A Quick Guide to Tacking a Cruising Sailboat

Tacking is the act of turning the boat through the wind and heading on a different course without severely impacting speed and momentum. This seems easy but for novice sailors this simple maneuver takes unnecessary time to learn without knowing the basics.

The obvious scenario of tacking back and forth to get to a destination directly upwind is one of the first things all people need to understand when learning to sail. Sometimes tacking from reach tacks to reach tacks are done but mostly tacking involves going from a close-hauled course to the opposite close-hauled course. This is especially true in racing.

Here are the steps:

1. The helmsman lets the crew know he's ready by declaring "prepare to tack". Different skippers use different tack calling but you get the picture. The crew on the unloaded winch (winch that presently has no tension) prepares the winch by wrapping a couple of wraps of the sheet and pulling out all the slack. A good practice is to have this winch ready way before but regardless, the first step is to make sure the winch is ready. The other crew should then uncleat the tensioned (or working cleat) but hold it from slipping any on the winch and thus loosening the sail.

2. The crew should then return the "ready" call to let the helmsman know they are ready. The helmsman then calls "helms over" and puts the helm to leeward. As the boat turns into the wind and the sail starts to luff, the crew on the working winch should ease then release the sheet but take care to not let the line foul.

3. The opposite crew then pulls in the new sheet and before a full load gets on the sail, should get another wrap on the winch. The sheet should then be finished off with the winch handle inserted and the proper tension applied to trim the sail appropriately.

By following a few simple steps and consistently using them, tacking will become second nature to you and your crew. When racing, make sure everyone's on the same page BEFORE the race as to what the helmsman will expect. All sailing maneuvers done properly mitigate accidents and equipment damage so practice good and consistent tacking and jibing and your time on the water will be much more enjoyable and rewarding.

Recommend : Digital Life Shop buy lcd tv where you can find more about sonic toothbrush and Diapers way to find more save about camera tripod and Lenses

Where to Backpack Within South East Asia

Thailand

Thailand is usually the best place to start for the first time independent traveler. It's very easy to get around and there are always lots of other backpackers about to chat and hang out with.

Thailand is a mixture of forests to the North for Trekking and some of the best beaches in the world in the south.

Bangkok is a buzzing city crisscrossed with canals & rivers. The sky line is one of high rises, shopping malls & international hotel chains but at the canal banks and side streets of the city the traditional side of Thai life is clearly visible. The business hub of the city is easily navigated using the skyrail & underground but the more touristy areas around the Koh San road are less well supplied & Tuk Tuks are the main mode of transport. Negotiate hard with your tuk tuk driver - a taxi will always be cheaper & has the advantage of air conditioning however be sure to agree that you're charged according to the metre as opposed to agreeing a fixed price. Taxis will only take you at an agreed price after 3pm as from this point on your in to rush hour and they are highly likely to spend hours with you stuck in traffic!

Your main point of call will be the Koh San road as this is where all the hostels and guesthouses are located. This is one long street where there is a market every night and lots of bars and restaurants to choose from even a McDonald's and Burger King for those who are want something more to home. For the best food though go to the street hawkers. You will get some of the best Pad Thai you will have ever eaten for around 20 Baht.

South Islands

Most people come to Thailand for the beaches and Diving. The main Islands in the south are:

Koh Tao

A backpacker Island where everyone comes to dive and mainly to learn how to dive. There are some great beaches here and also a good nightlife.

Koh Pan gan

This is the party island of Thailand and where the famous Full Moon party is held each month. This if you have not heard is one big crazy party on a beach which attracts at least 10,000 people each month to get as fucked up as possible. Get here a few days early during the peak months if you want to get accommodation though.

Koh Samui & Phuket

These islands are crammed full of package holiday tourists on their yearly holiday for 2 weeks in the sun. I would strongly suggest avoiding these two islands.

Koh Phi Phi

This island did get severely damaged by the Tsunami and having seen the before and after myself it truly is remarkable how quickly is has got back onto its feet. There is one main area/town where everybody stays but it's still big enough not for everyone to be on top of each other. The Beach is like a postcard or you can get a boat to the lagoon where the Leo Dicapro film 'The Beach' was filmed and chill there for the day.

Vietnam

Vietnam was ravaged by war but is now a great place to visit. I suggest starting your trip off in Hanoi and working your way down the country.

Hanoi

Hanoi is the capitol of Vietnam and is a great introduction into the Vietnamese way of life. The city is always bustling and careful when crossing those roads as those motorbikes don't stop.

The city center is located around Hoan Kiem lake, just of the lake is the old quarter which is the main area for budget hostels and guesthouses. Hanoi is a great place to just go out and wander. Each street has its own trade and each shop will only sell products to do with that trade so you end up having streets only selling shoes or kitchenware. It's weird to see but that's the way they do it.

If you get tired and hot whilst walking around you can always stop off for some Bia Hoi. You will see all around the city lots of people sitting on little plastic chairs on the street, this is where they sell the Bia Hoi. This is officially the cheapest draft beer in the world. A glass should set you back about 10p/20 Cents.

Ha Long bay

This is north of Hanoi and is available from all travel agencies in the city as either overnight trip. This is a must for anyone in the area as it is UNESCO heritage site and is for a good reason.

The bay has close to 2000 limestone islands with of caves to explore and a few lagoons to go kayaking in. When you go out to the bay you go out on a traditional junk ship where you will get your own room and dinner and breakfast served.

Hoi An

Hoi An is located on the coast and actually has a pretty decent beach. It is the also the place to come for tailor-made clothes. There are too many tailors to mention here with the main road pretty much consisting of them. You can get literally anything made here all you need to do is take a photo of the item you want and they will make it for you. A good quality suit will cost around $50-$100.

Nha Trang

Is a beach resort just over halfway down the country. This city is very developed with a good long beach stretching the entire length of it. There is not much to do culturally here but it's a good place to unwind after more than a few very long bus journeys to get this far. If you choose to just relax on the beach all day the only time you need to move from it is to go to the toilet as there are so many hawkers selling you pretty much anything you require from books, drinks to a BBQ of fresh fish. There is a big nightlife here with a couple of main place to go to. These are the Why Not Bar and the Sailing Club which is right on the beach but more expensive for it.

Ho Chi Min City (Saigon)

This is the Vietnam you see in the films. Streets packed out with so many bikes, fumes that make it hard to breathe and just general chaos. There a quite a few museums here to visit which are mainly to do with the war but are all worth a visit and even the strongest man will hold back tears at the photos of the suffering they endured.

From here you do a day trip to the Cu Chi tunnels where the North had a series of small tunnels which they used to fight the south. You can go down some of these tunnels but be warned that they are very small and it's best not to do it on a hangover like I did. Also here you can fire an array of automatic weapons and rifles which is not that cheap as you pay per bullet.

Cambodia

Cambodia has had quite a nasty past with its dictator Pol Pot but is recovering maybe not as fast as its neighbors' but it is getting there. Cambodia is surrounded by Vietnam, Thailand and Laos and has the Mekong go through the country into Laos.

Phnom Penh

Is a typical Asian Capitol city, will not loads to do but getting there is a great experience if you come from Vietnam. From Saigon you can get a boat which will take you 2 days to get here but you do see some real Vietnam and Cambodia on the way.

The two main places to see in and around Phnom Penh are the Killing Fields where around 200,000 people were executed during 1975-1979 when the Khmer Rouge reigned. You can see millions of bones and thousands of skulls that have been recovered from the pits.

Also go to S-21 which used to be a high school which was converted to a prison also during the Khmer Rouge where they imprisoned up to 20,000 people and repeatedly tortured and killed from this.

Two to three times a day they show a film which goes into detail of what went on in the prison with interviews from survivors and prison guards.

Sihanoukville

Is a beach resort about 3 to 4 hours bus ride away from Phnom Penh and has a decent enough beach which all long has hostels/guesthouses, restaurants and bars where you can chat with new found friends and enjoy a nice cold beer. You can dive here but I would not waste your money as the visibility is very poor and the reefs not having much sea life.

Siem Reap/Angkor Wat

Siem Reap is the city closest to the temples of Angkor Wat. The town itself does not have much to offer apart from a market in the center of town where you can get some new clothes and souvenirs. Every night most people head down to the aptly named Bar Street to meet and hang out with friends.

The temples of Angkor are quite spectacular and are very worth the visit. You get the choice of either a 1 day or 3 day pass. It is recommended to go for sunrise over Angkor Wat as this is quite amazing but can get very busy.

There is so many temples to see here most still in great condition. Although my favorite is the one which has been taken over by the jungle and most of it are ruins.

You can either hire a tuk tuk driver to take you around which is advised if you do the one day trip or just hire a bike and go around at you own pace.

Laos

Laos is landlocked and borders Burma, China, Vietnam, Thailand and Vietnam. Laos was involved in the Vietnam War mainly due to its proximity to the country and is one of the most under developed country in the region.

Vang Vieng

The town where you leave remembering nothing. This place is just one big drunken haze. You get a tractor inner tube and float down a river and stop off at bars on route and get free shots of lao lao whiskey and then drink buckets of more lao lao whiskey and coke until 6pm then when you think you have enough you go over to an island which is just bars (smile is the best) until middnight when the curfew kicks in. Love this place :D

Try the rope swings at each of the bars. The first bar has the biggest whatever other bars may claim.

Luang Prabang

Very beautiful town and is very quiet compared with Vang Vieng. The night market seems to run on forever with lots of goodies. Also if you go here you have to go bowling one evening after 11pm - you will see what I mean.

Thanks To : reviews about Clean Floor, Vacuums , Floor Care find best more about braun shaver and gas grills

Great Price Stonefly 88807 for

Stonefly Men's Rios 1 Men's Fashion Boat Moc Review

Stonefly Men's Rios 1 Men's Fashion Boat Moc Overview

The Rios style from Stonefly will add some boat-shoe-inspired style to your wardrobe. Its suede upper features a moc-seamed toe and 360-degree lacing for a laid-back look. The padded insole is lined with breathable leather, while the rubber outsole features shock-absorbing gel inlays.

Available at Amazon Check Price Now!

Related Products

Customer Reviews

Stonefly Rios Moc - S. Shannahan - Florida
This is a good looking and well made shoe that comes in a nice array of colors. My concerns were the non standard oddball sizing of full size increments only and this proved to be a problem. I wear a 10.5 in all shoes and I selected the 10.5 / 11 size of this shoe. Unfortunately they were way too big and not even close.They run bvery big and were even larger than a normal size 11. I had to send them back. Perhaps the 10/ 10.5 size would have fit me but I did not opt to try them. Go for one size down if you order them.



well-made but watch sizing - D. J. Brown - southeast USA
Had to return them bc they were way too large for my husband, he liked the way they were made but the suede was not functional for him







*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Jun 18, 2010 18:55:22

Friends Link : reviews about Clean Floor, Vacuums , Floor Care .digitallife shop buy lcd tv you can find about men fragrance reviews find save about Slide Scanner,wireless headphones and garmin nuvi 260w

Docking a Boat Secrets - Can You Dock a Boat With a Single Line?

Do you know the secret to docking a boat with one line? Did you know that you can use this technique with a small sailboat or the largest super yacht? And it works on any boat every time! Use these seven steps to take your skipper-skills to new a new level today!

Tap the magic power of a spring line

Spring lines always lead in a diagonal direction from the boat. Those that are attached to the bow are called bow springs; those that are attached to the stern are called quarter springs (the "quarter" of a boat is near the stern).

Springs that lead from the bow to a dock cleat or piling aft of the bow are called after bow spring lines. Use an after bow spring line for this docking maneuver.

Seven simple steps to docking success

1. Attach a long line at least 1 1/2 times the length of your small cruising boat to a boat cleat, located between the bow and beam. Coil the spring line and hold it in your non-dominant hand. Break the coil in half and hold the part with the bitter end in the dominant hand.

2. Assign one crew member to a roving fender. Use this to cushion any point of contact during the maneuver. Rig the fender with a line attached to each end of the fender. This makes the roving fender horizontal and gives greater surface area for better protection.

3. Make your approach to the pier at an angle. Aim for a piling just aft (behind) where you want the bow to end up. Use just enough speed for good rudder control.

4. Loop the spring line around the piling or dock cleat and back to the same boat cleat. Pass a full round turn around the boat cleat. Make sure that the line handler stands forward of the cleat, facing the stern. This puts them on the safe side of the spring line.

5. Turn your sailboat wheel away from the boat dock. If you use a tiller, hold the tiller toward the dock. Keep this position throughout the maneuver.

6. Place the engine clutch into idle ahead. Keep it in this position throughout the maneuver.

7. Watch the stern "walk" in to the dock. The crew on the spring line should adjust the spring line to help the boat move in to the pier. Position the stern boat fenders to provide a cushion at the point of contact.

Once the boat lies flush to the pier, leave your wheel (or tiller) and engine in position. Do not be tempted to back off on the engine, wheel, or tiller. The combination of rudder and engine create the forces that will hold your cruising boat to the pier in even the worst weather. Now you can take your time to put out more lines or take a break.

For safety, always leave one crew member at the helm when lying alongside on a single spring line. Rotate your sailing crew ashore so that all hands get a break.

Now you know one of the best kept secrets that the pros use every day. Use these seven simple steps when docking a boat to make you master and commander of your small cruising boat in any weather.

See Also : car Interior Accessories buy lcd tv Baby Safety Gates find a large selection of baby safety products here. Find Barbie Collector Dolls, Barbie Playline Dolls,

Learn How to Sail

Sailing is a popular and fun activity for any body

The great thing about learning to sail, especially in the UK, is that the coast is so close to us. We are never too far from a sailing adventure! Leaving the land behind us and disappearing into the ocean on a yacht is less of a dream than you may think.

People of all ages are learning to sail. There is no age limit and children as young as 5 can help crew a yacht. Most sailing only requires a small amount of physical strength, meaning it can easily become a passion enjoyed by everybody.

Leaning to sail doesn't have to be expensive. Don't rush out and buy the most expensive clothing and equipment. For your first few times on the water you can borrow or rent anything you may need. Invest in the sport once you've started to sail regularly.

People with disabilities, such as vision impairment, can sail without restriction. Wheelchair users can still participate in the sport but should be more careful in their selection of sailing vessel.

Learning to sail is a wonderful experience and a hobby which will bring you hours of enjoyment. It's not a hard sport to conquer but the potential hazards you'll encounter mean safety is key. We've put together this guide to help you when learning to sail.

Where To Begin?

Contact your local sailing club and offer your services as a novice crew.

Or teach yourself the basics with books or on the internet, and then contact a sailing club.

Book yourself onto a sailing course - these normally last a weekend, although holiday sailing courses can be up to 2 weeks.

You'll find sailing centres anywhere on the coast of the UK, but the heart of sailing has to be the Southampton coast. With its many harbours and exciting sailing around the Isle of Wight, it's an excellent place to learn to sail.

Sailing on the UK coast starts around April and usually finishes in September. Mediterranean sailing lasts a little longer. Look to the Canaries or the Caribbean for winter sailing. You can sail a dinghy in the UK all year round.

Be Safe

Safety on the water is the most important factor to consider when learning to sail.

Avoid crowded harbours and peak hours. Having to keep a safe distance from other vessels will only distract you.

To begin with, go out in low winds. There is no point in sailing for speed straight away. Ensure you can walk before you can run!

Always run through a safety drill before you leave dock.

The chances are you'll learn to sail in a small boat or one with a light boom. Learning to control the boom is essential for smooth sailing and safety.

Swimming

It may sound like simple advice, but if you're going on the water you need to be able to swim. Even the most experienced sailor will find themselves in the water at some point. Being a competent swimmer will ensure you stay calm in a potentially harmful situation.

Vital Equipment

You'll need the following items when learning to sail:

A good set of boat shoes A life jacket or buoyancy aid Signal equipment Brightly coloured clothing suitable for current weather conditions A high factor sun cream

Whatever adventure you're looking for, sailing can offer it. Now you know where to start, just go ahead and do it! We can assure you, you'll never look back.

My Links : reviews about Clean Floor, Vacuums , Floor Care find the best floor lamp from here you can find more save about dvd camcorders and Home Theater

Men's Footwear Trends For Spring Summer 2009

Slip-ons: The casual slip-ons are going to be favorite of all. Being casual doesn't bring the tag 'sloppy' to them. They are in fact stylish. And this Spring and Summer, they'll be liked most in the shades of cream and light brown. Some of them are perforated so that your feet remain cool in the hot weather. They can well be worn with jeans, shorts or casual pants.

Leather Loafers: The classic and simple loafers will be available in classic colors like black, brown, white and tan. They go well with 'not so formal' dresses.

Suede Shoes: Widely known to be winter material, suede in its cool version is there for spring summer footwear too. They are used for practically any style- slip- ons, loafers or boat shoes. Shades like tan, black, brown and mustard as well as non conventional ones like yellow are there for all. The adventurous guys can try non conventional shades with light neutrals or denim.

Improvised Boat Shoes: The conventional boat shoes will now be seen in an improved avatar. These casual slip ons can be seen without laces and the upper part made of suede or leather. Available in almost all colors such as red, brownish- yellow, or black, they look great with shorts, jeans or khakis.

Formal Dress Shoes: Men can not escape formal wear any way. So the evergreen dress shoes also can't go anywhere. They look awesome with light colored suits and dress pants. Shining blacks, browns, light gray, all's there to choose from.

Other Details: Elongated Shoes will continue to dominate the market. Oxford shoes, slip-ons or summer boots- they can all be found in elongated style. Desert boots will also be there in natural, sandy shades. The indispensable sneaker can be found in bright colors, some of them having color blocking and graphic-art prints.

Related : Digital Life Shop reviews about Clean Floor, Vacuums , Floor Care you can find more save about bassinet and canon digital camera

6 Epic Breakdowns Part 3

*WARNING: CONTAINS STROBE LIKE FLASHES** This is a collection of 6 meticulously picked breakdowns and is part 3 of this series. Intro - White Chapel - Of Legions 1. Texas in July - Hook, Line, and Sinner 2. Here Comes the Kraken - Don't Fail Me Darko 3. For Today - Agape 4. Despised Icon - Quarantine 5. Miss May I - Architect 6. August Burns Red - Composure Outro - Rose Funeral - Gods Hideous Creation DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT intend to infringe any band/record label's copyright with this video, I see this video as a form of free promotion for both the band and the label. Ignore this tactic to get more views: suicide silence Revelations (Intro) Unanswered Hands of a Killer Price of Beauty Fallen, The No Pity For a Coward Disease, The Bludgeoned to Death Girl of Glass In a Photograph Eyes Sewn Shut Green Monster Destruction of a Statue my bitter end Intro Stop, Drop And Roll Bitch Neck First May My Wrist Match My Heart 666 0 = Hells Nice This Time Of Year Bury It All Smell Of Dead Hookers In August, The Letting Go A Thin Line Between Heaven And Here Go Go Gorilla NutsIt's Time Becoming Misfortune To All Things Expendable Salvage the Structure Suburbs Breed Showmen, The Comfortable With Corpses Renovation, The Finding Level Ground Subtleties -(instrumental) Dirt Helmet Proper Sendoff, A as blood runs black Intro In Dying Days My Fears Have Become Phobias Hester Prynne Pouring Reign The Brighter Side Of Suffering A Beautiful Mistake Strife (Chug Chug)Beneath The Surface Legends ...

See Also : Digital Life Shop Large storage toy box that has a small toy organizer built in. way to find more about computer speakers and Netbooks Hre you can find more save about toshiba notebook qosmio and qosmio