Learn To Sail Archives - American Sailing

Articles in the category "Learn To Sail"

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.
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.
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.
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.

Two Important Things

Key Lessons in Safety, Sail Handling, Docking, and Navigation

Lessons From the Sea: Top Five Things I Learned on a Caribbean Learn-to-Sail Vacation

From navigating by paper charts to mastering teamwork in tight quarters, a week aboard a Fountaine Pajot catamaran taught us that sailing is as much about personal growth as seamanship.

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.

Seasickness Prevention 101

Seasickness is a form of motion sickness triggered when the brain receives conflicting messages from the eyes, inner ears, and sensory nerves. While your body may be on a stable deck, your inner ears feel the rise and fall of the waves, and the disconnect can send your system into a tailspin.