Recent Articles
5 Tips For Planning A Sail From Let’s Go Sailing
December 2, 2022The small boat sailing book “Let’s Go Sailing” is available from the American Sailing Association. SAILING Magazine says “The book is a sailing primer in all ways, covering all of the basics needed to get sailors of almost any age on the water. Every... Read More >
Towing A Dinghy?
November 30, 2022I am going to get it out of the way immediately. I once fouled a prop with a towline. It took about an hour in Gustavia harbor to get the mess of braided nylon out from under one of two props on a 48-foot catamaran. It was a rooking mistake. However,... Read More >
How to Tie 3 Important Sailing Knots
November 29, 2022There are as many sailing knots as there are stars in the night sky -- or so it seems. But the reality is that most sailors can get along with only knowing a few, as long as they're the right ones. In this blog I'll single out three very important sailing knots,... Read More >
From Landlubber to Old Salt: Beginner Sailing Tips
November 28, 2022Learning to sail is easier than you think with a little help from ASA. Read More >
Featured School: Go Sail Virgin Islands
November 22, 2022It seems like the U.S Virgin Islands always get overlooked by its neighboring cousin the BVI. Why? Getting to the US Virgin Islands is easier and if you factor in ferries and taxes the USVI is cheaper. Go Sail Virgin Islands is teaching students how to sail in the... Read More >
Bite Sized Lessons : Apparent Wind
November 21, 2022In this lesson we take a look at some sailing terminology used when talking about wind. Learn what an easterly wind is and the difference between onshore and offshore breezes. Read More >
6 Sailing Bags You Need On Your Boat
November 17, 2022I have to stop complaining about how many shoes my wife has because I probably have that many sailing bags. Yes, I have too many sailing bags and I am proud of that. You always need a good bag to carry your gear to and from your sailboat or to store... Read More >
ASA Board Member Michael Pandzik Dies at 77
November 16, 2022ASA Founder and Chairman Lenny Shabes and President Cindy Shabes, with profound sadness and deep regret, want to inform all members of the American Sailing family and the American Sailing Association that a good and dear friend, Board Member, and shareholder of... Read More >
The Sailing Terms You Didn’t Know That You Didn’t Know
November 15, 2022Is sailing a foreign language to you? Sailors have a set of terms that help communicate instructions to crew and generally describe the operation of the vessel. However, some terms are not always as mainstream for the average sailor. These are a few of the... Read More >
Environmental Updates
Can Overboard!
September 6, 2022Scenario: You crack open a cold one after a long day of sailing. Your buddy Jim finishes his first beer (rather quickly) and tosses the can overboard. When prodded about the environment, he confidently responds, “It’s just metal- it will break down... Read More >
Plastic-Free Provisioning
September 2, 2022Over the years American Sailing has promoted our Plastic Pollution Purge campaign. We have asked our fellow sailors to “bring back more plastic than you take to your boat”, and to have fun practicing your crew overboard drills as you recover trash on the... Read More >
World Ocean Day: Ocean Facts You Need to Know
June 8, 2022We all know that most of our planet is covered by an ocean. Often referred to as the world ocean this massive body of water covers upwards of 70% of the surface of the earth. While most of us have that fact in our arsenal of tidbits to talk about at dinner... Read More >
Social Media and the World Ocean
May 6, 2022Social Media and the World Ocean Read More >
8 Ways To Foster Environmental Awareness
April 20, 2022When we step on a sailboat we often overlook that the bodies of water that we use to enjoy our sailing lifestyle are vital. The health of our oceans and lakes can seem like an afterthought when we glide across the surface and rarely think about what lies... Read More >
7 Things Sailors Can Do to Make for a Healthier Environment
April 19, 2022A sailor’s task is to keep watch over the oceans & waterways and it’s our duty to be responsible and not leave it in worse condition than when we found it. Read More >
Learn To Sail Articles
From Landlubber to Old Salt: Beginner Sailing Tips
November 28, 2022Learning to sail is easier than you think with a little help from ASA. Read More >
Featured School: Go Sail Virgin Islands
November 22, 2022It seems like the U.S Virgin Islands always get overlooked by its neighboring cousin the BVI. Why? Getting to the US Virgin Islands is easier and if you factor in ferries and taxes the USVI is cheaper. Go Sail Virgin Islands is teaching students how to sail in the... Read More >
Bite Sized Lessons : Apparent Wind
November 21, 2022In this lesson we take a look at some sailing terminology used when talking about wind. Learn what an easterly wind is and the difference between onshore and offshore breezes. Read More >
Bite Sized Lessons : Apparent Wind
November 21, 2022In this lesson we take a look at some sailing terminology used when talking about wind. Learn what an easterly wind is and the difference between onshore and offshore breezes. Read More >
Bite Sized Lessons : Aids To Navigation
November 14, 2022In this bite sized lesson video we take a look at navigation aids. We explain the basic rules and talk about their colors, shapes and numbers. Read More >
Sailing in Los Angeles
November 9, 2022When you think of Los Angeles you probably have images of Hollywood or Disneyland. You might think about Santa Monica Beach or Malibu but most likely you don’t automatically think about sailing. You should be thinking about Sailing in Los Angeles. Sailing... Read More >
Cruising Destinations & Tips
Towing A Dinghy?
November 30, 2022I am going to get it out of the way immediately. I once fouled a prop with a towline. It took about an hour in Gustavia harbor to get the mess of braided nylon out from under one of two props on a 48-foot catamaran. It was a rooking mistake. However,... Read More >
Is Sailing Stressful?
November 3, 2022What do you worry about when going sailing? Is sailing stressful or are you confident in all situations? Read More >
Planning a Day Sail
November 1, 2022You finish up your ASA 101 Basic Keelboat courses and you are confident to go out sailing on your own. After all of your hard work, studying, and practicing, your next step is your first daysail. This is a big moment in a sailor's journey as you begin the process... Read More >
How To: Basic Anchoring and Anchoring Etiquette
October 27, 2022Quite a long time ago...decades ago. I sailed over to Catalina Island from my marina near ASA headquarters. I was young. It was my first time embarking across the channel. My crew was a good friend and his cousin who was celebrating his 21st birthday. They drank... Read More >
5 Reasons to Sail to St. Barths
October 26, 2022As if you need another reason to drop anchor in St. Barth we suggest these five reasons to sail your bareboat charter boat to this gem of an island that is the South of France in the heart of the Caribbean. Close your eyes and you’ll hear France all around you,... Read More >
Places to See, Things To Do and the Beach Bars That Must Be Visited in the BVI
October 25, 2022The British Virgin Islands are a famously popular spot for bareboat charters in the Caribbean. In fact, more ASA students choose the BVI as their destination of choice than any other charter destination. After you have obtained your ASA 104 certification and... Read More >