We’ve been fairly lucky in this respect, but once we were caught out badly. We had cunningly anchored off the less popular side of an island in the inland sea of La Manga. All was well the first night, and the next day, and then the wind was supposed to turn around and come from the east, I think it was, but not until the next day. At about 8 pm the wind from the west dropped, and we expected nothing to happen – the nights are often calm. Within 30 minutes, the wind had not just gone around to the north, but was blowing at a force six -pushing us onto the island!
We couldn’t go around the other side because the water was not deep enough, so we had to go into the marina in the canal that leads out of the inland sea. That would have been easy enough except that the lights marking the entrance to the canal were not working, and by the time we got there it was pitch dark.
That was not all; owing to silting, they had had to mark out a channel to the canal, and this was a dog-leg marked by ropes connecting a few buoys – red and white would you believe. Worse than that, there was only one white light, and a couple of red ones at the beginning of the funnel, as it were, to the canal. So of course, we could not see them and just had to inch our way toward the wall until I suddenly saw a stick silhouetted in the sky.
At that moment, we got so close to the rope marking the channel that it caught around the skeg, but fortunately slipped off easily enough. Even when we got into the marina we had a job mooring as the wind was blowing us so hard off the jetty – the only space left being the fuelling jetty, which did not amuse the man in charge of it when he arrived the next morning.
We’ve since learned that the Spaniards in particular are not good at placing and lighting buoys, and that they often don’t bother to replace ones that are damaged. Night sailing is best reserved for long passages in the open sea.
So, like anywhere else, unexpected things can happen when you sail in the Med, but you visit some great places, meet some lovely people, and can have some great sailing so long as you know where to go – that does not include the south Spanish mainland!
We’ve now spent six seasons cruising in the Med, gradually going east from Estepona, and many people ask:
“Is the Mediterranean the ideal place to sail?”

It’s important to understand that without a headsail, the boat will not “point” or sail well into the wind. So keep this in mind when choosing your course and area of sail. Don’t get into trouble in shallow water or areas where you need to head higher into the wind because the boat probably won’t help you out of that jam. You will notice however that the boat sails downwind well. With the sheet eased well out the yacht will move considerably well. Again, reaching and closed hauled sailing will be slow and you may experience considerable weather helm.

Try different maneuvers like tacking and jibing. The boat may or may not tack well through the wind. Note its performance and characteristics when doing so. Practice turning in as tight a circle as possible. Know the radius will be beneficial in real life experiences like racing or maneuvering in a tight space with only the main. The boat will luff up easily and it usually takes more momentum to tack than with both sails up. You may even stall the boat and that’s ok. Again, your purpose here is to learn.

Especially if you plan on racing, the skill of sailing under mainsail alone is extremely important. Pre-race maneuvering demands knowing how your mainsail will react in all points of sail and in confined areas. Its also just good seamanship to take in your headsail first when coming into dock or starting the engine so take some time to learn your boat under mainsail only – you won’t regret the effort.
About the Author
Steve has been sailing for over 20 years and writing about the subject for 4 years. Come visit his latest website and current interest at http://www.silvercrossnecklace.net/ which helps people find the rightsilver cross necklace at the right price as well as offering a wide variety of other necklaces, charms and jewlery.

But if you’re not used to the motion of a small boat, what may be an enjoyable day sail could be an uncomfortable and even sickening experience that could cause a first timer to never want to sail again. It’s your job as host and captain to make sure those aboard are comfortable and get the most out of the trip without becoming sick.

Rule number one, make sure they wear proper cloting. Hats and sunscreen are a must and there’s nothing worse than looking down at your skin after an hour on board and seeing a lobster red arm.

Rule two, hydrate. You should provide plenty of water to your guest. Inform them that they should drink plenty even though they don’t feel thirsty.

Rule three, provide protein snacks. You don’t want to serve a full egg breakfast but fresh fruit and protein bars should be made available.

Rule three, if they know they might get sick ahead of time, suggest to them some form of over the counter seasick preventative. Patches work well and are cheap.

Rule four, don’t allow them to spend a lot of time below especially at first if they’re not sure if they’ll get sick or not. Have them stay out in the cockpit helping with sailing the boat. Keeping your mind off of your not feeling well helps.

When my girlfriend (now wife) went out with me on my Bahama 30 for the first time, the lake we were on was really choppy and had a decent swell that caused the boat to have an uncomfortable motion. Though she was hydrated and stayed out in the cockpit she still started to feel pretty green around the gills. As soon as she informed of this I immediately put her at the helm. Her concentrating on driving the boat and the need to keep her eyes ahead all but eliminated her queeziness.

For first-timers, the trip is a one time shot that they’ll judge as either a blast and want to go back again soon or, a horrible experience that they wouldn’t recommend to anyone. It’s your job to make it positive and with a little upfront planning and understanding, you’ll have that first mate chomping at the bit to return and share your love of sailing.

About the Author
Steve has been writing articles for nearly 4 years. Come visit his latest website and current interest over athttp://www.bowlingballbagsonsale.com/ which helps people find the best bowling ball bags and information they are looking for when shopping for all bowling accessories.

Cruise ships are floating hotels that sail through ocean while you enjoy all the hotel’s amenities provided. They have casinos, swimming pools, theaters, restaurants, shopping centers or boutiques, spas, gyms and more.

As great as taking a vacation on cruise ships may seem, you still need to know how to plan a cruise ship vacation properly so you have the perfect cruise experience. You need to know about the different types of packages the cruise lines offer.

When planning a cruise ship vacation you need to know how to choose one that will meet your expectation or tailor to your needs. Here are some guidelines that you can follow to plan your cruise travel and enjoy the perfect cruise experience:

Think of who you want to take with you on your cruise vacation. There are many different packages offered by cruise lines. There are packages for the whole family and there are packages for single travelers.

Will you be taking the cruise vacation with children? Maybe you will take your significant other for a romantic getaway. There are cruise ships that are tailored for children and there are cruise lines that cater to single cruisers and honeymooners. There are even some ships that offer wedding services. What could be better than to get married on the ship and have your honeymoon built in?

Decide how long you want to cruise. If you just want to try it out, opt for a three day cruise. Normally, cruises start at three nights and can go anywhere from seven to fourteen days. But there are also world cruises that can last as long as three months. My advice is if you are going to cruise in Europe you should pick a fourteen day cruise because of the expense and long plane rides to get to your port of embarkation. If you live near a port and you just want to take a long weekend choose of three or four day cruise. Decide what cruise travel is best for you.

Choose the perfect destination for you and your family. Alaska is beautiful but can only be cruised in the summer months. If you live in the colder climes you may want to take a mid winter cruise to the Caribbean or even South America. If you want your cruise travel to be in the Caribbean and you want to spend two weeks on your cruise vacation, choose a line that alternates between the Eastern and Western Caribbean. This cruise vacation takes you to many different islands.

The cruise lines have a variety of destinations to choose from. Visit your cruise travel agent to go over the different itineraries or check out the individual websites of the cruise lines.

Consider the port of departure. Since 9/11 cruises have been emphasizing home port cruising. Now there are many cruises that depart from Bayonne, New Jersey, Galveston, Texas, or Seattle, Washington, not just Miami and Fort Lauderdale.. Depart from the one closest to you and you will save money on expensive airfare.

Speak to a knowledgeable cruise travel agent. Make sure they have personally sailed on many different cruise ships so they can give you an honest opinion on what each cruise line has to offer and which would give you the perfect cruise experience.

A cruise travel agent will also be able to supply you with cruise tips. Scour the cruise reviews for additional cruise tips.

Large cruise lines have a variety of activities and facilities that you can use on the ship. If you like to gamble then choosing a cruise ship with casinos is probably right for you. Or if you are taking your kids with you, a cruise ship that offers activities and facilities for children would be the best choice for your cruise travel. For instance, Disney is, of course, geared toward children but they do not have casinos. So if you are taking the family but you want to gamble steer away from Disney and choose one of the other major cruise lines. Almost all of them have children’s programs. If you don’t want to be on a ship with children sail on one of the fancier lines that don’t cater to children. Here, again, it pays to read as many cruise reviews as you can to pick up additional cruise tips.

Cruise vacations do not necessarily mean that you have to spend all your vacation time onboard. All the cruise ships offer land and shore excursions. The cruise lines offer pre and post cruise land vacations usually for two or three days.

Land excursions are a great way to explore different cultures and destinations when taking a cruise vacation. You can choose from many activities once you reach a port of call. You can go kayaking, scuba diving or go shopping in the markets of the ports of call.

Following these guidelines will give you some ideas on planning your cruise vacation properly. Proper planning will give you a more exciting cruise experience.

Happy Cruising!

Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.

About the author:
Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at: http://www.CruiseGold.com http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com and http://www.CruisingTips.com.

If you are a beginner in sailing, you will soon discover the large variety of sailing gear that is out on the market. As great as it would be to own all of this gear, not all of it is required for sailing. However, in order to stay safe while sailing, there is certain gear that you will absolutely need on your boat.

Should an emergency occur, having first aid kits, life jackets, and additional safety equipment are essential to ensure the care of passengers on your boat. Radio and navigation should also be present especially when sailing in the open seas or on the coastline.

Finding Discount Gear
If you search in the right places, you can find discount sailing gear in a variety of places.

First, the sailing gear can be found at different swap meets or flea markets within a sailing community. Often, sailing clubs will hold a swap meet once or twice per year enabling people to find used gear for a fraction of the cost.

In addition to these sailing clubs, advertisements in newspapers and sailing magazines offer used gear for sale. These are great options since you can go and check the condition of the gear before buying it.

There are also some online auctions that sell used gear, but these are a little more difficult to use since the items cannot be thoroughly checked before purchasing them. However, many of these online sites have a guarantee or a checks and balances system in place so that people are protected from fraudulent sellers.

The quality and innovation of a civilization’s marine equipment as historically made a huge difference in the dominating of one nation over another, as the ability to master the waters brings the advantage of travel, food, national defense, and trade.

All this still holds true today, and although sailing, for both recreation and business, hasn’t ceased to be a huge risk, modern marine equipment enables sailors from weekend pleasure cruisers to seasoned professionals to enjoy sailing that is much safer, more convenient, and less physically challenging that that of our ancestors.

A major contributor to the safety of modern sailing is the introduction of radar technology. Radars are used to detect objects in the water and their location in relation to the position of the ship. Radars work by sending out pulse signals and then calculate the distance, size and position of surrounding objects by the amount of time it takes for the pulses to bounce back. The radar creates images on screen, giving a visual of any potential hazards or obstacles in the water.

GPS systems, both fixed mount and handheld have also made a major impact on the safety of sailing. With the advent of GPS systems, there is virtually no reason for a ship to ever be lost or to stray off course. Fishfinders represent another breakthrough in marine technology that has changed sailing, and more specifically, fishing. Fishfinders do exactly that, they help fishermen locate fish in the vicinity. Advanced fishfinders probe to various depths, and can even locate fish of a particular size and weight. Fishfinders come in different resolutions to give fishermen a clear picture of fish and help them locate specific species.

With so many electronic gadgets becoming standard fare on most ships and sailors relying on them so heavily for safety and navigation, it’s also imperative that every ship have some sort of battery charger.

All of the above mentioned marine equipment is designed to make sailing more enjoyable, rewarding and safe for all types of sailors. Finding the right marine equipment to suit individual sailing preferences and purposes can make sailing, fishing, and sightseeing at sea safe and pleasant.

About the Author

All of the products Northeast Marine Electronics (http://www.northeastmarineelectronics.com/) sells are new and fully warranted by the manufacturer, carry a superior line of electronic marine equipment and merchandise provided. Art Gib is a freelance writer.

Whether it’s fishing, tubing, skiing or just cruising along enjoying the scenery, there are few recreation opportunities that offer families the chance to reconnect like a day spent together on the water.Try Saltwater Fishing Whether it’s fishing in small bays, trolling the coastal flats or heading offshore for the thrills of big game fishing, saltwater fishing offers great sport for anglers of all levels and abilities. You won’t forget this experience.Go Sailing! Sailing is more than Just a sport, it’s a lifestyle that opens up a whole new world for you, your family and friends. In fact, whether you’re interested in day sailing, cruising or competitive racing, mastering the “art of sailing” is a lifelong challenge that inspires passion among enthusiasts and offers a lifetime of enjoyment on the water.

There is always something to learn in sailing.Get Your Scuba Gear: Scuba Diving is one of the best activities you can try, this experience you won’t forget in your entire lifetime. Aren’t you curious to know how the 70% of our planet looks like? A lifetime of fun and adventures is waiting, under the sea. Float in clear waters go face-to-face with denizens of the deep–scuba diving is a treasure trove of memories waiting to happen. Acquiring the skills to make your first dive is a great family activity and family diving trips offer great bonding experiences.How About Cruising! A dream of leisurely exploring the world beyond the shores, traveling to exotic ports or heading out for destinations unknown, Cruising can make those dreams a reality.

Many people choose to cruise because they want to get away and have an adventure. For others, cruising represents the ultimate vacation. And a surprising number of people live on their boats full time, making their neighborhoods anywhere they choose to drop anchor.Boat Offshore Big game fishing, Cruising, Racing a world of excitement and adventure beckons those willing to lose sight of the shore and head out to sea.Sleep Onboard Have you got tired of sleeping all your summer nights at home when you can take your family out on a boat for a long vacation and spend the nights on the water.Wanna Racing? Competition, Thrills, Victory

You’ll find it all in the adrenaline-pumping sport of racing. If you crave competition, racing is an endlessly fascinating sport that delivers a lifetime of challenges and offers enough variety to be accessible to anyone with a need for speed.A New Entertainment Boating offers a wide range of recreational activities that makes it a excellent way to entertain friends and family. From an early morning fishing expedition to a day of tubing to a lazy sunset cruise along the coast the possibilities for entertainment on a boat are limited only by your imagination. What’s more, the very act of boating seems to inspire conversation and camaraderie that makes time spent on a boat all the more enjoyable.Get Wet with Water sports- Waterskiing, Wakeboarding, Tubing If you’re looking to get wet and go fast you’ll find there’s no shortage of fun to be had with a boat. Water sports offer you and your family the ultimate thrills and high-energy adventure they never had.Fishing in Freshwaters With nearly 44 million freshwater anglers in the U. S., fishing consistently tops the list of favorite outdoor sports. What hooks people on fishing? Maybe it’s the variety.

Lakes, rivers and streams all offer great fishing and the list of game fish–trout, bass, tarpon, bonefish, sunfish, muskie, bluegills–goes on and on. Or maybe it’s because fishing can be as much about spending time with family and friends enjoying the outdoors as much as it is about reeling in the big one.

About the Author

Justin is the webmaster of the site http://www.boat-dealers.us on which he is currently working on.Boats are his passion and he is looking to make his site as complete resource site. On his leisure time he likes to listen music and reading books.

Discover sailing with our exclusive Fast Track to Cruising® — on your own, with your family, kids or friends.

You want the best sailing lessons you can get in the most reasonable time frame. We are the only sailing school that gives you the confidence to skipper or crew sailboats from 26’ to 46’ in nine days or less.

Taught by instructors with the highest level US SAILING instructor certification, you can obtain your sailing certification at the Basic Keelboat (Learn to Sail) level, then go on to Basic Cruising and Bareboat Cruising (combined in our Bareboat Cruising Preparation and Live Aboard Cruising programs). All three of these certifications come with the Fast Track to Cruising® course. Then continue your sailing education with our exclusive Advanced Live Aboard Cruising course, including Coastal Navigation certification. When you’re ready for ocean sailing, step up to Coastal Passage Making and set your sails for a lifetime of freedom.

If you like competitive sailing, our Performance Sailboat Racing course combines North U. seminars with hands-on racing instruction and regattas.

As a graduate of the Colgate Schools, you will enjoy exclusive Offshore Cruising Club and Offshore Sailing Club membership opportunities on our Colgate 26 sailboat fleets and bareboat charters or skippered charters on The Moorings cruising boats world wide.

Refresh, relax, be challenged. Learn to sail, race or take the Fast Track to Cruising® today and live your sailing adventure!

Sailing Turkey's Turquoise Coast

If you like sunshine, the smell of the sea air, water sports, Mediterranean cuisine, and a chance to visit important historical sites, then you should set your sites on Turkey. It is here where you can explore one of civilization’s great crossroads, choosing from a variety of sailing options.

You don’t have to be a sailor to enjoy a sea holiday in Turkey. One of the popular choices of tourists in Turkey is to hire a crewed yacht. On a crewed yacht, a professional crew takes care of the boating and you can turn your attention to snorkeling, soaking in the sun, visiting quaint villages, historical sites and enjoying the dishes prepared by the onboard chef.

If you fancy travelling on a vessel that is reminiscent of a romantic galleon or old pirate ship, then a cruise on a Gulet (or Gullet) is in order. Gulets are traditional wooden and handmade Turkish boats, usually equipped with a crew of three comprising of the captain, the cook, and a sailor. The boats have a motor as well as sails. The route can be fixed , or arranged to the preferences of the group, and the group shares the expenses.

Although Gulets are traditional vessels, the modern touring Gullets are fully equipped with the comfort of the tourist in mind. They usually contain four to ten cabins, equipped with en-suite showers, WCs and hot water facilities. Turkish Gulets also have music systems, navigational, electronic, fishing and diving equipment. Spacious and light sitting-space provided at the back of the boat is one of the distinguishing characteristics and advantages of this type of vessel. Sitting at the large table in this section, you can have your meals under the sunshade, you can get a sun tan or you may watch stars at night.

For those who want more freedom and enjoy doing their own sailing, then the best choice is a “bareboat” vacation. “Bareboating” is the term given to a chartered holiday where you hire a whole vessel for a fixed period. You will be fully responsible for the boat and can sail her yourself, if you have a licensed captain in your group, or hire a professional to do it for you.

Along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts of Turkey there are a number of scenic routes that you can choose from touching a rich array of historical sites including the ancient cities of Pergamon, Ephesus, Miletus, Knidos, Xanthos, Myra, Perge, Aspendos and Side. There are also dozens of other, smaller sites dating back many thousands of years, the remains of which are equally as interesting. If you are on a Gulet cruise with a full crew, then you will benefit from an experienced guide with a deep knowledge of the area.

The Mediterranean is also renowned for its great cuisine and a cruise holiday in Turkey will give you a chance to get acquainted with Turkish hospitality and the colorful and tasty dishes of this region

Sunshine, the sea, historical sites, sailing, swimming and fine cuisine: add it all up and you have the makings of an unforgettable holiday or vacation.

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About the Author

Gurhan Ebren is the owner of El Paso Travels, a tourism and travel agency specializing in yacht and sailing tours in Turkey, since 1985. Visit http://www.elpasotravel.net to find out more about sailing holidays in Turkey.

Italy is one of the most popular vacation countries in Europe. Italy is an international playground, with visitors from all continents mingling with vacationing Italians at the famous resorts. Five different sailing areas : Sardinia, Tuscany, Rome, Naples and Sicily.

Croatia: Split, Dubrovnik, Biograd, Pula, Zadar,

The coastline of Croatia is perfect for sailing holidays. With so many islands and small ports, you can stop as many times as you like or sail for as long as you wish.

Greece: Athens, Cyclades, Sporades, Dodecanese, Ionian Sea

Greece is composed of the continental segment and the islands within the Aegean and Ionian Seas.
There are a large number of islands within the Aegean sea, the Sporades, the Cyclades and the Dodecanese.

Turkey: Marmaris, Bodrum, Gocek, Antalya.

The Turkish coasts, often green, rocky and irregular, bursting with bays and coves, are perfect for pleasure-boat navigating. You will also be able to bathe and discover breathtaking underwater scenery.

Spain: Baleares, Barcelona, Valencia, Canary Islands.

Spain is situated in south western Europe. It includes the Baleares in the Mediterranean, the Canary islands in the Atlantic. Yacht charter available for the America’s Cup In Valencia.

French Riviera: St Tropez, Hyeres, Monaco, Cannes, Antibes, Nice.

Occupying the Southern coastal area of France can be found the towns of Marseille,Toulon, and the famous French Riviera with St.Tropez, Cannes, Antibes, Nice, and Monaco.

Corsica: Ajaccio, Bonifacio, Bastia, Propriano, Calvi.

Discover the wonders of Corsica its landscapes, the beauty of its wild, protected nature, its clear waters in various shades of blue, so unique…