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How A Boat Sails Upwind

A sailor’s life revolves around the wind. Its direction and its strength govern where he can sail, with what degree of difficulty or comfort, and how quickly. Naturally, the language of sailing reflects how sailors orient themselves and everything around them with reference to the wind. Upwind and Downwind The sailor’s world is roughly divided into two hemispheres: upwind and

Safety Equipment Required on a Boat

The USCG requires certain safety equipment on a boat and it is imperative that you make sure that your vessel is properly outfitted with this equipment. These minimum standards require U.S Coast Guard “approved” or “certified” equipment. This equipment includes: Life Jackets All recreational vessels must carry one wearable life jacket for each person on board. Any boat 16 feet

ASA 101, New Sailor Resources

Congratulations, you have earned your ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing certification! It’s time to go sailing and build upon your sailing education. Remember, ASA has you covered with plenty of new sailor resources. You are now part of a large sailing community that is eager to welcome you. While the ASA website can answer most of your questions you should

Visiting Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and Cuttyhunk on the ASA Grand Tour of New England

Writer, Editor and Sailor, Bob Curley, is a Rhode Island Expert who contributes to American Sailing on sailing New England and the Caribbean. The ASA Grand Tour of New England aboard the sailing yacht Arabella is highlighted by stops at three of the historic jewels of the Massachusetts coastal waters: Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and Cuttyhunk Island. The first two are

Your First Sail

The American Sailing Association has put together a short, fun, online sailing course, Your First Sail, designed to familiarize you with the world of sailing. It goes over the basics like what to wear and what to expect.

Beyond Newport; Sailing and Sightseeing in Rhode Island

Writer, Editor and Sailor, Bob Curley, is a Rhode Island Expert who contributes to American Sailing on sailing New England and the Caribbean. Newport is a not just a fantastic home port for your at-sea adventure aboard the sailing yacht Arabella: it’s also perfectly positioned for exploring the rest of the Ocean State. Located on the southern tip of Aquidneck

Planning a Sailing Vacation: Differences between a Bareboat Charter, Captained Charter, and Flotilla

There comes a moment when you are sprawled out on a beautiful beach and you look out at the ocean and see a sailboat and you wish you had opted for some time on the water. That doesn’t happen to you? Ok, we’re actually talking to those of you who see the sailboat and want to go sailing. Why not

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

5 Things You Should Know About Sailing Vacations

Considering a sailing vacation is often just a far off fantasy for plenty but once you obtain the confidence through your sailing education it feels like a charter boat is that much closer to becoming a reality. Have you obtained ASA 101, ASA 103, and ASA 104? Are you confident in your ability to head out and bareboat charter?

Should You Wear A PFD?

The question that is asked most often when going on a daysail has to be: Should I wear a lifejacket? The answer is YES, you should wear a life jacket or Personal Flotation Device (PFD) while sailing. Is the answer clear? The data suggest that drowning is the leading cause of death aboard vessels. An overwhelming majority of these victims

Charter Yachts and Bermuda Racers Gather to Race and Mingle in Newport

Writer, Editor and Sailor, Bob Curley, is a Rhode Island Expert who contributes to American Sailing on sailing New England and the Caribbean. The beauty, glory and occasional danger of sailing were all on display the third week of June in Newport, R.I., as the city hosted both the Newport Charter Yacht Show and the Newport Bermuda Race. A total

Planning a Daysail

As you embark on a daysail you might need a checklist of the things that you must have to make the day more enjoyable. First, you have the knowledge that you have already garnered from ASA 101, so you would have decided where to go, how to get there and when the optimal time to sail is. Sailing is about

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.”

How To Sail a Boat

You want to learn how to sail a boat and ASA has taught over 500,000 thousand sailors how to toss the lines and set off on a sailing adventure.

What Does That Mean on a Boat?

Confusing Boat Vocabulary Inevitably you will have a non-sailor on your boat and you’ll ask them for something or you will refer to something else and they will stare at you with bewildered eyes. That is why boat terminology is so fun because it is meant to confuse the non-sailor and make the sailor appear to be all-knowing. Well, that’s

What’s in a Name?

One of the cool things about sailing is the age-old traditions such as naming your boat - it can be quite the process & doing it wrong might bring bad luck!

The Best Gifts For Sailors This Father’s Day

Don’t go shopping for a tie this father’s day. This year your father’s day gift is going to be meaningful. Every sailor likes getting gear so why not get a fathers day gift that is perfect for every sailor. ASA members enjoy discounts on sailing gear and apparel. Already a member? Access Your Benefits Ronstan Quick Lock Winch Handles The Ronstan

How Much Does It Cost to Learn to Sail?

Frankly, there is no way to value the cost of sailing lessons, instead, the best way to consider what you want from a sailing school and how much you will pay is to consider just how much you will get from the school you plan on attending. The needs of the experienced sailor who owns his or her own boat