This is the 2012 New Years Resolution Sailing Tip This issue’s sailing tip is a pretty simple one. It will lead to you having more valuable practical sailing experience than you’d ever imagine. And it fits nicely in with any new years resolutions you might be considering. When I lived in Austin Texas, I raced [...]
NauticEd Blog
In inland waters, the Navigation Rules allow a small boat cruising skipper to make passing arrangements on the VHF marine radio. How can you make sure that the other boat understands your intentions without any doubt? Find out the steps the pros take with this easy guide.
If you are anything like me, nothing quite grates on the nerves than someone on the radio that doesn’t know what to say. Or uses the wrong frequency for communications. Not only does that create confusion, but it could endanger others in peril.
Make sure you follow the rule of good seamanship when you use the VHF marine radio. Follow these five steps to success:
1. Initiate the call
Make the call on channel 16 FM. Most VHF radios monitor this frequency even with the radio tuned to another channel. But you must use it with caution because vessels in distress use it to send out MAYDAY calls. Change to another frequency as soon as the other vessel acknowledges your call (see #4).
2. Start with vessel type
Identify the vessel type you are calling, followed by your vessel type. Names aren’t too important. Unless you are overtaking another vessel (where you could see the name on her stern), you won’t know their name.
3. Locate yourself relative to the other vessel
Tell the vessel where you are in relationship to them. You might also estimate your distance from the other vessel. Are you one mile off their port bow or their starboard bow? Are you 1/2 mile off their port quarter or starboard quarter? Are you 100 feet dead astern?
4. Shift to a working channel
You will be asked to shift to a working channel. If the other vessel starts to talk on 16, you must ask them to shift to a working channel. Use channel 6, 9, 13, or some other non-commercial frequency. In any case do not–under any circumstance–stay on channel 16 to arrange passing agreements.
5. State your desired intentions
Request what you would like to do and state your intentions so that they can be understood by anyone aboard the other boat. “Request to overtake you on your port side” or “Request a port to port passage”. Wait for the other vessel to answer you. Take action only after the other vessel grants you permission.
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Example:
You are underway in the Intracoastal Waterway and wish to overtake a tug and tow on their port side.
*(Shift to channel 16)
“Northbound tug approaching marker 16 on the Intracoastal waterway, this is sailing vessel Freedom 100 yards dead astern of you; channel 16–over”.
“Sailing vessel Freedom, this is the tug Kingfish; shift and answer on channel 13–out”.
*(Shift to channel 13)
“Sailing vessel Freedom, this is Tug Kingfish on channel 13–over”. “Tug Kingfish, this is sailing vessel Freedom. Request to overtake you on your port side–over”.
“Sailing vessel Freedom, roger; go ahead–out” or “Sailing vessel Freedom, negative. I’ll be turning hard to port into the west channel in about five minutes. Please wait–out.”
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Notice how all communications use a minimum of words. This keeps your conversation brief, clear, and to the point. It also shortens the time you are keying the transmit button. Remember, as long as you have that keyed, other boats are unable to communicate on that channel.
Use these five easy-to-learn steps to establish yourself as a confident, experienced sailing skipper. Crystal clear communications will keep you and your sailing crew safe and sound for years to come, wherever in the world you choose to sail
Captain John teaches sailing skippers the skills they need to learn to sail like a pro! Get his popular free report “Ten Top Boat Safety Checks for Cruising Boat Skippers” at Learn to Sail at Skippertips.com.
John offers a free weekly sailing tips newsletter. Join his site to learn hundreds of little-known sailing tips and techniques with articles, videos, and live sailing forums at Learn to Sail at Skippertips.com.
Want to spend more time sailing and less time dockside, waiting for parts, repairs, or doing maintenance on your sailboat. To learn to sail, you need to go sailing, and that means you need to determine what you have to have aboard for comfort and which shore-based luxury items you can do without.
Here are three things I’ve never had aboard that have helped me sail more while others spend their free time laboring away in their slips!
Beef Up Your Icebox
Crewing aboard delivery yachts offshore helps me see which systems give skippers headaches the most. And refrigeration/freezers take the prize near the top. You can still eat like a king if you forgo such things as butcher meats or frozen entrees. Buy canned meats (ham, beef, chicken) instead.
Make your icebox more efficient with at least 4″ of insulation all around. Collect small, empty, individual size water bottles or soda bottles. Fill them with water, freeze them, and use them as a better, more economical substitute to store-bought ice.
Rig an Inner Forestay or Babystay
As wondrous as furling gear may be, veteran voyagers Lin and Larry Pardey rank it the #1 item that breaks down the most when they deliver yachts. It’s super complicated with a zillion parts and it puts up with severe use–and abuse–from sailors who just don’t understand how to use it the right way.
Go without the furling sails and return to the simplicity of a single wire forestay. Hank-on Genoas and Jibs last longer, cost less to maintain and repair, and help your boat perform its best on all points of sail.
If you absolutely must have a furling headsail system, then you must have a backup headsail system in place if you venture outside of protected waters. Rig a removable inner stay (sometimes called a “baby-stay)– just inside the headstay. This baby-stay serves as a great backup if your furling system fails, allows you to hank on a small working jib, lapper, or storm jib, and gives extra support to your mast when beating or reaching offshore.
Learn How to “Scoop” Air
Nothing beats air conditioning on a luxury yacht in the hot, steamy Caribbean waters…as long as it works! It’s one more big, complex machine that I’ve seen break down time and again. Enter the hatch scoop. The names are many–”wind scoop”, “super scoop”–but they all work the same way.
You pop open your hatches, attach the scoop to the lip and hoist it a few feet above the hatch. The panels of light, rip-stop nylon spinnaker cloth are arranged to “scoop” the wind and funnel it down through the hatch into the cabin below.
Cowl vent hoods on production sailboats are sized for a vessel underway–not moored or at anchor. When not underway, replace these with hoods with a scoop diameter 2 to 3 times the size of those that came with your boat. Turn each hood so that it faces the prevailing wind.
Keep your side ports open for good cross ventilation and to keep your cabin free of mold, mildew, and condensation. Make up mosquito screens for all side ports and hatches. Order “rain shields” so that you can keep side ports open when it rains. These louvered plastic fittings pop into each opening port (check out those offered by Beckson Marine, Inc.).
Learn to sail without some of these shore-based luxuries to spend more time sailing and less time tied up waiting for parts and repairs. You will keep more money in your cruising kitty and enjoy simpler, more economical small boat cruising–wherever in the world you choose to sail.
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Captain John teaches sailing skippers the skills they need to learn to sail like a pro! Get his popular free report “Ten Top Boat Safety Checks for Cruising Boat Skippers” at Learn to Sail at Skippertips.com.
John offers a free weekly sailing tips newsletter. Join his site to learn hundreds of little-known sailing tips and techniques with articles, videos, and live sailing forums at Learn to Sail at Skippertips.com.
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.
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Captain John teaches sailing skippers the skills they need to set sail for a day, a week–or a lifetime! Get his popular free report “Ten Top Boat Safety Checks for Cruising Boat Skippers” at Learn to Sail at Skippertips.com.
John offers free sailing tips, articles, sailing videos and newsletter at Learn to Sail at Skippertips.com.
Every year more and more people learn to sail. The hobby is a growing phenomenon that is rekindling the sense of adventure in so many. The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) offers a number of courses that anyone can take online or in a class. It is truly important to take RYA courses or RYA certified courses when looking to learn more about the world of boating.
So many people want to learn more about sailing but struggle to find the time. That’s why there are a host of sailing courses and many others available online. With the interactive potential of online courses, people can experience a much more hands on level of training and become proficient at boating sooner than ever before.
There are an unbelievable amount of courses available. One could take a course on a whole gamut of boating types. There are classes offered on windsurfing, day skipper sailing, navigation and seamen ship theory, motor cruising, power boating, and even inland waterways. There are RYA courses for any type of boating activity imaginable.
The RYA prides itself on prestigious education and thorough classwork. The courses they offer are an in depth look at specific types of boating and they focus, rightfully, on detail and safety. Before anyone sets out on open waters, they must have a complete understanding of their intentions and the very long list of possible problems they could encounter; safety is definitely the key to a successful boating career and at the core of the RYA.
Tiller is a leading training centre providing Sailing Courses, RYA Courses and Day Skipper courses on a worldwide basis. Please visit our website at http://www.tiller.co.uk/
There is no finer way to truly relax than a Caribbean Sailing Vacation! Deciding what islands to explore during your sailing vacation is the hard part. Melody Delgado at ViSailing has plenty of suggestions to help you decide on the perfect vacation. Once your sail charter is booked, the next decision is what to take with you. Nothing can be easier than packing for a sailing vacation in the Caribbean.
Unfortunately, most first time sailing vacationers pack too much! With plenty of sun and sea, life on the Islands is very casual, and you really need very little. The following nine tips should help avoid over packing and ensure you have a great sailing vacation. The first thing to keep in mind is that storage space on a sailing vessel is usually limited and not conducive to hard-sided suitcases. Thus, strong duffel bags work best because they can be folded up when not in use. In addition, their size limits what you can bring. Most importantly, a duffel bag fits in the overhead bin of an airplane.
Too often, I have seen family and friends check luggage for an island sailing adventure only to have it not arrive. Islanders are laid back. As one friendly airline agent on Beef Island, BVI replied to my sister’s inquiry about her lost luggage, “If it’s not here, Mon, it’s somewhere else.” That somewhere else happened to be a round trip flight from Puerto Rico to Martinique and back before finally ending up back at her home in Wisconsin three weeks later. Thus, the first tip is to use a duffel bag and carry it on the plane! This avoids the stress of dealing with lost luggage. Before thinking of what to wear, there is something more important than how you will look – your travel documents.
The second tip is to put everything together you will need for your sailing vacation. These documents include your passport, as well as a copy of your passport to keep in a separate place in case your original is lost, and your charter package paperwork. Everyone taking a sailing vacation to the Caribbean is now required to have a passport. Once your sailing vacation is booked, Virgin Island Sailing will send you a confirmation packet. If you are chartering a bareboat and intend to travel to different islands, it is wise to bring additional copies of the crew list to facilitate the customs check-in process.
The third tip is that you do not need a lot of clothes for a sailing vacation. During the days aboard the boat, you only need swim suits and perhaps a cover-up. On shore, there are some finer class resorts and restaurants, like the Peter Island Yacht Club in the BVI, that require dress trousers and jackets for men and dresses for women. Most people on a sailing vacation prefer a more relaxed atmosphere. The majority of island restaurants are casual. Shorts and T-shirts are perfectly acceptable, even for dinner. For a one week sailing vacation, you will need the following clothing items: 3-4 swim suits; 3-4 pairs of shorts; 7 t-shirts (plus whatever you buy along the way); sandals and walking shoes (either tennis shoes or boat shoes) which can get wet; swim suit cover-up; enough underwear for the week; sleepwear if others other than your spouse or partner are on the cruise; a light windbreaker for quick tropical downpours; a beach towel; and your personal toiletries.
It is also a good idea to have some kind of day pack or fanny pack that lets you carry money, sunglasses, passport, guide books, a water bottle, sunscreen or anything else you might need ashore.
The fourth tip is to make sure you have protection from the sun. The constant trade winds keep the temperature comfortable, but the combined effect of overhead tropical sun and reflection from both sails and water can cause severe sunburns on pale Northern bodies. It is imperative to have suntan lotion with at least SPF 15. In addition, do not forget sunglasses, a baseball cap or sun visor, and sunburn soothers.
The fifth tip is to not lose sailing vacation fun time because of small emergencies. Bring any prescription medicine in their clearly marked original containers to avoid any hassles at Customs. Always have enough medicine on hand for a couple of extra days in case of travel delays when returning home. Although most chartered sailing vessels will have a First Aid Kit aboard, make sure to bring a small pouch of band aids, antibacterial cream, aspirin or non-aspirin pain relievers, seasickness remedies, anti-diarrhea medication, and a small can of bug spray. It is also important to bring along a small flashlight. Flashlights are great to have in your cabin in an unfamiliar dark boat, and are useful as dingy “headlights” when returning to your boat after a night ashore sampling tropical drinks.
The sixth tip is regarding water gear. Almost all of the Caribbean Islands have some place to snorkel. Most sailing charters either have snorkel equipment already on board, or it is available at the Charter office where you pick up your boat. Frankly, using a second hand snorkel is somewhat like borrowing someone else’s toothbrush. If that bugs you, bring along an inexpensive snorkel.
The seventh tip is do not forget your memory maker. You will want to remember your sailing vacation and be able to share it with others. Bring along a digital camera as well as an extra memory card and set of batteries in case you are unable to recharge it. Keep you camera in a good, strong, waterproof bag because it can get wet while sailing. I found the perfect size bag at the local dive shop. A disposable or waterproof camera is great for kids.
The eighth tip is to include small items for free time either during an inter-island passage or in the anchorage. These items can include playing cards, paperback books, and CDs since most sailing charters have audio equipment aboard. Although your sailing vessel will usually be equipped with a set of binoculars, most charterers like to bring along their own because it is always fun to check out your neighbors in the anchorage.
Finally, the last tip is to bring along Zip Lock bags in several sizes. They are good for keeping important travel documents dry, for putting damp swim suits in before placing in your luggage, for separating clean from dirty laundry, and most importantly, wrapping up that bottle of rum you bring back stateside so it does not leak in your duffle bag. Remember, however, that if you do have that bottle of rum, you will need to check your luggage. You can not carry bottles of liquor onboard the airplane anymore.
No matter what your destination is on your Caribbean Island sailing vacation, there are three things in common – there will be lots of sun, lots of sea, and you will be living on a sailboat.
If you need more suggestions on how to pack, Follow the above tips, your life onboard will be easy and safe, and most importantly, it will be one of the most relaxing and fun vacations you will ever experience!
Donna Wolfson also know as “Sailgirl” at Virgin Island Sailing, has been sailing in the Caribbean and writing about it for years. Learn more about a Caribbean Sailing Vacation.
Hey Readers! I’ve been comin across some crazy stuff the past few days from a few different blogs around the web which I just had to share with you. Check em out below…
Full Sail Degree To Integrate AV and Media/Marketing for Sports …
Josh Mora, Full Sail's program director of sports marketing and media, who developed the program, says it is designed to meld business and technical domains, particularly digital-media platforms and digital sales and distribution …
Full Sail University Announces Digital Cinematography Bachelor of …
Full Sail University Announces Digital Cinematography Bachelor of Science Degree Program Full Sail University (http://www.fullsail.edu) is proud to announce…
Clearwater Now Booking Group Sails for the 2011 Season | Hudson …
The Floating Classroom is Now Booking Group Sails for the 2011 Season! Bring your school, after-school program or group of friends sailing with Clearwater.
Hope you enjoy the read as much as I did and please if you have something to say, use the comments form below to let everyone know your thoughts.
Have a great day!
If you’ve been keeping up with my blog posts lately you’ll know I’ve come to adding a few news posts from around the web on this subject. I’ve got a couple more today that are new and updated, so let me know what you think of em…
Hooray 4 Hollywood » Full Sail Film Graduate Again Achieves Number …
Full Sail's Program Director of Film, Dave Franko said, ” It is exciting to see Darren's accomplishments and his ongoing success both with the Saw series and his upcoming projects. He is exceptionally talented and will continue to shine …
Watch Undercover Boss Season 2 Episode 14 BELFOR Online | My Sail …
Many thanks to the staff for bringing this program to television. I learn from and applaud every episode. Whether the boss is a man, a woman, black or white, we all understand the importance of what the boss is discovering. …
Full Sail University’s Music Business Bachelor of Science Degree …
Full Sail University's Music Business Bachelor of Science Degree Program Hosts Industry Speaker Series on Campus. By admin on December 22nd, 2010. ShareThis. press release. Full Sail University (www.fullsail.edu ) welcomed industry …
Hope you enjoy the read as much as I did and please if you have something to say, use the comments form below to let everyone know your thoughts.
Have a great day!
If you’ve been keeping up with my blog posts lately you’ll know I’ve come to adding a few news posts from around the web on this subject. I’ve got a couple more today that are new and updated, so let me know what you think of em…
Applications are being accepted for the summer Study Abroad in Laos (SAIL) program. SAIL is an intensive eight-week training in Lao language-culture held in Vientiane, Laos. The program is administered by the Center for Lao Studies …
Full Sail University’s new Creative Writing Online Program can be …
Full Sail University, the private creative focused school located in Winter Park, Florida, has announced a new online program geared toward aspiring screen writers. The Creative Writing for Entertainment…
Jason Mohan: Lighting Artist on ‘Tron Legacy’
It was like doing another Full Sail program again, just a huge learning experience.” Jason joined Digital Domain just as they began working on the scenes that would be cut together for the film's teaser trailer. …
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Ok so 3 more posts today that I’ve dug up – I’m an information JUNKIE on this stuff lately. Give em a browse and let me know what ya reckon. They’re just from a few different sites I’ve been surfing lately that are generally good for information like this…
3 West Grove youth learn to sail thanks – Grand Avenue News …
Although the sailing club, 2990 South Bayshore Dr., has tried to engage the West Grove community by offering a “Learn to Sail” program for the past few years, only three of the 13 available scholarships were taken by West Grove children …
We are Looking to Hire for the Summer of 2011
The average enrolment in the junior program is approximately 40 junior sailors for the morning program, ages 8 to 16. The afternoon program is an outreach learn to sail program held some afternoons spaced out through the Summer. …
Brig Niagara Named Sail Training Program of the Year | ErieBlogs
The American Sail Training Association Knows We Got It Going On.
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