Sailing News

A submersible handheld VHF with GPS and DSC is one of the smartest things you can buy for safety on the water. But the three models now available are not equal, and only one meets current DSC Class D standards. Here's an article that explains how DSC works and what Class D features mean.

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National Safe Boating Week reminds us, here at the beginning of the summer sailing season, of the importance of staying safe on the water. But what exactly does safety involve? Here's a handy checklist of the topics typically included in boating safety courses. Go down the list to see if you are already knowledgeable and skilled in these different areas - or whether you have gaps you need to fill with some more reading or perhaps a course like the ones offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Key safety topics include knowing your boat and its equipment, preparing well before heading out, all aspects of safe boat operation, and being prepared for all the different kinds of emergencies that can happen. It takes just a minute to check that you know what you need to keep on enjoying the water for years to come.

It's that time of year again. National Safe Boating Week is on its way: May 19-25. As the boating season begins for many around the U.S., it is good to be reminded of safety issues. The Coast Guard Auxiliary has recently put out a news release also that points out that some boat insurance companies offer lower premiums for those who have taken a safe boating course, such as the one taught by the Auxiliary. Here are some other things you can do to stay safer on the water.

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By now you probably already know about the tragic demise of the sailboat Aegean in the Newport-Ensenada Race two days ago. The bodies of three of the four crew were recovered, as well as some wreckage of the boat. The latest report is that the Coast Guard has suspended its search for the fourth man, presumed also a fatality. The evidence suggests the 37-foot Hunter was destroyed in a collision with a much larger vessel, and the investigation continues into checking on ships in the area. The evidence also suggests the crew had no advance warning of impending disaster, since apparently no radio call was made and the three crew found were not wearing lifejackets.

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Two weeks after the terrible Farallones sail race disaster that took the lives of five of eight sailors aboard the sailboat Low Speed Chase after an unexpected wave washed six crew overboard into cold water, Byron Chong, one of the three survivors has issued his account of what happened - to correct some inaccuracies in news reports and to share his thoughts about what is needed to prevent such tragedies.

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OK, so this is the summer you really are going to learn how to sail - or improve your basic sailing skills. Before you head out to the water, however, it really helps to understand the boat and what's involved in sailing - before you're out there and suddenly you're not sure what's going on or what to do. You need to be on the water to learn the physical skills of sailing, but some advance knowledge is needed too - even if only to understand what an instructor is talking about when he or she uses terms related to the boat or a maneuver. In other words, you'll be ahead of the game if you take a few minutes to review some basic how-to of sailing online before jumping into the boat. And for that, we've put together a 10-step program that takes you from almost no knowledge about of up through enough understanding to get out there even on your own the first time. And if you already know something about sailing, this program makes it easy to skip ahead to what you do need to review before hitting the water. Most important: remember (as you'll soon see) that sailing is next to godliness - prepare for maybe the second-best experience of your life!

The Coast Guard suspended its search today for the four sailors still missing after being swept overboard from the sailboat Low Speed Chase in a race around the Farallon Islands Saturday. Three others on the boat were rescued, and the body of another of the eight total crew was recovered. Although the four missing sailors were wearing PFDs, they are presumed dead from likely hypothermia with water temperatures in the 50s.

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Almost exactly a year ago I wrote about this cool liveaboard web comic by sailor Cynthia Shelton. Check out the archives of her very witty cartoon strip (follow that link) if you haven't seen it. Now she is working to develop a printed book from her liveaboard "docucomic," using the KickStarter new form of crowd-funding. After all, we is rather a niche market, so publishers aren't exactly lining up at her door (er, companionway) fighting to see who gets to publish her work. Plus you can get cool stuff back for your pledge. If you find her work interesting and funny, why not help support a fellow sailor?

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Need an inexpensive way to have some fun on the water or get back into sailing? Thought about looking around for a used Laser? As one of the most popular small, easily transported sailboats, Lasers usually aren't too hard to find, and once you're comfortable in one you can try out racing at the nearest club. Learn more about different Laser models here. A Sunfish is another great small boat, somewhat easier and less intense to sail than a Laser - more the choice for recreational sailing. One of the great things about sailing a dinghy, especially for those of us who've been cruising and racing in larger keelboats for years, is that it really immerses you in the essential experience of sailing, the play of wind and water, the balance of weight and power, the intense awareness of being there.

Every spring when the sailing gear catalogs and flyers flood my mailbox and inbox, and I contemplate the long list for spring commissioning and inevitable upgrades, I feel that rising familiar lust for all that fancy new boat stuff. If only I had this or that, wouldn't sailing this year be more _________ (fun, safe, fast - whatever)! Things look so darn good in those catalogs, don't they? Fortunately, I eventually hear that booming voice of conscience: "Keep it simple, sailor!" If winter or other things have kept you away from sailing for a time, it's worthwhile to read a philosophic sailor like Roger Taylor to regain a healthy perspective. A favorite quote: "I don't want to be told what's going on by digital displays set up inside the yacht, fed by electronic sensors and radio signals from heaven knows where. Even more, I don't want to develop a dependency on these so-called 'aids.' I want to use and develop my own senses. I want to feel everything that is going on directly, physically, viscerally...."