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:

1. Health — Being on the water brings me a sense of serenity.  I never cease to be amazed by such sights as whales, dolphins and the other sea life.  This, in turn, brings out a sense of thankfulness in me that I believe is key to keeping a positive outlook on life.  And a positive outlook is healthy!

2. Friendship — I alluded to this above, but my world has been made better through the great people I’ve met through the club.  From instructors, staff, and fellow sailors, the journey has been amazing and there are a lot of you that I haven’t even met yet!  So I’m looking forward to that in the days ahead!

3. Adventure — For me, sailing was a bit of a personal challenge and a stretch.  Honestly, I was a bit afraid of it, never having spent much time on the water.  By facing those misgivings, both my confidence and enjoyment have increased tremendously. Now I can’t wait for my next adventure!

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

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

• A person who is renting the boat- Harbor Sailboats!
• A person operating the vessel who is under direct supervision of a card holder that is 18 years or older
• A non state resident who is operating a boat for less than 60 days
• A person operating the vessel during an organized regatta
• A person who hold a commercial fishing license
• A person who is in possession of a marine operators licenses (USCG Captains License)

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:

1. An exotic sailing destination
2. A group of sailboats
3. A group of like-minded sailors to crew those boats

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:

• Saturday, February 16^th, 2019 – 11:00am-3:00pm
• 6 spots available! $195.00 + port fee
• Aboard our Oceanis 45’!

Anchoring Clinic:

• Saturday, March 9^th, 2019 – 10:00am-2:00pm
• 6 spots available! $105.00 + port fee
• Aboard our 2018 Oceanis 31’!

Race Clinic:

• Saturday, March 23^rd, 2019 – 11:00am-4:00pm
• 12-14 spots available! $95.00 + port fee
• Aboard a Capri 22’

Flotilla – TAHITI:

• April, 2019 *SOLD OUT*

Spring Race Series:

• Every Tuesday from April 2^nd-May 21^st
• Capri 22’ One Design racing

Opening Day Regatta:

• Saturday, April 6^th, 2019 – 11:00 am start time
• All Club Members that rent a boat and participate in the Regatta will receive 20% off their charter!
• Hosted BBQ on the dock after the race. 1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd place will receive awards!

Opening Day Regatta Group Boat:

• Saturday, April 6^th, 2019 – 10:00am-2:00pm
• 6 spot available! $125.00 + port fee
• Aboard our Oceanis 34’!

Lady Mariners Dual Helm Event:

• Saturday, April 27^th, 2019
• 12:00pm-4:00pm
• 12 spots available!
• $195.00 + port fee
• Aboard 2 of our Oceanis 35’s!

Summer Race Series:

• Every Tuesday from May 28^th-July 23^rd (no July 2^nd)

Summer “Sailstice” Club Potluck/Mixer:

• Saturday, June 22^nd, 2019 – 3:00pm-7:00pm (on the Deli Deck)
• Celebrate the longest day of the year with your fellow Harbor Sailboats members! You bring the food, we’ll bring the beer.

Fall Race Series:

• Every Tuesday from July 30^th-September 17^th

Lady Mariners Bareboat Brush-up:

• Sunday, August 11^th, 2019 – 1:00pm-5:00pm
• 12 spots available!
• Aboard 2 of our Oceanis 34’s!
• $195.00 + port fee

Docking Clinic:

• Sunday, October 20^th, 2019 – 10:00am-2:00pm
• Aboard our Oceanis 34’!
• 6 spots available!
• $105.00 + port fee

Parade of Lights Group Boat:

• Sunday, December 2019 – 5:00pm-8:30pm (dates TBD)
• 6 spots available!
• Aboard our Oceanis 45’!
• $195.00 + port fee

Some members have noticed that the Harbor Island West Marina pump out facility now closes at 4pm during the winter and 5pm in the summer. This was put into place by marina staff in order to prevent commercial pump out services from emptying their tanks using the public dock. Unfortunately, this has a small effect on members’ convenience when pumping out but San Diego has several other options listed below.

Most HS boats (not all) are equipped with macerator pumps that will allow you to empty the tank directly overboard only when you’re more than three miles offshore. Please check with the dockmaster before using this feature to refresh on the procedure.

Harbor Island

Harbor Island West Marina

Cabrillo Isle Marina

Shelter Island

Shelter Island Police and Customs Dock

Persons Fuel Dock

Sun Harbor Marina (Pizza Nova Guest Dock)

Coronado

Glorietta Bay Marina

For more locations and an interactive chart, visit the port website here