New to sailing? Let us help you master the basics with these handy sailing tipsand instructions for beginners. Both novice and experienced sailors alike can benefit from a quick review of these beginner sailing basics!
- Choose calm, uncrowded waters If you’re just starting to master sailing basics and learn how to sail, then one of the most important beginner sailing tips to remember is to practice in ideal conditions of light winds and low traffic.
- Choose a small boat to learn how to sail It’s easier to learn how to sail with fewer lines and sails. A small dinghy will be more responsive and easier to maneuver, and is also perfect for practicing test capsizes in (see tip #7 below).
- Follow sailing basics for safety There are certain sailing basics for safe boating that should go without saying, no matter what your level of expertise. These include always telling someone before you go out on the water, always bringing a floatation device and knowing in advance how to swim.
- Research tide, wind and weather conditions. Check the weather forecast so you can be prepared for whatever the weather might bring. Be sure to bring along adequate provisions, clothing and basic weather gear as needed. Boating and sailing basics means always being prepared.
- Become familiar with sail control The best sailors are the ones who are able to adjust sail settings to take the best advantage of different wind and water conditions. In general, sails should be relatively flat when the wind is either very light or very strong, and full when there is a moderate wind.
- Respect the boom Some of the most common sailing injuries are a result of not being aware when the boom is about to swing. To avoid a bump to the head, or even worse, being knocked overboard, one of the most important beginner sailing tips to always remember for both passengers and crew is to be conscious and respectful of the boom at all times.
- Learn basic sailing terms. Before you venture out on your first trip, be sure to acquaint yourself with basics. Make sure you know the difference between port, starboard, and other important concepts.
- Practice makes perfect. Don’t try to teach yourself all the sailing basics. Invest in a good sailing course, research guides and books, and learn from friends with experience.
-
In the DC area, we are fortunate to have a relatively slow moving river that offers sailing opportunities without having to drive an hour or more on weekends. There is nothing better than being out on the water 20 minutes after leaving downtown DC. While convenient, the Potomac River doesn't have the wide open sailing areas found on the Chesapeake. You won't have a 4 mile beam reach but you're on the water cruising. So what do you need to know?
The Potomac is tidal - When there is a good breeze, tide is a minor consideration unless you are racing. However, in light winds, knowing the tides will dictate your course and time to turn around. There are tide charts available online as well as pocket tide charts at West Marine. River sailors should always be factoring in the tide.
Current can be a factor - April rains and tropical depressions can create significant currents on the river. Currents will be strongest north of the Wilson Bridge where the river is narrow. Along with the current, be on the lookout for debris coming down the river. During the dry summer months, the current is minimal.
Winds - We monitor NOAA Tidal Potomac Key Bridge to Indianhead for our predicted winds. If Annapolis is getting 12-14 knots, we get 10-12 on the river. South of the Wilson Bridge, the river widens considerably and the winds are usually more consistent.
Making the decision to buy a boat comes easy for some people. Picking out a name for the boat, however, can prove to be much harder, according to Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS).
“A boat name reflects the life and loves of the owner,” says Occoless Trotter of the
BoatUS Boat Graphics department in Alexandria, Virginia, which helps boaters design their own boat names “But, it’s hard to sum it all up with just a few words.” The half-million-member boat owners group has been tallying the
Top Ten Boat Names List for over two decades. The 22
nd Annual List Top Ten Boat Names are:
1. Seas the Day
2. Nauti Buoy
3. Aquaholic
4. Dream Weaver
5. Pegasus
6. Serenity Now
7. Second Wind
8. Liquid Asset
9. Miss Behavin'
10. Blew ByYou
“When you get a boat, there are certain things you have to do, such as registering it and buying insurance or towing coverage,” added Trotter “However, picking a boat name opens up a creative side.” This year’s list included three newcomers:
Nauti Buoy,
Serenity Now, and
Blew ByYou, a popular racing sailboat moniker and clever word play on an old Roy Orbison song made famous by
Linda Ronstadt. Two other boat names made the list for the second time:
Dream Weaver and
Pegasus. All others are multi-year repeats.
Some names that did not make the top ten list but appeared more than once include
Pandora, a reference to the planetoid at the center of the film
Avatar, as well as boat names that invoke favorite songs – with
Margaritaville and
Dream Weaver resonating strongly among boat owners of all types.
To see the BoatUS Annual List of Top Ten Boat Names for the last 22 years as well as a list of over 8,000 boat names, or to try designing your own boat name graphic at no cost, go to
http://www.BoatUS.com/boatgraphics.
Prevent oily discharges from the bilge. Keep your engine well tuned to prevent fuel and oil leaks. Secure an oil absorbent pad or pillow in your bilge and under your engine where drips may occur.
When fueling, stop the drops! Prevent fuel spills by filling fuel tanks slowly and using absorbent pads or rags to catch drips and spills. Don’t "top off" or overflow your fuel tank. Leave the tank 10% empty to allow fuel to expand as it warms.
Minimize boat cleaning and maintenance in the water. If possible, save maintenance projects for the boatyard. When performing work on the water minimize your impact by containing waste. Use tarps and vacuum sanders to collect all drips and debris for proper disposal.
Reduce toxic discharges from bottom paints. Minimize the discharge of heavy metals found in soft-sloughing antifouling paints by using a less toxic, or nontoxic antifouling paint. Use only non-abrasive underwater hull cleaning techniques to prevent excessive paint discharge. Remember, dry storage reduces the need for antifouling paints and saves money.
Dispose of hazardous waste properly. Dispose of paints, batteries, antifreeze, cleaning products, oil, oil filters and other hazardous wastes at a hazardous waste collection facility or event.
Plan A-head! Manage sewage wastes properly. Never discharge sewage within 3 miles of shore. Use harbor pump-out stations and shore-side facilities. If you don’t have an installed toilet, use a port-a-potty and empty it at a harbor dump station or bathroom.
Stow it, don’t throw it! Keep your trash on board. Never throw cigarette butts, fishing line, or any other garbage into the ocean. Take advantage of shore-side facilities to recycle plastic, glass, metal, and paper.
Located on Selby Bay of Maryland's South River. Selby Bay Sailing Center
is home to over 75 privately owned Flying Scots.
Family owned and operated since 1987.
SBSC actively supports:
- Fleet 42 of the Flying Scot Sailing Association
-National Institute of Health Sailing Association and
-Goddard Sailing Association
As Flying Scot sailors for over 30 years, we can assist with
all aspects of sailing, racing, maintaining and purchasing
a new or used Flying Scot.
Our facility maximizes sailing time and minimizes annual maintenance. Flying Scots are stored on their trailers, fully rigged and ready to sail.
1) The risk of falling overboard or capsizing may be small, but the threat-to-life of such accidents is most serious.
More than half of the fatal boating accidents on the Potomac River occur when the water is cold. Most such accidents occur in calm weather, relatively close to shore. Because fewer boaters are on the water, the likelihood of a prompt rescue is greatly reduced. Off-season boaters must be as self-sufficient as possible.
Immersion in cold water rapidly incapacitates and may kill boaters who are not wearing protective clothing. Surfers, sailboarders, and river paddlers wear wet suits or dry suits when the water is cold. Off-season sailors, fishermen, hunters, and other folks out in open boats can use these same precautions to greatly improve their safety on the water.
2) What happens in cold water?
Cold water removes heat from the body 25 times faster than cold air. About 50% of that heat loss occurs through the head. Physical activity such as swimming, or other struggling in the water increases heat loss. Survival time can be reduced to minutes. Strong swimmers have died before swimming 100 yards in cold water. In water under 40 degrees F, victims have died before swimming 100 feet.
3) Cold Shock
Without a life jacket, a victim may inhale while under water (involuntary gasping reflex) and drown without coming back to the surface. This can only be prevented by wearing a life jacket at all times on the water in the off-season. There is no second chance. Exposure of the head and chest to cold water causes sudden increases in heart rate and blood pressure that may result in cardiac arrest. Other responses to cold water immersion result in immediate loss of consciousness and drowning.
4) Hypothermia
Hypothermia (decreased body temperature) develops more slowly than the immediate effects of cold shock. Survival curves show that an adult dressed in average clothing may remain conscious for an hour at 40 degrees F and perhaps 2-3 hours at 50 degrees F (water temp.). The crisis is more serious than these numbers suggest. Any movement in the water accelerates heat loss. Survival time can be reduced to minutes. Without a life jacket, drowning is unavoidable.
Even with a wet suit/dry suit on, one's hands rapidly become useless in water in the low 40's degrees F. Protective fingerless gloves for fishermen can be important. Shivering occurs as body temperature drops from 97 degrees F down to about 90 degrees F. Uncontrolled rapid breathing follows the initial gasping response and may cause loss of consciousness. The victim must attempt to recover control of his/her breathing rate.
5) Once in the water
Try to get back in or on your boat immediately. Do not leave the boat. If you are not wearing thermal protection and can not get out of the water, stay as still as possible. Fold arms, cross legs and float quietly on the buoyancy of your PFD until help arrives (Heat Escape Lessening Posture; H.E.L.P.). If 2 or more people are in the water, put your arms around one another. Stay still and close together (Huddle posture).
1) How long has the School been in existence?
Like any business selection, are you willing to take a chance with a recently started program or one with a proven track record? Schools that have been teaching for 35 years must be doing something right. Belle Haven Marina has been teaching sailing skills on a full time basis since 1977.
2) What Certification is Offered?
Certification of sailing is a relatively recent phenomenon. There is no one single standard in the United States nor is it required to rent or buy a sailboat. The Mariner Sailing School is an approved US Sailing training facility. US Sailing is the governing body of sailing. This certification is recognized by sailing professionals and charter companies worldwide and ensures that our school complies with an established and comprehensive program.
3) What type of sailboats will I learn on?
The last thing you want to do when learning how to sail is to pick an unstable boat. This would hardly inspire confidence, nor do you pick a boat that feels like a floating battleship. The best of both worlds is to choose a stable, yet responsive centerboard boat. 19' Flying Scot - is our choice for all Adult Learn to Sail, Racing and Private Instruction. The skills acquired can be easily transferred to other larger boats.
Sunfish - our choice for the Youth Learn to Sail courses. The sunfish can be enjoyed by all ages and sailing skills and confidences are quickly acquired.
C&C 34 - an ideal boat for learning to cruise with its centerboard design and outstanding performance. We will make cruising in the Islands a pleasure.
4) How large is my class?
This is probably one of the most important questions to ask when selecting a sailing school. Obviously, the more students per instructor, the greater the profit margin for the sailing program. There are three positions on the boat, skipper, mainsail trimmer and jib sail trimmer. If you have more than three students aboard, you are getting ripped off.
5) What happens if Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate?
Great question to ask in the mid-Atlantic area. No one learns to sail while sitting in a classroom, but rather by being out on the water. When investigating sailing programs ask them how they make up for rainout days or days with no wind. At the Mariner Sailing School, no attempt is made to sail in dangerous or miserable conditions and lessons will be rescheduled. 90% of your sailing time is on the water.
6) What if I just don’t feel confident?
So what happens if you just completed a sailing course you don't have the confidence you need? Do you have to take the course over again? Our guarantee to every student: If after completing a course you feel you could use an extra lesson, we will be happy to arrange this for you. We are so confident in the quality of our Instructors that we offer you a week of unlimited free practice Monday - Friday, immediately following the completion of your course.
Navigation Know-How: Combining Common Sense with Technology
Eastport Yacht Club
Annapolis, MD, USA
Starting Date: 11/Feb/12
|
|
 Entry Form |
Notice Of Race (NOR) |
Sailing Instructions (SI) |
Results |
 Regatta Site |
|
|
| One Design |
PHRF |
IMS |
ORC |
IRM |
IRC |
CSA |
MORC |
Portsmouth |
ORR |
Match Racing |
|
|
Host Club: Eastport Yacht Club
Contact Name: Kristy Goode
Phone #: 410-570-9710
Fax #:
Email |
Available Crew / Boat List
Sign-up to Crew / Boat
Read Reviews on this regatta
Add your review of this event
Marine Services |
|
Additional Regatta Information:
Join us for Navigation Know-How: Combining Common Sense with Technologyý at Bacon Sails & Marine Supplies, 116 Legion Ave., Annapolis on Sat., February 11, 9 a.m. ý 12 p.m. Focus: Navigating to Bermuda via the coastal waters of the Chesapeake Bay, crossing the Gulf Stream & avoiding the reefs encircling Bermuda. The latest in electronics will be reviewed too.
Headline speaker: Kurt Lowman, a veteran ocean racer for more than 40 years & winning navigator of Donnybrook, a Custom 72. He also served as communications coordinator/team photographer for Chessie Racing, one of the nine 1997-98 Whitbread Round-the-World boats participating in a 32,000 mile race which was thought to be the ultimate test of extreme sailing. Tarry Lomax, a blue water sailor in more than a dozen ocean races, will also participate. He served as navigator aboard Rader in the 2008 BOR setting a new record for the fastest time. Lomax & Lowman have competed head-to-head in a number of ocean races.
Advanced registration is required!
|
|
After 25 years with the American Red Cross, the Mariner Sailing School is now an authorized provider of US Sailing certifications. We are attending the National Sailing Symposium in Long Beach California. What a wonderful learning experience it has been. Sharing information with schools from all over the country is invaluable and will make our programs even stronger this season.
