Sail and Learn: Sail Controls

Sail Controls Introduction for New Members training.

This is to announce that this Saturday, June 26^th at 4:30 PM we will have a Sail & Learn with two topics.  First there will be a 15 minute “Introduction for new members”, which will be immediately followed by a 30 minute presentation on “Sail Controls”.  The “Introduction for new members” is a presentation describing how new members or inactive members can get more involved with the Nockamixon Sail Club.  This is a great time to learn about the club and meet our members, fleet captains and officers.   If you are new or if you have been wanting to get more involved with the club please plan to attend this presentation and learn how. 

Immediately following the “Introduction to new members” presentation, I will give a presentation on “Sail controls”.  This presentation will include a description of how to properly use your main sheet, traveler, genoa or jib sheets, outhaul, leech line, halyard, topping lift, boom vang, Cunningham or downhaul, and backstay adjuster.  Most sailors begin to understand the mysteries of sail trim by using the classic points of sail diagram which shows how to orient your sails to the wind depending on your boats angle to the wind.  Although this presentation includes the points of sail diagram, it goes well beyond it by explaining how sail controls can be utilized to not only control angle of attack, but also sail shape, and twist.  If you are interested in learning more about how to use your sail controls in order to sail better please plan to attend this presentation. 

This “Sail & Learn” will take place in the Environmental Education center.  To find the Ed Center, enter the park at the marina entrance on School House Rd.  Go till it ends and turn right and drive to parking lot 12 on your left.  Please park in lot 12 and walk through the woods to the Environmental Education center.  Please bring your own drink and some finger food to share and plan to hang out with us after the presentations for some fun social time afterwards.

Just a little before dark, Raft up Fleet Captain, Jim Thompson has organized a full moon sail and optional sleep over event.  This will include a full moon cruise followed by an on the water raft up and then individual boats anchoring for the night near each other but not rafted up.  If you are interested in attending all or part of these night time activities please be looking for an e-mail announcement from Jim Thompson with additional details, including start times, what to bring, etc.

I hope to see you all either at the Sail & Learn or on the water.

Happy sailing,

Mike Brown

Rear Commodore-Cruising

215-499-0335

This 'Sail and Learn' session presented by the Nockamixon Sail Club Crusing Fleet will be held at the park's Environmental Education Center.  Members of the general public are invited to join us.

Directions: Enter the park on Harrisburg School Rd.  Take Harrisburg School Rd until it ends.  Turn right and go ¼ mile.  Park in lot 12 and walk on the path through the woods to the Nockamixon State Park Environmental Education Center.  We are not allowed to drive to the center itself unless we have a lot to drop off or someone is handicapped.