Sailing Club Spotlight Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club

Myself messing about on the water video 2

Myself messing about on the water !

Sailing Club Spotlight Castle Semple Sailing Club

Sailors set off for ultimate prize

Three British sailors from Hampshire set sail on Saturday aiming to win the ultimate yachting prize - the Vendee Globe solo non-stop around-the-world race. Mike Golding, 52, from Southampton, Alex Thomson, 38, from Gosport, Hampshire and Sam Davies, 38, - the only woman entrant - from Hayling Island, Hampshire, shared emotional scenes with their families at the pontoon before getting aboard their 60ft boats for the next three months. The 25,000-mile circumnavigation started from Les Sables d'Olonne in France and is dubbed the Marathon Of The Seas. Heavy rain showers and slight winds were the conditions at the start but it did not stop an estimated 250,000 people lining the port and seafront to wave the skippers off as sailing in France is a big draw. The British fans were also on show in the crowd with Union Jacks waved as the sailors made their way out to the start line. The French have so far dominated the race, winning all six previous competitions with Michel Desjoyeaux the 2008/09 winner. There are 20 sailors from six different countries setting sail, with the French the biggest group on twelve, followed by Britain. First prize is 160,000 euro (£120,000) but it is not all about the money. The Vendee is the ultimate test of human endurance with on average only half the boats ever making it back to Les Sables. Two sailors have lost their lives since the race started in 1989 and several others have been lucky to survive. And the tough nature of the contest was immediately shown after one French skipper, Bertrand De Broc, was forced to return to port for repairs after a collision with a spectator boat before the start left a hole in his hull. The British challenge this year is headed by Thomson, who is sailing in Hugo Boss. He has a reputation for speed but has not yet finished a Vendee after two previous attempts, so he has a point to prove. Cambridge graduate Davies is now based in Brittany, is French-sponsored and will be sailing in Saveol. The final Briton is veteran Golding, who is starting his fourth Vendee in his boat Gamesa.

Just back from a fantastic weekend at Galloway Activity Centre !!

Sailing charity seeks new hands in West Cumbria

A charity may be lost if more people do not come forward to be part of its committee. GOING ASHORE: Founder and chairman of Sailability Ged Doran, right, with treasurer and secretary Rodney Mostin Sailability Cumbria started 12 years ago to give disabled people the chance to experience sailing on the open water. The charity’s chairman and founder, Ged Doran, and its secretary and treasurer, Rodney Mostyn, are stepping down because of other commitments and if no one can replace them it may have to close. A skipper with the charity, Eric Mounsey, of Poole Road, Salterbeck, is also stepping down after 10 years. Mr Doran, 63, of Woodville Way, High Harrington, said: “We urge people to come forward. “No one knows more than us the responsibility and commitment needed but if people don’t get involved it dies a death.” The scheme began in 2000 when Mr Doran met a group from the Isle of Man who were involved in Sailing for the Disabled. He started raising funds to launch a similar scheme in West Cumbria. With the help of friends and volunteers he raised enough money to buy a 38ft yacht in 2004. Mr Doran, operations manager at PPM and a part-time harbour master for Allerdale council, said: “I went round a lot of disabled groups which wanted to take part. “I had to go through seven different insurance companies just to get insured and the conditions and limitations they put on it were unbelievable. “If it hadn’t been for Maryport marina I would have had to give the money and the boat back, but all the people there have been fantastic.” The charity has now been opened up to accept youth groups and older people’s groups. Mr Mostyn, 75, of Kirkbride, who joined in 2004, said: “The best memories are when you see disabled people arrive with fear and trepidation, but when we come back to shore they are full of smiles.” The charity is seeking six or seven new committee members. Anyone interested can contact Mr Mostyn at rodney.mostyn@btinternet. com or go along to the charity’s annual meeting at Workington Cricket Club on Tuesday from 7.30pm.

Sailing Club Spotlight Solway Sailing Club 2

Sailing club Spotlight Solway sailing Club

The AC45 catarmaran the ulitmate sailing machine

Best young sailors to battle in Red Bull Youth America's Cup

Hannah Mills set for Extreme Sailing Series before Rio bid

WELSH sailing star Hannah Mills will return to her bid for Olympic golden glory next year. Mills, 24, who is planning on continuing her 470 partnership with Saskia Clark through to Rio 2016 after winning a silver in Weymouth last summer. In the meantime, Mills has been invited to take part in the Nice leg of the Extreme Sailing Series by The Wave, Muscat skipper Leigh McMillan. She feels the experience could boost her preparations for a return to dingy sailing in the build up to the Rio 2016 Games. "I think it's important to take some time off and the Extreme Sailing Series is about learning new skills and improving my sailing in all areas," said the 2012 470 World Champion. "I think if you stay in the same boat for the whole four-year-cycle it gets pretty demoralising so you have to keep it fresh. "I want to do as much different sailing as possible before stepping back into the 470 sometime next year." Mills was only one of a few women involved in Nice. The Dinas Powys ace hopes her success alongside Clark in London 2012 will inspire more women to stay in sport. Women won eleven of Great Britain's 29 gold medals, their best-ever haul. "It's great to be one of the only women here, but obviously it would be great if there were more women involved," continued Mills. "Anna Tunnicliffe (US two-time World Sailor of the Year Award winner, who is also competing in the Extreme Sailing circuit) has done a lot for the sport and the way sailing is going I'm sure there will be many more opportunities for women to get involved. "I definitely think Team GB women doing so well was a huge boost especially for the young girls. "When kids are coming through school it's very easy to drop out of sports so hopefully London will encourage them to stay involved for as long as possible."

Getting Started - Dinghy Sailing

Go Pro optimist Sailing

Sailing Club Spotlight Berwick Sailing Club

A MECHANIC who saved Berwick Sailing Club £4,000 by repairing its safety boat has made the semi-final of a national competition to find Britain’s top maritime hero. Eyemouth’s John Wood has made the semi-finals after being nominated by Alistair McDonald, commodore at Berwick Sailing Club. The new annual awards scheme was launched in June by Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky to reward the outstanding passion, commitment and achievements demonstrated within Britain’s maritime communities. After coming to the club’s 
rescue by carrying out essential repairs, John certainly fitted the bill. During a regatta in May, the club’s safety boat was damaged when it capsized in rough waters. The boat’s engine was in a sorry state and looked a write-off until John stepped in and worked day and night to save the club a bill in excess of £4,000 to replace it. “What John did was a big thing for the club.” Alistair commented. “It’s essential we have a boat to serve our safety needs and John worked solidly for a week to make sure we did.” A former Royal Navy engineer, John has also devoted a lot of time to the club since his two sons have joined up, going along to training sessions, helping at regattas and providing transport to events further afield. But despite his keen interest in the club, John has no desire to take to the water himself. Rather than go sailing, he prefers to watch his sons, aged 12 and 16, in action.

Best inland sail in Britain

Hobie Waves 20 plus knots

Tallship Lord Nelson sets sail on round-the-world voyage

A tallship with a disabled crew has set off on a 50,000-mile voyage around the globe. The Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST) ship Lord Nelson left Southampton on Trafalgar Day. A crew of 50 people, of mixed physical abilities, including wheelchair users, will sail the ship on the two-year voyage. The ship was escorted by a flotilla of other sailing vessels down Southampton water. It set sail for Rio de Janeiro at 11:50 BST, the time that Admiral Lord Nelson hoisted his final flag signal to the fleet at Trafalgar to "set all sails possible with safety to the mast". “ This is no pleasure cruise - our crew will be working together to guide Lord Nelson across the Atlantic and then around the world” End Quote Alex Lochrane JST chief executive The ship was designed and built to be sailed by people of all physical abilities, working side-by-side. It was named after "Britain's most famous disabled sailor", the JST said Beryl Jones, a retired disability adviser from Anglesey in Wales, who has multiple sclerosis, was on board. She said: "My grandfather was a sea captain who sailed the world and I guess at this late stage in my life I am following in his footsteps. "This sail will provide adventure, involving almost every activity on board. Scrubbing the deck and potatoes, washing dishes, setting the sails, keeping watch and peering from the crow's nest - a thrill of a lifetime." The project, called the Norton Rose Sail the World Challenge, will be completed in 10 main ocean passages, which will take up to two months each. The first leg is from Southampton, across the Atlantic, to Rio de Janeiro, from where the ship will set sail for Cape Town in South Africa. The crew of 50 will change for each of the 10 main ocean passages It will visit 30 countries and all seven continents and each passage will be completed by a different crew. Alex Lochrane, JST chief executive, said: "This is no pleasure cruise - our crew will be working together to guide Lord Nelson across the Atlantic and then around the world. "We are delighted to be able to give both disabled and able-bodied people the opportunity to take on massive challenges and push their boundaries."

America’s Top Sailing Team Capsizes, Destroys Their $10 Million Boat

Oracle Team USA, America's premier sailing team and one that's bankrolled by billionaire Larry Ellison, is the odds-on favorite to win the America's Cup title next September, but the crew hit a little snag Tuesday when their souped-up, super-expensive AC72 boat capsized in San Francisco Bay during a practice run. After that, it took all the crew's efforts, along with an assist from the US Coast Guard, to keep the remains from floating out to sea. The boat slammed into the water on its side, destroying the carbon fiber wing sail and scattering very, very expensive bits of carbon fiber over the bay. No one was injured, but the current pulled the boat through the Golden Gate and out to sea even as the team, joined by a crew dispatched from shore, tried to rein in the wreckage. "It was amazing - we watched it tip right over, and it looked like the top of the wing came right off," one witness told the San Francisco Chronicle. "Then the big ebb tide just took it right out under the bridge, and it was obvious there was nothing they could do." The team managed to return the boat, or what's left of it, to shore Wednesday morning. The wing was destroyed and the boat, which costs $8-10 million, needs extensive repairs. The rules allow each team to build two AC72 boats; this was the first of the two launched by Oracle. The second hits the water early next year. "There's no question this is a setback. This will be a big test for our team," said skipper Jimmy Spithill. "But I've seen these guys in a similar situation in the past campaign before we won the America's Cup. A strong team will bounce back from it."

Sailing Club Spotlight Annandale Sailing Club

Thames Sailing Barge Match Race

Kiteboarders make mark in sailing

The first thing you notice about a kiteboard is how ridiculously small it is. It is so small, it makes a luge seem roomy. So small that what it can do — carry a grown man at speeds approaching 60 knots — seems, at first glance, impossible. Then there are the courses where kiteboard riders seek to achieve these speeds: shin-deep stretches of water no more than a few feet from shore, in places where winds routinely reach gale force. Places where success can mean traveling faster than any sailing vessel ever to knife through water, and where wiping out can mean broken bones, and worse. The windswept, sandy coastal ponds on Martha’s Vineyard provide several prime spots for kiteboarding, which has made it a magnet for the sport. Here, starting Monday, competitors from around the world will converge to vie for the best speeds in an event organized by a coterie of local enthusiasts who also happen to include some of the fastest sailors on earth. To gear up for the event, on a recent autumn day when the southwest breeze kicked up a wicked chop on Vineyard Sound, these hardies — some might say crazies — practiced their madcap sport. “Windy is better. It can also be more dangerous, but it’s more exciting,” opined Brock Callen, 33, a professional sailboat racer from Edgartown who first stepped onto a kiteboard five years ago. “We look for the storm systems and that’s what we get excited about.” Calling this sport “sailing” caused a squall of controversy in 2008. Kiteboarders had to fight for recognition when Rob Douglas, a lifelong sailor and windsurfer who had been racing a kiteboard for only three months, broke the world record for fastest time under sail. At first, the International Sailing Federation balked at acknowledging the record. But in December 2008, it recognized that the times should be counted by the World Sailing Speed Record Council. In 2010, Douglas, who runs the Black Dog Tavern in Vineyard Haven and its affiliated shops, set a record — an average speed of 55.65 knots over 500 meters — that still stands. “It’s quite simple. Kitesurfers are sailboats,” said Douglas, 41, whose burly, 220-pound physique looks incongruously weightless as he skims lightly across the surface. “Any sailing craft on water that uses the wind for propulsion qualifies for the outright world speed sailing record. . . . Different yes, but it’s still sailing.” Different indeed. A kiteboarder balances on the board, attached by a harness and four lines to a light cloth “kite,” which fills like a spinnaker as much as 100 feet in the air.

Reefing the Sails - Why?

Reefing the sails is such and important safety aspect of sailing that it's one of the first things you should understand as you begin to learn to sail. Now is a good time to discuss something a tiny bit technical - force from the wind. Force imparted onto the sailboat is multiplied by four every time the wind speed doubles. So if you go from 5 knots to 10 knots the forces quadruple. Then if you again go up to 20 knots, the forces are 16 times higher than at 5 knots. And 40 knots? 64 times. To put that in more perspective if it takes about ½ your strength to pull a line at 5 knots, at 20 knots you would feel 8 hefty guys pulling against you in a tug of war. You've got no chance. Now also think of the stress on the rigging and how 16 times more force aloft is heeling your boat over. Sixteen times!!!! I hope you're getting the point. The quadrupling effect comes from the well established Bernoulli's equation which says the pressure applied is proportional to the square of the velocity. And by definition, force is equal to pressure multiplied by area. So if we halve the area we halve the forces. Makes sense right? And that is what we are doing by reefing. We're reducing the area while the velocity is increasing in our best attempt to manage the forces. And one more thing - when you're heading up wind, your boat speed is somewhat additive to the wind speed and so the forces increase even further. The mast on your sailboat is probably supported by shroud lines attached to the sides of your sailboat and by a forestay and aftstay. They are designed to hold certain forces aloft. Should the forces become higher than design or the connections deteriorate which on a boat they are guaranteed to do over time, then you're going to have some serious problems with a dismasting. In reality and practice, you should start to think about reefing the sails at about 12 knots of wind. At 15 knots, you should definitely be reefing and at 20 knots, you're crazy if you don't have 1 or 2 reefs in. The boat will be uncontrollable if you haven't reefed and you'll be probably breaking items on your boat due to high forces from the wind. At 30 knots, the boat will probably explode. Well, not quite, but I'm making a point to reef reef reef and get comfortable with the process especially when you are starting out in your learn to sail quest. And get an instructor or practiced sailing friend to teach you how to reef your sails. The process should not be intimidating. What can be intimidating however is if you leave it to late. A good professional captain of mine who would sail across the Atlantic had a saying. If you think you should be reefing - you should have reefed yesterday and if you are thinking about "shaking out the reef" (unreefing (if that is a word)) wait until tomorrow. Leaving the reefing until it is too late means that there are excess forces already on all of the lines you're going to want to be handling which is a safety issue for you and your crew. So reef early. An additional incentive to reefing is that actually, you can make your boat go faster anyway. So if you're trying to be mucho and waiting to reef, you will be going slower and loosing the race (there is always a race). Not reefing causes rounding up. One of the best things to see in a race is when the boat that is ahead of you has too much sail aloft and they get over powered and round up into the wind. This is so awesome because in doing so they will have lost 50 meters of lead on you. Rounding up is a wee bit technical but essentially it is when the wind force takes over your boat with out your ability to counter act using the rudder. The boat just turns up into the wind. It's dangerous because you can be turned right into other traffic. And it's just a pure waste of good sailing. When you begin to learn to sail, you'll find that the boat is trimmed so that the rudder balances the turning force of the sails. The force from sails want to turn the boat up into the wind and the force from the rudder wants to turn the boat down wind. This is done for two reasons. (1) For safety: if the tiller or wheel is released the boat will round up into the wind and loose power. And (2) if the rudder is pointing slightly up wind the boat gets a lift to windward from the force of the water on the rudder. However this balance is lost as the boat heels over too much. If you imagine that the boat has heeled over 30 degrees then according to Pythagoras, you are down to 70.7% of your rudder counteracting forces. So too much heeling is bad. On top of all that, as you begin to learn to sail and understand the forces, you'll learn that the sail relies on efficiency of the wind over the sail to create lift. This requires that the wind on the back side of the sail flow evenly across the sail (stays attached to the sail) to create the low pressure and thus lift. When the wind speed is too high and as the boat heels over, the wind has great difficulty in staying attached to the sail. Thus the wind peels off and you lose efficiency. A smaller sail requires the wind to stay attached for a shorter distance and thus increases the efficiency. We sum all this up to say when you reef in high wind conditions your boat can go faster with less heeling and less likelihood of doing serious damage to your sailboat.. That's good. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4569964

Learn How to Sail

Sailing is a popular and fun activity for any body The great thing about learning to sail, especially in the UK, is that the coast is so close to us. We are never too far from a sailing adventure! Leaving the land behind us and disappearing into the ocean on a yacht is less of a dream than you may think. People of all ages are learning to sail. There is no age limit and children as young as 5 can help crew a yacht. Most sailing only requires a small amount of physical strength, meaning it can easily become a passion enjoyed by everybody. Leaning to sail doesn't have to be expensive. Don't rush out and buy the most expensive clothing and equipment. For your first few times on the water you can borrow or rent anything you may need. Invest in the sport once you've started to sail regularly. People with disabilities, such as vision impairment, can sail without restriction. Wheelchair users can still participate in the sport but should be more careful in their selection of sailing vessel. Learning to sail is a wonderful experience and a hobby which will bring you hours of enjoyment. It's not a hard sport to conquer but the potential hazards you'll encounter mean safety is key. We've put together this guide to help you when learning to sail. Where To Begin? Contact your local sailing club and offer your services as a novice crew. Or teach yourself the basics with books or on the internet, and then contact a sailing club. Book yourself onto a sailing course - these normally last a weekend, although holiday sailing courses can be up to 2 weeks. You'll find sailing centres anywhere on the coast of the UK, but the heart of sailing has to be the Southampton coast. With its many harbours and exciting sailing around the Isle of Wight, it's an excellent place to learn to sail. Sailing on the UK coast starts around April and usually finishes in September. Mediterranean sailing lasts a little longer. Look to the Canaries or the Caribbean for winter sailing. You can sail a dinghy in the UK all year round. Be Safe Safety on the water is the most important factor to consider when learning to sail. Avoid crowded harbours and peak hours. Having to keep a safe distance from other vessels will only distract you. To begin with, go out in low winds. There is no point in sailing for speed straight away. Ensure you can walk before you can run! Always run through a safety drill before you leave dock. The chances are you'll learn to sail in a small boat or one with a light boom. Learning to control the boom is essential for smooth sailing and safety. Swimming It may sound like simple advice, but if you're going on the water you need to be able to swim. Even the most experienced sailor will find themselves in the water at some point. Being a competent swimmer will ensure you stay calm in a potentially harmful situation. Vital Equipment You'll need the following items when learning to sail: A good set of boat shoes A life jacket or buoyancy aid Signal equipment Brightly coloured clothing suitable for current weather conditions A high factor sun cream Whatever adventure you're looking for, sailing can offer it. Now you know where to start, just go ahead and do it! We can assure you, you'll never look back. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1237098

Laser racing basics

2012 Laser Worlds Training

49er Sailing Boat

Sailing Club Spotlight Swanage Sailing Club

Portugal - Great For A Sailing Vacation

The best sailing area is on the south coast where Algarve provides a perfect 150 Miles of interesting sailing coast. The west of Faro consists of small bays and coves mixed by striking rocky outcrops and interesting grottoes. East of Faro the coast comprises sandy offshore islets, which have created protected anchorages and the most wonderful quiet beaches that continue for miles. Portugal is located in the southwest portion of Europe. It's close to the Iberian Peninsula. On the west, you can find the Atlantic Ocean, and on the north and east is Spain. Two islands in the Pacific, Madeira and Azores, belong to Portugal. The climate of the country is basically Mediterranean. The weather is generally warm, which is just what you may need if you go sailing in Portugal. Algarve is one of the renowned tourist destinations in Portugal, most because of its excellent weather. As a matter of fact, some who have been here for their vacation decided to buy real estate properties. Moreover, there are a lot of interesting places to visit and beautiful beaches to swim or cruise. Alvor is one of them. Besides the long coastline, you can also enjoy the village, filled with narrow streets, bars, and restaurants. There is also a very old fishing village, which has been preserved very well by the municipality. Walk farther and you can find a beautiful lagoon. You can venture too in the sandy beach and coves underneath the cliffs. Whenever you're sailing in Portugal, make sure you can stop by the quaint town of Faro. Apart from finding a good temporary home in its villas and holiday resorts, you can also find a variety of artifacts and historical sites. For example, the Milreu ruins depict third-century homes of the Romans. There is also a parish church that was built hundreds of years ago, Palacio de Estoi or manor house and the Bronze Age fort found in Santa Barbara de Nexe. West of Faro are more developed areas like Vale de Lobo and Quinta do Lago. Disembarking from a yacht charter, you can visit Monchique, a rustic and unexplored town in Portugal. Bordered by the hills of Picota and Foia, Monchique is famous for its cobblestone streets and dark doorways, which eventually lead to small artist shops. There are also a number of religious places here, such as the Franciscan monastery and the parish church, which dates back to the sixteenth century. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1156964

Sailing in Greece - Destination Ionian Islands

The Ionian islands are a fantastic destination for people who want to combine their sailing in Greece holidays together with gourmet food and luxurious services. The Ionian sea is different than the Aegean as it is deeper, colder and darker in color. It is certain that you will make some of the best dives of your life! Also, the Ionian islands are very popular among sailors and skippers because Greeks and Italians have been sailing there from many years ago. They are a destination which will have its own place in your heart forever. Scuba diving is quite popular in the Ionian sea as the underwater views are uniquely terrific. Kerkyra (Corfu) is, perhaps, the most popular of the seven Ionian islands as tourists from all around the world keep arriving there in thousands every year. Luxurious hotel accommodation and many kilometers of seashore around Corfu are the main attractions of this magnificent island. There are bars, clubs, cafes, beach-bars, tavernas and restaurants all around the island. Places that you have already visited and you will visit again at the first chance, because of the state of the art services offered. The Easter time is very popular in Corfu as there are numerous attractions to make you get there every year to celebrate the Greek Orthodox Easter in a traditional way. The experience is fantastic as the municipality band keeps playing religious music all week long. Paxos complex are not very well known to everyone because they are just a small island complex underneath Corfu. The two main islands of the complex are Paxos and Antipaxos. Both of them are a sailing destination and an unforgettable experience. The beauty of nature is tremendous as both islands are covered with plants, having only the sea flowing between them. The Italians know Paxos complex very well as they visit them every year and because they are ideal for yachts. The only way to go all around these two islands and visit places not accessible by foot or wheels, is a boat. With your own or a rented boat you will arrive at small beaches of almost virgin nature. You can visit a different one every day! The trip from Paxos to Antipaxos is a must and it can be done only by boat. Both islands have very narrow roads with limited accessibility to the few small villages around. Most things needed can be found at the port which is very well organized and ready to serve the needs of the incoming sailors. Avoid travelling to Paxos and Antipaxos during the peak season because the islands are small and they can get very crowded. Arrange your sailing holidays in June or September as that's when you can really enjoy all that there is. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7027071

Sailing success for hospice funding

A RECORD number of yacht racers have raised more than £20,000 for St Wilfrid’s Hospice. In near perfect sailing conditions at Chichester Harbour, participants in the hospice’s 11th ‘Nab’ Challenge raced from just outside the harbour, around the Nab Tower and back. The race, which was held on Saturday, September 22, increased the cumulative sum raised by the event over the years to almost £150,000. Spokesman for the Inn-Shore Cruising Club, who organised the event, Mark Taylor, said: “Once again, we have set the bar high and in this year of high sporting achievements we have risen to the challenge once again and raised a fantastic amount of money for St Wilfrid’s.” Overall winner with the highest points total was Alan Stannah on his boat Sally of Kames. The ATAG trophy for the boat that raised the most money was won by Derrick Pope who raised £3,200 through sponsorship of his yacht Valkyrie, while the Tempest Fugit Trophy for the club that raised the most money will be going to Itchenor Sailing Club, which raised £7,180 for the Hospice. The winner in the Sunbeam Class for the second year was Gayle Palmer’s yacht, Little Lady. Class winners included Marcus Hyde with his yacht Veruska in Class B and David Gammon with his yacht Euphoria in Class C, both members of the Inn-Shore Cruising Club. All will be presented with their trophies at a special presentation to be held at the Itchenor Sailing Club on Saturday, October 13, starting from 11am and followed by a buffet lunch. The main sponsor of the event was Chichester-based ATAG Heating. Managing Director Phil Bell said: “It was extremely encouraging to see so many new entrants this year. “It’s thanks to the incredible generosity and support from local people that this event is so successful and long may it continue.” Since it opened in 1987, St Wilfrid’s has cared for over 10,000 local people and at any one time provides care for 210 patients, while offering support to their families and friends.

Sailing Club Spotlight Tata Steel sailing Club

Ultimate Dinghy Sailing !

Seven annual sailing season inspections to save you money!

Inspect Boat Sails and Repair. Remove all sails and canvas, such as Biminis and dodgers from the boat. Inspect both for chafe or tears. Have the local sail loft do a 'head to toe' inspection. Ask your sailmaker to beef up worn areas with additional chafe patches to prevent problems in the future. 2. Service Your Small Diesel Engine. All cruising sailboats abuse their diesel engines. We sailors just don't run them long or hard enough to make a diesel happy. Hire a mechanic once a year for one hour (or more). Have them conduct a 'physical' on the beast. Ask lots of questions. You'll learn a ton of stuff and save lots of money in the future. 3. Make a Bottom Dive or Haulout. Do you sail in fresh water or salt? If you sail in salt, your bottom gets fouled after a few months dockside, at anchor of at a mooring. If you don't haulout, hire a diver to check the bottom, propeller condition and rudder. Keep them clean and barnacle free for peak performance. 4. Test Every Seacock. If you haul the boat, you need to break down every seacock, inspect the internal parts, and grease the fitting. Use only a silicone waterproof grease to prevent damage to rubber parts. Keep them serviced so that they serve you for years to come. 5. Unstep the Sailboat Mast - Check Sailing Rigging. If you haul the boat, unstep the mast. Otherwise, you or a rigger must go aloft to check mast tangs, spreaders, spreader boots and halyard blocks. Check all running rigging and replace if worn. Keep your mast in place and your sailing rig strong to prevent failure. 6. Repair Spongy or Crazed Sailboat Decks. Moisture finds its way into cored decks after a decade or two. Check around every fitting, like lifeline stanchion bases, cleats and mast step for crazing. Before you fill them, use a moisture gauge to check for water intrusion. You must dry the core before filling with sealant. Keep cracks from crunching your cruising plans by taking action once a year. 7. Conduct an Anchor Rode Inspection. Pull it out--pull it all out. Empty your anchor rode from the anchor locker and onto the deck or dock. Inspect every inch of the line, give it a fresh water washdown and dry it out. Salt acts like sandpaper on nylon line and wet nylon loses 15% of its strength. Dry out the anchor locker to prevent mildew.

The Toughest Sailing Race in the World !!

Sailing Stars of 2012 Set to Inspire at RYA Volvo Zone Championships

Great Britain’s Junior sailors will be seeing stars when some of the world’s top Olympic and Paralympic sailors pay a visit to the RYA Volvo Zone and Home Country Championships which are taking place concurrently next weekend (29-30 September) across nine different venues throughout the United Kingdom. Members of the London 2012 British Sailing Team, including Paralympic gold medallist Helena Lucas, will be visiting eight venues across the course of the two-day regatta, to inspire the next generation of British sailors. Over 1000 young competitors, aged between eight and 16, will be given the chance to quiz the sailors about how their sailing careers developed, from club level to their first regional event and how they progressed to ultimately compete at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. They will get the opportunity to compete under the watchful eyes of RYA High Performance Managers, key coaches and selectors as well as showcase their talents in front of the 10 Skandia Team GBR and Team Volvo sailors who will also be offering tips and advice whilst out on the water. 470 London 2012 silver medallist Hannah Mills will be visiting the South Zone (Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy) along with Paralympic gold medallist Helena Lucas who will join Mills on the Sunday after dropping in on the North Zone (Rutland Sailing Club) on the Saturday. The North Zone will then welcome Olympic windsurfing silver medallist Nick Dempsey on day two. 2012 Match Race girls Annie Lush and Kate Macgregor will visit the South East Zone (Weir Wood Sailing Club, East Sussex) and the South West Zone (Chew Valley Sailing Club, Bristol) respectively. Olympic silver medallist Stuart Bithell will be at the West Zone (Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club, Greater Manchester) while his 470 sailing partner Luke Patience will be making the trip back to his homeland to visit Largs Sailing Club in Scotland. Visiting the East Zone (Alton Water Sailing Club, Suffolk) will be the Paralympic SKUD bronze medallist Alexandra Rickham, while the Welsh Championship will welcome her sailing partner Niki Birrell at New Quay Sailing Club, Ceredigion. Duncan Truswell, RYA Youth Racing Manager, said: “The RYA Volvo Zone and Home Country Championships are always a fantastic event and this year’s events will be extra special because thanks to the support of our long term sponsor, Volvo Car UK, the young sailors will be able to meet, get tips, advice and support and ultimately be inspired by their sailing heroes of 2012. “To achieve in Olympic Sailing takes a long time and sailors need to have self-belief, commitment and be inspired to put in the years of hard work – I hope that meeting the Team Volvo Sailors of 2012 will give the young sailors both an insight and the inspiration to see what a great journey it can be, what a fun and powerful sport this is and give them a new determination to make the best of the fantastic opportunities we can offer.” Truswell concluded: “There was a lot of talk about legacy and inspiring a generation this Summer, thanks to Volvo Car UK’s continued support and their enthusiasm, as well as that of the sailors of our Olympic and Paralympic team to support our Junior programmes, this weekend will really bring to life that aspiration for our young sailors.” The RYA Volvo Zone and Home Country Championships is a great first-time event for club level Junior class sailors, giving them the opportunity and support to get a real feel of a Championship atmosphere relatively locally. It is a great stepping stone into regional and national racing and race training programmes and also a key event for any young sailor wishing to be selected for the RYA Zone and Home Country squads. Racing takes place across the nine RYA recognised Junior dinghy and windsurfing classes including the Mirror, Optimist, Topper, RS Feva, Cadets and the windsurfers on the Bic Techno using the open 4.5, and 5.8 rigs, and the Techno 6.8s and Techno 7.8s – classes vary according to each venue. Competitors are urged to submit their entries, together with the entry fee, online at www.ryaracingevents.org.uk before 23 September 2012. Due to safety considerations and the size and complexity of the event, entries after this date cannot be accepted. The 2012 RYA Volvo Zone and Home Countries Championships will be staged at the following venues: The RYA Volvo South Zone Championships – Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, Dorset · The RYA Volvo South West Zone Championships – Chew Valley Sailing Club, Bristol · The RYA Volvo South East Zone Championships – Weir Wood Sailing Club, East Sussex The RYA Volvo East Zone Championships– Alton Water Sailing Club, Suffolk · The RYA Volvo West Zone Championships– Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club, Greater Manchester · The RYA Volvo North Zone Championships – Rutland Sailing Club, Rutland · Volvo Welsh Youth & Junior Championships – New Quay Sailing Club, Ceredigion · RYA Scotland Volvo Youth and Junior Championships – Largs Sailing Club, Largs · RYANI Volvo Youth Championships and NI Schools Cup In association with McCready Sailboats – Ballyholme Yacht Club, Co Down

Dinghy Sailing with Flying Fish

Racing in RS200 Sailing Dinghy

How to start Dinghy Sailing

Ten Heavy Weather Sailing Tips You Need to Know

If you are anything like me, heavy weather sailing can be a challenge and make you tired fast. The more you prepare ahead of time, the more energy you will save. Follow these ten "do ahead of time" sailing tips to prepare for less fatigue and more comfort the next time the rough stuff crosses your path! 1. Make Up "Zero-Prep" Energy Bags Use small Ziplock type bags to hold high energy snacks. Combine nuts, dried fruits, tasty seeds like sesame or pumpkin, banana chips, and dried coconut for a super snack. Press the bag tight before you seal to keep air out and your energy snack will last longer when stored aboard your sailboat. 2. Top Off Your Trusty Thermos Purchase two large thermoses. Before the rough stuff arrives, fill one thermos with a hearty soup or stew. Fill the other with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. That way, you won't need to worry about boiling water in choppy seas for a nutritious meal or drink. Secret Tip - Purchase a thermos with a spigot-top conversion kit and mounting brackets. Install the brackets in a spot near your boat galley. Fill the thermos, screw on the top and close the spigot. Mount the thermos "bottoms-up" in the brackets. Now you have a safe, fast, easy way to pour soup or your favorite beverage in any sailing weather! 3. Eat Before the Weather Arrives at Your Boat Fix a light meal with pasta if you expect rough seas when sailing. Stay clear of greasy, fried foods. Concentrate on foods that you boil, broil, or bake. Pasta has a good reputation as a "tummy tamer" when it comes to sea sickness. It's economical, easy to digest, nutritious, and provides good energy for sailing in rough weather. 4. Lash and Stow Below Check the galley for loose pots, plates, and silverware. Wrap silverware in towels to avoid clanging. Store pots in cabinets. Stuff towels or pieces of foam between stacks of dishes, glasses, or pots and pans to keep things in place and noise to a minimum. 5. Keep a Clothes Change Handy Pull out a full change of clothes. Fold and stow in an oversized Ziplock or waterproof bag outside of your sailing duffel bag. You want this change of clothes ready in an instant so you won't need to hunt around for it. Include underwear and socks. If you get soaked when sailing, you will want to slide into a set of dry clothes right away. Do this now to save you time and effort later. 6. Clear the Decks for Clean Decks Studies of past heavy weather sailing races show that those racing sailboats with clean, uncluttered decks had an easier time. Take a tip from the racing crowd. Check the outside decks from bow to stern. Neaten up sheets and lines. Turn cowl vents around to face astern to prevent water intrusion below; in extreme conditions, remove the cowl vents, stow them below, and screw covers in their place. Keep decks clean for safer sailing in any weather. 7. Add extra Lashings Check all lashings on deck-stowed Jerry jugs (cans), propane bottles, life raft canister, dinghy, and anchors. Double or triple lashings with small diameter line. Seas that break aboard can break weak lashings like a knife going through butter. Make lashings strong and robust to keep deck-stowed gear in place. 8. Seal Ports and Hatches No matter what the manufactures tell you, expect ports and hatches to leak. Heavy weather or squalls can bring high winds, seas, and horizontal driving rain that will find any nook and cranny. Use strong, waterproof duct tape to seal around ports and hatches on the inside your cabin. This will keep water out and dryness in for greater crew comfort in heavy weather sailing. 9. Set Up Sails Now Hank on your storm jib or trysail now with sheets run, halyards cleared, and all ready to hoist. If you decide to delay on the hoist, stop off the sail along the deck with sail ties or next to the mast (in the case of a trysail). This way, your storm sails will be ready to set in a matter of seconds when you need them. 10. Rest and Hydrate Often Heavy weather sailing saps energy like few other activities. Get as much rest as possible between watches. Remember to keep hydrated with water or non-sugar energy drinks like Gatorade or Emergen-C. These beverages replace critical electrolytes and minerals that you will use to keep your balance, hang on when heeling, or move about when changing sails or standing watch. Remind your sailing crew to rest and hydrate for greater comfort. Follow these ten heavy weather sailing tips to get ready before the tough stuff arrives aboard your boat. These tips will help keep your sailing crew safe and sound and provide them with more comfort--wherever in the world you choose to cruise! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7046795

Light Wind Sailing Tips

Learn to sail like a pro with these sailing tips for light wind sailing. Use these easy tips for light air sailing in the gentle winds of dawn's first light or the ghost-like breezes of a moonlit night. Keep Your Boat Moving Forward Imagine that you have your foot on the accelerator of your car, moving ahead at a slow speed. All of a sudden, you run out of gas. You need to find a place to pull off to the side of the road. You see a spot way up ahead about a half mile. Your car slows down more and more. You will need to use every trick in the book to keep your car's forward momentum going to make it to the pull-off ahead. You could try to keep the wheels straight to provide less resistance, look for inclines to build up a bit of speed, keep the tires on the smooth part of the road, or steer as straight as possible. All of these could make a difference in the acceleration or deceleration of your "out-of-gas" auto. You can use these same techniques in super light air in sailing. For this article, we will concentrate on winds of 0 to 5 knots. Some sailors call these winds 'zephyrs' or refer to this type of sailing as 'ghosting'. Your #1 goal will be to maintain forward momentum at all times. Just like the opening scenario, you want to keep moving to reach your objective. Slow down too much or stop and it will be difficult to get her going again. Follow these five fast tips to maintain momentum in light air sailing. Nautical Notes You Need to Know: Wind speed or boat speed should be expressed in knots. Knots are 'per hour' the same as miles per hour. But you would never say 'knots per hour'. Convert from one to the other like this: mph x.87 = knots; or knots x 1.15 = mph. For metric users, knots x 1.852 equals km; km x 0.54 = knots. Use Smaller Sails to Fill and Go You might think that light wind means you need a bigger sail to catch all the wind you can. But sails have weight--lots of weight--and weight won't keep your boat going forward. Use a little-known strategy and go for a smaller sail on a super light air day. Choose sails that are smaller, lighter weight to help your boat maintain forward motion in zephyr winds. Under Trim Your Sails Wind flows onto both sides of your sails. Your objective will be to keep that wind attached from the luff to the leech as long as possible. In light air, you will have more wind near the top of the mast. That's because less surface friction allows the wind to flow without resistance. Ease your sails more than you think necessary. This will cause the upper part of your sails to 'twist' just a bit to help the wind stay attached longer. Use the magic of under-trim in ghosting conditions and you will often be rewarded with better performance. Move Like You Whisper Ask your crew to move fore and aft along the center-line as much as possible. Keep the boat level to prevent loss of speed. If they need to shift to the other side, move at a slow pace. This will help keep the boat flat with forward momentum. Sit Forward and to Leeward Sails have a tough time in light air. The weight of sailcloth can cause them to flap like clothing on a line. Shift the crew weight forward and to the downwind (leeward--pronounced "loo-ward")side. Weight forward lifts the stern a bit, which means less hull friction; weight to leeward will help the sails fall into their natural shape through gravity and prevents 'slatting' (flapping in light air). Use Swooping When Beating to Windward Use swooping to maintain forward motion when your destination lies upwind. In light air on a close hauled course, your speed may drop off quite a bit. When it does, fall off to a close reach course. Wait for the boat to build up speed again. Use a slow, smooth motion with the wheel or tiller to 'swoop' back up to your close hauled course. Keep sailing close hauled until your speed starts to drop off again. Then, fall off the wind to a close reaching course to build up speed; then swoop back up to your close hauled course. Repeat this swooping sequence to keep your boat moving with good forward motion when beating in super light air. Learn to sail like a pro with these light wind sailing tips. You will experience more speed, power, and performance in the gentle breezes over the water-wherever in the world you choose to sail! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7033105

Top 60 Sailing Tips

Isle of Wight solo sail for cerebral palsy girl

A 15-year-old girl with cerebral palsy will sail solo around the Isle of Wight to raise £30,000 for charity. Natasha Lambert, from Cowes, has athertoid cerebral palsy which affects all of her limbs and speech. Her 21ft-long (6.4m) boat, Miss Isle Too, was adapted by her father, Gary, and allows her to steer by sucking and blowing into a tube. Natasha hopes to complete the 50-mile (80km) course on Sunday in 10 to 14 hours. 'Epic journey' Her mother, Amanda, said: "She's so excited but it's going to be an epic journey." The route, which will start at Cowes at 06:00 BST, will take Natasha in an anti-clockwise direction around the island, via The Needles and on to St Catherine's Point. Natasha, who started sailing when she was 12, hopes the journey will raise £30,000 for Isle of Wight Scope, Cowes RNLI Life Boat and the Ellen MacArthur Trust. She said her next challenge would be the Atlantic, which she described as "my ultimate dream".

ORACLE TEAM USA's first AC72 sail

Sailing Club Spotlight Melton Sailing Club

MELTON Sailing Club is looking for a new home after being given just two weeks to quit their current base. Owners Celtic Lakes Resort Frisby Ltd gave the club notice on the day more than 80 people had taken part in a try sailing Olympic legacy event. Members held a small protest on Saturday as they cleared the remaining boats from Frisby Water Park, their home for the past 40 years, and put them into storage. Commodore Mike Sharpe said: “At a time when the whole country is celebrating the success of Team GB at the Olympic Games we think it is tragic that a valuable sports facility should be lost to the people of Melton borough. “More than 80 people came to our Olympic legacy event to try their hand at sailing and over the years we have taught some 2,000 people to sail as we are a Royal Yachting Association Training Centre, the only one in Leicestershire. It’s a real shame to see it go.” Mr Sharpe said the club thought it had a reasonable relationship with new site owner John Carney, believing sailing would be an added attraction to would-be buyers of the new lodge park which is being developed. He said: “We didn’t see this coming. We took legal advice and while ultimately Celtic Lakes was probably within its rights to tell us to leave we do believe the short notice period was unreasonable. “We could have made a big fuss and perhaps won leave to hold on to the clubhouse for six months but we exist to sail for fun, not to wrangle.” Mr Carney said the decision was made because it had become increasingly difficult for the fisheries and sailing club to operate side by side. He said: “We have tried to make the two work over the past 12 months but they just don’t and our primary business is to develop a lodge park and fishery. “We are developing the resort and things are about to move at a very quick pace with the arrival of nine lodges in the next six weeks. “We plan to turn the clubhouse into an administration block and then extend it to create a bar, restaurant and shop.” Celtic Lakes has planning permission for 59 lodges in total and says it will be investing some £13.5m over the next five years. The sailing club, which has 120 members including about 30 cadets, is being supported by Melton Council which is scouring the borough for a new sailing base. Ronan Browne, Melton Council’s people manager, said: “We have been working with the club for 12 months and are keen to see a vibrant sailing club like this remain in the borough. We have agreed to store equipment free of charge in a unit we own and look at all options.” Councillors Joe Orson, Edward Hutchison and Trevor Moncrieff have all been trying to resolve the situation, too. An ongoing dispute about public access to the beauty spot is due to go before the county council’s regulatory board in October or November for adjudication.

FLYING START FOR PARALYMPICS: Plain sailing so far in medal quest

BRITAIN’S sailors got off to a flying start in the opening weekend of Paralympic Sailing races on home waters. Fiercely competitive fleet racing in Port-land Harbour saw the ParalympicsGB contenders make gains towards achieving the country's first medals in the three keelboat classes. After four races, quadruple Skud-18 World Champions Alex Rickham and crewmate Niki Birrell are second overall in the 11-boat fleet, just one point behind their Australian rivals Daniel Fitzgibbon and Liesl Tesch. The American team of Jen French and JP Creignou are third, with seven races to go, following two wins yesterday. Helm Rickham, 30, said: “We don't really like being pushed down the leaderboard but it's quite tough conditions and obviously the Americans showed great pace all day to take two bullets. “We had a bad start in the first race but managed to battle back to fourth so we're pretty happy with that. “In the second race there was a bit of a dog fight going on, we ended up doing some turns for something, I'm not sure if we needed to, but all in all we're quite happy with the day.” Rickham said it was still early days but every race counted. She added: “We’ve worked at this for four years, if we can’t do it now it’s not going to happen. This is it.” Related links •FLYING START FOR PARALYMPICS: Families are so proud Ads by Google Paralympics: Watch Live On 4. On Now. Online. Paralympics live from your PC www.channel4.com/Watch-Live Weymouth Hotel Deals Weymouth Hotel Deals From £25 Only Grab a Great Hotel Deal Online Now! BookDirectRooms.com/Weymouth-Hotel Helena Lucas enjoyed a flying start in the 16-boat 2.4mR fleet on Saturday but slipped from first to third place overall yesterday after taking a 720-degree penalty turn in race four for allegedly ‘rocking’ the boat to increase its speed. The 37-year-old denied the charge and said: “From my point of view I was steering the boat in the waves, which in the 2.4 creates a rocking motion. “Look at the size of me – I’m not very big to rock the boat but it’s a jury decision, that's the way it goes.” Lucas intended to unwind watching her football team Southampton against Manchester United and then ‘keep chipping away’ to get on the podium. Drama in the 2.4mR class on Saturday saw reigning World Champion Damien Seguin, of France, disqualified from race two following a protest by his Canadian rival for a starting line incident. The Athens gold medallist fell from second to ninth place but progressed to sixth overall after yesterday’s races. Meanwhile, the British Sonar Team of John Robertson , Hannah Stodel and Steve Thomas clawed their way back from 10th to fifth place in their last race yesterday, to lie fifth overall in the 14-boat Sonar fleet. The trio made an unsuccessful redress request on Saturday, after a confusing X flag made them unnecessarily turn back to the starting line in race two, costing vital places. But skipper Robertson, 40, said their plan still remained to ‘get the job done and nail it’. Crewmate Thomas added that Weymouth and Portland was ‘showcasing itself as a fantastic sailing venue’.

Sailability Scotland

Sailing Club Spotlight Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht Clubs

YOU can sum up what most people know about sailing in two words: Ben Ainslie. He, as if you needed telling, is the fella who made it four Olympic golds in a row in London, famously remarking ‘don’t make me angry’ when that Danish bloke ganged up with another competitor to bully Ainslie into second place. He came back and won, but just how he did it is a mystery to most. The BBC commentators’ attempts to explain were gallant but let’s be honest – as spectator sports go, sailing isn’t exactly the best. To the layman it appears as though Ainslie and his peers sit on the side of the boat and fiddle with the sail. The vessel bobs forward. And that’s it. That, however, is most certainly not the case, as I discovered after digging out my waterproofs and joining the members at Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht Club. As someone who once vomited 11 times on an overnight ferry to France, I admit I was a tad concerned about going sailing. I prefer being on solid ground as opposed to water. I find there’s less chance of drowning. First thing I discovered – apart from how exceptionally friendly the yacht club members are – is how enjoyable and how relaxing it is. That said, it isn’t possible to switch off completely for sailing isn’t like getting in a rowing boat. There is much to learn and all sorts of weird terms to get to grips with, such as telltales (the string on the sail), the jib (the front sail), halliard (rope to raise the sail), and the tiller (steering). That said, the most important thing of all is wind. None of that, or too much, and it’s impossible to sail. There are two styles of boats. The dinghy is for one or two people, the type Ainslie sails; offshore yachts are larger and capable of sailing from, say, Fleetwood to the Isle of Man. I was on the latter, in the capable of hands of Peter and Michael, a pair who have sailed together for many moons and were good company as well as good as dishing out advice. I needed plenty of that for I didn’t know what I was doing, but according to those at the club – on the bank of the River Wyre at the end of Wyre Road in Skippool – it doesn’t take too long to get to grips with the basics. “With 10 hours of experience on water I reckon you can be reasonably self-reliant,” said Stuart Fitton. He is the club’s commodore, the boss, and when it comes to sailing he knows what he’s talking about. Born in Poulton and a club member since he was 14, Mr Fitton has entered competitions all over the world, including the Sydney-Hobart race. He was also in the infamous 1979 Fast Net race from England to Ireland and back, when gale-force winds struck. Of the 306 yachts that started, only 86 returned. 15 people lost their lives. “It was pretty horrific,” recalled Stuart. “Fortunately I’d read a book about what to do if it turned nasty so we managed to get through.” Of course, that is sailing at the highest level. You don’t get that if you pop to the yacht club at a weekend, which is exactly what people will have the chance to do on Saturday week when the club holds an open day, from 10.30am to 1.30pm. All are welcome and with the Olympics and the success of Ben you-know-who, chances are it will be a bumper turnout and I, for one, can thoroughly recommend it. 
For more information about the Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht Club open day go to: www.bfyc.org.uk.

Life Jackets Types and Tips About Them

A Life jacket is designed to save your life. It is first and last line of defense between you and unforgiving water. Here are few tips why is a life jacket so important. - It will help against hypothermia. You will be able to pull your legs to your chests and with that you will preserve body heat. That is important because it could take some time for the rescue to arrive. - Most jackets are in bright colors which increases possibility of being spotted. There are also types with retro reflective tape sewn to the fabric, so spotting a person in the dark is not a problem. - Nobody plans to fall overboard, but if that happens and you are wearing a life jacket the possibility of drowning is greatly reduced. Because of the jacket your head is above the water so there is no room for panic Life jackets types. It is important to know that a life jacket won't work if it doesn't fit, because it depends on a person size how much amount of buoyancy he or she needs to remain afloat. They come in infant, child, youth and adult sizes and they include weight and chest measurements. It is important that jacket fits so you don't slip out of it. If it's too big then there is possibility that you will have problems with breathing and if it's too small the snaps and buckles might break. Almost every flotation device is most commonly made of a tough synthetic fiber material which retains a source of buoyancy, such as foam or a chamber of air. There are also several types of inflation methods for air-only life jackets, like oral method in which case your jacket must be fully inflated before using. The rest of the methods are manual, automatic and hydrostatic. It is important to know which method your jacket uses and how it works so there wouldn't be any surprises. There are five types of life jackets. First three are for recreational use. Fourth and fifth are not for small boats. They are for throwing to a conscious person in the water and they can't be worn. Type I - is effective in all types of water, especially if you need to wait a little bit longer for rescue. This one provides the most buoyancy and floats the best. It is easy to put on and design to turn most people who are unconscious in the water from face-down position to a face-up position. Type II -is intended for calm, inland water and when rescue is possible in a very short time. It will turn some unconscious wearers to a face-up position, but not all of them. Type III - good for conscious wearers in calm, inland water and where rescue is possible in a very short time. This type is very comfortable for continuous wear. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6813428

49er Sailing