Question:

How does weather affect sailing?

Know the Weather Before You Sail

When you first learn to sail, you'll quickly learn that--between the parts of the boat and basic sailing techniques--there is much to absorb. But, one of the most important lessons you'll learn is to watch the weather. Any good sailing guide should cover how the weather affects your sailing and sailing technique. You should actually begin looking at weather forecasts up to a week before you sail. If you record such weather conditions--and the weather changes that follow--you will be able to better predict conditions for the sailing excursion you have planned.

Every time you are on your sailboat, you should record all details about the weather including wind condition and direction, cloud cover and how the wind affects the water surface and waves. One of the best sailing tips you can get is to find a good book or Internet site that describes different types of cloud cover such as Cirrus, Altostratus, Cumulus and Cirrostratus. But, your record book should also indicate not just what you saw but the changes that occurred in the weather during your sail. That way, over time you can understand the weather and wind patterns in your area at different times of the year. Here is some additional sailing advice with regard to the weather:

*Learn to observe sea swells closely. Are they from an offshore storm? Are there white caps?

*Utilize a wind-angle indicator if you have one. If this information is translated to the cockpit, write it down in your log book.

*Note the direction of the wind by standing over your compass, feeling the wind on your face and determining its direction. Is it chilly? What does that usually predict in your area?

Remember the weather is fickle and storms can arise quickly and possibly capsize your boat. The more you learn about weather and the better your written records are, the better able you will be to choose the best sailing time of the day or week.

Sailing Frequently Asked Questions

Where did boat shoe design originate?

What is a good boat shoe made of?

What is a good boat shoe for women?

Where did Sperry top-siders come from?

Can I get hypothermia while sailing?

What should I wear on a yacht?

Where can I learn to sail in the British Virgin Islands?

Who can learn sailing?

What is a cruising course?

Is my sailing course tax-deductable?

What do "upwind" and "downwind" mean in sailing?

What's a fun honeymoon idea in the Caribbean?

What should I look for in a sailing course?

Why should I send my child to sailing camp?

Do children race sailboats professionally?

What's a good sailing navigation tip?

Why should I avoid standing birds when sailing?

What should I do if my hull gets scratched?

What is a one-design sailboat?

How can I win a sailing race?

How do I tack on a catamaran?

Do I need sailboat racing insurance?

What is VMG

How should I finish a yacht race?

What is a good team building activity for my company?

When should I overtake an opposition boat on a team sailing race?

How can I get more power from my mainsail?

What is a good tactician?

How much should a crew member move during a regatta?

What is a slam dunk in sailing?

Where is the "sailing capital of the world"?

What should we look for in a two-person cruising course?

What should I bring on a sailing vacation?

Are there sailing courses for women only?

What should a package sailing vacation include?

Should I buy my own sailboat?

How can I avoid falling overboard on a sailboat or yacht?

What is a burgee?

What are Rules of the Sea?

Should I join a yacht club?

Can I join a yacht club if I don't own a boat?

What is a PFD?

What is a coastal navigation course?

What is involved in learning coastal navigation?

What kind of safety lighting is required on my sailboat?

Am I required to have flotation devices on my sailboat?

Is GPS technology enough to plot my sailing trip?

What is a sailing chart?

How does a boat sail?

How can I learn about sail construction?

How do I take sailing lessons in New York City?

How do I maintain my sails on my sailboat?

What sailing terms should I learn first?

What should I wear on a sailboat?

Can I learn to sail in a vacation destination?

How does weather affect sailing?

How do I anchor and dock my sailboat?

How do I launch a sailboat from the shore?

What is a sailing jibe?

What do I do if my sailboat capsizes?

How do I learn how to do blue water cruising in a sailboat?

Can my spouse and I take private sailing lessons?

What types of cruising courses can I take?

What will I learn in an advanced sailing course?

What will a good sailing course cover?

What will sailing lessons teach me about winch safety?

What would an advanced sailing course teach me?

How will a roller furling headsail help me learn more about sailing?

How do I learn high performance sailing techniques?

What will an advanced sailing course teach me?

What type of safety equipment should I have on my sailboat?

What does an abandon ship kit contain?

What are fenders for a sailboat?

What type of tools should I carry on my sailboat?

What kind of sailing accessories can I buy to have fun on the water?

What types of equipment failures can happen on a sailboat?

Is there a Florida Keys sailing school?

Is there a Long Island Sailing School

What benefits do sailing schools offer for beginning sailors?

What basic sailing terms should I know before I learn to sail?

How do I avoid sea sickness when I learn to sail?

Will handling a man overboard situation be covered in my learn to sail class?

What is the Captiva Island Sailing School

How do I stop a boat when sea sailing?

How do I execute a heave-to while sea sailing?

What do I need to know about sail charts when offshore sailing?

How can wind affect my offshore sailing trip?

What happens if I accidentally run my offshore sailboat into land?

What is a bareboat charter?

Is chartering a sailboat expensive?

What is a yacht charter?

Can I sail my charter boat the same way I sail the boat I own?

How do I charter my own sailboat course?

Is there a sail training school in the Bahamas?

Where can I learn to sail in Florida?

Is there a sailing school in New Jersey?

Does Offshore Sailing School have a training program in NYC?

How do I obtain sailing certifications?

Do I need a boat certification for my new sailboat?





Not finding the advice and tips you need on this Sailing Tip Site? Request a Tip Now!


Guru Spotlight
Susan Sayour