PROFOLLICA

Starting Dinghy Sailing

How many people have been on holiday, seen people sailing dinghies and thought "Id love to try that" ?

The best advice to be given to anyone wishing to start dinghy sailing is to take your time, don't rush into anything and don't try running before you can walk. First thing to do is to read around the subject and at least gain a basic understanding of what is involved in owning and buying a sailing dinghy. The Internet is an ideal place to do such research and this will be of great help when you start learning to sail.

We don't recommend you buy a dinghy and try to learn to sail yourself. Much better to either go to a recognized training center or join a sailing club. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Learning to sail at training center means that you can book lessons to suit yourself and you should receive professional instruction. The downside is that it can be expensive. In our opinion joining a sailing club is the best way to learn. You will meet a variety of boat owners, get advice on the different types of dinghies available etc. You will almost certainly have the opportunity to crew for members which is an excellent way of gaining experience. Many dinghy sailing clubs are focused on racing. Don't let this put you off. Although it may not seem appealing to a beginner, dinghy racing is an excellent way of improving your sailing techniques.

If you are lucky enough to have a choice of sailing clubs in your area go visit each one. Ask yourself

What are the members like? Were you given advice? Were you made to feel welcome? Do they offer any sort of training? What sort of boats do they sail and at what times?

Unfortunately many clubs forget about attracting new members and concentrate solely on racing without realizing everyone has to start somewhere. Gone are the days when all sailing clubs had waiting lists of people to join. Many clubs are now beginning to realize they must actively seek new members to maintain numbers and in some cases survive. See our sailing clubs list to find a club in your area.

Don't rush into buying a boat. Most clubs usually have a few boats which members can use. Take advantage of this fact until you have more knowledge about dinghies and have decided if sailing is for you. Also offer your services as a crew for members with double handed boats.

When you eventually get to the stage of buying a boat you should have a good idea about what you should be looking for. It's easy to waste money buying a boat that may be unsuitable. Your local club is an excellent place to buy a boat as people constantly trade up. The best thing about buying a boat from your own club is that often people will know its history, its faults etc.

Sailing is Freedom

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 many people choose sailing as a way of relaxation and meditation.

Yet, 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.

The basic sailing techniques should be very well known by those who adventure on the sea. A good sailor should be able to keeping the boat in trim, to reduce the sail when necessary to suit the wind conditions, to set the sale in such a way as to be in an optimum angle with the wind (sailing trimming), to adjust the loading of the boat in a proper manner (hull trimming) or to avoid leaning to one side when necessary (heeling).

Some basic regulations should also be known. The International Regulations for Preventing Collision at the Sea are very important for the sailors as they are set by the International Maritime Organization. The rules imposed by International Association of Lighthouse Authorities are to be respected by all the sailors as have as main purpose the safe navigation and the protection of both the sailors and their boats.

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 many people sailing is like a second life, where they 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.

Yacht Charter Croatia Tips

Chartering a yacht in Croatia is growing each year and is fast becoming one of the most favorite vacation options for thousands visiting Croatia in the summer. As the number of people chartering a yacht in Croatia grows, the competition between charter providers grows simultaneously. This has led to improving charter offer and the services that are accompanied to yacht charter in Croatia.

When you prepare for the yacht charter vacation in Croatia, I would suggest that you leave your car at home. Driving the whole day from your home to charter marina can be pretty exhausting especially in the summer season. When you add to that that once you arrive you must do all the vacation shopping and then you must be concentrated to do a proper yacht check-in, the first day of your charter vacation could end up being pretty miserable. If you choose to arrive to Croatia with your car you must calculate the parking fee for seven to fourteen days depending on the duration of your charter. The best option would be to arrive at Croatia by airplane or train and then use the taxi transfer from the point of you arrival to your charter marina. With Jam Transfer service you can book taxi transfer to and from your marina months in advance. This is a great way to budget your vacation because you can see in advance how much the taxi transfer will cost you.

Once you arrive at the marina where your chartered yacht is located at, you must do a yacht check-in. Prior to that you must leave the security deposit with the charter agency. Security deposit is the fixed fee from which the charter agency covers any damages made to the yacht while in charter. The yacht check-in process is the most important part of yacht charter. This is when you take over the yacht and go with the charter agency representative through entire yacht equipment. You will receive the yacht check in with all the equipment specified on it. I would suggest you take detailed notes on your copy of the check list. If the saloon table in the yacht is scratched for example, write it down and inform the charter representative that you made that remark. At the end of the check-in process ask the person with whom you did the check in to sign your copy of the check-in list. Why is this important? At the end of your charter vacation you will do the yacht check out. The person with whom you did the check in might not necessarily be the same person with whom you do the yacht check-out. The person with who you do the yacht check-out might point out on the scratched saloon table and inform you that the damage will be taken from your security deposit. Now you can show him your signed check-in list where you put the remark that the saloon table was scratched when you took over the yacht.

The last thing you must do is do all the shopping for your charter vacation. Do not neglect this step. The sea is unpredictable and marina moorings are scarce and you don't want to get stranded on the yacht with the empty fridge. It is not easy to do all the shopping on the same day you arrived at the marina after all the traveling you did to reach the marina. Especially when you add to the equation the burning summer sun and the fact that you usually have to go shopping on foot. It is easy to go shopping but returning from it with all the groceries can be quite a feat. This is where you can take the advantage of improving charter service in Croatia which is due to growing popularity of charter business. Today you can do all the shopping online, months in advance of your charter vacation, through online provisioning catalog. Jam Yacht Supply provisioning service for example has the online catalog of over five thousand products and everything you order through their catalog is awaiting for you in your charter marina.

Yacht Chartering in Corfu - Greece

Corfu also known as Kerkyra is the second biggest island after Crete and is considered one of the most beautiful and this due to the greenery that surrounds it.

Luckily for Corfu when the Venetians occupied it hundreds of years ago they somehow forced the inhabitants by giving them some incentives to plant olive trees which are still alive and still giving fruit after so many years.

Olives and olive oil was the main income of Corfu for many years until the influx of tourism which turned the Corfiots into providing hotels and apartments and thus neglecting their olive trees. Nowadays they still produce olive oil mainly for their own use as the trees are very big and not commercially viable for production.

Together with the tourism influx the yacht charter business started booming and now Corfu is a major place in the charter map with most of the international charter companies having permanent bases here.

You can now charter a yacht in Corfu with most of the charter companies and agencies in the world as it has all the facilities for Yacht charters including international airport, Modern Marina which accommodates about 1400 yachts of all sizes.

Due to the mild weather and few storms during the summer and winter season has also attracted a lot of foreign boats which are permanently moored in Corfu as their owners leave the boat here and fly back when they want to use it.

By searching on the net for yacht charters you will find hundreds of companies advertising their boats for charter so the choice is vast. The Greek charter companies are very well organized and of course by being governed by the Greek Tourist Organization they have to offer the service and also there is a guarantee deposit lodged with the Organization in case of a dispute or not fulfilling their obligation.

When you charter a boat either from an agency or direct from the owner you must insist of receiving a copy of the official charter party. This charter party contract between the agency or boat owner and the charterer will be presented to the Port Authority on the day of the charter for verification and official approval. This particular moment the boat's papers will be examined by the Port Authority to make sure that all safety requirements have been met and been inspected.

The charterers must have at least one (1) official skipper sailing certificate of competence other wise the Port Police will not allow the boat to leave harbor.

This for some people might seem a little too much but on the other hand it provides a security to the person hiring the boat that it is safe to sail and also for the boat owner that the person hiring it is competent to handle a boat and thus eliminating accidents.

In the last 20 years we had accidents such as mast braking, hitting a rock or other boats but not loss of life which is a very good and makes sailing in Greece very safe.

According to Greek law all boats intended for charter have to be registered as commercial and no private boats are allowed to do charters and be aware when you are not given a charter party agreement signed by the local Port Authority as the boat might not be fit for charter and possibly unsafe too.

Also foreign boats are not allowed to do charters in Greece except of EEC registered boats but they have to go through all the inspections as for a Greek commercial boat and also register a company here in Greece. In another article I will go through the regulations about foreign boats and chartering. I can also answer any questions regarding yachting and yacht charters in Corfu by just contacting me.

Chartering Sailboats

There are lots of reasons why hiring sailboats could be the best fit for you your friends and family. We will go through them so you can make a well in formed decision to fit your needs.

Change Of Boating Environment

By hiring a sailboat and traveling to your start marina your experience will be completely different from your usual weekend trips. There is the challenge of new charts to study and finding out the tides in the local. This can lead to refining your sailing technique as you relax, letting go of poor practices on board. Hiring overseas also means if you are bringing your kids along, they will have lots of new distractions at exciting new marinas and ports. Not to mention the glorious nature of the sea! Happy parents, happier kids!

Trying Out A Particular Design

Whether you are buying first hand off the peg or looking at the second hand market, taking a design out with an owner or salesman is not the same as with your friends. There are constraints on time and of course the owner or salesman wants to close the sale. However your needs are different. How are you supposed to making a significant buying decision based on an afternoon of sailing? By chartering you take the pressure off yourself. To find the optimum fit for you, invest in a proper trial, close at hand.

Lifestyle Change

The sailing fraternity is a migratory one. As kids grew up their hold on their parents is lessened. Parents regain a sense of freedom. With more time and less ties, this is a great opportunity to explore the possibilities of a new life. If you are a boat owner in this position, then you could use chartering to trial a marina or destination before making the break. If you are happy with the facilities and lifestyle, then bring over your own sailboat. If not and the dream lives on, then try again.

Having Your Accommodation And Activity In One

Whatever form your holiday takes, whether it's skiing, site seeing or fishing, chartering is different. With any other sporting opportunity you pay separately for accommodation and activity. Hotels cost money! And you don't even spend much time in them! Because chartering involves sleeping aboard you save loads each day! If you have concerns with getting in each others way, then it is worthwhile getting a few extra feet to spread out in.

Other Activities From The Boat

Who doesn't appreciate a quick swim after arriving at the day's secluded cove for an over night stop? OK you probably shower to get rid of the salt, but a quick dip takes away the heat of the day. If you arrive before sunset, you could explore the cove! Give your legs some stable land for an hour of two. Perhaps you prefer a sundowner or two before dinner? Fishing off the back of the boat or trailing a line through the day. You might catch a tasty meal!

Best Of Both

If you have experience of chartering then you will know that it is often good to mix things up a bit. Being on board with loved ones can get frustrating! So it's good to plan a night or two in your itinerary when you can get some well deserved shore leave. Planning a charter to include shore leave means that skipper and crew know what to expect. Sticking to the plan can be a topic of conversation whilst underway. Hiring a boat is unique in that the opportunities for activities are so diverse.

Can You Imagine Chartering?

The experience of hiring a boat for your holiday is important. From the moment you discuss the idea with your family or friends to getting in touch with recommended companies. Your quality time away from your business or place of work is vital. It cannot be stated strongly enough that the level of service expected is premium. After all your vacation is time that you spend doing exactly what you want! So if this article has raised your senses then take action!

Bon Voyage

Sailing Vacations

Sailing vacations are one of the most cherished dreams of a travel freaks. This kind of vacation fulfills all your adventurous passion and provides you the best travel experience.

Sailing vacations can become a pleasure to experience when you combine it with your favorite activities. Not all vacations are the same. These tend to vary with the kind of package you signup for. Hence, it is very important to look for a package that provides you most comfortable accommodation and peaceful site to get a good night's sleep.

Some people tend to look for low priced accommodation. However, it is important to check out the kind of service they provide you. Where talking these packages, you may need to share the bathroom with other cabins. As you go for higher priced packagers, you can expect to get comfortable accommodations and even luxurious suits as desired.

Meals served during these types of vacations depend on the fare. However, you need to check out the exact things from your travel organizer ahead of time in order to avoid any kind of confusion.

When going for a sailing vacation, you can opt for either chartered barebones or a crewed boat. If you have ahead decided to go in for a sailing vacation by now, here are some considerations you need to make.


Know about sailing vacations: It is extremely important to know a lot about sailing vacations, prior to actually setting out for one. This will make you know all about the trip, things you can enjoy, things you need to stay aware from etc. This with will help you enjoy you journey without any hazards.
Lessons on sailing: It is really important to take certain lesions on sailing prior to setting out on a vacation. This is very important if you are a novice. The lessons will provide you some practical tips and tricks on sailing. You would also come to know what all essentials you need to be equipped with.
Destination: There is no fun in going on a sailing vacations if you do not pick up a destination. Prepare a list of places that are possible to visit during the vacation and if possible, make a research o these places. Also, check for the sights that are to be seen.
Opt for a travel service: If you want your travel service to be the best, it is very important to choosing a service. This will keep you free from all the hassles of preparing for a travel. Since, there are many services available online and offline, it is very necessary to make some research prior to opting for a service. This will make sure that your sailing vacations are a comfortable, cost effective and enjoyable experience.

So if you are looking for sailing vacations, just go for it. It is kind of trip that will let you have the time of your life.

Sailing Hints & Tips

With this small article I would like to share some sailing hints with you that will help you enjoy the most out of your sailing holidays.

• When moored or anchored, use your sun tent and stay under it most of the time. Our friend, the Sun, sometimes can be dangerous, especially during summertime.

• Be cautious on board and if possible, always wear a pair of soft boat shoes. This way you will protect your feet and the deck surface. When sailing, avoid walking on deck without particular reason and in rough weather, remember to use your life belt.

• If you have children on board, let them sit outside but always in the cockpit wearing a life vest.

• Before operating the electric anchor winch, start the motor and run it at aprox 1.200 to 1.500 rpm in neutral. This is necessary in order not to exhaust the service battery, as the consumption of the winch is extremely high. Our recommendation is to low your anchor manually and collect it using the remote control. Whenever using the anchor winch (dropping or collecting your anchor) be very careful with your fingers. An electric anchor winch is a great facility but also extremely danger with careless use.

• Remember to use the electric refrigerator only with the motor running.

• Many yachts are equipped with a switch with which you may connect the two batteries, to have more power to start your motor. You can keep them connected, as long as your motor is running. When you stop the motor, remember to disconnect them. This will protect you, to be without electric power in case that you will forget, for example, the electric refrigerator running.

• When you moor in a port, always have a fender between your yacht and the quay, so even if your anchor for any reason is unable to keep you in position, the yacht will not touch the quay. Take care of the swell that big ferries cause and avoid mooring the yacht close to the place these boats anchor.

• Before you put your engine in gear, have a look around the yacht for floating ropes that may block or damage your propeller or gearbox. When you want to go from forward to backward, do it after you let the engine speed drop to idling.

• Avoid towing your dinghy especially in rough weather, as you may lose it. It's better to keep it secured in front of the mast. Remember that lost items are always charged to the charterer. In case you need tug help and before you accept it, agree on the price and ask for a receipt that clearly states that no further payment will be asked.

• Avoid dropping papers or napkins in the toilet bowl. It's better to use plastic bags for the waste papers. Toilet pumps are not able to dissolve such things.

• Remember to close the main switch at the top of gas bottle when you don't use the gas stove or when nobody is on board.

• While refilling either water or fuel tanks, make sure not to mix fuel with water or water with fuel. In both cases the situation becomes unpleasant and difficult to be repaired.

• Keep always an eye on the hour counter of your motor and make sure that you have sufficient amount of fuel in your tank. The fuel gauge is not always reliable, so check the hours that you have used the motor.

• Do not throw plastic bottles, cans or any other waste in the sea. Keep them on board and remove immediately at the first harbour.

• It is also requested not to raise any flag, other than the Greek, at the aft side of the yacht, as it is against Greek and International marine regulations.

CAUTION : If the yacht is equipped with DSC VHF, DO NOT PRESS DISTRESS SIGNAL BUTTON UNLESS IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY (FIRE - COLLISION - GROUNDING - SINKING).There is a penalty for the unnecessary use.