Sailing seems to be the easiest thing that you can do under the sun. But there are certain things that you can do to ensure that your sailing trip doesn’t quite become a nightmare. The first thing that you need to do is stay under the tent whenever your sailboat is moored or anchored somewhere. The sun can be extremely harsh on the skin and the last thing you need is a bad sunburn to show. Whenever you are on boat, you need to wear a soft boat shoe to protect your feet and the deck. Also walking on the deck is one of the most attractive things while sailing but avoid the temptation to do it without reason. Make sure that you wear your safety belt during rough weather.

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.

A vacation on water is always a great way to have fun, excitement and at the same time it is the ultimate stress buster as well. If you love adventure, adrenaline rush and the sheer excitement of exploring new places drives you wild then sailing vacations are definitely the right thing for you. There is nothing more adventurous than sailing. You harness the power of the wind, the wind hits you on the face, the blue sea and the sky is your canvas as you cruise along towards your destination. If there is a hidden explorer lurking inside you, then there is nothing more appealing.

Sailing Destinations
Probably a desert and the sky are the only two places on earth where you cannot take your sailboat. The crystal and coral islands of the Caribbean, the ancient trade routes of the Mediterranean or simply cruise along and bask in the sun in the open sea. There are loads of destinations that are waiting for you and your sailboat. Most travel agents will be able to offer you a glimpse into the world of sailing and the interesting destinations that you can choose from. The Hawaii, Bahamas, Florida, Greece, where do you want to go with your sailboat?

Crewed Sailboats
There are two main types of sailboats. One is for people who have experience in sailing and the other is for those who are inexperienced. Crewed boats are for inexperienced people. They can simply lay back and enjoy the whole trip from a tourist’s point of view. The crew does all the work of maneuvering the sailboat in all kinds of weather. But for people who want sheer adventure, boats without crew are the best bet.  It allows them to handle the sail, the hull and gives a first hand experience of the sea.

Things To Do On A Vacation
You can do everything from lazing around on board to scuba diving and snorkeling on sailing vacations. Large sailboats like catamarans have their own kitchen, lounge bar and gear for all kinds of adventure activities. Binoculars, scuba gear, fishing gear and underwater cages are some of the gear that many sailing companies provide. Besides this photography and live music is also provided to make the set up more attractive for young children. They are also given with water toys to keep them interested. Vacations packages also have tie ups with major resorts on the islands and vacationers can often stay here for a brief time. These resorts may be three, four or five star depending on the package that you have chosen in the first place and the budget of the sailing vacation.

For centuries man searched for a way which would provide him easier mobility and faster means of fishing, hunting etc. It was then that sailing was discovered. Today, sailing does a lot more than provide increased mobility. It is an exciting form or recreation and exercise. There are millions of sailing enthusiasts in the world today who spend a lot of their time trying to master the skills of maneuvering the sailboat in all kinds of sea conditions. And there are millions more who want to join in. But how does a sail boat move ahead? How did it originate? There are a lot of questions but no answers.

The Origin And Development
Though the first official reference about sailing in history books comes in the age of sail, sailing was said to have originated much earlier than that. The great stones of the pyramids were moved from Aswan to Giza with the help of sailing ships. Man was able to move about the 1000 islands of Polynesia thanks to sailing. But the real golden age of sailing started with the 15th century. It was in this time that the real commercial use of sailing began. Trade and commerce reached an all time high thanks to sailing. Humans began migrating to all corners of the world and their carrier was the strong and sturdy sailed ship, which battled many a storm and harsh weather conditions.

The Principle Behind Sailing
Sailing is the art of controlling the sailboat over the water surface. The energy required to drive the sailboat ahead is harnessed by tweaking the relative movement of wind speed and water speed. Hence, you will find that in days of calm when there is no difference in the speed and direction of wind and water, the sailboat simply drifts ahead. But on days when there is energy to be tapped, the sailboat extracts it with the help of the sail in the air and the hull in the water. Airflow is setup by the motion of the boat and this is used by the sail, which is nothing but an airfoil. If the wind alone was used to propel the sail, then it would simply drift ahead in the direction of the wind. Hence, a propelling medium like the keel or the hull is used.

Advancement
There were a lot more techniques applied later on to improve the performance of sails and to reduce the dependence on weather and wind conditions. The result was the development of vessels like the wind turbine boat and the autogiro boat. Nevertheless, of course, the thrill of controlling a sailboat through raw wind is unbeatable.

Nothing is more relaxing than a day in the great blue with the sound of waves lapping and sea gulls flapping their wings. Sailing has evolved from a sport to a lifestyle cherished by millions around the world. However, if you are missing the thrill factor in cruising, then why not try sailboat racing? Sailboat racing can be thrilling and a whole lot of fun. There are all kinds of sailboats, which can take part in sailboat racing.  From small inexpensive dinghies to multi million dollar sailing boats, everything can be raced. So which of these is your passion for sailboat racing?

Sailboat Racing And Tips
Sailboat racing is not simply racing the sailboat at top speeds. There is a lot more to it than that. First of all, there is strategy. Strategy is the key to ensure that you are a winner in the sailboat race and not a mere participant. You need to harness the power of the wind and maneuver the boat in the right way and to the maximum level that is possible. What you need to understand is that you are not in the race alone. There might be racers who are much better than you in skill and experience. Here is where your abilities will be tested to the maximum.

Learning Sailboat Racing
However if you are not familiar to sailboat racing then there are many steps which can help you to learn it. The first step is to learn the basic sailing lessons. You can never even hope to indulge in racing of any sort unless you are familiar with basic sailing. Once you are well versed with basic sailing steps, then you need to take an introductory course in racing. There are many websites and books, which can provide detailed information on sailboat racing. You can also locate water bodies in your area where sailboat racing takes place. There are many small sailing clubs where sailboat racing takes place in huge numbers. Getting in touch with such clubs will not only give you a better idea about racing but also introduce you to the sailboat racing circuit.

See And Then Participate
Once you get all the details about the racing and the clubs, you need to make sure that you see a couple of races. When you start seeing the races, you get a better idea about the whole racing scenario. It is then that you can think about participating in the races. There might be many groups of sailors with one skipper for each group. You need to speak to the skipper and ask him if you can be a part of his team. Then, simply get set and have fun racing.

No one is born a sailor. People learn and master the skills needed to maneuver a sailboat either on sea or they learn it in a sailing school. Sailing schools are places where you can learn all the skills needed in sailing. These schools offer all kinds of lessons for both beginners to advanced lessons. Most of the schools are situated in costal areas and have their own sailing gear and expert teachers. This is a great way to get your basic skills for sailing. Even if you have the necessary basic skills you can hone them in the sailing schools and become a pro.

The Lessons
When you learn the skills directly on sea, there is no pattern involved. You might learn the more advanced skills first and then develop the basic skills, which might lead to a faulty sailing technique. This is where sailing schools can help you. There is a steady pattern which these guys follow to teach the sailing techniques. You need to be well aware of the course pattern, the course duration and of course, the course cost. Most schools will also offer certificate courses in sailing and you should enquire about the type of certification that you will get on completion of the course.

Common Types Of Lessons
Though there are many types of sailing lessons that can be learnt there are a few common ones, which are popular in almost every sailing school under the sun. These courses are basic sailing lessons, which will give the learner the most basic and needed sailing lessons. ‘Basic cruising instructions’ is another course offered by some sailing schools in which the instructions needed for cruising is provided (Cruising is of course another type of sailing). Bareboat lessons are lessons for handling all kinds of things on sailing which includes gear, crew etc (Bare boats are provided without any crew and the person renting has to take care of all the necessary arrangements). Navigational lessons are lessons for navigating the sailboat in gentle as well as rough sea conditions. After taking these lessons, navigating the sailboat will be an extremely easy thing for you to do. Apart from these, there are also costal cruising courses provided by some sailing schools.

Best Schools
Depending on the area that you live in, there might be a sailing school close to the nearby coast. You can look online for the sailing school nearest to you. The Annapolis sailing school, the offshore sailing school and the windward sailing school are some of the best and most common sailing schools. These schools have the best programs, great gear and also the best and most experienced trainers around.

Sailboat rentals have reached an all time new high in the last few years as more and more people are getting attracted to sailing. Renting a sailboat is extremely easy and is most comfortable. You get the necessary support and safety gear, which you would not have gotten otherwise in a new boat. The only necessary criterion is that the person renting the boat has to be over 18 years of age. The person also has to have a valid driver’s license in order to rent the sailboat. However, there are certain minimum requirements as far as sailboat rentals are concerned.

Safety Gear
Irrespective of the size and shape of the boat, there are certain minimum requirements that need to be fulfilled. The coast guard has laid down a set of rules with respect to the safety gear to be carried on board. However, the rules are dependent on the state and some states have additional requirements as well. This is only to ensure that the crew is well protected during emergencies. The gear also needs to be well tested, so that there are no unpleasant surprises once the crew is on board.

Accessories
Personal floatation devices are extremely important. In the advent of a catastrophe, the personal floatation device is the only thing that can come to the rescue of the passengers. The personal floatation device in the sailboat has to be readily accessible during all times. They are available in more than 5 sizes. The most appropriate size, which fits all the crew has to be chosen. Pyrotechnic devices like flares, smoke and aerial meteors also need to be maintained on the sailboat. Non pyrotechnic devices like signal flags, balloons, kites etc can also be kept on the sail boat. Electric distress lights are crucial. Though they are not compulsory, they can be a pretty good addition and extremely useful at times. Some states also require sailors to carry fire extinguishers on board.

The Ditch Bag
The ditch bag is a bag made of nylon and it is padded with foam. This bag needs to be used when the sailboat needs to be abandoned. The ditch bag needs to contain certain necessary items like the first-aid kit, the GPS, the compass, batteries, fishing line, toothbrush, paste, signaling devices, flares, survival manual, sea sickness medicines, binoculars, multi purpose knives, sunglasses and of course the documentation for the boat. The ditch bag can help you survive for quite some time even if your sailboat has been abandoned. People often neglect the importance of safety devices. But please do not travel without the necessary gear and safety devices on board.

Like any other sport, you have to keep sailing safe by following the necessary rules and regulations. It seems that a collision is the last thing that can occur at sea. However, collisions are quite common and you need to follow these regulations to ensure that both parties are safe and you are not guilty.

Rules

•    Port gives way to starboard. This is the universal rule as far as sailing is concerned. It means that if there is a boat approaching on your starboard and you are on a possible collision course, then your boat will give way to the other. In sailing, this rule is extended. The boat that has its sail set to the wind coming in from the left hand side (port) must give way to the ship that has its sail set for the wind coming in from the right hand side (starboard). If both the boats have their sail set in the same direction, then the boat that is closer to the wind and is called as the windward boat. It must make way for the boat that is away from the wind and is called as leeward boat.
•    The more maneuverable vessel must always take the initiative and move away from the path of the less maneuverable one. It is always better for a small sized vessel to stay away from the path of one of the bigger ships. This rule does not necessarily mean that power gives way to sail. In simpler terms, if you are on a smaller vessel and see that a bigger one is making the way towards you, simply turn away from it.
•    Even if you have the right of way, you must take immediate action to avoid a collision. Even if you have the right of way or the opposite party does, both of you have to take prompt action to avoid a collision. In such a situation, the collision is the only factor to consider and everything must be done to avoid it.

Other Rules And Regulations
Besides these basic rules, there are some basic rules of safety that sailors are supposed to know. However, a beginner is not expected to know them all in the start. As and when you pursue sailing, you will get a better grip on all the rules and eventually master it. There are many terms in sailing like port tack, starboard, leeward etc that will give you a better idea about sailing as well as will help you in understanding the rules. It is better if you learn these terms before hand. So arm yourself with as much information as you can and have a great sailing experience.

Busting Myths About Sailing

If you have ever met a sailor then you might have heard him say that sailing is extremely easy, but your mind refuses to accept this. Can being in the sea all alone in a boat that has more ropes than a rope factory, be that easy? Especially, when you have no clue about which rope controls which part of the boat. Then there are always the thoughts in your brain that add to the agony. When you think of the sea, the only thought that comes to your mind is a great white chewing away on your limbs. Thanks to Steven Spielberg and Jaws, the sea has become a nightmare for many. There are people who feel that sailing is very expensive. But is it really expensive?

Busting The Myths
If you are paranoid about being all alone in the sailboat then you can choose catamarans. These are large sailing boats, which have a crew who control the boat. All your fears and phobias of being stranded in the sea will be busted instantly. If you are concerned about great whites, the please be aware that no great white shark attacks a ship. These great creatures do not lurk in the shallow waters waiting for a man and his sailboat. They are extremely rare. There are many areas where giant fish do not tread and is full of colorful marine life. You can enjoy sailing in such areas. Oh, and yeah, the Loch ness monster does not exist.

Expense
If it is the monetary aspect that is keeping you from enjoying the benefits of sailing, then you need to start with the dinghy. The dinghy is small, and is inexpensive. Usually dinghies are part of a larger boat and are used for off boat excursions. But there are many small dinghy clubs which teach sailing with the dinghy. Once you enroll in such clubs, you will be introduced to the world of sailing almost instantly.

Sailing Lessons And Safety Gear
So now we know that sailing is a reasonably safe thing to indulge in. But how do we get started?  It is quite simple. There are many sailing schools, which have a wide range of courses in sailing. So you can choose from introductory level courses to advanced courses in sailing. These courses will also teach you about the safety gear in sailing. Safety gear is extremely crucial and needs to be carried at all times while on a sailboat. With the right safety gear, you can be well protected at all times. So choose what type of sailing you would like to learn and have a great time sailing in the great blue sea.

A Sailors Guide To Sailboats

Yes, we all love sailing. However, how many of you actually know a great deal about sailboats? No, I am not talking about the engineering principles behind the sailboats. But it is better if you have enough knowledge about each type of boat so that you can divulge into the type of sailing that you like the most. There are yachts, skiffs and catamarans to choose from. Depending on the function of the boat, there are three main types of sailboats available today. They are day sailing boats, cruising boats and racing boats.

Day Sailing Boats
You can do everything with say sailing boats. Right from enjoying a calm day on a lake to having an activity-filled thrilling day on a river. There are boats of all kinds of shapes and sizes in day time sailboats. However, as their name suggests, these boats are designed primarily for daytime use. There are no facilities for nighttime or overnight accommodation in these boats. So all you can do is enjoy a day and then you have to make sure that you are back in time. The chief types of day sailing boats include dinghies, catamarans, windsurfers etc.

Cruising Boats
However, spending a weekend out on the sea is the ultimate experience that many people dream about. But you can never do that without proper accommodation and amenities. Well, a boat that has facilities for all these is called a cruising boat. Cruising boats are available in a variety of sizes but are usually can be operated by just two people. Cruising boats have all the amenities like a kitchen, a dining space, a bedroom and of course a bathroom. You and your family can be accommodated as cruising boats come in a variety of capacities.

Sailboat Racing
Sailboat racing is the ultimately thrilling sport that can be enjoyed alone or in the company of family and friends. Any type of sailboat can be used for racing. However there are two main types of sailboat racing that is prevalent. The first one is called one-design racing. In this form of sailboat racing, all the boats have to have the same design. This is more of a test for the skill and technique of the racer. On the other hand, the other type of racing called Handicap racing features different types of boats vying for the top spot. This is more of a fun game and the boats can be of varying sizes, speeds etc. So select the type of sail boat that you love and go out there to experience the wind, the sun and the sea gulls.

I’ve put up a site with a lot of sailing videos on it. Lots of information and tips.

Find it here Sailing Videos