Check the details of the storm sails

Storms are test times for a mariner and even a seasoned one may feel flabbergast. A lot depends on the quality of the sail and so instead of just jumping on any deal of storm sails for sale, which seems lucrative, look out for quality sails, manufactured by experienced sailmakers. 

If you have a huge experience as a sailor, have handled different kind of boats and sailing equipment, sailed extensively at different wind conditions, be it off-shore or along the coast, then you should be an expert in picking up exactly the kind of sail you need for your trip.

If you are not, you need to know that the sailcloth, type of stitch, extra stitching, reinforcement-- the checklist is long for a good quality sail. It should be so made, with such a craftsmanship and a kind of material that can withstand any sort of gusty wind condition. 

Dacron is the most ideal and durable sail material. It has many variations, meant for different usage. For example, if you are going off-shore you require Premium Dacron Crosscut as the material is more stretchable than High Modulus Dacron Crosscut which is ideal for coastal cruising.

But only the sailcloth won’t save you from the storm. Stitching is the next big factor, one that ensures that the sail will not tear apart. Type of stitching and hardware do vary according to your sailing itinerary.

If you will be going for a calm lake cruising then you may not require a three-row zig-zag stitching, mandatory for off-shore sailing. If these details seem exhaustive, you may just find a reputed sail supplier, one that has included all the necessary features in the products.

All you have to do then, just sort through the sails in offer and purchase one that suits the luff, leech and foot measurements of your boat.

12 tips for the new sailors

We think we are veteran enough to give some tips to the youngsters in sailing. Our lofts are frequently visited by new sailors and many of them stay back for hours. Soon after they finish sorting through our spinnakers, mainsails or headsails for sale they ask for tips. New sailors, specially those who are relatively young at age, never run out of queries. We never mind and in fact we love to answer.

So we thought of sharing these basic tips here, for those who are new to sailing. You should start with a small boat and practice sailing in calm waters initially. 

•  Check weather conditions before setting out. Take detailed notes of the tide and wind forecast.

• Sail setting is the most vital part. Your sail should remain flat if you have normal wind conditions. During moderate winds, it should be full. Ease the setting when you are bearing away.

• You should learn to sense which way the wind is blowing. Take it as a practice session.

• The boom swings and many new sailors make themselves injured. You just need to remain cautious. 

• When you are sailing downwind, you should keep the boom down and place crew weight astern.

• In upwind condition, place crew weight to the windward side. Raise the centerboard slightly and take control of the speed.

• Always wear life jackets and take enough number of boat cushions. For the kids, attach whistles with the jackets.

• Learn the common sailing terms and teach the team well. On board, it is required to communicate in short.

• Initially allow all the other boats to overtake you. This is your learning phase.

• Always maintain a safe speed.

• Steer the boat in a straight line. Unless you will find difficulty in adjusting your sails.

• A flat boat is always a fast boat.

Sail happy and sail safe, wish you a very happy new year

If you have a yacht that means you are a seafarer by passion and cannot ignore the catcalls made by the endless volumes stretched up to the horizon, storing beneath an ocean-full of mysteries. Looking at the sea for a long time makes you seek another voyage. You feel the urge to hoist the storm sails once again and set out for faraway co-ordinates, a virgin shore waiting for the first footstep. A true mariner always wants to spend the very special moments at sea. We know that many of you are planning for a new year boat party, all set to do the final countdown on board. Some of you may have a plan to spend a few days sailing long distance. National Sail Supply, the sails and sailing equipment supplier, wish everyone a happy and safe sailing experience this new year.

“Every new year is like a new voyage. You are filled with excitement, you have a map and direction but you never know whether a storm will bring a topsy-turvy moment for you. You should be ready for all odds and pick the proper stuff before you set out”, says Rolly Tasker, the principal sailmaker. He is making sails for more than fifty years and all over the world, more than ten thousand vessels are using Rolly Tasker sails. He has lofts in Australia, Thailand, Hong Kong and France. If you are looking for custom built sails, National Sail Supply is the place. They supply headsails, mainsails, spinnakers, Catalinas, ropes and all the other sailing equipment.

“We are too passionate people, the sea-goers. It does not matter whether you own a luxury yacht or a small boat, water won’t be sweet anyway and the storms will not spare us either. In fact, we, the mariners have a special chemistry with the storms. We are threatened as well as thrilled. We pray hard before sailing but if it strikes us, we feel volcanic from inside. We gather all of our energy and strive to ride the storm in style”, he went on, “how seasoned you are in seafaring is often measured in terms of how many times you have surfed through the gusty winds and managed to fight the phenomenon. We have seen even experienced seafarers fail sometimes. Technique and skill are definitely two important aspects but the type of sail used and the quality of equipment, both are vital. We especially recommend private yacht owners to pick the best quality sailing equipment within their budget.”
 
Budget is definitely an issue for all of us and for any kind of purchase but when you are sailing, you cannot just compromise with the quality of the equipment. And, specially if you are getting ready for a special new year bash with your friends and family on your yacht, do make sure there is no loophole.

Go to the loft for tips, advises and sails

Many new seafarers feel confused while buying the spinnakers for their vessels. They often find difficulty in choosing the right kind. That is why we always recommend the new mariners and private cruisers to consult a good sailmaker. Buying from his loft will be a different experience altogether as  these lofts are filled with people who have spent quality time at sea and can share a number of tips and advises.

If you are not a seasoned mariner but planning to spend a few days cruising with your private vessel or you are going to join a crew for some serious seafaring business, you should have a clear knowledge about all types of sails and if you feel like you are falling short, you can even approach a local sailmaker for some tutorials.

Some people get confused with the codes designated to the spinnakers. Just remember the basic, running sails are even number sails and reaching sails are of odd number. Now, depending on the wind speed and angle the choice of sail will differ. Codes are designated to represent the sailing conditions. When the vessel moves forward along its course, it gets exposed to the changing wind conditions and spinnakers need to be chosen accordingly.

When you are going downwind, you need a code 2A which is a medium air sail that surfs through 7knots or 8 knots. The code 2 sails cover 7 knots to 20 knots wind and sometimes is mentioned as ‘All purpose’ spinnaker. Code 4 is for winds more than 18 knots and if you are sailing offshore you must take code 6 that withstands very windy conditions.

Now applying logic you can figure out that code 1 is meant for mild wind conditions. See, it is easy and will be easier with a loft experience.