Filter CategoriesAllSailing TipsFeature Articles Three, Two, One... Start November 7, 2017 Read More >> Three automated buoys from MarkSetBot, two operators and one RIB – that’s all you need to run a regatta with a true course every time. The MarkSetBot buoy is changing the management side of yacht racing. Despite heavy reliance on volunteers, many yacht races have significant expenses that are making the events cost prohibitive. Last week, I read a Scuttlebutt Sailing News article about the village needed to run the Etchells Worlds. The PRO/organizer was proud of all the help which made the regatta a success. However, the cost of travel, hotel and food for more than 20 RC people... Three, Two, One... Start November 7, 2017 Offshore Racing Offers Opportunity to Unplug, Refresh March 29, 2017 Read More >> Life is busy – more today than ever before. In addition to family and work obligations, text messages, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram all demand our attention. Because of all this, our minds are constantly inundated with information, and many of us are looking for ways to escape the hectic pace of the modern era. Americans spend millions on yoga, meditation, mindfulness and other forms of relaxation to break from the fast-paced life. For me, a long-distance race is truly the best way to unplug, literally and figuratively, from everyday life. A true offshore race needs to be long enough for you to... Offshore Racing Offers Opportunity to Unplug, Refresh March 29, 2017 Picking The Best Team December 28, 2016 Read More >> Follow this Formula to Select the Perfect Racing Team Being part of a successful racing team — with everyone working together toward a common goal — is an incredible experience. Finding this perfect team, though, requires a blend of great talent, attitude, commitment and friendship. Let’s take a closer look at what characteristics all successful teams have in common. First of all, a great team starts with an open-minded owner who steers the boat. (I love sailing with owners who steer.) He or she needs to trust the sailors to work on and off the water as a team. A successful team cannot... Picking The Best Team December 28, 2016 Sailing Tip #4: Rounding the Weather Mark December 17, 2016 Read More >> Situation: You just rounded the weather mark for a long downwind leg - what direction do you head? What should you be thinking about now? Objective One: Decide – Bare-away or Jibe-set? As we all well know, rounding the weather mark starts well before you reach the three-boat-length circle on the upwind leg. To set yourself up for success you must know your position in the fleet – how many boats are ahead of you, how many boats are behind you, what your spacing is relative to them. There are factors relating to the conditions to evaluate as well – current, shifts,... Sailing Tip #4: Rounding the Weather Mark December 17, 2016 Wing and Wing, it is in the Math December 17, 2016 Read More >> Racing the J 70 is always fun. This class has evolved to be a great boat for all ages and level of sailors. At a variety of regattas this past winter some of the boats made gains sailing Wing and Wing off the wind. This boat usually sails with both sails on the same side in light and planning conditions, yet we found in the moderate conditions the VMG was better sailing Wing and Wing. For now, most sailors including myself trust our gut on if it is time to sail Wing and Wing. I know for sure the proper... Wing and Wing, it is in the Math December 17, 2016 Sailing by the Numbers December 5, 2016 Read More >> Do you sail by the seat of the pants or by numbers? I like numbers mixed with seat of pants. I was taught as a child to feel the wind and use good instincts when making decisions. Today I encourage sailors to use numbers first and then back a decision with good gut feelings. The numbers I am interested in are: All moving settings Jib Leeds Jib halyard Jib Inhaul Jib Sheet Main traveler Backstay Pole lift Out haul Cunningham’s Main halyard Boom vang Sailing Targets / Polars Upwind Downwind Reach angles Instrumentation Boat speed and heading, GPS True wind and Apparent angles and speed Current speed and direction Racing Software, Hand bearing compass Internet Weather Tuning guide Settings on all the shrouds for... Sailing by the Numbers December 5, 2016 Summer of Extremes December 5, 2016 Read More >> My summer sailing has been one of extremes. Few will argue that our weather is changing and this summer produced some of the fastest and slowest races in my life. Shortly after sailing a very light regatta in Alicanti Spain on Windquest I traveled to rainy Cowes England to sail the Swan 45 Worlds on Vixen. In the thirteen days I was there, eleven rained and only two days has winds less than 20 mph. On top of the breeze, rain was extreme current, sometimes up to 3knots in speed. In the previous regatta at Capri we were well prepared... Summer of Extremes December 5, 2016 Keys to Success, The Spinnaker December 3, 2016 Read More >> We got to the top mark in the top five and now the race will get sorted out on the first run. The first run in a windward leeward race is usually the most important for positioning because the class is in close proximity. The boat that can gain a boat length or two and sail a little lower will have a big advantage when ahead or behind. Most spinnakers today are designed to work in a particular wind range and if trimmed properly should perform well. The keys to a good spinnaker are: Light Air ( 0-10 ) Very light material Easy... Keys to Success, The Spinnaker December 3, 2016 Stadium Sailing — ReDefining Sailboat Racing November 4, 2016 Read More >> By Wally Cross It will change the way you “view” the sport of sailing. Benjamin Klatzka and I have been discussing this concept of sailing in front of Yacht Clubs now for two years. His business is the PSL or Premier Sailing Leauge. His goal is to provide boats around the country in specifi c yachting venues, and create live entertainment in a near-stadium environment that has never been realized for the sport. The goal is to have regional yacht club challenges and eventually crown a national champion. This past September we decided to try a stadium sailing concept event at... Stadium Sailing — ReDefining Sailboat Racing November 4, 2016 Tip #1 October 22, 2016 Read More >> Expedite Your Sailing Season Get a jump on next season and make sure your sails are in racing condition while your boat is inactive during the winter: Take Pictures of all your sails before you pull your boat out for the winter Email wcross@ullmansails.com your pictures so I can measure the shape Draft location and depth Entry angle and exit angle Twist I will send you an evaluation of your sail Condition Recommendation Wind range of use Tip #1 October 22, 2016 Tip #2 October 22, 2016 Read More >> Information System Starts Marking Racing sailboats have a lot of moving pieces: Backstay (all types) Traveler Main and Genoa/Jib and Spinn Sheets Jib/Genoa Tracks Halyards In‐Hauls Out Haul/Cunningham Anything that moves should be marked and measured so you can start your system to repeat settings. Make a “Boat Log” to record your settings after the race. Tip #2 October 22, 2016 Tip #3 October 22, 2016 Read More >> Make Your 2016 Sailing Goals Now Sit down with you crew now and talk about all possible sailing events for next summer. Should the goal be winning offshore events or bouy regattas? Or would it be fun to watch your children race? Pick your top five events to win now and start your check list early: The Boat (Can it be better, more fair, lighter) Interior (Clean, organized, low storage) The Deck (Is everything marked, clean, simple) The Mast (Clean, low windage, simple) Sails (Pictures, condition, cross over chart, hours) Instruments (True values, target speed and angles) Running Rigging (Strong, light, age, markings) Tip #3 October 22, 2016
