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A sailing ship is a wind-powered ship. Historically, sailing ships were the primary means of transportation across long distances of water (e.g. rivers, lakes, oceans) before the invention of the first workable steam engines. They were used for carrying cargo, passengers, mail, supplies etc. In modern times sailing ships are less common but are still used in some parts of the world, such as the Indian Ocean, as commercial vessels. ...
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Bermudian rig sailboats
By John Hartley
Popular, and the best for racing, but not the best for cruisingSince it displaced the gaff rig, the Bermudian or Bermudan rig has become the most popular for sailboats. It Read more...
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Mx-ray Sailboat
Very fast, monohull single-hander
The MX-Ray sailboat is one of those that lots of dinghy sailors want to know about, but evidently not enough wanted to buy, as it is no longer made. With a top speed of 20 knots, the ability to plane in winds as low as 6 knots, this tiny sailboat or sailing dinghy is truly amazing.
How come it is so fast? Well, it is similar in concept to the Moth sailboats, which have been used in international sailboat racing for years. Like the Moth, the e MX-Ray sailboat has a very narrow hull, giving a small wetted area, but widens out above the waterline so the crew can sit out to counterbalance the force on the sail.
In the Moth, which was normally wooden, a trampoline was mounted on the hull, but the MX-Ray sailboat is plastic, so it is molded to provide the space for the sailor to sit out. This is how it gets the name – well the Ray part. Looked on from above, the MX-Ray sailboat looks like a stingray.
Unlike most single-handers, the e MX-Ray
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AruAruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta 2008With winter now seriously here in most of the USA, I thought you might enjoy seeing how our Caribbean neighbors are doing.
On the second day of the Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta 2008, the fleet of 41 teams had to deal with tricky sailing conditions on the Caribbean Sea. From time to time, big clouds brought rain showers and gusts. That resulted in a shifty and variable breeze, which made it an interesting competition. Dutchmen Booth and Nieuwenhuis are still in the lead by one point, with Xander Pols and Frank de Waard (NED) in second position. Last year’s winners Eduard Zanen and Mischa Heemskerk (NED) climbed to a third place. Henk-Johan Hankart and the Grijpma brothers are first overall in the fleet of slower catamarans.
Today’s weather required a lot more trimming and smart racing. The winning strategy was about getting the shifts and pressure right. Sunburned legs and arms had a rest, as it was mostly clouded. The morning breeze was about 8 knots strong, but in the afternoon it picked up to 16 knots and more. During lunchtime on the Aruba beach, the competitors could share their experiences and reconsider their tactics. Or simply enjoy the Aruba hospitality. Late afternoon, they decided to have their happy hour in sea, as the rain was pouring down in a tropical shower.
sailboat has a lot of sail. Like many modern high-speed sailboats, it has a bowsprit so that a large foresail can be carried despite the short length of the hull.
Not only is there a mainsail with a deep roach, but also a jib, genoa, with stowing tube and a spinnaker. With this much sail, it is no surprise that the e MX-Ray sailboat is very fast, and can leave Lasers well behind.
The MX-Ray sailboat is made from advanced materials, with a carbon fiber mast and bowsprit and daggerboard. This is fine with a new boat, but now that you cannot buy a new one, getting a replacement for a broken mast could be a problem these days. Of course, these carbon fiber parts are expensive.
The basic specification of the MX-Ray sailboat is:
LOA: 12 feet 11 inches
Beam: 8 feet, 2 feet 6 inches at the waterline
Draft: 2 feet 8 inches
Weight: 175 lb
The MX-Ray sailboat was a remarkable design, able to give plenty of excitement to those that want to go really fast but have a small budget.
Trailerable Sailboats
Do you have enough room to keep a sailboat of, 20-27 feet at home? If so, you should consider a trailerable sailboat, as this will save you a lot of money. Of course, you need a car that is Read more...
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Have Your Boat Trips Arranged For A Fun Vacation!
By Ainuddin Mohamad
Any form of water is truly an amazing sight to see and explore. That is why many people are exerting much time and resources to make the most out of boating experiences. Some people prefer Read more...
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Choosing The Right Boat For You
By John Rodgers
If you’re a first time boat buyer the choice of boats available for purchase can be bewildering. How do you make sense of all the choices? Well, the first time boat buyer needs to avoid Read more...
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Have Your Boat Trips Arranged For A Fun Vacation!
By Ainuddin Mohamad
Any form of water is truly an amazing sight to see and explore. That is why many people are exerting much time and resources to make the most out of boating experiences. Some people prefer Read more...
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