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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.

Swimming with Outboards

When a 25HP Yamaha slipped into 16 feet of Caribbean water, a simple sail day turned into an unexpected recovery mission. What followed was a crash course in corrosion control, mechanical triage, and lessons in complacency. With quick thinking, fresh water, and a lot of patience, the engine was revived, starting on the first pull. This salty tale proves even sunken gear can be saved if you act fast, stay calm, and never underestimate the power of preparation.

Seasickness Prevention 101

Seasickness is a form of motion sickness triggered when the brain receives conflicting messages from the eyes, inner ears, and sensory nerves. While your body may be on a stable deck, your inner ears feel the rise and fall of the waves, and the disconnect can send your system into a tailspin.

How to Sail The West Coast of Vancouver Island

Hidden coves, towering cliffs, and untamed seas promise adventure to those bold enough to seek it.

Self-Taught or School-Taught Sailing: Which is Better?

When it comes to learning to sail, this old saying rings especially true. Whether you’re nervously approaching a crowded dock or reefing a mainsail as a squall builds, the ocean doesn’t wait for you to figure it out. So should you teach yourself, learn from friends, or take a course at a sailing school?

From 7-Up to Nuns in Red

Understanding the U.S. Aids to Navigation System (ATONs) is essential for safe and confident navigation. In this guide, you’ll get a clear explanation of how to distinguish channel markers, interpret their shapes and numbers, and remember their placement whether you’re sailing up the East Coast or out to sea.

Things a Marine Survey Can’t Tell You

Enhance your sailing skills by engaging all six senses—sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste, and intuition—to navigate, troubleshoot, and fully experience life on the water.

Sailing Through Stress: Understanding the Stress Continuum at Sea

Enhance your sailing skills by engaging all six senses—sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste, and intuition—to navigate, troubleshoot, and fully experience life on the water.

How to Be a Great Sailing Crew in 3 Steps

Steve Hunt, professional sailor and high school sailing coach, distills decades of experience into three essential characteristics that define a great crew: mindset, skill, and communication.

So You’ve Taken a Sailing Course… Now What?

You passed a sailing course. Now what? Explore some real-world, practical ways to stay on the water, build your skills, and become a confident sailor – no matter where you’re starting from.

Storm-Ready: Choosing a Safe Spot for Your Boat

Since 2003, I’ve studied hurricane damage patterns up close. One truth has become clear: where you put your boat is just as important as how you secure it. You can do everything right with your lines and gear, but if the location is exposed to storm forces, it might not matter.

The Six Senses of Sailing

Enhance your sailing skills by engaging all six senses—sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste, and intuition—to navigate, troubleshoot, and fully experience life on the water.

VHF Confidence: Five Pro Tips

Improve your VHF radio communication skills with these five pro tips for sailors. Learn how to use working channels, scan important frequencies, hail vessels effectively, make securité calls, and avoid common mistakes for safer and clearer communication on the water.

What is a Refit?

Planning a boat refit for long-term cruising? Learn the top 5 priorities every cruiser should focus on, from hull integrity to rigging, sails, electrical systems, and self-steering. Ensure your boat is safe, reliable, and ready for the open sea.