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Product Review: Ronstan Rope Bag, Winch Handle Pocket & Drink Holder

I don’t enjoy admitting this, but I am a messy sailor. I don’t always coil the lines correctly, and my knots don’t look as good as they should. In addition, my cockpit lacks organization, and when I look through some of the compartments on my boat, I start to rethink if I have what it takes to be called a

Cruising Catamaran Quiz

So you’re thinking about chartering a nice sized cruising cat or maybe you’re even thinking about buying one. Here’s a fun quiz to see what you know about these beautiful beasts that sail fast and are amazing at an anchorage.

Featured School: Great Lakes Sailing Co.

If there is an example of what the sailing community feels like it can be found at Great Lakes Sailing in Traverse City, Michigan. They have been teaching sailing at this location in some form for over 35 years and their program includes a “Women on the Water” program as well as a charter operation. You not only learn to

Why Sailing School Makes Sense

I didn’t grow up on a boat. I had been to the ocean and watched sailboats from the beach and I was intrigued. It wasn’t until I had a job and a few responsibilities that I was able to take the plunge and buy a Catalina 27. I didn’t know how to sail, but I owned a boat. My children,

Where Are We Sailing Today?

The goal at American Sailing has always been and will continue to be, to educate and prepare sailors to learn to sail confidently and safely. Our primary purpose is to promote the sailing lifestyle. Through that, we encourage our sailors to get out and utilize their sailing education by sailing. Our American Sailing Member Events are designed to get sailors

Can Overboard! 🔉

Scenario: You crack open a cold one after a long day of sailing. Your buddy Jim finishes his first beer (rather quickly) and tosses the can overboard. When prodded about the environment, he confidently responds, “It’s just metal- it will break down naturally.” A debate starts, and you want it to stop so you can enjoy the sunset and your

Plastic-Free Provisioning

Over the years American Sailing has promoted our Plastic Pollution Purge campaign. We have asked our fellow sailors to “bring back more plastic than you take to your boat”, and to have fun practicing your crew overboard drills as you recover trash on the water. But to break the vicious cycle of plastic pollution in the water we must prevent

BVI’s Legendary North Sound Rises Again

By Bob Curley Writer, Editor and Sailor, Bob Curley, is a Rhode Island Expert who contributes to American Sailing on sailing New England and the Caribbean. When Hurricane Irma scored a direct hit on the British Virgin Islands in September 2017, it’s no exaggeration to say that the results were apocalyptic. Making landfall as a Category 5 hurricane, the eye

Featured Instructor: Captain Hilary Howes

Captain Hillary Howes found the magic of sailing in the San Francisco Bay and her life has taken her across the country to the Chesapeake where she teaches for Annapolis Sailing School. As her professional career wound down she turned to sailing and boats and now her next chapter involves sharing her love for the wind in her sails with

Featured Sailing School: Blue Pacific Yachting

If learning to sail in Los Angeles is on your to-do list you can be sure that Blue Pacific Yachting can get you out on the water. Blue Pacific Yachting is located in Marina Del Rey, California and they offer a full slate of ASA courses. Sail Santa Monica Bay or join one of their destination charters. This Month’s Featured

Member Benefit Spotlight – Eagles Nest Outfitters (ENO)

One of my long-lasting memories of bareboat chartering has become a ritual when in the perfect anchorage. My family enjoys catamaran sailing so we typically bareboat charter a catamaran in the 40 to 48-foot range with a trampoline at the bow. If you have the right hammock you attach it under the trampoline and you hover a few inches

Destination Learning: Where to Travel To Learn to Sail

If you have been on the fence about learning to sail because you feel like you don’t have the time, have you considered the thought of a vacation specifically for learning to sail? Yes, learn to sail while you are on vacation. American Sailing schools can be found in destinations around the world and quite a few are in those

Featured Sailing School: Erie Islands Sailing School

Erie Islands Sailing School was founded over ten years ago by Tim McKenna and purchased last year by former students Kent and Tricia Purvis. How cool is that to have former students continue to help teach others? The school has always been based on education, safety, and fun for our students. This Month’s Featured School is Erie Islands Sailing School Where

Where and How To Bareboat Charter

We dropped anchor in about 30 feet of water beside an island that had the ruins of an old prison. Some kids were climbing to the top of an outcrop and leaping into the clear water. I couldn’t see where they came from as we were the only boat in sight and the island is too small for any residences.

Featured School: Modern Sailing School

Sailing in the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco Bay is both picturesque and challenging. Modern Sailing School & Club has been teaching in the waters of the Bay for nearly 40 years. Since 1983, Modern Sailing School & Club has been introducing people to sailing from their headquarters in Sausalito, California. Even if you have never

Mid-Summer Sailor’s Buying Guide

With the summer sailing season in full swing, you have probably figured out that you need new gear. If you spend any time on the water you will see equipment and apparel that you need to have to enhance your sailing experience. That is where we come in to help you find a few more pieces to round out your

American Sailing Member Benefits

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.