by American Sailing
Most sailors spend a lot of time thinking about fair winds and perfect passages.
Experienced sailors spend time thinking about what happens when things don’t go according to plan.
In our recent Storm Tactics online class, legendary offshore sailor John Neal shared lessons learned from more than 412,000 miles at sea. Drawing on decades of offshore experience, John walked sailors through the preparation, decision-making, and seamanship that can make all the difference when weather conditions begin to deteriorate.
One of the biggest takeaways from the session was that storm tactics begin long before a storm appears on the horizon. From selecting the right equipment and understanding your boat’s capabilities to planning routes and monitoring weather systems, successful heavy-weather sailing often comes down to preparation.
The discussion explored the realities of offshore weather, the importance of crew readiness, and how experienced sailors think through challenging situations before they happen. John also shared practical insights into storm procedures, heavy-weather strategies, and the factors sailors should consider when conditions become uncomfortable or potentially dangerous.
Along the way, attendees benefited from John’s stories, hard-earned lessons, and thoughtful answers to a wide range of questions about offshore sailing, weather forecasting, safety equipment, and passagemaking.
Whether you’re preparing for your first offshore passage or simply want to become a more capable sailor, this course offers valuable insight from one of the most respected voices in offshore sailing.
The replay is now available on demand.
If you’ve ever wondered how experienced sailors prepare for heavy weather, this course is well worth watching.
Link to Replay: https://learn.americansailing.com/p/storm-tactics
Join The Discussion
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Have you ever sailed in heavy weather?
What experience do you have with storm sailing? How do you plan ahead and prepare?
https://americansailing.com/articles/storm-tactics/
americansailing.com
Legendary sailor John Neal shares 412,000 miles of hard-won storm wisdom: heavy-weather sailing starts with preparation, long before clouds appear.
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