Sailing Club Spotlight Reading Sailing Club

New 5 Series Brands Next Generation of Catalina Sailing Yachts

Catalina’s new designs, coined the Catalina 5 Series, is the new generation of Catalinas, a deliberate move to brand the line to a higher level of performance, finish, engineering achievement and sophistication. There are currently four models in the Catalina 5 Series, the Catalina 445, 385, 355 and 315 ­– cruising yachts that are designed and built in the United States with custom features not found on many of the world’s sailboats. The move created mass appeal in the global sailing marketplace. “When the first two yachts in the 5 Series, the 445 and 355 won awards, we knew that we had designed not just two new models in the line, but a whole new line of yachts with award-winning features that represent Catalina’s next generation of fresh, contemporary yachts,” reported Gerry Douglas, vice-president and chief designer for Catalina. In the new 5 Series, there is a bold emphasis on strength; a five-part construction with a dedicated structural grid insures ruggedly-built boats that stand up to the test of time. Design features unique to Catalinas are a watertight StrikeZone™ collision bulkhead forward; DeepDefense™ rudder system for failsafe steering, and a T-Beam MastStep™ structure, with all the benefits of a deck-stepped mast and the strength of a keel-stepped mast. The SecureSocket™ mast support/chainplate system facilitates perfect load resolution and watertight integrity. Knitted fabrics create a stronger laminate without additional weight. Catalina’s trademark lead keels absorb impact for safety and require less maintenance than other materials. “When we bought our boat, we found that we got more boat for the money than any of the other manufacturers we looked at,” reported Alan Valliere of Coventry, Rhode Island, who, along with his wife, Glenda Aronhalt, bought a 5 Series boat, the Catalina 385. “The more we looked, the more we liked it. Solidly built, smartly designed and functional, but with the rich, traditional style. Every time we looked at it, we found one more little detail that we thought made sense, from the deck layout, storage areas, mechanical and electrical systems and layout, to the large roomy cockpit, big enough for me to sleep in during overnight sails. We were impressed with how solid and strong the boat feels when walking around, as well as details like the metal doorframes and solid wood interior,” he said. On deck, low profile cabin designs have a sleek appearance and low windage, and a durable diamond non-skid pattern adds the element of safety. Ergonomically correct cockpits are optimized for efficiency, with great visibility from the helm. Internal flange hull-to-deck joints are capped with slotted toe rails, and wide deck designs allow effortless movement forward. Oversized travelers and winches ease sail handling in all conditions. All Catalinas larger than 30 feet are built to robust standards—rated CE category A Ocean, NMMA Yacht Certified, and follow all applicable American Boat and Yacht Council Standards. Catalina’s philosophy is straightforward: Design boats that stand up to real world conditions and sail well. They must be comfortable above and below, easy to maintain and hold their value. A commitment to owner satisfaction has enhanced customer confidence and loyalty, so that Catalina has become one of the most prominent builders of sailboats in the United States and the world. For more information, visit www.catalinayachts.com.

Sailing now on offer at Easton College, near Norwich

The Easton College Sailing Club was launched today with a celebratory event at the Whitlingham centre. Since last April, around 80 young people have enjoyed sailing at Whitlingham, many for the first time, through the RYA’s OnBoard Programme aimed at making young people regular sailors. Through funding from Sportivate, the RYA and the college, young people from the college undertook a six-week course last year, and have been able to continue sailing through a regular Wednesday club, which started again for the new year today. The college hopes that students will take an active role in the running and management of the club. OnBoard co-ordinator for East Norfolk, Holly Hancock arranged the link between the organisations, and said: “It’s great to see young people enjoying learning to sail. I look forward to the club going from strength to strength.” Over a 10-year period OnBoard aims to introduce a minimum of 500,000 children to sailing and windsurfing in the UK, converting over 10pc of them into regular participants. Meanwhile, James Humphreys, a student on the college’s BTEC sport course, began sailing last year, and has enjoyed the experience so much he is now pursuing a career in outdoor education to put his new found skills to full use, rather than taking a physiotherapy degree.

Sailing under threat at Pitsford Reservoir if the drought continues

NORTHAMPTON Sailing Club has welcomed news of the impending hosepipe ban as water levels at Pitsford Reservoir remain “worryingly” low for this time of year. Anglian Water announced on Monday that a temporary hosepipe ban would begin on April 5 for the first time in 20 years, following the driest 18 months for a century. Pitsford Reservoir should be almost full at this time of year, but after two dry winters, levels are at 60 per cent and water treatment operations are working at half their normal capacity . Water sports principal at Northampton Sailing Club, Sam Green, said the hosepipe ban was desperately needed: “The water at Pitsford is the lowest it has been for a good few years and although we have been pumping extra in and it has been moving up it is not like it would normally be at this time of year. “Usually it would be full and it is nowhere near that at the moment. It is quite worrying. “If we get to summer and the water is still really low then sailing won’t be able to go ahead in the same way as normal.” Anglian Water last month warned it might have to shut down the treatment works at the site entirely if levels continued to drop and compromised water quality. The company was granted a permit from the Environment Agency last year to continue taking water from the River Nene at Duston Mill despite the low water levels. However, this runs out at the end of next month and is unlikely to be renewed because of the impact on the environment. Meanwhile, Northampton Garden Centre in Newport Pagnell Road revealed it was stocking up on water butts, which will help residents collect rainwater. Deputy manager Nigel Davies said: “Water butts are more environmentally-friendly and cost-effective than hosepipes and rain water is also much better for plants than water from the tap. “The hosepipe ban is important because we need to protect the water for drinking supply.” At present the ban will only apply to domestic use of hosepipes for things like gardening, washing cars and windows and filling paddling pools, with businesses and other commercial operations not affected.

Ten Tips to Make You a Better Sailor!

What top ten sailing tips will help you enjoy sailing in the most fun and safe way? You might be surprised to know that it all starts long before you step aboard your sailboat. Use these little known secrets for day sailing, weekend cruising, or for coastal and offshore sailing. 1. Pack the Right Clothes. There's a saying that goes something like this "There is no such thing as bad weather-only bad clothes". Makes a lot of sense-in particular in a dynamic environment like sailing. Put together a small duffel bag with the "must have" sailing gear. Include a foul weather jacket, complete change of clothes, wide-brimmed hat. That way, if you get spray or rain or stay out longer than expected, you will stay dry and warm (or cool) in most any sailing weather. 2. Bring Your Own "Grab Bag". Make up a personal "must have" bag. Match the contents to the type of sailing you do. Your grab-bag will be the one thing you grab in an emergency. If you need to leave the boat for any reason, you need common items like extra keys, wallet, cell phone, change, and identification in order to get home safe and sound. Pack your personal grab bag now to give you peace-of-mind for safer sailing. 3. Carry a Sailing Knife. Sail World carried a tragic story a short time ago about a young teenage girl. Her sailing dinghy capsized. She had attached herself by a hiking harness to the boat. When she capsized, the boat turtled (turned over--bottom up) on top of her. She was unable to untangle herself from the harness and drowned. It's understandable that folks tend to shun knives and similar equipment on their belts. It's a bit weighty, adds bulk on a hot day, and many like to sail unencumbered. Find a small compact knife that will fit into a sheath or has a clip that will fasten to your sailing shorts. Carry it when you go sailing. Not below packed in a bag--but on your shorts or pants. If you need to use it for cutting rope or in an emergency, it will be with you, ready in the blink-of-an-eye. 4. Build Up Wrist Strength. Did you realize that wrist injuries and soreness plague sailors? You use your wrists to steer the boat, crank on winches, hoist or lower sails, lower or raise the anchor, move forward or aft on the boat, or brace yourself below in the cabin when heeled over. Use a soft ball like a tennis ball and squeeze; hold for ten seconds; release. Repeat this while you walk or sit several times a day. This simple exercise will help build up this often-forgotten vital muscle fast and easy and lessen the chance of injury aboard any sailboat you sail aboard. 5. Listen to the 24-hour Weather Forecast. Expect to be out longer than you plan. Turn on the Weather Radio and listen to the forecast for the next 24 hours. How will the wind shift? Will this create a long hard slog to windward back to the marina slip or pier? If you go out for a day-sail, consider sailing to windward early on so the sail back will be an easy reach or run. Look for anchorages along your sailing route in case the weather turns foul. Become weather wise to keep your sailing fun and safe for you and your sailing crew. 6. Know Your Anchoring Techniques. No piece of vital sailing gear gets ignored more than the boat anchor. Make sure that the anchor aboard any boat you sail on will be ready to lower within 10 seconds. Check the parts of the anchor from the bitter end of the anchor rode where it ties to your boat, all the way down the rope rode, anchor chain, anchor shackles, and all parts of the anchor itself (ring, shank, flukes). Keep this #1 life-insurance gear in tip-top shape for worry-free sailing worldwide. 7. Inspect Your Sailboat from Bow to Stern. Start at the bow and check the anchor, lifelines, turnbuckle fittings, cotter pin integrity, standing rigging like boom vangs, traveler lines, mainsheet and Genoa sheets. Look for chafed line, missing cotter pins, bent anchor shank or distorted turnbuckle barrels. Take five minutes to check your boat before you get underway to save you the headache of an unexpected fitting failure underway. 8. Use Nautical Charts Along with Electronics. Read the opening screen of any electronic GPS or chart plotter and the disclaimer warns about total reliance on that gear. Purchase the paper charts you need for your sailing area. If you day sail, carry aboard a large-scale (magnified) chart of your sailing grounds. If you coastal cruise, you need navigational charts of the coastline, approaches to harbors, and inner harbor areas. Offshore sailors need the same and more. Paper charts back up the electronics. Electronics can never replace paper charts. Stay safe and sound when you carry the paper charts you need for sailing safety. 9. Practice Boat Maneuvers and Control. Spend part of each sailing day and practice one specific maneuver. Toss a fender overboard and tack or jibe to see if you can sail your boat up to the fender, stop alongside the object with the sails luffing, and retrieve the object. The more your practice intricate maneuvers the better you will be at sailing in tight quarters, turning your boat around in an emergency, or coming alongside a float, pier, or mooring buoy under sail alone. 10. Read and Learn About Sailing Each Day. Legendary sailor and author Hal Roth once said "A good sailor is always studying and learning and asking questions". Whether you are stuck in a place far from the coast, waiting for winter to end, or find that you just don't have time for sailing right now--never, ever stop learning. Each day, set yourself a goal to learn something new about sailing. Learn a new sailing term, read up on the latest sailing equipment, or visit a sailing forum like Sailnet or Sailing Anarchy to see what experienced sailors have to say. Discover something new each day to become more comfortable and confident in sailing. Follow these ten top sailing tips for smoother, safer, more fun sailing. This will give you the confidence and skills you need to enjoy one of the life's greatest pleasures--wherever in the world you choose to go sailing! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6907548

Sailing Club Spotlight Hykeham Sailing Club

Boaters risk fines for sailing out of UK waters

New laws, which come into force on April 1, will require anyone moving into international waters to sign a declaration that their boat is not being powered by red diesel. The changes, being brought in at the insistence of the European Commission, will cause huge problems for up to 1 million recreational boat owners. Red diesel – diesel containing a red dye – is used by farmers and commercial fisherman at a lower rate of duty. It is also used by around recreational sailors and yacht owners. However since November 2008, have had to pay a full rate of tax for the fuel as a result of an EU Directive. But this has failed to satisfy Brussels, which is now seeking to outlaw the use of red diesel by recreational sailors, although Britain has been allowed to retain its use in domestic waters. The changes have alarmed the yachting community, which says using “white” – or unmarked – diesel will cause a raft of problems for weekend sailors. “White diesel is not currently available from the vast majority of marine suppliers in harbours and marinas,” the Cruising Association has warned. “It is not feasible to install a second tank and pump for white diesel in many of these locations. Where it is feasible, the proposed timescale is not sufficient to make the necessary changes in time,” In addition the white diesel currently available in Britain contains biofuel, which has been found to cause a number of problems in marine engines, including blocking filters. The potential engine damage poses “significant additional safety risks”, the Association has added. According to the Association, many owners will have to lie when they sign declarations saying that they are not sailing into international waters using red diesel, a situation which it described as “totally unacceptable.” It also voiced fears that the change will also deter foreign boat owners coming to Britain. According to the Royal Yachting Association the biggest risk of punitive action comes from Belgium where the authorities are likely to impose fines for the unauthorised use of red diesel. The French, Spanish and Irish have not imposed fines on UK boaters found to be using red diesel on which duty has been paid. A spokesman for the Royal Yachting Association voiced doubts about the changes. “The RYA does not believe that the continued use of duty paid marked red diesel in the UK constitutes ‘improper use. “The RYA gained specialist taxation advice to support recreational boating’s case. It has made that case to HMRC, the EC and the Belgian authorities directly and through a number of other channels, and continues to do so.”