Articles

Some of the best moments for cruisers are when we get to experience natural wonders up close. ASA Member Whitney Garner submitted an intriguing photograph to the Photo of the Month competition, in which a sailboat lay calmly at anchor, bathed in a purple sunset and surrounded by hundreds of small birds in flight. I asked her to tell me

We had our first Photo of the Month competition on Facebook last week. The above photo of the grand yacht Whisper, submitted by George Bekris, won with the most “likes” from fans. Fans voted on their favorites, and the race was close; the following three tied for second place with only one vote less than the winner: I find it

In this guest post, Captain Tony Wall of Biscayne Bay Sailing Academy recounts delivering a 46′ sloop–while managing the effects of a nearby hurricane. As a professional sailing instructor and USCG captain, I was contracted to sea trial a 46′ Bruce Roberts sloop named Harmony. Everything went satisfactorily, the deal went through, and the new owner, Veli-Matti Alho, asked me

I assume by now you’ve all seen this: But it’s so completely insane I had to repost the picture. (And have you seen the video of it?? I can’t decide if it’s fake or real or what…) Whale run-ins are the only thing I can think of that a sailor can’t do anything to prepare for. Poor visibility, no problem.

In 2009, President Obama declared June National Oceans Month, recognizing that “From the abyssal plains of the Pacific to the shallow coral reefs and seagrass beds of the Florida Keys, oceans support an incredible diversity of marine life and ecosystems.” He also created the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force to write recommendations for promoting conservation of our oceans, coasts, and

Boaters are well aware that it is strictly illegal to dump oil at sea. We’re all required to have “Discharge of Oil Prohibited” placards in our boats and receptacles for containing any oily waste. We know that the fine for dumping oil is in the neighborhood of $10,000 and perhaps some jail time. It’s at the top of our commandments,

The first edition of ASA’s brand new monthly e-newsletter, Sailing With Style, was sent out last week. Did you get it? Don’t miss out: you can sign up on our homepage. Sailing With Style is full of new content that you won’t find in the American Sailing Journal–and it’s delivered straight to your inbox. This month’s issue kicked things off

(That’s what the shirts from our Croatia Flotilla will read!) As ASA staff members return from attending the recent San Juan Islands and Gulf Islands flotillas, photos collect on Flickr and stories float around the office. I booked my tickets for the Croatia flotilla yesterday, and with the flotilla atmosphere all around me, I am eagerly counting the days till

The French government is poised to enact a bill that would require mariners to pay for their own rescues. In the wake of the world’s anger over Abby Sunderland’s expensive rescue in the Indian Ocean, they may have the bill timed just right. But what does this mean for responsible cruisers? Accidents happen at sea, hurricanes are not confined to