Getwetsailing.com

Hello,

In a couple of years time (when i finish uni) I want to do the clipper round the world yacht race. I don’t have any sailing experience and want to start learning now as I need a hobby.
So how much would I be looking at for a course, i have been on the clipper site which does 7 day courses but had no mention of the price for them.

Thanks

xxxx
Competent crew i think it was called.

If you are at Uni, see if you have a Sailng Club associated with the Uni. When I was at Essex (MANY years ago!) we had an RYA training establishment that taught people to sail at the end of the summer term.

Otherwise, decide on whether its learning to sail (dinghies, feel the wind, get wet, cheaper) or learning about bigger boats (yachts, competent crew, coastal skipper, more expensive).

The RYA web site will have some pointers to the different training establishments. E.g.: http://www.berkshiresailing.co.uk/ this is just in the edge of Reading, inthe middle of the country, and will train on evening or weekend or week long courses – depending on what suits you.

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I live in south florida, the largest cruise port in the U.S. I’m sure there are a few cabins vacant the day of sailing which the cruise lines would like to fill. I’m willing to pack and sail for a deep discount. How do I obtain this info?

Unfortunately cruise ships sail full and do not book in the day of sailing. And because of national security and customs laws & document processing this is not allowed even if there were a vacancy. You can however, get deeply discounted cruises a week or two in advance when available and you can watch them daily if you are pretty flexible with travelling. Living in Florida is an excellent plus because you have the largest availability around without having to travel far. You can always go to the cruise lines personal website and check their specials or hot deals at the moment. Or you can use the best website for last minute cruise travel; Vacations To Go http://www.vacationstogo.com. There you can click on the 90 day countdown and see departures leaving within a week or two and later. You can usually find sought after 7 day cruises for $399 and 5 days for $199 sometimes. Keep an eye out everyday. You can also get amazing discounts on one-way transatlantic cruises (say they are moving a ship for the season from the Caribbean to Europe..ex. Miami to Barcelona). This is the best advice I can give you or check out my website and contact me if you need more advice or need help planning and looking for a great deal.

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The interview is at an Opticians, its only a weekend job, but I really want it, does anyone have any general tips on how I can sail through it??? Or any sites that may help? Thanks

Number one rule is be enthusiastic – learn about what the opticians does. Employers love this and they want someone who is keen about the job.

I guess they will ask questions like:
your strengths and weaknesses
why you want to work there
what do you know about the company

Prepare for these questions and be enthusiastic!

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Hi. I am hoping to go for RN Warfare Officer and have my RT tests at the end of the month. I attach here a link to the Admiralty Interview Board (basically Officer pre-selection), the next stage if I ace the RT tests:

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.9273/changeNav/3533

I’d be grateful if anyone who has done AIB recently could let me know a little more about what I am in for; the planning exercise (Day 3) and aptitude tests (Day 2) are where I think I could let myself down, but I generally sail through interviews and oral tests.

Waht can I do to best prepare for these sorts of tests? All I have done so far is dug out my old GCSE maths revision books.

Thanks!

Section I: Rum
Section II: Sodomy
Section III: The Lash
Section IV: Refrigerator Repair

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and how does it hook on?

It appears that there is now a trapeze system offered for the wave, but it has limitations. It’s designed to be used by a lightweight second crew member. Read the link below for the details, you can read it yourself rather than having me write it again here. It seems the trap is positioned too far forward for single handed use, and the sail is too small to support a heavy weight in the harness.

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My family and I are traveling to Disney World the last week of October. For our last day before heading back home we’d like to stay on a nearby beach – Cocoa, Melbourne, etc. I’d like a hotel on the beach that rents Hobie Cats. Failing that I’d prefer one where I can walk to a beach stand that rents them. Talking to a couple of hotels has me wondering if people down there have even heard of them! Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Hobie Cats have become less popular than they were in the ’80′s. I don’t see many around anymore. If you travel 35 minutes south of Cocoa on A1A, the Disney Vero Beach Resort rents them. http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc/guest/resorts/rentalResortLanding?id=VeroBeachResortRentalLandingPage&sourcecode=BEACHYOO&CMP=KNC-DVCVeroRentalsYahoo&HBX_PK=vero+beach+inn&HBX_OU=51&bhcp=1

It’s not actually in Vero, but an upscale community called Orchid Island. north of Vero. The resort is of course, beautiful, right on the ocean. A public surfing beach, Wabasso Beach Park is a short walk away. Sebastian Inlet in just north of the resort. Sorry I don’t know of any in Cocoa.

You can give these folks a call:http://www.performancesailandsport.com/

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I have a 16 foot hobie cat sailboat and my sail gets stuck part way up. Any idea what i can do to make it slip right up the mast? I have to really tug and tug at it once it gets to the midway point. I’m worried I’ll break something or rip something. Can I use wax on the edge of the sail or in the socket on the mast?

Lie the boat down and find a tool that will slide all the way up the mast. The problem is inside the mast. If it always gets stuck at the exact same place, then it’s the "track" or the "groove". Or something is bent or has entered inside the mast. If it happens at different points, you can start with wax. But you aren’t really fixing the problem.
We all have this problem at some time. It’s a pulley system and you are pulling down to raise something up. A guarantee for problems. You can rub a candle inside the track. Or try surfers wax.
You have to call Hobie. They have heard this a million times. They have a fix. Or every one of their boats becomes unusable.

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hey im lookin at buyin a laser single hull or a hobie cat 16 footer or something what do u reckon is the best to buy by the way im just starting out as well.i sail on my dads 45 foot ketch but never on anything that small.

I’d be inclined to suggest the Hobie over a Lazer (they are a tricky beastie in a breeze – athletism is a necessity, not an option!) or a 420 (which needs a crew and is pretty pricey in good condition).

Hobie’s, like all catamarans can have their moments too, and handle quite differently than a monomaran.

While not having the slightest idea what is sailed a lot as a family level (Mother/Son, Father Daughter) class in your area, that will probably be the smartest choice. There will be a lot of support and help, a lot of entry level boats around and a great bunch of people to sail with.

I think a spinnaker class is a bit of a handful for a beginner, although there is nothing stopping you from upgrading pretty quickly if the sparkle just isn’t there. A relatively sedate and stable class is ideal, because you can focus on the basics without worrying about tipping every second gust downwind, or just plain white knuckle survival sailing when it gets fresh.

You will have a good handle on basic principles from the Ketch experience, but this will take a little time to transfer to a beach class dinghy, as the connection is much more direct, quick and responsive – a 45′ ketch will be much more stately in it’s response time shall we say. So I still think you should go for the club sailing option – the backup and support will be invaluable.

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So I’ve advanced pretty far into sailing and stuff, and I’m thinking of going for my Gold 7 (Canada CYA level) so I’m just wondering some good sailing books on theory and racing tactics. Thanks

And I’m us to sailing bytes, lasers, laser 2s, 420s and pirates.

"Simple and Complete Digital – Astro Navigation Piloting and Deck Reckoning" by Tamaya

also

The Ocean Sailing Yacht by Donald Street – has lots of illustrations also

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I am ready to buy a 36-40 ft sailing boat to start cruising around the world. The more input I get the better it is. If you have experience or ideas let me know what you advise is.

There are many, many boats that would meet your criteria. In the end, your budget will have a great impact on the boat you decide to buy. Here are a few suggestions that can help you learn:

1. Join online sailing formus, absorb the information, and ask questions. Here is a nice group on Yahoo that I have found helpful: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/world-cruising
2. Talk to some brokers in your area and ask to look at some boats. Don’t beleive everthing the say, as they are trying to make a sale, but they can provide some good information about what you get for your money and what would meet your criteria.
3. Attend some boat shows. Strictly Sail (http://www.strictlysail.com) runs a bunch of shows across the US. Other big shows include the Newport Boat Show (newportboatshow.com) and of course the Annapolis Boat Show (usboat.com).
4. Join a local sailing club or look in a local sailing magazine for crew opportunities. By meeting other sailors you can get a lot of ideas and learn a lot about what works and doesn’t work.
5. Buy some cruising books that talk about how to choose a boat. Some top authors Nigel Calder, Beth Leonard, and Jimmy Cornell (who also runs the excellent noonsite.com cruisign site).

In general sailboats come in lots of types, styles, ages, conditions and more. As I said, your budget may limit your choices to some extent, but personal perference, where you want to go, and the level of comfort you want to have will play a big part as well. Whatever you do, don’t rush into to buying a boat without doing your research first or you WILL be sorry later.

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3 women all reply to a local advert to become agents of the CIA. They all sail through basic training and each has one test left to decide their suitability – mental strength.

The trainer lines up the women and gives his instructions. "Next up" he says "we need to test your loyalty to this department and your country"
The women look apprehensive.
"In the rooms beyond we have tied each of your husbands to a chair and blindfolded them. In turn, I’d like each of you to step up here, take one of these loaded guns, enter the room and shoot dead your husbands. If you are unable to follow this direct order, you will be asked to leave."
The women each look at each other and the first steps up, takes a loaded gun from the table and heads into the first room, slamming the door behind her. After a minute or so, she emerges again in tears and says "I just can’t do it" then leaves disappointed.
The second girl steps up, takes another loaded gun and heads into the second room,
slamming the door behind her. After a short while, she comes out in tears and says " I just can’t do it – I love him too much" places the gun down and leaves.

The third woman grabs the gun and heads into the last room. It is quiet for a short while followed by a full five minutes of banging and screaming. Then the last woman emerges looking flustered. "You b@stards!" she shouts "that gun was full of blanks! I had to beat him to death with the chair!"

Golden oldie.

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House Dems turn out the lights but GOP keeps talking

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and the Democrats adjourned the House, turned off the lights and killed the microphones, but Republicans are still on the floor talking gas prices.

Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) and other GOP leaders opposed the motion to adjourn the House, arguing that Pelosi’s refusal to schedule a vote allowing offshore drilling is hurting the American economy. They have refused to leave the floor after the adjournment motion passed at 11:23 a.m., and they are busy bashing Pelosi and her fellow Democrats for leaving town for the August recess.

At one point, the lights went off in the House and the microphones were turned off in the chamber, meaning Republicans were talking in the dark. But as Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz..) was speaking, the lights went back on and the microphones were turned on shortly afterward.

But C-SPAN, which has no control over the cameras in the chamber, has stopped broadcasting the House floor, meaning no one was witnessing this except the assembled Republicans, their aides, and one Democrat, Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-Ohio), who has now left.

Only about a half-dozen Republicans were on the floor when this began, but the crowd has grown to about 20, according to Patrick O’Connor.

See Also: More Updates
GOP talkathon Part II: Dems turn out the lights but GOP won’t go home
GOP talkathon Part III: No shirt? no tie? No problem
GOP talkathon Part IV: Come on down

"This is the people’s House," said Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.). "This is not Pelosi’s politiburo."

Democratic aides were furious at the GOP stunt, and reporters were kicked out of the Speaker’s Lobby, the space next to the House floor where they normally interview lawmakers.

"You’re not covering this, are you?" complained one senior Democratic aide. Another called the Republicans "morons" for staying on the floor.

Update: The Capitol Police are now trying to kick reporters out of the press gallery above the floor, meaning we can’t watch the Republicans anymore. But Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) is now in the gallery talking to reporters, so the cops have held off for a minute. Clearly, Democrats don’t want Republicans getting any press for this episode. GOP leaders are trying to find other Republicans to rotate in for Blunt so reporters aren’t kicked out.

Update 2: This message was sent out by Blunt’s office:

"Although this Democrat majority just adjourned for the Democrat 5-week vacation, House Republicans are continuing to fight on the House floor. Although the lights, mics and C-SPAN cameras have been turned off, House Republicans are on the floor speaking to the taxpayers in the gallery who, not surprisingly, agree with Republican energy proposals.

"All Republicans who are in town are encouraged to come to the House floor."

Update 3: Democrats just turned out the lights again. Republicans cheered.

Update 4: Republican leaders just sent out a notice looking for a bullhorn, and leadership aides are trying to corral all the members who are still in town to come speak on the floor and sustain this one-sided debate.

Also, Republicans can thank Shadegg for turning on the microphones the first time. Apparently, the fiesty Arizona conservative started typing random codes into the chamber’s public address system and accidentally typed the correct code, allowing Republicans brief access to the microphone before it was turned off again.

"I love this," Shadegg told reporters up in the press gallery afterward. "Congress can be so boring. … This is a kick."

» Continue reading House Dems turn out the lights but GOP keeps talking

Update 5: The scene on the floor is kind of crazy. Normally, members are not allowed to speak directly to the visitor galleries, and visitors are prohibited from cheering. But in this case, the members are walking up and down on the floor during their speeches, standing on chairs. The visitors are cheering loudly. Some members even brought in visitors, who are now sitting on the House floor in the seats normally filled by lawmakers, cheering and clapping. Very funny.

Democrats faced a choice here: Should they leave the cameras on and let Republicans rip Pelosi & Co. on C-SPAN, or should they leave the cameras off and let the Republicans have their "tantrum," as one Democratic aide characterized it, with the cameras off? So the cameras are off, but Republicans, and the crowd, are clearly enjoying the scene.

Update 6: Republicans are literally hugging each other on the House floor. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-Ill.), not normally known as a distinguished orator, just gave a rousing speech, accusing Democrats of stifling dissent. He referenced President John Quincy Adams, who returned as a House member after being defeated in his presidential reelection bid. Waving his arms and yelling, Manzullo brought the crowd (including a lot of staffers shipped in by GOP leaders to fill up the place), and he left the floor to hugs from his colleagues. You don’t see that up here every day.

Update 7: Rep Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) just pretended to be a Democrat. He stood on the other side of the chamber and listed all of the GOP bills that the Dems killed.

He then said, "I am a Democrat, and here is my energy plan" and he held up a picture of an old VW Bug with a sail attached to it. He paraded around the House floor with the sign while the crowd cheered.

Update 8: It’s over.

Right at the stroke of five Georgia Rep. Tom Price announced that House Republicans were ending their impromptu protest on the floor of the chamber, ending a five-plus hour rebellion with a round of "God Bless America."

The assembled tourists, aides and members in the chamber gave Price and his compatriots a standing ovation. They left the chamber to shouts of "USA! USA

I hope America reacts to this by backing the Republican organizers like Mike Pence who are showing some spine and are standing up to the do nothing congress led by Pelosi. I hope this issue becomes nationalized by the republican to run on.

Drill Here;
Drill Now;
Pay Less.

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Just wondering if it would get used or if people grow tired of them…

I have a 16′ and love it. Don’t use it much cuz I can’t find a crew all the time but I take it out at least once a week. And blast along as best I can. If you like sailing the only reason to leave them is to get something bigger.

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I have this used Hobie cat 16. But I don’t know crap about how to sail it. Any know any good books or videos to get started?

Check the Hobie ‘learn to sail’ web page:

http://www.hobiecat.com/experience/learn.html

It’s a good quick overview with excellent links. Also check out the International Hobie Class Association’s ‘Hobie University’:

http://www.hobieclass.com/default.asp?Page=1686

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My friend and I, both accomplished sailors (and young and crazy) would like to participate in the Round Texel race, in the Netherlands, the largest catamaran race in the world. The need for a sponsor comes from the need for a boat in Europe (without sailing my small hobie cat across the atlantic)

any tips?

Thanks!

General people will be interested if its to do with them. For example, as the person above said fish market/stores. or small time sailboat makers/stores. Outdoor shops etc. Aquariums even. Just any shop to do with the outdoors or sea life.

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