Articles in the category "Cruising Tips"

What Sailing Course Do You Need?

Once you decide that you want to learn to sail you might be trying to navigate the sailing certifications available to you. This should help clear up the sailing education process. If you have some sailing experience you can always ask your sailing school about “challenging” a course. If they offer the challenge option you can sit for the test

Tips From 106: Handling An Emergency

Thes tips are excerpts from ASA Advanced Cruising & Seamanship book. The textbook is the official manual for ASA 106 Advanced Cruising. The textbook was produced as a collaboration between the American Sailing Association and North U. A central facet of risk management is prevention. As the old navy expression states so well, “The price of safety is eternal vigilance.”

Operating a Dinghy Safely and Responsibly

Dinghies are an integral part of sailing for the charter customer or for the cruiser who hopes to step onto shore once they reach their desired destination. However, do you know the rules and the etiquette that are the best practices with regards to dinghy use? Those sailors who have earned ASA 103 and ASA 104 certifications have learned about

Your First Charter – Catamaran or Monohull

The American Sailing Association believes that a great charter experience is truly the reward of a superior sailing education.

Newport for Sailors

Writer and Editor, Bob Curley, is a Rhode Island Expert who offers up some tips for your visit to New Port, Rhode Island. Don’t let the mansions and the parade of summer visitors trolling the boutique shops of Thames Street fool you: Newport, R.I., is first and foremost a sailing town, and that’s been the case since the city was

Bareboat Charter Checklist

It was not that long ago that I boarded my first ever bareboat charter. The excitement with which we approached the catamaran is something I still feel today. This was to be the greatest vacation of our lives. The top of the bucket list was going to be checked off. A bareboat charter with my family. The dream of this

The Sailor’s Bucket List

The bucket list is that imaginary document in your head that holds your fantasies. What is on your sailing bucket list? We share ours with you, share yours with us.

Treat Yourself – The Sailing Stuff You Need to Start the Season

Oh lordy – the birds are chirpin’, the snow’s melted and that boat is ready to gallop around for another spring and summer (at least). Here’s a list of some presents to get yourself and your lovely to make it a more pleasant sailing season.

Reefing is Important

We’re talking about reefing - a foreign concept for some, a tried and failed practice for others - either way it's an important skill for real sailors.

Considering a Catamaran Charter? Know The Language

If you are considering a charter there is a good chance you’ll be thinking about a catamaran for your sailing vacation. While you should pick up ASA’s Cruising Catamarans Made Easy or consider taking ASA 114, Cruising Catamaran, you might want to brush up on the vocabulary that is specific to catamarans. If you feel like you need a major

11 Tips For Bareboat Cruising

Night sailing is a bit of a different animal so we’ve cobbled together seven tips to keep in mind as you sail off into the wild black yonder.

Bareboat Charter: St. Martin Itinerary Tips

St. Martin, Anguilla and St. Barth Sailors have long been known to frequent St. Martin for the endless beaches and combination of French and Dutch culture. Charter boat clients love the options for anchorages around the island. It’s proximity to St. Barth and Anguilla make St. Martin the perfect starting and stopping point for charter boat captains who want a

5 Reasons To Sail In San Diego

You want to learn to sail so why not pick a convenient destination to take your sailing courses? San Diego is the ideal location to visit because you can mix in your ocean adventures with some sightseeing and some cultural sites. Throw in a visit to a wild animal park and sample some craft beers and you can easily see

Exploring the Chesapeake Bay

Exploring the Chesapeake Bay During the Arabella Cruise By Gwen Mayes American Sailing has partnered with the Manhattan Yacht Club to offer charter cruises on Arabella. This month ASA Members were on Arabella cruising the Chesapeake Bay. Aboard the vessel was Gwen Mayes, a writer and local expert who lent her expertise and local knowledge to the voyage. She put

What Flag Are You Flying?

Do you know your code flags? International Nautical flags are used for communication at sea.

Ready to Bareboat Charter in the BVI?

Getting aboard your bareboat charter is the goal when you get your ASA sailing certifications. Where do you begin? For many, it is a sailing vacation in the British Virgin Islands so we decided to share a couple of itineraries with you to help in your planning process. If you are ready to charter a bareboat excursion, this is a

Choosing The Right Boat for Your Sailing Charter

You’ll ask yourself if you need a watermaker or if air conditioning is important or even if you want a full-sized refrigerator onboard the boat you are going to charter. The truth is when you decide to take a sailing vacation aboard a sailing vessel that you will call home for a week or two you’ll be surprised by just how much you think you need. Choosing the right boat for your sailing charter can be simple as you really only need to think about four basic questions...

Six Beach Bars You Should Visit While Cruising The Caribbean

Once the anchor is set and the boat is secure there is nothing like the sound of the dinghy getting prepared for the quick trip to the beach bar. You know what I’m talking about, the little grass shack on that picture postcard beach where the drinks flow as easily as the sailing stories do. What do you seek out