Me and my co-owner got chatting. Last winter I adjusted our furler so when fully furled, our jib sheets wrap the furled-up jib a few times. Neighbours have the standard setup where a little handkerchief of a jib is still visible.

What is your style?

Kerchief?

https://preview.redd.it/4u9lsocp2z0d1.jpg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=16463066759e1e391458f9384f60f1070c06b05b

Wrapped

https://preview.redd.it/nmbizbwd2z0d1.jpg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b6e9dee46fd241a01d15bba87625d9fae5d9aab4

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This is probably a dumb and vague question, but I’m just getting started.

I’m currently a deckhand on a private motor boat and I’m wanting to get into sailing.

My goal is to be able to sail from where I live (Southern California) all the way up and down the coast.

I’m sure my goals will evolve over time, but from where I’m at what is the first move?

Thanks a bunch!

Hi,

Something that I noticed is that my AIS. The receiver has a hard time obtaining any signal from ships that are farther than 4km.

I used a USB dongle and a VHF antenna, expecting a bigger range than 4KM. Several maritime base stations have almost 10 km more range than my system.

I was wondering if anyone had any previous experience in increasing the range of their AIS receiver. Currently, I am using this USB https://www.shipxplorer.com/ais-dongle

I’m doing my first potential overnight race this weekend in the PNW. What are some must haves? From clothing to snacks and everything in between. Thanks!

I want to buy a pocket compass as a gift. It's a symbolic thing so it doesn't have to be the most functional, looks and build quality is more important. It should be made of brass or some other metal, and it has to be a flip top so it can be engraved. The budget is around 100usd and the company should be in Europe preferably. Thank you.

Hi all, I've got a sailing rigging adjacent question for you. I own a flying trapeze with a shade cover that I would like to be able to roll up when not in use. My thinking is that a roller furling would do the trick, but the structure the shade is attached to is a curved tube. So my question is if you know of a way to have a furler function along a curve? Thanks in advance for any ideas :)

I have booked myself on a 9-day DaySkipper course and the VHF course too. Accommodation is onboard for the duration and bedding/towel is provided.

The course is held in the Mediterranean and the boat has AC. Weather looks to be 28°C (82°F) and not expecting rain.

Can you suggest some kit/clothing I should pack?

I’m looking for companies to insure my 40 year old cruising boat for international waters. I’m having trouble finding any carriers, has anyone worked with a company before that provided this?

Just getting some old V15s out and they were clearly rigged for racing. We want to rig them for family fun, for Sunday afternoons in 5 to 15 knots. Took one out and it doesn’t have a cam cleat for the main. I want to have the ability to dump the main but holding it and the tiller on a close reach didn’t free up a hand for the vang or jib sheets. I’ll mostly be single handing with passengers but they won’t have any experience, and I don’t want to stress them by having them trim the jib on tacks. I want them to feel part of it and will slowly give them jobs, but I def need to be able to single hand up to 20 if things get spicy.

Hi all, I know this may be a bit of a long shot since Aircraft and Watercraft design are different worlds.

I've been wondering if there's a boat/watercraft equivalent to Raymer's Aircraft Design book. The Aircraft Design book outlines how to size different parts such as wings, tail, other lifting surfaces, and fuel requirements (I highly recommend checking it out if you like fixed-wing aircraft).

So, for boats, I'm left wondering what/if any, similar resources there are. I'm interested in learning how boat design is done for hull sizing, sail sizing, fuel efficiency and any other relevant factors. Any leads here I appreciate very much! TIA

I have this old furler from my previous boat that I want to convert for a too down furling gennaker.

From what I understand, I attach the head of the sail to the bottom of the top swivel. I attach the tack to a swivel similar to a normal headsail furler top swivel. And then I run a tack line to the bow near where the furler attaches.

To furl the sail, I tension the tackline and furl the sail from the top down.

What do y’all think. Will this work?

29ft boat about 400sq ft gennaker.

https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:-104.6/centery:8.8/zoom:2 If you are curious what is going on in the ocean.

My dream is to go to the olympics in sailing, but Im stuck. I know I can do it but I don't have a boat and we cant afford one. Ive talked to my dad and he doesn't want to support me nor assist with paying for one. I need help I don't know if I should give up or what. How should I find enough money for a boat?

Just looking at a Folksong 25 with a long keel for sale. I kind of want to sail it in the Medi and maybe one day the open ocean. Whats the Long Keel good for?

Cheers

Specifically the RJ 85. There seem to be a lot for sale around Stockholm, and I'm thinking of grabbing one. Thought I'd check here to see if anyone has any experience or tips.

Hi all. One of the hatches on our boat is leaking, the rubber seal looks to have perished somewhat so i've ordered a replacement. Once the old seal was removed, I found the wood a little wet but luckily not rotten. Silicon sealant was used under the rubber seals, but this is also looking a little worn. The new seals came with a mastic already applied on the side that will sit on the deck, but i'm not sure if another sealant or adhesive should be used. The hatch screws into the core through some aluminium plates but does the rubber seal need something else to keep it watertight and in place? Thanks for any help and advice.

Old seal

Seal removed

Deteriorating silicone

New seal with mastic

Hi All: I’m thinking about replacing the standing rigging on my 34 ft sailboat and wanted to see if anyone had done this recently and what it cost them. I can get the rigging for $3k, but I am curious what I should expect to pay a rigger for the install?

Any additional insight on cost and effort on the riggers part would be helpful. Boat is in South Carolina on the Atlantic Coast in case that makes a difference.

I’ve heard that the navy issue rigging knife is good if I can find one, but I don’t know if that’s the case still. Any advice?

We are drawing to the end of our first season cruising, and we have started doing longer and longer journeys as we have learned how to handle the boat and understand the forecasts better. I'm wondering how our progression stacks up with other peoples'. This question is in the context of coastal/ocean sailing, as well as skippering your own boat for the journey. If your first 24 hr/100+ mile sail was with somone else making the decisions (like a delivery skipper or highly experienced freind), thats totally fine, Include that detail as well, maybe thats how all the smart people start doing this.

I am aware that there are a myriad of influences that impact this, so if you can add some context such as where the sailing was at, what kind of boat, the crew you had, and even some tale on how it went, that would possibly help other people. I'm hoping this question sparks some responses that can provide tips to people take the leap and make longer and longer sails.

Are most cruisng couples knocking out multi day sails month 1 after leaving the dock? Or are people taking it slower and maybe 5-6 months in you enjoyed your first over night? Maybe people in one region are able to do smaller day trips so they do that for longer, where as other regions require longer passages due to a lack of safe harbors? Let me know your prespective