Gale Force Sailing

I am asked almost daily by new sailors what sort of gear I recommend. The VERY first thing I recommend that every new sailor get is their own personal flotation device a PFD - A LIFE JACKET SILLY!

Given the tossing and turning of the deck of any boat, the flying boom, the regular flow of alcohol why WOULDN’T you wear a PFD? Well, there are hundreds of excuses that I hear - they are hot and they don’t fit are what I hear most often, but with a bit of shopping you’ll find that these excuses are no longer an issue.

PFD manufacturers are going out of their way to make PFD’s specifically for each of us (big guys, little guys, women and children.) We owe it to ourselves to shop a bit and find one that works.

For me, the Astral Buoyancy Aquavest 300 is the ticket. First of all I love the company. They are the word’s only company engaged solely in the development of PFD’s for paddlers and sailors. They KNOW their business. They are concerned with art, science and craft of making great PFD’s.

They use less toxic, easily recyclable foams. They make strong and durable products that are trustworthy and backed by a guarantee - you got a problem and they fix it. They don’t bother to flood the market with sub-par or unnecessary products. If you check out Astral’s mission, you’ll see that I’ve lifted (ok STOLEN) some of their ideas for Gale Force Sailing’s business model. I think they are doing it right.

So why do I use the Aquavest 300 and would I recommend it?

I use it because as a sailing coach I need gear that provides durability and reliability. I love the way the 300 works for me. I would recommend it, although I would first suggest that you try on all the other PFD’s you can.

YOU MUST first and foremost find the PFD that fits you best. A PFD is pretty worthless if you don’t wear it. I wear mine almost all time because the 300 is comfortable enough that I forget it is there - so its always on. It sits low so it doesn’t obstruct my arms. It is padded in the right places so I can lean against lifelines and hike hard.

Continue reading ‘Your first piece of sailing gear’

What is it with Gale Force and Canada? In addition to the Best of the Okanagan sailing clinic we are putting on with Rocket Boats, I am racing the 2007 Marblehead-to-Halifax Ocean Race starting July 8.

The running of the 2007 Marblehead-to-Halifax Ocean Race (MHOR) is preceded by a long and prestigious history. The race began in 1905 as an informal competition among sailors from the Boston, Eastern, and New York Yacht Clubs. The race was run sporadically until 1939, when the Boston Yacht Club (BYC) joined with the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron (RNSYS) to formalize a biennial event. Since that time, the Marblehead-to-Halifax Ocean Race has run regularly on alternate years from the Newport Bermuda Race, as one of the pre-eminent ocean races of the North Atlantic.

The race provides numerous opportunities for companies wishing to increase brand awareness and upscale association. It is a well-known international event in the world of sailing and provides great shore side venues for developing North-South businesses. Race publicity reaches more than 1,000,000 people in New England and a further 500,000 in Atlantic Canada.

The 2005 Halifax Race attracted over 125 boats, racing in 5 different divisions: IRC, Performance Handicap Racing Fleet (PHRF) Racing Class, PHRF Cruising Class, Multihulls and Classic Yachts. Over 20 perpetual trophies are awarded, recognizing many special accomplishments including team challenges, the fastest double handed yacht, and the fastest all-women’s yacht, in addition to division and class winners.

I have signed on as a watch captain aboard a beautiful Hinckley 41 Yawl, Spartina. Now, this yacht is not just a piece of mooring candy. She has been optimized - or turbo charged - with a new carbon rig and bowsprit that flies asymmetrical spinnakers. Stay tuned for race tracking and podium finishes.