Sailing Know how

The Cement Boat

Forbes Magazine-- The schooner Larinda is not your typical boat. Not just because it's a magnificent modern replica of His Majesty's Armed Schooner Sultana--which was built by the British in Boston in 1767--but because it's made of ferro-cement. Yes, cement, a material that was once commonly used to quickly build boats and barges during World War II and is still used in commercial shipping. The reason to go with cement is because both wood- and steel-hulled ships require very specialized expertise while ferro-cement is much easier for a novice to work with, provided he has lots of time. An absolutely perfect mold has to be constructed to cast a cement boat that won't crack, and while a team of people can build a framework quickly, it can take someone working alone a lot longer to get it right. Luckily the builder of the Larinda, a former auto mechanic named Larry Mahan, had time--decades, in fact. Mahan fell in love with the Sultana when he saw drawings of it in a book called History of American Sailing Ships. Later, he discovered that he could get plans of the ship from a

Boating and lightning - a fatal attraction

The Orlando Sentinel-- I’d much rather be on the water sailing this Sunday morning, but instead I’m sitting at the computer thinking and writing about sailing. Severe thunderstorms are a few hours away and I’m not taking thechance of being on the lake with a lightning rod of a mast. So perhaps it’s a good time to talk about lightning and protecting your crew and vessel. Florida has earned its reputation as lightning capital of the U.S. and has more lightning strikes and conversely more deaths and injuries than any other state. They say that if you want to experience getting struck by lightning, play golf at 4 p.m. on Sunday in July in Florida. Sunday has 24 percent more deaths by lightning than any other day, followed by Wednesday. Take lightning seriously. According to figures, men are four times more likely to be struck than women and you’re boat is more likely to have more severe damage on fresh water than salt water. About 50 percent of the deaths and injuries happen to people involved in recreational activities, and almost 40 percent are water related. Read More

Photo: Eric Kraft 

Reeds Nautical Almanac Online Version Announced

Newswire-- Regarded as the Yachtsman’s Bible, this long awaited development will see the launch of a dynamic online format, providing all the data required to navigate the Atlantic coast around the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands and selected European coastlines including the Mediterranean. Amongst many other features, the site will include a comprehensive port and marina services guide and an extensive searchable trade directory. The website will continue the Almanac’s tradition of focusing on quality, brevity and accuracy of the information as well as meticulous presentation of all the data required for safe navigation. Comprehensive facts and figures will be readily accessible and easy to use. Commenting, Simon Whittley, Managing Director of Reeds Nautical Online said, ‘There has been strong demand to bring this service to the readership. Reeds continues to set the standard for pilotage and navigation data and this easy to use online version will uphold this quality and provide a wide range of features that can only be delivered via an online platform. The ability to update data in real time is a huge bonus’.

Women’s Sailing Conference attracts large audience

The Marblehead Reporter (MA)-- Call it the sisterhood of sailing. This past weekend, the National Women’s Sailing Association held its seventh annual Women’s Sailing Conference at the Corinthian Yacht Club. Every year it’s a sellout, and every year the women attending share a fundamental reason for coming: there will be no men telling them what to do. “It was a great environment to be with all women,” said conference attendee Rene Nourie of Marblehead. “It took the edge off learning, and there was a wonderful camaraderie, kind of sorority-like.” According to Conference Chair Joan Thayer, that is exactly the kind of feeling the conference is designed to create. “They are getting support and learning skills in a completely non-threatening, non-intimidating environment,” explained Thayer. “The women, who attend, get to learn from experienced women sailors and network with other women interested in sailing. It’s all about empowering them to participate in the sport, and building confidence.” Read More

A Flashlight SOS Signal Brings Rescue

The Washington Post, May 22 2008--  The U.S. Coast Guard rescued two English sailors near Hooper Island in the Chesapeake Bay Saturday morning after the couple, injured by a sudden storm that battered their boat, used a flashlight to signal SOS to a passing ship.  Members of the crew on that vessel called the Coast Guard at about 5:15 a.m., and within a half-hour, a rescue boat was in the water and on the way to the sailboat's reported location near an island off the Eastern Shore just below the Patuxent River, said Petty Officer John Robbins of the Coast Guard station in St. Inigoes.  Albert Labos, 62, and his wife, Theresa, 64, were sailing from Annapolis back to their home in England Friday night when the storm hit, Robbins said. Albert Labos injured his hand and Theresa Labos broke several ribs, Robbins said. The couple was stranded on the boat for several hours.  The storm also damaged the boat, Robbins said, though he did not know the extent of the damage. He also said he assumed that the couple's radio was out because they did not respond to Coast Guard radio inquiries and had used a flashlight to signal for help early Saturday morning.  Read More

Spring Cleaning: Ridding Sails of Mildew in 4 Easy Steps

Sail-World.com--Mildew is an integral part of our ecosystem. But where the keen gardener will apply copper sulphate to limit the destructive affect of mold on his precious plants, sails are an expensive purchase and their aspect a clear part of a boat’s image. Certainly mildew stains on sails are a serious problem. Often the stains will appear after a period of stockage which will be the case for many sails during any length of time that the boat is not used. For the sail maker this can be quite a nightmare; though arguably, it is a stain like the tar that scrapes off of pilings or the blood from the spinnaker pole accident, somehow mildew is unique. Most cloths have antifungal agents added and these are fairly efficient if the conditions that create mildew are limited. Laminated sails due to the mylar film sandwiched within the cloth are often an ideal support for mildew development. Contrary to what we may think, the growth is more on the surface of the fibres than deep within them. Though small patches may disappear with a few days sailing, the development continues if untreated as soon as the conditions are united. Read More

Med Mooring Made Easy

Cruising World.com, October 16, 2007-- In Europe, backing up is BIG. So big that many magazines' new-boat reviews rate each vessel's ability to handle under power—in reverse. The reason? Mooring Mediterranean-style--deploying an anchor off the boat's bow and tying stern lines to a town quay--is de rigueur when sailing in Mediterranean and other European cruising grounds. In high season, with strong crosswinds and with boats packed into small harbors like sardines in olive oil, it can be a daunting prospect. With no finger piers to separate the boats, it's imperative to set the anchor correctly to secure the boat in position. Although the exercise can be intimidating for sailors who rarely need to dock this way, as with anything else, practice makes perfect. Read More

Why Sailboats Sink and 5 Tips for Prevention

Sail-World.com December 8, 2007-- A study of 100 sailboat sinking from the Boat US insurance claims files could help your boat from becoming a statistic. "The sinkings were found to be divided into two broad categories- those that sank at the dock and those that sank while underway," said Boat US Marine Insurance Technical Director Bob Adriance. Read More

What American Boaters Need to Know About Canada

So What does the US boater need to know?   Before coming to Canada
  • Canada does not pay for hospital or medical services for visitors. Make sure you have health insurance. Citizens or residents of the United States of America (USA) do not need a passport or visa to enter Canada. However you should carry proof of citizenship, or certificate of naturalisation. If you are a green card holder you should bring it.
  • Children under the age of 16 years should bring identification showing who they are. Bring a letter a letter from the parent of a minor child you are travelling with, if you are not the child's parent or guardian. If you are coming with your child and are the only guardian, bring documentation showing the child has no other guardians. For example: birth certificate that does not identify the father.
  • Divorced parents who share custody should carry copies of the legal custody documents.

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