Lifestyle Sailing Blog » Boat handling

Maintenance is good for you (and your yacht)

John — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 21:19:52 +0000

We all know that maintenance is good for boats, that’s how they get to live a long life. But have you considered that maintenance may be good for your confidence, boat handling skills and seamanship?

Let me explain… (more…)

Is the Ocean a dangerous place?

John — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 22:01:05 +0000

Does sailing across the ocean have to be a scary experience? It certainly sounds like it from all the stories we get told.
I do agree that nothing appeals to sailors more than the delight of telling stories and more specifically the delight in telling horror stories of near miss, life and death situations.

I know it doesn’t have the same story telling appeal, but my experience has been one of always crossing the ocean safely and without incidents. (more…)

What is the secret to safe sailing in heavy weather?

John — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 18:00:38 +0000

There are probably as many opinions as there are sailors as to what is the safest way to handle heavy weather. The most popular strategy these days, which is usually possible with accurate weather forecasting, is to stay away from heavy weather.
However that doesn’t answer the question, and doesn’t apply if you take the attitude of lets go sailing whatever the weather. (more…)

The three rules of sailing

John — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 22:23:40 +0000

The three rules of sailing are:
1. Keep the boat off the land.
2. Keep the water out of the boat.
3. Stay on the boat.

Everything else is optional.

Could sailing be this simple? (more…)

Why do skippers shout?

John — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 19:00:08 +0000

If you haven’t experienced it your self, you may well have observed the phenomenon.
While watching the boats come home from a beautiful day’s sailing you hear the skipper yelling agitatedly as he docks his beloved boat.

One of my most important lessons when first sailing as a couple was when my partner quietly shared with me after a frustrating anchoring exercise; “It doesn’t help to shout.” (more…)

Competence is the key

Wilma — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 19:00:44 +0000

The 1980 edition of the Governor’s State university magazine Creative Women is dedicated to sailing women and I quote from an article ‘First Time Skipper’ by Joan Shipley .
“Men it seems to me, are brought up to feel that they can and should; women that they can’t and shouldn’t.
It took me 9 years’ sailing to realize that I am a competent sailor and last winter I began to wonder whether I could break out of my allotted role. (more…)