Most sailors rely on electronic navigation every time they leave the dock, but technology can fail when you least expect it. In this article, Ric Dahlin shares practical techniques like dead reckoning, using a compass, reading landmarks, and building strong navigation habits so you can stay confident even when the screen goes dark. Read “Your…

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What experience do you have with storm sailing? How do you plan ahead and prepare?

https://americansailing.com/articles/storm-tactics/

Whether it’s a sailing faux pas or you’re just sailing shorthanded, you can count on other sailors noticing when you leave your fenders out! What are your thoughts on sailors who fail to stow their fenders?

https://americansailing.com/articles/stow-your-fenders/

1. From playful dolphins to breaching whales and soaring seabirds, discover the unforgettable moments in Jeff’s article on Dolphins, Whales, and Birds, Oh My! https://americansailing.com/articles/dolphins-whales-and-birds-oh-my/

There are so many ways we find ourselves on the water, harnessing the wind. Sometimes it takes planning and perseverance. For others, becoming a sailor is a complete surprise.

What was your own sailing journey like?

https://americansailing.com/articles/i-never-planned-to-become-a-sailor/

What differences stood out to you? Share your experience with the American Sailing community. Read Jeff and Jean of Two Can Sail’s article on choosing the right cruising boat for your sailing goals to see how experienced cruisers evaluate the tradeoffs.
https://americansailing.com/articles/right-cruising-boat-for-your-sailing-goals/

Whether you use a traditional logbook or a digital app, documenting your time on the water can help build confidence and open doors to future sailing opportunities. Read more in Logan’s article, “You Passed Your Sailing Course. Now What?” and discover how a sailing logbook can support your growth as a sailor.… Read more

Read more about Jeff and Jean Grossman’s entertaining stories and practical advice for dealing with mosquitoes, rodents, bugs, reptiles, and wildlife while cruising.

https://americansailing.com/articles/vermin-bugs-wildlife-abroad-oh-my

Do you identify as a social sailor, a racer or a cruiser? Or maybe something else entirely!

https://americansailing.com/articles/what-type-of-sailor-are-you/

Discover why Sailing Made Easy Second Edition continues to set the standard for modern sailing education and beginner sailor confidence. https://americansailing.com/articles/best-learn-to-sail-book/

From high speed foiling to tactical starting battles, read more in Christy’s article on how every sailor can learn from the America’s Cup and where to watch this weekend’s racing: https://americansailing.com/articles/how-to-watch-the-38th-americas-cup/

When do you put a life jacket on? When do you require your crew to put a life jacket on?

Safe boating dictates everyone wear a life jacket at all times —but the reality is often different, with adult sailors and boaters choosing to forgo a PFD in favor of comfort, ease of movement or simply deciding, “the conditions aren’t risky enough today.”

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Michael Sotir shares the powerful lessons he learned across five legs of the Clipper Round the World Race in Across Oceans. From leadership and teamwork to fear, exhaustion, and resilience at sea, read more about Michael’s article on how offshore sailing reveals who we truly are. https://americansailing.com/articles/across-oceans/

Jenny Wight explores modern teaching philosophies, student psychology, and practical strategies in her article on The Art of Teaching on the Water. Read more about how thoughtful instruction shapes confident, capable sailors: https://americansailing.com/articles/the-art-of-teaching/

What’s been your experience with navigating border crossings by sailboat? Was it as rigorous as the journey described in this article?

Jean de Keyser explores dream sailing destinations Croatia and Montenegro, linking them together in a a single sailing trip. Read more here: https://americansailing.com/articles/from-croatia-to-montenegro-by-sail/

Many sailors assume yacht clubs come with high costs and barriers to entry, but that’s quickly changing. In this article, Grace Lockhart explores how modern yacht clubs are evolving with flexible memberships, lower costs, and a stronger focus on community. Read more to see how today’s clubs are opening their doors to a new generation of…

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Whether it’s reducing waste, choosing better products, or protecting wildlife, every decision matters. Read more about Christy McFerren’s article on leading the way to healthier waters.
https://americansailing.com/articles/earth-day-begins-at-sea/

Drop your photos from recent cleanups or share how you protect the places you love. Read Chrystal’s full article for inspiration and simple ways to make a difference on and off the water https://americansailing.com/articles/7-ways-earth-friendly-boater/

From performance to environmental impact, what you wear matters more than you think. Read more about Autumn Blum’s article on making smarter choices for sailors and the waterways we love.
https://americansailing.com/articles/protecting-what-you-love/

Sailing in Miami is usually all sunshine and warm weather, but what happens when a cold front rolls in? In this article, Giovanni Profeta shares his experience teaching ASA 101 during an unexpected drop in temperature and how it challenged both mindset and preparation. He breaks down the importance of layering, choosing the right gear, and…

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Have you ever considered becoming a sailing instructor? Why or why not?

Sailing instructors help students build confidence as they undertake their journey from newbie to experienced sailor. Read more in the article by American Sailing instructor Michael Sotir.

Read more here: https://americansailing.com/articles/educating-influencing-and-inspiring/

From childhood pool days to becoming a wake surfing coach, Sarah Beatie shares how her love for the water shaped her skills, confidence, and career path. Her journey reflects growth, resilience, and the power of following what excites you. Read more about Sarah’s story in her article Lessons Learned.
https://americansailing.com/articles/lessons-learned/

Do you have experience with trailer sailing? What do you think are the pros/cons?

Read more about trailer sailing, including myth busting and lessons learned by a landlocked captain: https://americansailing.com/articles/encouraging-landlocked-sailors-to-embrace-traillor-sailing

What is your favorite BVI sailing memory? If you haven’t been before, is this sailing destination on your list?

Read more about chartering a sailboat in the BVI, including best snorkeling spots, route planning and mooring tips here: https://americansailing.com/articles/set-sail-for-caribbean-bliss-with-sunsail-the-ultimate-bvi-sailing-charter/

In the article Hoist the Sails: Women Who Sail, women from across the sailing world share their stories, highlighting how growing participation and mentorship are shaping a more inclusive future for the sport: https://americansailing.com/articles/hoist-the-sails/

Performance Race Week 2026 in St. Thomas brought together sailors for five days of focused racing, coaching, and real performance development on the water. From teamwork and boat handling to strategy, starts, and distance racing, each day built on the last to help crews sail faster and make better decisions under pressure.

In this recap,…

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Grace Lockhart captures the spirit of these cold-weather sessions in her article Frostbiting: Late Season Laser Racing and the Ritual of Sailing Through the Cold, sharing what makes these late-season sails so rewarding. https://americansailing.com/articles/frostbiting/

After losing steerage 75 miles off Cape Hatteras, Captain Bob Butchko and his crew were forced into this controversial heavy-weather tactic. Read his firsthand account in Lying Ahull Off Hatteras: A Night in the Graveyard of the Atlantic: https://americansailing.com/articles/a-steer-less-night/

Spite Sailing is about expanding access, leadership, and opportunity in offshore racing. Read more about Emma Rosenbaum and Marianna Fleischman’s campaign in Welcome to Spite Sailing: Two Women, One Mini, and a Mission to Redefine Offshore Racing: https://americansailing.com/articles/welcome-to-spite-sailing/

Have you ever experienced a moment on the water where concepts like lift, balance, weather, or navigation suddenly made sense? Sailing turns wind and water into a real-world STEM classroom. Read more in Simon Horwith’s article Sailing Into STEM: How Wind, Water, and Navigation Turn Sailing into a Real-World STEM Classroom…

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How prepared were you to handle it?

Read more about this instructors article on nighttime MOB drills and steering failure during ASA 106 and share your offshore lessons learned: https://americansailing.com/articles/terror-at-night/

What lessons did you learn about preparation morale and leadership?

Read more about Karissa Lewes article on Sailing in Force 8 and join the discussion on heavy weather seamanship: https://americansailing.com/articles/sailing-in-force-8/

Many new sailors feel unsure before their first course, but ASA 101 is designed to give beginners a clear and confident starting point. Read more in Diona Young’s article Anyone Can Be a Sailor. Start Here. to see how taking that first step can open the door to a lifetime on the water.
https://americansailing.com/articles/anyone-can-be-a-sailor-start-here/

From standout seminars to the schools and instructors we are most excited to see this year read more in our latest article by the American Sailing and North U team on the Seattle Boat Show and why it remains a must attend event for sailors and boaters alike.
https://americansailing.com/articles/seattle-boat-show-2026/

How do challenging conditions and shared problem-solving at sea build trust, resilience, and camaraderie among a crew? Read the story about a difficult offshore delivery sailing up the U.S. West Coast from San Francisco to Portland (often called the “wrong way” because wind, waves, and current are against…

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How can instructors balance safety and independence when empowering students with physical or cognitive differences to take the helm? Read more in the article by Giovanni Profeta

https://americansailing.com/articles/learning-to-sail-beyond-limitations/

Read the article: https://americansailing.com/articles/sailing-beyond-asa-104/

Rachel Clarke writes about the 10 things she wish she knew as a new sailor:

https://americansailing.com/articles/10-things-i-wish-id-known-as-a-new-sailor/

https://americansailing.com/articles/growing-sailors/

https://americansailing.com/articles/the-sailors-sidekick/

Captain Lisa Batchelor Frailey from Kinetic Sailing breaks down her 10-step method to passage planning here: https://americansailing.com/articles/10-step-methodology-for-effective-passage-planning/

David Polakoff’s take on what matters most in a beginner’s sailing class:
https://americansailing.com/articles/centered-on-effort/

What is everyones favorite gear to wear sailing and why. Do you prefer mens gear over womens? What sailing gear do you rely on the most?

https://americansailing.com/articles/sailing-gear-for-women/

Share your Favorite poems and check out Karen Haver’s Christmas Poem here: https://americansailing.com/articles/cruisers-christmas/

Have you ever experienced a sudden, extreme weather event like a Nevera or microburst while sailing?

Jean De Keyser writes about facing a rare Nevera in the Adriatic and the critical decisions that helped save crew and vessel:

https://americansailing.com/articles/nevera