| Here's a quick and handy guide to help you brush | | | | free hand to stow a sail or prepare lines is really |
| up your sailing skills. | | | | useful, especially for a small crew. Just remember |
| Sea sickness - If you?re feeling a little under the | | | | to make a point of keeping an eye on what?s |
| weather don't struggle up into to the top bunk. | | | | going on around the boat at all times. |
| The best way to help you feel better is to stay | | | | Boom Boom - It?s important to respect the |
| low! The motion is less evident there. Try to stay | | | | boom. The most common sailing injuries are a |
| horizontal, and if there are no sea berths onboard, | | | | result of not being aware when the boom is |
| throw some cushions on the floor and lie there. | | | | about to swing. To avoid injury or being knocked |
| You?ll feel better in no time. | | | | overboard, remember to be conscious and |
| Think tank - Your tank may look full, but many | | | | respectful of the boom at all times. |
| yachts will come to a surprising halt even when | | | | A steady course - You're out at sea and a ship is |
| the fuel level gauge looks full to burst. The best | | | | approaching. You are the give way vessel. All you |
| thing to do is to run a column in your log book for | | | | need to do is make a slight alteration to ensure a |
| your engine. Keeping a check of fuel fills and oil | | | | collision does not take place. But imagine how the |
| changes means there will be no more guess work. | | | | skipper of the other ship feels. He's wondering |
| Stormy weather - Bad weather is a common | | | | whether you've made the safest decision. The |
| worry for sailors. The most effective method of | | | | answer? Show him your sidelight if it's dark. If it's |
| avoiding the effects of bad weather at sea? | | | | light, 20 or 30 degrees and a steady course |
| Avoid sailing altogether. Check local weather | | | | should put his mind at rest. |
| forecasts before setting out and try not to sail | | | | Knot to be forgotten - Good sailing knots are |
| for a few days after a storm. Inevitably there will | | | | essential to sailing. The figure eight knot is a good |
| be times when getting caught in bad weather is | | | | stopper knot. The figure eight will ensure, |
| unavoidable. So, it?s therefore essential to know | | | | especially in windy weather, the jibsheet and the |
| how to keep your crew and boat safe. | | | | mainsheet remain in the cabin. Other useful knots |
| Look no hands - You?d be surprised how many | | | | to learn are the bowline, clove hitch, round turn |
| people only use auto pilot on passage. Having a | | | | and two half hitches and the reef knot. |