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I spend almost all my summers
sailing around the Greek islands. 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.
- For more information
please check http://www.seascope-sailing.com
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