Snowboards – Wakeboards – Skateboards

Summer is underway and the perfect vacation is not unobtainable. With the rich culture of Europe, sailing on the coastlines of the Mediterranean Sea offers a truly unparalleled experience. Along the coastlines, at each port there is breathtaking architecture, fine cuisine, and exquisite art. Gorgeous cerulean waters invite sailors to discover Europe in new ways.

The first stop is the ancient secrets of the Greek Islands. Greece is home to four seas and over a thousand different islands. A multitude of hidden coves are ideal for unearthing the quintessence of the Mediterranean. The mountainous coastline is the home of numerous white villages, creating a breathtaking view. A different coastline is not far away at all, considering the islands are closely grouped. Drop the boat anchor in Athens and enjoy an authentic Greek salad while enjoying a steady breeze on the sailboat.

The hidden gem of Europe is the coastlines of Croatia. Stretching for 3107 miles, the Adriatic coastline has a mild summer, historical towns, and curious villages. Dock at innumerous harbors in the country’s thousands of islands. The landscape offers lofty mountains and magnificent waterfalls. The country is abundant in history, and a visit to the Southern region of Dalmatia, would definitely be in order. The best time to visit these coastlines is now, just as the high season kicks off in July and August.

Without a doubt, Italy is one of the biggest tourist capitals of the world. The coastline stretches for over 5000 miles. While summer can be extremely busy on the west coast in the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian Sea, there should not be any foreseeable problems if advance bookings are made for a berth there. There better be a fishing pole and bait in the stock of boat supplies aboard because in Sicily there are ample waters for fishing. The islands offer excellent hiking opportunities and breathtaking volcanoes in the scenery. The Italian coastline simply cannot be fully enjoyed in only two weeks, as there is much to see and do.

France arguably offers the finest cuisine in Europe. The chic culture of the Cote d’Azur region offers a chance to sit champagne and reflect while docked at a harbor in Nice. A big crowd of Hollywood celebrities gather at the famous annual Cannes Film Festival held in Cannes. The secluded island of Corsica has a timeless quality to it, since it is untouched by tourists in the Western Mediterranean.

With dozens of countries to visit, there is scarcely enough time to see all that this region of the world has. The climate of the Mediterranean is that of cool wet winters and hot dry summers. Being on a sailboat in the Mediterranean Sea is unequivocally a once in a lifetime journey. The real summer is just about to begin, and the waters of the Mediterranean beckon sailors

The wind and water are moving in the same direction on a calm and clear day. This is not the most ideal situation for any sailor as there is not a good amount of energy to extract for movement. The wind and water together create a difference in motion, which is then captured by the boat in energy. The sailboat captures this energy by utilizing the sail(s) and the hull(s).

The wind and sailboat will usually have different directions, and it is this particular difference is the apparent or relative wind. A sail uses this apparent wind and generates lift. This is an example of an airfoil, and using Bernoulli’s Principle the airfoil creates lift much like an airplane does. In fact, depending on the orientation of the sailboat, its point of sail, and its design it could conceivably obtain a speed faster than the true windspeed.

By utilizing the sail, the boat can move in the water. If a direction can be chosen, it is better than if the boat can move in the water alone directionless. To help direct the boat an underwater component is required, such as a centerboard, underwater foil, keel, or even the hull itself can be employed. The boat can move in any direction, except into the wind, with the underwater component and sail.

The boat's movement relative to the true wind ranges from 35 degrees to 80 degrees and is called the tacking angle. Using a 35 degree tacking angle, on either side of the wind, a sailboat could cover over 290 degrees of the boat compass. Sailing into the wind can be accomplished indirectly by sailing close-hauled, about 45 degrees, and then tacking and sailing in a zigzag fashion. This is a prime example of both the sail and underwater component working in tandem to move in a given direction.

Understanding the dynamics between capturing and using the energy from the motions of wind and water can help answer the following questions:

1)How do sailboats move?

2)How can a sailboat sail upwind?

3)How can a boat sail faster than the wind?

Most sailors are not physicists but they are undoubtedly cognizant of the physical principles that govern basic movements in the water when sailing. A boat and its crew would be dead in the water if it wasn't for these principles.