3 Great Reasons to Visit Cuba

(and one good reason to join us when you do!)

Reason 1 - When It's Gone It's Gone

Cuba won't be this way for much longer. There will be those that will disagree with me, but there are many reasons to believe that cheap Venezuelan oil, together with huge investment from Russia and China, must change the economic landscape of the country.  Whilst the embarrassing US embargo remains, the barriers to tourism are declining all the time.  And whilst there is a movement seeking a return to Bush levels of restrictions, this is reasonably unlikely.  An increasing number of Americans are circumnavigating the existing restrictions, this, tethered with a possibility of further softening of the rules, will see tourism boom.

The fact remains, whatever your social or political view on Cuba, it's now or Never if you want to see Castro's Cuba, now it your chance.

Reason 2 - Beauty and Splendor

Columbus many have got it wrong when he believed Cuba was in Asia, but who could argue about the stunning beauty he reported. Cuba hosts a dozen National Parks and protected landscapes.  It hosts the most wonderful flora  that includes no less that 6,300 varieties. The fauna boasts 54 species of mammals, 350 species of Birds, 106 of Reptiles, 42 amphibians, and so much more.  There are the most diverse varieties of coral, fish and other marine life to enjoy.

Reason 3 - So Much to See

Cuba consists of a main 765 mile long island, Isla de la Juventud and over 4000 keys and islets. Situated at the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico, it’s just short hop from  the Florida keys.

Havana , its colourful capital, is festooned with beautiful architecture, pulsating nightlife and proud culture is the heart of the nation.

Outside the Caribbean’s largest city, life on thousands of fine beaches and in resort destination Varadero and former capital Santiago de Cuba carry on at the same laid back pace.

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Why not Join Us and take a Crewed Sailing Charter? 

Drake Sailing are expanding into this great location with week sailing holiday.  Join us for a relaxing Caribbean Crewed Yacht Charter that's never to be forgotten.

We will see the breathtaking Anacon Boach, Cayo Blanco, Cayo Machoa de Afuera and Cayo Cino Balas on your way to the Jardines de la Reina marine park at Santa Cruz del Sur, a stunning, uninhabited area protected by one of the world's longest coral barrier reefs. Here you can wind your way through channels along the keys amidst a stunning variety of marine life, iguana, pelicans, flamingos and spoonbills.

Last chance to see Castro's Cuba trips that take you sailing of the South East coast.  To find out more, visit their website at:

Cuba Landing Page

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Reefing - A Quick & Easy Aide Memoir

Dick Sought Tom's Consent Repeatedly

A Quick & Easy Aide Memoir for the Reefing Process.

For all you wizened old sea dogs out there, this blog will be of far less use that those beginning their sailing journey's.  That said, you might find it useful when teaching new an aspiring skippers.  The think I like about mnemonics, is that they lick in when your least likely to be thinking straight.

Reefing is such an important part of safe sailing, that any assistance I believe is useful, especially a framework that simplifies the process.

Reefing Systems

I am claiming that this aide memoir works with all reefing systems (I am happy to publish revisions if proven wrong).  This is because it deals with the procedure rather that the technical aspects of each individual yacht - perfect!  The numerous reefing systems, single, double line, etc. and the debate over the advantages and disadvantages are for another time.

1. Dick - Depower.  To de-power most yachts this will mean luffing up until the wind is in front of the beam.  I don't favour going head to wind as everything will flog down the centre-line of the boat, the foresail may back and hove you too.  The ideal point of sail if you can, id a fine or close reach.  Hear you can continue to gain headway form your foresail.

On most yachts the de-powering process begins with releasing the kicking strap/boom vang to prevent any sheeting effect as you fully de-power the main.  Check up at the top baton if you have one, you will soon see if you are still getting some drive.

2.  Sought - Support.  Now the boom must be supported before the main sail is lowered.  On older yachts, this will probably mean tensioning the topping lift.  On more modern yachts, with hydraulic dampers in the boom vang, this is no longer necessary.

3.  Toms - Tack.  Attaching the new tack is the next part of the process to concentrate on.  In a single line sustem, this is combined with the next step.  Either way, it will involve lowering the main and securing a new tack point.

4.  Consent - Clew.  Next we secure the new tack in place.  Sometime this can be done in concert with the attaching the tack, but be careful not to haul in the reefing pennants too early.  Once the tack and clew are attached and snugged up tight, the reef is almost over.  Along the way you should be drawing in the slack from the remaining reefing pennants and readying an earring (an extra loop of rope around the clew and the boom to support the reefing penant).

5.  Repeatedly - Re-power.  The sail should be properly re-hoisted before any power is returned to the sail.  Then haul in the main sheet, and re-tension the kicking strap/boom vang.

And there you have it - all parts of the reefing process in a quick and easy to remember phrase no matter what boat or reefing mechanism you happen to have come across.  Although this is not a substitute for knowing the reefing system on a boat inside out before you sail, it will come as a handy framework for guiding you or your students through the process.


Chris

Christopher J Lait PGDipM FInstLM MIoD | Principal | Drake Academy Ltd 

DD: +44 (0)207 117 6375 | M: +44 (0)7971 293550 | T: @drake_ac_b2b | #sailtolead
www.drakeacademy.co.uk

Chris founded a sailing company to bring a distinctive brand of luxury crewed sailing to the holiday market.  disappointed with run of the mill experiences and surly unimaginative skippers, Drake Academy Sailing seeks to blend local culture, fun and sailing together in a memorable way with dedicated and experienced staff.  For more information contact travel@drakeacademy.co.uk or visit the website at www.drakeacademy.co.uk/travel

Chris served 24 years in the British Army and has been sailing, teaching and leading expeditions for nearly 20 of them.  Now an academic in the leadership field, Chris passes on his sailing a leadership experience to businesses at corporate sailing events, leadership events run by a company he founded when he left the Armed Forces and through speaking.

You can contact chris@drakeacademy.co.uk or voa the website at www.drakeacademy.co.uk/corporate

The Five Times You Should Always Wear Your Life Jacket

This is an important decision.  Whether as a skipper or an individual member of a crew.  Some skippers make it easy and insist on a life jacket form the moment you step on board.  That said, the majority don't and this is where some simple guidelines can help.  

My approach is taken from a wide variety of sailing courses, expeditions and programmes run under the auspicies of the Joint Services Adventure Sail Training Organisation in the United Kingdom.  Whilst I am very much against a hard and fast rule approach, after all, rules are for fools and the guidance of wise men; I aslo believe it prudence: 

"there are old pilot and bold pilots, but there are no old bold pilots."

What is required is a framework that can be adapted easily.  It is reasonable to expect a different approach in drifting conditions in the warm caribbean seas close to land, than say in a cold Baltic Sea in winter.  There must also be room for differences in physical fitness.

I believe that Joint Service's advice, which I now use as my own, is a framework capable of dealing with these variances and have served me well.

When you feel you want to.  Obvious, but important.  No one should feel that it is inappropriate to wear their life jacket.  

When instructed to be the Skipper.  This can be extended to others such as Mates' and Watchleaders' on larger craft; but ultimately the decision to wear life jackets lies with the skipper.

In Poor Visibility.  The danger to small craft intensifies in low visibility conditions and so does the available time to react.  It is prudent to think ahead and wear life jackets in these conditions.

At Night.  As with poor visibility, the night brings it's own specific challenges and wearing life Jackets and 'clipping on' are essential for safe sailing.

In Poor Weather Conditions.  The definitions will vary on many factors, size of craft, experience of skipper and crew.  Some say once you have reefed as a 'rule of thumb'.  I like the, if your thinking about it... it's time, approach.

Don't get me wrong, this is not an exhaustive list, I always insist of life jackets in the tender in all but the warmest and sheltered waters, when going aloft as a secondary harness to the bosun's chair.

But if you remember these 5 times, you will quickly be able to overlay prevailing conditions, apply common sense, and sail a safe passage.  Bon voyage!



Chris

Christopher J Lait PGDipM FInstLM MIoD | Principal | Drake Academy Ltd 

DD: +44 (0)207 117 6375 | M: +44 (0)7971 293550 | T: @drake_ac_b2b | #sailtolead
www.drakeacademy.co.uk

Chris founded a sailing company to bring a distinctive brand of luxury crewed sailing to the holiday market.  disappointed with run of the mill experiences and surly unimaginative skippers, Drake Academy Sailing seeks to blend local culture, fun and sailing together in a memorable way with dedicated and experienced staff.  For more information contact travel@drakeacademy.co.uk or visit the website at www.drakeacademy.co.uk/travel

Chris served 24 years in the British Army and has been sailing, teaching and leading expeditions for nearly 20 of them.  Now an academic in the leadership field, Chris passes on his sailing a leadership experience to businesses at corporate sailing events, leadership events run by a company he founded when he left the Armed Forces and through speaking.

You can contact chris@drakeacademy.co.uk or voa the website at www.drakeacademy.co.uk/corporate

Blog 1 - Top 3 Must See Places in the British Virgin Islands

Top 3 Must See Places in the British Virgin Islands - 1 of 3

Blog Number One in a Series of Three

This is a short blog series covering some our favorite places to visit, in our opinion, the must see places.  We would love to hear your experiences and we would love to share your images here to.

This wasn't easy; I so much want to make it the top 100 must see places to visit!  But in the end I settled on the places I know the guests always ask to go back to.  Please enjoy the blog.

Number 3 - White Bay Jost Van Dyke

Legend has it the island's name comes from a 17th century Dutch privateer named Joost van Dyk who used its bights (the pirate name for a bay named after a bight of rope which forms the same shape) as hideouts.  As you approach from the south, you can see the main 3 harbours ahead.  It becomes increasing easy to see how White Bay, the most derived its name.

The white sand beaches are visible from distance as you sail gently towards the island and easily distinguishable from Great and Little harbour to the east.

There are so many great bars on White Bay your hardly likely to be disappoint in any of them.  The 'One Love' Bar, with gentle Reggae tunes drifting from it's wriggly tine roof, encapsulates the spirit of the Islands.

  

One Love - Jost Van Dyke

But, by some margin, the favorite place for a little fun and relaxation, is the Soggy Dollar Bar, another famous beach bar on the island. The Soggy Dollar is reputedly the birthplace of the Painkiller. The bar is named because when built there was neither road nor dock. There is now a road from Great Harbour, but still no dock!  Sailors would simply swim ashore and paid for their drinks with the wet money hung to dry on a line behind the bar.

  

Relaxing and Fun at the Soggy Dollar

 

Chris

Christopher J Lait PGDipM FInstLM MIoD | Principal | Drake Academy Ltd 

DD: +44 (0)207 117 6375 | M: +44 (0)7971 293550 | T: @drake_ac_b2b | #sailtolead
www.drakeacademy.co.uk

Chris founded a sailing company to bring a distinctive brand of luxury crewed sailing to the holiday market.  disappointed with run of the mill experiences and surly unimaginative skippers, Drake Academy Sailing seeks to blend local culture, fun and sailing together in a memorable way with dedicated and experienced staff.  For more information contact travel@drakeacademy.co.uk or visit the website at www.drakeacademy.co.uk/travel

Chris served 24 years in the British Army and has been sailing, teaching and leading expeditions for nearly 20 of them.  Now an academic in the leadership field, Chris passes on his sailing a leadership experience to businesses at corporate sailing events, leadership events run by a company he founded when he left the Armed Forces and through speaking.

You can contact chris@drakeacademy.co.uk or voa the website at www.drakeacademy.co.uk/corporate