Anchors Aweigh

In this episode, we head back into the journal for another logbook episode. We pick up on sailing day 3 of our British Virgin Islands trip from the summer of 2019, where we sail from Virgin Gorda to Scrub Island.

Sailing Term(s) for this Episode: 

• Lines: On board a boat, this is what you say instead of “ropes.”
• Fenders: Used for protected the boat from the dock - often called “bumpers”

Show Notes:

Utter Nonsense (“the game of phrases”)  - https://amzn.to/3lg0FMH

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In this we have some more sailing news, the potential US Virgin Islands trip has been cancelled, the ASA 105 certification course continues and I’m ready to book our sailing school, pending the impact of not one but two hurricanes.

Sailing Term(s) for this Episode: 

• Windward: The side of the boat closest to the wind. When heeling over, this will always be the high side.
  
  
• Leeward: The side of the boat furthest from the wind. When heeling over, this will always be the low side.
  
  

Sailing News:

• Three sailing gear companies have designed and are now selling protective face coverings to help prevent the spread of Covid-19:
  • https://www.sailingworld.com/story/gear/facemasks-by-sailors-for-sailors
• Annapolis Fall Boat Show Cancelled
  • https://www.tradeonlytoday.com/boat-shows/annapolis-fall-boat-shows-canceled
  • The U.S. Powerboat Show was scheduled for Oct. 1-4, and the U.S. Sailboat Show was slated for Oct. 8-12.
• Accuweather Hurricane Updates - https://www.accuweather.com/en/hurricane

Show Notes:

ASA Certifications - https://asa.com/certifications/

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In this episode I discuss a potential USVI sailing trip, a possible pivot in selecting a sailing school and getting started with ASA 105 certification.

Sailing Term(s):

• Tack: This term has two distinct meanings, both of them very important. As a verb, to tack is to change direction by turning the bow of the boat through the wind. As a noun, your tack is the course you are on relative to the wind. For example, if the wind is blowing over the port side, you are on a port tack. If it’s blowing over the starboard side, you’re on a…you guessed it…starboard tack.
  
  
• Jibe: A jibe is another way of changing direction, in which you bring the stern of the boat through the wind. Whether you choose to tack or jibe entirely depends on the situation–what’s around you, and the direction of the wind.

Uncut video version of this episode - https://youtu.be/38SiM6thXtM

Emerald Coast Sailing - https://www.ecsailing.com/

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In this second logbook episode, I read from the journal of Day 2 of our BVI Sailing Trip in July of 2019. It was my intent to space these logbook episodes out a little more. However, this past week I finished editing the full length movie of our trip last year and it got me excited to share another small piece of that adventure on the podcast sooner than later.

Sailing Term(s) for this Episode: 

Helm: Where you steer the boat. Usually this is a big wheel, but on smaller boats it can be a tiller, which is basically a long wooden stick. Either of these can be used to control the boat’s rudder.

American Sailing Association Membership - https://asa.com/membership/

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In this logbook episode, I recount the travel and first sailing day of our July 2019 sailing trip in the BVI. Raising the sails on that first day is one of the things that hooked me and I can’t wait to get underway again soon.

Sailing Term(s) for this Episode: 

Today we have two sailing terms that go hand in hand and confuse a lot of new sailors and non-boaters. I’ll admit, it took me a little while to remember them at first but there’s are trick. The terms are Port and Starboard.

Port: Facing forward, this is anything to the left of the boat. When you’re onboard, you can use this term pretty much any time you would normally say “left.”

Starboard: Facing forward, this is anything to the right of the boat. Same deal as “port”–only the opposite.

The easiest trick I’ve heard is that Port has four letters and Left has four letters. This is a great little hack to remember which is which, until it becomes second nature.

Resources:

• ASA Free Online Sailing Content - https://asa.com/news/2020/04/09/free-online-sailing-content/
• Sailing Terms Everyone Should Know - https://asa.com/news/2012/11/27/sailing-terms-you-can-use/

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In this episode, we launch a news segment and discuss where I’m at in my decision making process regarding sailing courses, schools and certification.

News:

• Moorings opens charter location in St. Petersburg, FL
• Moorings Announced the 4500L Catamaran

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Blue Water Sailing School - www.bwss.com
• ASA Online Courses (105/119) - https://asa.com/starpath/
• How to Learn to Sail (ASA website): https://asa.com/news/2020/06/29/how-to-learn-to-sail/

Behind the Scenes Video Podcast Version - https://youtu.be/CcfI9T2qlco

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In this episode, we launch a segment where we learn a little sailing terminology and then discuss certifications and sailing schools and my considerations in choosing each.

Sailing Certifications / Organizations:

• American Sailing Association - www.asa.com
• US Sailing - https://www.ussailing.org/

Sailing Schools:

• Offshore Sailing School - https://www.offshoresailing.com/
• Nautilus Sailing - https://www.nautilussailing.com/
• Sailing Virgins - https://sailingvirgins.com/
• Blue Water Sailing School - https://www.bwss.com/

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This episode touches on a brief history of my desire to start sailing and what ultimately led me to get started on the journey.

Below are resources mentioned in this episode:

• Sailing Fundamentals Book on Amazon - https://amzn.to/3h8298F
• Sailing for Dummies on Amazon - https://amzn.to/2OxeSp8

Note: The links above are affiliate links. It won't cost you any extra if you decide to buy, but it will help support the podcast. Thanks!

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Welcome to Anchors Aweigh, the podcast that chronicles a landlocked, future sailor’s journey to finding freedom and adventure at sea.

I’m your host Todd Middlebrooks and I welcome you along on my journey.

It has been a dream of mine for years to learn to sail. Through this podcast I will document my journey as I research sailing schools, learn to sail, plan adventures and make this dream a reality.

If this adventure interests you, I invite you to subscribe and have future episodes automatically docked in your favorite podcast player. 

So welcome aboard, it’s time to set sail.

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