Please select your home edition
Edition
Ovington 2021 - ILCA 3 - LEADERBOARD

Define sailing - YachtsandYachting.com newsletter

03/04/2023


Define sailing

Epoxycraft 2022 PRO-SET - LEADERBOARD

Leaderboard new launch 2023 Spring

Elena Moreno - GWA Wingfoil World Cup Cape Verde 2023 - photo © Lukas K Stiller


Dear Recipient Name

Simple, isn't it? Defining the sport that we know and love. Get in a boat, pull up the sails, sheet in and off we go. The problem is, defining what we know as sailing is becoming increasingly difficult.

So where to start? Well obviously in this day and age you turn to AI for a definition, so I asked both Google's Bard and the now (in)famous ChatGPT.

Bard told me: "Sailing is the activity of using boats with sails. It can be used for recreation, transportation, or competition. Sailing is a popular sport and there are many different types of sailboats.

To sail a boat, the wind must be blowing. The sails are set to catch the wind and the boat moves forward. The sailor steers the boat by adjusting the sails and the rudder.

Sailing is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and learn about the physics of wind and water. It can also be a challenging and rewarding sport."

2020 South & Southwest British Youth Sailing Regional Junior Championships - photo © Mark Jardine / YachtsandYachting.com
2020 South & Southwest British Youth Sailing Regional Junior Championships - photo © Mark Jardine / YachtsandYachting.com

 
Henri-Lloyd 2023 Freo Jacket - YY MPU   MPU April May June 2023
 

ChatGPT added: "Sailing is the activity of using wind to propel a boat or ship through water. It involves controlling the boat's direction and speed by adjusting the position of the sails, which catch the wind and generate the necessary force to move the vessel. Sailing can be a recreational activity, a competitive sport, or a means of transportation for commerce, fishing, and exploration. It requires skill, knowledge of weather and wind patterns, and an understanding of navigation and safety procedures. Sailing can be enjoyed on various types of boats, including dinghies, keelboats, catamarans, and yachts, and in different environments, such as lakes, rivers, seas, and oceans."

J Class racing on day 2 at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup - photo © Francesco Ferri / Studio Borlenghi
J Class racing on day 2 at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup - photo © Francesco Ferri / Studio Borlenghi

 
MPU brokerage   Harken UK 2021 - NEBO 2 MPU
 

Both answers got me thinking. Not just about their definitions, but about AI in general. Both Bard and ChatGPT's opening sentence talked about boats and sails, but now this can be boards and kites or foils and wings, with the huge growth in both kitesurfing and wingfoiling.

Maybe my question to them was wrong. Should I have actually asked them what is a boat? I didn't want to go down that rabbit hole, so I left the AI to answer questions for everyone else who wants to know the answer to life, the universe and everything... which is obviously 42. So today I'm going to assume all waterborne craft powered by the wind are boats and refer to them as such in this editorial.

Autopilots revolutionising solo racing - photo © Lloyd Images
Autopilots revolutionising solo racing - photo © Lloyd Images

AI has been playing a part in sailing for some time, with IMOCA self-steering systems / autopilots learning on the job, and ride height controls for the America's Cup AC50 (now the SailGP F50) and the AC75 keeping the boats smoothly foiling.

Remember how the Emirates Team New Zealand AC50 in Bermuda had the 'dot to dot' system which Glenn Ashby used? It was written in the rules that the computer couldn't control the trim and foils directly, so the boffins thought carefully about the problem and tried to find the easiest and simplest way of getting the computer's 'suggestions' through to the humans in the boat, so that they could then tell the sails and foils how to be trimmed. Their human-machine interface was suggested 'dots' on a screen that Glenn then pressed to set the controls. It brings up the question: is the sailor driving the boat, or the boat driving the sailor?

Emirates Team New Zealand sets up for the final gybe - America's Cup 35th Match - Match Day 5 - Regatta Day 21, June 26, 2017 (ADT) - photo © Richard Gladwell
Emirates Team New Zealand sets up for the final gybe - America's Cup 35th Match - Match Day 5 - Regatta Day 21, June 26, 2017 (ADT) - photo © Richard Gladwell

 
IC-M510 MPU   Musto 2023 BR1 MPU 2
 

This of course is the cutting-edge of the sport, so obviously doesn't apply to you and I in our everyday sailing... or does it? How many times have you used the suggested lay line on your yacht to choose when you tack? The polars for your boat to hit your optimal angles and sail configurations? All these are creating using complex algorithms, and at the end of the day that's what AI is, the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines.

Measuring wind the old way with a ribbon and a handbearing compass - 2012 Olympic Regatta, Weymouth - photo © Richard Gladwell
Measuring wind the old way with a ribbon and a handbearing compass - 2012 Olympic Regatta, Weymouth - photo © Richard Gladwell

In the 'old days' you'd get your handheld compass, have a fair idea of your tacking angle, take any tide or current into account, scan the sky for clouds which could move the wind angle, take any local phenomena such as land mass into account and then calculate, or guesstimate, when to tack or gybe. The algorithms do this for us, simulating the processes our brains are doing, albeit with far more accuracy and processing power. Scary, isn't it?

So, what do you do if you want to do your sailing traditionally? Free from electronics, high powered computers, algorithms, and AI? Many dinghy classes are restricted in what electronics you can use, limiting you to a countdown watch and compass, but most keelboat racing, particularly in the larger yachts, is pretty much unrestricted. Even the classic yacht scene, underneath the veneer of gleaming wood and white sail, often has a myriad of cables, sensors, processors and displays guiding the sailors on their every move. Classic doesn't always mean traditional.

 
Epoxycraft 2022 PRO-SET - MPU   Rooster 2020 - Impact BA - MPU
 

Stuart Jardine, Mark Jardine & Christian Brewer XOD sailing at Cowes Week - photo © Eddie Mays
Stuart Jardine, Mark Jardine & Christian Brewer XOD sailing at Cowes Week - photo © Eddie Mays

Over the years I've competed a lot in the XOD class, racing in the Solent. For those who don't know the class, it's a wooden 21ft three-man dayboat designed by Alfred Westmacott in 1909. While there have been developments over the years, the class has remained very traditional, retaining wooden masts and booms, and only very occasionally updating the sail plan. When it comes to technology, I used to joke that even digital watches were frowned upon, and with a huge part of Solent sailing being about understanding the tides and geography, it's as much a mental game as a physical one.

Technology though is always getting miniaturised, and many watches are now powerful computers, containing GPS and other sensors, which makes my joke about digital watches look pretty dated now. We've moved on from the days of the Casio LCD which featured stopwatch, countdown and dual time...

 
RYA Membership - Accredited 2017   April May June MPU 2023
 

“Horn island visible, hail squalls, having fun, here in my element.” - photo © Kirsten Neuschäfer / GGR2022
“Horn island visible, hail squalls, having fun, here in my element.” - photo © Kirsten Neuschäfer / GGR2022

Is it time for technology-free classes or regattas, so that traditional navigation and tactical skills aren't lost? The Golden Globe Race is just that in the offshore world, and is proving immensely popular, so would there be a similar attitude inshore? Where would you draw the line on the allowed technology? Would you insist on nothing electronic on board, only mechanical? Just like traditional woodworking skills are highly sought after in the days of CAD / CAM and laser cutters, would this racing attract a strong audience and participation?

All this brings me back to the definition of sailing. I don't believe it's defined by the boats we sail, but instead by the way we sail them. The more we use technology, the less connected we are with the elements. Sailing, in my view, is so much about the freedom of being on the water and disconnecting from an increasingly technological world. That's a bit tricky when you're guided by technology through every tack and gybe.

 
MPU New launch Spring 2023   Selden 2020 - Furlex electric - MPU
 

AI in Microsoft Word... no thanks! - photo © Mark Jardine
AI in Microsoft Word... no thanks! - photo © Mark Jardine

Even writing this on Microsoft Word I felt the influence of AI, with the new 'suggestions' feature built into the software thanks to ChatGPT. It was ironic asking Google how to switch this feature off. While I'm more than happy to use quotes in my work, I'd rather my words and thoughts be my own.

It's a polarising argument, if you'll pardon the pun.

Mark Jardine
Sail-World.com and YachtsandYachting.com Managing Editor

 
Vaikobi 2021 Boots - MPU   March April May June MPU 2023
 


Osprey Class Scottish Tour 2023 - Preview
Six days of Osprey class racing packed into a week. That is the mouthwatering prospect this May in the Osprey 70th Anniversary Tour of the North, taking in some of Scotland's most scenic and varied venues.

Entry Open for Musto Skiff 2023 World Championships at Circolo Vela Torbole
Entry is now open for the ACO 12th Musto Skiff World Championships 2023, which will be hosted at Circolo Vela Torbole at Lake Garda over 15-21 July. The international sailing regatta typically attracts between 70 and 100 skiffs.

Magic Marine & Triggernaut western area Solo open meeting at Torpoint Mosquito Sailing Club
The first Magic Marine/Triggernaut sponsored Western area Solo open of the year was held at Torpoint, and despite the weather forecast being fairly dire the day turned out to be eminently sailable, albeit favouring the fitter and chunkier sailors.

 
Noble Marine 2022 YY - MPU   Zhik 2022 Choice of Champions MPU
 
BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival - Overall
Seventy boats and five days of outstanding racing in champagne BVI conditions concluded on Sunday with a fabulous firework display presented by the BVI Government in celebration of the successful conclusion of the 50th Anniversary

All eyes are on the Bay of Palma as the 52 Trofeo Princesa Sofía Olympic classes start on Monday
Mallorca's renowned Bay of Palma is set to see the biggest ever racing fleet take to its waters as the Trofeo Princesa Sofia Mallorca by Iberostar lifts the curtain on the 2023 Olympic classes season.

All new waterproof bags from Zhik
Keep your gear dry, organised and protected with the all new range of adaptable and waterproof bags. Packed with functional features, the modular collection combines to create the ultimate sailing and water sports luggage set.

 
Ocean Safety 2021 - MPU   MPU E6 question mark static
 
Hadron H2 Inland Championships 2023 at Queen Mary Sailing Club
After the gale force winds at the first H2 open event of the year at Chichester YC last weekend, the H2 fleet moved to Queen Mary Sailing Club for a much gentler experience. On Saturday, 1st April, 14 H2s entered for the 2023 Inland Championships.

Salcombe Yacht Club Spring Series - Race 4
A North Westerly with a flood tide gave race officer Dan Bridger something to ponder as he made his course selection. Thankfully he opted to send the fleets off into The Bag as soon as possible where the breeze was both constant and substantial.

Henri-Lloyd say: You Asked, We Listened
Best-selling (and five-star rated) Explorer shorts now available in fresh new colours, based on customer feedback.

 
MPU from May 9 2022   GJW Direct 2020 MPU
 
RORC Easter Challenge Preview
For over 20 years, the Royal Ocean Racing Club has held a training regatta over the Easter Weekend. World Sailing Rules on outside assistance are relaxed, so for no additional cost to the teams, hand-picked coaches can provide pin-point assistance.

Boris Herrmann's Team Malizia wins leg 3 of The Ocean Race
It's a well-earned win for a resilient team who outsailed and outlasted the competition on the longest leg in race history.

Mark Towill & Charlie Enright talk Musto HPX and sailing The Ocean Race
An essential part of developing Musto's latest HPX collection was getting feedback from their offshore ambassadors who spent years putting it to the test. Mark Towill and Charlie Enright, co-founders of 11th Hour Racing were part of this process.

 
Sailingfast 2018 Zhik 600x500   Hyde Sails 2023 Wuzzos - MPU
 
Ullswater Yacht Club Daffodil Regatta 2023 - Preview
Ullswater YC launches into the 2023 racing season with its first Open, the Daffodil Regatta, on April 22 and 23. There'll be daffodils galore at the prize-giving as UYC joins in Ullswater's spring celebrations in praise of Wordsworth's favourite flower.

Seago Launch New Cruiser Plus Liferaft
Seago, one of the UK's leading suppliers of marine safety and water sports equipment has launched their new Cruiser Plus liferaft, which is compliant to the latest ISO 2022 standard

Get onboard with Ancasta at spring boat shows
Spring is shaping up to be very busy for the team at Ancasta as it prepares for five boats shows, each designed to get people onboard and experience its impressive range of international power and sail brands.

 
RS Sailing 2021 - MPU   Barton Marine 2019 600x500
 
Entries are officially open for Craftinsure Bass Week 2023
Entries are officially open for Craftinsure Bass Week, held from the 5th to 13th August 2023. The first 1000 entries are free (joking, April fools!). Everything which follows is true...

Craftinsure Supernova Traveller Series at Bartley Sailing Club
It was a wet and cold start to the day, but Bartley was pleased to welcome 30 helms from across the country to this ever popular open meeting. Could any of them beat the local fleet of Supernovas - the current holders of the national team prize?

Golden Globe Race Day 207: Doldrum Conundrum
It's been an eventful week throughout the fleet. The last entrant Ian Herbert-Jones restarted yesterday from Chile joining the Chichester Class.

 
April May June MPU Q2 2023   Feb - Nov 23 MPU GROCO
 
The Emergency Antenna You Will Want to Use
You are at sea, and you find yourself in a rather unfortunate position with no primary antenna working on board. It's time to step away from traditional backup antennas and meet the latest emergency technology on the market.

Exmoor Beastie 2023 at Wimbleball Sailing Club
Final preparation for the Beastie took place on the Wednesday afternoon prior to the event with the organiser somewhat concerned by a forecast from one weather source of 40mph (force 8) gusts. Fortunately, as the weekend approached the forecast eased.

Shirley Robertson talks with Dean Barker on the America's Cup, Olympics and Masters sailing
Shirley Robertson's Sailing Podcast hosts one of the sport's most recognisable talents as New Zealand's Dean Barker talks to double Olympic gold medallist Robertson about a career spent chasing the illusive America's Cup.

 
Allen 2022 - TiiTAN MPU   Allspars December 2019 MPU
 
2023 Foiling Awards
The prize-giving ceremony of the sixth edition of the Foiling Awards took place at the Museo della Scienza e della Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci in Milan, in front of an audience of more than 250 guests.

Dermot Bealey Awarded Director Position At Barton Marine
Barton Marine are pleased to announce the promotion of Dermot Bealey to a directorship role at Barton Marine. Dermot takes the newly formed position of Production Director having previously worked as Production and Operations Manager.

British Sailing Team set for Princess Sofia Trophy regatta
The Princess Sofia Trophy regatta in stunning Palma de Mallorca is arguably the largest - and most loved - Olympic classes regatta in the calendar. It also happens to be the 2023 season opener - and what a season this promises to be.

 
Craftinsure 2018 Retina MPU   J Composites 2022 - J45 v4 MPU
 
Streaker North Sails Southern Paddle Series at Tamworth Sailing Club
Six visitors and two home helms arrived at Tamworth SC on the morning of Saturday 25th March to be greeted by sunshine and a good strong breeze. It was set to be a challenging day on the water of picking the right shifts and managing the gusts.

RS400 Winter Championships sponsored by Trident UK and Rooster at Leigh & Lowton Sailing Club
Both the Rooster National Tour and the Trident UK Northern Tour kicked off in some style this weekend, in a combined event, with winds to test the fittest competitors. 16 boats braved a big wind forecast to take to the water.

Marine Resources latest jobs: It's time to get moving on your career goals
Want a job that you're excited to get up for? Our latest openings are packed with fantastic opportunities just for you. Check out the listings below to push your career to the next level.

 
Upffront 2020 Foredeck Club MPU   Stoneways Marine 2021 - MPU
 
GP14 Southern Travellers at Papercourt Sailing Club
With nine online entries it looked like a good turn-out for the first GP14 Southern Travellers event on 26th March but ultimately the variable weather forecast led to a couple of no-shows.

Through Deck Bushes - All you need to know
It's fairly common on modern boats to see rope passing through a surface, such as the deck, thwart or any other part of the hull. This rigging style ensures the rope takes the shortest path, meaning fewer turning points, less friction and less weight.

Noble Marine & Ovington UKLA ILCA 4 Spring Qualifier 3 at the WPNSA
The third of the spring Qualifiers was all set for 25th & 26th of March with 154 ILCAs descending on WPNSA for another weekend of fun and very competitive racing.

 
TMS 2022 - BONOMI MPU   Crewsaver Ergofit MPU
 
Noble Marine & Ovington UKLA ILCA7 Spring Qualifier 3 at the WPNSA
This weekend brought the third and final UKLA spring qualifier series to a close at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy. Forecasts predicting over 30knots of wind on the Saturday meant that the Race committee had to be extra vigilant.

Entries Now Open For The Stoneways Marine VPRS National Championship 2023
Returning in top 'form' for summer 2023, entries for The Stoneways Marine VPRS National Championship are officially open and already coming in.

Bala Massacre Pursuit Race 2023 at Bala Sailing Club
The first event of the year at Bala SC was well attended with fifteen entries with visitors from Bassenthwaite, Abersoch and Llangorse. The Race Officer Gary Darch set a long first lap on this beautiful long lake with a gentle force 2 to 3.

Noble Marine Solo Winter Championship at Northampton Sailing Club
Northampton Sailing Club hosted the Noble Marine Winter Championship on a cold and blustery Sunday 26th March, the 29 competitors enjoying some very competitive racing on the famous Pitsford Reservoir.

A Guide to Bowsprit Configuration from upffront.com
A bowsprit is now an almost inevitable feature of a racing yacht or performance cruiser and there are also a number of off-the-shelf retrofit options available. The uptake is due in part to the popularity of asymmetric downwind sails.

RS Feva Grand Prix Series Round 4 at Draycote Water Sailing Club
The weekend of 25th & 26th March saw 82 young sailors make the journey to Draycote Water for the first RS Feva Grand Prix of 2023, and the 4th in a 6 race year long Grand Prix series.

Next generation footwear | New Zhik SuperThin Bootie
The SuperThin Bootie pushes the boundaries for footwear with an all new knitted upper that is 4X more durable to abrasion than neoprene, combined with a super lightweight and flexible rubber sole for enhanced manoeuvrability.

America's Cup: The State of the Cup
A look at the state of the 2024 America's Cup, 12 months after the venue announcement. Work has been ongoing transforming the Port Vell and Port Olímpic areas ready to host the competing teams who are setting up bases and will be onsite from Summer 2023.

Noble Marine & Ovington UKLA ILCA 6 Spring Qualifier 3 at the WPNSA
With south westerly big breeze we were held onshore until the wind settled down and then followed the ILCA 7s into the harbour. A windward leeward course and an added spreader mark was set.

RS Aero Open at Burghfield Sailing Club
As per forecast, 20kn gusting 30kn bombarded a breezy Burghfield for an exciting opening event of the UK's RS Aero season. 29 single handers in total joined for the combined RS Aero and Blaze open meeting.

Merlin Rocket Midland Mug and Craftinsure Silver Tiller series at Midland Sailing Club
The second round of the Craftinsure Silver Tiller series took place at Midland SC on Sunday 26th March. 23 boats braved a cold north easterly breeze which promised to be gusty and shifty as ever. Edgbaston Reservoir is well known for its wind shifts!

Rooster Southern Area Topper Traveller 2023 Round 1 at Spinnaker Sailing Club
Sunday 26th March saw Spinnaker Sailing Club host the first leg of the Rooster Southern Area Topper Traveller 2023. In the week leading up to the event the forecast was changing almost daily, with conditions forecast ranging from 3 to 30 knots.

NSSA (National School Sailing Association) Double Handed Team Racing at Draycote Water Sailing Club
On the 18th March, 100 sailors (25 teams), travelled to Draycote Water Sailing Club to compete in a weekend of team racing organised by the NSSA. The event was sponsored by Fernhurst Books.

Europe Open at Chichester Yacht Club
Lots of thrills and spills at Chichester Yacht Club for the first Open Meeting of the season. 14 intrepid Europe sailors launched, after a short postponement ashore, in about 20 knots of wind for the first of 4 races.

Craftinsure 2021 - FOOTER

Hyde Sails 2022 One Design SALE FOOTER

This email was sent to the.recipients@email.address by YY Online Services Ltd.
Towngate House, 2-8 Parkstone Road, Poole, BH15 2PW
Registered in England No. 7895890

Our records show that you signed up to receive news from us on 1 January 2000

Please do not reply to this message as this address cannot receive replies.

You can unsubscribe at any time or email us here if you encounter any difficulties