SEAMANSHIP AND LEARNING TO SAIL
Probably the best web resource for new sailors is the animated introduction by US Sailing at: http://www.sailingcourse.com/
How to tie some useful knots: http://www.42brghtn.mistral.co.uk/knots/42ktmenu.html
The US Power Squadron teaches the Boat Smart course, and some insurance carriers will give you a discount on premiums for taking it. Contact the squadron in Bloomington (click on education): http://homepage.a5.com/~midillini/home.html
NOAA site for Clinton: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ifps/MapClick.php?CityName=clinton&state=IL&site=ILX
(click on “Tabular” for detailed wind forecasts)
OTHER YACHT CLUBS IN THE REGION
The Illinois Sailing Club at UIUC: https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ro/www/IllinoisSailingClub/
The Carlyle Sailing Association (the hosts of the Whale of a Sail): http://www.csa-sailing.org/
Chicago Yacht Club: http://www.chicagoyachtclub.org/
Indianapolis Sailing Club (Geist Lake): http://www.iyc.bz/Home.htm
Eagle Creek Sailing Club (Indianapolis): http://www.ecsail.org/
Illinois Valley Yacht Club (Peoria): http://www.members.aol.com/ivyclub/
Island Bay Yacht Club (Springfield): http://www.ibyconline.com/
LEARNING TO RACE
A good entry-level guide to racing, from the U of Iowa Sailing team: http://www.uiowa.edu/%7Esail/skills/racing_basics/
The Racing Rules of Sailing, in brief: http://www.ussailing.org/rules/RulesInBrief.htm
and in detail: http://www.sailing.org/rrs2005
Techniques for roll-tacking and roll-gybing: http://www.littlejohncoaching.com/rs_two/rstwo.htm
Some FJ and 420 examples of roll-tacking and roll-gybing: http://texassailing.org/files/tips/FJTack.mov
Dave Dellenbaugh’s rules of thumb for strategy: http://www.sailingbreezes.com/Sailing_Breezes_Current/Articles/Nov00/dell1.htm
Greg Fisher’s tips for the beginner: http://old.cruisingworld.com/gregfspd.htm
And on spinnaker sets/douses: http://www.usaj22.com/pdfs/J22_boat_handle_2_sail_world.pdf
North Sails in the UK has a guide to trimming a sloop-rigged yacht (main and Genoa): http://www.northsails.co.uk/media/fast/default.htm
Here's the link to the speed and Smarts information on the Quantum Sails One design web page.
http://www.destinationonedesign.com/prep/index.aspx?subsection=ae9e685d9cc543729c430b6478b740a4 David Dallenbaugh is one of the top sailors in the world and is very good at explaining intermediate and more advanced sailing techniques. The articles on the website are from his monthly newsletter which is one of the clearest information I've seen. (Gerry Christman)
ONE-DESIGN CLASS ASSOCIATIONS
Laser: http://www.laser.org/
But better information at: http://www.lasersailing.com/article/uk
And: http://www.lasersailing.com/resources/uk
Flying Scot: http://www.fssa.com/
Catalina Capri 22: http://www.capri22.net/
Lightning (includes a number of essays by Greg Fisher): http://www.lightningclass.org/
Thistle: http://www.thistleclass.com/
E-ZINES AND MISCELLANEOUS
Windsurfing information from a Champaign native: http://windsurfillinois.com/index.html
Sailing World (some articles, but not much for free): http://www.sailingworld.com/
Sailing Anarchy (yes, it’s the antithesis of Sailing World. Not for children): http://www.sailinganarchy.com/
Scuttlebutt: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/
Northern Breezes Ezine, includes Dave Dellenbaugh’s essays on tactics and the rules: http://www.sailingbreezes.com/
Fitness and Nutrition for sailors: http://www.tamug.edu/sail/fitness.htm
and exercises: http://www.uiowa.edu/~sail/library/skills/hikingexercises1.htm
and tips: http://www.sailfit.com/articles.html
Clinton Lake State Recreational Area - IDNR: http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/PARKS/R3/CLINTON.HTM
Lots of information about many activities offered at Clinton Lake
DeWitt County (this site seems to be up and down periodically): http://www.dewittcountyill.com/main.html
With a focus on the lake
Clinton Lake Marina: http://www.clintonlakemarina.com/