OFFSHORE SAILING GUIDE

OFFSHORE SAILING GUIDE

OFFSHORE SAILING GUIDE

When venturing offshore, there are numerous considerations to ensure a safe and successful journey to the finish line.

Getting ready can feel overwhelming, with a mountain of tasks such as boat preparation, weather forecasting, crew training, sail selection, provisioning, and more. Planning ahead is crucial for success, ensuring your crew and boat are equipped to handle whatever challenges Mother Nature presents. Below are some resources to assist in though preparation, anticipating the unexpected, and achieving optimal results in your next offshore race.

FINDING THE RIGHT FIT

BUILDING YOUR OFFSHORE TEAM

Where to start when putting together an offshore team? Seek out speed. Build your foundation with fast drivers and fast trimmers.

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North Sails

FLYING SAILS 101

SAIL SELECTION

Around-the-world racing teams developed the Flying Sail concept more than a decade ago, and it has rapidly evolved with sail design and materials, as well as innovations in cables and furling systems.

FORECASTING

North Sails

WHAT'S FOR DINNER?

PROVISIONING

Keep it simple and high quality. Every extra ingredient you add beyond the basics potentially eliminates somebody from liking it.

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CREW MANAGEMENT

WATCH SYSTEMS

Teams will use different watch systems depending on how many bunks are available. In an ideal world, the watch system would always be four hours on, four hours off.

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SAFETY IS NO ACCIDENT

OFFSHORE SAFETY

Hardcore ocean racers and coastal cruisers alike should all make safety at sea a priority. Ken Read, shares his tips and best protocols for sailing offshore.

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WHAT TO WEAR

FOUL WEATHER GEAR CARE

Nigel Musto, North Sails Performance Clothing Director, gives us his top tips on maximizing the life of foul weather gear.

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SHOP FOUL WEATHER GEAR

2 | Phantom | offshore-jacket-27m045
hover | Fiery red | offshore-jacket-27m045
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hover | Ocean blue | women%27s-offshore-jacket-27w045
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2 | Sulphur spring | offshore-trousers-27m440
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hover | Fiery red | 27M440_0235_msfront1
hover | Ocean blue | 27M440_0790_PSFRONT1
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2 | Phantom | women%27s-race-trousers-27w440
2 | Phantom | offshore-smock-27m040
2 | Fiery red | offshore-smock-27m040
2 | Sulphur spring | offshore-smock-27m040
2 | Ocean blue | offshore-smock-27m040
hover | Ocean blue | women%27s-offshore-smock-27w040
2 | Phantom | women%27s-offshore-smock-27w040
hover | Fiery red | inshore-race-jacket-27m075
2 | Ocean blue | inshore-race-jacket-27m075
hover | Phantom | 27M075_0951_PSFRONT1
2 | Ocean blue | women%27s-inshore-race-jacket-27w075
2 | Phantom | women%27s-inshore-race-jacket-27w075