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Meet a Member – Our members are what make FlexiSail such a success – but who are they? Francesca Kotecha – A complete beginner when she started….. Francesca had only just started dinghy sailing with no experience of yachts when she joined FlexiSail at the 2008 London Boat Show. Despite her lack of experience, she was hooked on the…

Tea Break Talk – Rules of the Road Just as we have the Highway Code to stipulate the rules for driving a car on our roads, we have The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea to educate vessels on the rules of the nautical road. One of the first things you might notice when you look at the…

Tea Break Talk – Navigation in a Nutshell There are many things to think about before you head out on the water in command of your own boat for the very first time. We have previously discussed theory and practical training courses, but one course you will need to do before you take to the high seas is your…

Tea Break Talk – Radio Etiquette There are many things to think about before you head out on the water in command of your own boat for the very first time. We have previously discussed theory and practical training courses, but one course you will need to do before you take to the high seas is your VHF Radio Licence….

Tea Break Talk – Tides Unless you are going to do all your sailing in either the Mediterranean or the Caribbean, it is extremely important that you get to grips with and really understand tides. You always want to know that you have enough water beneath your keel! What causes tides? Tides exist solely because of the moon and…

Tea Break Talk – Weather Systems Weather is probably the single most important factor to consider when planning a trip on the water – it will affect virtually every aspect of your journey, even down to whether you go or not! Therefore, understanding weather is very important. Weather is a highly complex, not to mention fickle, phenomenon. We have…

Really Useful Sailing Tips – Onboard Wellbeing Often much of the effort of preparation for a voyage is put into the passage planning and boat preparation with the well being of the crew taking a back seat. The few tips below will help to ensure that everyone gets off the boat as happy and excited about sailing as when they…

Really Useful Sailing Tips – Helmsmanship Keeping the boat on the right course and under control is the Helmsman’s job. A few pointers follow as to how to be a good helmsman. Tip 1  – Helmsman communication
 The helmsman has the feel and performance of the yacht in his hands. The ‘helm’ can often feel if a yacht is…

Really Useful Sailing Tips – Crew Work Crew co-ordination and harmonious team work is imperative to successful and enjoyable sailing. Tip 1 – Crew training
 Make sure each crew member is assigned a task and is ready and prepared in position in the right part of the yacht before each manoeuvre. Talk through each manoeuvre before it happens to…

Really Useful Sailing Tips – Sail Trim Even if you are only cruising, trimming the sails correctly will make your boat speed more efficient, reduce leeway and generally give a more comfortable ride. Here are some valuable sail trim tips. Tip 1 – General Sail Trim
 Powering up your sails is all about angle of attack. At zero angle…