As we find ourselves at the height of busy summer, we have witnessed some bad habits committed by the general boating community. While I was anchored in Glorieta Bay earlier this month, I watched as a lot of boaters struggled to get their anchors set properly on the first attempt. We have covered anchoring in the past but this time we want to focus on the two mistakes I noticed most boats making on this Saturday afternoon.
Initially dropping the anchor in the wrong spot (setting it where you want to end up)
and
Adding reverse power instead of letting the wind/current set the anchor
A boat would approach the anchorage with captain and crew all scanning the water for the best spot to anchor and once decide, they would proceed to that area. Normally this area was surrounded by boats and would have a small plot of water that could just barley accommodate their size boat. Once arrived at the chosen location, the captain would drop the anchor and watch as the boat got closer and closer to other boats as they deployed more chain. The skippers of these boats forgot that as they let out 50-60 feet of chain, they would be drifting nearly that same distance backwards and be missing their mark.
Some of the skippers corrected their mistake and deployed the anchor upwind by another 50-60 feet while others would take up half of their scope and leave themselves prone to “dragging” by now only having 30 feet of chain deployed. Inevitably, we witnessed at least 3 boats dragging anchor that afternoon.
Remember to initial deploy your anchor with enough room downwind to accommodate the amount of scope you plan to deploy!
The next mistake we saw a lot of (often in combination with the first mistake) was skippers applying reverse thrust as they lowered the anchor thinking this would set it into the ground. While applying reserve is necessary when anchoring for an extended period, it is to be done after you have initially set the anchor using only the boats weight against the wind or current.
The correct order of events should be to pick your target anchoring position and bring the boat to a complete stop with the bow into the wind. At this point (assuming normal San Diego conditions), I will let out 1.5x the water depth and allow the boat to drift downwind until I see the anchor chain start to straighten and the bow come back into the wind (you will often end up slightly left or right of head-to-wind as you drift). After the weight of the boat puts a light strain on the anchor (the chain will straighten) I will continue to pay out chain with a pause every 10-15 seconds to allow the boat to apply more pressure on the anchor and start to set it into the ground. Repeat this process until you have come to your desired scope ratio (about 4:1 in normal conditions). Pro Tip: Every second the windlass is running you will be letting out close to 1 foot of chain; 30 seconds = 30 feet.
From here I will allow the boat to swing and pull on the anchor from the force of the wind for a minute or two and am looking for the anchor chain to be at about a 45 degree angle from the bow. Once I know the anchor is holding under the current conditions I will head back to the helm and start applying a light amount of reverse until the chain is stretched out and the boat stops moving backwards. I am now looking at other boats or land to make sure I’m not dragging. After roughly 30 seconds at 1500 rpm’s or so, I am satisfied that the anchor is set and will shift back into neutral and watch as the chain sinks causing the boat to pull forward slightly.
Skippers who were putting the boat into reverse immediately never gave the anchor a chance to set and simply drug it along the bottom with the force of their engine.
Try these tips out next time and let us know how they worked out!
Club Member Chad Anchored Off Bora Bora During the 2019 Flotilla
I was born and raised in Phoenix, the center of Arizona’s “Valley of the Sun.” How did a desert rat like myself end up being an owner in the Harbor Sailboats fleet?
Roll back the clock to summer 2017. My long-time friend and fellow Harbor Sailboats member Paul Fleming invited me to join him for a weekend sail. We spent two nights on Calliope and since we had such a great time, we decided to make it an annual event. In 2018, we took out Jasmine, a Beneteau 37, for a weekend cruise. We anchored one night in Glorietta Bay and the 2nd night in Mission Bay. Needless to say it was amazing and at this point I was hooked!
Last year, I decided to take the next step of joining the club and took my ASA 101 class in May. Paul and I did our annual trip last June and spent the weekend on CJ, a Beneteau 35.1. As a new 101 graduate I was now looking at sailing in a whole new light and decided I wanted to spend a week per month in San Diego to develop my skills. Once that decision was made, it didn’t take long for me to do the math on travel expenses, charter costs, etc. so I sat down with Keenan and shared my goals with him. We started working together on longer term solutions which led me eventually to purchase Kayleigh, a Beneteau 34.
I never would have taken the step of purchasing a boat had it not been for the support of Harbor Sailboats. Not only did Keenan make the process simple, smooth and professional, but since I live in Phoenix I also know that I have a professional team taking care of Kayleigh when I’m not in town. The “icing on the cake” is all the wonderful friends I’ve made at the club and the many great memories I’ve made so far.
We all sail for different reasons, in closing here are my top 3:
So what’s on the horizon for 2020? This year, my sailing goals are to pass my ASA 104, and to also earn my Basic Keelboat Instructor’s certification (ASA 201). In a few years, I hope to be able to earn my Coast Guard captains license.
–
Marv McCarthy
Harbor Sailboats offers a competitive and fun “One Design” (all boats are the same) sailboat racing program for Members with its fleet of 12 Capri 22’s. Every Tuesday evening April – September the docks are full as racers pick up their boat for a fun evening of fast paced and competitive racing. We are very proud to say each Tuesday is likely to sell out a week or two in advance, mark your calendar and get the crew together!
In addition to year round Capri 22 Racing, Harbor Sailboats participates with a “club boat” offering crew positions to members in select offshore and inshore races. Keep an eye on the monthly newsletter as these opportunists come up.
The Members Only Forum allows the opportunity to post a notice or contact other members in regards to “looking for crew.” This is the most effective way to increase on-the-water time at all levels and a great way to meet other sailors.
Private coaching is available to improve overall racing performance on a Capri 22.
Bring one of Harbor Sailboats’ coaches onboard to practice and work with you and your crew to fine tune your performance. Our coaches will help you make significant improvements in boat speed and teamwork. ($100 per race paid direct to coach)
June 16th, June 23rd, June 30th
July 7th, July 14th, July 21st, July 28th
August 4th, August 11th, August 18th, August 25th
September 1st, September 8th, September 15th
Beginning January 1st, 2018, California started phasing in the requirement for boaters to obtain a California Boaters Safety Card for the legal operation of a motorized vessel on state waterways. The phase in process was done by age and as of January 1st, 2020, operators under the age of 35 must have a Boaters Safety Card. By the year 2025, all boaters must hold this card.
In order to apply for the card, students must first take a state approved boaters safety course. These courses can be online, classroom, or hands-on depending which course you choose. After successful completion of the course a student can now apply online for the Boats Safety Card that is issued by the Department of Boating and Waterways.
Who is exempt from needing this card? Here are a few examples
Do you ASA certification from Harbor Sailboats count? Unfortunately the state does not recognize your ASA certifications.
Visit the California Boaters Card Website for state approved classes and more information.
Tacking and gybing a sailboat is among one of the first lessons we teach in our basic sailing course. That said, new sailors tend to make small errors that cause the maneuvers to be difficult and possibly unsafe. Here, we will remind you of a few simple steps and techniques to increase your boat handling skills while also keeping the crew and the boat safe.
Tacking- Turning the boat so that the bow passes through the wind
A sailboat can only sail roughly 45 degrees below the true wind direction. So, in order to sail to a destination that’s inside the “no sail zone”, we must tack the boat 90 degrees at a time in order to reach that destination. During this maneuver the helmsman will slowly turn the boat through the wind while the crew will release the working jib sheet and trim on the new working sheet.
One of the biggest mistakes we see on the water is the helmsman turning the boat too fast leading to more difficult crew work and overturning of the boat. By turning the boat slower, the crew will have more time to trim the jib and the helmsman is less likely to overturn and end up on a beam reach.
Your rate of turn should start slow, speed up as you pass through the wind, and decrease as you fall off onto close hauled. If you can hear your rudder dragging through the water and see turbulent water, you’re likely turning too fast. By turning slower, you’re also allowing the crew more time to bring on the new working sheet prior to the boat reaching close hauled and the sail “powering up.”
Tacking slower will increase your boat speed coming out of the tack and make the maneuver a lot easier on your crew!
Gybing- Turning the boat so that the stern passes through the wind
Theoretically, a boat can sail directly downwind but it’s not very efficient on most boats and can be dangerous due to accidental gybes. Instead, we like to sail on a broad reach (roughly 140-degree true wind angle) and gybe across to another broad reach. Just like tacking, turning slow will make gybing safer and easier for everyone involved.
During a gybe, your sails will always have pressure in them because you are not passing through the “no sail zone”. This means you need to trim your mainsail to center line (or close to it) prior to starting your turn. This will reduce the amount of room the boom can move across the cockpit as you turn the stern though the wind. The jib can remain in its current trim as long as a crew member is ready to release the sheet and trim on the new one as the stern passes the wind.
Once the main has been trimmed in, the helmsman can start the turn and level out once they approach the new broad reach. The mainsail trimmer needs to ease the mainsheet once the stern has passed through the wind and the jib trimmer will do the same with the new jib sheet.
The biggest tip here is to turn the boat slower when tacking and gybing.
Try it out on your next charter and let us know if you feel a difference in performance and comfort!
Not sure about sailing or just looking for a fun activity? Come join us for our learn to sail clinic where we’ll introduce you to the lifestyle of sailing during a 2-hour on the water experience. Sailors will take the helm, trim the sails, learn how to read the wind, and speak the language aboard a brand new 22 foot sailboat! Besides the time it takes to walk to the dock, the clinic will spend the entire time on the water.
isail@harborsailboats.com or (619) 291-9568 to get your tickets now!
Your sailboat is a 22-foot Capri 22 with a keel and transom hung rudder. The keel is weighted so the boat won’t capsize and is also the driving force of the boat (well get into that). This also means you won’t get wet and are protected inside the secure cockpit. Below is a small cabin for storing bags, water bottles, and life jackets.
The clinic will depart Harbor Island at 12pm and again at 2pm with a maximum of four sailors on each boat. Space is extremely limited so act quick if you want to make that dream a reality!
3/14/2020
12pm-2pm
or
2pm-4pm
$50 per person
Harbor Sailboats was founded in 1969 and is regarded as San Diego’s finest sailing club and sailing school. Sailors come to Harbor Sailboats for most advanced level of instruction, best boat quality, and most professional team.
Those looking to get into the lifestyle without having to buy a boat will see the amazing value in a club membership. With membership, your 2-day ASA 101 Basic Sailing Class is included and will certify you to skipper boats up to 22’. After building your sea time and skills, you can move onto the next class levels where you will learn to sail larger boats for weeks at a time. Between classes members take advantage of discounted rental rates on our fleet of 35 of the best maintained charter boats in San Diego.
Thanks for sailing with us!
Congratulations to repeat Harbor Sailboats owners, the Donahue family, for taking delivery of their 2020 Beneteau Oceanis 41.1. The original Nancy Jean, now named Jasmine, will remain in the fleet with new owners.
Nancy Jean II is an amazing boat with a very large cockpit and three private cabins below. This boat was order with bow thruster, electric winch, radar, three chart plotters, electric transom, inverter, electric head, separated shower and so much more.
The Oceanis 41.1 is a updated design of the original Oceanis 41. Changes have been made to the interior layout that makes the forward cabin much more useful and larger windows bring in more natural light throughout the salon. Above deck, the 41.1 is slightly lighter and has a bigger mainsail. This means a faster boat that continues to sail flat with her wide beam and hard chinned hull.
Contact Keenan to learn more about fleet ownership and all the wonderful perks! We have a 2019 Oceanis 31 in stock and available under our guarantee program that will have the club pay 100% of the boats expenses.
In case you haven’t heard, the new 2019 Capri 22’s are available for rental! The boats are very similar to previous generations but there are some subtle differences…
There is now a permanent topping lift made of braided spectra. These are tied from the top of the mast to the end of the boom and will remain in place when sailing. This is an extra safety feature to keep the boom off of the deck when the mainsail is accidentally or prematurely lowered. The wire topping lift still remains- this will need to be released when sailing.
The reefing system has been simplified with one single line leading to a cam cleat under the goose-neck. In the rare occurrence of needing to reef underway (we try to always do it at the dock when the forecast dictates), the process can be done completely from the cockpit. We are still always here to assist in reefing on windier days.
The ship’s report is now two pages. The first page will be collected by the dock master before your departure and the second page will be turned into the office after sailing. Please THOROUGHLY inspect for damage. Any unreported damage will be assumed new upon your return.
The companionway bin boards need to be secured when sailing. Please do not simply “throw” the board in the boat as they could tear the seat cushions as the boat moves and heals underway. The best place to store the board is underneath the cushion.
All boats are equipped with self-tailing winches.
A few other reminders:
Never land on the facedock without first identifying the dockmaster and making sure he is ready for you. If another boat is attempting to land in front of you, make sure they safely tie up before making your attempt. There should never be a “train” of boats landing at the same time. You will never need to send a crew member forward, please keep everyone in the cockpit- the dockmaster will “catch” your boat and tie you up.
Docking anywhere besides the designated Harbor Sailboats face dock is not allowed.
When pulling the outboard start cord, always pull straight as opposed to at an angle. An angled cord will cause damage to the cord. The outboard engines carry 30-45 minutes of fuel. With that said, use them only when you need them, no joy riding because you might actually need the fuel at a later time.
If the Porto-Potties are used, they must be cleaned and emptied. Ask the dockmaster for specifics on this process. A fee will apply if found not emptied.
The navigation limit is no further south of the Coronado Bridge and no further south than Ballast Point.
The max boat capacity is 5. No pets are allowed. Children 12 and under must wear a lifejacket at all times- including on the docks. A 13 year old is not required by law to wear a pfd but it is highly recommended.
Enjoy the new Boats!
Sailing Club Activities
It is well established that joining a sailing club can help ensure that you save money, compared to owning your own sailboat or being a public charterer. A sailing club may also provide social sailing opportunities not available to the public. Harbor Sailboats, for example, offers exclusive Members Only Club Activities that cultivate member-to-member relationships and provide opportunities for growth in seamanship and boat handling all year round. Sailing club activities can include group sails, clinics, all female events, mixers, races, and even flotillas. In this blog, we will dive into these different types of sailing club activities that you can expect from most organizations, highlight the benefits of each, and then give a comprehensive list of what Harbor Sailboats will be offering to its members in 2019!
Group Sails – Often the most inclusive sailing club activity, group sails offer opportunities for members of all skill levels and their families to climb aboard club boats with professional licensed captains and enjoy the water in a stress-free social setting. Group boats may be organized through a sailing club for Whale Watching or sunset sails and give club members exposure to different boats they may not be qualified to take out on their own and expertise of professional captains for the duration.
Clinics – In an effort to continually improve and enrich the sailing experiences of members, clubs will host clinics and focus on sailing fundamentals like docking and anchoring. In small group settings, instructors reinforce the specified sailing concept and give each participant hands-on experience practicing the skill. These are usually 2-5 hours in length, depending on the clinic content.
All Female Events – The sailing community is predominantly comprised of male sailors and can often be intimidating to women interested in the sport. All-female events allow women sailors to meet each other, learn together, and sail together in a non-threatening and supportive environment. Some clubs even have dedicated groups that encourage women to get out on the water together on a regular basis.
Mixers – Sailing clubs may host mixers for members to provide a forum for like-minded individuals to mingle in a social setting off the water. This is where previously disengaged members and new members alike can “plug in” to their club and find new sailing partners and just have a good time.
Races – Sailing races, also called “regattas”, are comprised of multiple crewed boats in direct competition of one another. The set course is usually marked by buoys and some sort of officiating crew will proctor the race. Clubs can host fun, lightly competitive, regattas to mark the beginning of a certain season and Clubs can also host and participate in highly competitive regattas that require a highly skilled crew and specialty sailboats. The types of boats that race and skill level necessary to compete vary greatly but usually club staff are helpful getting interested members into programs they will be successful and suited for.
Flotillas – Just a fancy term for “a group of boats sailing together”, a few components of a flotilla are:
Sailing clubs put together flotillas in places like the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and the South Pacific in hopes of introducing members to international sailing in a stress-free way; the club does all the planning, organizing, and handles most of the logistical headaches involved in international travel which allows club members to just enjoy!
Harbor Sailboats is a huge proponent of Sailing Club Activities. With over 1,000 members, activities like the ones listed above help individuals get the most out of their memberships and stay involved in club happenings. Check out what Harbor Sailboats is offering to its members this year and please give us a call if anything peaks your interest!
2019 Member Activities for Harbor Sailboats
Whale Watching:
Anchoring Clinic:
Race Clinic:
Flotilla – TAHITI:
Spring Race Series:
Opening Day Regatta:
Opening Day Regatta Group Boat:
Lady Mariners Dual Helm Event:
Summer Race Series:
Summer “Sailstice” Club Potluck/Mixer:
Fall Race Series:
Lady Mariners Bareboat Brush-up:
Docking Clinic:
Parade of Lights Group Boat:
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