Author Archives: lewisblevins

Forgus 37 SKIRON Length 37’4” Beam 11’5’ Draft 5’3” Hull No. WNZ4954FC95 This Forgus 37 was built in Orust Sweden in 1995.  It is one of a very few vessels of its make in the world and the only one that I’m aware of presently in the United States.   I’m the fifth owner ofContinue reading “SKIRON”

I’m reminded of the hit song “Radar Love” by Golden Earring released in 1973 every time I flip the toggle switch to turn on RADAR aboard Skiron. I was 12 years old. The song was popular for years as I used to hear it driving at night long after I received my driver’s license atContinue reading “Radar Love”

I hadn’t created danger bearing in probably about four years. I was required to do so this past weekend as I was navigating for a friend who was certifying as skipper in the CPM program at Club Nautique. Our sail took us out into the ocean for a distance then back to shore in theContinue reading “Danger Bearings or How to get into Half Moon Bay in the fog.”

I recently had the pleasure of navigating a skipper tag boat from Sausalito to Half Moon Bay and back for a great friend. I must say that it was a pleasure to, once again, be involved in the educational process of Club Nautique. My basic principles of navigation were reinforced on several occasions. I’ll focusContinue reading “Notes on Navigation”

I’ve completed all of the coursework and the hands-on experience and I’m now fully certified. The hands-on experience at the Encinal Yacht Club in Alameda was superb! enjoyed meeting several legends in sailing who were hired as instructors. I also enjoyed meeting other sailors working to achieve certification in this arena. I felt the mostContinue reading “US Sailing Safety at Sea”

I’ve completed two of three sections of this three part series. I’ll, hopefully, be able to complete the third section, required in person, sometime later this year. The on-line courses are superb. They are highly informative, practical, and I believe, essential for all who spend a significant amount of time on the water. I foundContinue reading “US Sailing Safety at Sea Courses.”

I sailed with my friend Robert yesterday. We had an excellent adventure out into the Pacific Ocean. I will recount it here. Weather was predicted to be in the low 70s Fahrenheit. Wind was predicted to be from the north east at 12 to 15 kn with gusts to 25 kn. We met at theContinue reading “Ocean Sailing 02/12/22”

I did not learn to sail on vessels with adjustable backstays. It wasn’t until I acquired Skiron that I started to understand this important way of controlling both the main and headsails. Now, I would feel at a loss on what to do if I were sailing a vessel without the important functional control. MyContinue reading “Mainsail Trim: Adjustable Backstay”

Most recognize the outhaul as the principal way to pull the mainsail out of an in-mast furling mechanism. Those who flake their sails probably have a better understanding of how to properly use this sail control device. During my training, we did nothing more than pull the sail all the way out when we wereContinue reading “Mainsail Trim: Outhaul”

The vang, though it’s action seems fairly straightforward, is yet another rarely used sail trim control on sailing vessels. The main purpose of the vang is to keep the boom from rising on downwind points of sail and especially on the deep broad reaches. Preventing the boom from rising avoids too much twist in theContinue reading “Mainsail Trim: Boom Vang”