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Vermin & Bugs & Wildlife Aboard, Oh My!

From mosquito swarms and stowaway rodents to curious wildlife, learn how experienced cruisers handle nature’s...

Savvy Navvy

How Savvy Navvy Smart Routing Helps Boaters Make Better Decisions at Sea Learn how Smart...

A smiling teen girl standing on a beach in a life jacket

It’s Not a Fashion Statement, It’s a Lifestyle

A teen survived 1+ hour alone in open water after a capsizing—because she wore her...

A sailing instructor and his students

Educating, Influencing and Inspiring

Sailing instructors do more than teach—they build confidence, shape mindset, and inspire lifelong journeys on...

5 Tips For Planning A Sail From Let’s Go Sailing

The small boat sailing book “Let’s Go Sailing” is available from the American Sailing Association. SAILING Magazine says “The book is a sailing primer in all ways, covering all of the basics needed to get sailors of almost any age on the water. Every concept is illustrated in crystal clear detail through extraordinary computer-generated graphics that bring life to the

Towing A Dinghy?

I am going to get it out of the way immediately. I once fouled a prop with a towline. It took about an hour in Gustavia harbor to get the mess of braided nylon out from under one of two props on a 48-foot catamaran. It was a rooking mistake. However, it is a common issue that could have been

How to Tie 3 Important Sailing Knots

There are as many sailing knots as there are stars in the night sky — or so it seems. But the reality is that most sailors can get along with only knowing a few, as long as they’re the right ones. In this blog I’ll single out three very important sailing knots, explaining what they’re used for and how to

From Landlubber to Old Salt: Beginner Sailing Tips

Learning to sail is easier than you think with a little help from ASA.

Featured School: Go Sail Virgin Islands

It seems like the U.S Virgin Islands always get overlooked by its neighboring cousin the BVI. Why? Getting to the US Virgin Islands is easier and if you factor in flights, ferries, and taxis a trip to the US Virgin Islands is more affordable. Go Sail Virgin Islands is teaching students how to sail in the beautiful sailing grounds of the USVI

Bite Sized Lessons : Apparent Wind

In this lesson we take a look at some sailing terminology used when talking about wind. Learn what an easterly wind is and the difference between onshore and offshore breezes.

6 Sailing Bags You Need On Your Boat

I have to stop complaining about how many shoes my wife has because I probably have that many sailing bags. Yes, I have too many sailing bags and I am proud of that. You always need a good bag to carry your gear to and from your sailboat or to store much-needed equipment on your boat. I tend to like

ASA Board Member Michael Pandzik Dies at 77

ASA Founder and Chairman Lenny Shabes and President Cindy Shabes, with profound sadness and deep regret, want to inform all members of the American Sailing family and the American Sailing Association that a good and dear friend, Board Member, and shareholder of ASA, Retired Naval Captain Michael Pandzik has passed away at age 77 on 7 Nov 2022 in Kansas

The Sailing Terms You Didn’t Know That You Didn’t Know

Is sailing a foreign language to you? Sailors have a set of terms that help communicate instructions to crew and generally describe the operation of the vessel. However, some terms are not always as mainstream for the average sailor. These are a few of the terms that you may not be familiar with. In fact, you may never use these

Bite Sized Lessons : Aids To Navigation

In this bite sized lesson video we take a look at navigation aids. We explain the basic rules and talk about their colors, shapes and numbers.

Sailing in Los Angeles

When you think of Los Angeles you probably have images of Hollywood or Disneyland. You might think about Santa Monica Beach or Malibu but most likely you don’t automatically think about sailing. You should be thinking about Sailing in Los Angeles. Sailing within minutes of Downtown Los Angeles is easily attainable. Whether you decide on Sailing in Santa Monica Bay

Learning To Sail Is Just The Beginning

It’s Just the Beginning Do you remember the first time you were on a sailboat? What captured your interest – was it the wind in the sails, the sound of the water or the feeling of the tiller in your hand? What captured your imagination? The idea of daysails with your friends, visiting faraway shores or escaping your life and

Is Sailing Stressful?

What do you worry about when going sailing? Is sailing stressful or are you confident in all situations?

How to Plan a Daysail

So you’ve just added that ASA 101 seal to your logbook, and you’re excited to get underway for your first day sail. After all of your hard work, studying, and practicing, it’s finally your time to rally some sailing friends (your crew) and reap the rewards of the sailing lifestyle. This is a big moment in a sailor’s journey as

What is Seamanship?

How is seamanship defined? It is pretty much everything that happens on a vessel.

How To: Basic Anchoring and Anchoring Etiquette

Quite a long time ago…decades ago. I sailed over to Catalina Island from my marina near ASA headquarters. I was young. It was my first time embarking across the channel. My crew was a good friend and his cousin who was celebrating his 21st birthday. They drank beers the entire time. In simple terms, I was a solo sailor. I

5 Reasons to Sail to St. Barths

As if you need another reason to drop anchor in St. Barth we suggest these five reasons to sail your bareboat charter boat to this gem of an island that is the South of France in the heart of the Caribbean. Close your eyes and you’ll hear France all around you, lift a fork and you’ll taste the cuisine and

Places to See, Things To Do and the Beach Bars That Must Be Visited in the BVI

The British Virgin Islands are a famously popular spot for bareboat charters in the Caribbean. In fact, more ASA students choose the BVI as their destination of choice than any other charter destination. After you have obtained your ASA 104 certification and you want to head to the British Virgin Islands for a bareboat charter, how are you going to