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Clean and Green-Up Your Sailboat’s Bilge

While it’s definitely not many boaters’ favorite places on their boat, it’s one that can have direct contact with the marine ecosystem: the bilge. With much of my life spent messing about in boats, I’ve seen a range of bilges, from pristine and orderly to dark, smelly, and grimy. While it goes without saying that the clean bilge is more pleasant to work in and be around, did you know that it’s also better for the environment? Here are 6 tips to make your boat’s bilge better for both you and the ocean.

Mastering Sailboat Racing Tactics: A Winning Approach

Sailboat racing demands a unique blend of skills and expertise. The dynamic nature of racing, with its ever-changing winds and currents, requires sailors to excel in various aspects to secure victory. Sailboat racing success is built on a pyramid comprising Boat Handling, Boat Speed, and Tactics, with Tactics reigning supreme at the pinnacle.

Regional Sailboat Races in the USA

Let's set sail into the thrilling world of regional sailboat races! These competitions offer a unique and exciting twist on the traditional sailing experience.These events serve as a rallying point for local racers, as sailors hailing from nearby towns and yacht clubs come together to showcase their skills. It's not all about the competition!

How and Why to Heave To

"Heaving-to" is a classic technique employed to endure severe weather conditions while at sea. Heaving-to is an essential skill for all mariners, as it proves valuable in various situations. This maneuver allows you to delay your arrival at a port until more favorable light or tide conditions prevail or simply "park" the boat while attending to necessary repairs.

September 2023 Sailor of the Month: Sherry Roth

American Sailing's August 2023 Sailor of the Month is Sherry Roth who hails from Barnegat Bay, near Toms River, NJ. In just one short year, Sherry has taken ASA certifications 101, 103, and 104, and a couple of pretty life-changing trips, first in Croatia, and also along the Florida coast from Tampa to Key West. She tells it all here in the latest episode of American Sailing's Sailor of the Month.

Your Sailboat Engine Won’t Start. Now What?

Sailing is a captivating and rewarding endeavor that allows individuals to connect with nature and challenge their skills on the open water. However, even the most well-maintained sailboats can encounter mechanical issues, and one of the most frustrating scenarios is when your boat engine refuses to start. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or a beginner, knowing what to do when your motor doesn't start can make all the difference in turning a potential disaster into a mere hiccup.

Lexi Fisher’s Journey to Southern Caribbean Cruising Guide

Meet Lexi Fisher, CEO of Chris Doyle Publishing. The Doyle Cruising Guides are a series of popular sailing and cruising guidebooks that provide valuable information and resources for sailors and boaters exploring the Caribbean. These guides are known for their comprehensive and detailed coverage of specific cruising areas, offering a wealth of information on anchorages, marinas, navigation, local customs, regulations, and other practical advice for sailors.

Sailing La Vagabonde: Navigating Life’s Ever-changing Seas

American Sailing interviews Riley and Elayna from Sailing La Vagabonde to talk all things cruising life. Through many evolutions from being militant vegans to becoming parents while living aboard, Riley and Elayna unpack the essentials of mastering the cruising lifestyle. Catch up with them in advance of their premiere launch of the SLV Essential Sail Guide as a class format with live Q&A.

Look Good While Doing Good: American Sailing Partners with 4Ocean to Combat Plastic Pollution

American Sailing has partnered with 4Ocean, a premier ocean cleanup company committed to tackling the plastic pollution crisis head-on. Together, we are launching a new "Buy One, Pull One" campaign, a remarkable initiative designed to make a tangible impact on the global cleanup efforts. Now you can help clean the ocean through the American Sailing partnership with 4Ocean. For each apparel item purchased through the American Sailing store, one pound of plastic will be pulled out of the ocean.

American Sailing Sponsors YCA’s Inspirational Cruiser of the Year

For the 2nd Annual International Cruiser's Awards, American Sailing is once again sponsoring The Most Inspirational Cruiser of the Year Award. The International Cruisers Awards were created by the Young Cruisers Association as a way to highlight and reward cruisers for their hard work in content creation as well as shine a light on outstanding individuals in the cruising culture.

How To Toss a Line: A Critical Aspect of Docking Done Well

Tossing a line is the critical point at which your sailboat makes connection with land. The toss itself is an art and science that can make this a seamless or stressful situation. Read this how-to guide to refresh your skills and keep everyone smiling when it's time to go ashore.

Farewell and Fair Winds, Jimmy Buffett

The American Sailing crew was saddened along with the rest of the world to see a legend sail on from this life this past Friday. We tip our hats to the innumerable contributions Jimmy Buffett made to help make the cruising life what it is. He was a true embodiment of the spirit of freedom, friendship, and good times so many have come to know as the setting in which the sailing life is best lived.

Barcolana – The Biggest Sailing Race Around

The Barcolana is an annual sailing event and regatta in the Gulf of Trieste, located in the northeastern part of the Adriatic Sea. It is one of the largest and most famous sailing races in Europe and the world. Held during the first weekend of October, the regatta attracts thousands of participants and spectators, making it a significant cultural and sporting event in the region.

August 2023 Sailor of the Month: Randy Stafford

American Sailing's August 2023 Sailor of the Month is Randy Stafford from Ken Caryl, CO. For the past twelve years Randy has been cruising through ASA certifications and online classes on the way to realizing his sailing dreams.

How to Manage Trash Aboard

We at Sailors for the Sea get asked a lot about how to deal with trash, and what’s “ok” to throw overboard. And the simple answer is, in a perfect world… nothing. That banana peel, glass jar, or soda can take a lot longer to biodegrade in the marine environment than you might think.

The Cost (and Joys) of Owning a Boat

Some of the best days in life are spent on a boat — despite what the old cliche tells us. Part of happy boat ownership includes accurately estimating the costs, and we detail these here so you can step aboard the experience with a solid plan for your boat and your peace of mind.

How to Start a Sailing Race Effectively

Starting to race can be a daunting experience for any sailor. In fact, the start itself can be the most pulse-raising part of the race. Bill Gladstone offers tips on lowering the heart rate while making the most of this exciting aspect of sailing.

Learning to Sail with Vagabonde Adventures: Embark on a Bahamas Adventure

Embark on an unforgettable Bahamas adventure with American Sailing School Vagabonde Adventures, in the sun-kissed Abaco Islands. Your instructors are Jack Karger, Eta Covo, and Hugo Picard — a youthful and yet widely experienced crew sure to help you create unforgettable memories and sailing skills to last you a lifetime.