Sailing Information Archives - Page 2 of 3

Buying a Blue Water Boat

August 22, 2010 by Marc

Buying a “Blue Water” Boat
By Brittany Stephen

If you have dreams to cast off and sail around the world or cruise extensively in a particular area, you probably already know you need a “blue water boat”. There are a multitude of sites and blogs devoted to this exact subject. Our dream was to sail around the world in a safe, stout and seaworthy vessel. Here is what we did to turn our dream into a reality.

THE BOAT

Arguably, the most important – or rather – the most crucial element of this dream (besides the dream itself, of course) is a boat, and a sailboat to be specific. Seems pretty simple, right? Find a boat you like – buy it, provision it…and shove off! Yeah. Not so much. Looking for a boat is overwhelming, daunting and, at times, discouraging. But it is wonderful learning process.

You see, no two sailboats are alike – and there are thousands of different boats for thousands of different purposes. There are racers, cruisers, racer-cruisers, sloops, ketches, cutters and more. They are made of all different types of fiberglass, wood, steel, aluminum, and even ferro-cement. They have full keels, canting keels, fixed keels, fin and bulb keels and this is only the beginning! Quickly, I realized I needed to put together a list of “ideal criteria” for our boat to help narrow down the search.

Because we plan to cross oceans we knew we wanted a “blue water boat”. The definition of such varies depending on who you are talking to and where you are looking – but the simplest definition is “a boat that is specifically designed to go far offshore”. Just Google a “blue water boat” and you will find a litany of arguments, discussions, and posts on what everyone thinks this entails – but based on my research – I found it to be the following:

1) Seaworthy boat (meaning stronger built and/or purpose built blue water cruiser)

2) Full keel preferably with skeg hung rudder

3) 5′ (or less) draft

4) Fiberglass construction

5) 36-40 feet

6) Lots of tankage/stowage (for fuel and water)

7) Windlass (manual or electric)

8) Center cockpit – for safety and space – with LOTS of drains/drainage

9) Heavy displacement

10) Cutter rig

Keep in mind – there are a thousand other elements that go into a “blue water boat” but these were our (initial) “top 10”. And these helped narrow our search. And if you come up with your “top 10” it will narrow yours as well. The attributes above sacrifice speed which may or may not be important to you. The boat described above will not point and won’t beat to windward very fast but it will be very safe at sea. We chose to sacrifice speed for peace of mind when we do (inevitably) hit that weather that makes us wonder what the hell we think we are doing out there on the big ocean.

I spent countless hours on Yachtworld searching for Cruising sailboats between 35-40 feet, between 30K-60K and in the Great Lakes region. I would look at a boat, read the “full specs” and then do two things: 1) forward the boat to our boat broker and 2) research the boat a bit (Sailnet Forum is a great place for info by the way, as is Mahia Expedition’s List of Blue Water Boats). I learned a lot about boats doing this – I also learned that there is ALWAYS going to be more to learn. Fun!

Typically, our broker would email back immediately with his opinion, something like “this boat represents everything that is wrong with Chinese built boats” or “piece of junk”. This short and to-the-point information was all I needed to cross boats off the list. After week after week of this, I started learning more and more about “blue water boats” and the different makes of boats that seemed to pop up every time you searched for them. One such builder, Hallberg-Rassy was on every list and so, naturally, I hit Yachtworld and looked for them (and some others who also made frequent appearances). This is step two in finding your boat: find a few models/designers you like and search for them specifically.

It was discouraging at first, because all the most reputable builders and designers are also the most expensive – and pretty much all the HR’s I saw were well into the 6 figures – even for a 36 foot boat!! So I kept looking at other boats more in our price range until one day, while sitting in the confines of my office cube, the stars aligned…

I found a 1975 Hallberg-Rassy Rasmus 35 listed on Yachtworld in our price range. I jumped on it and immediately sent it to Scott and Allen. Allen replied simply “Hallberg-Rassy’s are world class boats if there’s enough space in it for you” and that was enough for me! We were given a green light! I’m pretty sure I found everything on the Internet there is to find about that particular boat – and I knew we had a gem on our hands!

Now, the first rule of thumb when buying a boat is to NEVER, EVER fall in love with a boat. This is because “falling in love” can lead you to make stupid, rash decisions with your heart rather than your head (and we all know that, don’t we?). So I don’t think we fell in love per-say, but we were REALLY attracted to her! Her lines were beautiful, she was impeccably maintained, and just a beautiful boat overall. We knew. While she might not be the one – she certainly could be.

We ended up buying her after a yacht survey, and we depart September 2010 for our around the world journey.

For more information or to follow our travels, stop by http://www.windtraveler.blogspot.com! We’d love to hear from you!

Brittany and her husband are sailing around the world in their Hallberg-Rassy Rasmus. They blog about their adventures at http://www.windtraveler.blogspot.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brittany_Stephen

http://EzineArticles.com/?Buying-a-Blue-Water-Boat&id=4813544

Boat Slips – How to Find the Ideal Boat Slip

August 22, 2010 by Marc

By Jennifer Huff

Looking for a temporary or permanent boat slip to dock your boat? Finding the ideal location with boat slips meeting your boat’s unique needs can be challenging, but it does not have to be if you keep the following tips in mind as you search for your next slip:

Know your boat’s dimensions – the first step in finding a boat slip is to know all of your boat’s measurements, including its width, height and draft. If you are unsure of your boat’s measurements, you might end up renting a slip that will not accommodate your boat or is in water too shallow for your sailboat’s draft.
Accessibility to the boat slip – another important piece of information, particularly for sailors, is whether the slip provides sufficient access to the water in which you intend to travel. You must know whether there are any fixed bridges or other obstacles that would impede your access to and from the slip. If there are any bridges, research the clearance both at high tide and low tide to make sure your boat’s height will allow unrestricted access to your slip. Also, if there are any draw bridges in the area, you need to determine when and how those bridges are opened so that you can navigate to and from your slip.
Marina Slips – if you are searching for a marina slip, there are several factors you will want to consider. For example:

Does the marina slip have a fresh water supply on the dock?
Are there electrical hookups for each slip?
Are liveaboards or transients allowed?
Is there a fuel dock near the boat slip and does it offer the type of fuel required by your boat?
What other amenities are offered at the marina (laundry, internet access, supplies, etc.)?
Does the marina provide 24 hour access to your boat slip? What type of security is provided by the marina?
What are the marina’s procedures to protect your boat in the event of foul weather? Does the marina offer any type of insurance for both natural disasters and its own negligence?

Dry Docking – if wet slips are difficult to find or too expensive, you may want to consider a dry dock or stacked boat dock storage. Larger marina docks often have dry or stacked boat dock storage. One disadvantage to dry dock storage is that the marina will need to be notified in advance of when you intend to use your boat so that it can be removed from the dry or stacked storage. This is not the ideal situation for those boaters who want to get their boats to sea at a moments notice. However, the cost savings may outweigh the inconvenience associated with dry storage.

Following the above suggestions will take the hassle and stress out of finding the perfect boat slip.

My Port of Call makes it easy to search for boat slips meeting your exact specifications. Use these tips now to search for available boat slips.

Please visit http://www.MyPortOfCall.com for more informative articles and to search our listings of available boat slips for sale or rent.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Huff

http://EzineArticles.com/?Boat-Slips—How-to-Find-the-Ideal-Boat-Slip&id=4877151

Look the Part With Top Quality Sail Clothing For Your Craft

August 21, 2010 by Marc

Look the Part With Top Quality Sail Clothing For Your Craft
By Lawrence White BT

There is nothing like going out to the sea during summer to satisfy the adventurous streak in all of us. Exploring the horizons has never diminished since the time of the Vikings, but now to continuously satisfy that burning desire, the modern day seafarers have developed the exciting water sport that we commonly call sailing.

Wind patterns, especially near the shores, are important factors to understand and study before you go out sailing. The surrounding terrain like mountains can affect the movement of wind towards the sea, and the changes can be abrupt and that is why the navigator needs to be alert to these sudden changes of wind patterns. Depending on the kind of wind that blows, the waters can turn very rough as well. That is why seasoned sailors do not scrimp on the kind of sail clothing that they use to protect them from the harsh winds, water and sunlight.

There are three basic layers that should be worn when going sailing. There is a base layer that should be made from a material that does not absorb the sweat or moisture, but instead allows the sweat to pass through. The mid layer or the thermal layer allows insulation to trap the warm dry air that will conserve body heat. The better insulation there is the more volume of trapped air circulates around the body. The outer layer keeps out the wind and water from penetrating the body. The material used here is equally important because it should be the type that is waterproof, but at the same it must allow the internal moisture coming from the body to dry out. The design should include sealed seams with the wrists, neck, and even the ankles protected completely.

The use of wicking fabric is a recommended base material because it draws the sweat away from the skin. Another modern fabric is the recyclable polypropylene or polypro that keeps moisture away from the body. Polyester is another material for base layer outfit. The mid-layer material being used today is the microfleece which is soft and lightweight that hugs the body without feeling cramped and at the same time allows the body moisture to pass through. Some even use a microfleece as a base layer also. Fleece jackets are used as outer layers because of its low water absorption. The fleece material can also be combined with polyester and makes superior protection as an outer layer. Other waterproof materials that may be used for outer layering are gore-tex which is a coated nylon.

Whatever type of clothing that you choose for each layer, always choose those that are light-weight, bright coloured, adjustable waist and hip belts, made of good material that are fast drying, and comfortable. Wear a good kind of deck shoes or sailing boots that are absolutely waterproof and are lightweight and comfortable to move around as well. When you go out sailing, always choose top quality sail clothing that gives you the best protection and snugness in whatever sailing season of the year.

Sailboats.co.uk are one of the UK’s leading suppliers of sailing equipment and accessories, offering a wide range of all sailing products from sail clothing to rope and rigging. To view the full range of equipment on offer from Sailboats.co.uk, visit us today at http://www.sailboats.co.uk/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lawrence_White_BT

http://EzineArticles.com/?Look-the-Part-With-Top-Quality-Sail-Clothing-For-Your-Craft&id=4586428

A List of Sailing Terms

August 21, 2010 by Marc

A List of Sailing Terms
By Simon White

Do you know your pitchpoling from your rhumb line? We thought you might find it useful to have a glossary of sailing terms. So here it is! We’ve also thrown a few in for fun!

Tacking – In order to go upwind, sailboats have to take a 45 degree angle on the wind. First right, then left, creating a zig-zag effect. Each turn in which the bow of the boat crosses through the wind is called a tack.

Gybing – Gying is the opposite of tacking. A gybe is when the stern of the boat crosses through the wind.

Did you know? The term ‘all above board’ comes from the sailing term – on or above the deck, in plain view, not hiding anything.

Surfing – Just like on a surfboard, surfing in a sailboat means using a wave to propel yourself forward.

Broaching – When a boat is overpowered, and the wind turns the boat over, stopping it in the water, this is broaching.

Did you know? No room to swing a cat comes from an old sailing term? The ship’s company was expected to witness floggings on deck, and if it was very crowded, the bosun might not have room to swing the ‘cat o’ nine tails’ – the whip!

Planing – A boat can only move through water at a certain speed. Planing is when a boat actually rises above the water and skims along the surface, a bit like a waterskier.

Rounding up and rounding down – Boats round up (steer toward the wind) when they’re overpowered. Like tacking, rounding up relieves the pressure from the boat. Rounding simply means to sail downwind.

Did you know? ‘Aye Aye’ Aye is used in reply to an order, to indicate that it is heard, and secondly is understood and will be carried out.

Capsizing – Capsizing is when a boat flips sideways or rolls.

Pitchpoling – Pitchpoling a form of capsizing, but instead of rolling, pitchpoling is when a boat capsizes end-over-end.

Turtling – Just like when a turtle rolls on its back and cant turn back over, turtling is when a boat capsizes and can’t turn back over. To allow for a safe escape, some boats are built with turtle hatches on the underside of the boat.

Did you know? The term ‘fly by night’ comes from the name of a large sail used only for sailing downwind, requiring little attention.

Canting Keel – A keel is the weighted fin at the bottom of a sailboat. In the past, this is attached to the hull of the boat, but for racing, putting the keel on a hinge, gives the boat more speed and control.

Nautical Mile – Nautical miles are used by sailors as apposed to any other measurement as nautical miles represent the curvature of the earth rather than a straight line. One minute, or one 60th of a degree, in latitude, is one nautical mile.

Did you know? A fathom is a unit of length equal to 6 feet, roughly the distance between a man’s outstretched hands.

Rhumb Line – Picking two points on a chart and following the distance between them, is the rhumb line. Its very easy to navigate a rhumb line, for short distances.

Many more boating articles are available from TheYachtMarket.com in addition to listings of many thousands of boats for sale and charter world-wide.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simon_White

http://EzineArticles.com/?A-List-of-Sailing-Terms&id=4652052

Buying a Blue Water Boat

Boat Slips – How to Find the Ideal Boat Slip

Look the Part With Top Quality Sail Clothing For Your Craft

A List of Sailing Terms

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