How to keep your Passage Plan
with a Waterproof Paper Notebook

Being a RIB driver can be difficult at times - You are zooming along at 35knots whistling your favourite tune, not a care in the world with a clear view of everything - and then the skies turn dark and the rain starts. Not just your ordinary drizzle but heavy sharp pounding rain which always seems to come at you horizontally.

You can't see very well, the stuff is dripping down your collar -its not easy trying to adjust your wardrobe while navigating through the chop at speed. The wind has picked up, the swell just got another metre higher and you think - what was the bearing to the next waypoint.

I know its over there somewhere was it 075 or 095 degrees - and I'm sure there was a tidal rip and an obstruction - if only I had invested in those very fine all weather admiralty charts, although I might have had to remortgage the rib first - and anyway you can't read them at 35knots - and their too big to see while at the helm.

So....what you neeed is a small notebook with a summarised passage plan
- obviously waterproof so that it doesn't disintegrate in the rain or spray
- equally waterproof so if it falls in the water it is still readable
- small enough to fit in your all weather jacket
- big enough to be able to read it
- enough pages to mark up the various sections of the passage
- easy to flip over the notes from page to page
- easy to write on with comments in the rain if things have changed

and of course easy to attach to the boat so it doesn't blow away in the wind.

that was my challenge - so for the last 8 months we have been testing all types of substrates and inks in order to find a solution. I'm glad to say that we have come up with a product which I think does all of the above criteria which is available at http://www.flavell.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=64

The best size for me is the small pocket book. I have now had one sitting in the water since May 2008 and it still seems to be coping.

Best of luck with your boating

Gordon Flavell

http://www.flavell.com/

When is the best time to learn to sail in Majorca

Like the other Balearic Islands, Majorca enjoys a moderate climate all year round. A wall of mountains running along its northern coast protects it from cold winds.

Although cooler than summer, in winter the weather is quite acceptable. The island boasts about 300 sunny days per year with an average of 5 hours sunshine each day in the winter and 10 hours in the summer. Plenty of time to enjoy your time at the sailing schools in Palma and Majorca.

I have been trying to find out from those people who live on the island whether they would consider Majorca to have better weather in the winter than southern Spain. Most have expressed the view that the weather in Majorca is in fact better. Although I do know that there can be severe winds especially in the north.

If I were going to sail in the winter I would stick to the shoulder seasons of October and March. There is at least one sailing school that offers all year round RYA sail training from Palma.

I have sailed in the Canaries in the depths of winter and I suspect it was a lot more pleasant than it would have been in Majorca.

I have also raced dinghies in Scotland at New Year and I bet Majorca would have been a much better choice.

Getting to Majorca by air from major UK and European cities is easy and there are daily non-stop flights. There is an enormous choice of package holidays arranged by tour operators which include flights and accommodation.

Why not enjoy the sailing school for a week and then have another week to see the island. I have even seen a number of UK cars. There are many ferry links to France and Santander in Spain - you can then take the ferry over to Majorca although during peak season you are advised to make firm reservations.


Enjoy your sailing

Gordon Flavell

www.flavell.com

Sailing Schools in and around Palma, Majorca

Just back from a few days in Palma, Majorca over Easter - what a difference it makes flying those couple of hours on the plane. The beautiful Balearic Isles with all that sun, sea and sangria. You just feel so much better when you can walk around without extra jackets and coats.

I spent a lot of time looking at the sailing boats in the bay at Palma although there are in fact several different marinas along the front in Palma city. There are even more marinas around the bay and later in the series I will list all the different ones.

As ever I was taking photographs to add to our stock of marine photographs and travel vistas. I usually take our photographs from our own Delta RIB but this time had to make do with hiring a small boat for the day.

The most obvious thing about the boating facilities is the scale - some of the yachts and especially the powerboats are very large and very expensive. The next obvious thing is that there are a lot of boats. small fishing boats, RIB's, catamaran, small motor boats, and some very prestigious powerboats and luxury super yachts.

Chartering is easy and many of the large charter sail organisations operate from the main front at Palma or close by at Club de Mar which is a stones throw from old Palma.

If you are looking for sailing schools which cover the main RYA courses of competent crew, day skipper and coastal skipper, there are quite a few on the island. As far as I can see there is only one sailing school which is based in the centre of town and that is Voyage sailing school. They also are able to offer sailing on their range of catamarans

Saracen Sailing school is based in the North East of Majorca who offer sailing and charters. Powerboat and Motorboat handling can be found at Puerto Portals which is about 6 miles west of Palma. It is worth going to the marina just to mingle with the celebs and see the variety of luxury boats in the marina.

Gordon flavell
www.flavell.com