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Land Sailing in Nevada

January – february 2013.

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By MATTHEW B. BROWN

Nevada has many claims to fame, and you can add one more to the list: land sailing. In fact, I was interested to learn recently that the Silver State is arguably the premier land-sailing destination in the United States.

“We have the dry lakebeds, the hard mud,” says nine-time national champion and current treasurer of the North American Land Sailing Association, Mark Harris. “Nevada is a very popular location because we can go the fastest.” Nevada also has wind galore, which is as valuable to a land sailor as fuel is to a racecar driver.

Land sailing, also known as sand yachting or land yachting—or as Harris likes to call it, “dirt boating”—has evolved primarily into a racing sport in the last half century. Its roots can be traced as far back as 6th-century China. Centuries later, some European royalty used land yachts for entertainment, and they were even used hundreds of years ago in the U.S. to transport goods.

Today, however, they are used primarily for competition. Land-sailing events are held internationally from the vast beaches of Western Europe, Ireland, New Zealand, and Brazil to the dry deserts of the U.S. It’s no surprise then that the arid sands of Nevada have become the epicenter of the fiercely competitive dirt-boating world.

OK, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration. “It’s friendly competition,” says Harris, an electrical engineer for the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada. “The Europeans are big on entertainment, so that tradition has carried over to the states.” The sense of community and family is strong in land sailing. Harris says a group of spectators and racers, which rarely exceeds 100 at most events, will enjoy potluck dinners, fly remote-control airplanes, hold stargazing parties, and socialize around bonfires.

The next major Nevada event is America’s Landsailing Cup (this and most others are open to the public) on March 23-30 at Ivanpah Dry Lake, just south of Primm—a shopping and entertainment destination known for its Primm Valley Resorts and Desperado roller coaster.

Richard Jenkins set the world land speed record for a wind-powered vehicle (126.2 mph) there on March 26, 2009 in his yacht Greenbird. The previous record of 116.7 mph was set at Ivanpah in 1999.

While Ivanpah is technically in California just over the Nevada border, it’s still largely considered a Nevada event because Primm is the gateway. Other Silver State terrain used primarily for land sailing includes Misfits Flat, just south of Stagecoach; Smith Creek Valley Dry Lake southwest of Austin via State Route 722; and Diamond Valley northeast of Eureka via S.R. 278.

On the NALSA website there are images from the 1998 “Holy Gale” event held in the Black Rock Desert. The Thrust SuperSonic car (jet-powered in this case) famously bolted across northwestern Nevada’s Black Rock Desert in 1997 at a world-record speed of 763.035 mph, or 2 percent above the speed of sound.

The annual Holy Gale has since moved to Smith Creek Valley, which is Nevada pilot Lester Robertson’s favorite event. Robertson is the owner of the aforementioned Misfits Flat land—where much of the famous 1961 film starring Marilyn Monroe was filmed—and the Carson City company Complete Millwork Service.

Robertson loves the competition of land sailing, but he also cites, “the silence of the desert; just setting down these contraptions, accelerating, and seconds later flying along at 50 mph in a cloud of dust,” he says. “The dust subsides, and you will find yourself five miles from camp without a breath of wind, hoping for the next puff to come in and take you home.”

Robertson, who heavily promotes youth land sailing, also speaks highly of the camaraderie that is such a big part of the sport’s makeup. “A lot of guys and gals have been friends for years—the same bond you find with the rock hunters, rocketeers…all of us waiting for the next year’s trips to the heart of Nevada, the Great Basin.”

Black Rock Goes Soft

The Black Rock Desert in northwestern Nevada was once a premier land-sailing destination, but that’s not so anymore. The key, believe it or not, is moisture—or lack thereof. “It has not flooded since 2000 or thereabouts,” says Nevada pilot Lester Robertson. “Four years ago the surface went from so hard you did not leave imprints with your motorhome tires to so soft and crumbly a 250-pound dirt boat would sink so deep you cannot sail.”

According to Robertson, the Black Rock needs a substantial flood covering after which the water would soak deep into the subsurface. “Perhaps this will be the year we get the type of snow and rain we had when the Truckee River flooded and the Helms pit became Sparks Marina; that’s what it will take to repair the Black Rock Desert,” he says.

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Join us this upcoming Monday from 5-7 PM for Paddle with a Pup! It’s our last summer Monday event so come out one more time for discounted $20 SUP rentals, a free bbq, and DOGS! Bring your dog if this type of event is their thing and paddle/sail to celebrate the last few days on the water.

Join us this upcoming Monday from 5-7 PM for Paddle with a Pup! It’s our last summer Monday event so come out one more time for discounted $20 SUP rentals, a free bbq, and DOGS! Bring your dog if this type of event is their thing and paddle/sail to celebrate the last few days on the water. ...

We’ve got updated hours! Note that our office is now open M-F 10AM to 4PM and rentals are now operating Friday through Monday from noon to sunset/7:30PM (whichever comes first). Open Boating WILL be closed this weekend for the Octoberfest regatta, but we’ll see you there weekend after!

We’ve got updated hours! Note that our office is now open M-F 10AM to 4PM and rentals are now operating Friday through Monday from noon to sunset/7:30PM (whichever comes first). Open Boating WILL be closed this weekend for the Octoberfest regatta, but we’ll see you there weekend after! ...

This is the last week of our Annual Campaign, and we could use your support! No donation is too small and you can trust that we’ll stretch is as far as possible to support our programs. If you love what we do or have been impacted by SSP in a way that you’d love others’ to experience, please consider helping us reach our goal at sailsandpoint.org/donate! All donations of $20 and up made at the Open Boating desk will enter you in a raffle for an unlimited family pass for next season!

This is the last week of our Annual Campaign, and we could use your support! No donation is too small and you can trust that we’ll stretch is as far as possible to support our programs. If you love what we do or have been impacted by SSP in a way that you’d love others’ to experience, please consider helping us reach our goal at sailsandpoint.org/donate! All donations of $20 and up made at the Open Boating desk will enter you in a raffle for an unlimited family pass for next season! ...

POV🎥: we’ve made it‼️ Ps. It’s not too late to enter the raffle at Open Boating for the annual campaign! Win an unlimited family pass!

POV🎥: we’ve made it‼️ Ps. It’s not too late to enter the raffle at Open Boating for the annual campaign! Win an unlimited family pass! ...

We’re down to the last two weeks of classes at SSP! It’s an honor to have had so many folks come through our programs both as brand new and returning sailors. Photos: @natek_photo Instructor: @kanonfodr

We’re down to the last two weeks of classes at SSP! It’s an honor to have had so many folks come through our programs both as brand new and returning sailors. Photos: @natek_photo Instructor: @kanonfodr ...

First annual CYC vs SSP kickball game. Please ignore the commentating and intensity in my voice. Let’s do it again next year! @cyccommunitysailing

First annual CYC vs SSP kickball game. Please ignore the commentating and intensity in my voice. Let’s do it again next year! @cyccommunitysailing ...

SSP Staff 2024 (minus a few) ⛵️🌲💯

SSP Staff 2024 (minus a few) ⛵️🌲💯 ...

SSP is no stranger to towing boats when things get rough, but it’s not every day we tow a seaplane across the lake! Open Boating got a call this week requesting some assistance and naturally they stepped in to help however they could. Shoutout to Kirin and Nathan for the photos.

SSP is no stranger to towing boats when things get rough, but it’s not every day we tow a seaplane across the lake! Open Boating got a call this week requesting some assistance and naturally they stepped in to help however they could. Shoutout to Kirin and Nathan for the photos. ...

Check out this video from Seattle Refined!

Seattle Refined recently shared a video article showing some of what SSP has to offer. 

Open Boating is open until mid-October!

Rent a kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or sailboat and join us on Lake Washington!

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Land Sailing venues

Alvord dry lake, oregon.

At the base of the Steens Mountains and at 4000 ft elevation, located near Fields, Oregon.

Black Rock, Nevada

Situated in the Black Rock Desert–High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area in northwest Nevada.

Ivanpah, California

Blokart World International Championship races were held at Ivanpah, near the California and Nevada border. 

Smith Creek, Nevada

Heceta beach, oregon.

Smith Creek Valley Dry Lake southwest of Austin, Nevada via State Route 722.

Red Lake, Arizona

Red Lake north of Kingman, Arizona.

Heceta Beach near Florence, Oregon. 

Sunset Beach, Oregon

Delamar dry lake, nevada.

Located along the beautiful Oregon's northwest coast near Seaside and Astoria.

El Mirage, California

Only 90 miles northeast of the City of Angels, California!

Bader Field, Atlantic City, NJ

Located in the middle of nowhere

 (just the way land sailors like it!)

Delamar, Nevada, nicknamed The Widowmaker, is a ghost town in central eastern Nevada.

Musselman Honda Circuit, Arizona

That's right!  The east coast Blokarters have managed to land sail on the airport runways!!!  What a rush!

Arizona’s first, professional sailing school program using high performance state of the art racing Blokarts!

Loring AFB, Maine

The Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club has hosted land sailing races and regattas in Downeast Maine.  Ayuh!

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Land Yachting – Sailing for Those who prefer land

September 30, 2019 Rob Sayers Experience Days , Extreme Outdoor Activities , Fun Outdoor Activities , Land Activities , Outdoor Sports , Physical Challenges 0

Blasting down the beach with your backside inches above the ground makes land yachting one of the most exhilarating sports I have tried. Powered purely by the wind in my sails, I joined a posse of stockbrokers who were intent on fulfilling their need for speed.

I tried land yachting as an outdoor activity gift from my wife through Red Letter Days . Activity gifts are one of the best ways to guarantee successful gift giving, at least for me.

What is Land Yachting?

The land yacht had three wheels for stability. In case you didn’t realise, it can be quite a challenge to get a four wheeled vehicle to have all four wheels evenly on the ground unless you put in some decent suspension. Land yachts don’t have suspension, and so you feel all of the bumps and bounces. Traction is provided through wind blowing in a large triangular sail attached to a mast mounted at the front of the land yacht. You sit in a very reclined position and hold onto a rope that pulls the sail in or releases it.

Do I need to be able to Sail to Control a Land Yacht?

Sailing a land yacht is far simpler than sailing a boat. There is no risk of waves, capsizing or falling overboard. Also, because you are lying down in the land yacht, there is no risk of being hit by the sail boom when you tack across the wind.

Your instructor will tell you the circuit for the day in relation to the wind and the technique for getting around corners to keep the wind. All you have to do is pull the sail rope and steer to avoid any of the other land yachts, dogs, people on the beach.

How to Control a Land Yacht

You steer a land yacht with two pedals, left and right. Some land yachts have hand levers for steering, but that only leaves one hand free for pulling the sail rope.

If you are facing the right way, all you need to do to get the land yacht moving is to pull the sail rope tight and keep it held tight. You musn’t loop the rope around your hands though, because if the rope pulls too much you could get rope burns or cuts. Land yacht racers usually wear gloves to protect their hands.

The tighter you pull the sail rope, the faster the land yacht will go, as long as you are not heading directly into the wind. As with any sailing sport, you have to work out which direction the wind is blowing to get the most speed. If you get it right, you find yourself hurtling down the beach with a rather huge grins on your face. Tight turns can lead to flying along on only two wheels, which is a bit hairy but awesome fun.

The Thrill of Land Yachting at High Speed

My Land Yachting Gift Experience

Whenever I get a gift experience I always open it with a sense of trepidation, wondering what experience I will be getting myself into. The Tiger Moth flight was a bit scary, mostly because people kept telling me that they had had dreams of me crashing and also because you didn’t get parachutes.

I was very excited when I opened the Red Letter Days envelope with a gift voucher for land yachting. It was something I had wanted to try for quite a while. I booked the two hour session on a beach near Rye in Kent and eagerly awaited that windy day.

It was easy to find, not least becuase of the big van plastered with signs for the land yachting company. The guys running the day were busy setting up the land yachts, which were left lying on their sides so that the wind didn’t blow them down the beach before time. There were quite a few rather nice cars parked at the side of the road, and talking to the other peope waiting most of them were stockbrokers. Land yachting must be one of those sports that attract people who have a need for that adrenalin rush. Engineering doesn’t necessarily give you such a buzz, but using some of the things you design certainly does.

We were given a brief training session on safety and how to control the land yacht. Then it was pretty much in you get and of you go. At first, it was a bit tricky getting around the first corner because you had to cross the head wind. If you didn’t turn quickly enough, you slowed down and stopped facing the wind. No amount of tugging on that sail rope would get you moving. the instructors stood on that corner to help get you moving again. After a few laps, I got the hang of it. At this point the instructors called me over to the centre to stop. I wondered what was up, and then they increased the height of the mast, which in turn unfurled more sail. This meant more speed! Awesome!

I was back out into the circuit and amazed by the increase of speed from increasing the sail size. One by one, the other bankers were pulled over to have a mast extension. Things then became quite competitive. Overtaking and racing ensued. I got such a thrill from overtaking others and a great sense of satisfaction if one of them lost the wind on a corner.

All in all, the two hours whizzed by and I was left wanting more.

How can I get to try Land Yachting?

You do need a licence to sail a land yacht on a public beach in the UK. The best way is to find a land yacht racing club.

If you want to buy your own land yacht, Blokarts are the most popular brand. The Potty is a UK land yacht design that will fit into the boot of your car.

If you want to try land yachting, you can buy land yachting gift vouchers from Red Letter Days. .

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Capricornia Blokart Club, Yeppoon, Queensland

Yeppoon’s beaches were made for Sand Yachting! Everyone can enjoy land sailing.

2024 Capricornia Blokart Bash

The 2024 Capricornia Blokart Bash will be at Mulambin Beach, Yeppoon Queensland from Friday 31st May to Monday 3rd June 2024.

Download the Notice of Race and important information regarding the event.

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The registrations, social events will be held at the NRMA Capricorn Yeppoon Holiday Park.

We recommend that you stay at the NRMA Capricorn Yeppoon Holiday Park.

Call them on 1800 068 703 or Click on this link to go to their website.

Tell them you are with the Blokart group.

We thank NRMA, Keppel Bay Sailing Club, Livingstone Shire Council, Blokart International, Australian Blokart Association and Oldfart Blokarts for their support.

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We are sailing seven day's a week (weather permitting)..

For further information or to book, please contact Andy or alternatively you can purchase gift vouchers online .

We don't want to bore you with all the land yachting technical terminology here as you will learn this on the day from your fully qualified instructor. However, if you have any questions you would like to ask us, please get in touch .

For Your Information

Your fully qualified instructor Andy, has over 16 years experience in teaching land yachts (sometimes known as sand yachts) and kite buggies.

Land Yachting Experience Day Gift Vouchers are available which make a great Birthday or Christmas gift, or just a gift for a Loved One or a friend and these can be purchased online .

We are flexible and can do longer than 2 hours, but we do feel that 2 hours is long enough.

For more information on Land Yacht Experience Days and prices visit out Bookings page here .

To enhance your land yachting experience, why not extend your day and make a short break of it. If you would like to stay for a night or more nearby, we recommend staying at Castaways B&B / Guest House which overlooks the beach at Lydd on Sea. For you early risers, there is nothing nicer than sitting on the beach watching the natural beauty of the sun rise (weather permitting).

Fishy's land yacht's in action in the field at Lydd Airport

Captain Gaige's Weekly Fishing Report: From Huntington Harbor September 5, 2024

This weeks fishing report as seen in The Fisherman Magazine's: Long Island, Metro NY Fishing Report with Matthew Broderick. 

Nautical Escapes : Boating Trips to Whales Tale

Sand City Charters is set to launch an exclusive cruising experience starting Memorial Day 2024, offering custom round-trip cruises to the renowned Whales Tale restaurant in Northport, located within the picturesque Britannia Yachting Center. Guests can savor the unique opportunity to embark on a memorable boat ride from Huntington Harbor to Northport, indulging in the scenic beauty and tranquility of the journey. Alternatively, passengers can opt to depart from the Northport area, enjoying a leisurely cruise through the local waterways before settling down for a delightful lunch or dinner at Whales Tale. This unique experience combines the pleasure of sailing with the delight of waterfront dining, making it a perfect way to celebrate special occasions or simply enjoy a day out on the water.

Fishing The Gold Coast of Long Island

We will fish The Gold Coast of Long Island aboard our 23' Hydra-sports Center Console boasting an 8' 11" beam with plenty of room for up to four guests to fish simultaneously.  Our fishing charter will explore the most productive back bays and estuaries of Northport Bay, Huntington Bay, Centerport Harbor, Lloyd Harbor, Cold Spring Harbor, Oyster Bay Harbor including our favorite hot spots in the Long Island Sound.

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Captain’s Weekly Fishing Report September 5, 2024

Captain’s Weekly Fishing Report August 28, 2024

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Anchoring Masterclass: How to Anchor like an Expert

Want to anchor with confidence and ease? Tom Fletcher shares some hard learnt charter skipper secrets for expert anchoring…

Tackling anchoring.

Have you ever had the Greek Gods of Anchoring displeased with you? I have. I once spent a week on charter with a wonderfully nice father and daughter, on board Sail Ionian’s brand-new Bavaria C50, and it was an absolute nightmare. What’s more, the yacht had just had a new 30kg Rocna fitted, so I couldn’t even blame the ground tackle! Everywhere I went that week I had to have three or four attempts at dropping before the anchor would catch. By the end, I was in tears with frustration, and still don’t know what I was doing wrong. The next time I took her out on charter I had no problems whatsoever.

In the Ionian we rely heavily on our anchor . It can make or break a week on charter so always make a point of checking what the yacht you’re booking is equipped with. Even for a 30-footer I wouldn’t want under 50m of chain. If I was being demanding, as a rule of thumb I would multiply the length of the boat in meters x5, to get the minimum number of meters of chain I would like.

Favoured anchor types will vary depending upon the type of seabed or the area you’re in. Designs like the Bruce or Fluke can be outstanding in sandy areas like the Caribbean. CQRs can be brilliant where tidal flow direction can change, as the design allows them to twist without breaking out. Even fisherman anchors or grapnels can be useful in rocky areas and riverbeds. However, my years of experience in the Ionian have taught me that a Rocna is the best you can get for varied types of seabeds. At Sail Ionian the whole fleet is retrofitted with Rocnas, or their sister the Vulcan which doesn’t have the roll bar.

Make sure your boat handover goes into detail on the windlass and where the trip switch or fuse is. You will want to know how to tighten the gypsy, and how to free drop the chain too. If you can test the windlass by dropping and raising chain, do so. It’s good to see if the windlass is slow or fast, whether it sounds healthy, and if there is any juddering or slipping (which is a good indication of a worn gypsy that should be replaced before you leave).

I have a real bugbear with skippers who don’t realise the importance of their crew on the bow. With a little training and explanation, they can be the yacht’s best asset when anchoring. I have lost count of the number of times I have started training a crew how to med moor , only to find that the bow person doesn’t have a clue what they are doing, and merely responds to shouted direction from the helm. I like to teach the bow person about techniques, types of seabeds, length of chain… all sorts. I guess some people aren’t that interested, but most seem to like to understand what they are doing!  A crew working together in this way is much more effective. When small problems arise, they can then be dealt with quickly. I like to teach some hand signals too, to stop the shouting over the noise of the windlass and the wind. A basic set of ‘drop’, ‘stop’, ‘up’ and ‘down’ are enough to deal with most needs. Knowledge of how to weigh anchor and control the chain when it’s coming in are invaluable too.

Don’t try to anchor on a steep declining seabed

This is one that is peculiar to deep water anchorages, of which we have many in the Ionian! It can be a common situation that you are trying to anchor near the shore, with the wind blowing the yacht off. However, because of the steepness of the seabed you have the bow in 5m of water but the stern in 10m of water! As you reverse and lay out chain the yacht is getting into progressively deeper and deeper water. The anchor just has no chance of holding as it is, in effect, being dragged down a hill. The moral of the story being to consider not just the material of the seabed, but also the bathymetry.

Deep water techniques

It is quite common on an Ionian charter that I will choose to anchor in well over 10 meters of water. The main constraints with depth are firstly the length of chain we carry, and secondly the strength of the windlass motor. At Sail Ionian, a typical 40ft charter yacht will carry at least 60 meters of chain. Using the old maxim of 4-5 times the depth of water, we get a maximum anchoring depth range of around 12-15 meters. Our windlasses can deadlift a substantial weight, but when you consider the length of chain plus the anchor at the end, it is a considerable lift. We usually recommend to guests to always stick under 12 meters, much deeper than that and fuses can start blowing!

When dropping in these depths it is important to remember that it takes time for the anchor to hit the seabed. We often see people reversing as they drop, not realising by the time the anchor catches they can easily be 15-20 meters further away from where they intended the anchor to be. This can cause all sorts of complications, from changes in depth to distance from the shore for long lining. In fact, the most common issue this causes is when long lining; the yacht ends up much closer to the shore than intended, with much less chain out that desired! It’s easy to time your windlass over 10 meters of chain to get an idea how quick it is, then you know roughly how long it will take for the anchor to drop to the seabed.

I would advise positioning the bow where you want the anchor, then letting down 10m of chain, before starting to reverse into the wind, ensuring your anchor is where you want it.

Always look for clear water

The colour of the water is the first give-away of what sort of seabed you’re dealing with, and where in a bay you should drop the hook. A normal Ionian bay will have beautiful clear water and be a uniform mid blue, with patches of light blue. Those light blue patches are usually sandy, without any weed, and are a great spot to aim for. Firstly, you should explore the anchorage at slow speed, keeping one eye on the depth gauge and one eye on the water. Different parts of the bay may be windier that other too. Once you’ve picked your spot, look for those lighter patches of water and aim to get the bow over them. Here is another great example of where you need to reply on your crew on the bow. They will need to direct you to position the bow of the boat over the sand and drop the anchor there. Again, a little communication in terms of positioning and depth, or length of chain, is needed, so that you can get the anchor down on the sand before you start moving in reverse.

Wind directions & local knowledge

Considering wind direction is one of the first lessons to be taught about anchoring. It is, however, complicated by the fickle nature of the Ionian wind. At the mercy of island topography, katabatics, and even time of day, picking a spot that isn’t a lee shore can sometimes be harder than you think. Often a perfect lunchtime anchorage with a light offshore breeze can change to a lee shore once the temperature of the day increases and the afternoon anabatic winds start up.

The first time I saw local Greek charter skippers long lining off the beach in Marmagas on Ithaca I was confused. The morning breeze was light and blowing them onto the shore. I assumed their guests must have asked to be as close to the beach as possible. By the end of lunch though, the wind had switched to a feisty offshore 15 knots, gusting above 20, and my anchor was dragging into deeper water where I had dropped in the middle of the bay. Those Greek charter skippers were sitting comfortably, being blown off the beach, with the strain on their long lines, not on their anchor. It’s always worth keeping a humble eye on what other sailors are doing – there’s always someone cleverer than yourself! 

Free dropping chain vs. lowering on the windlass

As divisive an issue as any in sailing circles! Many who care for their own windlass much prefer to treat it carefully and drop chain freely, by loosening the gypsy, taking the strain away from the windlass motor. At Sail Ionian, we always tell our guests to drop using the windlass though. We feel it gives guests more control, and there is less danger of fingers getting near fast moving lengths of chain. There is also a tendency for the gypsy not to be tightened enough after free dropping. This can result in slipping when weighing anchor, which in turn causes a lot of engineering call-outs and a large fuel bill for a very quick job of tightening the gypsy to the correct tension.

The most important time to consider dropping freely, and quickly, is when you are anchoring in a very windy situation. Sometimes you just want to get the anchor down fast and keep the boat under control using the engine. This can be particularly true for long lining or med mooring in a crosswind. Releasing the chain slowly on the windlass motor can slow the yacht to the point where you lose all steerage.

Whenever free dropping anchor, it is essential to check the bitter end is attached to the yacht securely, and to slow the rate of descent as you approach the end of the chain. Bitter ends are designed to separate when needed, and the speed and weight of a full chain locker dropped without braking can be enough to rip the bitter end d-ring from the deck. I have seen the confused look on faces as the end of the chain follows the anchor to the seabed. Another good reason to train your bow person well! If this ever happens to you, try and note your position in the bay, or hit the MOB button on the GPS quickly. If they know where to look the charter company may be able to dive and find the tackle, saving you a large bill.

Checking you’re well in

Finally, a lot of the issues I see out there could be avoided with a final check to test the anchor. I often see anchors dropped and engine off within seconds, with no attempt to test how well the anchor is dug in. I prefer to sit there with the engine running at least 1000 rpm in reverse for the 5 minutes it takes for the kettle to boil, before I’m happy to relax.

It is a fact of life in the Ionian that there is a lot of weed on the seabed and often anchors can get caught up in this, appear to have set, but break free after a persistent snatch. But this can also be the situation when you have a lot of chain out too. The weight of the chain alone can be enough to resist light winds, or low revs on the engine. It’s only with more force that it becomes clear the anchor is not actually in, and the boat starts drifting.

I have spent many a stormy Vliho night on the bow of an anchored yacht in over 30 knots of wind and not moved anywhere. A well dug in anchor can cope with a surprising amount of force. So don’t be shy with checking you’re set, give her some revs and sit back for a few minutes. You’ll sleep a lot better.

Tom Fletcher is a hugely experience skipper and instructor at Sail Ionian. For more information, go to the Sail Ionian Website .

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1-Hour Cruise

Begin your Bahamas charter at Nassau Paradise Island and depart for Rose Island. The secluded beach is home to sting rays, exotic fish, and turquoise water. Have a picnic on Rose Island and enjoy the casino, restaurants, nightclubs at night.

Harbour Island

4-Hour Cruise

Depart Nassau and head to Harbour Island through the 'Devil's Backbone' passage . Arrive at the world famous pink sand beaches known for their crystal clear blue water, excellent diving, fishing and boating.

Spend the day cruising the coast of Eleuthera, exploring the hidden cays and secluded swimming areas along the coast. Pay a visit to Dunmore Town in the afternoon, which was the original capital of The Bahamas and is also the second largest city.

Staniel Cay

5-Hour Cruise

Depart Harbour Island at dawn and arrive in The Exumas by early afternoon and have lunch at the famous Staniel Cay Yacht Club . Swim with the nurse sharks and spend the afternoon relaxing on the yacht or exploring the island's crystal clear waters by jet ski or paddle board.

Depart Staniel Cay and head to Big Major Island, famous for its swimming pigs . Next, head to the Thunderball Grotto and, if the tide is low, swim into the hidden cave and enjoy a leisurely lunch aboard your yacht before heading back to Staniel Cay.

Highbourne Cay

2-Hour Cruise

Depart Staniel Cay and head to Highbourne Cay. On your way, stop and explore the many secluded islands; a must-see is Norman Cay where you'll be able to snorkel and see Pablo Escobar's smuggler plane wreck and colorful reefs.

Rent a golf cart and explore the beaches at Highbourne Cay, which are among the best-kept secrets in The Bahamas. Enjoy lunch at the 5-star Xuma Restaurant before you cruise back to Nassau with plenty of time to enjoy the amenities at the Atlantis Resort .

Rose Island

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Sand Yachting

Normandy Tourism, France

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Updated on 23 June 2020

Sand yachting on the long sandy beaches in Normandy makes for fun memories!

For a fun photo option, check out our selection of spots: in the Manche , in the seaside resorts of Cabourg, Deauville , Trouville-sur-Mer , on the D-Day Landing Beaches

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Are you already in Normandy?

Plan what to see and do while you’re here by visiting normandy-secrets.com, which lets you in on all of the local secrets and hidden gems in the immediate vicinity!

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