Watercrafts Online

The Iconic Sydney Ferry

Renier — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 23:28:42 +0000

Not all Harbours can boast of a ferry service that can date as far back as 1789; the Sydney Harbour with its iconic Sydney Ferry is one of the luckiest. The Sydney Ferry was around when the Harbour city was just poised to take off; it has witnessed the arrival of migrants that seeded Australia; it has witnessed the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge; it has witnessed the building of the Opera House. Not known to many, but the Sydney Ferry is has been an icon of the Sydney Harbour long before the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, but with the talk of privatization and the changing economic tides, no one knows how long the icon can survive.

History of the Sydney Ferry

Long before Sydney Harbour cruises became one of the mainstreams in Sydney, the Sydney Ferry has been servicing the early settlers to transport people, trade, and livestock from the western most point of the Parramatta River to the east in the Sydney Cove. The first ferry in service was Rose Hill (a.k.a. The Lump) that was powered by sailors and oars who were usually convicts, exiles from the motherland, Great Britain. The ferry service has seen its first commercialization in 1861 when the North Shore Ferry Company assumed operation of the iconic ferry. Since then it’s been no other way but up for the ferry service acquiring modern watercrafts to heed the call of modernization.

Sydney Ferry Harbours

Today, this humble icon of Sydney has stops in the Darling Harbour, Manly Harbour, Mosman, Neutral Bay, Parramatta River, Taronga Zoo, Watsons Bay, Woolwich/Balmain, and the Cockatoo Island. You can’t afford to visit Sydney without having to experience Sydney Harbour Cruises aboard one of the icons of the Harbour City. The cruises are affordable starting at only 10 Aussie dollars, but the memory and the photos you can snap during the trip are priceless.

Sydney Harbour Cruises aboard Sydney Ferry

A tour around the Harbour City is not complete without cruising in one or two routes of Sydney Ferry. Riding in one of these Sydney Harbour Cruises provides an opportunity to get a different vantage point of the other icons of Sydney: you’ll pass by North Head Quarantine Station, Sydney Olympic Park, Opera House, Manly Bay, and you’ll have the opportunity to pass by Sydney Harbour Bridge under it, not over it. Don’t ever forget to take your camera with you when you take one of these Sydney Harbour Cruises because the pictures you can take are one for the postcards.

Rough Water Ahead for Sydney Ferry

It’s shameful to hear but nonetheless real; the looming privatization of Sydney Ferry brings more division than unity toward the safety and assurance at sea of one of the oldest icons of the Harbour City. Granted that the changing economic tide brings new challenges for the ferry service, but is there a price to save one of the city’s icons—a heritage that is not only a witness to the city’s progress, but one that plays an active role itself in creating what the city is now? Times like these once again test the patriotism and the Aussie spirit; Australians bond together to save Sydney Ferry—to see their work and progress and to extend a helping hand, head on to Save Our Sydney Ferries.

The Best Way to Keep Sydney Ferry Afloat

But the best thing you can do to keep Sydney Ferry afloat is to support its business by buying tickets whenever you can. People from around the world can pitch in to this effort too. When you tour Sydney, make time to ride one or two routes of this iconic ferry; not only will you have great story to tell and pictures to show your friends and family back home, you will have experienced riding one of the longest running harbor ferries in the world!

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The USS Hornet (CV-12)

Renier — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 23:28:34 +0000

Not all battle ships were given a chance to tell their story in person, if only through its bunk beds, beaten bridge, used corridors, and worn out watertight hatches. The USS Hornet (CV-12) is lucky enough to be transformed from being a defender of freedom at sea to being a museum that entertains and educates people about the significance of battleships—a living ambassador of the thousands of others that are decommissioned or accepted defeat during service.

The Legacy of “The USS Hornet”

The USS Hornets belonged to the Essex class aircraft carriers; there were 8 USS Hornets commissioned from 1775 to 1943: the first Hornet served during the Revolutionary War, and the eighth, the USS Hornet (CV-12), serve from WWII until the writing of this piece as a private museum. The seventh USS Hornet played a key role during the “Doolittle Raid” and fought during the “Battle of Midway” and the “Battle of Santa Cruz” where it was overwhelmed by air attacks and was laid to rest where it last stood its coordinates in the Guadalcanal.

The Contributions of “USS Hornet (CV-12)”

Among the 8 USS Hornets, the most celebrated is USS Hornet (CV-12) who participated not just in war but also in scientific endeavors that shot the United States atop other countries in terms of outer space exploration. The USS Hornet survived 59 heavy air attacks; it has a hand in destroying 1,410 Japanese warplanes and 1,269,710 tons of enemy warships.

But perhaps the ship’s crowning glory where the world watched with much anticipation and awe happened when USS Hornet (CV-12) retrieved Apollo 11′s Command Module from the sea after its successful mission to land man on the moon. The C-12 also participated in the succeeding space mission of the Apollo 12.

Saving “The USS Hornet (CV-12)”

After its decommissioning in 1970, the USS Hornet (CV-12) laid dormant in its berth in Bremerton, Washington. In 1997, the historic warship was scheduled to be scrapped in the San Francisco Bay Area; it would have been a tragic end of such a significant battle ship had it not been for Captain James Dodge who brought her back to the attention of the masses during the 50th WWII anniversary celebration in Alameda, California.

The Aircraft Carrier Hornet Foundation raised $2.4 million dollars of private funds, and in 1998, the historic ship became a full fledge museum earning money from gate admissions and store sales.

USS Hornet (CV-12)’s Peace Time Role

Today, the USS Hornet (CV-12) serves a different kind of role: it serves as the ambassador to other warships at sea, floating or not, educating people from all over the world about the price of freedom. At its berth in Alameda, the Hornet Museum is a popular destination of school children and tourists; it’s also popular among corporations that hold great pride and honor of their country—there’s no shortage of bookings to hold corporate events on the ship’s flight deck. You can check the Hornet Museum for upcoming events, which you and your family and friends can participate.

Not Everyone is Silent Onboard the Ship

If you like mystery and the prospect of experiencing ghostly phenomena, the ship is not short of stories to tell too. Perhaps because of the ship’s long history of enemy violence and deaths onboard, not everyone, including the departed, are silent onboard the USS Hornet (CV-12) today. Witnesses say ghostly phenomena such as sightings and unexplained noise and moving objects are common in Hornet Museum. So if you see a shadowy image moving across a hall or hear clanging where there shouldn’t be in Hornet Museum, just remind yourself of the ship’s significance that not everyone is willing to disembark long after they departed.

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Fantasea Ferry to Serve Your Holidays in Australia

Renier — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 23:28:17 +0000

If the outback adventure in the land down under doesn’t appeal much to you, perhaps you’re more of an ocean adventure kind of traveler—the Great Barrier Reef will not disappoint you in this regard. Considered as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, a single day is not enough to marvel at the pristine, stunning beauty of the barrier reef. And the only way to reach the only tourists accommodation in the barrier reef in safety, style, and comfort is onboard a Fantasea ferry. It’s how Oprah traveled to the Reefworld when she taped an episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” down under!

Fantasea Adventure Cruising Holidays to Australia

Imagine crystal clear water, reef teaming with life and colors of the sea, and the sun beating down on you to allow you to escape the winter chill; that’s only the beginning. At night the gentle chill of the wind reminds you you’re in the middle of the ocean but you quickly forget as soon as the stars starts to appear one by one until they fill your horizon like twinkling gems you swear you can touch by a single wishful reach.

The accommodation… is no less than a luxurious king size bed for the honeymooners or a spacious bunk style quad for families and friends. To experience this kind of holiday, perhaps you’re excused to burn your credit limit at least once.

The Fantasea Ferry Foundation

The Fantasea Ferry Foundation, owner of the Fantasea Adventure Cruising and the Reefworld, is the only licensed and duly authorized ferry and tour company allowed to ferry tourists in and out The Great Barrier Reef. The ferry company is one of the most ecologically friendly ferry services in the world putting tourist and The Great Barrier Reef’s safety first above profit. The company is very active in raising and donating funds to ensure the protection and sustainability of the barrier reef, so rest assured no harm is done to this wonder of the world in the middle of the ocean when you come visit in throng.

Once in a Lifetime Great Barrier Experience

A once in a lifetime holiday that you must experience at least with another significant person in your life is the Great Barrier Reefsleep by Fantasea Adventure Cruising. The experience is like staying in a 5 star holiday hotel only it’s floating above the barrier reef and stays afloat about 40 nautical miles away from the mainland. Experience the most rejuvenating, most tranquil 48 hours of your life in the Reefsleep where only you, your love one, and a couple of Fantasea Adventure Cruising staff is around in the middle of the barrier reef—the champagne glass as your witness. The underwater viewing adventure explodes into life at night; so make sure you don’t miss on this during your stay.

SCUBA dive or Fantasea Yellow Sub

If you’re pressed with time and can’t stay for the night, at least experience SCUBA diving in the Reefworld when you visit. And if you don’t know how to swim, there’s also the Fantasea Yellow Sub with underwater viewing deck to not miss out the view of the Great Barrier Reef up close and personal. Whatever you do, don’t leave the Reefworld without seeing one or two sea life that you can only see in the barrier reef.

Fantasea Ferry Bookings and Timetables

Now that you know what to expect from a Fantasea Ferry Cruising holidays to Australia, don’t pack your bag without knowing the timetable and bookings of the busy ferry company first. After all, you don’t want to head to the land down under only to find out the Reefworld is fully booked at that time. They have a website you can check for Fantasea Ferry Cruising timetable and bookings; spend some time browsing before buying your ticket to Australia.

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Basic Sailing Terms You Should Know

Renier — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 23:28:12 +0000

During summer it’s not unusual for companies to treat their employees to a summer vacation they have never experienced before: sailing in the Caribbean. If your company does decide to treat you sailing with your colleagues, do you know the basic sailing terms to save you from appearing clueless in front of a boss you’re trying to impress for a promotion? If not, learn the basic sailing terms and impress everyone even before you set sail.

Aft

The aft is the back portion of a ship or a sailboat. So if your sail master says there’s a dolphin trailing aft, you’ll be the first to snap a shot. Another term for the aft is the stern.

Boom

The boom is the horizontal pole that extends from the bottom of the mast that controls the angle and the shape of the sail against the wind when in sail. The boom is meant to pivot at the gooseneck during tack, so watch yourself to avoid being hit by the boom. You don’t want unnecessary injury during your summer vacation.

Bow

The bow is the front portion of a ship or a sailboat. Some sailboats have bowsprits to which a net is attached where a couple of people can stay to get a tan or watch the dolphins that tag along the sailboat.

Jibing

Jibing is seldom done during sail (unless you’re in a regatta), but if indeed your sail master commands a jib, he or she wants to move the stern of the ship through the wind so that the direction of the wind hits the boat on the other side. Jibbing is the opposite of tacking.

Leeward

Also called lee, leeward is the opposite direction where the wind is blowing from, from a point of reference. If the sailboat is harnessing the wind to push the boat forward, the sailboat is sailing in the leeward direction. A sailboat is sailed against the direction of the wind, too: upwind sailing.

Port

If you’re facing the bow, the port is the left side portion of the sailboat. To avoid confusion, sailors don’t use right or left to refer to the sides of the boat, so they set standard terms “starboard” and “port” which meaning is universal among sailors.

Rudder

The rudder is that flat metal, wood, or fiberglass that is attached in the aft of a sailboat below the waterline. The rudder is used to steer the boat through a wheel in larger sailboats and tiller in smaller sailboats. A sailboat’s rudder serves the same purpose as a plane’s rudder located in the back portion of a plane’s tail.

Starboard

If you’re facing the bow, the starboard is the right side portion of the sailboat. It’s the opposite of the port. So if the sail master says divers should disembark from the starboard side, you know where to head.

Tacking

If you’re sailing upwind, tacking is changing the direction of the stern so that the headwind hits the sailboat on the other side of the boat. Tacking can be tricky, so all hands on deck are requested during tack; you may be needed to pull a rope or tie a knot which is part of the fun in sailing.

Windward

From your point of reference (where you’re sitting in a sailboat) the windward is the direction where the wind is blowing from; it’s the opposite of the leeward. If you’re sailing windward, it means that the force of the wind is pulling the sailboat against the wind; the wind is not pushing the sails to move the boat forward.

Now that you know the basic sailing terms, you’re ready to embark on your first charter sailing Caribbean tour come summer!

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Small Ship Cruise: The Right Way to Discover Alaska

Renier — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 06:53:28 +0000

A better way to experience what Alaska can offer is by cruising in a small ship where the setting is intimate and strip down to almost the basic. An Alaskan cruise in a small ship will allow you to experience a different kind of cruise tour, away from the hustle and bustle in big cruise ships for example. So if you’re looking to insert outdoor adventure, wildlife watching, nature trip, etc. in your cruise, you know what to book in summer.

Things to Expect

A cruise ship with full onboard entertainment can’t be expected. A cruise ship with stabilizers can’t be expected. But a cruise tour experience filled with wildlife sightseeing, outdoor adventure, personal interaction with fellow tourists—perhaps a chance to hold the ship’s wheel—can be expected. Clearly Alaska cruise in a small ship is a niche cruise package that is perfect for vacationers that are tired of the noise and the hurried life of the big cities in popular big cruise destinations.

Alaska Small Ship Cruise Outdoor Adventure

Among many others, tourists book small ship cruise in Alaska for the fun and adventure in the great outdoors such as:

Hiking and Camping in Alaska

Where else can you combine cruising and hiking and camping outdoors? Not all cruise tour packages offer this opportunity, but it’s very popular in small ship cruise packages in Alaska. In every cove you visit there’s a time spent off the ship into the backwoods to experience nature hiking with the crisp Alaskan air with the snow-capped mountain as the backdrop on one side and the Sea of Alaska on the other. Camping, too, is encouraged during the tour where you get the opportunity to meet and greet real Alaskans and learn ways of life that exist for centuries.

Wildlife Watching

Another outdoor activity that you can expect in an Alaska cruise small ship tour is watching wildlife in their natural habitat: whale watching and dolphin watching is on top of the list in this activity. Alaska prides its coast visited by almost all types of whales, the behemoths at sea: blue whale, sperm whale, killer whale (remember free Willy?) among many others. Can you see whales up close and personal in a regular big cruise ship tour?

What’s the Accommodation Like

You’re forgiven to ask this question because, after all, if you speak about cruise tours you expect pampering to the highest level from the moment you step onboard to the moment you step out the ship. In a small cruise ship, which some can accommodate no more than 100 passengers,—it’s okay to ask if you have the spa or the onboard shopping like in a big cruise. And the answer is no. But nonetheless the room accommodation can be amazing, and most small cruise ships in Alaska have lounge bar and regular bar to pass the time while waiting to get to your next cove.

Is an Alaska Cruise Small Ship Tour for You

If you’re wondering if you want to book an Alaska cruise small ship comes summer or not, ask yourself this: can my companions and I allow Alaska to be the focal point of our cruise tour? If the answer is yes, then a small cruise ship in Alaska is definitely for you. After all, these small ship cruises don’t advertise the stay in their cruise ships as their main tourist magnet, but instead what the sights and sounds that Alaska has to offer.

So, come summer, you now have another idea on how to spend it in a way that doesn’t cost you much but provide the opportunity to bond and “chill” (no pun intended) outdoors with your family and friends.

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Corporate Sailing Events, a Worthy Investment

Renier — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:57:29 +0000

Successful corporations may differ in terms of the size of their balance sheets, but they all have one salient strategy that keeps them on top: they work hard and they play hard. And today, the human resource development centers of Fortune 100 companies are retiring the golf clubs in exchange for sun and surf in corporate sailing events. Corporate sailing is the big wave that hit big businesses around the world. Corporations take not only their top officials but also their rank and file employees and clients to corporate sailing events as part of their strategy to stay on top.

What is Corporate Sailing

Corporate sailing is a popular strategy that corporations employ for one purpose: to stay ahead of the race. Sailing has not seen a slowdown in its popularity; everyone wants to try the ropes in sailing, even those that are not sports inclined. Corporations know this and since employed corporate sailing events to turn the tides favorable for their businesses. Although sailing can be expensive, the investment is worth the money if you keep your top caliber employees and make your clients happy to stick with you.

Why Invest on Corporate Sailing

Spending money on relatively expensive corporate sailing packages does not stop corporations booking because they know the benefits far outweigh the cost. Think about it: if you can keep the people that put you in good business happy, then your business is safe. Now check corporate sailing photo galleries and magazine articles and notice how big are the people’s grin while sailing—you can see why corporate sailing is a worthy investment.

Benefits of Corporate Sailing

Specifically corporate sailing events are useful in

Team building – There’s nothing like taking your employees out of their “cubicle’s comfort zone” to really observe them interact and cooperate with fellow employees without deadlines, demanding phone caller, etc. To set a sailboat to see needs cooperation, all hands on deck; so corporate sailing events are perfect for team building.

Employee retention – Top caliber employees want not just financial security from their job, but they also want to feel recognized and considered a part of the corporate family. Corporate sailing holidays are great opportunities for corporate owners and top caliber employees to interact under a different kind of surrounding and touch basis over a glass Champaign in the after sailing party.

Industry networking and client PR – And of course, corporate sailing events are big when it comes to brushing elbows with your colleagues in the business. If you’re looking for an out-of-the-box strategy to close a deal, too, upping your clients’ adrenaline and endorphin levels in a good way is a clever start.

Corporate Sailing Races

Corporations use corporate sailing events to foster friendly competition among colleagues in the business. It’s a good way to foster cooperation and friendship with another company across the street or even across the glove in international corporate sailing regattas.

Corporate Sailing Event Package

A typical corporate sailing event package include an events coordinator, professional sailor/instructor, after sailing party, and other team building activities that involve water. So participants don’t have to be professional sailors because they’ll learn everything they need to know from the instructors. The after sailing party is a great way to end the sailing holiday in a high note for the participants too.

Corporate Sailing in U.S., U.K., and Australia

If you’re looking corporate sailing events packages, look into Sunsail in the U.S., SellSellSail in the U.K., and Sunshine Sailing in Australia. They have superb packages you can book for all your corporate sailing needs especially team building. These sailing coordinators specialize on team building, so you can trust their program is profitable for you.

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The Aerodynamics of Upwind Sailing

Renier — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:57:29 +0000

Watching a sail boat sail upwind without knowing the aerodynamics that’s acting on the sail can be baffling. Is the sail pushing or dragging the heavy boat against the wind? But if you study a little bit about the physics involved, it’s actually pretty amazing. After all, it’s all just physics. And this time you can actually put into commission a dreaded subject in high school to make you move forward against the wind on a sail boat!

What is Sailing Upwind

Sailing upwind simply means sailing against the direction of the wind. If you’re a sailing novice, this might baffle you to the point of disbelief. But really upwind sailing is the most sought after sailing conditions by pro sailors. Upwind sailing gives the most challenge in sail boat racing especially when changing tack; the worse, most embarrassing that could happen to a sail boat while tacking is stalling dead in the middle of the ocean and in the middle of a race. Upwind sailing allows a sail boat to cruise faster than the wind too! And again there’s nothing mysterious when this happens; it’s all physics.

The Headsail in Upwind

Both the headsail and the mainsail harness the power of the wind to move a sail boat against the direction of the wind. But the headsail and the mainsail serves different purposes. The headsail is the main driving sail when heading upwind. It serves special purpose to add drag and lift on the bow, depending on the type of headsail. It also has a special role when changing tack.

The Mainsail in Upwind

The mainsail on the other hand provides most of the drag to the sail boat. The aerodynamics involved when the headwind strikes the mainsail while the boat is angled 40-45 degrees perpendicular to the headwind from either starboard or port provides the drag that allows the boat to move against the wind. Imagine the aerodynamics of an airplane wing: the wind striking an airplane wing provides the lift that allows the plane to fly. In a boat, instead of a lift, the wind hitting the mainsail creates the drag.

Tacking a Sail Boat

The most challenging to maneuver during sailing is the change of the tack. For the uninitiated, changing a tack means changing the direction of the sail boat say from port tack to starboard tack. A sail boat can’t go on one tack alone to finish a race; it will simply veer further and further away from the finish line because of the 40-45 degrees angle a boat must maintain to continue sailing upwind. So tacking is needed to stay on course.

Tacking a sailboat involves careful maneuvering of the main and the headsail. If tacking is not done smoothly and properly, it could cost the team a lot of valuable time; it could even stall the boat!

Why is it better to Sail Upwind

To allow longer sail boats like a schooner to cruise faster than the wind, they’re always sailed upwind. The force of the wind to push a longer, heavier boat when sailed downwind is never enough to move it faster than the wind because of friction between the boat’s hull and the water. But the faster the wind hitting the sail upwind, the larger the drag created thereby allowing longer, heavier boat to be sailed against the headwind.

You can learn all the aerodynamics that’s acting on the sail of a boat, but only a sailor has the ability to work the sail, wind, and the rest of the boat in concert going forward to win the prize. Understanding the physics behind sailing is just the start.

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Chartering a Yacht in Fort Lauderdale

Renier — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:57:29 +0000

Fort Lauderdale is more than just a haven for spring breakers; it’s a Mecca for honeymooners, families, businesses holding corporate events, etc. It’s United States’ most pride semi-tropical beach attraction in the sunny Florida. And with the availability of yacht charter, Ft Lauderdale has never been this busy: there’s an event celebrated on a yacht in Fort Lauderdale throughout the year.

Why Charter a Yacht in Ft Lauderdale

The list of activities to do in Ft Lauderdale is endless: there are activities for the night owls and for the sun-lovers; for young and old; for lovers and casual office mates; for families and corporations, etc. And you couldn’t go to Ft Lauderdale without chartering a yacht or boat even just for 4 hours. The yacht charter in Ft Lauderdale after all is voted the number one activity in this side of America. There are so many things to do onboard a chartered yacht in Ft. Lauderdale that you’ll wish you have power to stretch time.

Events to Celebrate in a Yacht

If you’re thinking that chartered yachts in Ft Lauderdale are full of college vacationers wanting to drown themselves with laughter and good friendship while waiting for the next exams, think again.

The number one event celebrated on a chartered yacht in Ft Lauderdale is wedding. Since the availability of yacht charter, Ft Lauderdale has become a favorite destination of couples wanting to tie the knot onboard a yacht. Anniversaries are the second most popular event celebrated onboard a yacht in Ft Lauderdale followed by company outings and finally honeymoon.

Whatever event you want to celebrate, you can always find a yacht charter services that can accommodate you. You and your guest will be treated like royalties from the moment you step on their ports till you’re safe back on dry land.

Things to do in a Chartered Yacht in Ft Lauderdale

Those activities you see moneyed people do onboard their yachts on TV, you can experience all of them, plus more, by chartering a yacht in Ft Lauderdale. From the simple sightseeing and cruising to treating your palate with fine wine and gourmet cuisine, they can all be arranged. There are events that you can arrange for your kid to enjoy for his or her birthday or events you can celebrate with your teen for his or her prom. All this while you gently cruise along the white coastline or the palm-tree-lined posh villas of the who’s who in Ft Lauderdale.

Types of yacht to Charter in Ft Lauderdale

Depending on your planned activities, there are certain types of yacht that’s right for you.

Sports yacht – This is the type of yacht that you want to charter if you’re planning to snorkel, swim, fish, etc. Most of them have wave runners that are included in the charter package.

Luxury yacht – This type of yacht is fit for weddings, anniversaries, and honeymoons. The gourmet chef and butler services are usually included in the charter package.

Mega yachts – You want to charter this yacht for big events such as corporate outings. The size and the number of entertainments onboard can accommodate even a crowd of 500.

Party yachts – As the name suggests, this type of yacht is suitable for party people. You won’t be bored with the dancing and casino type of entertainment onboard.

Booking a Yacht to Charter in Ft Lauderdale

Booking a yacht to charter in Ft Lauderdale can be as easy as logging in to a website in your own living room, but there’s a catch. You have to book early to get your spot. After all, you’re not booking a chartered yacht cruise in a deserted island in Barbados; you’re booking a yacht in the busiest yachting destination in the U.S.

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Sailing an OK Dinghy

Renier — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:57:29 +0000

The OK dinghy is the most sociable and less expensive dinghies that people from all walks of life can afford. The one design can be built by anybody with enough DIY skills and strong desire for a smooth finish. Today, young sailors train on OK dinghies leading to the sailing one of the most coveted regattas: the Olympic Finn.

The Men behind the OK Dinghy

After World War II when sailing was slowly becoming available to “ordinary” people, Axel Olsen acted on his vision of having another dinghy that’s cheap, practical, and full of ability for ordinary people to enjoy. Axel told his friend, Knud Olsen (no relation), about his vision and thus the birth of the one design OK dinghy. The name OK is derived from its designer’s initials written backward (Olsen, Knud).

OK Dinghy Description

The OK dinghy is a single-handed helmsman with 4 meters LOA, 1.42 meters beam, 8.50 square meters main sail, and 72 kilograms hull weight. The dinghy is sailed by men and women between 60 to 95 kilograms. Unlike other one design dinghies that have standard plan, the OK dinghy’s one design is on its set of acceptable measurements. Meaning, variations in construction is permitted as long as it follows the set of rules stipulated in the acceptable measurements.

The Challenges of Sailing Early OK Dinghy

The early years of OK dinghy sailing were off to really rough waters. Its roots in Denmark were met with opposition from regatta associations for reasons of safety. They say the dinghy’s design is prone to capsize; it’s just not safe enough for professional sailing. But the OK dinghy designers and avid fans didn’t lose heart; they press on and succeeded to syndicate the dinghy. An in the 1970s their efforts paid off when the dinghy was raced in over 40 countries. The list has grown since then.

OK Dinghy Association

The OK Dinghy Association (OKDIA) is the organization that assumes responsibility to all international OK dinghies sailing class. The association’s headquarter is in the United Kingdom. Sailors and OK dinghy regatta enthusiasts are advised to enroll as members of their local OK dinghy associations that are affiliated to OKDIA.

OK Dinghy Sailing Competitions

For a true blue OK dinghy sailor, nothing can beat the thrill and excitement of competing against fellow OK dinghy sailors from across the globe. For upcoming international events, you can check international regattas at OKDIA events logged. Before going to international dinghy regattas, though, it’s good to get a dinghy insurance to keep you covered.

Building Your Own OK Dinghy

Axel and Knud, the original designers and makers of OK dinghy, designed the boat to be the most simplistic and easy to build. They want the boat to be the most sociable in terms of cost and capabilities, and they were right.

But right now it’s your chance to build your own OK dinghy that conforms to the original set of measurements and rules of construction by the Olsen’s. Trevor Gore, an official OK dinghy authority who works closely with OKDIA came up with a simple technical manual on how you can build your own OK dinghy. If you can manage to build your OK dinghy exactly conforming to the rules of construction, you can get dinghy insurance for it.

Over 50 years ago, Axel and Knud had a vision of a simple, versatile dinghy that everyone can afford. They were right, and now the OK dinghy is sailed in international regattas as precursor to the Olympic Finn.

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Best Places for Whitewater Rafting in Maine

Renier — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:57:28 +0000

This summer, an outdoor activity like whitewater rafting brings not just fun and opportunity to bond with friends and family but it’s also your chance to catch up with the much needed sun and exercise too. In the United States, among the popular destinations to whitewater raft is the northeastern, most picturesque part of the country, Maine. If you’re planning to whitewater raft, here are three popular places in Maine where you must check.

Penobscot River Whitewater Rafting

Penobscot River is not for the faint of heart being a class V whitewater rafting destination. So you can expect turns, drops, chutes, and a seemingly endless 13 miles of excitement with Mt. Katahdin as the background. Being a class V whitewater rafting Maine has to offer, though, the minimum age limit for participants is 14 years old weighing at least 110 pounds. Participants must also sign a waiver before boarding their raft. When you’re in the heat of the moment, try to spot the wildlife along the granite walled banks because deer, moose, and even American’s bald eagle are just around.

Kennebec River Whitewater Rafting

Kennebec River boasts of its scenic vistas while you enjoy the rapids that range from class 1 to 4. From April to October, whitewater rafting participants can experience controlled dam water releases allowing you to experience adrenalin rush that a big whitewater river can give. There are falls and swimming holes that young participants can enjoy too. The minimum age requirement in higher class rapids is 13, and in calmer waters children as young as 5 years old can participate in whitewater rafting Maine has to offer.

Dead River Whitewater Rafting

Dead River is everything but dead. This dam-controlled, 16 miles whitewater river boasts of its class 3-5 rapids throughout the stretch. If you have time to look, the wilderness and the scenery along the river is breathtaking. The Humpty Dumpty, Elephant Rock, and the Spruce Ledges are the favorite class 4 rapids in Dead River—enjoy the sudden drops to calm holes that are perfect for a short dip.

Whitewater Rafting Essentials

To ensure safety and maximum fun during your whitewater rafting Maine has to offer, be sure you know how to properly gear up for whitewater rafting. The three essentials are

Wetsuit – If you don’t have a wetsuit, make sure to call your guide service ahead if they can provide you with one and what type. Some wetsuits are more comfortable to wear than others: trust the price; the more expensive the wetsuit, the better it is, usually.

Waterproof shell – Class 3 and up rapids can surely soak you. To keep you warm throughout the stretch, you need waterproof shell. Here, the cheaper kind will do.

Synthetic long underwear – You’ll wear this protective clothing next to your skin; most synthetic long underwear will do except for those made of cotton.

Booking a Maine Whitewater Rafting Package

Booking any whitewater rafting guide service in Maine must be done in advance, at least two months before your travel. All of these guides are fully booked especially during summer, so make sure you reserve your spot. The North Country Rivers in Maine can provide you with safe, fun, and affordable package for whatever outdoor activities you want to try in Maine this summer.

Whitewater Rafting Side Trips in Maine

While in Maine, try sampling other activities that Maine are famous for also. The lobster and clam shell in Maine are the freshest you can get anywhere in the country, so make sure you sample some. Your guide service would even happily arrange a clambake party for the whole group; you shouldn’t miss this opportunity.

So if you’re looking for a good way to bond with family and friends in the summer, you’re always welcome to experience whitewater rafting in Maine.

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