the middle of the night. Where's that second anchor you've forgotten about? Still buried in the spare cockpit sail locker beneath piles of sailing gear?
It could be...
your mainsail that needed an inspection a while back. Did you notice the broken stitching near the foot? All of a sudden, it rips across the seam from luff to leech as you're sailing down the channel in a brisk wind.
It could be...
your electronic chart plotter goes on the blink after a power surge when you're threading your way through a shoal infested lagoon. Are your nautical charts pre-plotted with courses, emergency anchorages, and highlighted dangers? (you do carry and use nautical charts, right?)
How can we sailors best prepare ourselves to meet these challenges "...when a storm comes up at sea"?
Sailing seamanship begins at the dock--before you cast off that last line. Just like an airplane pilot, you need to go through a "pre-sail check-sheet" before you go sailing.
Make sure these top 10 are on your check-sheet...
1. Check your engine and its most important components.
2. Conduct a standing and running rigging inspection.
3. Reeve all tack and clew reef-point lines (1st, 2nd, 3rd reef points).
4. Inspect each part of your ground tackle from end to end.
5. Plot courses onto nautical charts. Highlight dangers and major aids.
6. Determine how wind and current will affect your undocking.
7. Know the expected weather forecast for the next 24 hours.
8. Uncover the mainsail, bend on the halyard, loosen all sail ties.
9. Strap on a knife with a lanyard at your waist for instant use.
10. Test your engine in neutral, forward, and reverse gear.
Add these vital elements to your sailing checkoff sheet. This will give you the confidence and peace-of-mind you need to become the true master and commander over your small cruising sailboat.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5953364
Long ago, the master historian Xenophon was walking near the wharves in ancient Greece. He came across a young Phoenician seaman. out on deck of his tiny ship with all the stores, tools, sailing gear, ropes, and blocks strewn about.
Xenophon asked the sailor what he was doing and the young man replied..."I am looking to see whether anything is out of order. There will be no time to look for what is missing or out of place when a storm comes up at sea." A storm on your boat doesn't need to be one of blustery sailing weather...
It could be...
an engine that fails as you enter a marina. Are your sails ready for instant hoisting (and not just a roller-furling headsail--you need the mainsail in case you need to sail upwind to stay clear of dangers in your path).
It could be...
an anchor that drags in the middle of the night. Where's that second anchor you've forgotten about? Still buried in the spare cockpit sail locker beneath piles of sailing gear?
It could be...
your mainsail that needed an inspection a while back. Did you notice the broken stitching near the foot? All of a sudden, it rips across the seam from luff to leech as you're sailing down the channel in a brisk wind.
It could be...
your electronic chart plotter goes on the blink after a power surge when you're threading your way through a shoal infested lagoon. Are your nautical charts pre-plotted with courses, emergency anchorages, and highlighted dangers? (you do carry and use nautical charts, right?)
How can we sailors best prepare ourselves to meet these challenges "...when a storm comes up at sea"?
Sailing seamanship begins at the dock--before you cast off that last line. Just like an airplane pilot, you need to go through a "pre-sail check-sheet" before you go sailing.
Make sure these top 10 are on your check-sheet...
1. Check your engine and its most important components.
2. Conduct a standing and running rigging inspection.
3. Reeve all tack and clew reef-point lines (1st, 2nd, 3rd reef points).
4. Inspect each part of your ground tackle from end to end.
5. Plot courses onto nautical charts. Highlight dangers and major aids.
6. Determine how wind and current will affect your undocking.
7. Know the expected weather forecast for the next 24 hours.
8. Uncover the mainsail, bend on the halyard, loosen all sail ties.
9. Strap on a knife with a lanyard at your waist for instant use.
10. Test your engine in neutral, forward, and reverse gear.
Add these vital elements to your sailing checkoff sheet. This will give you the confidence and peace-of-mind you need to become the true master and commander over your small cruising sailboat.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5953364
Monday, 14 November 2011
Thursday, 10 November 2011
Learn to Sail Like a Pro - Three Sailing Tips to Increase Your Sailing Speed!
How would you like to pump more speed into your sailing when beating to windward? If you want to learn to sail like a pro, you'll need to use three little-known sailing tips for better windward performance.
Set Your Sail Shape for Pointing
Trim your sails for the best windward shape. Pull the mainsheet in so that the sailboat boom lies close to the boat center-line.
Look up the leech (trailing edge) of the sail. The leech should show a bit of "twist" about halfway up the sail. In other words, it should not cup from the clew to the head of the sail.
Look at the uppermost batten. In moderate air, it should be parallel to the boom. In super-light air, allow the uppermost batten to cock to leeward a few degrees. In heavy-air, slide the mainsheet car to leeward and ease the mainsheet to allow more twist in the upper part of your mainsail.
Set your Genoa of jib so that the leech lies about 2" to 3" off of the tips of the spreaders. This will give a good basic shape with good drive.
Move the headsail sheet block a bit forward in light air to give a more powerful shape. Move it aft in heavy air to open the leech and keep the boat more balanced.
Learn to Sail in Light Air by Footing
Sailing in super-light air means you will be unable to point as high as you would like. Most sailboats start to point their best when the apparent wind reaches 6 knots or more. Less than 6 knots means you will start to lose pointing ability--and that means you will sail slower.
Enter the little known-art of "footing". To foot, you fall off to a close reach to build up speed. As soon as you have acceleration, return to sailing "on the edge" on a beat (close hauled). When you start to lose speed again, fall off again to a close reach, build up speed, and then point up to a beat. Continue this sequence to keep forward momentum maximized.
Check Your Progress with the Shoreline
Any time you make an adjustment to sail trim, check your progress with a reference point. You can use a speed measuring device, but sailors near land should use their eyes. Check the shoreline and watch the movement of a pier or house relative to the boat.
In super light air, look at the wake-bubbles behind the boat. Any of these references will tell you at a glance if your last action accelerated or decelerated the boat.
If you decelerated, try 1/2 of the sail trim action you just took. For example, if you pulled in the sailboat boom six inches, let it out 3 inches (1/2 of the previous action). Check the shoreline or water reference again. You'll be surprised how often an inch or two will make a big difference in boat speed and performance.
Use these three little-known sailing tips to make faster passages in a cruising sailboat or beat the competition in a racing sailboat. You will learn to sail with more power, performance, and speed--wherever in the world you choose to cruise!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6282972
Set Your Sail Shape for Pointing
Trim your sails for the best windward shape. Pull the mainsheet in so that the sailboat boom lies close to the boat center-line.
Look up the leech (trailing edge) of the sail. The leech should show a bit of "twist" about halfway up the sail. In other words, it should not cup from the clew to the head of the sail.
Look at the uppermost batten. In moderate air, it should be parallel to the boom. In super-light air, allow the uppermost batten to cock to leeward a few degrees. In heavy-air, slide the mainsheet car to leeward and ease the mainsheet to allow more twist in the upper part of your mainsail.
Set your Genoa of jib so that the leech lies about 2" to 3" off of the tips of the spreaders. This will give a good basic shape with good drive.
Move the headsail sheet block a bit forward in light air to give a more powerful shape. Move it aft in heavy air to open the leech and keep the boat more balanced.
Learn to Sail in Light Air by Footing
Sailing in super-light air means you will be unable to point as high as you would like. Most sailboats start to point their best when the apparent wind reaches 6 knots or more. Less than 6 knots means you will start to lose pointing ability--and that means you will sail slower.
Enter the little known-art of "footing". To foot, you fall off to a close reach to build up speed. As soon as you have acceleration, return to sailing "on the edge" on a beat (close hauled). When you start to lose speed again, fall off again to a close reach, build up speed, and then point up to a beat. Continue this sequence to keep forward momentum maximized.
Check Your Progress with the Shoreline
Any time you make an adjustment to sail trim, check your progress with a reference point. You can use a speed measuring device, but sailors near land should use their eyes. Check the shoreline and watch the movement of a pier or house relative to the boat.
In super light air, look at the wake-bubbles behind the boat. Any of these references will tell you at a glance if your last action accelerated or decelerated the boat.
If you decelerated, try 1/2 of the sail trim action you just took. For example, if you pulled in the sailboat boom six inches, let it out 3 inches (1/2 of the previous action). Check the shoreline or water reference again. You'll be surprised how often an inch or two will make a big difference in boat speed and performance.
Use these three little-known sailing tips to make faster passages in a cruising sailboat or beat the competition in a racing sailboat. You will learn to sail with more power, performance, and speed--wherever in the world you choose to cruise!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6282972
Three Sailing Tips for Sailing Up to a Dock
If you are anything like me, you want to know the best sailing tips that put you in command of your small cruising or racing sailboat. Forget the iron genny. Turning on an engine won't increase your sailing skills. Use the main propulsion your boat came with--the powerful mainsail--and become the true master and commander of your boat--under sail!
Prepare before You Enter
Sailing seamanship means being prepared to change your planned docking side in an instant. Better prepare now when you have time. That means fenders on both sides. Docking lines on both sides. Boat hook out on deck, extended all the way, and ready to use in an instant. And don't forget to have a small, "throwable" anchor, attached to a light, small diameter line. Attach the anchor line to a stern cleat. This gives you an emergency anchor to use in an instant if you need to put the "brakes" on.
There are some that say you can use a roller-furling headsail to make an easy docking. While that may be true, it also adds unnecessary complexity to this maneuver. More than one furling unit has failed just when you need it the most. And, the headsail gets in the way of the sailing crew on the bow. They need a safe, clear area without the clutter of sheets or flapping canvas to get the docking lines over right away.
So, for this article, we will discuss how to use just the mainsail--your "main" propulsion unit. For best control, make your landing with the bow pointed into the wind. This insures that the mainsail will luff and help stop the boat. Use just enough sail to give good control and minimum speed. Reef the main as necessary, or slack the halyard to de-power the mainsail as you make the approach. At all times, you must keep sailing speed to less than 2 knots.
1.Wind Blows OFF the Dock
- Approach the dock under close reach.
- Ease the mainsheet to slow down. Tighten the mainsheet to speed up.
- Let the mainsheet out all the way when within 2-3 boat lengths from the dock.
- Drift up to the dock with the bow pointed into the wind.
- Put over the bow line first to prevent the boat from drifting aft.
2.Wind Blows ON the Dock
- Approach with just enough mainsail for good control.
- Spin up into the wind when within 2-3 boat-lengths from the dock.
- Let out the mainsheet all the way to luff the mainsail and allow the boat to stop.
- Stop faster when you push the boom out against the wind (called "backwinding").
- Drop the mainsail and allow the boat to drift sideways to the dock.
- Put over the bow and stern lines.
Some boats will "sail" without any sail up with a wind on the beam or aft of the beam. Use this technique in light winds when your speed can be kept to less than 2 knots. That way, you will be able to stop the boat once alongside the pier, without damage.
3.Wind Blows from Astern
- Use this approach in light air. You must be able to keep sailing speed to less than 2 knots.
- Approach with just enough mainsail for good control.
- Lower the mainsail as you make your entrance. Any amount hoisted will create enough windage for steerage. You may also sail in under bare poles as long as you keep speed to a bare minimum.
- Haul down the mainsail when within 3-4 boat-lengths of the dock.
- Put over the stern line first to stop forward momentum.
Use these three sailing tips to gain the confidence and skills you need to learn the art of sailing control. You will join that small percentage of sailors who are the true masters and commanders of their small sailboats.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5844640
Prepare before You Enter
Sailing seamanship means being prepared to change your planned docking side in an instant. Better prepare now when you have time. That means fenders on both sides. Docking lines on both sides. Boat hook out on deck, extended all the way, and ready to use in an instant. And don't forget to have a small, "throwable" anchor, attached to a light, small diameter line. Attach the anchor line to a stern cleat. This gives you an emergency anchor to use in an instant if you need to put the "brakes" on.
There are some that say you can use a roller-furling headsail to make an easy docking. While that may be true, it also adds unnecessary complexity to this maneuver. More than one furling unit has failed just when you need it the most. And, the headsail gets in the way of the sailing crew on the bow. They need a safe, clear area without the clutter of sheets or flapping canvas to get the docking lines over right away.
So, for this article, we will discuss how to use just the mainsail--your "main" propulsion unit. For best control, make your landing with the bow pointed into the wind. This insures that the mainsail will luff and help stop the boat. Use just enough sail to give good control and minimum speed. Reef the main as necessary, or slack the halyard to de-power the mainsail as you make the approach. At all times, you must keep sailing speed to less than 2 knots.
1.Wind Blows OFF the Dock
- Approach the dock under close reach.
- Ease the mainsheet to slow down. Tighten the mainsheet to speed up.
- Let the mainsheet out all the way when within 2-3 boat lengths from the dock.
- Drift up to the dock with the bow pointed into the wind.
- Put over the bow line first to prevent the boat from drifting aft.
2.Wind Blows ON the Dock
- Approach with just enough mainsail for good control.
- Spin up into the wind when within 2-3 boat-lengths from the dock.
- Let out the mainsheet all the way to luff the mainsail and allow the boat to stop.
- Stop faster when you push the boom out against the wind (called "backwinding").
- Drop the mainsail and allow the boat to drift sideways to the dock.
- Put over the bow and stern lines.
Some boats will "sail" without any sail up with a wind on the beam or aft of the beam. Use this technique in light winds when your speed can be kept to less than 2 knots. That way, you will be able to stop the boat once alongside the pier, without damage.
3.Wind Blows from Astern
- Use this approach in light air. You must be able to keep sailing speed to less than 2 knots.
- Approach with just enough mainsail for good control.
- Lower the mainsail as you make your entrance. Any amount hoisted will create enough windage for steerage. You may also sail in under bare poles as long as you keep speed to a bare minimum.
- Haul down the mainsail when within 3-4 boat-lengths of the dock.
- Put over the stern line first to stop forward momentum.
Use these three sailing tips to gain the confidence and skills you need to learn the art of sailing control. You will join that small percentage of sailors who are the true masters and commanders of their small sailboats.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5844640
Monday, 7 November 2011
Thursday, 3 November 2011
Monday, 31 October 2011
Thursday, 27 October 2011
Monday, 24 October 2011
Learn to Sail Series - Holding a Straight Course
Holding a straight course is an imperative skill to master as you learn to sail. As an experienced sailor - nothing is more distracting to a good day out sailing than a novice helmsperson swinging the boat in all directions. What I've found is that often a new sailor has been taught to "fly the telltales" too early in the learn to sail process. Telltales are short pieces of ribbon mounted on the sails. When they fly backwards along the sails it means that the airflow there is flowing smoothly and in turn means the sail is set correctly.
It's no question that all sailors are keen to introduce and teach others to sail. What a great community of passionate people. So whether you're a novice sailor learning to sail or an experienced sailor who loves to teach, this article is for you. As a sailing instructor and having owned my own practical sailing school, I have have taught many people to sail. I've discovered that teaching to fly the telltales too early almost inherently invites the novice to be sailing all over the map. The reason being is that the sailor is spending too much time watching the sails and not enough time looking out of the sailboat.
The issue really lies in that there is a delay between a course change and the telltales. So the new sailor tends to wait until the telltales are flying correctly before looking up and straightening the helm out. But by the time the sailboat is straightened out, the new correct point of sail has been overshot. The novice then tries to bring the sailboat back but overshoots again. And thus there is a constant s curve of trailing wakes out behind. A good thing to do is to point out the curvey wake to the novice so they can see what they have been doing.
The biggest mistake occurs when adjusting back up wind to a close haul position. If this is over stood, the boat can auto tack over to the other side. An auto tack occurs when the wind catches the headsail on the opposite side pushing it through the wind and causing a involuntary tack. It's an extremely common occurrence with new sailors and creates a lot of confusion as to why this happened. It also creates a lot of calamity and is a pretty embarrassing thing to do as the helmsperson. And you'll find that you're resorting to saving face by blaming the wind for a big change in direction. LOL. The term is called "the wind clocked". But in reality the wind doesn't clock. You just over stood the wind and got auto tacked.
So lets fix that shall we?
Introducing Rule A thru Z, 1 through infinity - Keep your eyes out of the sailboat.
When you drive a car and you want to speed up to 50 miles per hour (80kph) you don't do the following: Set your car going straight then watch the speedo intently until you reach 50 then look up to make sure every thing is ok. No what you do is: you keep your eyes out of the car watching the road and traffic and making small steering adjustments to stay between the lines. You flick you eyes to the speedo for perhaps 0.5 seconds every 5 seconds or so. When you reach 45 you lift your foot slowly and if you're a good driver you'll probably land right bang on 50 having stayed between the lines all the way.
Lets bring that concept over to sailing.
What you don't want to do is the following: hold you eyes on the telltales (speedo) until they are flying right then look up. No! What you want to do is keep your eyes out of the sailboat watching your heading and traffic and flick check your eyes to the telltales for 0.5 seconds about every 5 seconds or so.
With this simple revelation, you'll never auto tack again and your wake will be straight.
Now, here's how to make adjustments for wind changes. You're sailing along towards a distant hilltop on a distant island and see that you need an adjustment to lee. As you begin to learn to sail better and your experience increases, you'll be able to determine from the telltales how much of an adjustment is needed. For now a 5 degree adjustment is a good starting point. First, make the adjustment with your eyes. Pick a 5 degree change on the hilltop and turn the sailboat towards that new point. Wait until the sailboat straightens out on that new point then check the telltales. If more adjustment is needed, repeat the process. Note that you're not watching the telltales. You're just checking them when the boat is heading straight. Using this method you'll reduce or stop any over standing on the points that you want to sail to.
When teaching this, I always get the question, "umm durh, what if I'm not heading towards an island"? Well there is always something and if there's not something, there is a cloud. I doubt very much that you'll be learning this in the middle of the ocean with out land in sight. Even if land is not directly ahead there is land to the side. Make your adjustments according to the relative position of land on a shroud line or something on the boat. The point is that with your eyes out of the boat you can see your boat turning. Once you're an experienced sailor you won't have to worry about holing a straight course, it will all be inherent. But for now - get out and learn to sail and learn to hold a straight course.
Using this process by watching a compass instead of land (cloud) is also not a good idea. Compasses lag like the telltales, as do wind meters. Get your eyes out of the sailboat.
So the secret to sailing a straight line is always be aiming at something in the distant or have a relative bearing on something in the distant against something on the boat so that your eyes are telling you if you are turning or not. When making adjustments to your heading, keep you eyes out of the sailboat so that they are telling you how much your boat is turning. Make small adjustments according to those distant objects and flick check your eyes for ½ second to the telltales or wind meter (or compass if you're turning onto a new compass heading).
Keep your eyes out of the sailboat. And besides it's safer, you're keeping your eyes out for traffic at the same time.
And if you can't remember "Keep your eyes out of the Sailboat" remember this one.
Your'e a sailor if you can...
hold a drink
hold a conversation
...and hold a course.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4663052
It's no question that all sailors are keen to introduce and teach others to sail. What a great community of passionate people. So whether you're a novice sailor learning to sail or an experienced sailor who loves to teach, this article is for you. As a sailing instructor and having owned my own practical sailing school, I have have taught many people to sail. I've discovered that teaching to fly the telltales too early almost inherently invites the novice to be sailing all over the map. The reason being is that the sailor is spending too much time watching the sails and not enough time looking out of the sailboat.
The issue really lies in that there is a delay between a course change and the telltales. So the new sailor tends to wait until the telltales are flying correctly before looking up and straightening the helm out. But by the time the sailboat is straightened out, the new correct point of sail has been overshot. The novice then tries to bring the sailboat back but overshoots again. And thus there is a constant s curve of trailing wakes out behind. A good thing to do is to point out the curvey wake to the novice so they can see what they have been doing.
The biggest mistake occurs when adjusting back up wind to a close haul position. If this is over stood, the boat can auto tack over to the other side. An auto tack occurs when the wind catches the headsail on the opposite side pushing it through the wind and causing a involuntary tack. It's an extremely common occurrence with new sailors and creates a lot of confusion as to why this happened. It also creates a lot of calamity and is a pretty embarrassing thing to do as the helmsperson. And you'll find that you're resorting to saving face by blaming the wind for a big change in direction. LOL. The term is called "the wind clocked". But in reality the wind doesn't clock. You just over stood the wind and got auto tacked.
So lets fix that shall we?
Introducing Rule A thru Z, 1 through infinity - Keep your eyes out of the sailboat.
When you drive a car and you want to speed up to 50 miles per hour (80kph) you don't do the following: Set your car going straight then watch the speedo intently until you reach 50 then look up to make sure every thing is ok. No what you do is: you keep your eyes out of the car watching the road and traffic and making small steering adjustments to stay between the lines. You flick you eyes to the speedo for perhaps 0.5 seconds every 5 seconds or so. When you reach 45 you lift your foot slowly and if you're a good driver you'll probably land right bang on 50 having stayed between the lines all the way.
Lets bring that concept over to sailing.
What you don't want to do is the following: hold you eyes on the telltales (speedo) until they are flying right then look up. No! What you want to do is keep your eyes out of the sailboat watching your heading and traffic and flick check your eyes to the telltales for 0.5 seconds about every 5 seconds or so.
With this simple revelation, you'll never auto tack again and your wake will be straight.
Now, here's how to make adjustments for wind changes. You're sailing along towards a distant hilltop on a distant island and see that you need an adjustment to lee. As you begin to learn to sail better and your experience increases, you'll be able to determine from the telltales how much of an adjustment is needed. For now a 5 degree adjustment is a good starting point. First, make the adjustment with your eyes. Pick a 5 degree change on the hilltop and turn the sailboat towards that new point. Wait until the sailboat straightens out on that new point then check the telltales. If more adjustment is needed, repeat the process. Note that you're not watching the telltales. You're just checking them when the boat is heading straight. Using this method you'll reduce or stop any over standing on the points that you want to sail to.
When teaching this, I always get the question, "umm durh, what if I'm not heading towards an island"? Well there is always something and if there's not something, there is a cloud. I doubt very much that you'll be learning this in the middle of the ocean with out land in sight. Even if land is not directly ahead there is land to the side. Make your adjustments according to the relative position of land on a shroud line or something on the boat. The point is that with your eyes out of the boat you can see your boat turning. Once you're an experienced sailor you won't have to worry about holing a straight course, it will all be inherent. But for now - get out and learn to sail and learn to hold a straight course.
Using this process by watching a compass instead of land (cloud) is also not a good idea. Compasses lag like the telltales, as do wind meters. Get your eyes out of the sailboat.
So the secret to sailing a straight line is always be aiming at something in the distant or have a relative bearing on something in the distant against something on the boat so that your eyes are telling you if you are turning or not. When making adjustments to your heading, keep you eyes out of the sailboat so that they are telling you how much your boat is turning. Make small adjustments according to those distant objects and flick check your eyes for ½ second to the telltales or wind meter (or compass if you're turning onto a new compass heading).
Keep your eyes out of the sailboat. And besides it's safer, you're keeping your eyes out for traffic at the same time.
And if you can't remember "Keep your eyes out of the Sailboat" remember this one.
Your'e a sailor if you can...
hold a drink
hold a conversation
...and hold a course.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4663052
Thursday, 20 October 2011
Monday, 17 October 2011
Florida Sailing - Become Your Own Pirate of the Caribbean!
If you want to discover some of the best sailing and cruising areas in the world, then you must head to Florida. Florida sailing boasts so many good features you will never want to sail anywhere else again. Be it the lovely fishing villages or sheltered coves to moor, the open blue-water sailing or convenience of the Caribbean sea; there is something for all sailors to experience and enjoy!
Whilst offering so many great locations to sail, sailboat rental in Florida also allows you to pick exactly the type of sailing you want to match your sailing experience. Florida sailing allows you to go:
•Skippered sailing (sailboat rental with a skipper or a full crew)
•Bare back sailing (sailboat rental without a crew)
•Flotilla sailing (sailing within a group of yachts led by a professionally crewed lead yacht.)
•Day sailing
•Short haul sailing
•Long haul sailing
•... In fact any type of sailing you can think of is offered in Florida!
And you won't be alone in your Florida sailing adventures, you can guarantee that you will be joined by dolphins, rays, sea turtles and endless tropical fish, all wanting to make your Florida sailing experience magical!
With so many great locations, choosing where to go sailing in Florida is probably the most difficult decision! Here are just a couple of suggestions that may help you decide;
Charlotte Harbour Area
Charlotte Harbour provides diverse sailing opportunities to keep everyone happy. You can island-hop, day sail or head off shore. And for those non-sailors there are plenty of opportunities with Burnt Store Marina offering a fine restaurant, store, swimming pools, golf course and tennis courts.
Fort Lauderdale
Sailing from Ft Lauderdale allows you to experience the Florida Keys, where there is a national and state park, and then onto the Bahamas. For the more experienced, Ft Lauderdale offers a great spring board to sailing the Gulf Stream to Bermuda and then onto the Caribbean.
Fort Myers
Often described as the best place in America to charter a sailing boat, Fort Myers has impressive natural scenery and is renowned for its navigation simplicity. Everyone can enjoy something in Fort Myers with so many stunning areas to discover from Marco Island in the south to the Venice inlet in the north.
Tampa Bay Area
This area offers a great mix of coves and beaches on which to anchor. There are plenty of services and facilities to use; this is sailing in Florida at its most convenient! Head out to Tampa Bay and you will find a group of barrier islands with idyllic white sandy beaches beckoning you to stop. For the more adventurous, head out into the Gulf of Mexico for open water sailing.
Miami Bay and Key West
The Miami Bay area or Key West area, 4-5 hours drive away, are both great areas to start sailing. Biscayne Bay is a particularly good area for novice sailors to start. Seven miles offshore from Key West you will find North America's only living coral reef, home to more than 350 species of tropical fish as well as snails, jellyfish, crabs and lobsters.
With so much variety, sailing in Florida can never be called 'mundane'. It offers something for everyone with amazing experiences to be remembered for years to come. With year round sun, consistent temperatures and stunning scenery why not experience your own Florida sailing adventure?
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6136562
Whilst offering so many great locations to sail, sailboat rental in Florida also allows you to pick exactly the type of sailing you want to match your sailing experience. Florida sailing allows you to go:
•Skippered sailing (sailboat rental with a skipper or a full crew)
•Bare back sailing (sailboat rental without a crew)
•Flotilla sailing (sailing within a group of yachts led by a professionally crewed lead yacht.)
•Day sailing
•Short haul sailing
•Long haul sailing
•... In fact any type of sailing you can think of is offered in Florida!
And you won't be alone in your Florida sailing adventures, you can guarantee that you will be joined by dolphins, rays, sea turtles and endless tropical fish, all wanting to make your Florida sailing experience magical!
With so many great locations, choosing where to go sailing in Florida is probably the most difficult decision! Here are just a couple of suggestions that may help you decide;
Charlotte Harbour Area
Charlotte Harbour provides diverse sailing opportunities to keep everyone happy. You can island-hop, day sail or head off shore. And for those non-sailors there are plenty of opportunities with Burnt Store Marina offering a fine restaurant, store, swimming pools, golf course and tennis courts.
Fort Lauderdale
Sailing from Ft Lauderdale allows you to experience the Florida Keys, where there is a national and state park, and then onto the Bahamas. For the more experienced, Ft Lauderdale offers a great spring board to sailing the Gulf Stream to Bermuda and then onto the Caribbean.
Fort Myers
Often described as the best place in America to charter a sailing boat, Fort Myers has impressive natural scenery and is renowned for its navigation simplicity. Everyone can enjoy something in Fort Myers with so many stunning areas to discover from Marco Island in the south to the Venice inlet in the north.
Tampa Bay Area
This area offers a great mix of coves and beaches on which to anchor. There are plenty of services and facilities to use; this is sailing in Florida at its most convenient! Head out to Tampa Bay and you will find a group of barrier islands with idyllic white sandy beaches beckoning you to stop. For the more adventurous, head out into the Gulf of Mexico for open water sailing.
Miami Bay and Key West
The Miami Bay area or Key West area, 4-5 hours drive away, are both great areas to start sailing. Biscayne Bay is a particularly good area for novice sailors to start. Seven miles offshore from Key West you will find North America's only living coral reef, home to more than 350 species of tropical fish as well as snails, jellyfish, crabs and lobsters.
With so much variety, sailing in Florida can never be called 'mundane'. It offers something for everyone with amazing experiences to be remembered for years to come. With year round sun, consistent temperatures and stunning scenery why not experience your own Florida sailing adventure?
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6136562
Wednesday, 12 October 2011
Monday, 10 October 2011
Friday, 7 October 2011
Wednesday, 5 October 2011
Monday, 3 October 2011
Thursday, 29 September 2011
Sailing Clothes - Sensible Investment?
Nothing is more horrible than sailing at sea, shivering of the cold and being wet of either the rain or the splashes of the waves. It is therefore that sailing clothes are on the market and while they can appear to cost a hefty sum of money, they are actually a very sensible investment. Keeping you warm and comfortable during your sailing trip, they can make or (when you do not have the right sailing clothes) break your sailing trip!
The saying 'In winter take your bag, in summer - your rag' basically means; be prepared for anything and don't rely on the sky or the weather forecast. The weather can look good when you set sail out of port, but can change suddenly when you are out at the water. Not having a warm and comfortable set of sailing clothes with you can make a sailing trip a horrible experience.
While most people understand this when talking about the cold, the same also applies for the heat when sailing with a perfect sun: you can get sunburn very easily on the open waters! During such conditions you are well advised to protect you from the sun with the right clothing, or try to create a comfortable spot on the boat with some shade. The best adventures have all started with proper preparation upfront, keeping in mind all the little details that can occur during your trip.
The basics of controlling the micro climate surrounding your body are best described with the various layers sailing clothes often contain. The base layer is used to keep your skin dry and ensures moist (sweat for example) is being pushes towards the outer layers. The second layer ensures you keep a layer of air around your body, this will keep you warm. Like the base layer, it also allows moist to travel outwards (this is called breathing). The outer layer is the layer that directly protects you from the weather, this is where the rain, the wind and the ocean bounce off from you.
Buying sailing clothes (especially waterproofs) can be a frightening experience. At the time of purchase they cost a lot of money, but if you are less interested in fashion and more in your well-being (or comfort) at sea, they should last you a number of years to come and provide a lot of pleasure sailing. Remember: if you buy cheap, you buy twice!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5078659
The saying 'In winter take your bag, in summer - your rag' basically means; be prepared for anything and don't rely on the sky or the weather forecast. The weather can look good when you set sail out of port, but can change suddenly when you are out at the water. Not having a warm and comfortable set of sailing clothes with you can make a sailing trip a horrible experience.
While most people understand this when talking about the cold, the same also applies for the heat when sailing with a perfect sun: you can get sunburn very easily on the open waters! During such conditions you are well advised to protect you from the sun with the right clothing, or try to create a comfortable spot on the boat with some shade. The best adventures have all started with proper preparation upfront, keeping in mind all the little details that can occur during your trip.
The basics of controlling the micro climate surrounding your body are best described with the various layers sailing clothes often contain. The base layer is used to keep your skin dry and ensures moist (sweat for example) is being pushes towards the outer layers. The second layer ensures you keep a layer of air around your body, this will keep you warm. Like the base layer, it also allows moist to travel outwards (this is called breathing). The outer layer is the layer that directly protects you from the weather, this is where the rain, the wind and the ocean bounce off from you.
Buying sailing clothes (especially waterproofs) can be a frightening experience. At the time of purchase they cost a lot of money, but if you are less interested in fashion and more in your well-being (or comfort) at sea, they should last you a number of years to come and provide a lot of pleasure sailing. Remember: if you buy cheap, you buy twice!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5078659
Monday, 26 September 2011
Monday, 19 September 2011
Friday, 16 September 2011
Learn to Sail Like a Pro - Seven Ways to Add New Life to Your Costly Sailboat Sails
It can be a harrowing experience to watch a mainsail rip across a seam from luff to leech while sailing down a narrow channel in a 25 knot breeze. That happened to me a few years back, and it proved to be a real "wake-up" call. Here are some little-known sailing tips, guaranteed to save you big money in costly mainsail and Genoa repair and replacements costs!
These days, the mainsail often gets left on the boat, lashed to the boom, and covered with a sail cover. The Genoa or jib stay rolled up like a window shade.
This may be convenient, but there's no way you can inspect a sailboat sail for damage, the stitching for wear, or the sailing hardware for integrity--unless you remove them from the boat.
At least once every sailing season, pull the mainsail and headsail off your boat and inspect them from head to toe (or foot--that is!).Follow these easy steps:
Inspect Stitching From Head to Foot
Look over every inch of zigzag and straight sewing stitches for wear or chafe. Concentrate along sail edges, like the luff and leech, where sail loads are greatest..
* Mainsails:
Mark worn areas with a pencil. Check across each sail seam for broken stitching. Look next to each slide or slug on the luff and foot. Sailing hardware causes extra tension on the sailcloth and can lead to worn, weakened fabric.
* Headsails:
Look for chafed areas along the foot. With roller furling headsails, inspect all along the luff. With snap-on headsails, look around the area of each piston-hank for wearing. Circle worn areas with a pencil and repair to increase sail life.
Wash Salt and Dirt from Your Sails
Salt and dirt grind on sail seams like a mini nail-file on a fingernail. Remove these particles and you will extend sail life. Bathe your sails once a season in a mild solution of water and mild, non-bleach soap. This keeps stitching strong and flexible.
Keep Sails Dry as a Bone!
Make sure you dry sails before you cover or bag them. Otherwise, mildew will grow in wet areas. If your sails have mildew spots, brush the spore with a medium stiff brush to loosen the spore. Dacron sails can be soaked in a 1% solution of Clorox and water for 3 hours. Never use bleach on nylon spinnaker sails; it could eat through the sail cloth!
Protect Resin Coated Sails
Remove your sails and fold them at the end of the sailing season. This protects the surface coating. Most cruising boat sails use some resin on the surface to help the sail keep her shape. But this coating breaks down without care.
* Cruising mainsails:
Dry the sail; then flake it over the sailboat boom. Cover with a sail cover.
* Cruising Headsails:
Dry and fold the sail accordion-style. Then, bag the sail on deck or stow below.
* Racing sails
Mylar or high-tech sailcloth should not be folded because this can lead to permanent "memory creases". Instead, stow these sails flat or roll them like a cigar from head to foot.
Make Batten Wear Your #1 Attack Point
Battens wear like the dickens in their pockets as the mainsail vibrates and flogs in a breeze, or when hoisting or lowering. Inspect each batten pocket all around the perimeter for worn stitches. Test the elastic in the pocket bottom. Just like the elastic in underwear, it tends to blow out after time. And this will cause accelerated wear.
Have your sailmaker reinforce each pocket with an additional row of stitching. Replace elastic in the pocket. If you use full length battens, inspect batten hardware at the luff. Before bagging a mainsail, be sure to remove battens to prevent punctures.
Check Sail Attachment Hardware
Sail hardware causes a "hard spot" on the sailcloth. This can lead to lots of tension and stress at that point on the sail. Catch and replace broken, chipped or worn hardware because this can cause unexpected failure that results in a rip across the sail
* Mainsails:
Check headboard, tack and clew rings. Then check luff slugs and slides for cracks, missing shackles or deformity. Don't hoist the mainsail until you have replaced damaged hardware.
* Roller Furling headsails:
Inspect head and tack thimbles, and clew rings for wear or chafe. Remove the sail from the headstay extrusion to check for luff chafe. Repair worn areas right away to prevent further damage.
* Hank-on headsails:
Look for chafe in the corners and then inspect piston snaps and grommets. Lubricate corroded piston snaps with a drop of light machine oil. Work the piston in and out to free it of corrosion.
Replace Sacrificial Furling Sail Covers
The extra cloth that your sailmaker sews along the leech of a furling headsail protects the rolled sail against the ravages of UV sunlight. But, like any sailcloth, it deteriorates, stitching wears, and the cloth becomes weak and porous.
When you see these signs on your furling sail cover, have your sailmaker remove the old cover and install a fresh one. This will protect your costly headsail from damage and extend it's life by many years.
Use these seven super sailing tips to learn to sail like a pro and keep your sailboat sails in tip top shape. You will save lots of money in repair and replacement costs and enjoy sailing with the same suit of sails for many years to come.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6410235
These days, the mainsail often gets left on the boat, lashed to the boom, and covered with a sail cover. The Genoa or jib stay rolled up like a window shade.
This may be convenient, but there's no way you can inspect a sailboat sail for damage, the stitching for wear, or the sailing hardware for integrity--unless you remove them from the boat.
At least once every sailing season, pull the mainsail and headsail off your boat and inspect them from head to toe (or foot--that is!).Follow these easy steps:
Inspect Stitching From Head to Foot
Look over every inch of zigzag and straight sewing stitches for wear or chafe. Concentrate along sail edges, like the luff and leech, where sail loads are greatest..
* Mainsails:
Mark worn areas with a pencil. Check across each sail seam for broken stitching. Look next to each slide or slug on the luff and foot. Sailing hardware causes extra tension on the sailcloth and can lead to worn, weakened fabric.
* Headsails:
Look for chafed areas along the foot. With roller furling headsails, inspect all along the luff. With snap-on headsails, look around the area of each piston-hank for wearing. Circle worn areas with a pencil and repair to increase sail life.
Wash Salt and Dirt from Your Sails
Salt and dirt grind on sail seams like a mini nail-file on a fingernail. Remove these particles and you will extend sail life. Bathe your sails once a season in a mild solution of water and mild, non-bleach soap. This keeps stitching strong and flexible.
Keep Sails Dry as a Bone!
Make sure you dry sails before you cover or bag them. Otherwise, mildew will grow in wet areas. If your sails have mildew spots, brush the spore with a medium stiff brush to loosen the spore. Dacron sails can be soaked in a 1% solution of Clorox and water for 3 hours. Never use bleach on nylon spinnaker sails; it could eat through the sail cloth!
Protect Resin Coated Sails
Remove your sails and fold them at the end of the sailing season. This protects the surface coating. Most cruising boat sails use some resin on the surface to help the sail keep her shape. But this coating breaks down without care.
* Cruising mainsails:
Dry the sail; then flake it over the sailboat boom. Cover with a sail cover.
* Cruising Headsails:
Dry and fold the sail accordion-style. Then, bag the sail on deck or stow below.
* Racing sails
Mylar or high-tech sailcloth should not be folded because this can lead to permanent "memory creases". Instead, stow these sails flat or roll them like a cigar from head to foot.
Make Batten Wear Your #1 Attack Point
Battens wear like the dickens in their pockets as the mainsail vibrates and flogs in a breeze, or when hoisting or lowering. Inspect each batten pocket all around the perimeter for worn stitches. Test the elastic in the pocket bottom. Just like the elastic in underwear, it tends to blow out after time. And this will cause accelerated wear.
Have your sailmaker reinforce each pocket with an additional row of stitching. Replace elastic in the pocket. If you use full length battens, inspect batten hardware at the luff. Before bagging a mainsail, be sure to remove battens to prevent punctures.
Check Sail Attachment Hardware
Sail hardware causes a "hard spot" on the sailcloth. This can lead to lots of tension and stress at that point on the sail. Catch and replace broken, chipped or worn hardware because this can cause unexpected failure that results in a rip across the sail
* Mainsails:
Check headboard, tack and clew rings. Then check luff slugs and slides for cracks, missing shackles or deformity. Don't hoist the mainsail until you have replaced damaged hardware.
* Roller Furling headsails:
Inspect head and tack thimbles, and clew rings for wear or chafe. Remove the sail from the headstay extrusion to check for luff chafe. Repair worn areas right away to prevent further damage.
* Hank-on headsails:
Look for chafe in the corners and then inspect piston snaps and grommets. Lubricate corroded piston snaps with a drop of light machine oil. Work the piston in and out to free it of corrosion.
Replace Sacrificial Furling Sail Covers
The extra cloth that your sailmaker sews along the leech of a furling headsail protects the rolled sail against the ravages of UV sunlight. But, like any sailcloth, it deteriorates, stitching wears, and the cloth becomes weak and porous.
When you see these signs on your furling sail cover, have your sailmaker remove the old cover and install a fresh one. This will protect your costly headsail from damage and extend it's life by many years.
Use these seven super sailing tips to learn to sail like a pro and keep your sailboat sails in tip top shape. You will save lots of money in repair and replacement costs and enjoy sailing with the same suit of sails for many years to come.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6410235
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
Monday, 12 September 2011
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
Can you have more Sales too !!
Can You Have More Sales, Too?
Helping over 102,000+ businesses like yours raise profits and build customer relationships using AWeber's opt-in email marketing software for over 10 years.
Monday, 5 September 2011
Wednesday, 31 August 2011
Monday, 29 August 2011
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.
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