See full version: Learn How to Sail a Small Sailboat
Let out the sheet until its luff starts shaking or flapping, then tighten the jibsheet until it stops. As with the mainsail, you can’t tell by the look of the jib whether it’s in too tight, so the only way to make sure it’s perfect is to let out until it luffs, then bring it back in a little. here
If a sail is in too tight, it can look perfect. You can’t tell by its appearance if it is in too tight. The only way to know is to let it out until it starts luffing and then tighten it just until it stops luffing. here
The boat can’t move if the sails are loose and flapping in the wind. As soon as they are tightened up when the wind is coming from the side, the boat will begin to move forward.
When you’re first learning, it doesn’t hurt to leave the centerboard down the whole time. It’s one less thing to be concerned about until you’ve mastered sail trim. [links]
Note the shape of both sails in this photo as the boat moves on a beam reach. Remember that closer to the wind, the sails are in tight; the farther off the wind, the sails are let out more. A beam reach is about halfway between the two extremes. Both sails have the same curve. here
One of the longest-lived boats in its category, the Hunter 33 came into the market in 1977 and is still in production to date. The mid-sized sailboat comes with great interior accommodations, with ample room for sleeping and sitting. It comes with two private cabins, which is great for a 33-foot sailboat. [links]
Okay, why should you want to give up living on land and opt for an unstable address somewhere in the middle of the ocean? Is it even safe to do so? here
Using a porta-potty all year long is definitely out of the question. Besides, no one would like to live on a stinky boat or have guests come over a smelly abode. When you choose a liveaboard sailboat, look for one with a built-in and properly outfitted toilet. It should also have a safe sewage storage tank with a proper disposal system.
This lifestyle offers liveaboards a cheaper alternative than living in a traditional house. This is particularly the case in waterfront cities where rental apartments and houses in the marina areas are even more expensive. more
A layer that can stand up to wind is non-negotiable. Helly Hansen’s HP Fjord is an excellent barrier to both wind and water, and there’s just enough heft to it to offer a little warmth, too. [links]
Polarized sunglasses cut glare so you can see how the water is moving, helping you read the wind. Costa’s optics are second to none. We recommend its Slack Tide shades with mirror lenses, which increase contrast between subtle changes in water conditions. here
When there’s a big gust, you simply turn into the wind, which stops the boat. And luckily, the heavy ballast below a keelboat’s hull makes them pretty hard to capsize. So while a strong gust may cause the boat to heel, or lean, you’ll be fine.
How wind moves a boat: A sail full of wind forms an airfoil and propels the boat with lift, the way a plane’s wing does (except across water, rather than into the air). The work of sailing is to position, or trim, the sails to maximize lift in the direction you want to go. more
Any skipper taking you out for a lesson will have safety equipment and navigation hardware. Your main job is to dress for the occasion. So: Picture a sailor in your mind—then don’t dress like that. You don’t need a cable-knit sweater and pipe. Check the forecast and wear the layers you’d wear on land—plus make sure to have these four things. here
CREW NEEDED 54ft. SAILING YACHT PASSAGE TO EUROPE
Her tone dealt an uppercut to the conversation. We ate our cheeseburgers and drank our Chang Beer in silence. The bartender took away our empty plates and brought back two more beers. [links]
Trying to find a job in post-tsunami Thailand was tough. Many of the ex-pats had moved on. Tourism was at an all time low. We’d gone to support the economy, but didn’t have the money to loaf forever; teaching opportunities were scarce. After about two months without work, serendipity struck. While sitting at a burger bar in Chalong Bay, Anna and I were having one of those not-so-pleasant conversations about running out of money. We both had differing opinions about the way to move forward. Then I spotted a xeroxed 8×11 on the beer refrigerator next to the bar: here