Christmas Season Specials

 

This is a great time of year to purchase our many sailing products

One of our most popular offerings is our Learn-To-Sail gift certificates (with or without a toy sailboat to open on Christmas)... Click Here!

The Malbec18 sportboat/keelboat (has cabin) that we manufacture here in the USA. Click Here!

Our new Historical Lake Coeur d'Alene steamboat chart is still being worked on. Planned release will be July 25th at the first annual Lake Coeur d'Alene Carboard Regatta.

We have great prices on Radio-Controlled and Pond Sailboats, Kites such as Stunt, Pocket, and Floater Kites, Sailing Knives, etc. Click Here!

One can also make a donation to the non-profit Access To Outdoors to support marine access work, accessible sailing, and other projects. To donate email accesstooutdoors@gmail.com

Text 208-704-4454

Email funtosail@gmail.com

  

Kootenai, No boating accidents, summer 2022

Sheriff, Commissioners Tout Record Safe Season on Water

Kootenai County, Idaho:  Sheriff Robert Norris, Commissioners Bill Brooks, Leslie Duncan and Chris Fillios acknowledged the KCSO Marine Team on Thursday for ensuring one of the safest seasons on record. The traditional summer season starts Memorial Day weekend and ends with the Labor Day holiday. Kootenai County waterways are the busiest in the state.  There were no vessel related critical injuries or major vessel on vessel incidents. Sheriff Norris stated that the Marine Team Deputies did an outstanding job this year and their approach to the waterways, through education and enforcement, was directly responsible for keeping the waterways safe. Sheriff Norris stated, “I am extremely proud of this Marine Team, and the organization, as many deputies came from different assignments to create this year’s team.” Commissioner Fillios said, “As Chairman of the Board, I wish to personally thank our Marine Deputies for a safe boating season, especially in light of our rapidly growing boating population.”

The Sheriff’s Office was only able to hire six seasonal deputies this year, however Sheriff Norris authorized four full-time employees from other units within the organization to assist during the summer. Personnel from Patrol, Jail and Animal Control were temporarily re-assigned to the Marine Division. Sheriff Norris stated, “This was a team effort and every member of the organization stepped up to fill the temporary void.”  

The Kootenai County Waterways consist of 18 lakes and 54 miles of navigable river. Approximately 460 citations were issued, including 53 for Operating a Vessel Under the Influence and 70 for negligent operations. Over 6000 warnings were issued to boaters for various violations.

The Sheriff’s Office will be accepting marine applications beginning October 3, 2022, for the 2023 season.  Please e-mail marine@kcgov.us for questions. The job announcement will be located at www.kcgov.us

Sheriff Robert B. Norris

By Sergeant Ryan Miller

Contact: Sergeant Ryan Miller

Office: 208-446-1361

sopio@kcgov.us

The Future is Here!

So with all the foiling sailboats and boards is in the water sailboats dead. Not totally but when it comes to high end completion more and more are moving towards foiling. I think in the end one will only see a few non foiling classes survive such as the Hobie 16 and maybe a few monohull classes. If you have not heard the Laser is out of the Olympic's replaced by the RS Aero, which is a non foiling boat, but I predict in the near future it will be out also, replaced by a foiling boat such as the UFO.

Here are some videos of such classes of foiling sailboats...

RS Venture Connect Keelboat Review

On Dec. 10th 2016 I was able to test sail an RS Venture Connect keelboat with side by side seats designed for those with disAbilities on San Diego Bay (CA. USA). This sailboat is 16'4” long overall, beam of 6'8”, hull weight 655 lbs with weighted keel. Sail area is 159 square feet with symmetrical or asymmetrical spinnaker options available. See Videos at the bottom of this article.

I was very impressed with the stability and performance

of this boat. On the day I sailed it the wind ranged from only about 2 knots, up to about 10 knot gusts. In the gusts I never felt like the boat was going to broach and found her very responsive at the helm. I found her speed

was impressive to keep up with any other monohulls on the water, from big keelboats to other small day sailors.

As for the strength of the boat I actually walked on the forward deck with little deck flexing. Overall this boat is very well built for years of sailing enjoyment. When stepping on or off the boat I found her very steady and stable, something those with balance issue will appreciate. To tell you the truth I found it nice to be able to step on and off the boat without excessive heeling or the feel that if you did step on the gunwale she might capsize. Again this boat is extremely stable.

The biggest benefit to this boat is its versatility. One can purchase the Sailability Pack that includes two side by side seats, with stick shift style steering, and control tower that includes the main sheet and jib block system and other control line features. This system can be installed or removed in just a few minutes. This boat can be sailed like any day-sailor and even includes a trapeze system for those that want to trap out. Put in the Sailability Pack and sail with your grandfather or mother, or someone with a disAbility that requires supportive seating. Having a boat that can do it all is a great cost effective benefit for any individual, family, or program.

Some might ask me... “OK Miles, you gave us the pros, now what are the cons?” To that question I say... like any sailboat there are always things that could be improved or added. I would like to see a kick up rudder system and Keel raising system that can be used while on the water.

The weighted dagger board style keel is retractable for trailering. Still I find the lack of the kick up rudder and keel not that big of an issue if you are already use to fixed keelboats. As for any other negatives I can tell you I tried to find some but none really showed.

Other advantages include a high boom height that allows you to keep your head up during a jibe or tack, unless you are quite tall. Rigging is so easy as the mast only weights 00 lbs and all other parts are simple and easy to get to.

For sailing programs this boat is a win win as all ages can enjoy this boat, from the very young to the very old... as well as with people of varying abilities. This is great for any program with the desire to be truly inclusive.

Specifications/Description

- Length: 16.4 ft
- Beam: 6.8 ft
- Draft: 3.2 ft
- Draft Keel raised: 10”
- Mast Length: 20 ft
- Unladen hull and heel weight: 655 lb
- Mainsail: 118sqft reefs to 98sq ft
- Jib: 41sq ft
- Spinnaker (optional): Asymmetric 150sq ft; Symmetric: 113sq ft
- Self righting 264lb keel with lead bulb
- 1200 capacity max (that's a lot of weight for this size boat)
- Self draining cockpit - transom drain tubes quickly clear spray and rainwater
- Non-slip grip surfaces throughout the entire cockpit
- Can be stored afloat on a mooring
- Easy keel lifting via keel hoist for convenient launching and transport ashore
- Very durable composite GRP hull and skin construction with 3mm core mat for high durabilit-
   Optional Sailablity Pack includes side-by-side seats, stick steering system, control tower, etc.
- Optional aluminum keelband on hull bilge rails - protection when grounding - minimum maintenance
- Optional spinnaker pack (asymmetric or symmetric) to add speed and fun factor

For more info about this boat contact me at funtosail@gmail.com or call 208-704-4454.