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 hold much wind. Large boat's sails hold a tremendous amount of wind. It is not wise to jibe boats 35 feet and larger unless there is very little wind. When sailing downwind an 'accidental jibe' can be very dangerous. All of a sudden the boom swings across the wind resulting in a loud bang, perhaps breaking some rigging, or breaking someone's head that just happened to be standing in the way of the boom.

It is wise to practice jibing everytime you get the chance so you are familiar with the procedure. Come and take our sailing classes and learn to jibe!

www.sailnw.com/school.html

Look 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?  Your advice about depth finder, GPS and charts is sound - and we've decided to use Navionics for next sailing season. On our anniversary, we got ourselves a chart book and tools. Been enjoying learning how that works.

We took Strathspey out of moorage for the winter today - got in one last sail before she sits on the trailer all winter. We hope to do lots more cruising in her next year; glad for the opportunity to learn from you guys - we're better, safer sailors, and I am much less of a chicken because I understand all the factors better.

Anyway, just wanted to say thanks again, and hope Spotlight Gal will come through okay - we enjoyed our time on her a lot!"

 

BTW... Spotlight Gal is fixed good as new and aback in the water!

Come 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 crewed charter guests

http://www.sailnw.com/crewedvacation.html

How 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 teach her to drive. Private couples classes work well when this rule is followed. Women are less intimidated by a woman instructor and feel free to talk about their fears and concerns. Small classes work well by offering the student as much time is needed at the wheel. By the end of a week long class the gals I have had in my classes feel confident and most have the ability to bare-boat charter. A comment I always hear at the end of the week is "you are so patient, I've learned so much and I am so much more confident". So, come on gals, let's get on the water and have some fun!

Sailing Skills for women

I 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 for the gals to communicate on a woman's level. A female instructor can meet the needs of couples that want to learn to sail together. "Thanks for being so patient" and "you are a great instructor" is always heard at the end of the class. This makes my time on the water rewarding not only for the student but for me as well.