tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34244441173332171942024-02-18T21:10:10.962-08:00Sailing SailingSailing in the inland waters of Puget Sound throughout the San Juan Islands is an experience not to be missed. Whether you charter or want to learn to sail the beautiful islands are a paradise to explore. American Sailing Assoc. classes are offered as well as sailboats from 32 to 50 feet. I will be sharing my sailing knowledge including setting sails, weather, docking, man overboard, what to wear, navigation and many other sailing techniques.Captain Judy Mickelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02726134015867934829noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424444117333217194.post-14454540636119570932013-09-27T10:49:00.001-07:002013-09-27T10:49:52.845-07:00The San Juan Islands - Pacific NW BoaterCaptain Judy Mickelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02726134015867934829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424444117333217194.post-64735196507920029822013-02-05T17:04:00.002-08:002013-02-05T17:04:45.411-08:00New ASA Tests and New Log BooksThe ASA has focused on improving our educational materials the past few months. We would like to make you aware of some of these changes they have made:
ASA standards have been updated. They are not new, just updated. The will replace those currently shown in our Log Books.
New Log Books now reads "Official Certification Log Book", reflecting the fact that it is now, and has always been, Captain Judy Mickelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02726134015867934829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424444117333217194.post-29108778852350157052013-01-24T20:27:00.000-08:002013-01-24T20:27:47.846-08:00Get Ready for Sailing Sailing season will be here before we know it. Now is the time to plan to take that first sailing class, hone your sailing skills, or reserve the boat you want for your summer charter. Things are gearing up at SailNorthwest Charters. We have an all gals class that is full and have set a date for another one. Couples private classes are extremely popular. In a private class for two you have the Captain Judy Mickelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02726134015867934829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424444117333217194.post-50207711913194422442012-05-26T09:28:00.000-07:002012-04-24T16:29:49.204-07:00Happy Guests Aboard
We are happy to share what Allison and her group liked about their charter with Sailnorthwest Charters!
We had the best time! Our week-long family trip in the San Juan islands was wonderful! Our captains Judy and Griff, their dog Lilly, and our family of six sailed on Hopscotch, a well laid out, clean, and well maintained sail boat. Both Judy and Griff cooked for us, and our meals were Captain Judy Mickelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02726134015867934829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424444117333217194.post-393574370856812382012-05-19T18:05:00.000-07:002012-04-24T16:22:28.786-07:00Crabbing is one of our favorite pastimes Crabbing on one of our favorite pastimes in the San Juan Islands whether we are in a class or a crewed vacation. Everyone enjoys a crab feast and dungeness crab are the best tasting of all. Add a little melted lemon butter, dip, and enjoy!
www.sailnw.com/crewedvacation.html
Captain Judy Mickelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02726134015867934829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424444117333217194.post-26881078347383129772012-05-13T16:07:00.000-07:002012-05-13T16:07:00.349-07:00Jibing the Jib!
Jibing the jib is much easier that jibing the main. It is just like tacking... just ease the headsail sheet and trim it in on the opposite side. It is easier as the main is taking most of the wind from the headsail when you are sailing downwind. Easing the headsail sheet, not fully casting it off, is the key. If the headsail is fully cast off to fly on its own, it can wrap aroundCaptain Judy Mickelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02726134015867934829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424444117333217194.post-46339985131196199682012-05-08T15:46:00.000-07:002012-05-08T15:46:00.611-07:00Sailing by the lee.
When your stern has passed through the eye of the wind but your sail has yet to swing across, you are sailing by the lee. The boom will lift unless it is vanged down. The mainsail may flutter The biggest danger is an accidental jibe. It is better to complete the jibe or head back upwind on your current tack.
www.sailnw.com/school.htmlCaptain Judy Mickelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02726134015867934829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424444117333217194.post-13666356644238594982012-05-01T12:17:00.000-07:002012-05-01T12:17:00.815-07:00 Jibing can be easy, can be dangerous!
Tacking heads you into the wind, jibing turns you away from it. To Jibe, you bear away from the wind until the stern of the boat passes through the wind. Now the wind has passes from one side of the boat to the other. The challenge is that your sails are full when you jibe! Can this be dangerous? You bet!
Small boats have small sails and they don't Captain Judy Mickelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02726134015867934829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424444117333217194.post-36223725602277415212012-04-24T12:04:00.001-07:002012-04-24T15:54:49.138-07:00Let's talk about tacking and jibing! 'Tack' comes from the Old Spanish taco, meaning 'plug'. In olden days the windward corner of a course or square sail was also called the tack. When a shop passed through the wind she was changing tacks.
Nowdays, tack describes a boat's relatinship to the wind. When wind comes over the starboard side of your sailboat, you are on a starboard tack. When theCaptain Judy Mickelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02726134015867934829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424444117333217194.post-65296472794334949852012-04-24T11:48:00.002-07:002012-04-24T11:48:47.101-07:00Getting ready for a new season! I am excited to teach all the new classes and there are a lot signed up for the coming year. Captain Nate and I will be getting sailing students up to speed so they can learn to be 'captain's of their own ships'. Yippee! If you have always wanted to learn to sail, come and join us!
www.sailnw.com/school.htmlCaptain Judy Mickelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02726134015867934829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424444117333217194.post-84990014224364942592011-11-05T08:30:00.000-07:002011-11-05T08:30:01.626-07:00Look What We Learned!
The following was written to us by a couple that took one of our private couples ASA classes this summer. It is always fun to hear sailing adventures from our students. This was written after they saw photos of our class boat's keel damage after a class hit the rocks.
"Was so sorry to see the photos of Spotlight Gal, and hear of her
mishap. Will she be okay to sail for next season? &Captain Judy Mickelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02726134015867934829noreply@blogger.com02601-2699 S Harbor Loop Dr, Bellingham, WA 98225, USA48.755057047364936 -122.5013351440429748.671411547364933 -122.65926364404297 48.838702547364939 -122.34340664404297tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424444117333217194.post-3965247395884044802011-10-19T10:00:00.000-07:002011-10-30T14:08:10.876-07:00Baby Orcas join our crewed charter!
Have you ever wanted to go sailing but don't know how to sail? Come and share in the fun aboard Hopscotch, our 50' Beneteau as we sail through the beautiful San Juan Islands. Sea life abounds, you may catch a glimpse of the majestic eagles, share in the romp of the Orcas at play, or watch the curious seals follow us. Enjoy great food and fun co-captains, Judy and Griff.
http://Captain Judy Mickelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02726134015867934829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424444117333217194.post-53021854666366982011-10-12T16:48:00.000-07:002011-10-12T16:48:55.097-07:00Join us for a fun filled week aboard Hopscotch!Have you ever wanted to go sailing but don't know how to sail? Come
and share in the fun aboard Hopscotch, our 50' Beneteau as we sail
through the beautiful San Juan Islands. Sea life abounds, you may catch a
glimpse of the majestic eagles, share in the romp of the Orcas at play,
or watch the curious seals follow us. Enjoy great food and fun
co-captains, Judy and Griff.
CHEERS from crewed Captain Judy Mickelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02726134015867934829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424444117333217194.post-66099470783299999222011-10-05T09:30:00.000-07:002011-10-30T14:09:52.607-07:00How Did You Start Sailing?
I am asked this question over and over and it is good one. How many sailors can say that one of their kids got them into it? Usually it is Mom an Dad that get you into sailing lessons and you go from there. Well, my oldest son Bill, took me for a sail from Seattle to Victoria, BC on his new 40' sailboat. He taught me how to read a chart and how to do dead reckoning while we were underway. I Captain Judy Mickelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02726134015867934829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424444117333217194.post-6654494840664408702011-10-03T16:42:00.000-07:002011-10-12T16:47:02.595-07:00Come and join us for a fun filled crewed charter!
Have you ever wanted to go sailing but don't know how to sail? Come
and share in the fun aboard Hopscotch, our 50' Beneteau as we sail
through the beautiful San Juan Islands. Sea life abounds, you may catch a
glimpse of the majestic eagles, share in the romp of the Orcas at play,
or watch the curious seals follow us. Enjoy great food and fun
co-captains, Judy and Griff.
CHEERS from Captain Judy Mickelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02726134015867934829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424444117333217194.post-58181883420792102532009-01-02T18:06:00.000-08:002009-01-02T18:06:41.905-08:00 Captain Judy Mickelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02726134015867934829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424444117333217194.post-10050293238011926612008-12-21T15:09:00.000-08:002008-12-21T15:10:13.139-08:00 Captain Judy Mickelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02726134015867934829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424444117333217194.post-37981154422761344362008-11-08T15:44:00.000-08:002008-11-08T16:07:36.028-08:00How does one choose a sailing class?All guys, all gals, a big class, a small class, a man or woman instructor... there are many things to consider when choosing a sailing class. Today let's talk about a woman learning to sail. A gal learns best with a woman instructor and a small class size. If her guy is with her he needs to let the instructor do the instructing. Teaching your wife or girlfriend to sail a boat is like trying to Captain Judy Mickelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02726134015867934829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424444117333217194.post-36460836984480990292008-10-08T12:31:00.000-07:002009-10-14T12:21:42.944-07:00Charter Cruise the San Juan IslandsA crewed charter around the beautiful San Juan Islands of the Pacific Northwest has cruisers sailing from one spectacular anchorage to the next. Sailors and cruisers alike enjoy SE winds of 8-20 knots during the summer months. The orca whales, Dahl porpoise and a wide variety of seals can be seen along your passage from island to island. Beautiful anchorages can be found within one to four hoursCaptain Judy Mickelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02726134015867934829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424444117333217194.post-32488898072126326042008-09-25T17:35:00.000-07:002008-09-25T17:47:45.727-07:00Sailing Skills for womenI have learned over the last 12 years of teaching men and women to sail that women prefer a female instructor and their spouses highly encourage them. Women are mostly visual and hands on learners. Small classes with up to three students meet this need. This gives them the time they need to feel where the wind is coming from and how the boat responds in relationship to the wind. It is important Captain Judy Mickelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02726134015867934829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424444117333217194.post-45215568533816847642008-09-11T16:05:00.000-07:002008-10-03T10:49:15.343-07:00Sailing in the Pacific NotrhwestThe San Juan Islands offer a great place to sail. Southeast winds prevail with Bellingham Bay offering the most and constant winds of the entire area. We had an afternoon sail on Tuesday with 8 knots of wind on the 38' Ericson. The sun was out and we had a lovely sail at four knots. Several weeks ago I went out with a class of first time students on our 32' Islander. It was the first dayof classCaptain Judy Mickelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02726134015867934829noreply@blogger.com0