http://www.sailing-the-northwest.com Sailing and Cruising Tips for sailors in the Pacific Northwest. Whether you are just learning to sail, want to check the latest race standings, or want to cruise around Puget Sound, the San Juan or Gulf Islands or even Desolation Sound, Sailing The Northwest has something for you. Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:44:35 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Are you the next great sailing journalist?  Do you think your cruising experiences are worthy of print?  Do you just like the idea of seeing your latest sailing yarn in a national magazine?  If so, hurry up and write about your recent experience to make the June 30th deadline for ... http://www.sailing-the-northwest.com/2008/06/sail-magazine-writing-contest/ Port Townsend Yacht Club will be hosting one of three national Women's Sailing Conferences on August 2. The conference, sponsored by BoatUS and organized by the National Women's Sailing Association, will include instruction on docking and mooring techniques, spinnaker handling, heavy weather sailing, single-handed sailing, GPS charting, helming, tacking ... http://www.sailing-the-northwest.com/2008/06/womens-sailing-conference-coming-to-port-townsend/ We are preparing this week for a four-day charter next week in the San Juan Islands through Anacortes Yacht Charters.  This is the first time we'll be cruising on a boat that is not our own, and so have to make sure that we pack everything we'll be needing for ... http://www.sailing-the-northwest.com/2008/06/sailing-charter-checklist-what-to-pack-for-your-cruise/ I remember a crossing of the Straight of Juan de Fuca that was particularly harsh when I was eight years old.  We had taken leave of the safe harbor of Port Townsend early in the morning and were greeted by calm seas for the crossing with our friends in the ... http://www.sailing-the-northwest.com/2008/06/how-can-you-prevent-feeling-seasick/ 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 ... http://www.sailing-the-northwest.com/2008/06/the-first-and-only-learning-to-sail-book-youll-ever-need/ I grew up in a family obsessed with taking pictures and video.  From the old-style Super8 Film cameras to the Sony 8mm camcorder to the Sony Digital8 digicam to miniDV and now HD camcorders, every family event has been permanently caught on videotape.  But even with the advent of DVD ... http://www.sailing-the-northwest.com/2008/06/flip-mino-the-perfect-video-camera-for-your-sailboat/ Are you having trouble getting your kids interested in sailing?  Here's an online game that lets your kids learn and test their sailing skills - Shark Attack!  They will use their sailing skills to save men who have fallen overboard while avoiding a great white shark and trying not to ... http://www.sailing-the-northwest.com/2008/06/sailing-games-for-kids-shark-attack/ File this one in the "Better late than never" category.  Close on the heels of Seattle's Opening Day, National Safe Boating Week comes to a close today.  Thanks to our friends at Navagear and Bitter End for bringing this to our attention. SEATTLE - In preparation for the 50th Annual National Safe Boating ... http://www.sailing-the-northwest.com/2008/05/national-safe-boating-week-ends-today/ So you've just learned to sail or maybe are tired of waiting for that invitation to sail on Puget Sound on your friend's boat.  It's time to take the plunge and buy your own sailboat. The type of sailboat you buy should reflect the type of sailing that you plan to ... http://www.sailing-the-northwest.com/2008/05/what-kind-of-sailboat-is-right-for-you/ 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 ... http://www.sailing-the-northwest.com/2008/05/how-to-buy-a-rigging-knife/