Our Practical Guide on Ensuring Safe & Smooth Sailing

When it comes to water activities, sailing is an incredibly fantastic way to enjoy the day. There’s nothing like navigating through the waters using your topnotch boat. At the same time, you’ll have a perfect opportunity to see the beautiful panoramic views, go fishing, spend time snorkeling, and have a great moment with your peers on the waters. 

As a sailor, however, you will want to make sure that you and your peers have a smooth-sailing riding experience. There are a few sailing skills and techniques you can resort to for a successful time. As much as possible, you will also want to avoid committing common sailing mistakes. 

In the sections below, we will share five practical tips for sailors to ensure safe and smooth sailing on waters:

1. Be wary of your winch

As a sailor, you have to pay particular attention to your boat’s winch. You know how easy it is for things to get caught when the line wrapped around a winch gets pulled in. Have your hair tied back to prevent it from getting sucked in as much as possible. At the same time, be careful with your fingers because they may end up getting wind-pinched.

2. Pull the line slowly but surely

It’s common for sailors to pull a line. However, the problem is if you are pulling up the halyard, which is the rope used for raising and lowering your sail. The chances are that its loose end will climb the mast as quickly as possible. As a result, the weight of the line running down outweighs the line running up. A rule of thumb that you should always remember is to pull the line slowly but surely to ensure its safety.

3. Close all the valves for a simple maintenance 

When it comes to simple maintenance, it’s imperative to close all the valves of your boat regularly. This is because not doing so is a complete oversight that can allow the seawater to get in and eventually sink your boat. The same is true for your thru-hulls that ought to be shut several times in a given season so that they won’t get frozen.

4. Treat your boat sails with TLC

If you want your sail to last for as long as possible, it goes without saying that you should take care of it properly. If you allow it to flog and get thrashed in the wind, expect it to have a shorter lifespan. Be sure to have a tight furl to prevent the sail from getting unraveled. Overall, a secure sail can make a difference in its overall longevity.

5. Check the lines before starting the engine

When it comes to kicking off your sail, make it a habit to check the lines first before starting your boat’s engine. Be sure to check over the side before the prop engages to ensure that the sheet or dock line hasn’t fallen into the water. You don’t want to end up swimming, instead of sailing at the onset of your ride.

Conclusion

Sailing on the sea can be a bit tricky for beginners and veterans alike. This is why there are vital aspects you need to consider for successful sailing. As outlined above, be wary of your winch, pull the line slowly but surely, close all the valves, treat your boat sails with care, and check the lines before starting the engine. When you follow all these steps, you’ll have a safe and smooth sailing that you and your peers will enjoy!

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