Web Extra: Tips from a boating expert

Thinking about setting sail out on the beautiful Cape Cod waters this summer? Don’t wait until mid-season to learn the ropes and hit the windy waters. As June through August marks the Cape’s peak sailing months, now is the ideal time to get acquainted with the sport, so come July, you’ll be out on the sparkling blue, hair flapping in the wind, enjoying the ride!

We caught up with Jared Wallin, Hyannis Yacht Club waterfront facilities manager, who was a junior and senior instructor at the club and has participated in past Figawi races, to find out a few reminders that may just come in handy for the sailor wants to head offshore

Test the Waters

“If you’ve never sailed before, one of the best things to do is to get familiar with people who have sail boats,” says Wallin, who spent his youth on Cape Cod, sailing through high school and up through college. “Before you go out and buy a boat, think about joining a yacht club, or a local community program. This way, you will have the chance to experience sailing without a full commitment.”

Consult the tides for the day

“Certainly in terms of going long distance,” says Wallin. “Tides go a full six hours, so just make sure to watch when you are going out and also where you are in the water. Any local ship chandlery, or marine store will have a chart. Make yourself familiar with where you are so that you have an idea of the high traffic areas or any ferries coming through.”

Have a shore plan

“Always let someone know where you are going and how long you expect to be,” Wallin says.

Check that you have proper safety equipment on board

“Always have an anchor on board and life jackets, and you always want to make sure when you are leaving on the boat, your equipment is working properly,” Wallin says. “Test everything out before you leave the dock and make sure the motor has been checked out by a mechanic prior to the beginning of the season.”

Bring sun block and water

“Being dehydrated and burnt on the water is definitely not fun,” Wallin says, thinking back to some past negligent experiences with his fair skin.

Get the whole family involved

When it gets really windy, things can go down quickly. Wallin suggests when going for a lesson, or joining a yacht club, have friends and family members learning too so that you can feel confident out on the boat together.

Understand the weather

 “If you get caught in a storm, it doesn’t bid well for your experience for the first time of the season,” says Wallin. “Nantucket Sound is great place to learn. It has a lot of protected areas so it won’t be a complete catastrophe if things go wrong.” Wallin knows that during July and August, the sound has a very steady south west breeze which is great for learning, as he raves about the boating camaraderie and all-around good fun that goes on out on the sound during the Figawi races. He also suggests beginning out at Lewis Bay, which has great anchorage, as well as Egg Island, a section over in Yarmouth, and in around Hyannisport.

Understand how wind pushes your boat

“Once you’re able to understand how it works— the sails, center board, the keel—all the things that make it go forward with just the power of the wind—a lot of things will fall in after. If you know where the wind is coming from, you can anywhere.”