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Safe Boat Cleaning Tips, brought to you by Zim Sailing

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By Bob Adam
It is becoming increasingly optimistic that junior programming will take place this summer.  Albeit, the new normal will require significant changes and I admire all the insight and dedication that program directors and chairs have put into a safe return to play for our athletes.  Countless hours have been put in by everyone to ensure the safety of students, competitors, staff, and volunteers.  Covid 19 has affected each region and community differently.  New guidelines are issued on a daily or weekly basis and it is incredibly challenging to keep it all straight.  The one remaining constant is to wash your hands, do not touch your face and when possible, wear a face covering.

One of the hottest topics is how to safely disinfect your boat and equipment.  There has been significant discussing on the use of bleach to disinfect boats.  The following was taken from the CDC – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cleaning-disinfection.html.

Hard (Non-porous) Surfaces

  • Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. Gloves should be discarded after each cleaning. If reusable gloves are used, those gloves should be dedicated for cleaning and disinfection of surfaces for COVID-19 and should not be used for other purposes. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and disinfection products used. Clean hands immediately after gloves are removed.
  • If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
  • For disinfection, most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective.
    • A list of products that are EPA-approved for use against the virus that causes COVID-19 is available. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products for (concentration, application method and contact time, etc.).
    • Additionally, diluted household bleach solutions (at least 1000ppm sodium hypochlorite) can be used if appropriate for the surface. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application, ensuring a contact time of at least 1 minute, and allowing proper ventilation during and after application. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.
  • Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:
    • 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water or
    • 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
  • Bleach solutions will be effective for disinfection up to 24 hours.

Many guidelines recommend cleaning the surface with soap and water prior to disinfecting.  This may not need to be done if your boats are already in clean condition.  I would recommend spraying boats down with a bleach solution in a standard garden sprayer – https://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-2-Gal-Pump-Sprayer-1502HDXA/307766539.  Let it sit for a minute and then rinse with fresh or saltwater.  If you do not have a hose, then a bucket or bailer will work just as well.

Many folks have expressed concerns about using bleach and the environment and potential damage to the boat or equipment.  There is significant information online that shows diluted bleach may not be an issue to the environment.  Secondly, this low solution will not damage the boat or equipment.

https://www.factsaboutbleach.com/bleach_and_the_environment.html

I have spoken with many programs around the country and it looks like most will be reopening between now and July 6th.  With that, clubs are being creative to get some local and regional regattas going.  I am thrilled to see so much creativity taking place and I look forward to being onsite supporting these events.

About Zim Sailing

Zim Sailing, based in Rhode Island, provides one-design sailboats, parts, accessories, and services to the North American market. The principals of our company are lifelong sailing enthusiasts with boat building experience spanning over 40 years.

 Left: Owner Steve Perry and Bob Adam (VP of Sales)

We engage in grass roots youth development of yacht club junior sailing programs, community sailing programs, and high school and collegiate sailing programs. Zim Sailing can be found at regattas around the country, providing support with charter boats and onsite sales and service.

Our production facilities in both the United States and Asia help us achieve our mission by spending a great amount of time and care in the production of each boat. With over twenty years of experience, our factories and their craftsmen allow us to ensure that our boats are built to the highest standards possible. This exceptional attention to detail, using the finest materials available, results in an extremely high quality product at a more favorable price to the consumer.

We have searched the globe to source the best equipment available for our boats. Our suppliers include trusted brands like North Sails, Optiparts, Harken, Ronstan, and many more.

 

Coaching at IODA Worlds: How it Reshaped Me as a Coach

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By Bernat Gali Bou
Lakewood Yacht Club Head Opti Coach
USNT Coach
ODP2 Gulf Coast Regional Coordinator

‘’It has been almost a year since I actually coached at my first IODA World Championship, and eventually my first IODA Event ever (as coach and as a sailor), and sure feels like it just happened yesterday with the amount of emotions, feelings, re-connections with long time coach friends, new friendships, experiences, moments I will remember forever..and of course, the 15 days spend in beautiful Antigua coaching! Omari Scott, Coral Reef Yacht Club Head Opti Coach, is originally from Antigua and was always talking wonders about his country…I can say, with no doubt, that he falls short about how amazing the Antiguan people and it’s culture actually is.

The memories of the 2019 IODA World Championships are coming back as unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, many if not all the IODA 2020 Events will be canceled for the year, leaving the Opti Sailing Community without those extraordinary experiences for sailors and coaches. I can’t thank enough the Puerto Rico Optimist Association, for providing me with the opportunity to coach at such incredible, rewarding, high level event and live at first hand how professional and competitive Optimist Sailing can be.

The Puerto Rican Worlds Team was one of the youngest teams at the 2019 IODA Worlds Team, and it was such a rewarding experience. The preparation included the 2019 International Optimist Regatta in St Thomas, USVI and one week of training with the Team USVI Worlds Team and their Head Coach, Argy Resano, just prior to the Event.

The 2019 IODA World Championships were the largest ever, with a record registered 63 countries. It’s the pinnacle of the sport, the Olympics for Optimist Sailing, where only the top 5 in each country gets to participate, and boy the atmosphere around the event it’s impossible to describe unless you’re actually part of it. You experience so many cultures, so many sailing techniques, so many coaching styles and approach, that you’re trying to absorb all of it while you’re still trying to get your job done! It’s a fantastic format that lets you connect with people who live on the other side of the world, where bonding isn’t required but super encouraged and the meals that we all share in the same place make you feel special, whether you’re a coach or a sailor.

Why it has reshaped me as a coach? There are a thousand different reasons I could mention, and I would still fall short into getting myself explained. But essentially, the following really made me reconsider a lot as a coach:

  1. The level of commitment, maturity, responsibility and focus. Many of the sailors looked like they were competing at the Olympics, and their routines were near to professionalism. You can sense that as you approach the start of the event and grows into you as the event starts. Sailors are there for one and only one reason, give their best every single second of the day.
  2. The professionalism of the coaches, regardless of their origin or team experience. Each team has its own dynamics, routines, ways to motivate each other, communication styles…its was like being at school at your favorite subject over and over everyday.
  3. The tremendous effort the host, volunteers, management and parents put into the event. You truly feel like, for 15 days, you belong into something special and for those two weeks, you’re surrounded by the best of the best in Optimist Sailing. This only carries forward with the sailors and pumps them up. The Opening and Closing ceremonies aren’t only spectacular but truly make the sailors and coaches feel unique!
  4. Talking with coaches about styles, rigging techniques, challenges they face, team management…you truly connect with many of them and the knowledge learned it’s priceless, just as the friendships that carry on after the event. I don’t know who were more sad after we all jump in an airplane the day after the Regatta was over, if the sailors or the coaches, seriously!

You can only learn more and more from your peers, specially at the most important event of the year for Optimist. On top of that, it was an absolute pleasure to witness how Marco Gradoni, Italian Optimist National Team, won his third Optimist World Championship in a row while adding the Team Racing World Championship with their Italian team mates and top Nation in the Fleet Racing part. He is, arguably, the most successful Optimist Sailor in the history and the only one who’s been able to win three World Championships in a row. His abilities, skills, focus and commitment to the class truly show how much coaches make an impact in this beautiful class, and that’s what really reshaped me as a coach, to see how much greatness (as a sailor, as a person and as an athlete) kids can achieve under our leadership, as long as we provide them with the right tools, passion, respect and most important, fun and trustfulness.

News From East Coast Sailboats: The Melges 15 is Here!

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After months of rumors, We can finally talk about Melges’s new boat, The Melges 15.  Melges debut’d the boat on May 19th via Facebook and the Melges newsletter. The press release came out at 11 AM on 5/19/20 with a video and pictures, giving us a good look at the boat and how she sails.  

The Melges 15 comes in two configurations: The M15 One Design with an asymmetric spinnaker and the Melges Club with a Main and Jib configuration.  The asymmetric comes in 4 colors: Hot Pink, Neon Yellow, Red, Blue. The dolly, from Dynamic Dollies and Racks, is custom to the boat and gives you a wide variety of configurations depending on your water access.  Option include: 40″ carbon tiller extension, racing sheets, custom sail numbers, full deck cover, bottom cover, rudder/tiller bag and a mast bag. Trailers are available as well. Single, double or triple.  Boats can be stacked for transport as well.  Pricing starts at $ 11,900.00

ECS’s first demo boat will arrive at the end of July.  We are taking orders for the new Melges 15 at this time. Details and contact for purchase is on our website page. We will also be offering demo’s of the boat at our sailing center in Kitty Hawk, NC. Part of our “Try before you buy,” program.  Please contact us for more details or to schedule a demo. 

East Coast Sailboats, Inc. is the US Distributor for Topper/Topaz Sailboats and dealer for multiple brands such as Hobie Cat, Nacra Sports and Fun Catamarans, Melges Performance Sailboats, RS Sailing, O’Pen Skiff, World Wide Sailor Prams and Flying Scot (Boats, Parts and accessories) .  Our goal is to maximize a sailor’s time on the water at the best possible value.  We focus our effort towards promoting the sport of sailing by working through individual sailors, sailing clubs, sailing schools, and a network of dealers across the US, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. East Coast Sailboats also operates as Sail OBX, a day sail and sunset cruise captained charter operation using a Maine Cat 38 sailing catamaran.  

Sachem’s Head YC Seeks Sailing Program & Waterfront Director

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Sachem’s Head Yacht Club is located on the Connecticut shore of Long Island Sound, in Guilford, Connecticut. Sachem’s Head’s Junior Sailing Program is a successful sailing program with 65 sailors from ages 6 to 16. SHYC now seeks a Sailing Program & Waterfront Director! NEW Sailing Program & Waterfront Director Position: We are seeking a knowledgeable candidate who is proactive, organized, responsible, high-performing, and professional. The primary role of this summer position is to manage the junior sailing program and to manage the club’s waterfront areas, including club owned boats, launch drivers, and docks. LEARN MORE

The program’s strengths are in fostering a love of sailing and respect for the water; teaching sailing, seamanship, and competitive racing; and inspiring kids through fun, learning, confidence, and growth. We offer racing options and recreational sailing options for all ages.

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