Before You Sail – Preparation
When you’re heading out sailing, it’s crucial to stay informed about the weather to ensure a safe and enjoyable time. The Windy website provides a good overview of current Sarasota Bay conditions.
Here are some things to think about:
Wind Conditions. Check the wind speed and direction. Ideal sailing conditions usually involve moderate winds. Too much wind can be dangerous, while too little can leave you stranded.
Wave Height and Swell. High waves and swells can make sailing challenging and uncomfortable. Look for forecasts that provide information on wave height and direction.
Weather Forecasts. Use reliable sources for up-to-date information.
Hat, Water, Sunblock. Absolutely essential, especially when sailing in Sarasota.
Tides and Currents. Understanding the tidal patterns and currents will help you navigate more effectively and avoid potential hazards.
Visibility. Fog and rain can reduce visibility, making navigation difficult. Always check visibility forecasts before setting out.
Storms and Severe Weather. Be aware of any potential storms or severe weather warnings. It’s best to avoid sailing in such conditions.
Dress Appropriately. Be prepared for rain or sudden changes in temperature. See our FAQ for Fleet Friday recommendations.
For a more interactive experience, you can use tools like SailFlow and Windy to get real-time updates on wind, radar, and other weather conditions.
Some Tools and Apps
Below we list some of our favorite apps/websites that we use to prepare for sailing and racing.
Tides Near Me
When sailing in light winds, the strength and direction of the tide can both help and hinder us. Understanding and adapting to the currents in an area like our Guppy Pond is a skill to master when racing American 18s.
The already shallow waters of Sarasota Bay become even shallower during low tide. This can expose sandbars and other underwater hazards, increasing the risk of running aground.
Be aware of the tide schedule to avoid getting stuck.
In addition to knowing about high and low tide times, it is also important to understand the concepts of ebb, flood and slack. The “Tides Near Me” app provides information about current flow and forecasts for New Pass, and many other waterways in our area.
Team Reach
My Lightning
Hyperlocal weather conditions around the Sailing Squadron can mean that we have great sailing conditions despite a big picture weather forecast that looks miserable.
For this reason, we like to make a last minute “call it at the dock” launch decision while looking at the local forecasts. We will cancel racing if we see lightning moving towards the Sailing Squadron. We use the My Lightning App to monitor storms on sailing days.
Sailing Rules Game
We can all benefit from better understanding the rules of sailing, they help us to understand right-of-way, mark room and other critical aspects of racing. There is lots of information available online and it’s easy to disappear down a rabbit hole following link after link.
Fortunately for us, Cathy has already burrowed deep, and she came up with this great online game/quiz. You can play the game in a number of different ways: by rule number, at different positions around a course, or at random with the difficulty level set to suit your preference.
It’s possible to play on a mobile phone screen, however, I’d recommend you use a device with a larger screen – a tablet or a PC.
