|
by
Steven R. Van Hook
HowToSail.us
 There
is no shortage of resources for new sailors
to learn the ropes of a
sailboat.
A sailing student can easily spend hundreds of
dollars on books, charts, navigation tools, and a toybox full of
electronical gadgets.
Of course, the fundamentals haven't changed
much since the ancients first snared some wind to gust rudimentary vessels
across beckoning seas.
What has changed is the way the lessons are passed from the old salts
to fledgling sailors.
Well, few have done it better than the "world's
most advanced online sailing education" source,
NauticEd.
 The
NauticEd website offers comprehensive lessons on sailing essentials
such as skipper skills, maneuvering, anchoring, bareboat chartering,
coastal navigation, storm tactics -- at a budget-minded cost compared
to on-ground classroom or on-water lesson fees.
The detailed yet succinctly instructive materials and animations
are infinitely patient; rewinding, pausing and reviewing as often
as needed.
 You'll
find plenty of worthwhile freebies including a few of my
favorites:
sail
trim,
rules of the road, and the remarkably effective
NED tool (pictured) for experimenting with winds, points of
sail and set.
Experienced sailboat captains share practical tips that only
come with time and sea trials, that even old salts can appreciate.
For example, a giveaway tip in the free sail trim lesson on
how to move the fairlead while it's under tension from the
jibsheet:
Take the non-working sheet and cleat it
off taught to the leeward amidships dock cleat. Release the
tension of the working jibsheet. Move the fairlead. Tighten up the
working sheet and cleat off. Release the non-working jibsheet from
the dock cleat. Viola!
Give
NauticEd
a visit, explore and tap the valuable
freebies.
And here's a special offer for our website visitors: use the promocode
howtosail and receive a hefty discount on any paid
lesson(s).
Steven
R. Van Hook
has cruised California waters since 1976,
starting with a 19-foot Glen-L powerboat in Santa
Barbara Harbor,
and currently sails a Hunter 33 out of Channel Islands Harbor.
sailor@wwmr.us
http://howtosail.us
More Articles | Submit Your Article
How-to-Sail Homepage
Contact Us
|
