Hi Sailors!
The Sailing Weekly Roundup brings you the latest in sailing news, trends, gear, events, and training. Every week we’ll send a curated list and analysis by Capt. Teresa and Ben Carey. Instead of sifting through a ton of articles and videos each day – let us do the work for you.
Analysis:
I just returned from a 5 day coastal and offshore expedition where we beat our way against relentless headwinds to New Bedford, MA. Next week I’m headed to Bermuda with 4 students aboard Rocinante, our Norseman 447, for an offshore sail-training expedition. After a few days in Bermuda to re-provision and rest, we’ll head back offshore and point the bow for our home waters of Penobscot Bay, Maine
During this last expedition I sailed from Rockland ME to New Bedford MA with my co-instructor/mate Biz Wallace and a lovely couple from Virginia who are planning to spread their sailing wings a bit wider in the coming years aboard their new sailboat.
On this windy passage, one thing came up repeatedly: reefing. My motto is “reef often, reef early.” We reefed by day, we reefed at night. We struck the jib and set the stays’l, we partially rolled the jib, we shook some reefs. We did it all, over and over again as conditions required. At first, having to go forward to the mast to set the main and stays’l is surprising and daunting for some of our trainees. We keep our halyards led to the base of the mast, instead of the cockpit. We have our reasons, which have evolved over the years. But our current reefing system is pretty sweet and once our students experience the simplicity of it, they come to appreciate Rocinante’s set up.
There are a few things that help make our reefing system work so well. (1) Simplicity and low friction. (2) The Granny Bars. By far, one of the best features of our rig are the granny bars. They really do transform working lines at the mast from a scary and heroic act of bravery (tomfoolery?) to a safe and comfortable adventure. They provide a good secure perch for cranking the winch, seeing the sail, communicating with your crew and of course clipping a tether. (3) A dedicated clew outhaul winch on the aft side of the mast. This winch and it’s simple rigging help make reefing the mains’l a painless 2 minute operation. Seriously.
Ensuring that your reefing system is simple, bulletproof, and easy to use, is one of the best safety features you can add/adjust on your boat. Once it’s set up well, you too will reef often and early, and with glee.
Note: I apologize for not keeping up It’s been difficult to keep up with these weekly newsletters, and I apologize for the inconsistent delivery. While we are offshore for the next 3 weeks, there will be limited newsletters, but we’ll be back to our normal schedule when I return in July. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
~ Ben
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Don’t forget to check out our sail-training expeditions at MorseAlpha.com.
From Morse Alpha:
2 Bunks available on our July 18-23 AND August 15-20 Expeditions
We had a cancellation! It’s not too late to join us for an expedition this summer. Our expeditions are always busy with lessons, drills, scenarios, planning, navigation, and fun. One day we’ll head out to sea and sail overnight. The expedition starts and ends in Rockland, ME.Six Things We Love About Our Norseman 447
We are just about 2 years into ownership of Rocinante our Norseman 447. In that time we’ve sailed her just about 8,000 nm and we’ve gotten to know her a bit better. She’s a lot different than our previous boats, but still considered a classic… one of Bob Perry’s best designs. She sails and handles wonderfully in all conditions we’ve experienced so far.
Now for the best of the web...
News:
Fears of environmental disaster as oil-laden ship sinks off Sri Lanka
”With all the dangerous goods, the nitric acid and all these other things, and the oil in the ship, if it's sinking it will basically destroy the whole bottom of the sea," she said.Boat Bursts in Flames After Owners Harass Boaters Flying Pride Flags
Moments after shouting gay slurs at a boat flying LGBTQ Pride flags, passengers find themselves swimming for their lives.How Technology Will Drive Marine Electronics for Yachts
Predicting the future of marine electronics isn’t easy, but these four men are paid to do exactly that. Here’s a look at trends that are likely to be influential during the next five years.Gulf Of Mexico ‘Dead Zone’ Shrunk A Little
NOAA scientists are forecasting this summer’s Gulf of Mexico hypoxic area or “dead zone” — an area of low to no oxygen that can kill fish and other marine life — to be approximately...Addressing dangers of lost containers
The Dangers of Lost Shipping Containers to small vessels and recreational sailors’, was given in a workshop on Lost Containers by World Sailing at European Maritime Day.Ron Holland Keeps Sailing Because He Keeps It Simple
We asked readers what’s been on the maintenance list over this last pandemic year. One reply stood out because of its author, and our disbelief. Naval architect Ron Holland wrote in, saying simply, “Done.”Inspired by the Sea
Three decades after his record-setting circumnavigation, Bill Pinkney finds joy on blue water.Coast Guard rescues kayaker 70 miles west of Santa Cruz
SAN FRANCISCO — The Coast Guard rescued a kayaker approximately 70 miles west of Santa Cruz, Sunday morning.Meet the New Airbnb of Dockspace
Dockshare, a Maryland-based startup, has announced the launch of a new online platform that connects boaters with private dock owners to rent their docks for hours, days, weeks, or longer.An epic feat of human endurance
In 2022 35 sailors will race 30,000 miles non-stop, alone, around the world with no outside assistance.Crazy Eight
Our sport needs more creativity when it comes to running races. Here’s a good example2021 Annapolis to Newport Race update
Chessie Racing, a Tripp 62 owned by George Collins, was first to finish among the Friday starters in the 38th biennial Annapolis-to-Newport Race.The Ocean Race Europe crews battle fierce conditions in Gibraltar Strait
A day after leaving Cascais, Portugal on the second leg of The Ocean Race Europe, this afternoon the race’s 12-boat fleet battled fierce headwinds in the Gibraltar Strait.A New Ocean Pollution Threat: Face Masks
The coronavirus pandemic is adding a new unwelcome element to sea pollution off the town of Bauan, a popular dive site in the Philippines’ Batangas...NOAA predicts another active Atlantic hurricane season
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is predicting another above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. Forecasters predict a 60% chance of an above-normal season.
Video:
Containership Takes Out Cranes at Kaohsiung Port in Taiwan
A 316-meter-long containership took out two cranes at the Port of Kaohsiung in Taiwan. The port reported that the OOCL Durban was being moved from another area of the port.
Maintenance:
Clear Cloudy Boat Windows Fast
Was replacing our boat windows in our future? Not after we discovered this product that cleared them our for a fraction of the cost.Testing AIS MOB beacons, ACR’s DSC feature especially
Given my accidental activation of an AIS MOB beacon a few weeks ago, it seemed like a good time to test beacons again.Summer sailing: 11 last-minute checks to prepare your boat
Summer sailing usually involves greater distances and spending longer periods than usual on board, and this can trigger some of the breakdowns and breakages that are, to some extent, an inevitable part of boating.Testing Pettit EZ Speed Strip
The antifouling paint I applied worked fine, but I wanted to test Pettit’s Running Gear Guardian, a high-tech substitute for anti-fouling, so I needed to strip my trim tabs back to bare metal.
Educational:
Can tide height affect an object’s visibility from a yacht?
The skipper and crew of the Bowman 46, Flying Colours, are anticipating their arrival in Falmouth after crossing the Atlantic. They are currently about 30 miles off the Isles of Scilly, sailing through the night in clear visibility.How To See Wind on the Water When Sailing
Accurately calling puffs and shifts really separates good sailors from the best. Andrew Campbell is among the latter.