Can Someone Recommend a Good Book / DVD on How to Sail ?

[AquaBoi]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

The Annapolis Book of Seamanship is the best IMHO. Then Chapman's. There is a "Sailing for Dummies" but I don't know how good it is.

I've already requested The Annapolis Book of Seamanship through my library! Thanks man.

[NormanMartin]

AquaBoi!
I live in Boston and sail year round. You can too. Granted, the November to May portion is pretty chilly. As for places to sail without having to spend much coin:
Community Boating on the Charles River, summers only
Courageous Sailing Club in Charlestown is open year round, I used to be a member.
Piers Park in East Boston, where we keep our boat in the summer.
Norm

[AquaBoi]

Originally Posted by NormanMartin

I will be following this thread as I am writing technical material for an online sailing program. Can't do the sailing part on line but one can prepare in a variety of ways for being on board. On line is one way to get ready to sail.

Check out nauticed.com I do not know the guys who run it. A friend of mine, whom I trust, does and says they are the real deal.

I actually found this cool app through NauticEd. Check it out:
Learn to sail online with sailing classes and lessons

Thank you Norm.

[AquaBoi]

Originally Posted by NormanMartin

AquaBoi!
I live in Boston and sail year round. You can too. Granted, the November to May portion is pretty chilly. As for places to sail without having to spend much coin:
Community Boating on the Charles River, summers only
Courageous Sailing Club in Charlestown is open year round, I used to be a member.
Piers Park in East Boston, where we keep our boat in the summer.
Norm

Norm! These winters are too cold man, and the cold season lasts so long. Although, I wonder if Seattle is any better lol. Maybe not as cold, but that rain and cloud! But at least that weather means more boat time (or at least I assume, I could be wrong). Would love to hear from someone who lives on the Puget.

[NormanMartin]

Our son and his wife lived out there for years. The PNW sailing season is short for most sailors. For the best information, call San Juan Sailing in Bellingham. Top quality folks. We chartered from them one year. Fell in love with the PNW. Of course, we love the New England Coast and the Caribbean, too.

The sailing season is short everywhere. Heck, I have lived in the Caribbean for a total of six years and in Florida for ten. Boats are active for only four to six months in most places. Caveat: The folk who want to sail year round, do.

I think two of the reason boats aren't really sailed hard all year are
1. maintenance
2. social conflicts

And then, of course, there is work. Today, watching the snow fall, I am happy for my little office.

Did you go to the NE Boat Show?

Sales pitch alert! Mark May 1 and 2 and come by Boston Sailing for our Open House. Tell them you know me and they will charge you extra! haha.

Norm

[AquaBoi]

Hey guys, random quick question, how far is it from Victoria to Seattle? I read somewhere it's 113km. At 7 knots, thats 13km/h, which is like 8 hours. It doesnt sound right.

Is there a cool site I can checkout to measure nautical miles between destinations?

Thanks!

[AquaBoi]

World Ports Distances

Man, thats messed up? I see most sailboats cruise at 7 knots correct?

Distance = 70 Nautical Miles
Time usage = 0 days 10 hours
Departure from VICTORIA
Port Code: CAVIC
Country: CANADA - B.COLUMBIA
Longitude: 123°21'W
Latitude: 48°25'N
Date: 05-03-2010
Time: 00:00

Arriving to SEATTLE
Port Code: USSEA
Country: USA - WASHINGTON
Longitude: 122°20'W
Latitude: 47°36'N
Date: 05-03-2010
Time: 10:00

[sneuman]

Originally Posted by AquaBoi

World Ports Distances

Man, thats messed up? I see most sailboats cruise at 7 knots correct?

Nope. Your "cruising speed" (average?) is based on a lot of things, not least being the boat's waterline, sail area and the conditions.

With most cruising monohulls in 35-40' range, you can't really plan on averaging anything close to 7 knots - that's more like top speed. A general rule of thumb on a trade wind passage is to expect no more than 100nm/day. Often, you can do better than that, but you can't count on it. And, some days, you'll be luck to do 60nm. Again, it all depends.

[Christian Van H]

Use this to calculate the upper limit of a boats hull speed: Boat Speed | Hull Speed | Speed Calculator

As for a website, see here: ActiveCaptain - The Interactive Cruising Guidebook

[Inkwell]

Go to NetFlix and search sailing. They have several DVDs to rent or download to your computer. Lots of sailing-related movies, Wind, Capn Ron, etc. Go to the library check out the David Poyer and Alexander Kent collection of " nautical" books. Good fun reading.

[skeedaddy]

I would recommend any book written by Steve and Linda Dashew. Just type their names into Amazon and then take the list of titles to any book store or library.

I am an avid reader already, but I literally devour these books. They are the size of text books and are written towards those who live aboard, but the information and experience is incredible.

I have also joined local clubs like the local Hobie Fleet (When I owned a Hobie) becuase they often hold various sailing classes or events. The education I received just standing on the beach with other Hobie owners was invaluable. Helping them rig their boats before a sail or asking their help on mine was always a big help, as well.

Lastly, the ASA courses are well worth the money. I have ASA 101, 103 and 104. I could have tested out of 101, but didn't want to. It was worth it to get on board with those who had never sailed as they often had questions I hadn't thought of. It helped me build the knowledge I needed to support and underpin the facts I already knew, but didn't know why or how I knew them.

I hope that all made sense.

[AquaBoi]

Originally Posted by sneuman

Nope. Your "cruising speed" (average?) is based on a lot of things, not least being the boat's waterline, sail area and the conditions.

With most cruising monohulls in 35-40' range, you can't really plan on averaging anything close to 7 knots - that's more like top speed. A general rule of thumb on a trade wind passage is to expect no more than 100nm/day. Often, you can do better than that, but you can't count on it. And, some days, you'll be luck to do 60nm. Again, it all depends.

Thank you for all your tips guys. Re: the 100nm / day guideline - does this mean only sailing during the day, say 16 hours. Or are you including night sailing?

[AquaBoi]

Originally Posted by Inkwell

Go to NetFlix and search sailing. They have several DVDs to rent or download to your computer. Lots of sailing-related movies, Wind, Capn Ron, etc. Go to the library check out the David Poyer and Alexander Kent collection of " nautical" books. Good fun reading.

Best idea ever! I have Netflix and they actually have streaming DVDs I can watch instantly. Thank you sir!

[sneuman]

Originally Posted by AquaBoi

Thank you for all your tips guys. Re: the 100nm / day guideline - does this mean only sailing during the day, say 16 hours. Or are you including night sailing?

that would be over 24 hours. Like I say, for the kind of boat I have very roughly described, you might do as well as 125nm/24 hours. Very occasionally, you might be able to peg it over and get 150nm. But you would need to factor that in with the days when you might only make 50 or 60nm.

[Intentional Drifter]

Originally Posted by AquaBoi

For our family, there is nothing we cant achieve. It's just a matter of time and commitment, and we can get anything done! I do however have a question though about the shallows in the Puget. I've never been out there so have no idea. Would say a 31 footer be restrictive in terms of where you can go? I wouldnt want to limit myself to certain areas and also run the risk of screwing up my keel by accident! And also, when we moor out in deeper waters, how the heck do we get to land to have a picnic if we dont have a dingy (I'm assuming a 31 footer doesnt have space for a small craft to get to land but I'm a novice so correct me if I'm wrong)

Puget Sound has plenty of deep water and the shallows are (almost always) well charted. You can find places in the San Juans where uncharted rocks lurk, but there's usually enough local knowledge to see you through.

A 31-footer is plenty big enough to have some extended cruising and get you around just fine. Also big enough for a small dink without a problem. Most folks end up putting them on the foredeck if you don't have davits. If the sea state is calm, towing works fine (though, use polypro painter, as it floats and keeps it out of the prop).

In terms of Seattle - Victoria, it isn't the distance, but the obstacles and tides! Very often, going N you'll have the wind off the aft quarter to Port Townsend. But, then you have the Straits of Juan de Fuca to deal with. Big currents and depending on weather, you can get wind against tide and big, steep waves. Currents can get up to 3 knots and you've got to compensate. Also, the rips off Admirality can be vicious. It is all about weather and timing. Then, coming S, you can spend lots of time with the wind on the nose. Again, all about weather and timing. Both ways can be great sails, or miserable. And, let's not forget about fog. When the dew point hits just right, on an otherwise beautiful morning, you can find yourself fogged in, within minutes. Pretty amazing, actually and beautiful in its own way -- but dangerous as heck if you don't know what your doing and don't have radar.

One of the sailing mantras: "The most dangerous tool on a sailboat is the calendar." Having to stick to an external schedule is where decisions get made that endanger the boat, and hence, the crew. Resist that temptation. I can tell you where, I can tell you when, just not at the same time!

ID