The contest is fairly straightforward - imagine you’ve been hired to take a cruise and write about it.  Your 1,200-word story about cruising along the coast or an inland lake will bring the reader on board to learn about the people you meet, the history and geography of the area, the experiences you’ve had and (of course!) the sailing you experienced while there.

The deadline is coming up quick - midnight of June 30, 2008 - so brush the dust off your computer and start writing!. The five finalists selected by the editors of SAIL magazine will have their articles posted on sailmag.com. There are no indications of how the winner will be selected (reader vote?  Editor selection?), but he or she will be paid for the winning story, and it will be published in SAIL Magazine.

Whether you are new to sailing or looking to sharpen your racing or navigational skills, the day-long event should be a fun and educational. “For women new to boating, this is a fun, relaxed training opportunity,” says Elaine Dickinson, who heads the women’s outreach effort for BoatUS. “Even seasoned sailors learn something new and have a great time too.”

The day will begin includes a continental breakfast and lunch, along with morning guest-speaker Nancy Erley, a world-class navigator who will share her experiences from her two circumnavigations aboard her 38-foot sailboat Tethys. On-land and on-the water workshops, raffle prizes and a “goodie bag” will round out the day. Participants can pick either a morning or afternoon on-the-water session, and then two onshore/dockside workshops for the other half of the day.

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, and is limited to the first 50 women. The class fee runs $100 for NWSA members, $130 for non-members. For more details or to register, you can download the registration form, or call Linda Newland at 360.379.1582.

On-The-water Workshops:

• Crew Overboard
  Learn hoe to rescue and retrieve a person of any size from the water
• Take the Helm Intro
  Actual helming experience on points of sail for novices or those without helm experience
• Heavy Weather Sailing
  Learn techniques to depower and safely sail your boat in rough conditions
• Tack and Gybe Smartly
  Hands-on practice in efficiently tacking and gybing to improve boat handling skills
• Spinnaker Sailing
  Learn to fly a spinnaker, rotate crew positions and helm
• Intermediate Sail Trim
  Trim for maximum performance (with helm time)
• Docking & Mooring
  Learn the basics of docking a boat and picking up a mooring

Onshore Workshops:

• Charting 101-102
  Hands-on experience reading charts and plotting courses
• Knots to Know
  Learn to tie basic knots and practice their applications
• Suddenly Singlehanded
  You’re alone on the boat. How to get home and get help
• Care and Repair of Sails
  Learn the type of sails, how to care for them and make repairs underway
• GPS Charting
  Integrate basic charting skills with using your GPS
• Dress for Success
  What to pack in your seabag to keep warm/cool and personal safety equipment needed
• First Aid and Safety Equipment
  Basic first aid for boating and personal safety equipment

Dockside Workshops

• Welcome Aboard
  Basic sailing terminology, guest etiquette, how to use basic onboard systems
• Reefing
  Introduction to reefing to depower your boat in building winds
• Spinnakers
  Learn to pack and set the spinnaker, jibe the pole
• Intermediate Sail Trim
  Learn how to trim to change sail shape and improve performance in all points of sail

Here’s the packing list we came up with for the charter cruise for a family of five (two adults, and three children):

Clothes

• Towels (10 full-size, 10 washcloths)
• Wool winter mittens/gloves
• Hats (wool & sun)
• Underwear (6 per person)
• T-shirts
• Long Pants
• Shorts
• Sweatshirts
• Sweaters
• Windbreaker / Jacket
• Swimsuits
• Socks
• Rain Gear
• Boat Shoes
• Tennis Shoes
• Boots (mid-calf or higher for beach-combing)

Toiletries

• Shampoo/Conditioner
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Hairbrush
• Sunscreen (we’re hoping!)
• Razor
• Deodorant
• Mouthwash
• Dishsoap
• Dove Soap
• Chap Stick
• Nail clippers / Nail scissors

Entertainment

• Books
• Portable DVD-player
• Music CD’s
• Digital Camera
• Flip Video Camera
• AA batteries
• Card Games (2 card decks + SkipBo)

Sailing Equipment / Navigation Aids

• Rigging Knife
• Flashlight w/ batteries
• Binoculars
• Local NOAA Charts
• Compass
• Pencil / Pens / Eraser
• Tide & Current Tables
• GPS
• Whistle
• Life Jackets

Other Cruising Items

• Sunglasses
• Drivers License
• Washington State Boater Education Card (if required)
• Passport (if you plan on entering Canadian waters)
• Insect repellent
• Garbage Bags
• Zip-locks (handy for dinghy trips)
• Canvas Tote-bag, backpack and/or duffle bag
• Sleeping Bags & pillows
• Cell phone
• Power Converter/Inverter for shore power hook-up or battery hook-up
• Money

We’ll update this list as we continue packing, but please let us know if we’ve missed anything that you’ve found important as well!

No sooner were we 15 minutes out of port that the wind and swells started picking up.  Within the next 15 minutes, one of the boats in front of us lost their outboard engine, the swells had increased to 20 feet if they were a foot, and I was leaning overboard relieving myself of that morning’s bowl of cornflakes while muttering “I wish I was dead, I wish I was dead”.

My sea legs developed after that day, and I have never been revisited by a bout of seasickness, but I vividly remember the feeling of nausea and helplessness as my body was rendered a useless lump on the inside of the cockpit.

Fast-forward to today, and I am faced with the unfortunate reality that my spouse suffers from seasickness (also called motion sickness) when stepping on board a sailboat.  With an upcoming 4-day charter in the San Juan islands starting next week (a Beneteau 35′ through Anacortes Yacht Charters), I need to come up with an alternative to Dramamine and the wristbands/seabands, which both came up short on our last daysail to Blake Island.

Seasickness Remedies & Prevention
After a quick consultation to our family doctor (literally, my sister), she pointed me in the direction of scopolamine, a prescription drug patch which is also used to prevent post-operative nausea.  Some quick research on the web also pointed me in the direction of ginger capsules or sucking on crystallised ginger.  We’ll bring both along and report back to let you know which one worked (or didn’t work!).

Wikipedia also mentioned some other natural ways to find relief, including:

• Keeping your eyes directed to the horizon when possible
• Lying down on your back and closing your eyes
• Stay in a position where fresh air is blowing on your face
• Take the helm of the boat to anticipate the movement of the vessel and have something to concentrate on.

Do you have any other solutions or interesting ways to prevent feeling seasick?  Please leave a comment and let us know!

There are many worthy how-to books that you can (and should) read if you are just learning to sail.  But if you are only looking for one book to read before getting on a boat for the first time, Sailing Fundamentals is the book for you.

Sailing Fundamentals is the textbook of choice for most sailing schools across the country, and is published under the banners of both the American Sailing Association (ASA) and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary (USCGA).  Written by Gary Jobson, Sailing Fundamentals is an excellent guide for novice sailors, and an important tool to achieving your ASA certification for Basic Sailing and Basic Coastal Cruising — essential if you want to charter a boat. 

This book covers everything you need to know to feel comfortable going to your first sailing lesson or on your first daysail, from hoisting your sails to sail trim to anchoring to basic navigation to required safety equipment to docking the boat. It was mandatory reading for all of my students prior to arriving at their first sailing lesson, and it should be the first member of your sailing library as well.

Maybe that’s why I fell in love with the Flip Video when it launched from Pure Digital last year.  I immediately bought two of these new style digital “camcorders” - one for my wife, and one for me - and recommend them to anyone I know.  These camcorders do for video what the digital camera did for photos - They make it incredibly simple to shoot and share video.

Today, Pure Digital just announced it’s latest member to the Flip Family, the Flip Video Mino.  Smaller than most cell phones, you can pick one of these up for only $179.99 and capture every moment from your next sailing trip.

With 2GB of memory, you can capture up to 60 minutes of high-quality video, and easily import the video onto your computer using the attached flip-out USB arm.  No more messing with recording video via Firewire or an expensive video capture card - each video scene is a separate file on the Flip, making them easy to watch and upload to your favorite private or public video sharing site.

And that’s why it’s perfect for your boat.  You can make your friends jealous by firing off a couple of video emails or posting them to your blog or personal website.  And the video quality (4.0mbps) is high enough to get a good (not great) quality DVD from the scenes you like.

Flip Video Mino Features

• Weight: 3.3 oz.
• One-touch recording with 2x digital zoom
• Touch-sensitive buttons for instant recording, playback, fast forward, rewind, pause and delete
• Built-in software compatible with PC or Mac:
  • Instant upload to MySpace, YouTube, and AOL Video
  • One-click emailing of videos and video greeting cards
  • Custom editing of movie mixes, with the option to set them to your own music
  • Capture of still photos from video
  • Order DVDs online and have them shipped anywhere in the world
• TV connection for instant viewing (cable included)
• Tripod mount
• Available accessories (sold separately): AC power adapter, tripod, action mount, and pouch
• Available in black or white; suggested retail price: $179.99  

Sure, the game is pretty basic and could use some refining, but my son burned about 20 minutes playing Shark Attack.  It’s a great way to get your kids introduced to sailing and let them have some fun!

SEATTLE - In preparation for the 50th Annual National Safe Boating Week, May 17-24, the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary along with boating agencies from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana are asking boaters and beachgoers to take special precautions before getting into the water as the boating season begins and summer temperatures rise.

To encourage the mandatory use of life jackets by children, Dairy Queen has teamed up with the Coast Guard and the state boating programs as well as other state and federal agencies to reward children wearing lifejackets with coupons for free ice cream. Dairy Queen has been a staunch supporter of boating safety for eight years and will again provide safe junior boaters with a Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cone if they are 16 years old or younger and wearing a lifejacket while boating.

With record temperatures forecasted for the weekend anyone who chooses to beat the heat at a local river, stream, or pond should be very cautious as they could be entering a very deadly situation.

1. Cold Water Sudden Immersion is a proven deadly killer and even strong swimmers can be quickly overcome. Local rivers streams and ponds are still under the effects of melting snow and despite warmer weather, temperatures in the water can still be extremely cold. The only thing that can give a person their best chance of surviving sudden cold water immersion is a lifejacket. Lifejackets save lives!  For more information on Cold Water Immersion click here.

2. Check Local Weather Forecasts:  Be aware that storms can come up quickly and without warning. Always check local weather conditions and forecasts before heading out.

3. Wear Personal Flotation Devices: Life jackets - bring one for each person. History has shown that the chance of survival greatly increases if an individual is wearing a personal flotation device. For more information on life jacket requirements visit: http://www.uscgboating.org/command/initiative/jacket.htm [Read our recent post How to Choose the Right Life Jacket]

4. Stay Sober: Operating a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal. For more information on boating under the influence visit: http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/bui.htm

5. Have a Marine Radio: Investing in a good VHF radio is a smart purchase. Cell phones should not be used as a primary means of emergency communication on the water where reception may be poor or unavailable.  A VHF radio has certain advantages such as:

• Strong signal.
• Channels reserved for distress calls. (VHF channel 16)
• Distress calls are received by everyone monitoring a VHF radio in range, whereas cell phone communications are point-to-point.

For more in-depth information about radios and terminology visit the link below. http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/metlife/radio.htm

6. Float Plan: A float plan is a written statement of the details of an intended voyage usually filed with a friend, neighbor and/or marina operator or; a document that specifically describes the vessel, equipment, crew, and itinerary of a planned voyage. Leave a copy with a friend, relative or local marina before heading out on the water.  If a vessel has an emergency or is overdue, pertinent information will be available to provide local marine police or the Coast Guard. If delayed, boaters should inform those with the float plan, and be sure to notify them upon returning so the float plan can be “closed out” and an unnecessary and costly search avoided. An example of a float plan can be found at http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/fedreqs/floatplan.pdf

7. Get Your Boat Checked before Heading Out: The Coast Guard Auxiliary and United States Power Squadron offer a free Vessel Safety Check.  Common problems found are lack of personal flotation devices, lack of visual distress signals or inoperable navigational lights.  For a complete list of what boaters should check prior to heading out, or to schedule a free vessel safety check, visit: http://www.vesselsafetycheck.org/

8. Boating Safety Classes:  A variety of boating safety classes are available throughout the Pacific Northwest. These classes are provided through the Coast Guard Auxiliary in many locations. Visit the link below for a listing and description of available classes. http://a130.uscgaux.info/dso-pe/index.htm or http://www.usps.org/

The type of sailboat you buy should reflect the type of sailing that you plan to do, and where you will be spending the majority of your time on the water.  Here are some questions you should consider before investing in that new or used sailboat:

How will you spend your time on the sailboat?
The type of boat you want is greatly dependent on how you will spend the majority of time on it.  Are you looking to spend a few hours on the lake after work? Take a 3-day vacation to Blake Island on Puget Sound? Or do you want to go on a 3-week excursion up into the San Juan Islands or Gulf Islands?

The sailboat you consider should match your intentions.  If you don’t intend on going on long vacations or numerous weekend cruises, don’t go for a large sailboat equipped with all the amenities of home.  You might enjoy a smaller sailboat designed for daysailing, and rather charter a larger boat for that dream cruise to Desolation Sound.

How much do you want to spend on the sailboat?
The price of sailboats vary greatly depending on size, age and manufacturer.  You can spend as little as $4-5,000 or over $100,000.  Even within a certain size range prices can vary based on the type of boat you are considering.

Don’t forget that the initial purchase of the boat is just the beginning.  You need to remember to budget for moorage, maintenance, insurance, new equipment or sails, fuel and all the other costs that typically go into sailboat ownership.

How much boat do you want?
Will you be sailing by yourself or with your family?  If you are planning on single-handed sailing (or if you have young children), you may want or need to look at a smaller sailboat.  If you do opt for a larger boat, look for features that can simplify your sailing excursions, such as a roller-furling jib/genoa.

Where will you sail your boat?
If you are on a large body of water, or one which can experience rough seas, you are probably better off buying a sailboat 24+ feet in length with a fixed keel.  Small lake sailing, protected bays and inlets are perfect for smaller daysailer sailboats with either a swing keel or centerboard.

If you intend to travel with your sailboat, you will want to get a sailboat that can be trailored by your vehicle and easily launched at your destination’s boat launch.

Do you want to cruise with other people?
Many people buy a sailboat to become part of the larger sailing community.  The easiest way to start is to purchase a popular sailboat that has a local cruising fleet. As an example, Catalina sailboats have a very active local and national fleet and are a great beginner cruiser sailboat.

Do you want to race your boat?
Sailboat racing is a great team sport and perfect for honing your sailing skills.  Local Yacht Clubs sponsor sailboat races, and you can participate in a PHRF-handicapped race, or in a one-design fleet.  If you are looking primarily to race your boat, research the local one-design fleets in your area (The Seattle area has a very strong J-24 and Thunderbird racing fleet) when you are considering which type of sailboat to purchase.

Whatever type of sailboat you end up purchasing, be sure to do your research, spend some time looking around at your local sailboat brokers and take a couple boats out for a test sail.  If you are a first-time sailor, remember to take your sailing lessons, get the right equipment, and most of all…. have a great time!

Rigging knives are used in sailing to work with lines and other forms of rigging.  Rigging knives had their moment in the spotlight when one was used  on America One to cut a genoa sheet that had become wrapped during the Louis Vitton finals.   You should consider a rigging knife as much a necessity for your boat as all of your Coast Guard required equipment.

There are different forms of rigging knives, and which one you choose depends a lot on how and in what conditions you typically sail.  A rigging knife will generally come with some combination of a blade (serrated or smooth), a marlinspike and a shackle key.

Here’s what you should look for in your Deluxe Rigging Knife:

Decide between a fixed blade and a folding blade.
All my rigging knives have been the folding sort, as it allows the knife to carry a marlinspike.  I also believe it to be a bit safer in my gear bag, as the knife blade is never exposed unless left open.  However, in heavy seas, a folding blade requires two hands to open - a difficult feat if you need one hand to hold onto the boat.  If you do go for the folding blade, find a model with a locking-blade option to make it safer.

Select a knife with a marlinspike.
Marlinspikes are invaluable in working with lines on your boat.  While they are a necessary tool for any splicing you may do, I found my marlinspike mostly being used to undo tightly bound knots.  Marlinspikes are usually only found on the folding-style of rigging knives.

Choose a rigging knife with a shackle key.
Shackle pins are usually screwed on very tight to avoid them coming undone.  Having a shackle key makes it that much easier to undo shackle pins that may have locked or seized, especially on a cold and windy day!

Decide between a smooth blade and a serrated blade
Most rigging knives give you a choice between smooth and serrated blades.  All of my rigging knives have been serrated, as I believe they cut through lines or sheets more easily.  You also want to make sure that the blade on your rigging knife does not have a point, and I’ve yet to seen a serrated blade with a point.