Join Gio & Julie Cappelli for Secrets to Successful Cruising, a live online class on October 8! Learn how to choose the right boat, build essential cruising skills, prepare your crew, and create a cruising lifestyle that works for you.

Whether you’re planning your first extended voyage or already cruising, we’d love to hear from you!

Let’s get…

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The Galápagos isn’t your typical sailing destination. Remote islands, volcanic landscapes, remarkable wildlife, and unique cruising considerations make exploring this part of the world an adventure all its own.

Our latest puzzle is inspired by the places, wildlife, and experiences sailors might encounter while exploring the Galápagos.

🧩 Play…

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You’ve had a great day under sail, the harbor is coming into view, and now it’s time to switch gears.

Coming into port means paying attention to traffic, navigation, changing depths, markers, speed, weather, and everything happening around you, all while getting the boat and crew ready for arrival.

Our latest Coming Into Port Crossword puts…

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Dreaming about cruising Alaska? The Wild Alaska online class with Gio & Julie Cappelli of Pelagic Blue Cruising is now available to watch on demand.

Explore what it takes to cruise one of the most spectacular and remote sailing destinations in the world, from glacier-carved fjords and wildlife-filled anchorages to changing weather, powerful…

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Every sailor has a list of places they’d love to reach by boat. Some are bustling ports steeped in maritime history, while others are famous passages that connect oceans, seas, and unforgettable cruising grounds.

Our latest crossword takes you around the sailing world without ever leaving your chair.

🧩 …

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Marine Weather Planning is now available to watch on demand.

Learn how to better understand weather patterns and use forecasts, routing tools, tides, currents, and other weather information to make smarter decisions when planning your time on the water.

One viewer shared:

“Incredibly effective instructor! I had a general understanding of sea breeze…

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There’s a familiar routine before every sail. Lines are run, sails are prepared, gear gets checked, and the boat slowly goes from tied up at the dock to ready for the wind.

Our latest Rigged & Ready Sailing Crossword is all about that process and the equipment sailors use to prepare the boat for a day under sail.

🧩 Try the crossword here

When…

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Preparing for an ocean passage can feel like an endless list of boat projects, safety checks, provisioning, weather planning, and crew preparation. Ocean Voyage Prep with Gio & Julie Cappelli helps break the process into practical, manageable steps so you can feel more prepared before leaving the dock.

One sailor who attended the class shared:

⭐ “I…

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Anchor with more confidence, wherever you cruise.

In Worldwide Anchoring Techniques, experienced offshore sailor John Neal shares practical strategies for choosing an anchorage, setting your anchor securely, adjusting for different conditions, and knowing what to do if things don’t go as planned.

Topics include:

• Choosing the right anchorage

• Ground…

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One of the best parts of sailing is never knowing what might show up alongside the boat. Dolphins riding the bow wave, a whale in the distance, seabirds suddenly gathering over the water, or that magical glow of bioluminescence after dark.

But have you ever wondered why you’re seeing what you’re seeing?

On Tuesday, September 8, join… Read more

The Galápagos Islands are high on a lot of sailors’ dream lists, but getting there takes more than simply pointing the bow west.

Join Gio & Julie Cappelli of Pelagic Blue Cruising for Sailing to the Galápagos, a live online class exploring what cruisers need to know before making the voyage to one of the most extraordinary and carefully… Read more

You drop it overboard, hope it sets, and trust it to keep you exactly where you want to be. But how well do you actually know your anchor?

Our latest crossword takes a closer look at anchor anatomy and the different parts that work together to help keep a boat secure.

🧩 Try the crossword here

Once you’ve finished, tell us:

⚓ What type of…

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For today’s sailors, checking your position can be as simple as glancing at a screen. GPS has completely changed marine navigation, giving us incredibly powerful tools for planning routes, tracking progress, and navigating unfamiliar waters.

Our latest word search is all about the terms and technology behind the GPS systems we use on board.

🧩 …

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Choosing the right headsail isn’t just about size. Materials, construction, design, and trim all play a role in how your sail performs, how long it lasts, and how well it handles the conditions you encounter while cruising.

Join Erica Georgaklis for a deep dive into understanding headsails and making smarter choices for your boat and the way you…

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Replay Now Available! ⛵

Ready to get more speed, control, and confidence when the wind is behind you?

The replay of Downwind, Reaching & Sail Trim with Kristen Berry of North U and American Sailing Performanceis now available on demand!

Kristen breaks down reaching and running, sail trim, apparent wind, boat balance, spinnaker basics, smooth…

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Ask an experienced sailor what they watch most closely, and chances are they’ll say the weather. Reading the sky, understanding forecasts, and recognizing changing conditions are all part of making safe and enjoyable decisions on the water.

This crossword explores the language and concepts of weather at sea, challenging you to think like a…

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Want to point higher, sail faster, and better understand what your sails are actually telling you?

The replay of Upwind Sail Trim & Balance with North U’s Kristen Berry is now available on demand!

This course breaks down the fundamentals of sailing efficiently upwind, starting with how the wind interacts with your sails and building into practical…

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How fluent are you in race-day lingo?

Test your racing vocabulary with our newest word search, then take your skills to the next level with American Sailing + North U’s upcoming performance racing courses and clinics.

🧩 Play now 

🏆 Learn more about Need for Speed, Strategy on the Racecourse, Racing Tactics, and Performance…

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Replay Now Available

If you missed our live session with Captain Rick Robey, the replay is now available!

Learn when to reef, how to depower your sails before conditions become challenging, and the sail trim techniques that help keep your boat balanced, comfortable, and under control in stronger winds.

Here’s what one participant had to…

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One of the simple joys of sailing is watching the wildlife around you, and birds are often some of the first companions you’ll notice. Whether they’re soaring overhead, perched on channel markers, diving for fish, or gliding alongside your wake, coastal birds are part of nearly every day on the water.

This crossword celebrates the…

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One of the best things about sailing is that there’s a boat for everyone. Whether you’re drawn to classic wooden vessels, sleek performance boats, comfortable cruising yachts, or spacious multihulls, every design has its own story and purpose.

This word search celebrates the many types of sailboats and vessels that have carried sailors…

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Every safe passage starts with good weather decisions. With today’s forecasting apps, routing software, and satellite technology, sailors have more information than ever before. The key is knowing how to use it.

In this on-demand course, Craig “Smilie” Smith, Weather Routing Specialist at PredictWind and an offshore sailor with more than…

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Ask ten sailors about their favorite onboard meal, and you’ll probably get ten different answers. Some swear by simple one-pot dinners, while others turn the galley into a gourmet kitchen. No matter your style, sharing food is one of the best parts of spending time on the water.

This crossword is inspired by the foods, drinks, and…

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July is National Learn to Sail Month, and there’s no better time to discover why millions of people have fallen in love with sailing.

Whether you’re brand new to boating or have been sailing for years, every sailor remembers the excitement of learning something new. This word search celebrates the skills, terminology, and adventures that…

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Your dinghy is more than just transportation to and from shore. It’s one of the most important tools you’ll use while cruising, and mastering it can make every adventure safer, easier, and more enjoyable.

In this on-demand course, Jeff and Jean Grossman share practical, real-world advice on choosing the right dinghy, launching and retrieving…

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Ask a group of sailors about their favorite knot, and you’ll probably get a dozen different answers. While every knot has its purpose, knowing when and how to use them is what builds confidence on the water.

This crossword puzzle celebrates one of the oldest and most practical skills in sailing: tying secure knots and handling lines…

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Every sailor hopes for fair winds, but every sailor should prepare for the unexpected. Understanding how to think ahead, prepare your boat, and respond when conditions change is an important part of becoming a confident sailor.

This word search is inspired by the skills, equipment, and strategies that help sailors safely navigate…

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Earning your ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising certification is a milestone for many sailors. It’s where everything starts coming together — passage planning, anchoring, crew management, navigation, provisioning, and the confidence to take responsibility for both the boat and everyone on board.

This word search celebrates the knowledge and experiences…

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What makes cruising enjoyable isn’t just sailing skills. It’s the habits, systems, and mindset you develop along the way.

In this popular online class, veteran cruisers Jeff and Jean share practical lessons learned from decades of cruising. From provisioning and boat organization to docking, maintenance, weather, and teamwork aboard, they…

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Storm Tactics Replay Now Available On Demand

What happens when the forecast changes and you’re already offshore?

In this popular online class, offshore sailing legend John Neal shares lessons learned from more than 412,000 miles at sea, covering storm preparation, weather planning, crew safety, and heavy-weather decision-making.

Whether…

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Planning for offshore cruising means thinking beyond the sails you have today and considering the sail inventory that will carry you comfortably and safely through a wide range of conditions.

Join sailmaker and consultant Erica from Port Townsend Sails as she shares how cruisers can work with their sailmaker to develop a custom sail…

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“Which is better: a catamaran or a monohull?”

It’s one of the most common questions in cruising, but as Jeff & Jean of Two Can Sail explained during this class, the answer depends entirely on your goals, budget, and sailing style.

Drawing on more than 45 years of sailing experience and time aboard over 260 different sailboat models, Jeff and…

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Have you ever wondered how sailors navigated across oceans long before GPS, chartplotters, and satellite navigation?

Our popular Introduction to Celestial Navigation course with Ash Ashbaugh is now available on demand, allowing you to explore one of sailing’s oldest and most fascinating skills at your own pace.

In this course, you’ll discover…

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For many sailors, docking is one of the most challenging parts of the day. Wind, current, tight spaces, and an audience on the dock can all add a little extra excitement to the process.

This crossword puzzle is all about the fundamentals of docking and leaving the dock — the techniques, terminology, and skills that help boaters handle…

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Thinking about chartering, buying, or sailing a catamaran? Understanding how catamarans handle differently from monohulls is one of the biggest keys to building confidence aboard these popular cruising boats.

In this comprehensive on-demand course, Captains Lisa & Andy Batchelor share practical techniques for operating cruising catamarans…

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At some point, many sailors begin wondering what lies beyond the coastline. An overnight passage turns into a longer voyage. A dream becomes a plan. And suddenly, offshore sailing doesn’t feel impossible — it feels exciting.

This crossword puzzle is inspired by the ideas, preparation, and experiences that shape offshore dreams, from planning…

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Thinking about moving from sail to power, or simply curious what changes when you trade wind for horsepower?

Join Captain Rick Robey for Sail to Power, an online class designed specifically for experienced sailors who want to confidently expand into the world of modern powerboats.

This course explores the practical and mental shifts that come…

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Ever dreamed of sailing from Grenada back to Florida, exploring the Caribbean one unforgettable stop at a time?

Now available on demand, join experienced cruising couple Jeff & Jean of Two Can Sail as they share practical guidance, route planning strategies, and real-world lessons for making the journey north through the Caribbean to…

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