ICYRA Sailing and Yachts

Cleaning, especially hull cleaning, is hardly the highlight of boat ownership. But like going to the dentist, it needs to be done if you want to sail smoothly and improve your vessel’s shelf life. A poorly maintained hull can cause friction on the water and slow you down, and in the long run will cause greater damage that’s impossible (or extremely expensive) to repair.

Some people insist on doing the cleaning themselves to save money and make sure the job is done their way. But for most of us, it’s just too time-consuming and it’s a lot simpler to leave it to the pros. And for the most part, getting a professional cleaning is more worth your money, and not just because it’s convenient. For instance, cleaning services provide skilled divers to clean out hard-to-reach parts of your hull while it’s safely on the water, saving you considerable time and effort. They also have specialized tools that tackle built-up dirt and deposits that DIY cleaning cannot.

Professional cleaners can also inspect your boat for damage and potential problems while they’re at it. A good company provides its divers with training in problem detection and corrosion control, so they can draw your attention to issues before they cause major damage. If you’re already paying for a similar service, you can save money by getting it as part of a hull-cleaning package—and if you choose the right company, the inspection will be just as thorough.

Another reason to opt for professional cleaning is environmental protection. Household or store-bought hull cleaning products aren’t always safe for the waters; some contain harmful chemicals that can affect water quality and permanently damage local marine life. Cleaning companies with a strong environmental thrust use only water-friendly products that nonetheless do the job. Often, these products will also be gentler to your hull paint and finish, unlike commercial products that can wear off these layers after just a few cleanings. Not all cleaning companies will be eco-friendly, of course, so this will require some research on your part.

How often you get your hull cleaned depends on how often you take it out and what conditions it’s normally exposed to. What’s important, however, is that you get it done at regular intervals, so that slime and attaching organisms don’t have time to build up over time. It can be a drag, but the difference in fuel costs, performance, and overall life of your boat is well worth the trouble.

A boater in a navigation aisle is like a kid in the candy store. Navigation tools have come a long way from the early days of the compass, and the range of capabilities can be tempting. But there is such a thing as going overboard when it comes to equipping your boat. All those extras can end up sacrificing the usefulness and efficiency of your navigation tools—and you want them to work reliably when you need them to. Most experts agree that you only need three navigation tools to get by: a good compass, a depth finder, and a VHF radio.

They say if you buy only one thing for your boat, it should be a compass—when all else fails, you want to at least find your way to land. You’re probably familiar with two types, magnetic and electronic. Many boaters are skeptical of the latter and swear by magnetic pointing, a technology that’s worked for decades. But electronic compasses have improved considerably since their early days, and if you buy from an established manufacturer, there’s really not much of a difference. What you should look for is size and readability: you want something that you can read in any condition. As long as it can be mounted, bigger is usually better when it comes to compasses.

Next, you’ll want a depth finder to help you scope out shallow spots. This will help you avoid getting stuck and damaging your boat, especially in areas where shallow waters can be deceiving. More importantly, it’ll keep you from hitting the seabed and damaging the structures, something that many governments are strict about. Choose one with a wide field of view or at least two field of view settings. Many GPS units have depth finders built in, so this can be a good investment if you’re often sailing in unfamiliar waters—just make sure no efficiency is sacrificed for the convenience.

You’ll also need a good, clear VHF radio for communicating with other boats and calling for help when you need it. Today’s cell phones can do the job just fine, but a radio is your backup for when there are no cell towers in range. VHF signals are monitored by the Coast Guard, unlike cell phone signals, so it’s a great security tool. You can increase your signal by installing an antenna on-board. You can choose between a mounted or a hand-held unit—the latter is often seen in older models, but they will work just fine for most situations.

It doesn’t take long for a novice sailing enthusiast to realize the value of a good marina. Basically a fancy parking spot for leisure watercraft, a marina can offer much more than docking space: boaters now look for good scenery, mild weather, and even the best coffee and sandwiches. Of course, we all have our priorities, so there’s no single scale for finding the best spot for your boat. Here’s a list of some of the favourite spots of well-traveled boaters.

For the views: If you like a good panoramic view, you’ll probably be attracted to pristine waters close to the mountains and lush greenery. Fortunately there are a lot of them around—most marinas offer at least a passable view. But for something really breathtaking, try traveling to Sardinia, off the coast of Italy, for a dip in Porto Cervo. The seaside resort and marina offers a picture-perfect view of the Mediterranean almost year-round, with unforgettable sunsets and excellent seafood to boot. Yas Marinain in Abu Dhabi and Port Hercule in Monaco are close runner-ups.

For tourism: Sight-seeing and restaurant-hopping are part of a good sailing holiday. Luxury marinas tend to attract good tourism infrastructure, so you’ll have a lot of choice no matter what you’re looking for. Capri, another Italian island, is a good choice for nature and culture enthusiasts. Among the dozens of sites to visit are the Blue Grotto, a world-famous sea cave; Monte Solaro, the highest peak on the island and home to unique rock formations and a variety of birds; and the Casa Rossa (Pink House), a mixture of architectural styles that’s sure to catch the eye of art appreciators. St-Tropez in Côte d’Azur, France is also a popular choice; its landscapes and architecture have been depicted by dozens of artists including Renoir, Matisse, and Cézanne.

For facilities: Some of us like to stay practical and choose spots where it’s safest or most comfortable. If that sounds like you, you’re probably after the best docking facilities and maintenance services. These marinas are especially ideal for seafaring vessels, which face a harsher dose of the elements. Port de Cannes in Côte d’Azur tops the list of most avid boaters, with its high focus on environmental protection and vessel security. Port de Gustavia in Guadeloupe is also known for efficient management and top-rated service. All this may cost you a premium, but arriving in low seasons can help you get discounts.

Boat lighting isn’t always the first thing people consider when making maintenance decisions for their craft, but these days it’s a hot topic. The issue is on LED lighting—a fairly new alternative to the tried and tested light bulb that promises lower running costs, longer life, and better efficiency. Not all boaters are convinced, though. So what’s the real deal on LED boat lighting?

Alternative lighting options came about as people started seeking less power-hungry lighting solutions. Light bulbs tend to eat up energy, and with electricity costs going up, it was getting expensive to have them on board. LED lights use a fraction of the energy, last much longer, and have been used in households and consumer electronics for several years. The first LED lights were not as bright or high-powered, but the technology has improved and today’s units are just as good as daylight fluorescent lamps. They were an obvious choice for other applications, including boat lighting—except that they were a lot more expensive.

LED lighting is more expensive because the bulbs themselves cost more to produce. The raw materials are harder to get, and the designs don’t usually lend themselves well to large-scale production. All this means that the higher costs are passed down to consumers. You can expect to pay twice as much, or sometimes more, for an LED unit compared to a light bulb or fluorescent lamp. Installing them on your boat is another matter; on older vessels this may involve some rewiring or even rearranging some fixtures.

But the price is a one-time cost, and if you choose well, you can save enough in energy costs to offset the difference and even make a profit. Today’s LED lights are 90% more efficient than incandescent bulbs and last about twice as long, assuming regular use. Maintenance and energy costs can drop by almost 80% for most boat owners. Versatility is also another plus; you can use LED lighting for interior cabins, spreader lights, and pretty much any other part of the boat.

If you’ve had your old lighting system in place for years, the change may be a little hard to implement, especially when you’re on a budget. But studies and experience have both proven that LED lighting is well worth the trouble, regardless of what vessel you have and what you use it for. When it’s time to give your boat a makeover, a change in lighting is definitely worth considering.

Boating holidays aren’t just for the summer—for many of us, winter is the best time to leave the city and take to the waters, while everyone else is staying in. Of course, that means dressing for the occasions—and that goes for summer sailing as well. Anyone who’s planning to take their boats out all year should invest in a good sailing wardrobe, one that can last you through the seasons and make sure you’re comfortable no matter where the wind takes you.

Obviously, sailing clothes for boating holidays are either warm-weather or cold-weather. Things are made a little more complicated by the fact that you’ll be spending a lot of time on the water with the wind in your face; your clothes will have to keep you comfortable and stand up to these conditions as well. The first thing you need to look for is therefore sturdy construction—no cheap cotton or single-stitch seams. This may drive the costs up a little, but if longevity is on top of your list, it’s always money well spent.

For cold-weather sailing, look for waterproof clothing. You can expect to get battered by waves of cold water, and the worst thing is when the water gets under your coat and onto your skin. Your first two layers—usually a big coat and a sweater—should be waterproof. Follow this up with a warm shirt or pullover, preferably wool or fleece, to keep warm.  Wrap up in a pair of lightweight, waterproof boots and you should be good to go.

For warm weather, your main concern would be rain. It’s tempting to just pack all your cotton shirts and board shorts, but you’ll also need to prepare for less friendly skies. Pack a raincoat for rainy weather and a light jacket for cooler evenings. Also, the floor of your boat can get slippery when it rains, so make sure to wear boots with sturdy treads to prevent accidents. If you’re expecting very hot weather, a hat and a pair of sunglasses will also come in handy.

You don’t usually need a whole new wardrobe for every season. While it may pay to invest in a few key pieces (like a good coat with a lifetime warranty), most of it is just choosing the right pieces for the right climate. When you start sailing more regularly, you’ll find that you get a feel for what’s comfortable and what’s not without even checking the forecasts!