Sailboats are different. We heel over (lean), the drinks usually fall over and, listen to this, we have plastic cups to drink from.  Power boaters have real glasses! You can hear the ice clinking!! On sailboats there is not much drinking. This is due to the fact that when sailing we heel, or tack, the drinks. If not getting spilled, they are mixed up from moving to the other side of the sailboat. It’s times like this that you’ll read about in the newspaper; a boater was rescued from the water. It’s possible that it was a guest or crew member aboard a sailboat that was chasing his drink before both were launched overboard. When we do get to our destination, you never see us on deck drinking or otherwise. We are usually below sleeping to regain our strength. Aerobics knocks us out. Then once we do regain our strength, its back on deck and look out… we’re fixing, adjusting, and tightening everything in site. Then, you guessed it, back to sleep. When we are back to ourselves, we are usually sanding down teak, varnishing, or oiling it. We do break out the alcohol, but we have wine. We are reserved. How reserved, I don’t know.  If you remember, we’re drinking out of plastic.

            Now, let’s get serious. It’s not like that at all. Well, some of it is, but generally not. Sailing is just that – sailing through the water, and with some people it gets through to their hearts. I’ve sailed from Montauk to Bermuda, taking 4 1/2 days and, on some of those days, there was not a need to even adjust the sails. I’ve gone to Block Island and Nantucket needing to only attend the sails (winching and adjusting) rarely. It’s once you get through the “Boot Camp” and venture out on your own that you realize how mellow sailing really is.

With a powerboat, as the weather changes and the waves get bigger or smaller, they just adjust their throttle. Our throttle is those sails, Main and Genoa. As the wind picks up, our sails are either reefed (brought in some) or taken down to only one sail. And with the opposite (wind easing), we put out more or even bigger sails. All this action is physical. Do we do it all the time? No, but as weather fronts roll by, it definitely keeps us busy. So when we have a sailing trip that is just perfect, we don’t forget. How often is the weather perfect? Sea conditions? Wind? All this has to come together to achieve that perfect sail. Who has patience for that? Because, it doesn’t come that often. Usually something is off. Well, we’re always waiting for that perfect sail. Sometimes it seems like a long time, especially if we are just drifting with no wind. You know and I know we have engines, but we’ll wait and just drift with sails up for a puff or two to come along. I don’t know why we don’t just start our engines. It can’t be the fuel usage. We only use up to a gallon an hour. Even at full throttle, we don’t use much fuel, and to tell you the truth, we don’t go that fast either. That could be the reason, or I think we just like our surroundings and want to savor the moment as long as we can. We are always rushed on land; I guess this is our break.

            It’s a great feeling to be out on a sailboat, not worrying where the next fuel dock is, but only looking forward to that next breath taking harbor or cove. To be out for days sailing, offshore, seeing whales, dolphins, tuna, flying fish, and then hundreds of miles later, pulling into an island harbor people normally take planes to. It’s not that difficult. It’s almost easy. The hard part is having the time. Oh, that so precious commodity.

            There are sailboat clubs and associations that hold races, which include not only racing sailboats, but a “cruising” division for the rest of us. Here is where you hone your skills by knowing your tides and currents to add a boast. Tweaking those sails to get every bit of knotage out of them. Tacking (oh no!) as efficiently as possible to pull ahead of others and take every advantage. This “racing” builds knowledge and know-how in all weather conditions from race to race. Some are long (Around Long Island Race) and some are short (around a few buoys in a bay), but in all, determination to be more efficient, faster, and quicker, comes from your growing racing knowledge which in turn makes you a better sailor. Hey! Did I give away a secret or something? To give some examples, you watch the surface of the water for wind puffs, the skies for changes (dark clouds coming in or different formations).  Your electronics help by giving you other information about your last sail adjustment, i.e. did the knot meter on board show a plus or a minus to your knotage before? Is the depth sounder showing quick depth changes that might slow you up, caused by undo currents or wave action? This awareness gradually becomes automatic as you strive for other tell-tail signs to bring you ahead.

There is more than just getting addicted to racing. There are those before and after get-togethers, award dinners, and barbecues. It’s the finding of new friendships, boating pals and mates, plus maybe a few of their racing secrets that just tightens it all up. The funny thing is that you don’t have to be rich. Sailboats come in large and small sizes. Even trailerable sizes of 26 feet or so with roomy interiors. These naval architects are working hard for us to give that performance with comfort. A tough combo, but they’re making strides. By going on other sailboats for an afternoon sail, or as crew in a race, you get to feel the different characteristics of other models. Their upwind and downwind abilities, the amount of heeling at certain wind speeds, and other aspects. All this unknowingly makes you a better sailor, giving you the option to look at further destinations. Ones you never imagined.

However they still do remain one of the moist significant activities but that is not all.

There are more than a hundred recreational activities that help in keeping visitors occupied for hours on end. People interested in fishing can also rent out chartered boats for deep or shallow water fishing.

Delhi certainly offers abundant activities for people who wish to take part in both water related and land related activities. Tourists can also take part in a wide variety of adventurous activities and excursions.

Adventure activities like parasailing, trekking, rock climbing, water sports including boating and hovercraft rides are quite popular in Delhi.

From the last several decades, Delhi has successfully managed to entice tourist that have a special liking for adventurous sports.

There are several ways to enjoy yourself and at the same time also experience new things in life.

Some of the places that offer different kind of entertainment include aero club of India, chancellor clubs, Chelmsford club, Cidalc international, Defence service sailing club and Delhi golf club. Apart from these, there are other retreat centers that provide excellent entertainment.

Tourist can also visit museums and historic sites, or simply pamper themselves in the luxurious spa services offered by various hotels and resorts. Hotels may also offer a plethora of extra facilities that add a touch of relaxation and restorative interest for the benefit of tourists.  Apart from this hikes, and off-road adventuring.

Apart from water related recreational activities, Delhi also has a number of hotels, resorts and clubs providing excellent golf courses and a host of other sport options such as state of the art tennis courts, and mountain biking tracks. Equipment meant for the same can also be rented from a host of private vendors.

A BVI sailing vacation has so much to present to the sea-loving traveler. Take a break from the daily grind and trade in your responsibilities for sun and fun. Explore what the islands of the BVI have to offer.

Hop aboard your boat and begin your adventure from Sea Cow’s Bay in Tortola and sail to Cooper Island. Soak up the sun on the white sandy beaches or relax at a beach bar under the shade of a palm tree.

Next you can sail off to Virgin Gorda and spend the day at The Baths and take pleasure in snorkeling the famous natural attraction of the giant boulder lined beaches. Tour the island shops and have lunch at the Top of the Baths Restaurant with an exclusive breathtaking view. If your BVI sailing vacation inspires romance, then head off to the quiet and sensual beaches of Drakes Anchorage or the charming Honeymoon Beach.

Come evening, dance the night away at the Bitter End Yacht Club with their premier live entertainment. Continue your trip to the casual island of Great Harbor Jost Van Dyke, the barefoot island. While you are there, experience their world class snorkeling on Monkey’s Point on Guana Island.

For real beauty, you can sail off to Sandy Cay, the most photographed desert island in the Caribbean. Snorkel and swim and then venture off to an overnight stay with great night life at Cane Garden Bay. To experience some of the local genre, travel to Soper’s Hole where you can mingle with the locals and purchase items that represent the true culture of the islands.

Before completing your BVI sailing vacation, visit Norman Island, also known as “Treasure Island”. It is rumored to be the sight of the famous novel written by Robert Louis Stevenson. While there, anchor your vessel and enjoy a sunset dinner at Willie T’s floating bar and restaurant. Round off your trip with a stop at the picturesque resort island of Peter Island.

BVI Sailing Vacations are among the easiest vacations to plan. All you need to bring for a great adventure is your ability to relax. Whatever you desire, the captain and crew can fulfill your wishes. Gather some friends and set sail on the BVI sailing vacation you’ve been dreaming of. For more information, visit our website at www.barecat.com to plan your BVI Sailing Vacation and let the fun begin. We will happily customize a sailing itinerary to fit your vacation schedule. BareCat Yacht Charters in the BVI invites you to come and experience life as it ought to be’..eat, sleep, and sail!

LAST CHANCE REGATTA

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The Phuket Yacht Club at AoYon, near Cape Panwa, with a small but friendly beachside clubhouse, held its first dinghy and Hobie Cat Regatta last Sunday 21 December 2008. It was a beautiful sunny day with clear water, for sailing out in the bay beyond the oyster farm marked by the white buoys. The starter boat signaled the messages to the sailors in the regatta. There were only five Hobie Cats and Catamarans who started the race in breezy conditions. Katy, sailing secretary, of the club described some of the 20 boat and sailors: The Hobie boats, popular with beach hotels, can quickly reach speeds of over twenty-to-thirty knots in good winds.

Merv Owens, the new commodore of the club, was putting his feet up enjoying sailing in a bigger and heavier Catamaran. Katy described the other smaller dinghy boats in the other category: The Topaz, and their sailors, are built in the U.K. but seem to like the Phuket waters. Paul, the ex-commodore of the club, was also enjoying the Topaz experience. Adam Bowers, from U.K., was helping with the timing & organization of the regatta as he has good qualifications as coach of the successful British sailing crews including recent Olympic winners: After the first races they gave out sandwiches to the hungry sailors. Katy mentioned how they hope to attract more adult members to this friendly club : The second part of racing started after lunch. You could see the fun elements of small boat racing but to really appreciate the excitement both for foreigners, and also Thai people who seem a little reluctant to try this cheaper & easier form of sailing, I went on board with a Swedish-Thai family on a Topaz: Another crew on a Hobie Cat, Tony Knight and Grenville Fordham, MD of IMAGE asia, organizer of the annual Phuket Raceweek Regatta, told me how they were enjoying this new experience : If you want to also catch the sailing bug & learn some special skills from the GB coach, Adam gave more details of his expert training course to be held at the club this coming weekend: To get more details on how to get on board, on & off the water.

toppersailphuket@gmail.com