1. Key West, Florida

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Key West is considered to be the ultimate paradise for sailing passionate. Located in Florida, this city is well known as the place in which visitors will be able to admire the most impressive sunset in the United States. Of course, you can watch the sunset from your boat and make the whole experience even better and more impressive. Some other facts you should know about Key West is that it is located at about 129 miles distance from Miami, Florida. This is a popular seaport destination in the US, welcoming thousands of passenger cruise ships. Well, one thing is certain about Key West: the beauty you will find here will remain in your heart forever.

2. Fort Lauderdale, Florida

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Fort Lauderdale, known as the Venice of America, is another spectacular sailing destination in the United States. This is a wonderful spot to visit on the Atlantic coast. Fort Lauderdale actually is a popular tourist destination, welcoming more than 10.35 million visitors each year. A major yachting center, the city has no less than 42,000 resident yachts. Over 300 miles of inland waterways in its proximity, as well as the International Boat Show, make Fort Lauderdale an amazing destination for boaters.

3. Seattle, Washington

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Maybe you had no idea, but Seattle is a great boating venue you can include into your route, as well. This is a wonderful spot to visit for boaters who really enjoy the outdoor lifestyle. Salt water areas, as well as the Olympic and Cascade Mountains and forested islands can be found in this lovely American city. Lake Union and Lake Washington are well known to be charming venues for sailing passionates to enjoy unique outdoor adventures.

4. Newport, Rhode Island

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Newport is located in the United States, as well. This small town is filled with charming beaches, being one of the main yachting centers of the country. Boats from all around the world arrive here and the amenities that sailors enjoy in Newport are great. This is considered to be a classic sailing destination, being highly appreciated by visitors for its beautiful beaches, as well.

5. Catalina Island, California

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Catalina Island is placed in the proximity of Los Angeles, at about 22 miles distance from the beautiful city. This is believed to be a truly boater’s paradise. There are numerous amenities that can be enjoyed by boaters here, as well. The views are absolutely breathtaking and if you are going to be in this venue once, you will surely fall in love with its unique beauty.

Naturally, there are many other lovely outdoor destinations you can find in the United States. Various sailing destinations, as well as spots of a unique beauty can easily be accessed here. So, if planning a sailing trip is something you are currently considering, pick one of the aforementioned spots and you will definitely not regret it.

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The new website has been launched by organizers as many people have shown an interest in learning how to sail and attend various sailing events, including some of the most important such competitions, as America’s Cup. One of the most important things people should learn from the new sailing website is that developing a career with sailing is not hard at all. It actually can be quite simple, as well as accessible for anyone. As long as you know where to find resources, sailing is not too expensive, either.

US Sailing and America’s Cup have launched the new web page to welcome newcomers, as well as to provide all users the best resource to get started with sailing. The launchers of this new project hope that a high number of sailing passionates will access their page and will share it with their friends or anyone interested in learning more about this sport.

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“The America’s Cup Summer of Racing will put the sport in the spotlight and will inspire new fans to try out sailing for themselves. Start Sailing tells them how to do it,” the CEO of America’s Cup Event Authority claimed according to US Sailing. Start Sailing is the web page in which you will learn where to find a sailboat that will perfectly fit your needs, where to attend a sailing event according to your skills, where to find courses for beginners and how to improve your sailing skills.

If this project will reach its purpose to inform and educate passionates on the sport of sailing is something we will surely find out in the next few months. However, there is no shock that the United States Sailing Association and America’s Cup have joined forces. These are the national governing body for sailing and the most competitive and impressive sailing competitions in the world.

The 36-year-old has proved beyond doubt that he is the ultimate yachtsman of our time when he managed to cap a challenging sailing year by being voted the British Yachtsman of the Year by the Yachting Journalists’ Association in association with yacht insurers Pantaenius UK. Sir Ben Ainslie was awarded this title for an unprecedented sixth time.

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His successes peaked in 2012 with winning no less than 4 Olympic gold medals in the 2012 London Olympics and a silver medal as well. Also, he became ISAF world sailing champion and received a knighthood in recognition of his services to sailing in the New Year’s Honors. As of 2012, he is the most successful sailor in Olympic history.

Being at the top of this sport for 20 years now, Ben revealed that his aim was to lead a British team for the next America’s Cup series, regardless of where the competition would be held. “It has been a long-held ambition to be part of the team that returns the Cup to Britain after more than a 160-year absence”, he said.

Members of the Yachting Journalists’ Association voted Ben as the yachtsman most deserving the title in the closest of ballots, narrowly ahead of finalists – Paralympic gold medalist Helena Lucas MBE, a member of the Royal Southampton Yacht Club, and four-time match racing world champion Ian Williams. He is definitely one of the most successful competitors in the world of sailing.

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84th annual SCYA Midwinters: February 16-17. This veteran of local races offers something for everybody. Every single active one-design class and sailing fleet will be racing somewhere in Southern California this weekend.

Islands Race: March 8-9. This is a 125-mile race from Los Angeles that will go around Catalina and San Clemente Islands and will finish in San Diego. This event is quite new on the sailing scene, but it has already started to attract numerous active sailing teams.

Newport to Cabo Race: March 22-23. This is a 800-mile sprint to Cabo that features a “downhill” course and is said to be lots of fun.

Baldwin Cup Team Race: April 4-7. This team racing event will feature about 50-60 races where each team goes at each other with aggressive tactics. If you are a spectator, know that this is the best event to watch from the dock.

Border Run: April 6-7 and Newport to Ensenada: April 26-28. These two events provide an awesome series of parties in Newport Beach, Ensenada, and San Diego. Optional sailboat races connected with them will also provide some fun.

NHYC Opening Day Race: May 4. This is a sprint from Long Beach Harbor to Newport. It is a pretty easy sail, so it is fun for the whole family.

Baxter Bowl: June 1-2, and Star North Americans: June 5-9. These events attract the top sailors from North America and beyond, since racing in the Star class is pretty much as cool as riding Harley motorcycles.

America’s Cup: July 4 to September. This is not quite a local event, but the racing promises to be spectacular. This summer, this event will be held in San Francisco and it might even change the paradigm.

Transpac: July 8-21. This is one of the best offshore races in the world, with mostly off-wind sailing and a white knuckle finish down the Molokai Channel.

Governor’s Cup: July 16-18: This exclusive invitational event attracts top junior sailors from all around the world, who come here to compete along many veterans of America’s Cup.

Long Point Race Week: August 23-25. This event includes three days of racing and two nights of social gatherings in one of the best venues on Catalina Island. There are limited entries, though.

Harbor 20: September 28-29, and Lehman 12 Championships: October 19-20. These two one-design fleets are tightly linked and are two of the bay’s most highly competitive classes.

U.S. Team Racing Championships: October 4-6. This special invitation-only event is the dinghy version of the Baldwin Cup and shows teams from each region of the United States who are invited to represent their region.

Anteater Regatta: November 9-10. This is the biggest high school event in the harbor, with over 50 boats competing in two racing divisions. Hundreds of high school sailor take part in this competition every year.

Christmas Boat Parade. This may not be exactly a sailboat race, but it is perfect to catch a break after all the sailing and get into the holiday spirit.

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As you can see, the local California sailing scene has something going on every month of the year. Sailing passionates will definitely find these events thrilling, so if you are one of them, make sure you do not miss out on these great races.

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The first thing you have to do is to check the weather forecast and tidal activity. Announce a friend or a family member where you’re going in case something bad and unexpected happens.

A meticulous pre-launch check of your boat and equipment is also necessary. If conditions are beyond your ability, then don’t launch.

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Additionally, be sure you are properly dressed-drysuit/wetsuit/booties/gloves, including your PFD. Don’t forget to check your safety equipment-paddles, bailer, whistle and flares.

It’s important to know when the sun is setting and that the wind can sometimes shut off before sunset. You may be passionate about sailing, but still, don’t go too far from shore as your equipment should fail or the wind shuts off.

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Your mobile phone should be sealed in two sandwich bags and keep on your person. In case there will take place an accident, you can get in touch with the rescue centre.

Moreover, as winter gets very cold, to prevent hypothermia, you should wear several layers of clothing to keep your body temperature normal.

Wearing a hat will also prevent your body heat escaping out of your head. Moreover, you should keep extra layers on board in case weather conditions deteriorate and you may become wet while sailing.

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Don’t forget to wear your PFD at all times during your winter sail, have extra blankets to keep you warm and you also need proper ventilation. Keep your VHF radio on and listen for and report emergencies fast. These simple precautions presented here will make winter sailing safe and pleasant, so keep them in mind.

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Therefore, spring commissioning involves the following aspects:

• sails and sailing rigging
• hull and topsides
• safety gear and miscellaneous preparations
• other boat systems
• mechanical and electrical systems

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Sailing and Rigging involves the following things:

• inspect sails, clean and repair them
• bend on the mainsail and furling jib
• clean, lubricate sail slugs
• install sail battens
• see if there is mast corrosion
• inspect for smooth rotation and connections
• lubricate turnbuckels

Mechanical and Electrical Systems

• reinstall the engine starting battery
• check, replace fuel filters
• clean the engine cooling water intake sea strainer
• check the levels of engine oil, coolant and transmission fluid
• use fresh fuel, ensure cool water passes through the engine, then start up and warm the engine
• see if there are any leaks in the fuel line, at both ends of diesel injector and at the fuel pump
• with a voltmeter, check if the alternator is recharging the battery while the engine runs
• inspect fuel lines, all hoses and alternator belts for sound condition
• inspect the prop for dings
• reinstall house batteries and any electronics stored out off the boat
• use battery power with shore power disconnected
• test running lights, exterior and interior lights, VHF radio, radar and chartplotter
• using a hydraulic system, check the condition of lines and then the fluid reservoir
• with a tiller, check the fitting connecting the tiller arm to the rudderpost head

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Safety Gear and Preparations

• inspect the boat’s lifelines for rust at end fittings
• check if the electrical bilge pumps are working
• check if the boat has suitable Coast Guard-required flares and signals such as foghorn
• see if fire extinguishers are placed in accessible and visible areas
• all seacocks should be lubricated and closed in order to prevent freezing
• observe if there are any damp areas
• check the lights, the boat’s trailer and fuel lines and cutoffs

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Other Boat Systems

• shock the waters system by refilling tanks with 1 cup bleach per 30 gallons of water
• replace charcoal filters at drinking water taps
• drain winter antifreeze from water tanks and then flush fresh water through all the system, opening all taps in succession
• see if the vent hose of the holding tank to the exterior is open
• use a hot water tank and check its operation while on shore power

Follow all these tips and you’ll have no problems while sailing. You and your crew will be safe and will prevent many problems from happening.

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The increased number of celebrities that enjoy their time on yachts has increased. The rich and famous enjoy privacy, freedom and admire the landscape. Still, they were many times photographed by paparazzi. Celebrities that choose to go on sea choose powerful yachts as it’s faster and also easier.

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Some celebrities and rich people are even sailors such as Larry Ellison, the Silicon Valley CEO of Oracle who has won the America’s Cup and done countless offshore races. Other celebrities who have their own yachts or just like to spend time on a yacht are Harrison Ford, Ellen DeGeneres, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Paris Hilton, Leonardo DiCaprio, David and Victoria Beckham, Sting, Orlando Bloom, George Clooney, Cindy Crawford, Bono, Kid Rock and many others.

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Yes, money count, of course, but that’s not the main thing that counts. Rich and famous people can spend their vacation in many other ways, but renting or owning a yacht is similar to a shoreside vacation.

It can even be cheaper or have the same price to a hotel, restaurant and other activities. Therefore, renting a yacht costs approximately about the same as it would be to rent a floor of a hotel, buy out several seats at entertainment venue or lease a small banquet room.

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Privacy is also very important to celebrities. Moreover, they like very much the rhythm and the sounds of the sea and they also love the water and how it “meets” the sky.

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The criteria used to select these sailing events include:

• the positive publicity an event generates
• how many entries has over time
• Google search results


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Additionally, there are very long and old events in sailing, open to various class and skill levels. The list with the 10 best sailing events in the world includes:

1. Cowes Week – one of the oldest and the largest racing events in sailing

2. Volvo Ocean Race – is a great event, combining high profile entries and in-port races, as well as round-the-world competition.


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3. America’s Cup – features a fresh and modern approach, attracting a lot of people and competitors.

4. Vendee Globe – is an extreme event, so it deserves its position in this top.


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5. Newport to Bermuda/Marion to Bermuda – is the racer’s race vs cruiser’s race, which tie for equal billing.

6. Sydney to Hobart- an event that lasts for over 60 years, including about 100 yachts and 4000 boat spectator fleet.

7. Fastnet – an event including approximately 250 yachts of all types and from all over the world.


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8. Chicago to Mackinac Race – it’s an amazing event with 462 entries, 100th in 2008 and in 2011 there were over 370 yachts.

9. Antigua Sailing Week&Classic Yachts Regatta – it’s a race with about 5000 spectators, 1500 participants and 200 yachts.

10. Key West Race Week - features 300 entries, with numerous participants and also a huge doze of adventure.

Do you know any other sailing events that should be added to this list? Or some of these should be removed? What’s your opinion?

]]> http://www.sailing.net/the-best-10-yacht-racing-events-in-the-world.html/feed 0 http://www.sailing.net/learn-how-to-choose-a-suitable-sailing-school-for-you.html http://www.sailing.net/learn-how-to-choose-a-suitable-sailing-school-for-you.html#comments Tue, 22 Jan 2013 12:26:58 +0000 admin http://www.sailing.net/?p=779 Read more...]]> If you’re looking to improve your sailing skills or you want to learn to sail, what type of certification do you need?

Or, have you thought which are your short and long-term goals? These questions should guide you in order to choose the best sailing instruction that meets you needs. When you’re looking for sailing instructions, you have to look for a sailing school or instructor, the type of class you will take and also how much money you’ll pay for it.


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In case you want to learn to sail and get started as you may have your own boat, you’ll need only an instructor, a mentor, but not a sailing school. You don’t need certification for sailing legally, to own a boat or to charter a sailboat. It means that you don’t have to pay for a sailing school. Instead, you can learn to sail while you’re on vacation. Nonetheless, when you’ll come back home, you’ll lack contact to continue sailing.


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If you already have a sailboat, but you want to learn how to sail it, you still don’t need a sailing school. Instead, a captain or willing sailor could help you. Nevertheless, if you’re looking for specific skills, such as offshore cruising or coastal passage making, a sailing school may be what you need.

If you plan to be able to charter a sailboat, certification is not legally required. Charter companies don’t even require certifications, as they focus more on their sailing experience in a similar size sailboat, and less in a certificate.


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In case you have not enough sailing experience and can’t get it otherwise, a certifying sailing school is the way to learn, be experienced and qualified for bareboat chartering.

The first place where you should look for sailing instruction is locally. Or, the public school system has sailing courses as well as many state and private community colleges. There are also yacht clubs that operate sailing programs for both kids and adults at reasonable costs.

If you just want to learn on your own boat how to sail, you don’t need formal instruction at all. All you have to do is to call up a local yacht club and see if you post an announcement, asking for help on your boat.Or, you can offer to crew with others to learn new things and gain experience. Bartering is very common. For example, you offer to help with spring maintenance in return for crewing.


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National sailing schools are also a great option. You should choose a national sailing school if you don’t live nearby a lake, so you have no other option. Usually, national schools provide courses on bigger boats and you have several options.

You should search at USA SAILING and American Sailing Association websites as the link to associated sailing schools by area of search. Thus, it will be very easy for you to find what you’re looking for and what’s more appropriate for you. Additionally, don’t forget that you’ll also have to learn not only sailing techniques, but also sailing terms for various manoeuvres and parts of the boat.

]]> http://www.sailing.net/learn-how-to-choose-a-suitable-sailing-school-for-you.html/feed 0 http://www.sailing.net/americas-cup-2013-program.html http://www.sailing.net/americas-cup-2013-program.html#comments Mon, 21 Jan 2013 12:37:52 +0000 admin http://www.sailing.net/?p=771 Read more...]]> The schedule for the 2013 America’s Cup Season in San Francisco includes 55 days of racing in the Louis Vuitton Cup, America’s Cup Finals and Red Bull Youth America’s Cup. Four teams will compete against ORACLE TEAM USA, the defender.


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The team line-up for the Louis Vuitton Cup is set on August 1 and the challenging teams for the 34th America’s Cup are great and strong. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), Luna Rossa Challenge (ITA), Artemis Racing (SWE) and Team Korea (KOR) will compete against each other in the Louis Vuitton Cup, the America’s Cup Challenger Series, for the right to face ORACLE TEAM USA in the America’s Cup Finals.


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Regatta Director Iain Murray said about it: “The four challengers who will take on the 34th America’s Cup are an imposing group. They are talented, they know how to win, and they will be a threat to the defender.” From July 4 through September 1, the Louis Vuitton Cup will provide two full months of racing on San Francisco Bay. Additionall to the challenger series, ORACLE TEAM USA plans to hold Defender Trials in order to defend the Cup.


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ORACLE TEAM USA with the America’s Cup Finals against the winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup will take place from September 7 to September 22. It will have a new format with almost twice as much racing. This year there will be two races per day and nine victories required to win the America’s Cup.


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Moreover, between the Louis Vuitton Cup and America’s Cup Finals the start of the sport will lead to the water of the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup. Stephen Barclay, the CEO of the 34th America’s Cup said: “The amount of racing we’re going to have on San Francisco Bay next summer is simply phenomenal. The competition is going to be spectacular, the racing will be close, and spectators will be a part of the action with the shoreline along the city front literally making up one of the race course boundaries.”

In addition, the AC Village for this year will be at Piers 27-29 and is still under construction.

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