Recent Articles
ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising – What You’ll Learn
July 6, 2020We dropped the anchor in about 15 feet of crystal clear water. From the dolphin striker, I could see the anchor chain all the way to the hook in the white sand. Fish darted below the boat as if they were accustomed to getting fed by the new arrivals. The four of... Read More >
Happy Independence Day Weekend!
July 2, 20204th of July weekend typically means large gatherings as we celebrate summer with fireworks and grilling. Sailors will congregate on docks and tell great stories and then sit on the deck waiting for the fireworks display. This may not be everybody’s... Read More >
How To Learn To Sail
June 29, 2020“I have always wanted to learn to sail” How many times have you said this or heard someone say it? “How can I get started with sailing? How do I learn to sail?” At ASA, we hear that phrase on a daily basis. We will let you in on the answer. It’s... Read More >
Sailing New England – Arabella Grand Tour
June 25, 2020In late August. ASA and the Manhattan Yacht Club will once again partner to deliver guests a luxury sailing yacht experience aboard the Sailing Yacht Arabella. Sailors will depart Newport, Rhode Island for the offshore destinations of Martha’s Vineyard,... Read More >
How Teen Sailors Can Make a Difference
June 22, 2020SeaTrek BVI is an ASA school that introduces teens to the ocean environment through sailing and scuba diving. Each summer their voyages delve into marine science, adventure, and hands-on learning in the Caribbean. Students participate in these programs while... Read More >
The Process of Buying Sails, and How to Protect Your Investment
June 18, 2020Ullman Sails has agreed to offer ASA members a 10% discount on the purchase of new sails. These sails, made in the USA, are custom designed and fit. Not an ASA member, sign up today. asa.com/membership/ Buying New Sails For Your Sailboat While... Read More >
Sail Local: Sailing The Great Lakes
June 15, 2020As we emerge from our pandemic cocoon we will seek out the fresh air and look to get some wind in our sails. While we may not be able to roam as freely as we may like we can head to the water and go sailing. We say “#saillocal” and find a school nearby... Read More >
Are You A Cat Person
June 11, 2020Why a Catamaran? The wind was blowing well over 20 and the swells were coming across the beam both in rapid succession and with great fury. This was not a typical sail day. If I was sailing a monohull I would most likely be tied to the dock having a drink.... Read More >
Sailing Rhode Island With Black Rock Sailing
June 8, 2020Spend a day in Newport, Rhode Island and you will be drawn to the sailing lifestyle. Black Rock Sailing has offered up a taste of what Rhode Island Sailing is all about. Why Sail Rhode Island? Rhode Island, the tiniest state in the Union, is known as the Ocean... Read More >
ASA Featured Instructor: Captain Margaret Pommert, Seattle Sailing and San Juan Sailing
June 4, 2020Captain Margaret Pommert of Seattle has been named the recipient of the 2020 BoatUS/National Women’s Sailing Association (NWSA) Leadership in Women's Sailing Award. The award annually recognizes an individual with a record of achievement in inspiring, educating,... Read More >
UPDATE: Hands Across The Sea
June 1, 2020Hands Across The Sea has been working on literacy projects in the Caribbean for over 12 years and during the COVID-19 pandemic, their mission has been to continue to support teachers, schools, libraries and mostly, children. Cofounders Harriet Lindsey and Tom... Read More >
Celebrating Sailors: Summer Sailstice 2020
May 28, 2020Summer Sailstice 2020 is set, scheduled and ready to sail on June 20, 2020. Where, how, and in what form is entirely up to you. Summer Sailstice has always been about celebrating sailing and sailors around the world. This moment of unprecedented uncertainty... Read More >
Sailing Local With ASA Outstanding Instructors – Texas
May 25, 2020Local Schools With Outstanding Instructors When the dust settles on the COVID-19 crisis we will be looking to get back outside and back out on the water. That is when you should be seeking out your local sailing school. Explore the idea of sailing with one of... Read More >
Sailing Croatia With Adriatic Sailing Academy
May 21, 2020An Update from Croatia The situation in Croatia is really good, it makes us very happy. Our borders are open and we are all ready to start our activities. Of course, everything will be different, but we believe and hope for a good future, and the sea and sailing... Read More >
Teen Sailing Summer Program in the British Virgin Islands
May 18, 2020Go Sailing With SeaTrek BVI When the COVID-19 crisis is behind us will your teenagers need an outlet? Will you? For young sailors as well as those wanting to learn more about marine science, sailing and SCUBA diving, SeaTrek BVI offers teen summer programs in the... Read More >
Interactive Media Classes (Online Learning)
May 14, 2020It’s no secret that the COVID-19 crisis has changed all of our lives forever and the sailing world is no different. From closed marinas to social distancing on sailboats, ASA has begun to re-examine what the new normal will look like once we are all allowed to... Read More >
Environmental Updates
How Teen Sailors Can Make a Difference
June 22, 2020SeaTrek BVI is an ASA school that introduces teens to the ocean environment through sailing and scuba diving. Each summer their voyages delve into marine science, adventure, and hands-on learning in the Caribbean. Students participate in these programs while... Read More >
It’s a Pandemic, Are We Still Trying to Clean the Ocean?
April 27, 2020I watched a video of jellyfish moving through the canals of Venice in Italy today and was reminded about how much it takes to seemingly “clean” our waterways. A pandemic occurs and we can see sea life in one of the busiest tourist spots in the... Read More >
Ecology Tips For Sailors
April 13, 2020An ASA sailing education has always allowed you to get out on the water safely and confidently. However, sailing and becoming a sailor also comes with responsibility, to be a steward for the oceans. Today, our waters face many challenges including vast plastic... Read More >
It’s Valentine’s Day – Time to Love the Ocean
February 11, 2020Please Pick up All Those Escaped Valentine’s Day Balloons! The American Sailing Association has been actively promoting the “Plastic Pollution Purge” campaign to help rid our ocean of deadly plastic marine debris. While the task is monumental, it is often... Read More >
9 Instagram Accounts That Are Talking About The Health Of Our Ocean
December 16, 2019As part of our aim to raise awareness about environmental issues in the ocean we call our playground, we’d like to introduce you to a few Instagram accounts that are doing their part to tell the ocean’s story. Instagram is a robust storytelling platform and an... Read More >
How Big is the Ocean?
November 7, 2019For many of us, the idea of perfection is defined by a day on the water. We leave the dock, raise the sails, and point the bow in a direction that efficiently utilizes wind energy. The hull of our boat is designed to assist in the movement through the water. The... Read More >
The Ocean Cleanup- Update
October 3, 2019Boyan Slat, Founder of The Ocean Cleanup, updated the status of his ocean clean up project with encouraging news about the progress that the organization has made to make a dent in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Read More >
Green Boating with Sailors for the Sea
August 5, 2019No sailor’s education is complete without an understanding of our impact on the oceans. It’s my honor to introduce you to the single best resource for ocean-friendly sailing there is: Sailors for the Sea. Read More >
Learn To Sail Articles
ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising – What You’ll Learn
July 6, 2020We dropped the anchor in about 15 feet of crystal clear water. From the dolphin striker, I could see the anchor chain all the way to the hook in the white sand. Fish darted below the boat as if they were accustomed to getting fed by the new arrivals. The four of... Read More >
How To Learn To Sail
June 29, 2020“I have always wanted to learn to sail” How many times have you said this or heard someone say it? “How can I get started with sailing? How do I learn to sail?” At ASA, we hear that phrase on a daily basis. We will let you in on the answer. It’s... Read More >
Sailing Local With ASA Outstanding Instructors – Texas
May 25, 2020Local Schools With Outstanding Instructors When the dust settles on the COVID-19 crisis we will be looking to get back outside and back out on the water. That is when you should be seeking out your local sailing school. Explore the idea of sailing with one of... Read More >
Sailing Croatia With Adriatic Sailing Academy
May 21, 2020An Update from Croatia The situation in Croatia is really good, it makes us very happy. Our borders are open and we are all ready to start our activities. Of course, everything will be different, but we believe and hope for a good future, and the sea and sailing... Read More >
Teen Sailing Summer Program in the British Virgin Islands
May 18, 2020Go Sailing With SeaTrek BVI When the COVID-19 crisis is behind us will your teenagers need an outlet? Will you? For young sailors as well as those wanting to learn more about marine science, sailing and SCUBA diving, SeaTrek BVI offers teen summer programs in the... Read More >
Interactive Media Classes (Online Learning)
May 14, 2020It’s no secret that the COVID-19 crisis has changed all of our lives forever and the sailing world is no different. From closed marinas to social distancing on sailboats, ASA has begun to re-examine what the new normal will look like once we are all allowed to... Read More >
Sailing Local With ASA Outstanding Instructors – Florida
May 7, 2020When the dust settles on the COVID-19 crisis we will be looking to get back outside and back out on the water. That is when you should be seeking out your local sailing school. Explore the idea of sailing with one of ASA’s Outstanding Instructors. It’s time to... Read More >
#Saillocal: Have You Sailed Lake Erie?
April 30, 2020If you have never visited the Great Lakes region, do you really understand how large these lakes are? For a segment of the population that has no clue about the geography of the Great Lakes, they appear as a body of water somewhere between Canada and Chicago. That... Read More >
Cruising Destinations & Tips
Sailing New England – Arabella Grand Tour
June 25, 2020In late August. ASA and the Manhattan Yacht Club will once again partner to deliver guests a luxury sailing yacht experience aboard the Sailing Yacht Arabella. Sailors will depart Newport, Rhode Island for the offshore destinations of Martha’s Vineyard,... Read More >
Bareboat Charter: St. Martin Itinerary Tips
May 4, 2020St. Martin, Anguilla and St. Barth Sailors have long been known to frequent St. Martin for the endless beaches and combination of French and Dutch culture. Charter boat clients love the options for anchorages around the island. It’s proximity to St. Barth and... Read More >
Sailing Belize With Belize Sailing Vacations
March 9, 2020Why Sail Belize? On the shores of the Caribbean Sea and nestled between Mexico and Guatemala, English speaking Belize marries spectacular waters, hundreds of idyllic islands and the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world with a fascinating, culturally rich... Read More >
BVI Trip Report: Sailing Arabella
March 5, 2020A group of ASA members sat in the warm, calm waters of North Sound. In the shadow of Virgin Gorda, they wished for beers to quench their thirst. Like magic, it happened. A call to Arabella and soon enough, a dive bag filled with ice-cold Carib Lagers showed up.... Read More >
Charter Sailboat Resources
March 2, 2020You might be daydreaming about a sailing vacation so we have put together a resource to help you plan your next great sailing adventure. Whether you have just begun to sail and have recently earned your ASA 101 certification or if you have already mastered... Read More >
Operating a Dinghy Safely and Responsibly
January 30, 2020Dinghies are an integral part of sailing for the charter customer or for the cruiser who hopes to step onto shore once they reach their desired destination. However, do you know the rules and the etiquette that are the best practices with regards to dinghy use?... Read More >
Trip Update: Arabella in the British Virgin Islands
January 16, 2020It’s the middle of January and you may be suffering from the winter blues but a group of ASA members is sailing on Arabella in the British Virgin Islands. You might be a bit envious when you see what they are up to right about now. However, you... Read More >
5 Things You Should Know About Sailing Vacations
December 30, 2019Considering a sailing vacation is often just a far off fantasy for plenty but once you obtain the confidence through your sailing education it feels like a charter boat is that much closer to becoming a reality. Have you obtained ASA 101, ASA 103, and ASA... Read More >