Did you know that sailing has been a water sport since the 17th century when King Charles II of England started sailing for pleasure on his first royal yacht, the âMaryâ?
Since then sailing has always been present in many world nautical competitions. At RocRoi Vilanova we have four sailboat models according to capacity and speed: the LĂșdic sailboats, the Topaz sailboats, the Taz sailboats and the Magno sailboat.
The LĂșdic sailboats have a length of 5 meters and capacity for nine people including the skipper. They are ideal sailboats for a first contact with navigation for both adults and boys and girls. During the departure, the skipper will show you the basic concepts for navigating the beaches and coves of Garraf.
Although if yours is speed, Topaz, Taz and Magno sailboats are similar to the “pico laser” models. They are smaller in length and allow greater maneuverability. They are ideal models for individualized learning if you are interested in getting a navigation title.
Sailing basic concepts
To begin, it is necessary to know the nomenclature of the essential elements or parts of a sailboat to direct it correctly:
- The mast: It is the vertical pole on a sailboat that is used to hold the sails
- ‘Botavara‘: It is a horizontal stick or hanger that together with the mast serves to hold and guide the mainsail.
- Daggerboard: The daggerboard is a usually retractable piece that is located under the hull or the keel, it has the function of avoiding the drift of the boat due to the effect of the wind
- ‘Estayes‘: They are steel ropes or cables that are used to hold the mast preventing it from falling towards the bow or stern. They are part of the firm rigging of the boat.
- Work rigging: These are the ropes and rigging that we use to guide the sails and operate the boat. It consists of halyards, amantillos, sheets, rags and cons or retained.
- Halyards: ropes or cables that are used to hoist or lower the sails.
- Sheets: ropes that are made firm on the sheet fist of the sails or on the boom to orient and handle the sails.
- Amura: midpoint of the ship between the bow and through it.
Basic movements for sailing correctly
Now that we know the slang of the pattern of a sailboat, we will go on to show you the basic movements, which does not mean that they are simple, to operate a sailboat.
- Course when navigating: Navigate through
There are different types of sailboat courses in the wind, one of them, sailing through. It is the easiest direction to follow as it is perpendicular to the wind. For this, the boat must be placed perpendicular to the wind, so that the sails form an angle with the hull of approximately 45Âș.
- Change course: Tack forward
When you need to change course, you must turn the bow to the wind and move the reed away from the wind. The ship must be forced to take over the wind, causing it to fall on the other tack.
- Gird and Luff
When we talk about girding, we refer to forming the smallest possible angle against the direction of the wind, that is, sailing as close as possible to the wind.
If we want to know what is the limit angle of our boat with respect to the wind, we must go luffing until we see at what point or angle the jib luff begins to flap.
- Reduce speed: Brake
Sailboats do not have brakes, therefore, to slow down, we will need to grind the sheets, since the sails will empty of air. To stop the boat we must put the bow directly against the wind.
What beaches and ‘calas’ will we visit during the sailing trips with RocRoi?
Depends on the wind. If the wind blows to the north, during the 2 hours that the baptism lasts, you can visit the Far beach. Although if you choose the 3-hour outing, you will be able to see small and cozy ‘calas’ after the Far beach.
If the wind blows to the south, you will enjoy AdarrĂł beach, La Cala Miramar (Sant Gervasi) and Cala d’Aiguadolç. While, for 3 hours you will see all this and also the Punta de Sant Gervasi and the Llarga Beach.
Now that you have the theory, all that remains is for you to come to RocRoi Vilanova to enjoy this fantastic water sport. It is also good to know that if you are interested in getting a sailing degree, at RocRoi we take the preparatory courses for the nautical title exams.
There is less left to sail together! We wait for you!
Updated: 21/02/2024
