Sailing Beginner - Types of Sails

This sailing beginner article is about some of the different types of sails used in modern sailing. On most sailboats there are two basic types of sails that are used, one is the main and the other is the jib. They are standard for boats of larger size. The main is the main power source, while the jib is a secondary source of propulsion and is mainly used in tacking or sailing upwind. They are made from cruising or a light grade polyester known as Dacron and are reinforced at the head, tack, and clew for extra strength. This makes this grade of sail good for light duty use.

For the bigger sailboats, the sail fabric is a performance grade or medium grade of polyester Dacron that is used, which offer good durability and performance. This grade would be used in coastal sailing, cruising, and club racing for boats up to 45 feet long. Then you have sails for blue water cruising that are made of premium grade polyester Dacron. These type is used for offshore sailing and are extremely strong and durable for optimum performance in a wide range of wind conditions.

Another type of sail used in extreme weather conditions is known as the storm sail. These are made of heavy duty Dacron and tripled stitched with reinforced leather at the luff, leech, and foot corners. There are two types, one is the trysail that replaces the mainsail and there is a storm jib that is also used in extreme weather conditions. Both of these types are smaller in size and mostly used for blue water and competition sailing that prevents heeling and keeps the boat under power for navigational control.

A spinnaker is unique type of sail and is designed for going downwind. It works by ballooning or filling with wind at the bow of the boat and is made up of lightweight fabric like nylon and comes in multitude of colors and patterns. When deployed it is called flying and can be optimized for a number of angles to catch the wind by shaping the sail.

A genoa type of sail is similar to a jib, but there is a difference. The jib is no larger than the triangular area that is formed by the three sides to include the mast, deck, and forestay. However, a genoa is larger as the leech will go past the mast overlapping the main. The foot is generally parallel and close to the deck when close hauled.

Another type of sail that was extensively used at the time of the Roman Empire was the lateen [meaning latin] sail. This type is triangular set on a long yard attached at angle on the mast. The lateen is still used on smaller recreational sailboats like the well known Sail and Sun Fish models. Coastal fishermen along the Mediterranean still use this design today. Different types of sails are used for different applications and boat designs. With new computer designs and fabrics, modern sails have a supreme advantage over those of the past.

Sailing Beginner - Launching Your Sailing Boat   

Basic Sailing Terminology: Through the Eyes of a Super Yacht Chief Stewardess

Basic Seamanship terminology!

A.

Aft: The back end of the yacht, also known as the stern. Anchor ball: Round black shape hoisted up forward to show that the yacht is anchored.

B.

Bow: The front part of the yacht also known as forward. Bow line: The line running from the bow when docking Bowline: Type of knot, produces strong loop. Very useful to learn if you safely tie of a tender. Bosun: A non-commissioned officer responsible for the deck equipment and the boss of the deckies. Beam: width of yacht at the widest point Bilge: The space or compartment at the bottom of the hull: usually contains storage, originally the space where water collects. Bridge: This is the location from which the yacht is steered, navigated and where the speed is controlled. It's also a great place to find the Captain.

C.

Cast off: To leave go. Capstan: A large vertical winch used to wind in anchors or tighten lines. Cleat: a fitting where lines are made fast. (Tied off). Cockpit: An opening in the deck from where the yacht is handled. (sail yacht).

D.

Deck Fittings: Those shiny items used to work and secure lines. Items include cleats, pad eyes and bits. Dead ahead: Directly in front.

E.

EPRIB - Emergency Position Indication Radio Beacon - Make sure you know where this is fitted, because this will save your life in an emergency.

F.

Fair lead: round opening used to put a line through to prevent it rubbing. Fire Extinguishers: You covered this in your fire fighting course for STCW95. Here are the basics again: Foam extinguishers - Class A & B - For use on solids and liquids on fire, found regularly in the interior. Powder extinguishers - Class A,B & C - Not usually found on-board because of collateral damage these do. CO2 extinguishers - Class B - Found in galley and near electrical Do not use on people as it creates frost-burns First mate: (chief officer) second in command Fender: An air filled bumper used to keep boats from banging into docks or each other.

G.

Galley: Kitchen. Gear: Ropes, blocks, tackle... general term for deck equipment. Gangway: Where people board and disembark the vessel... (Get on and off).

H.

Head: Toilet. Hull: Is the main construction of the vessel.

K.

Keel: The centre line of the vessel, (the back bone). Knot: The rate which you measure the speed. 1 knot = 1 nautical mile = 1.15 miles = 1.852 km

L.

List: angle of lean or tilt to one side (along length of ship this is called pitch) (LOA). Length overall: This is the measurement of the yacht along its centre line. Lazarette: The Garage where all of the toys are kept. Located aft of the vessel. Leeward: The side away from or sheltered from the wind. Opposite of windward.

M.

Master: Captain Muster station: The location where the crew and guests meet in case of an emergency.

P.

Passarelle : walkway ashore at stern of yacht Port side: The left side of the yacht when facing forward. The easiest way to remember the red light that is allocated to indicate the port side for navigational purposes is by remembering this little verse. "No port left in the bottle... (Port side is left and port the drink is red)'

S.

Starboard side: Is the right side of the yacht when facing forward and opposite to port-side.

Note: So you don't get confused with this remember when referring to the port and starboard side of a vessel it is when you are facing the bow.

Screw: The propeller. Scuppers: The drains in deck. Spring line: Used in docking to stop the boast moving forward or astern. Squall: Sudden and violent wind always with loads of rain. Stern: The rear part of the yacht

T.

Transom: the flat back panel of the yacht

W.

Windward: - In the direction that the wind is coming from. Opposite of leeward. Winch: used to pull up anchor and tighten bowlines. Sailing Beginner - Launching Your Sailing Boat   

Basic Sailing Terminology: Through the Eyes of a Super Yacht Chief Stewardess

Basic Seamanship terminology!

A.

Aft: The back end of the yacht, also known as the stern. Anchor ball: Round black shape hoisted up forward to show that the yacht is anchored.

B.

Bow: The front part of the yacht also known as forward. Bow line: The line running from the bow when docking Bowline: Type of knot, produces strong loop. Very useful to learn if you safely tie of a tender. Bosun: A non-commissioned officer responsible for the deck equipment and the boss of the deckies. Beam: width of yacht at the widest point Bilge: The space or compartment at the bottom of the hull: usually contains storage, originally the space where water collects. Bridge: This is the location from which the yacht is steered, navigated and where the speed is controlled. It's also a great place to find the Captain.

C.

Cast off: To leave go. Capstan: A large vertical winch used to wind in anchors or tighten lines. Cleat: a fitting where lines are made fast. (Tied off). Cockpit: An opening in the deck from where the yacht is handled. (sail yacht).

D.

Deck Fittings: Those shiny items used to work and secure lines. Items include cleats, pad eyes and bits. Dead ahead: Directly in front.

E.

EPRIB - Emergency Position Indication Radio Beacon - Make sure you know where this is fitted, because this will save your life in an emergency.

F.

Fair lead: round opening used to put a line through to prevent it rubbing. Fire Extinguishers: You covered this in your fire fighting course for STCW95. Here are the basics again: Foam extinguishers - Class A & B - For use on solids and liquids on fire, found regularly in the interior. Powder extinguishers - Class A,B & C - Not usually found on-board because of collateral damage these do. CO2 extinguishers - Class B - Found in galley and near electrical Do not use on people as it creates frost-burns First mate: (chief officer) second in command Fender: An air filled bumper used to keep boats from banging into docks or each other.

G.

Galley: Kitchen. Gear: Ropes, blocks, tackle... general term for deck equipment. Gangway: Where people board and disembark the vessel... (Get on and off).

H.

Head: Toilet. Hull: Is the main construction of the vessel.

K.

Keel: The centre line of the vessel, (the back bone). Knot: The rate which you measure the speed. 1 knot = 1 nautical mile = 1.15 miles = 1.852 km

L.

List: angle of lean or tilt to one side (along length of ship this is called pitch) (LOA). Length overall: This is the measurement of the yacht along its centre line. Lazarette: The Garage where all of the toys are kept. Located aft of the vessel. Leeward: The side away from or sheltered from the wind. Opposite of windward.

M.

Master: Captain Muster station: The location where the crew and guests meet in case of an emergency.

P.

Passarelle : walkway ashore at stern of yacht Port side: The left side of the yacht when facing forward. The easiest way to remember the red light that is allocated to indicate the port side for navigational purposes is by remembering this little verse. "No port left in the bottle... (Port side is left and port the drink is red)'

S.

Starboard side: Is the right side of the yacht when facing forward and opposite to port-side.

Note: So you don't get confused with this remember when referring to the port and starboard side of a vessel it is when you are facing the bow.

Screw: The propeller. Scuppers: The drains in deck. Spring line: Used in docking to stop the boast moving forward or astern. Squall: Sudden and violent wind always with loads of rain. Stern: The rear part of the yacht

T.

Transom: the flat back panel of the yacht

W.

Windward: - In the direction that the wind is coming from. Opposite of leeward. Winch: used to pull up anchor and tighten bowlines. Sailing Beginner - Launching Your Sailing Boat   

Sailing Beginner - Types of Sails

This sailing beginner article is about some of the different types of sails used in modern sailing. On most sailboats there are two basic types of sails that are used, one is the main and the other is the jib. They are standard for boats of larger size. The main is the main power source, while the jib is a secondary source of propulsion and is mainly used in tacking or sailing upwind. They are made from cruising or a light grade polyester known as Dacron and are reinforced at the head, tack, and clew for extra strength. This makes this grade of sail good for light duty use.

For the bigger sailboats, the sail fabric is a performance grade or medium grade of polyester Dacron that is used, which offer good durability and performance. This grade would be used in coastal sailing, cruising, and club racing for boats up to 45 feet long. Then you have sails for blue water cruising that are made of premium grade polyester Dacron. These type is used for offshore sailing and are extremely strong and durable for optimum performance in a wide range of wind conditions.

Another type of sail used in extreme weather conditions is known as the storm sail. These are made of heavy duty Dacron and tripled stitched with reinforced leather at the luff, leech, and foot corners. There are two types, one is the trysail that replaces the mainsail and there is a storm jib that is also used in extreme weather conditions. Both of these types are smaller in size and mostly used for blue water and competition sailing that prevents heeling and keeps the boat under power for navigational control.

A spinnaker is unique type of sail and is designed for going downwind. It works by ballooning or filling with wind at the bow of the boat and is made up of lightweight fabric like nylon and comes in multitude of colors and patterns. When deployed it is called flying and can be optimized for a number of angles to catch the wind by shaping the sail.

A genoa type of sail is similar to a jib, but there is a difference. The jib is no larger than the triangular area that is formed by the three sides to include the mast, deck, and forestay. However, a genoa is larger as the leech will go past the mast overlapping the main. The foot is generally parallel and close to the deck when close hauled.

Another type of sail that was extensively used at the time of the Roman Empire was the lateen [meaning latin] sail. This type is triangular set on a long yard attached at angle on the mast. The lateen is still used on smaller recreational sailboats like the well known Sail and Sun Fish models. Coastal fishermen along the Mediterranean still use this design today. Different types of sails are used for different applications and boat designs. With new computer designs and fabrics, modern sails have a supreme advantage over those of the past.

Sailing Beginner - Launching Your Sailing Boat   

Sailing Beginner - Launching Your Sailing Boat

In this sailing beginner article, I'd like to explain how to launch the sailboat from the boat trailer step by step. The first thing I do when I arrive at the boat ramp is to check to see if anyone is currently using it. If no one is, I turn the tow vehicle around so that I'm in position to back down the boat ramp. However, before actually backing down on the ramp, I perform the following preliminary steps while still on a dry flat surface. Or if someone is currently using the boat ramp, I will proceed with these same steps while in the parking lot. And once the boat ramp is available, and I completed a few preliminary steps first, I will back down and put it in the water. Here's what you need to do first.

I take off the safety chain at the bow, and then I go to the back of the boat and remove the nylon strap. In this way, the sailboat will be able to float off the trailer and separate from it once it's submerged.

Tip: Here's a little tip that will save you money and time. Make sure to disconnect the trailer wire from the tow vehicle before you back the trailer into the water. This will avoid burning out light bulbs unnecessarily. The reason that a bulb may burn out is when backing down the ramp, your foot will be constantly on the brake and as a result the boat trailer brake lights are getting hot. But once submerged, they will get even hotter and can easily short out at this point. Trust me, I know this works, because one day while launching my sailboat I forgot to disconnect the trailer lights and burned out one of the bulbs instantly. Try this next time you launch, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Next, I attach a 25-foot piece of nylon rope to the bow of the sailboat. Then I point the side mirrors on my tow vehicle down, so that I can see the boat ramp while backing down it. This prevents me from driving off the ramp, as you cannot see the boat trailer at this point to use as a reference. Once the trailer is completely submerged, I put the vehicle in park along with the parking brake. And then I proceed to release the sailing boat off the trailer by slowly cranking the winch handle out until the boat is now free from the trailer.

Tip: A word of caution is merited here, please be careful to keep clear of the boat winch handle especially when the winch is under tension by the weight of the sailboat. My Renken 18 foot sailing boat weighs over 1,200 pounds and creates a lot of tension especially when it's on the incline of a boat ramp. One day I accidentally released the winch while being distracted and the handle just about knocked my two front teeth out! Thankfully my dentist was just up the street and I had to make an emergency appointment. Don't let this happen to you! If you are going to quick release the sailboat, make sure you position the handle in a neutral position first to avoid any personal injury to yourself.

I prefer to release the sailboat a little at a time after that accident, by turning the winch handle slowly a little at a time, making sure to keep my body clear of it, until I can unhook the winch strap from the bow. Then I gently push the sailboat off the trailer with both hands, then I grab the 25foot rope mentioned earlier so I don't have to go swimming for it, and tie it up to the dock by controlling it with the rope. There you have it, with these few steps and words of caution will enable you to launch your sailboat for the first time. Until my next article - Happy Sailing!

Sailing Beginner - Launching Your Sailing Boat   

Sailing Beginner - Types of Sails

This sailing beginner article is about some of the different types of sails used in modern sailing. On most sailboats there are two basic types of sails that are used, one is the main and the other is the jib. They are standard for boats of larger size. The main is the main power source, while the jib is a secondary source of propulsion and is mainly used in tacking or sailing upwind. They are made from cruising or a light grade polyester known as Dacron and are reinforced at the head, tack, and clew for extra strength. This makes this grade of sail good for light duty use.

For the bigger sailboats, the sail fabric is a performance grade or medium grade of polyester Dacron that is used, which offer good durability and performance. This grade would be used in coastal sailing, cruising, and club racing for boats up to 45 feet long. Then you have sails for blue water cruising that are made of premium grade polyester Dacron. These type is used for offshore sailing and are extremely strong and durable for optimum performance in a wide range of wind conditions.

Another type of sail used in extreme weather conditions is known as the storm sail. These are made of heavy duty Dacron and tripled stitched with reinforced leather at the luff, leech, and foot corners. There are two types, one is the trysail that replaces the mainsail and there is a storm jib that is also used in extreme weather conditions. Both of these types are smaller in size and mostly used for blue water and competition sailing that prevents heeling and keeps the boat under power for navigational control.

A spinnaker is unique type of sail and is designed for going downwind. It works by ballooning or filling with wind at the bow of the boat and is made up of lightweight fabric like nylon and comes in multitude of colors and patterns. When deployed it is called flying and can be optimized for a number of angles to catch the wind by shaping the sail.

A genoa type of sail is similar to a jib, but there is a difference. The jib is no larger than the triangular area that is formed by the three sides to include the mast, deck, and forestay. However, a genoa is larger as the leech will go past the mast overlapping the main. The foot is generally parallel and close to the deck when close hauled.

Another type of sail that was extensively used at the time of the Roman Empire was the lateen [meaning latin] sail. This type is triangular set on a long yard attached at angle on the mast. The lateen is still used on smaller recreational sailboats like the well known Sail and Sun Fish models. Coastal fishermen along the Mediterranean still use this design today. Different types of sails are used for different applications and boat designs. With new computer designs and fabrics, modern sails have a supreme advantage over those of the past.

Sailing Beginner - Launching Your Sailing Boat