Hypothermia and Heat Emergencies
Sailors are often exposed to extreme conditions. During these cold winter days during Frostbite racing, or on hot sunny days with no wind, or rainy days with too much wind, or prolonged exposure to wind and spray... all of the things that make sailing challenging and fun can sneak up on you if you do…Read More
Tacking Tips Part I – The Turn
As mundane as they may seem, good tacks are essential to good racing. Make each tack a little better and you’ll save a few boat lengths every race. Tacks can be divided into two parts: The Turn and The Acceleration. Surprisingly, after The Turn you are ahead in VMG of where you would have been…Read More
Sponsorship Request Tips
Trying to build your club's sponsor portfolio for an upcoming event? Here are some helpful sponsorship request tips from Whitney Peterson, VP of Marketing at Gowrie Group. 1. Be clear on what you are asking for.• In-kind vs. Cash sponsorship• One time vs. annual request2. Align with the company’s passions or a key-person’s affinities.• CEO loves sailing,…Read More
Weather Forecasting: Know your lows
By Stan Honey and Ken Campbell There are three major types of lows: tropical lows, mid-latitude lows, and cut-off lows. It is important to understand the differences between them. Tropical lows live in the belt of tradewinds, and are also known as tropical depressions, tropical cyclones, hurricanes, and typhoons. They are seasonal and travel east…Read More
Trim for Waves
By: Bill Gladstone, Director of North U and author of the North U Racing Trim, North U Racing Tactics, and North U Cruising and Seamanship books and discs. Each sail has three sources of power: angle of attack, depth, and twist. Proper trim means sailing at full power and with the proper mix of power. For a…Read More
Keeping Regattas Fun
By: Jake Fish, Communications Manager, US Sailing Many attendees of the Sailing Leadership Forum expressed the desire for more variety in our race courses with fewer windward/leeward courses and more non-traditional regattas. Attendees emphasized the importance of growth in participation and sportsmanship, especially for youth. Regatta organizers were challenged to create more alternative courses, games…Read More
Man Overboard Recovery Procedure
Written by Peter Isler, with additional contributions by Chuck Hawley and Michael Jacobs "Man Overboard" is probably the third most famous nautical hail, after "Land Ho" and "Thar She Blows," but it is by far the most serious and potentially life threatening of the three. Man Overboard Recovery Procedure Although we should keep in mind…Read More
When to Split Tacks
By: Bill Gladstone, Director of North U and author of the North U Racing Trim, North U Racing Tactics, and North U Cruising and Seamanship books and discs. When to Split Tacks: You know the old adage: “Can’t catch ‘em if we follow ‘em.” So, when you are behind you’ve got to split tacks to catch…Read More