[追风逐浪，扬帆远航] 追风逐浪

　　看过本期“花季故事”里迈克・佩勒姆的事迹,你有否萌生出海远航的想法?帆船运动是依靠自然风力作用于帆上使驾驭船只前进的一项水上运动,是人、船、水、风之间获得平衡的体现。经常从事帆船运动,能增强体质,培养与风浪搏斗的精神。对航海有兴趣的同学不妨读读以下这篇文章,看看自己对这项运动有多少了解。
　　
　　Sailing began as a way to explore the world. While today’s sailors still retain the bold spirit of explorers from centuries past, sailing is no longer a primary means of transportation and international trade or method of war. Since the 17th century, people have been setting sail for adventure and sport.
　　Most modern sailors sail because they love being on the water. So whether you’re inspired by famous explorers or you just love the feel of wind in your hair, sailing is a sport to sate[使心满意足] your adventurous side. Fair winds[祝好运]!
　　
　　Types of Recreational [消遣的] Sailing
　　If you’re a sailing novice[新手], you might want to start out with small sailboats like dinghies[小游艇], day-
　　sailers[用于短途旅程的小型帆船] and small keelboats[装有龙骨的船].
　　They’re easy to maneuver[操纵], are usually less than 25 feet in length. These can be sailed by an individual or with one crewmember. Some sailors begin with small
　　sailboats and continue adventuring this way even as they become experts. Dinghies are fun and lightweight � they’re used by college racing teams and in the Olympics.
　　Some adventurers, though, take their sailing hobby to a whole new level and go cruising[巡游]. Cruising isn’t a just a hobby; it’s a lifestyle. When you hear about someone who is sailing around the world, they’re cruising. Sailors who choose cruising live on their
　　sailboats and travel for extended periods of time. Their vessels[船] range from basic keelboats to large, multi-hull[船体] cruising yachts[游艇]. Most boats intended for cruising have many of the comforts of home below deck[甲板], and depending on their size, may include beds, bathrooms, kitchen facilities[设备] and even entertainment systems.
　　If, however, you’re looking for something different, ice sailing turns sailing into a winter sport. Ice sailing began in the Netherlands in the 1800s as a way to traverse[横越] frozen lakes during winter, and has been growing in popularity as a recreational sport since the introduction of ice sailing boats in the 1930s.
　　
　　Basic Sailing Skills and Terms
　　The basics of sailing are easy to learn in a few classes, although it can take a lifetime to perfect them. Of the many skills and techniques to learn about sailing,
　　there are five essentials[要点]: sail setting, boat balance, fore and aft trim[前后平衡调整], position of the center-
　　board[(帆船的)中插板], and course made good[航迹向].
　　1. Sail setting: Sailboats can’t be taken directly into the wind or they run the risk of stopping. Depending on your point of sail[(帆船相对于风向的)艏向] � the direction of your boat in relation to the direction of the wind � different sail settings are needed. You can set your main sail[主帆] by listening to it: ease[缓慢并小心地移动] the sail out until it flaps[拍打] along the luff[纵帆的前缘,船的迎风部位], and then pull it back in just until the flapping stops.
　　2. Boat balance: When your boat begins to lean to one side, it’s known as heeling[倾侧]. To overcome heeling and stay on course[航线], it’s important to stay aware of the wind and the position of your sails. Also keep aware of the weight you have onboard and how it’s
　　distributed. If your boat is leaning port[左舷] side, you can counteract[抵消] it by moving your weight (or the weight of the crew) to the opposite, or starboard[右舷], side.
　　3. Fore and aft trim: A boat must also stay balanced from end-to-end[从头到尾]. Generally, the front of a boat (bow[船首]) is raised slightly higher than the back (stern[船尾]), and the distribution of body weight on board (you and your crew) is key to maintaining that balance. If you find your boat is dragging in the water (an example of what happens when the back of the boat is too low), move your weight closer to the middle or front of the boat. If the bow is submerging[淹没] in the water, take a seat toward the back of the boat. A correctly balanced boat allows you to sail more quickly.
　　4. Position of the centerboard: There is a delicate[微妙的] balance between your boat and the wind, and you can easily find yourself being pushed off course by it. The centerboard, a piece of wood, fiberglass or metal, is a movable fin[鳍状物] under the hull. By adjusting it in relation to your point of sail, you’re able to correct any drift[漂流].
　　5. Course made good: Getting from point A to point B isn’t always a straight course, especially if the straight course takes you directly into the wind.
　　Planning a route that gets you to your destination in the shortest possible time is called “course made good.” This is generally accomplished through a maneuver called tacking[迎风换舷], in which the boat is steered[掌舵] in a zigzag, upwind direction.
　　
　　Sailing Safety and Regulations
　　To keep recreational sailing a fun and safe activity,
　　there are some rules sailors are expected to follow. First, it’s important to be honest about your skill level. Don’t overextend[使承担过多责任] yourself � if you’re a beginner or an old pro, going beyond your skill puts both you and others at risk.
　　Your skills will only take you so far � you’ll need wind in your sails to get you out on the water. Make sure to determine the wind speed and direction before you set out. Also check the forecast. It may be sunny as you make your preparations, but a change in the weather could result in a dangerous expedition[远征,探险].
　　With skill level and wind direction determined, you’ll also want to inspect your boat, gear and tools to ensure they’re all in good condition, and note if you have everything you need onboard before setting out. You and your crew should wear life jackets and all know how to use the boat’s safety equipment. Be sure to know how to make a distress call[遇险信号] for immediate assistance.
　　Skill, wind and inspection � check. Once you’ve launched your boat, be alert[警惕的] and aware of your surroundings. By simply maintaining a safe speed and looking around you, you’re less likely to collide[碰撞] with other boats or objects.
　　With everything ready, you can start sailing and enjoy the adventure out there!
　　
　　一开始,航海的出现是为了探索世界。尽管今天的航海者仍保持着几百年前探险家们勇敢无畏的精神,但航海已经不再是进行交通运输、国际贸易或者战争的主要方式了。从17世纪起,人们开始为了探险和
　　运动而扬帆起航。
　　大多数现代航海者因为热爱乘风破浪而出航,因此无论你是受到著名探险家的鼓舞,还是因为热爱海风穿过发端的感觉,航海都是一种能满足冒险精神的运动。一路顺风!
　　
　　休闲性航海的种类
　　如果你是一名航海新手,你可以从小艇、短程日间式帆船和小尺寸重型帆船之类的小型帆船开始。它们容易操控,船身长度通常不超过25英尺(约8米),可以由单人或携同一名船员进行航行。有些航海者从小型帆船开始,在成为专家后仍然喜欢以这种方式继续探险。小艇很好玩,而且很轻盈,大学赛艇队和奥运会上都会使用这类船只。
　　不过,另外一些探险家则把他们的航海爱好发展到一个全新的水平――外出巡航。巡航不只是一种爱好,还是一种生活方式。当你听说有人扬帆环游世界时,他们便是在巡航。选择巡航的航海者住在船上,在一段较长的时期内各处旅行。他们使用的船从基本的重型帆船到大型多体巡游艇,应有尽有。大多数用于巡航的
　　船只在甲板下都配备了许多家庭式的舒适设备,根据船体的大小,其内部可能有床、浴室、厨房设备,甚至还有娱乐设施。
　　如果你还想寻找一些与众不同的航行方式,可以试试冰上风帆――这项运动把航海变成了一项冬季运动。19世纪,冰上风帆作为一种在冬天穿越冻结湖面的方式诞生于荷兰。20世纪30年代,冰上帆船被推广出去,此后便成为一种越来越受欢迎的休闲体育运动。
　　
　　基础航海技巧及术语
　　航海的基本技巧在几堂课之内就能轻松学会,但可能要用一辈子的时间才能达到炉火纯青。关于航海的众多技巧和技术中,有五种是至关重要的:风帆设置、保持船身(左右舷)平衡、前后平衡调整、中央板定位,以及保持正确
　　航迹向。
　　1. 风帆设置:帆船不能直接驶进风里,否则可能会停止前进。要根据你的艏向(即帆船相对于风向的位置)对风帆进行不同的设置。你可以通过听声音来判断如何设置主帆:慢慢打开主帆,直到听见它沿着纵帆的前缘发出拍击的响声,然后把帆拉回,直到它不再拍击为止。
　　2. 保持船身(左右舷)平衡:当船开始倒向一边时,就是出现侧倾。要克服侧倾的情况、让船只保持在航线上,很重要的一点是要清楚知道风和帆的位置。还要留意船上物品的重量及其分布。如果船向左舷侧倾,你可以把自己的重量(或者船员的重量)转移到相反的另一侧――也就是船的右舷来抵消。
　　3. 前后平衡调整:船的首尾两端也必须保持平衡。通常,船的前部(船首)都会稍微比尾部(船尾)高一些。船上人员体重(你和船员的体重)的分布是保持船身平衡的关键。当你发现船在水里拖行(船尾过低时所发生的一种情况),可以把重量朝船的中端或前端移动。如果船首浸入水里,就往靠近船尾的地方坐。一艘平衡得当的船能提高你的航行速度。
　　4. 中央板定位:船与风之间有一种微妙的平衡,你很容易就会发现自己正被这种微妙的关系推离正确的航道。中央板是一块由木头、玻璃纤维或金属制成的可活动鳍状物,安装在船体下方。根据你的艏向位置来调整中央板,就能够矫正使你偏离航道的漂流。
　　5. 保持正确航迹向:从A点到达B点并不总是一条直线,尤其当直线航道会使你直接进入风区的时候。设计一条能让你在最短的时间内到达目的地的航线便是所谓的“保持正确航迹向”。一般情况下,通过进行“迎风换舷”的操作方法可以实现。所谓迎风换舷,就是指从逆风的方向以Z字型路线行船。
　　
　　航海安全及规范
　　为了使休闲性航海成为一种有趣而安全的活动,航海者应当遵守一些规则。首先,老实承认自己的航海技巧水平是很重要的。不要不自量力――无论你是新手还是老手,挑战超出技巧范围的操作可能会将自己和他人置于险境。
　　技巧只能帮你这么多了,你还需要风来扬起你的帆,帮你在水上航行。在出航之前,务必判断好风速和风向,还要留意天气预报。在准备时也许晴空万里,但天气的变化可能使出航变得很
　　危险。
　　确认了自己的技巧水平和风向之后,还要检查船只、设备和工具,确保它们状态良好。出航前,要注意船上是否配备了你所需的一切物品。你和船员都应该穿上救生衣,而且必须知道如何使用船上的安全设备。务必要知道如何发出寻求紧急协助的求救信号。
　　技巧、风势和检修――全部检查好。一旦扬帆启程,你就要保持警惕,随时留意周边的环境。只需保持安全的航速并关注周围的环境,便可以减少与其他船只或物体发生碰撞的可能性。
　　万事俱备,现在就可以启程去航海了,尽情享受海上的乐趣吧!