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CONTENTS A New Sailor Guide by

PUBLISHER

Mary Iliff Ewenson

now EDITOR

Molly Winans

DIRECTOR OF SALES ART DIRECTOR Cory Deere & MARKETING Dana Scott ADVERTISING SALES Ken Hadley, Brooke King Businesses or organizations wishing to distribute or participate in Start Sailing Now should contact us at:

Talk Like a Sailor.............................................6 Smart Questions To Ask Sailing Schools...............................................9 What Sailors Wear....................................... 11 Try Sailing for Free...................................... 14 Insider Tips for Sailors............................... 16 Lifejacket 101............................................... 18 Kids’ Sailing Camps.................................... 20 Top 10 Reasons To Sail with Family...................................... 23

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Photo by Dan Phelps

Cover photo by Sail Solomons

Sailing: Myth vs. Fact....................................4

For helpful and fun videos, blogs, and resources in major sailing hubs nationwide, visit star tsailingnow.com. 2 0 14 N e w S a i l o r G u i d e

Sailing: Myth vs. Fact

hat stops people from getting into sailing year after year? After six years of publishing Start Sailing Now and hosting new sailor seminars and 18 years of producing SpinSheet Magazine for sailors, we have encountered recurrent barriers to entry into sailing—and some of them are false or misguiding. Here are a few common sailing myths and facts to counter them…

Myth #1: Sailing is a “members only” kind of sport. Fact: Exclusive, private yacht clubs do exist, but so do public community sailing centers and neighborhood sailing clubs that welcome new

members. You can sail your whole life skillfully and joyfully without belonging to a club.

Myth #2: Sailing is hard to begin as an adult. Fact: Sailing tends to be pastime passed down through families, so there are many sailors out there who did start young. But the skills required to sail a boat are not age-specific or hard to acquire. Many people learn to sail in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s. Call a sailing school and ask the average age of its clients. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Myth #3: Sailing is expensive. Fact: Sailing can be expensive, but it does not have to be. Community sailing programs offer reasonably priced learn-

Photo by Dan Phelps

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to-sail programs, public sails for those who want to try the sport, and membership options. Many sailing programs offer reasonably priced boat rentals, boat share opportunities, or free crew options.

Myth #4: You need to own a boat to sail.

Fact: See #3. There is an expression in the world of sailing: OPB. Other People’s Boats. Everyone who owns a boat seeks crew to help him or her sail. That crew could be you. If you find a sailing school, a community sailing program, or a sailing club, nearby you will find boat owners who seek crew members for their boats. Those who are interested in racing boats and are willing to

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show up and learn will always have opportunities to sail without ever owning a boat. Start Sailing Now was created to demystify sailing and show you just how easy it is to try. We address the most confusing topics for new sailors: the language of sailing, what to look for in a sailing school, what to wear, how to try the sport for free, insider tips from longtime sailors, information on kids’ programs, and a bit about sailing with family. Read on. Sail on. Welcome to sailing! Molly Winans molly@startsailingnow.com

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Talk Like a Sailor

22 Terms All Sailors Know

nless you speak Old English, sailing terms probably sound confusing to you. You are not alone. Even longtime sailors use the not-so-official terms of “thingamabob” and “doo-hickey.” One of the most lovable aspects of sailing is that there is always something to learn. Don’t worry if it takes you time to digest the complex language of sailing; it is an ongoing process. Believe it or not, it’s fun. Learning these basic terms will help you understand what’s going on on any sailboat in the English-speaking world.

Below: when you go into the cabin, it’s never “downstairs.” It’s always down below. Boom: the pole hanging horizontally above the cockpit that could boom into your head if you’re not careful. Bow: the front end of the boat, or as sailors refer to it with a grin, “the pointy end.” Cleat: classic ones are shaped like anvils, but there are more modern versions with pinching teeth for securing lines on deck and on the dock. Cockpit: the area with seats near the steering station or helm.

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Come to turn the bow of the about: boat through the wind. The skipper will say, “Ready about!” The crew responds, “Ready,” and they keep their heads down to avoid the boom. The skipper says, “Helms-alee” or “Hardalee” and turns. Deck: anywhere you can walk around on the exterior of the boat. Gybing: sometimes spelled jibing (never jiving). This is when the boat turns with the wind at your back. The skipper says, “Prepare to gybe!” The crew says, “Ready,” and stays low to avoid the fast-moving boom. The skipper says, “Gybe ho” and turns.

Heel: the boat heels or leans at an angle while sailing. It does not keel over as one might after too much rum. Helm: where the skipper steers with a wheel or a sticklike tiller. Jib: the smaller triangular sail attached at the bow. Keel: the heavy fixed fin on the bottom of the boat. (see heel)

Line: a rope on a boat is always called a line or a sheet. (see sheets) Mainsail: the big sail attached to the mast. Mast: the vertical pole on deck or “the stick.” PFD: a personal flotation device or lifejacket. If someone asks you to wear one, don’t be offended. Lifejackets are not as goofy looking as they used to be.

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Port: the left side of the boat facing forward. Port and left are both four-letter words. Sheets: lines attached to the sails to control them. Crew members help with sheets. Spinnaker: a parachute-like, triangular sail attached at the bow and used to propel a sailboat with the wind behind it. Sometimes called the kite or chute.

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Starboard: the right side of the boat facing forward. Stern: the back end of the boat, opposite the pointy end. Winch: cylindrical metal hardware—beer- or paint-can sized—on either side of the cockpit where sheets are wrapped clockwise to crank sails in and out.

Visit the blog page at startsailingnow.com to see video to help new sailors get into the sport.

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Smart Questions To Ask Sailing Schools

by Lisa Batchelor Frailey, Sail Solomons, edited by Molly Winans

ithout guidance about how to find a sailing school, many prospective students may start with the least effective method: a Google search. Decisions might then be made based on cost, location, timing, and length of the courses. Let us share other important factors to consider and more targeted methods for sifting through the multiple options of sailing schools on the Bay.

Credentials, Please American Sailing Association (ASA) or U.S. Sailing schools offer internationally recognized certification programs, allowing you flexibility in sail training and chartering locations. Each organization promotes “Outstanding Schools and Instructors,” right on their websites. Ask yourself how “far” you’d like to go in your sailing. Would you eventually like to buy or charter a boat on your own? If so, choose a school that offers the full gamut of sailing certifications. Don’t select the sailing equivalent of a junior college if you’re after a master’s degree.

Do the Boats Fit the Course? Does the school have boats appropriate for the level of certification you’re trying to achieve? Many schools start initial training on small, tiller-steered keelboats, allowing you to get a feel for basic sailing skills and build confidence. For more advanced courses, progressively larger and more complex boats should be used. Will the school offer rentals or charters for practicing your newly learned skills on your own? Many schools do; some even have sailing clubs for cost-effective practice while meeting new sailing friends.

Customized for You Many schools offer customized sailing courses, including courses for women, couples, or families. Tailored courses may also focus on specific skills like docking, racing, or even just being a good crewmember. Through most good schools, you may hire an instructor for private instruction on your own boat, if applicable.

What’s on Shore? Dockside resources; availability of meals and lodging; size, type, and condition of boats; and safety and maintenance of boats. These items may be addressed by a personal visit to the school for a tour of the facility and boats and perhaps a demonstration sail.

The People Top schools post instructor biographies on their websites and gladly introduce you to the teaching staff when you tour the facility in person. Are the instructors ASA and/or U.S. Sailing certified instructors? Do they have U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s licenses? Are they friendly and good at listening as well as “experts?” Would you enjoy spending a weekend with these instructors?

Better Business Sailing schools are businesses, and if you hope to develop a relationship with one, be sure you’re comfortable with their style. Were your inquiries responded to promptly and courteously? Did the school provide the information you needed to make a good course selection? What sort of flexibility will you have for re-scheduling, in the event of emergencies or foul weather?

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Do Your Homework Ask for former student references. Sailing is an exciting and inspiring sport, and newcomers tend to have strong feelings about how they learned. If a school hesitates to provide happy customers’ contact information, there may be a reason for it. If a school does not have references for you, we recommend not writing the check. Four Helpful Links with Lists of Sailing Schools: startsailingnow.com American Sailing Association: asa.com U.S. Sailing: ussailing.org Discover Sailing: discoversailing.com

Photo by Doug Treff

Discover the

How to become a sailor in Baltimore

CAPTAIN in you

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Call Getaway Sailing & book a Skippered three hour sail. Fall in love with sailing & sign up for sailing lessons at Getaway. Join the Club at Getaway and sail whenever you want.

Chesapeake Bay

www.delmarvasailingschool.com 410-810-4230 410.342.3110 | g e ta w a y s a ilin g .c o m

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What Sailors Wear on the Water

ou would be hard-pressed to find a sailor without other outdoor passions such as skiing, cycling, running, kayaking, waterskiing, rafting, camping, or hiking. The outdoorsy types who are attracted to the sport don’t mind the sun, rain, and wind (and more wind). Dressing for success in sailing has nothing to do with fashionable navyblue striped sweaters—especially if they’re all cotton. The key to dressing well in sailing, as in other outdoor sports, is learning how to remain comfortable, dry, and mobile in the face of the elements. Before you go out and make any investment in new gear, check your closet and assess what you already have to cover you from head to toe. If you already ride your bike on mountain trails, run around the neighborhood, hike in the woods, or hit the slopes from time to time, you may already have the gear necessary to get started. We’re not suggesting you don’t invest in sailing-specific gear; we’re saying that the lack of it should not be a barrier to entry. You might have enough makeshift gear to start right now. Then once you’re hooked on sailing—as we know you will be—you will learn quickly what you need to complete your sailing gear kit.

Head Like runners, many sailors like to have a visor to protect their eyes and face from sun and rain. A safe bet is an oldfashioned baseball cap. A hat strap with a collar clip is helpful, as more “man overboard” drills are done for runaway hats than for men. Nothing says “newbie” quite like a bad sunburn. Sunblock is a must, even when it’s cloudy. Skiers, snowboarders, waterskiers, and paddlers know that snow and water reflection makes the sun twice as powerful. Effective, non-greasy, high-protection sunblock is available at ordinary drug stores. Many sailors wear SPF clothing, which is available at outdoor stores and marine gear stores (also known as chandleries).

Core As in any outdoor sport performed in temperatures between 50 and 100 degrees, high-tech layers are the answer. A T-shirt, long-sleeved shirt, fleece vest, fleece pull-over, and nylon shorts/pants such as used for hiking and camping would almost complete your sailing gear needs. The outer layer or foul weather gear for sailing isn’t unlike hiking outerwear, except that the retro cheapie poncho, which might be useful on a rainy hike, would be a nuisance in the wind. Make sure you find waterproof outer tops and bottoms that will not flap in the wind, and always assume it will rain. Rain usually brings wind, and wind is a good thing—a wet rear end is not.

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A cold and soggy behind could ruin an otherwise terrific sailing day. You may already have a functional Gore-Tex shell, but do find yourself some waterproof bottoms as well. You can buy reasonable, effective foul weather gear for $250 (or more!) new. If you find a crew to sail with, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a guarantee theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll each have some surplus gear to lend or donate. When it comes to lifejackets, your crew

will have one onboard for you, but you might want to invest in a more stylish one; lightweight and attractive lifejackets really do exist! The vest styles can be great for keeping you warm and safe. Sailing gloves are reasonably priced ($20) and an excellent investment for new sailors. Cycling gloves work, too.

Photo by Annapolis Sailing School

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Toes Slipping on a wet deck, stubbing your toe on metal hardware, and scuffing up the deck of someone else’s boat are the considerations when you choose sailing footwear. Flip-flops and darksoled running or hiking shoes make lousy sailing shoes. Chuck Taylor high tops, white-soled tennis shoes, Keens, Tevas, and old-fashioned Top-Siders or Sperrys make good non-scuffing sailing shoes. High-tech wicking socks are the best.

Necklaces, dangling earrings, and precious gems can make for difficult or dangerous sailing wear. Leave them in your jewelry box at home. Buy Croakies to keep your expensive sunglasses from going “in the drink.”

Learn

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Experience

An annual membership to Chesapeake Boating Club allows you unlimited sailing to really hone your skills. With our knowledgeable staff on hand to assist, you can use the perfect boat to suit your mood- daysailing, cruising, or racing.

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Annapolis, MD 21403

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Try Sailing for Free

t’s no secret: sailing can be an expensive sport. However, there are ways to try it without investing any money. If you get hooked, you will eventually invest in gear, lessons, and maybe a club membership or your own boat—but let’s stay focused on trying sailing right now. Here are some ideas.

yourself to them, and letting them know that you are open to crewing and new to the sport. If you are lucky enough to live in a sailing hub, such as Annapolis, MD; Milwaukee, WI; or San Francisco, CA, where there are spring parties specifically set up to introduce sailors, you are in luck. Find details at startsailingnow.com.

There are skippers who like to sail solo, but the majority of them sail with crew and often need more crew for casual day sailing and racing. The task is finding such sailors, introducing

Another good way to meet sailors is through community sailing centers, which you’ll find in sailing towns such as Annapolis and Baltimore, MD; Washington, DC; Stonington, CT; Boston, MA; Burlington, VT; Newport, RI; Ft. Myers, FL; Milwaukee; Seattle, WA; and San Francisco. Community sailing centers specialize in inviting the public into sailing at reasonable costs. Find listings by geographical location at startsailingnow.com.

Photo by Mark Hayes

Of course, we think free sailing magazines are exceptional, targeted resources for finding welcoming local sailing clubs and generating ideas about meeting sailors. A sampling of the magazines: SpinSheet Photo by Mark Hayes

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on the Chesapeake Bay; Points East in New England; Windcheck on Long Island Sound; Southwinds in Florida; 48 Degrees North on Puget Sound; and Latitude 38 in San Francisco. SpinSheet and a few of the others offer free digital crew finder services, also listed on startsailingnow.com. Once you find a sailing opportunity, you can follow the advice on these pages about what to expect and then get out on the water and enjoy yourself. One good sailing invitation will lead to many more. Go meet some sailors and let them know you are eager to learn. You will be surprised by how many of them are waiting to hear just that.

Adults Familie Join th Photo by Sail Solomons

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Insider Tips for Sailors

t’s hard to know the unspoken rules of any culture. To avoid any clashes, here are a few secrets to help you understand what your new skipper is thinking in various hypothetical sailing situations and how you should react: A skipper asks you to bring lunch. Do not be offended if this happens. It’s a perfectly normal request. Fuel is expensive, as is boat maintenance. Just as you would offer a dinner party host some cheese or wine, it is standard for crew to bring their own brown bag or share costs by pitching in for snacks or beverages. Remember, recyclable cans and plastic bottles are always better than glass on boats. A skipper asks you to wear a lifejacket. This doesn’t mean he or she questions your swimming abilities; it actually means he is carefully considering your safety. Trust your skipper’s hunches, and put it on. Lifejackets aren’t as silly looking as they used to be, and the vest styles can keep you warm on rough days. A skipper asks you to wear different shoes. Again, no offense. Dark-soled shoes have always been a no-no on boats. Certain shoes

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such as Keens have dark, but nonscuffing soles. (See page 12.) To see if your shoes scuff, you may want to test them first on your linoleum floor at home. A skipper asks you to be quiet. Have you ever tried to perform a tricky parallel parking or lanechanging maneuver with someone yapping in your ear? It’s equally distracting on a boat. When a skipper asks for quiet, respect the request. Leaving and returning to a dock and certain on-the-water maneuvers require concentration. A quiet crew, who are ready to listen and jump into action, keep the tension level down on a boat. Crew members with open ears, open eyes, and open minds who keep their mouths shut get many more sailing offers than chatty ones. A skipper asks you to go down below for awhile. Especially during a gybe (see page 5) or during rough weather, it is smart to have newcomers go down below rather than be on deck unsure of what to do. It is for your safety and that of the other crewmembers. Even if the skipper doesn’t have time to explain why, just listen, and trust his or her hunches.

A skipper yells repeatedly at his or her crew. Despite the tyrant-captain stereotype, this is not cool or acceptable behavior. Yelling is offensive and often the sign of a skipper who lacks confidence, skill, and manners. Reconsider his or her next sailing offer for your own safety and sanity. There are polite, level-headed sailors out there. You don’t need to waste time on rude ones.

A skipper is offensive. Unfortunately, such people show up on land and in boats. We’ve told you a few times here to trust your skipper’s hunches. Make sure to trust your own, too. Say goodbye. A skipper e-mails potential sailing dates, but you don’t know your schedule yet. Please respond to his or her e-mail to say just that. Being a prompt, honest communicator will bring you future sailing invitations!

Visit

• Find helpful and fun videos for new sailors. • Read Start Sailing Now’s digital edition. • Locate sailing schools, crew finder services, and regional sailing magazines in major sailing hubs nationwide.

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Lifejackets 101

hen we host Start Sailing Now seminars, people often ask us if they must wear lifejackets or Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) on sailboats. Many remember the silly looking orange ones

they were forced to wear as kids, and even though they want to feel safe while sailing, they hope to not have to wear those things again. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good news: lifejacket technology and appearance have greatly improved.

Inflatable PFDs that only inflate upon immersion in water work well for big boat sailors. Photo by Sail Solomons

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Lifejackets may be mandatory at certain sailing schools, but if you are over a certain age (it varies by state from about 13 to 16 years old), you are not required to wear one on private vessels unless you want to. Most sailing professionals recommend wearing some form of PFD if: 1) you are not a confident swimmer; 2) the weather is rough and/or the water temperature is cold; and 3) you are sailing solo or alone on deck, especially at night. Since lifejackets are comfortable and attractive, we recommend you wear one if you have a hunch it would be a good idea and make for a safer, more enjoyable sail. There are many types of PFDs on the market; they range from offshore lifejackets for extended survival in rough, open water to simple flotation aid vests that work well for flat water kayaking as well as calm coastal or

lake daysailing. As with other sporting gear, the more high tech bells and whistles, the pricier. Most learn-to-sail programs offer vest-style lifejackets for students to borrow. Such PFDs allow good arm mobility, which is important for busy crew, and add a nice layer of warmth in spring and fall. Such vests come in various sizes, have adjustable straps, and are constructed from quick-dry material. Some have pockets and built-in emergency whistles. Some contain interior “scallops” for women’s figures. Vest-style lifejackets vary in price from $45 to $250. Inflatable PFDs are popular for big boat sailors and those who do long passages. Such PFDs rely on chambers that inflate upon total immersion in water. They tend to be less bulky than vest-style lifejackets. Try one on to see if you like the fit. They range in price from $100 to $375. Of course, you can always find a funny orange PFD if you need one. You can still buy one for about $10.

Vest style lifejackets allow good arm mobility. Photo by Dan Phelps

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Kids’ Sailing Camps by Duffy Perkins What kind of camp should I send my child to? Your child may be ready for a sleep-away camp. Or perhaps her schedule is already packed with other lessons, so you’re looking for a camp that will leave her

afternoons wide open. Either way, opportunities abound around the country. Find them at startsailingnow.com’s resource page.

In what boats will my child be learning? How old are the sailboats? How big is the fleet? What kind of shape are the boats in? These are all important questions. Also note that many camps don’t depend on only sailboats to teach your child water safety. Camps now utilize

kayaks, canoes, powerboats, and even paddleboards to make your child feel at home. If your son or daughter is hesitant about being on the water in a sailboat, let him or her know that sailing is only one way of being on the water.

Who will instruct my child? A sailing instructor is neither a babysitter nor a general camp counselor. The sailing instructor will be responsible for children’s safety on the water, instill them

with confidence, and teach them valuable lessons. If your child is hesitant, find a skilled instructor who can work with him. Chuck McCann, board Photo by Mark Hayes

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Photo by Dan Phelps

“The number one priority is having fun.”

member of the Baltimore County Sailing Center and parent of a junior sailor, says, “You want to transition them in as easily as you can. Sometimes, we’ll let them ride in the coach boat and watch the other kids do it for a while. Or we’ll start them off with turtle drills. If they’re timid sailors, you have to get them comfortable.” Ah, turtle drills. Because as a camper and a junior sailor, you can count on one thing: you will be in the water just as much as you will be on the water.

Severn Sailing Association

Junior Program

Now accepting registrations for Summer 2014

• Non-Members Welcome! • Classes available for sailors ages 6-18 • There are still openings in some classes. Check online or call for availability. Don’t miss out!

juniors@severnsailing.org • 410-263-0071

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What kind of boater safety & swimming instruction do you provide? Your child should be a competent swimmer before signing up for sailing camp. Most camps will give kids a basic swimming assessment test before putting them in the water, but stress that a life jacket will be worn at all times. For small children, one of the biggest fears in sailing is that the boat will tip over, or the child will

be sent overboard. It’s important to emphasize that being in the water isn’t a bad thing. This is supposed to be fun, and capsizing is just a part of that. If you plan on boating with your child during the summer, a boater safety program and test are excellent additions to the standard instruction.

How much fun will this be? To answer this, you have to find a program that will match your expectations and also instill in your child the idea that learning

to sail is not an obligation; it’s an opportunity. The number one priority is having fun.

Index of Advertisers Blue Water Sailing School................... 5

Boatyard Bar & Grill............................... 5

Rock Hall Yacht Club Sailing School, Inc.............................. 8

DelMarVa Sailing School...................10

Sail Solomons.......................................... 8

Getaway Sailing....................................10

Sailtime...................................................... 2

J/World Sailing School................ 12-13

Schooner Woodwind..........................17

Mariner Sailing School.......................19

Severn Sailing Association................21

Mount Gay Rum...................................24

Stingray Pt. Sailing School................15

Norton’s Sailing School........................ 7

West River Sailing Club......................15

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Top 10 Reasons

To Sail with My Family by Beth Crabtree

Sailing is one of the best forms of family bonding. Because multiple generations can sail together and teamwork is a necessity, few sports bring families together the way sailing does.

One of the best parts of sailing is that there are so few electronic distractions. Although our kids bring their phones aboard, they only use them for photos and music.

Limited space and 360 degrees of surrounding water mean that it’s hard for teens to hide. Sailing can bring even the most reclusive teen topside for some quality time with the family.

Sailing provides time for daydreaming and reflection. On a sailboat, the work comes in bursts. You’ll have moments where the whole crew is intensely busy, but you’ll also have long stretches of time when each family member can retreat into his or her own thoughts.

Sailing with my spouse is an ideal date. Spending time on the water away from work, household, and parenting responsibilities is a great way to relax and recharge.

Sailing is a great place to watch sibling interaction. Although they may squabble on land, they’ve got to work together to make the boat go.

Some of my fondest childhood memories are the hours my dad and I spent sailing. I hope my children will feel the same way someday.

Sailing is full of teaching moments. Crew work requires interpersonal skills, but sailing also provides a platform for parents to teach proper planning, accountability, engineering, math, chart reading, ecology, and more.

Sailing with children gives them an opportunity to see parents as individuals, not just as Mom and Dad. One of the interesting dynamics on a sailboat is the sense of equality among the sailors aboard. Skills matter more than age.

Sailing keeps our hands and our minds busy. It gets us out in nature. We leave our worries and commitments back on land. We come home tired and happy. Sailing is a mini family vacation.

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One must remain true to character, even when updating your look.