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9 Best Places to Sail in The USA

Do you sail where you call home or are you eager to experience new sailing grounds? The United States has an ample amount of options when it comes to sailing and they each come with varied sailing conditions. The next time you plan a sailing vacation consider one of these destinations. Florida What is it about Florida that makes us

Sail Local: Sailing The Great Lakes

Take a look at a map of the United States and the Great Lakes seem to be dwarfed by the two large bodies of water on the east and the west. Don’t let that fool you, the Great Lakes are huge and they offer a varied experience when it comes to sailing. If the ocean is not in your backyard,

What Is Your Role on a Boat?

Your ASA sailing education will prepare you to be a skipper on a sailing vessel and with that comes the responsibility of keeping your crew safe and ensuring the safety of the vessel you are sailing. You will also have a crew and responsibilities are spread among those on the boat with you. What type of sailor are you and

Do You Use Your VHF Radio?

VHF radio is the primary means of urgent communication between boats, shore facilities, and emergency services. VHF Signals travel line-of-sight with typical ranges of 20 to 30 nautical miles. Recreational boats under 65 feet are not required to have a VHF radio but most sailboats and powerboats carry one aboard because of its simplicity, convenience, reliability, and, above all, it

Featured Instructor: Captain Leigh Hunt

Captain Leigh Hunt of Modern Sailing shares his passion for sailing with students at Modern Sailing in Sausalito, California. His sailing paradise is one of the most challenging spots to sail with the currents, wind, and weather of the San Francisco Bay area. He does it all with a smile. Leigh Hunt of Modern Sailing is this month’s Featured Instructor.

Ports We Love: Sailing The Amalfi Coast

We walked to the top of the street to stretch our legs after a day of sailing. The sun baked the colorful hillsides and the air was rich with the smell of citrus. After a climb up what appeared to be abandoned stairs we were greeted with a trail along the canyon and a stream that flowed below us. Across

Need a Few Sailing Tips?

Find a few sailing tips from the American Sailing Association from sailing with kids to planning a day sail.

Sail Buffalo Junior Sailing Program

This summer American Sailing Affiliate, Sail Buffalo, had a tremendously successful summer Youth Sailing program. 400 youth sailors hit the water to learn the art of sailing. Sail Buffalo Sailing Director, Pierre Wallinder noted, “Our philosophy was to focus on the fun aspect and go with the weather versus racing in a variety of boat sizes. We also use both

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