Home ⁄ Articles

Articles

The coast of half moon bay at sunset

The Storm That Rewrote Half Moon Bay

Christmas 1979. A routine holiday sail down the California coast — and a winter storm...

summertime sailing

The Summer I Started Sailing

A sailor reflects on a transformative first summer learning the unglamorous realities of sailing —...

Best Learn to Sail Book

Sailing Made Easy Second Edition gives new sailors the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills needed...

Reefing Techniques

Reef Early. Sail Smarter. Learn when to reduce sail, stay in control, and confidently handle...

Don’t Hog The Helm

Sharing the helm turns passengers into sailors. Engage your guests, teach with patience, and make every sailing day unforgettable.

The White-Knuckle Shuffle

Sometimes the greatest barrier to freedom on the water isn’t the sea itself but the stories we tell ourselves at the dock.

Heaving To

Sometimes the most valuable skill on the water is knowing how to pause. Creating balance between wind, sails, and sea allows sailors to find safety, rest, and clarity when it matters most.

Women Teaching Sailing

Discover how women sailing instructors are teaching with confidence and connection, empowering students and inspiring more women to lead on the water.

That’s a Wrap: North U Performance Race Week 2025

From the breezes of Seattle to the trade winds of St. Thomas, from the sunshine of St. Petersburg’s all-women’s week to the classic waters of Annapolis and the new frontier in Austin, Texas — the 2025 North U Performance Race Week series was one for the books.

Two Important Things

Key Lessons in Safety, Sail Handling, Docking, and Navigation

Adventure, Glory, and Bugs

The Race to Mackinac blends adventure, chaos, and magic—Great Lakes sailing’s highlight with storms, stars, bugs, and unforgettable stories.

Ready, Set, …Instruct?

Dreaming of a career on the water? Becoming an ASA sailing instructor offers freedom, flexibility, and the chance to share your passion for sailing while helping others grow their skills. The world needs more instructors, why not you?

Sailboat Racing – Is It Right for You?

When I first started sailing, racing was the easiest way to get on a boat. Walk the dock the day before or even the morning of the race with a six-pack of good beer and you’ll get noticed. Greet the crew and ask if they need help. Someone always does. Crew drop out at the last minute, and skippers are desperate for “rail meat.”

Situational Awareness

Pilots know exactly what this phrase means. For everyone else, the concept becomes clear with practice – lots of it. True situational awareness eventually becomes intuitive, but it starts as a conscious effort.

Lessons From the Sea: Top Five Things I Learned on a Caribbean Learn-to-Sail Vacation

From navigating by paper charts to mastering teamwork in tight quarters, a week aboard a Fountaine Pajot catamaran taught us that sailing is as much about personal growth as seamanship.

Sailing Lingo Decoded

Every community has its own language, and sailing is no different. Step aboard a sailboat, and you might suddenly feel like you’ve stumbled into a secret society with its own code. “Ease the sheets!” someone might shout. “Mind the boom!” another warns. You nod along, pretending to understand, while quietly wondering why ropes are called lines and the bathroom is a head.

Why You Should Know & Love Your Fluxgate Compass!

Your GPS may tell you where you’re going, but only a properly calibrated fluxgate compass knows where your boat is pointing. From autopilot accuracy to radar overlays, this humble instrument underpins nearly every critical navigation function. Learn why heading data matters, how to spot calibration issues, and the simple steps to keep your system reliable. Ignore it, and even the best electronics can steer you wrong.

Your Dinghy Is a Boat

Your dinghy isn’t just a tender, it’s your second boat. Cruisers Jean Levine and Jeff Grossman share hard earned lessons, safety tips, and must have gear to keep your dinghy reliable, safe, and drama free.

Learn to Sail in Greece with Athens Sailing Academy

Learn to sail in the stunning waters of Greece with Athens Sailing Academy, the oldest ASA-affiliated school in Europe. Based on Poros Island, we offer week-long courses for all skill levels, including women’s programs, advanced navigation, and offshore mile-building. Sail through the Saronic Gulf and Cyclades aboard modern Jeanneau yachts while learning from expert instructors. Enjoy warm seas, ideal weather, rich culture, and unforgettable cruising in one of the world’s most celebrated sailing destinations.

Summer Sailing Trip Buying Guide at West Marine

As the summer winds continue to blow, we romanticize the long days at the dock or afternoons lounging on the hook in our favorite anchorages. Whether you’re cruising for a weekend or planning a longer voyage, having the right gear on board can mean the difference between “laid-back luxury” and “where’s the duct tape?”

Smooth Sailing Starts Ashore

Before you chase the horizon, take the time to inspect the boat that’ll carry you there. A smooth sail starts with smart preparation – topside, below deck, and in every system in between.

Prepare to Cross an Ocean

You might join a finely tuned crew with a seasoned skipper – or a boat making its first big leap. Either way, preparation is critical. Success offshore starts long before you leave the dock.