Author: Learn sailing

Learning How to Sail – Safe Boating Tips
Here are a few hot tips when learning to sail that will make your boating not only enjoyable but safe too.

 
1. Be Wise to Read the Weather
You must be wise enough to check the local weather before you depart for boating. Radio, TV, and coast guard forecasts are sure source of information. If you notice, rough and volatile changing winds, darkening clouds, or sudden dip of temperature, it is an indication for you to play safe with the weather. Watch the barometer readings for sudden changes if you have one on board.

2. Adhere to the Pre-departure Checklist
Being prepared for any eventuality in the water is a way of maintaining proper boating safety. From tips on fueling up to compliance with the fire safety regulations, checking the pre-departure checklist is the best measure to be sure that no points regarding the safety are forgotten.

3. Apply Common Sense
Using your common sense is the most important part of boating safety. Always be alert of small watercraft and large vessels that can be hindrance to your boat. You need to operate at a safe speed always. Always be pay heed and respect the navigational aids and buoys. These aids have been placed there to ensure a safe passage.

4. Make Sure You Have an Assistant Skipper
When you venture out to the water, it is ideal that you have one more person who is familiar with all aspects of the boat. The assistant skipper must be familiar with the operations, handling and various safety tips. In case of an injury to the primary navigator, a presence of an assistant skipper, he or she can safely navigate the boat to the shore. Instruction on the operating of the VHF Radio is essential.

5. Chart out a Passage Plan
Always inform people about your passage plan and register it with the coast guard or your local marina staff. Passage plan is the course of the route you will be taking and the number of days you are intending to be out at sea. A typical passage plan consists of: Your name, your address, your phone number, and the phone number of the trip leader. It must also have the phone number of the passengers along with their other details and name. You must include the type of boat you are in the registration information, the itinerary, the signal and safety equipment in the boat and other types of communication means on board. Do not forget to de-register your passage plan with the coast guard or marina staff on safe arrival at your destination.

6. Make the Use of Lifejackets
Most victims give up their life in water because of the lack of proper knowledge of using the life jacket. Prior to departure, try your life jacket on, as they are then adjusted properly ready for use in case of an emergency.

7. Avoid Alcohol
Safe boating also involves a sailing that is free from alcohol. When there is alcohol involved the chances of accidents double. The affect of alcohol exacerbate under the external factors such as wind and sun.

8. Learn to Swim
If your profession involves being in and around water, it is very necessary that you know how to swim. Many organizations offer you swimming lessons for all ages of people. In case you do not know how to swim, take a lesson as early as possible.
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For further information on “Learning How to Sail” please go to.

http://www.learntosailnow.com
Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_880163_32.html

About the Author: I hvae been passonate about sailing for some years now and enjoy the sport extremely. I have sailed extensively in an array of different sailing yachts from sloops to schooners and ketches to catermarans all having a unique sailing performance. I have sailed long haul from places such as Sweden to the UK, UK to France, Frances to Ireland, UK to Spain, and best of all sailing in the Caribbean. I have gain a whealth of experience in this great sport and thought it was time to put pen to paper and try to engage others in learning how to sail, hence writing “The Guide to Learning How to Sail for Beginners”.
All the information in one easy to read eBook giving you the knowledge and confidence to go forward and start sailing now.
I hope you like my articles and get to purchase my eBook and you are then on your way.
http://www.learntosailnow.

They Want Everything In Their Control
A reason that prevents these people from enjoying the experience of sailing is that they do not like watching helplessly when a sailing boat tips over and they cannot do much. To those who summon the nerve and sail, they are irritated when they hit the rocks that are not visible to the surface and bump into other boats. They always thinking about rescue efforts just in case one of their children sitting on the deck falls into the water.

How To Get Rid Of Sailing Fears
However, all these fears about sailing exist in the minds of these reluctant sailors purely because of the ignorance of facts. The only way to get rid of this fear is to educate themselves properly about sailing. The reluctance to sail also stems from their discomfort at the unpleasant weather. If these reluctant sailors are asked to explain, many would answer that they will sail when certain conditions are met and that they won’t refuse to enjoy sailing. For them the presence of all-right conditions are the best motive to set sail.

Tell Any Reluctant Sailor These Rules And He Will Be Ready For Sailing

Here are some of those ground rules designed for the reluctant sailor.
• Start sailing only when the forecast for the wind is not above force four. This rule is a variation of the 12 degree C rule.
•If there is no forecast for bright sunshine then don’t venture out for sailing.
•Anchor only in boats where there is a definite route for escape for the sailor.
•Get a sailing enthusiast to ride with you, get them to commit to do any work needed on the decks and extract a promise that you not be asked to help him in any way.
•Do not assume any responsibility for the maintenance of the sailing boat.

Introduction
Let us try to gather some introductory knowledge about sailing. How does a sailboat move forward? Actually, the sailboat, propelled forward by the wind on the sails, has moved on a technology that  people have relied on for trade and warfare for a long time now. To this technology can be credited the construction of the great pyramids to Giza when stones were carried to Gaza from Aswan.

Physics Of Sailing
Where does the sailboat get energy for its movements? This energy comes from the relative movement of the speed of water and wind. If it is a calm day or if the water is flowing in the same direction and at the same speed as the wind is blowing, then the sailboat will not be able to move but only drift. This is because there will be no generation of useful energy need. To extract this energy during sailing, we place sail in air and hull in water so that we can manipulate the difference in motion.

What is Apparent Wind?
A little more in depth knowledge about sailing will confront the initiate with the term apparent wind. Air that touches the surface of the sail is not real wind. In fact, the flow of this air is modified by the speed of the boat. Aapparent wind is wind that touches the surface of the sail having a relative velocity with the sailing boat. The curved surface of the sailing boat is also very helpful in its movements. The air deflected by the curved surface produces a reactive force on the sail and rigs. Thus, the boat starts moving in the direction opposite to the deflection of the air.

Avoid Dirty Air When Racing
To those who want to master the art of sailing for the purpose of racing your sailing boat, get acquainted with dirty air. Dirty air is the air deflected by the sailing boat and it is air with lower energy. At the time of racing the sailor should avoid dirty air and try and maneuver his boat such that he can race and dirty air is used to propel the opponent’s boat instead.

Most of The Fears Are Purely Due To Ignorance
Sailing is not a very common activity. The percentage of people that have knowledge of sailing is small. However, this is understandable because in most people, there lies an inherent fear of the seas. The reason behind this fear is either phobia generated from any previous experience or else lack of knowledge. Several of the fears are exaggerated to people, or are non-existent, and cannot tempt someone to test their sail even though they may be tempted by the opportunity of enjoying the colorful fauna and the beautiful creatures in the seawater. Some movies are responsible for further magnifying this kind of fear about sailing in the sea.

Fear Of Bottomless Depth
A second fear that keeps people away from the enjoying sailing is fear involving the endless depths of the sea. This is in sharp contrast to swimming pools where you know exactly how deep the water is and you can also get help whenever you feel uncomfortable. You are at the mercy of the weather and water on sea.  Another fear that is responsible for keeping people away from sailing is the complex look of sailing boats. So many ropes on board are more than enough to frighten any beginner. He finds it difficult to ascertain which rope handles what part of the sailing boat.

How to Start Sailing?
Now, let us discuss the methods by which one can overcome these fears of sailing and what steps a person ought to take to start with if he is enthusiastic about sailing. Dinghy is the right boat to start the sailing experience with, if you are a beginner. If you are a child then it is better to start sailing with Oopy that is fitted with inflatable so there is no fear of sinking in the water. This is very light and thus ideally befitting for children who cannot exert themselves much in physical ways. Moreover, this boat is safer because it does not sail very fast, but takes leisurely strolls in the water.

Finally, what gear does a person prepare himself for, for safe sailing? First of all, he should wear the right kind of booties. This will protect his feet and also prevent him from slipping. At the time of sailing the UV rays may harm his eyes, so whenever you are in water you should not forget to put on your sunglasses with UV coating. This will also prevent you from the uneasiness caused by the reflection of yourself from the surface of water as the boat speeds along. If your limbs are exposed then too it may create problems, so put on protective clothing for both upper and lower limbs. Now, add one broad rim cap to this list and you are ready for sailing.

The Experience Varies With the Weather
A sport dependent on changes in weather, it presents big challenges to those who practice it.  No one can predict what kind of weather a sailor will will experience the next day. If the waves are big and there is no wind then the sailing experience will be different. On the other hand, if it is a big wind with no waves then the sailing experience will be still different. Then again, there may be no wind with no waves or big winds along with big waves making the experience of sailing altogether different.

The Experience Varies with the Sailor
To the sailor who is keen to try the sea regularly, and various types of sailing experiences with it, the only answer is to continue to sail. He will be exposed to a varied range of sailing experience. Also, there are two types of enthusiasts driven to sailing
First are the cruisers and the second are the racers.

There is a distinct difference in what each type looks for in the sailing experience. Let us take the cruisers. These are the people who just want to enjoy the sailing by spending days being one with the water. They do not bother about destination, and allow the wind to nudge them in the direction towards which it is blowing. The second category comprising racers are the folks who are in the sport not least for the speed and want to travel faster than the other sailors.

The Experience Varies with the Type of Boat
One factor that can affect your sailing to a great extent is the type of boat in which you choose to sail. In a common sailboat, you will experience just the sensation of sailing through water. However, if you choose to sail in a planning boat then the experience will be totally different. This is because these boats move over the water instead of going through the water; they ride the waves so fast. These boats are designed for people who like sailing with speed. On the other hand a sailboat is not able to take you through the water in such a high speed. In a sailboat however, you are lord and master and may get to enjoy larger space for living with all amenities being provided to you, amenities that are not available in the planning boats.

Take All Safety Precautions
Whenever you are sailing put on your soft boat shoes. These will help you in two ways. First, it will protect your feet while sailing; the second benefit is that it will prevent the deck surface from being damaged. If there is no sufficient cause then you should not go to walk on the deck. Be careful all the time when you are on board and do not forget to put on your life belt. Similarly, if there are children accompanying you then make sure that all of them have life vests on.

How to Use an Electric Anchor Winch?
One more important tip on sailing is that you should learn to use the electric anchor winch in an appropriate manner. Although the electric anchor winch is designed for your comfort yet incautious use may create troubles instead. For example, electric anchor winch consumes a good deal of energy thereby exhausting the service battery. To prevent this from happening it is better to operate the motor at 1200 to 1500 RPM in neutral. It is also advisable to manually lower the anchor.

You should not drop papers and napkins in the bowl of toilet because pumps cannot dissolve these things. Instead, you should carry plastic bags with you. You should also be careful at the time of refilling of water tank or fuel tank. The situation becomes difficult to handle whether you mix the fuel in water tank or water in the fuel tank. When the gas stove is not in use, do not forget to turn off the main switch of the gas bottle.

Keep Your Eyes On Hour Counter
If you do not want to face the unpleasant situation a sailboat in the sea without fuel is left with you then you should always watch the hour counter. It will tell you how much fuel there is, but the fuel gauge may create problems because it is not always reliable. Finally, show to the world that you care for others and that you are an environment friendly person. You can do so simply by not throwing any thing into the sea that is responsible for pollution such as plastic bags and similar wastes. Instead, it is better to remove the waste material from your sailboat on your water and not empty it into the water.

The Electrical And Safety
The electrical anchor winch has an extremely high-energy consumption rate and hence you may very well exhaust the service battery. So make sure that you start the motor and run it at approximately 1200 to 1500 RPM in neutral for sometime. This will make sure that the service battery is not exhausted easily. Another thing that you can do to ensure this is to lower the anchor manually and then collect it using the electrical remote. You should also be careful while using the electrical, as it can be extremely dangerous without proper protection. You should also use minimum electrical appliances when the motor is not running. The electrical refrigerator is a prime example.

Mooring The Boat
Whenever you moor the boat in a port, always ensure that you place a fender between the yacht and the quay. At times, the anchor might not be able to keep the boat in a stable position and the fender is what will prevent the yacht from touching the quay. Also keep safe distance from big ferries and the swell that they cause. The best bet would be to moor your yacht far away from these big boats.

Fuel And General Tips
A lot of people end up making a common mistake while refilling their fuel and water tanks. They mix the water with the fuel and vise a versa. The damage that is caused as a result is often irreparable. Also relying solely on the fuel gauge is not recommended especially in watercraft. The hour counter of the motor is a better device to rely on and you can get a better idea of the fuel consumption. So you need to keep an eye on both these gauges. Refrain from throwing plastic bottles and other waste into the seawater. A litterbug in the ocean is the last thing that our planet can afford now.