Three key rules for beginning sailors

Sailing is a complex sport and needs a high focused attitude towards the things that really matter. Like any other adventure sport, it also has some basic rules which are very essential to follow for safety, remarkable performance and winning the competitions. Let’s go through them:

Sail in more winds

It is the first and key rule of getting faster with your sailboat. All the expert sailors are unanimous on this point that when you sail in more winds, it becomes easy to get the desired speed. While getting ready for a race, first stand on the boom and scan the course of the wind, if you earn the ability to set your head sail and the other assortments as per the most advantageous condition.  It is not about waiting for the fast wind, but making the arrangements to set it in your benefit.

Sail to the mark

Once you have understood the wind, you need to sail towards the mark. For this you will have to point your bow more towards the mark. It is the fundamental rule that the thumb is needed to be tacked on the headers upwind and the jibe on the left downwind.  Keep your mindset with the few things: sail towards more winds, getting the right lane sailing towards the significant gain and using the circumstances such as geographical shifts or the favorable currents. Other than the exceptions arise with the 10% probability, the 90% sailing must be done towards the mark.

Keep it simple

Sailing is an art and science of balancing the boat on the water as per the wind and your winning target; so you need to keep it free from the drama. While racing you should avoid the crowds and not tack or jibe too much or show off. The good races are often simple and clean. Winning in a sailboat race means a single rule: sail fast and sail straight. Set your head sail and other attachment and ensure their right positioning instead of showing off your style to the audiences. 

So, when you plan for your next race, apply these simple but fundamental rules and find yourself in a winning position.

What is a Storm Jib?

Those who are new to sailing should have a knowledge about the sails that are used during storms. Even if they don’t have any plan to head toward zones that are prone to high winds, they should at least learn to differentiate between a storm jib and a trysail. Both are storm sails but are different. 

A ‘Storm Jib’ is a typical storm sail that is engineered to withstand extreme wind conditions. 

The basic features of a storm jib are—

• It has a high clew

• It has no foot round

• It’s made of a heavy fabric, ideally heavy Dacron

• It weighs between 280 gm to 400 gm approximately

• Behind each hunk, there are reinforcement patches

• It has oversized corner reinforcement patches

• It has got a set of sheets spliced to the clew

• It should have a strop spliced at the tack

• The sail is always raised off the deck so that waves can pass without any obstacle

• It is set either on the forestay or on the inner forestay

Sometimes sailors try to cut a storm jib out of an old sail. We shall recommend not to do that. Ordinary sailcloth is not strong enough to withstand gusty winds. 

It is not only the shape of the sail that matters, the strength of the cloth and all the other related features mentioned above are all important. Maybe highly experienced sailors can choose an appropriate piece of cloth and can build a Jib on their own but new sailors should never think of trying anything of that sort.

They should always ‘buy’ a storm jib. If they have budget issues, they can look for used sails.

While buying a Jib, pick one that has got fluorescent color. Most sailors prefer fluorescent orange as it glows in the dark and the other boats nearby can identify the vessel. 

Take good care of your Mainsails

Sails are long term partners for a mariner. Once bought they can be used for years, provided you take good care of them. Seasoned mariners know how to take care of the sailing equipment but for those who are new in cruising, require some tips. Specially we are concerned about expensive Mainsails. We have a range of fresh-from-the-loft Mainsails for sale and sometimes we come across customers who have got their Mainsails worn out too fast.

How long a Mainsail will last depends on the kind of weather it gets exposed to and how it is being preserved when it is not in use. Wind, Damp and Ultraviolet Rays are the three most common enemies of sails. Racing boats are highly exposed to wind and their Mainsails normally last 1 to 3 seasons. But boats that cruise mostly along the coasts should have their Mainsails last up to 5 years. For private yachts, the period should be as long as 10 years.

We got to know a couple of customers in our 18 year old journey who have private yachts and had to discard their Mainsails after a couple of years. The most common reason that we have found is mildew. The first and foremost task to maintain a Mainsail is to keep it dry when preserved. Even if you have rolled and kept it inside the cover neatly, you have to check time to time whether it is catching moisture.

For commercial boats, the greatest threat becomes storms. That is why it is advised to take the Mains off, if the boat is going to stay at a port for a very long time. It will be unnecessary to make the Mainsail deal with the gusty winds or UV rays. Besides how you are rolling it down, can also leave some impacts. If you have full battens, roll it straight otherwise the battens will be bent.

Put your name on the sail

Buying sails for your vessel is one of the most critical tasks and this is what you should do very carefully. Do not get too fascinated by brands. We are not at all against brands but the point we are trying to make is that sometimes custom built sails serve better. May be these sails are not coming from a big factory but from a local loft. That does not mean these customized sails will be of inferior quality.

Most of these lofts employ experienced craftsmen who have worked for big brands. Besides these lofts are owned by seasoned mariners. They can actually guide you if you are a new seafarer. Ready made sails sometimes do not match the exact requirements of the boat. If you are choosing custom, then the sailmaker will have the option to go see your boat and take the measurements so that the sails fit perfectly.

They will also ask where you will be heading. Is it offshore or along the coast? Will you be catching up with the trade winds or traveling through the  gusty weather conditions. This information is vital in deciding the type of sailcloth to be used and the type of headsails to choose.

But the greatest perk of choosing a custom sail is that you can put an emblem or write a name, which will be visible from a long distance.

One must know about types of sails first to master the art of sailing

Sailing was one of the earliest modes of communication before trains, cars or planes came into existence. Now sailing is more for adventure and fun. People take up sailing to undergo the adventure and element of thrill it has to offer. People take up coaching classes to learn the art of sailing. The first step is to know about various types of sails that are being used in the sail boat.

Sailing which was one of the earliest mode of communication developed by mankind is now an adventure sports. The element of thrill comes from unpredictable direction and the speed of the wind in the sea. The sail boat is moved by trapping the power of the wind as energy source. Different types of sails are used depending upon the speed and direction of the wind and the course taken by the boat. All types of sails are custom designed for every boat individually for best fit. The customization of the sails depends upon type of boat in which they are to be used.

Mainsail is the primary sail which acts as the main source of generating power to move the boat. It is triangular in shape and are fixed to the mast and attached with the boom. Headsails are secondary sails which are attached to the mast and the bowsprit on the bow of the boat. They are used to provide extra speed and turning power to the boat. Their curved shape makes them more aerodynamic than the Mainsail. Genoa and Jib are two types of Headsails used in the boat. Spinnakers are large balloon shaped sails that helps the boat in downwind sailing. They have symmetric and asymmetric shape. Strom sails are small sails which are designed to be used in stormy weather. They work perfectly in bad weather to control the boat against storm.

All types of sails are custom made for easy handling and efficient performance in the sea.

High quality Spinnakers are offered for sale at affordable price online

Sailing is always about adventure and fun. Though, most of the people will vouch for the adrenaline rush experienced by them during sailing, many people look for just venturing out in the open sea to experience the serenity of the ocean. Being out in the open sea, away from the noise of the city life proves to be very helpful in giving rest to the mind and rejuvenate the soul. These occasional sailors can purchase sails online or can hire them on rent as well. 

Spinnakers are designed to aid the boat in specific sailing experience depending upon the direction of the wind and the course to be taken by the boat. Spinnakers are large balloon shaped sails. They are available in bright colours and made up of very light material like nylon for easy handling. Spinnakers are best used when the boat is either running or reaching the course in the direction of the wind. They act like airfoils and generate drag and lift to move the boat forward. The spinnakers must have really taught edges and the material should stretch evenly with no bubble formation. Else, it will reduce the lift offered to the boat and hinders boat’s performance. 


The main types of spinnakers being used in the boat is symmetric and asymmetric spinnaker. The distinction offered relates to the symmetry offered by the plane of the spinnaker. Symmetrical spinnaker is used when boat is to be moved directly in the direction of the wind and known as running the course. Asymmetric spinnaker is used when the wind is coming from behind the boat and at an angle to the boat and known as reaching the course. The force in symmetric spinnaker is generated from its top portion and in case of asymmetric spinnaker the force is generated from the side.

The spinnakers are designed keeping in mind the efficiency of the sails to boost boat’s performance.