The Ultimate Sailing Vacation

By : Aldene Fredenburg

From the coast of Maine to Key West, from The Pacific Northwest to Antarctica, tall ships offer a unique experience. Sailing vessels of centuries-old designs moved goods all over the world in the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries; now they enjoy an esteemed place in the minds and hearts of modern men and women.

Tall ships caught the public's imagination in the 1970s after having been relegated to the history books; everyone alive and conscious during the U.S. 1976 bicentennial remembers the glorious sight of scores of tall ships sailing into New York harbor, past the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan's skyline. Since then, governments all over the world maintain fleets of tall ships as some sort of maritime ambassadors; and many small private companies have sprung up to offer both short cruises and ones lasting days.

In Maine, the owners of the schooner Mary Kay have been offering windjammer cruises since 1950, long before the tall ships craze hit. The cruises, lasting from three to six days, sail out of Camden, Maine and explore the islands and coastal passages of Maine. Accommodations on this specially designed schooner include a choice of single, double, or triple occupancy cabins and a saloon, featuring a cozy fireplace, offering delicious meals prepared by an experienced chef.

Adventure on the High Seas

If you're looking for adventure on the high seas, the Liberty Fleet offers a two-week cruise on a gaff-rigged schooner, a replica of the famous nineteenth-century Baltimore clippers, from Key West, Florida to Boston, Massachusetts in May of 2006, with a stop in Charleston, South Carolina and a possible additional stop in on Nantucket or Block Island before arriving at its final destination in Boston. Participants can either relax onboard or be put to work as part of the crew, learning navigation and other maritime skills. In the fall, the ship participates in a series of schooner races and short sails stopping in Provincetown, Baltimore, Norfolk, Virginia, Charleston, and back to Key West; participants can sign on for any leg of the southward journey.

For the most adventurous among us, the bark Europa offers a 22 day voyage from Argentina to Antarctica and back, featuring a full itinerary with many stops along the way to explore the unique natural environment of this remote region of the world, with its unusual animal life, volcanic geological formations, looming ice cliffs, and geo-thermal pools.

Anyone who loves sailing would find one of these adventures - whether a day-long jaunt or a three-week Antarctic tour - the ultimate sailing experience, a voyage tied to centuries of maritime history and offering a unique vantage point on the world. And these three opportunities represent only a fraction of the many seafaring voyages available to every corner of the world.

Read More...

Sailing is Freedom for our soul and body

Sailing is the main mean of relaxation. nothing is better than experience with the untamed nature. Even if sometimes there might encounter some dangers the passion for the sea is more powerful than anything.

When you asked what the reasons for which we love sailing are, we are usually respond that is the feeling of freedom that takes them further into the seas and oceans. That nothing can be compared to the feeling that you are the master of your own boat and of your own destiny.

Because the seas and oceans are the places where people get less into contact they can be considered the most quiet and peaceful environments. Few things, such as the sound of the waves and the birds’ songs, can interrupt the quietness of the sea. That is why we choose sailing as a way of relaxation and meditation.

All these pleasures involve some knowledge in this field and also financial in order to purchase all the things needed for a perfect adventure on the water. The first thing that a sailor should do is choose correctly the type of boat he wants to sail.

Two main types of sailing boats can be distinguished: the sailing dinghies and the yachts. There are two differences in these two types of boats. The first one is that the dinghies have a centerboard, while the yacht has a permanent keel. In yachts the ballast is built in the keel, while in the dinghies the human crew should perform as ballast. There are many types of yachts and dinghies, too, so a sailor must ponder well all the advantages and disadvantages of any boat.

For the sailors that love the adrenaline brought by racing special regulations were formulated by International Sailing Federation. Racing Rules of Sailing are the set of regulations that should be respected by all the participants in sailing competitions.

For us sailing is like a second life, where we can enjoy the quietness, peacefulness, fresh air and serenity of the sea, but at the same time experience the adrenaline when fighting the furious waves and untamed wind.

Read More...

Sailing is recreation and sport for families

Sailing is becoming an increasingly popular recreational activity for families, and with good reason. On a sailboat that requires someone steering at the helm, someone navigating from a map, and even someone swabbing the deck, there is a lot to be done, so there can be a role for everyone from grandpa down to the smallest tot. Sailing as a family encourages the kind of lighthearted cooperation and communication that can help any clan of kin grow closer while having a lot of fun.

Spending an afternoon on the water is a great way to get away from the stresses of everyday life. Sharing this kind of experience with your loved ones can be a great way to have some quality bonding time.

If you are thinking about exploring this great and soothing sport with your family, it is a good idea to start small. Taking on difficult waters or a very long journey when you and your kin are still getting your sea legs can lead to tension and arguments that can sour the whole experience.

To keep everybody in a good mood, make sure that you and your nearest and dearest have all of the training you need in order to have a calm and safe journey. While it may be tempting to charter a boat and head for the Bahamas right away, try starting with a course in water safety along with basic sailing terminology and techniques.

Even if your family doesn’t fall in love with this uniquely peaceful sport, you will all be likely to have a great time trying it out. The fact that learning to sail is half the fun explains why growing numbers of sailing schools offer classes that are specially designed to suit the needs of families with varying ages of children. So with a little bit of effort you are sure to discover a class that is right for you and your kids.

Private sailing classes can cost quite a bit, with beginning courses starting at one hundred dollars or more per person. But if you have the resources to splurge on these sailing classes for your family, you are all but guaranteed to have fun and learn the basics of boating.

If your recreation budget can’t accommodate this kind of one-on-one instruction, you can still manage to learn the difference between port and starboard. Many shore towns and cities offer municipally subsidized sailing lessons for residents at prices that are well below the market rate for this kind of instruction. With a little research and creative planning, you and your family should be able to hit the high seas without breaking the bank.

so, what you waiting for...
exploring the sea with your family !!!

Read More...