Sailing Weekly Roundup 1 • AI For America's Cup
3/18/2021
Hi Sailors!
This is our new newsletter! This is a sample of what we are calling The Best of Sailing! We aim to send out a weekly roundup and analysis of the latest in sailing news, trends, gear, events, and training. The list is curated by Captains Teresa & Ben Carey. Instead of sifting through a ton of articles and videos each day – let us do the work for you.
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Analysis:
This week is all about the America's Cup! Spoiler alert: New Zealand won. We all saw that coming, right? New Zealand wrote the rules for this year's race (a privilege given to the team that holds the cup), and they had the "home-court advantage."
As the America's Cup gets more and more high tech, the art of sailing is overshadowed by innovative design. I can't help but wonder, is the competition man vs. man or man vs. bot?
This year the winning team had a new edge – artificial intelligence. An AI bot made the difference between winning and losing. The challenging team didn't stand a chance. Should that AI even be allowed? I wrote an article for Freethink about how AI crept its way into the race. Be sure and watch the race highlights. The boats are going so fast they lift off the water. It truly is impressive.
There is a lot to be gained from the advance in navigation, design, and sailing technology. At the same time, many people have lost sight of the real gems in sailing: the feel of the heft of the sail, the challenge of finding your way in the fog, and a deep deep feeling of self-reliance. I've never felt more strong than when I was sailing solo on my low-tech boat. Arguably, the new tech adds a false sense of security and, therefore, more risk. As an on-the-water instructor, I've seen it time and again: near-misses due to over reliance on tech. Consider this race accident, for example.
~ Teresa
Reminders:
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Don’t forget to check out our sail-training expeditions at MorseAlpha.com.
From Morse Alpha:
The Morning Muster Podcast: Ep 8: Food Philosophies And Musings! Eating Your Best Aboard Boats
With John Kretschmer and Emily Whebbe we’re tackling the all important topic of food aboard the boat. We’re talking cooking, provisioning, food philosophies, desserts, finding good produce, planning, seasickness, alcohol, and the importance of a good meal on passage. Cooking in the galley is…
Webinar: Ready About! Essentials for Cruising Webinar Series
An interactive webinar series designed especially for sailors who want to get out cruising ASAP. The four-part series will explore fundamental cruising topics that will give you a head-start before the sailing season begins.
Now for the best of the web...
News:
NOAA upgrades flagship U.S. global weather model
NOAA is upgrading its Global Forecast System (GFS) weather model to boost weather forecasting capabilities across the U.S. These advancements will improve hurricane genesis forecasting, modeling for snowfall location, heavy rainfall forecasts, and overall model performance.New age of sail looks to slash massive maritime carbon emissions
International shipping accounts for about 2.2% of all global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the U.N. International Maritime Organization. But change is on the way. Wind, solar electric, and hydrogen-powered ships offer innovative low- or no-carbon alternatives to fossil fuel-powered cargo vessels, with wind about to make a huge comeback in shipping, say experts.Freethink: How Artificial Intelligence Won the America’s Cup
A recent report shows how Emirates Team New Zealand successfully won the America's Cup with the help of a new crewmember: an AI bot.Sailing World: America’s Cup 36: The Wrong Call
The Italians of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli were putting on the performance of the regatta, but one split-second decision made it crumble to pieces.
Lifestyle:
Law Of Cruising: Weather & Schedules - Sailing Totem
As usual Totem provides useful info into a blogpost/update about their travels. This one discusses the primary decision making factor for any cruiser… weather. As sailors we must learn to relinquish our desire for control, and as Elsa sings, let it go!
Education:
Getting Started in Celestial Navigation (The Marine Sextant)
This wonderful video introduces the marine sextant, it's parts, and how to measure the angle from the horizon to the sun. Chris Nolan has a number of videos on celestial navigation that I think are spot on. He’s worked aboard a number of educational tall ships (like Ben) and is a great teacher.
Gear:
ugo Tablet Case
Despite the fact sailors have long since embraced the use of wireless devices offshore, few thing get along less well with water than non-marinized electronics—which is why we were so excited to learn...Fendertex Inflatable Fenders – yes, we love these.
Fendertex® is the only manufacturer of inflatable textile fenders for the yachting market. The Fendertex® standard line offers cylindrical, spherical, and tandem fenders. Fendertex® also offers a wide range of customizable textile fenders and accessories.Yacht Devices NMEA 2000 Wi-Fi Gateway
This allows you to see data from a NMEA 2000 marine digital network on a PC or smartphone. We just bought one for our AIS to link with our iPad.
Events:
The Marion Bermuda Race
The Marion Bermuda Race provides an opportunity for cruising yachts and amateur crews to participate in an ocean race and a rendezvous in Bermuda. Morse Alpha Expeditions is participating, and you can sail with us!Newport International Boat Show Announces Dates
This year marks half a century for New England’s largest boat show, and the celebration will be in person. In a statement released yesterday, Nancy Piffard, Show Director of Newport Exhibition Group said, “We are excited to kick off the boat…Spring Annapolis Boat Show
Since 1970, the Annapolis Boat Shows have hosted some of the most comprehensive boating events in the maritime industry. We are excited to bring them back for 2021. We have a great year planned, starting with an expanded format for our Bay Bridge Boat Show which will combine Power and Sail into one show.