Hot topics for both consumers and webmarketers on WebmasterRadio.FM
Every Wednesday, 5PM Eastern.
Sailing Basics Tips
Don't Forget to Take Care of Your Sails
Sails are made of tough material. But even though sails are well constructed, they are designed with synthetic materials that have very little stretch. Sails are made by sewing a particular shape into a sail so that any stretch they have is minimal. You want to do everything you can to protect that construction. This is part of good basic sailing. Just like a car engine, sails power the boat so you should exercise great care with them.
When not in use, keep sails out of the sun. UV rays will deteriorate sail cloth over time so they should be in the sun only when in use. You can wash your sails with a mild soap to keep them free of salt and dirt. Don't just stuff a sail into a bag when you are done sailing. This breaks down the filler and reduces the life of the sail. The wrinkles in a sail can take up to an hour to work out, and they also prohibit proper air flow over the sail.
Smaller sails should be folded--accordion-style--or rolled after use. The clew should be on the outside of the roll for the mainsail, and the tack should be on the outside of the roll for the jib. Folding a sail will also save space on a small sailboat.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Sail Construction
Offshore Sailing School Tip: If you want to learn to sail, you might be tempted to pick up a few books at the library and try to master the art and sport of sailing yourself. There are many sailing basics, such as sail construction, you need to learn from the experts. Sailing schools like Offshore Sailing School offer the chance to take sailing lessons if you are new to sailing and need to start with the basics. Here is an example:
Threads on a sail run two directions and are called 'fill.' Lengthwise threads are called warp. The warp stretches more than the fill and the greatest stretch is in a diagonal direction called the bias. When the tension is just right on the sail, the boat will move well. This tension is caused by wind and adjustments the sailors make. Over the years, expert sailors have developed ideas that optimize sail theory and adjustment. Various sail materials like Mylar and Kevlar have also been developed to improve sail construction.
When you take sailing lessons, you'll learn the right type of sail construction for your use and desire on the water. Sail construction differs for different types of boats designed for offshore sailing or racing. You can find out more about sailing lessons at Offshore-Sailing.com.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Research Sailing Basics Before You Get in the Boat
Part of understanding sailing fundamentals is learning sailing definitions and sailing terms. The following are some terms you should know before you begin a basic sailing course:
Stern: The back part of the boat, also called the 'after'. The transom is the flat end of the stern. The stern quarters are the back corners of the boat.
Bow: The front end of the boat. The Bow Line is a mooring rope that runs from the bow to a point ashore. The Bow Line is sometimes called the head rope.
Starboard: The right side of the boat when facing forward.
Port: The left side of the boat when facing forward.
Jib: Also called the 'foresail' because it is in the front of the boat. Some sailboats have several types of jibs that are used for different purposes.
Mainsail: The most important sail on all boats. This sail sits behind the mast. Most are triangular but other shapes do exist.
Boom: At the bottom of the mainsail, the part that controls the sail.
Gooseneck: The fitting that allows the boom to pivot both side to side and up and down.
Hull: The rounded part of the boat; comes in a variety of materials.
Keel: The fin under the hull, which is used for stability and lateral resistance. A Keel Boat is any boat with a Keel.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Learn to Sail Over a Holiday Weekend
Offshore Sailing School Tip: A great way to learn to sail is over a long holiday weekend. Courses like this are offered by certified sailing experts at Offshore Sailing School. You can take sailing lessons in NYC at Chelsea Piers, located on the Hudson River in Manhattan. Even if you've never sailed, take this course and learn sailing basics in the classroom, followed by on-water sailing fundamentals. Sailing brings people together and teaches teamwork. By the end of a weekend of learning basic sailing, you'll be able to test your skills by taking the boat out without your instructor to prove to yourself how much you’ve learned. If you decide to take sailing lessons in New York City, look for a course that offers:
*at least six hours of on-water training a day
*a chance to test what you've learned at the end of the course
*instructors that are certified by US SAILING
Don't forget to bring: Sailing gloves, a waterproof jacket, sunblock, non-skid shoes, cap or visor and sunglasses with a strap. By the end of a sailing course weekend, you'll be qualified to sail with confidence, ready to study the next level of this lively sport. For more information about sailing lessons in New York City, visit offshoresailing.com.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Sailing Comfort Basics
It's hard to learn a new hobby. But practice makes perfect, and this is no different when it comes to sailing. Frustrating sailing experiences come from not doing enough research ahead of time or not taking a basic sailing course that teaches you the best sailing habits. You might end up so cold you can't have fun. You might wear the wrong foot wear and end up slipping on the boat's wet surface. You might forget to make sure your sunglasses are held on with a string. You might buy the wrong gloves and get terrible blisters. Some of these will simply be tough learning lessons while others might jeopardize your safety. That's why you should begin by obtaining an introduction to a sailing course that will give you the proper sailing fundamentals. Here are some ideas to get you started:
*The clothing you wear will depend on where you are sailing and the temperature. A wet-suit is best for foul weather. A dry-suit is a waterproof suit with seals at the neck, ankles and wrists. If you allow yourself to get wet or cold your energy levels will quickly deteriorate. If you are going to sail in a higher temperature area where you might perspire, chose a breathable fabric that will whisk away sweat. This kind of clothing can be purchased at a marine or sports store.
*Always bring and wear a life jacket. A cap will prevent heat loss from the head on cool days. If you have long hair, keep it up so it does not get caught in rigging. Take a lot of water, even if it's cool. You can get dehydrated even when the sun isn't shining. If you sail on a cruiser, invest in a safety harness that will keep you securely attached to the boat. Some waterproof jackets come with harnesses built in.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Why a Boat Sails
Offshore Sailing School Tip: You've seen sailboats gliding effortlessly across the water. Perhaps you’ve been drawn into the magic of the sport. Once you learn to sail, the basics will quickly become second nature, and you’ll have the confidence to take the helm and captain your own boat before you know it.
The principles of sailing and flying are much the same: aerodynamic lift. This lift comes first from deriving all the centers of effort from all the sails on the boat. To locate the geometric center of each sail, draw a line between all the centers on the boat. The lift, which propels the boat forward, is greatest where the curvature is greatest and the air flow is smooth -- the forward third of the sail. The lift will become reduced where the air flow separates, near the back of the sail.
If you see a close-up picture of racing sailors in action you'll see they are working quite hard with the forces of nature to resist the wind's natural tendency to blow the boat flat and sideways. The forces creating a forward motion are balanced by forces creating drag. Hydrodynamic drag, for example, is drag that's created by the keel – the part of the boat under the water. Other types of drag are caused by waves and friction.
When you decide to learn to sail, make sure that you find a course that goes beyond the basics: boat terminology, the parts of a sailboat and how they operate and other sailing fundamentals. Once you understand why a boat sails, you'll be better qualified to understand the sport and give direction to your crew.
