Articles - American Sailing

Articles

eyes open mind aware

Eyes Open, Mind Aware

Awareness is the sailor’s true graduation—seeing wind, water, and traffic before it happens. Sharpen your senses and belong on the sea.
You Are the Skipper

You Are the Skipper… But Are You a Leader?

Discover how different leadership styles shape a skipper’s success, crew morale, and teamwork on and off the water.
Two Collisions, One Day

Two Collisions, One Day

Capt. Craig Walker shares hard-won lessons on seamanship, safety, and knowing the Rules of the Road.
Singlehanding

Singlehanding

Capt. Roger Philips shares practical tips and lessons on mastering the art, safety, and satisfaction of sailing solo.
Balanced crew. Woman balancing on boat

Balanced Crew

Balanced Crew: Explore how communication, trust, and inclusion create harmony onboard—and why gender balance strengthens every crew.
Sailing Small, Living Large Sailing Together

Sailing Small, Living Large

Sailing Small, Living Large: How life aboard a compact cruiser fosters teamwork, resilience, and unforgettable family adventures.
Turning Lessons into Games: Sailing Instruction in the 1900s

Destination, Destination, Destination: Sailing Instruction Through The Years

Turning Lessons into Games: ASA instructor Dave Simpson teaches new sailors navigation through fun, destination-based sailing games.
Reliefband

ReliefBand Review: Finding Relief from Motion Sickness On and Off the Water

Discover how ReliefBand eases motion sickness for sailors and travelers—on the road, at sea, and everywhere in between.
PETT Method

P.E.T.T: Prepare Execute Trim Tidy Up

The P.E.T.T. method: Prepare, Execute, Trim, Tidy Up. A simple framework for mastering smooth, safe, and efficient sailing.
September-Mile-Builder

September Mile Builder to the Dodecanese Islands

September Mile Builder: Sail Athens’ 450-mile offshore voyage tested skills, built confidence, and forged lasting crew camaraderie.
Boat Battery

How to Extend Your Boat Battery’s Lifespan

How to Extend Your Boat Battery’s Lifespan. Smart maintenance, charging, and monitoring tips from cruising experts Gio and Julie Cappelli.
Annapolis Boat Show boat on the water

2025 Annapolis Boat Show Recap

2025 Annapolis Boat Show: From scenic sails to new tech launches, this year’s show celebrated sailing, connection, and innovation.
Sailing with Sight and Sound Students

Sailing Beyond Sight and Sound

St. Augustine Sailing and FSDB empower students with visual impairments to learn sailing through touch, sound, and inclusive, hands-on experiences on the water.

The Art of Anchoring

The art of anchoring. Learn techniques about types, scope, setting, and tips to keep your boat secure and your time on the water stress-free.

American Sailing Welcomes Nick Harvey to Its Board of Directors

American Sailing, the nation’s leading authority on sailing education and advocacy, today announced the appointment of Nick Harvey to its Board of Directors.
dont hog the helm

Don’t Hog The Helm

Sharing the helm turns passengers into sailors. Engage your guests, teach with patience, and make every sailing day unforgettable.
White Knuckle shuffle docked boat

The White-Knuckle Shuffle

Sometimes the greatest barrier to freedom on the water isn’t the sea itself but the stories we tell ourselves at the dock.
Heaving to

Heaving To

Sometimes the most valuable skill on the water is knowing how to pause. Creating balance between wind, sails, and sea allows sailors to find safety, rest, and clarity when it matters most.