Sunday, November 26, 2006
Sailing – A book review
I had read this book several times. The author is Dr Ben Tan, a well-known local sailor. The book title is “The Complete Introduction to Laser Racing” (ISBN9971-88-759-2). I would like to share some parts of the book that I feel are useful to both Laser novice and experienced sailors.
These parts covering the various aspects of boat rigging, sail tuning, racing techniques are useful. A sailor can clearly understands how the boom vang (kicker) and mainsheet tension, cunningham (downhaul) and outhaul affect the sail trim. For e.g. the Cunningham affect the upper third of the sail. The middle third of the sail is controlled by the boom vang (kicker) and the lower third is determined by the outhaul. It shows the sailors how to trim the boat in different wind conditions. In light wind, the sail should be fuller. In strong wind, the sail should be as flat as possible to spill the wind at the top of the sail. When sailing upwind, the sailor need to hike out in order to keep the boat as flat as possible. With a big-fleet racing that is typical of the Laser class, places are gained or lost at the marks within seconds. Being able to pass the boats at the marks involve not only superior boat handling, but also a sound knowledge but also a sound knowledge of the racing rules and a war chest of tactical tricks.
I had read this book several times. The author is Dr Ben Tan, a well-known local sailor. The book title is “The Complete Introduction to Laser Racing” (ISBN9971-88-759-2). I would like to share some parts of the book that I feel are useful to both Laser novice and experienced sailors.
These parts covering the various aspects of boat rigging, sail tuning, racing techniques are useful. A sailor can clearly understands how the boom vang (kicker) and mainsheet tension, cunningham (downhaul) and outhaul affect the sail trim. For e.g. the Cunningham affect the upper third of the sail. The middle third of the sail is controlled by the boom vang (kicker) and the lower third is determined by the outhaul. It shows the sailors how to trim the boat in different wind conditions. In light wind, the sail should be fuller. In strong wind, the sail should be as flat as possible to spill the wind at the top of the sail. When sailing upwind, the sailor need to hike out in order to keep the boat as flat as possible. With a big-fleet racing that is typical of the Laser class, places are gained or lost at the marks within seconds. Being able to pass the boats at the marks involve not only superior boat handling, but also a sound knowledge but also a sound knowledge of the racing rules and a war chest of tactical tricks.
Yours truly with part of the Clipper Uniquely Singapore crewHere is a photograph of me with some of the Singapore Clipper crew. This was taken at the Boat Show 2005. At that time the boat was still in production, hence only the boat model. The crew came off as seasoned sailor baptised by the challenges of the tough races. I am the guy in the yellow shirt in the ph
otograph.Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Christofle/Asia-Pacific Boating Awards (Boat Asia)
Best Asian Megayacht Builder (100ft plus) - Raffles Yacht (Sngapore-China)
Best Asian Yacht Builder (under 100ft) - Horizon yachts (Taiwan)
Best Megayacht (100ft plus) - Galaxy (Benetti, Italy)
Best Motoryacht (70ft-100ft) - Ferretti 731 (Italy)
Best Motoryacht (40ft-70ft) - Princess 42 (England)
Best Motoryacht (under 40ft) - Sea Ray 340 Sundancer (USA)
Best Sailing Yacht (under 100ft) - Swan 100S (Finland)
Best Brand Essence in Asia - Sunseeker (England)
Best Boat Show in Asia - Dubai International Boat Show (UAE)
Best Marina in Asia - Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club
Best Asia-based Charter Company - Sunsail
Best Yacht Mangement Services - Simpson Marine
Best Asian Maritime City - Singapore
Yachting Event of the Year - Phuket King's Cup Regatta (Thailand)
Personality of the Year Award - Wang Chaoyong, China Team (America's Cup)
Best Asian Megayacht Builder (100ft plus) - Raffles Yacht (Sngapore-China)
Best Asian Yacht Builder (under 100ft) - Horizon yachts (Taiwan)
Best Megayacht (100ft plus) - Galaxy (Benetti, Italy)
Best Motoryacht (70ft-100ft) - Ferretti 731 (Italy)
Best Motoryacht (40ft-70ft) - Princess 42 (England)
Best Motoryacht (under 40ft) - Sea Ray 340 Sundancer (USA)
Best Sailing Yacht (under 100ft) - Swan 100S (Finland)
Best Brand Essence in Asia - Sunseeker (England)
Best Boat Show in Asia - Dubai International Boat Show (UAE)
Best Marina in Asia - Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club
Best Asia-based Charter Company - Sunsail
Best Yacht Mangement Services - Simpson Marine
Best Asian Maritime City - Singapore
Yachting Event of the Year - Phuket King's Cup Regatta (Thailand)
Personality of the Year Award - Wang Chaoyong, China Team (America's Cup)
Monday, November 20, 2006
2006 Phuket King's Cup Regatta (2 - 9 Dec 2006)
Venue : Kata Beach Resort, Phuket The Phuket King's Cup is Asia's biggest and most popular regatta. More than a regatta, the week long event consists of great parties, great sailing and lots of fun. Inaugurated in 1987 to clebrate the 60th birthday of His Majesty the King of Thailand, the event has been held every year ; the celebrations start from the first week of December. With the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King, the Regatta is organised by the Phuket King's Cup Regatta Organising Committee under the auspices of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, in conjunction with the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, the Royal Thai Navy and the Province of Phuket. Visit the website for more information.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Langkawi International Boat Exhibition (24-27 November 2006)
Venue:Telaga Harbour
Langkawi,Malaysia
Malaysia's new international boat show bringing together the key players of South East Asia's marine and yachting industry. Timed to coincide with the Grand Finale of the 2006 Darwin-Bali-Langkawi Yacht rally and the 2006 Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta.Link to website
Venue:Telaga Harbour
Langkawi,Malaysia
Malaysia's new international boat show bringing together the key players of South East Asia's marine and yachting industry. Timed to coincide with the Grand Finale of the 2006 Darwin-Bali-Langkawi Yacht rally and the 2006 Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta.Link to website
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Sailing solo around the world aloneThis is the ultimate in sailing i.e. sailing around the world alone. It is like clmbing the Mount Everest for a mountaineer.
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston is widely acknowledged as the pioneer in non-stop solo racing. He took 313 days to complete the journey on board his boat, Suhaili in 1968-69 over a distance of 48,000 km. He sailed out of Falmouth, England and back to Falmouth via New Zealand. Then he sailed with the most basic equipment and a boat which today only deserve a place in the museum. He faced spells of acute loneliness on his boat. In the storms, he was also inflicted with injuries from skin tears and broken fingernails. Though injured and energy sapped due to physical exhaustion, he had to maintain a cool head to deal with the situation and continue with the race. It was a life changing experience for him. He won the race for the coveted Golden Globe trophy and more pertinently, a place in history.
In the same race, the sailor Bernard Moitessier found his inner calling and headed for the Pacific Islands instead of finishing the race. He is quoted in saying “I am continuing non-stop towards the Pacific Islands because I am happy at sea and perhaps also able to save my soul”.
Image from www.aroundalone.com
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Keelboat Conversion CourseThese are the fellow sailors in the keelboat conversion I attended in the SAFYC (Changi). On the right of the picture is the instructor Rupert Ong. He is the guy with the white long sleeve and the white hat. I am in the centre of the picture, the guy with the gloves with the pink band. Look! We were having such a great time.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Parts of a Dinghy
Here is a close-up look at the parts of a dinghy. In my earlier post, you would have come across these terms ; boom, mainsheet, tiller, kicking strap,dagger board. The boom is attached to the mast via the gooseneck. One end of the base of the mainsail is secured by a rope tied to the clew at the stern (aft)end of the boom. The other end of the base of the mainsail is tied down at the mast by the cunningham. (which is not shown in the picture). The daggerboard in the centre of the boat can be adjusted up and down depending on the points of sailing. On the run, the daggerboard is fully pulled up. On the close haul, the daggerboard will be pushed down all the way. The tiller controls the rudder.
Image from 64thseascouts.co.uk
Monday, November 13, 2006
Points of Sailing
The points of sailing is an important theory of sailing. Assuming that the wind comes from 12o'clock, there is a zone of "no sails" roughly from 11o'clock to 1o'clock. when your boat turn into this zone and the sailor do nothing, the boat is said to be "in irons". The sail of the boat will luffs and the boat will be stationary. Besides the "no go" zone, there are 5 other points of sails. 1.close haul 2.close reach 3.beam reach 4.broach reach 5.running.when the boat is at the 10o'clock and 2o'clock position, the boat is sailing in a close haul position. when the boat is at 4o'clock and 8o'clock, the point of sail is close reach. if the boat is at 3o'clock and 9o'clock, this is the beam reach (this is the fastest point of sail). when the boat is pointing at 6o'clock, it is on the run i.e. the wind is blowing behind the boat.(this is the slowest point of sail).
The points of sailing is an important theory of sailing. Assuming that the wind comes from 12o'clock, there is a zone of "no sails" roughly from 11o'clock to 1o'clock. when your boat turn into this zone and the sailor do nothing, the boat is said to be "in irons". The sail of the boat will luffs and the boat will be stationary. Besides the "no go" zone, there are 5 other points of sails. 1.close haul 2.close reach 3.beam reach 4.broach reach 5.running.when the boat is at the 10o'clock and 2o'clock position, the boat is sailing in a close haul position. when the boat is at 4o'clock and 8o'clock, the point of sail is close reach. if the boat is at 3o'clock and 9o'clock, this is the beam reach (this is the fastest point of sail). when the boat is pointing at 6o'clock, it is on the run i.e. the wind is blowing behind the boat.(this is the slowest point of sail).
Commonly used knots in sailing
These are four knots that most sailors are familiar.
The Figure 8 Knot - this is usually used as a stopper knot for e.g. the end of the main sheet.
The Round Turn and Two Half-Hitches - it is used to tie a line tightly around an object. It can be used to tie a boat up a pole at the dock
The Bowline - this is a very useful knot that even the scouts learnt. It can be used as a loop around an object. it is commonly used as the knot at one end of the outhaul i.e. at the clew at the end of the boom.
The Cleat Hitch - it is used to secure the end of a line to the dock cleat.Wednesday, November 08, 2006
13th Singapore Straits Regatta 17 -20 Jan 2007
The Singapore Straits Regatta is one of Asia's premier regattas. The regatta coincides with the North-East Monsoon, providing excellent high performance racing conditions of steady breeze and great weather. In 2007 the races will be held in the waters off the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club and Riau Yacht Club (Nongsa Point Marina).
The Regatta is open to racing and cruising yachts. A variety of course formats will be adopted to ensure the highest level of competition over ocean courses in the Singapore Straits and Riau waters. Visit the website http://www.straitsregatta.com
Royal Langkawi International Regatta 2007 (RLIR 4 - 9 Feb 2007)
The fifth edition of Malaysia premier event promises to be bigger than the previous regatta. A total of 50 yachts are expected to compete in this year regatta. The RLIR is a part of of the Asian Regatta Calendar drawing regular boats as well as new participants who actively race in regional yacht circuits. Visit the website http://www.langkawiregatta.com
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Why sailing is fun
In Singapore, sailing in the east coast, there are occasional water sprouts forming. These water sprouts are less than a metre high and last for less than a minute. Getting hit by these water sprouts really gives you a real kick.
When the weather is fine, light winds and the waters are not choppy. You can stop the dinghy and just enjoy drifting aimlessly in the vast open waters. You feel at one with the elements. These are rare moments of solitary solace away from the hustle of the maddening city. Just dangle your feet over the dinghy and enjoy the solitude.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Starhub sponsors regatta in 8-10 Dec 2007
This is a big event coming up i.e. 30th Singapore Laser Open & 4th SAFYC Byte Championship
Date : 8 - 10 Dec 2006
Venue : SAF Yacht Club (Changi)
More details at http://www.safyc.org.sg
The Andaman Sea Rally 2007
The Andaman Sea Rally is a race from Phuket, Thailand to Port Blair in the Andaman Islands. It will take place from 13 - 27 January 2007.
contact Mike Bein at info@andamansearally.com. futher info at http://www.andamansearally.com
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Sailing Articles
Recently i had submitted five articles on sailing. You can find them at http://www.articlescity.com. Look under the Sports category. Use "sailing" as the search word. Enjoy your reading.
Recently i had submitted five articles on sailing. You can find them at http://www.articlescity.com. Look under the Sports category. Use "sailing" as the search word. Enjoy your reading.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
2006 Phuket King's Cup Regatta
Date : 2 - 9 Dec 2006
Venue : Kata Beach Resort, Phuket
The Phuket King's Cup is Asia's biggest and most popular reagtta. More than a regatta, the week long event consists of great parties, great sailing and lots of fun.
Inaugurated in 1987 to clebrate the 60th birthday of His Majesty the King of Thailand, the event has been held every year ; the celebrations start from the first week of December.
With the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King, the Regatta is organised by the Phuket King's Cup Regatta Organising Committee under the auspices of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, in conjunction with the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, the Royal Thai Navy and the Province of Phuket. Visit the website for more information.
