Why?\u00a0 Today, March 22. is the first day of Spring 2018.\u00a0 Right now, it is 7:00 AM pacific time.\u00a0 As I write, the sun is rapidly approaching the equator, and will cross into the northern hemisphere at 9:15 AM, less than two hours away.\u00a0 Which means for the next six months we will have more sun than dark, more warmth than cold, and on San Francisco Bay those glorious 25 knots winds we are famous for!\u00a0 To celebrate spring, one month from today is “Opening Day on the Bay.”\u00a0 If you are not ready now,\u00a0 it is time to get ready.\u00a0 Here are a few tips.<\/p>\n
First, get out your gear bag.\u00a0 If you are like me, items tend to migrate to other places during the winter.\u00a0 Even though I sail all winter, I use different gear, and my “normal” sailing gear gets displaced.\u00a0 Gather all those miscellaneous sailing items up and get them back to their proper occasions.\u00a0 While you are at it, check your gear over.<\/p>\n
Is it time to replace the gloves?\u00a0 While a pair of gloves in tatters may be a sign of a full season last year, they are pretty much useless.\u00a0 Protect your hands.<\/p>\n
Check your PFD(s)!\u00a0 All PFDs need to be checked regularly … the inflatables types even more so.\u00a0 Check and\/or replace the CO2 cartridge.\u00a0 A few years back, I experienced the plastic collar on the CO2 cartridge breaking off.\u00a0 It would no longer mount properly in the mechanism, meaning it would not fire off if I needed it.\u00a0 Last year, while I was doing my annual PFD check, I discovered one PFD was totally missing the CO2 cartridge.\u00a0 Took a few seconds to remember that TSA in Cabo had confiscated it while I was boarding a plane returning from the BaJa HaHa.\u00a0 Check the auto inflate trigger.\u00a0 Is it working properly?\u00a0 Does it have a “pill” that dissolves.\u00a0 If so, replace it, even if it still looks good.\u00a0 Check for wear and tear (like the seam stitching).\u00a0 Even the old fashioned “foamy” type of PFDs wear out.<\/p>\n
Are your electronic devices working properly.\u00a0 I had a remote microphone on my handheld VHF radio for a long time.\u00a0 During my annual equipment check this year (I did mine in January, because that was when I taught my first class of the year), I realized that over the winter the microphone pickup was no longer working.\u00a0 I personally use a smart phone for back up navigation.\u00a0 I have an app on the phone that uses the phones GPS to function as a small chart plotter.\u00a0 The app I use allows me to upload actual NOAA charts.\u00a0 Because of the classes I teach, I know that I will be using four different charts over the course of the year (Entrance to San Francisco Bay, Gulf of the Farallones, Half Moon Bay, and Drakes Bay).\u00a0 Every year, I remove the old version from my phone, and install the most recent version.\u00a0 Stuff changes, and I want my charts to be as current as possible.<\/p>\n
While on the topic of charts, it is a really good idea to have your primary sailing area chart in paper form.\u00a0 For most of us, that would be 18649, Entrance to San Francisco Bay.\u00a0 I don’t recommend just going into a marine store and picking one up, it could be years out of date.\u00a0 Get a “print on demand” version.\u00a0 Unfortunately, they are pricey, but, worth the cost in my opinion.\u00a0 On the other hand, Tradewinds picked up a large supply of print on demand charts, and because of volume discounts is offering them to members at less than the price of non print on demand one.\u00a0 The supply is limited, so if you want one do it now.<\/p>\n
Is it time to acquire a new piece of gear (please don’t tell your significant other I told you that.)\u00a0 It may be as simple as some knee pads because your knees are another year older, or as extravagant as Personal Locator Device because you are planning some time outside the Golden Gate.<\/p>\n
Getting off the topic of gear, is it time to take your sailing to the next level?\u00a0 If you are a Basic Keelboat graduate, is it time to step up to inboard motors and larger sailing area?\u00a0 Are you feeling “confined in the shadow of Angel Island?”\u00a0 Bareboat Cruising might be the ticket.\u00a0 Docking skills rusty?\u00a0 I highly recommend taking or retaking Advanced Docking.\u00a0 That’s a class you could repeat every year and still get good stuff out of it, especially if you get different instructors each time.\u00a0 Maybe its time to step up from crew to Captain by taking Basic Keelboat.\u00a0 Here is a list of options being offered between now and Opening Day.<\/p>\n
So, what is the tip in all of this?<\/p>\n
Plan some days on the water, prepare your equipment, improve your skills, and most important start getting out there and enjoying what is, in my opinion, the number 1 sailing venue in the world!<\/p>\n
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Why?\u00a0 Today, March 22. is the first day of Spring 2018.\u00a0 Right now, it is 7:00 AM pacific time.\u00a0 As I write, the sun is rapidly approaching the equator, and will cross into the northern hemisphere at 9:15 AM, less … Continue reading