⛵️ Fast Dispatch - Getting You Back on the Water ⛵️
⛵️ Fast Dispatch - Getting You Back on the Water ⛵️
Trusted For 12 Years
Over 46,000+ Orders Shipped
90 Day Risk Free Returns
Over 4,000 5 Star Reviews
Price Match Promise
February 01, 2023 3 min read
Lets face it, whether you are Ben Ainslie sailing an F50 catamaran or a beginner sailing an Optimist, we all love to go fast on the water.
We have all been in situations where you wish you had that extra bit of speed, maybe it's to get past that person who beats you most Sundays, or to hit the next speed on your GPS - speed is not only fun, but is also key for winning races.
In this article we cover 7 items that we believe will make your boat go faster on the water in 2023.
An essential for any time spent on the water, whether you are learning or a seasoned pro - knowing where the wind is coming from is essential to your boat set up, direction and speed.
We offer various options here at Sailing Chandlery, explore them below and see how one of these simple items can improve your sailing.
Just like the wind indicator on your boat, if you can't see how the wind is flowing across your sail how do you know where best to position the sail to make your boat go faster?
Add a set of tell tales to your sail and if the side nearest to you flaps sheet in, if the other side of the sail flaps let your sail out.
See how much speed you can gain by knowing how your sail is behaving.
In most classes keeping your boat flat is key to speed. Although tilting the boat might seem as though you are getting more speed and moving forward you'll find keeping the boat flat is much faster.
Invest in a good pair of hiking pads or pants and they'll take the pain out of hiking helping you to hike harder for longer, keeping that boat flat and projecting you forward at an improved speed.
If the bottom of your boat isn't smooth and clear from debris your boat isn't going to move as quickly through the water.
We are big fans of McLube Hullkote and use it on our own boats.
Give your boat a good wash with hot soapy water, let it dry and then apply McLube Hullkote to give an excellent finish. Simply rub it on with one cloth, then buff off with another - it doesn't take long and the citrus finish repels the water as your boat glides through the water.
If you're behind at the start of the race you might as well have not turned up. If you are going to fight back to a respectable position you're going to have to do something very different, or make a brave decision to split from the main fleet to try and gain some places back.
Forget all of that, get yourself a good sailing watch, practice your starts and make sure you are giving yourself the best chance of a good position by starting well.
Turned your boat over recently? Had a good look at the bottom of your hull? Is it smooth, clean and free from issues?
If the answer is no then you're losing essential speed every time your boat moves forward. Scratches, dents, repairs that are not smooth - all of these are reasonably easy to fix and will help your boat to glide through the water.
Imagine you are sailing along with a 12mm braid on braid polyester mainsheet, the excess is sitting in the bottom of your boat and that's got a bit of water in it. Your rope is soaking up that water making it heavier, not only on the boat but also through your hands and blocks.
Transform your boat to an 8mm mainsheet with dyneema and modern materials and you'll get the same strength from your rope but with much less weight, you'll also find that other materials do not soak up water the way a braid on braid does.
How much weight could you save on your boat using this technique?
If you have any questions about any of these 7 recommendations, or have another burning question you want answering then speak to our friendly team at Sailing Chandlery.
You can phone us on 01268 222912 or email info@sailingchandlery.com
Nearly 40 years on from my first "Laser" I have just taken delivery of my second - a Devoti Ilca 7. Buying this new ILCA has been a 5 star experience, and dealing with Andrew, Jason and Steve at Sailing Chandlery have all been great - candid advice, all the help and assistance I could have wished for. And to cap it all Steve delivered the new Devoti to my home address - 5 hours away, and up in the hills, not easy to get to - and what's more Steve then stayed to help me sort out the rigging - all very different from what I remember. When I last sailed a Laser you had to lean on the boom to put on more kicker. I'm very happy to give the team at Sailing Chandlery a fulsome recommendation.
quick and easy to deal with prompt delivery on order will use again
We ordered a 100m reel of sheet rope for our sailing club's training fleet of Toppers and Fevas. It runs through the blocks very easily and is great to hold. The children on the courses love it!
Great little piece of kit, use it for giving me an idea of wind direction in the marina on my narrowboat!!
Great harness, really comfortable, looks to be good quality and well made.
Great service from Sailing Chandlery.
Delivery was super quick after bank holiday, and product is just as described. Super convenient pockets inside a comfy backpack kitbag so great and practical for walking to/from dinghy parks
Just a small item, a bung! The super quick delivery got me back on the water. Thank you.
Good rope for low load jobs - easy to splice, smooth and flexible.
Perfectly layed out numbers
WIP have really pulled out all the stops on this impact vest to suit all forms of hi-performance watersports. Feels great on, good snug fit - no restrictions to movement and doesn't impact on trapezing like a lot of buoyancy aids. A very well made, high quality vest that has everything you need to keep you safe on the water.
Purchased for my old Albacore sailing dinghy. This is a well made quality cover with straps and clips that look like they’ll last many years. I no longer have to bail out the boat before sailing!
Found the staff at Sailing Chandlery most helpful to a no-yachtsman with flags to fly to cheer the day.
It may seem strange but my husband purchased this item as he was making me some wooden bunting for our outside space. The range of colours was fab and the rope is ideal for our needs.
Easy to order and arrived quickly….great service
Made with good quality material and sizing is accurate. Comfortable to wear with plenty of secure pocket space. Buoyancy aid arrived promptly and securely wrapped.
Waterproof, spacious and different ways to carry it
Save up to 40%on your next order.