The top of the pack, the pick of the stack, fair winds, and smiling faces filled into Alameda Marina as Island Yacht Club's 26th annual Women's Sailing Seminar got underway. In anticipation, IYC volunteers were in the club house at 6:00am cooking home-made foods, putting last minute touches on the venue, and preparing for registering the 78 female participants. Meeting the supporting owners, was a pleasure in itself. Can you imagine what it must be like to hand-over your ve

Can you paint the sides of your vessel from the water in a dingy alone? Working with a team always makes work lighter and more fun, however it is possible to use the tip and roll method to apply paint to a hull alone. Follow manufacturers directions for mixing the paint. This blog is focused on those using new cans of 2-part paint i.e. paint and curing agent, and reducer to thin. Don't try to use old paint right out of the can. We thin to 30% with "reducer" to even the flow

Though local TV continued to give warnings for Oahu, Hawaii, the 6:00 pm national news told of hurricane Lane’s change to being oval in shape, breaking up, and heading away from Oahu at a snail’s pace. The Big Island and Maui continued to get buried in rain causing severe flooding. We went to bed feeling relieved of the threat of high winds yet concerned about our island neighbors and our predicted rains. As Oahu eye’s opened this morning, silver sky turned grey with lower l

Checking the exhaust on your boat is like checking the air in your car tires. You have to have water coming out of your exhaust for your engine to run smoothly. A lack of water will cause hoses to swell and the engine to get hot or overheat. Follow these 4 steps to monitor your engine's health through the exhaust. 1. When you start the engine and the water is cool, meter the water flow by holding a two gallon bucket under the exhaust. 2. Measure the amount of time needed t

A great afternoon sail in Nantucket Harbor started with a light wind. We gently glided, protected from the Atlantic’s waves, and launched a big, red spinnaker. As the wind continued to drop, we employed our light wind strategies. How many of these do you use to keep your boat moving in light winds? 1. "WHISPER" ~ move very slowly and gradually (In light winds, abrupt weight changes can literally knock the wind right out of your sails and may cause your boat to drop lower i

Transmission fluid 1, 2, 3 For engines with transmission fluid, a quarterly check, or more if used often, is recommended prevention. For hydraulic transmissions, start by running the engine for a few minutes and then shut it down. Check these 3 indicators: 1. fluid level - how has it changed? 2. viscosity - with a dab of oil between your pointer and thumb, pull fingers apart and look at the shape. An hour glass shape means your oil is good. 3. color - pink is good, maple sy

When working on your engine or taking apart another system, always use the right tool for the right job. Taking proper care of your hardware will allow reuse, will ensure proper torque, and won't round off the heads or tool attachment points. Here are some examples: It is always better to use a an open end or line wrench on a line, and a box wrench on a bolt. Using an adjustable wrench can round off the corners of the bolt or hex making your next repair more difficult. It you

For those wishing to increase sailing experience, crewing on a multi-day passage is an exciting opportunity to apply basic sailing skills, gain new ones, and share in achieving something great as a member of a team. The following five responsibilities are general guidelines for watch-keepers aboard private cruising vessels sailing with small crews. A person serving watch should be prepared to: 1. Set an alarm to arrive at the helm at least five minutes early and be prepared

Sheltered anchorages behind tiny islands where you very well might be the only vessel anchored, perfect thirteen to fifteen knot winds in protected, turquoise waters, healthy, vibrant reefs waiting to be snorkeled, good food, and friendly people are just some of the treasures you’ll find while sailing the southern end of Belize’s inner channel. For those heading to the Caribbean or Mediterranean from California, Belize is an easy, non-stop five day sail around Nicaragua and H

A properly trimmed jib, or headsail, helps balance your boat, increases speed, and decreases heal. But where do you fix your gaze while pulling on the jib sheet? Here are three places to gaze leading towards a well-trimmed jib. Start with your eyes near the luff as you use the halyard to adjust the draft, or curvature, of your sail. In light winds, ease the halyard until a few, light wrinkles appear and tighten to move the draft aft in higher winds. Adjustable back stays will