Tips and Resources for Learning and Mastering Sailing
All great sailors share one common trait -- knowing that they don't know it all. Every trip out of the slip is a potential learning experience. Every article or book contains something new. From a different way to tie a familiar knot to someone else's idea of a properly trimmed sail, it's worth knowing about. This area covers the basics of sailing and sailboats and resources for learning more.
Review of Reed's Almanac
Reed's Nautical Almanac is a must-have aboard any boat venturing out of the harbor. Essential navigation information including GPS coordinates of thousands of aids-to-navigation will get you home or into a safe harbor. Tide and current tables are included, as well as brief information of facilities ashore. This small book is jammed with useful information.
Reed's Nautical Almanac is a must-have aboard any boat venturing out of the harbor. Essential navigation information including GPS coordinates of thousands of aids-to-navigation will get you home or into a safe harbor. Tide and current tables are included, as well as brief information of facilities ashore. This small book is jammed with useful information.
Let Those Sails Breathe
Sails deserve a breath of fresh air, too. In fact, they probably need it more than you do. For sails to do their best, they need good a good flow of clean air across them. It is easy to "choke" your sails by trimming them too tightly, and prevent them from being all that they can be. Follow this quick tip to be sure that your sails are getting the best air and giving you maximum push.
Sails deserve a breath of fresh air, too. In fact, they probably need it more than you do. For sails to do their best, they need good a good flow of clean air across them. It is easy to "choke" your sails by trimming them too tightly, and prevent them from being all that they can be. Follow this quick tip to be sure that your sails are getting the best air and giving you maximum push.
Anchoring to Stay Put
Sailing is great, but sometimes you want to stop. That's why anchors were invented. The amount of care you spend making sure the anchor is set properly will depend on the reason for the stop. If you plan to sleep, or to leave the boat, take the time to make sure your hook is well set. Here is a step-by-step to help ensure your boat stays put.
Sailing is great, but sometimes you want to stop. That's why anchors were invented. The amount of care you spend making sure the anchor is set properly will depend on the reason for the stop. If you plan to sleep, or to leave the boat, take the time to make sure your hook is well set. Here is a step-by-step to help ensure your boat stays put.
Find a Sailing School
The American Sailing Association (ASA) offers this list of ASA-certified schools by state. This list is a good start, but remember: There are lots of other local clubs, groups and colleges which have learn-to-sail programs.
The American Sailing Association (ASA) offers this list of ASA-certified schools by state. This list is a good start, but remember: There are lots of other local clubs, groups and colleges which have learn-to-sail programs.
Learn to Sail in the Caribbean
Winter may be the perfect time to learn to sail or to just home your skills at a warm-weather getaway. Sunsail offers sailing instruction in the Caribbean. From keelboat basics through chartering certification, the school in the heart of the British Virgin Islands offers it all.
Winter may be the perfect time to learn to sail or to just home your skills at a warm-weather getaway. Sunsail offers sailing instruction in the Caribbean. From keelboat basics through chartering certification, the school in the heart of the British Virgin Islands offers it all.