Sailboats Archives - American Sailing

Articles in the category "Sailboats"

10-Step Methodology for Effective Passage Planning

10-Step Methodology for Effective Passage Planning

10-Step Methodology for Effective Passage Planning outlines a practical, repeatable approach to safer, smarter navigation for any voyage.

A Nevera

A firsthand account of surviving a rare Nevera storm in Croatia, split second decisions, crew heroism, and lessons every sailor should know.

A Misstep At Sea

A Misstep at Sea — a true offshore sailing story showing how one small decision spiraled into a dangerous chain of compounded mistakes, and the calm leadership that prevented disaster.
less stress while docking

Less Stress While Docking

Learn essential tips for less stress while docking to make sailing more enjoyable for your family on the water.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Women Sailing Instructors

Women Teaching Sailing

Discover how women sailing instructors are teaching with confidence and connection, empowering students and inspiring more women to lead on the water.

Situational Awareness

Pilots know exactly what this phrase means. For everyone else, the concept becomes clear with practice – lots of it. True situational awareness eventually becomes intuitive, but it starts as a conscious effort.

Sailing Lingo Decoded

Every community has its own language, and sailing is no different. Step aboard a sailboat, and you might suddenly feel like you’ve stumbled into a secret society with its own code. “Ease the sheets!” someone might shout. “Mind the boom!” another warns. You nod along, pretending to understand, while quietly wondering why ropes are called lines and the bathroom is a head.

Why You Should Know & Love Your Fluxgate Compass!

Your GPS may tell you where you’re going, but only a properly calibrated fluxgate compass knows where your boat is pointing. From autopilot accuracy to radar overlays, this humble instrument underpins nearly every critical navigation function. Learn why heading data matters, how to spot calibration issues, and the simple steps to keep your system reliable. Ignore it, and even the best electronics can steer you wrong.

Your Dinghy Is a Boat

Your dinghy isn’t just a tender, it’s your second boat. Cruisers Jean Levine and Jeff Grossman share hard earned lessons, safety tips, and must have gear to keep your dinghy reliable, safe, and drama free.

Learn to Sail in Greece with Athens Sailing Academy

Learn to sail in the stunning waters of Greece with Athens Sailing Academy, the oldest ASA-affiliated school in Europe. Based on Poros Island, we offer week-long courses for all skill levels, including women’s programs, advanced navigation, and offshore mile-building. Sail through the Saronic Gulf and Cyclades aboard modern Jeanneau yachts while learning from expert instructors. Enjoy warm seas, ideal weather, rich culture, and unforgettable cruising in one of the world’s most celebrated sailing destinations.

Smooth Sailing Starts Ashore

Before you chase the horizon, take the time to inspect the boat that’ll carry you there. A smooth sail starts with smart preparation – topside, below deck, and in every system in between.